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Reaching out here because I'm at my wits end with stomach pain. To make a very long story short, I am having extreme pain in my left side of my abdomen and back every night starting at 5pm and ending in the morning around 6am. This has landed me in urgent care and two ERs and a hospital stay in the past week. I've seen doctor after doctor and no one knows what's wrong. Waiting to see a GI specialist. I was discharged with narcotic pain meds to control it and those don't even work. Totally fine during the day. No problems eating or any other classic lap band complications but my surgeon is not ruling out lap band issues.... Has anyone had this? It's like clock work and I dread every evening. I met with my surgeon today and unfortunately his solution involved going to an ER and hospital that are not on my insurance. Any advice appreciated. The pain is constant, intense and travels throughout my left side. Ruled out OB issues, kidney stones, gallbladder, etc with a CT scan. All bloodwork normal.

Whatever you decide, PLEASE make sure your insurance company does NOT have a 1 weight loss surgery procedure per LIFETIME, or policy period exclusion. With the recent study out in 2010 showing 1 in 3 band patients need another surgery and it's typically a revision, you'll be stuck with a band. I have appeal letters, and there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many people on obesityhelp.com that had the same rule with their insurance, they appealed it and WON for the sleeve. I had the band because VSG was not available when I had to choose. So, believe me, I do understand in choosing the band, BUT VSG was NOT even offered in my area, along with government ran insurance through the military, I had to tackle 2 hurdles to get VSG. I say do NOT give up, do not settle for the complications that come with the band lifestyle.

You might. I did have an account, but I left when I had just had enough from people who are emotionally unhealthy. I see that there are still people who like to unload on others here, so I won't frequent this site. I just wanted to share my experience in case someone really needs help. I really needed help, and Dr. Illan and his team really saved me from the complications of a rather severe lap band slip. I am so lucky I found them.

I guess I am opposite of most, it doesn't bother me to tell ppl....WLS. I haven't really had alot of people asking me yet tho..mostly people I work with who know I was gone for 6 weeks anyway, and knew something was up. But telling someone your eating better, making better eating choices is not a lie. (btw...I didn't have complications...I just have a job with heavy lifting so I had to stay off til my wt restriction was done).

Hi Brooke, I am 9 days out from surgery, and I too have questions. I haven't lost but 2 lbs since my surgery. Total weight loss of 17.5 lbs. total in 3 weeks (2 weeks pre-op). Kinda concerned that the weight doesn't seem to be coming off as fast as I thought it would. My BMI was at 30 when I had the surgery and my weight was 177. I am walking everyday. I am hoping when I get back to work next week that the weight will begin to fall off. I am only having very liquid foods and protein drinks until next week. Then on to soft puréed foods. No complications as far as drinking anything either. But I am careful about how much over what time period. I too am afraid to not follow the drs. orders. I guess I am just looking for support and would appreciate all offered. Christina With a BMI of 30 your loss is going to be slow. Generally the bigger you are the faster the initial weight loss.

I so understand how you are feeling. It takes courage to have this surgery and even more so outside of the US. I have read testimony after testimony from real people on this message board who have had Dr. Aceves and do not recall ever reading of any dissatisfaction, complaint or complication. He is a highly skilled and experienced surgeon having done many sleeve procedures. That would really help ease my nerves. I'll be thinking of you and keeping close tabs as your date approaches will send up prayers for a very good surgery and recovery.

You said it's a little over a week. This is super-early days after MAJOR surgery, especially since you had a hital hernia repair as well. I had a hernia repair with mine and felt like I'd been hit by a truck for a solid two weeks. But it comes with the territory, it's gonna hurt and it's gonna take a few weeks to settle. Complications suck, but the difficult early months and boring food restrictions are short lived. Try distracting yourself, and most of all, be patient let your body heal. It's been through the ringer!

I know there's always the chance of complications and my week off is based on an easy surgery with no major issues. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so my biggest concern is being weak and fatigued easily. My work days are usually around 9-10 hours long. I can take breaks and have a fridge and microwave available. I might get a small blender to keep up there as well.

You gotta walk through the door or you will never know what is on the other side. My surgeon gives all his patients a journal - a way to track food, weight loss, exercise, vitamins, etc. On the front it says," As I'm getting smaller, my world is getting bigger." I never really understood it until I lost about 50-60 pounds and could be more mobile and pain free. Now my world can't be big enough! I feel no limits - only by my own mind. I believe I could hike the Grand Canyon now, or ride in the 100 + mile El Tour de Tucson (bike), or hike the 830 mile Arizona Trail, or take flying lessons. Or kayak without swamping the boat, or get on and off the floor with my grandkids, or walk up hills without being winded, or ride my mule, or buy SMALL size tops and size 12 pants. It's an unbelievable world right now for me - a world I would never know without walking through that door, scared as I was (crying in preop, wondering if I should just get up and leave.) Surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a whole new life!!!!!! A life I never thought I would see again. Yes, there can be complications (I got a blood clot in my leg), and yes, recovery is a bear. But there is a whole new world waiting for you on the other side of that door.

lapbandtalker- I went in to the ER and they rushed me in for emergency surgery. I knew my band had slipped for a month and we were waiting to see if it would go back on its own but I started having trouble keeping anything down and severe pain. My doctor told me it was a good thing I came in when I did because the band was strangulating my stomache and it could of cut off the blood flow to my stomache completely which would of caused my stomache to die and caused many complications for the rest of my life and possibly death due to unknown infection if I had let it go. I dont think that everybodys case is going to be just like mine but I do believe in signs and fate and it may be a sign that you read my post. I did read somone elses post who had a slipped band the day before I went in and I really think it scared me enough to go in which may have saved my life or at least my stomache. I had the best possible results, I had the band removed, a new one put in and I am doing great with my new band now! I cant imagine life without my band and I am so glad that I have been blessed enough to be able to keep it!!!

Awesome list! I'd like to add that, while you shouldn't get carried away with it, looking back, I wish I would have thought about the "what ifs" a little more. Only to make sure that I really understood the ramifications of my decision to have surgery. What if things don't go as planned and I have to have additional surgeries and possible complications for the rest of my life? Am I ready to handle that? Like I said, don't dwell on it, but just consider the possibilities- good and not-so-good.

Curious you did not tell us your weight if you can lose weight with out Lap Band save the money and do it. I understand that your self esteme and outlook is effected by your body image but judging from a low BMI in appears your not seriously overweight and you have no other complications. It makes me wonder what Dr would just schedule you for surgery so quickly ....just sayin. Lap Band is not for everyone and it is not a walk in the park. Have you had your psyche eval and met with a nutritionist. I am interested to hear what others have to say...

Tabbaby, can you tell us what kinds of things, specifically, you are scared of? Is it the surgery process itself? Are you afraid of complications? Are you afraid of not being able to eat? Let us know so that we can address specific things for you, k? As for me, I cannot think of a SINGLE thing that I regret. It's important that you realize that, for the most part, you will be able to eat anything you do now. You won't be able to eat as much...but you'll still feel full so it doesn't matter. You won't be able to eat as much...so you'll probably choose that protein-packed chicken over that cupcake (probably, but it's ok if you make a poor choice sometimes.) There are terrific counselors that specialize in working with weight loss surgery patients. Hang out here to get first hand perspective, and maybe seek out one of those counselors too. Pop in anytime! :tt2:

I was sleeved on Tuesday the 5th of July so I am 4 days post op. I'm doing better each day EXCEPT I am having terrible has in my stomach and around where my hiatal hernia was repaired. SO MUCH GAS. Can anyone please shed some light on this I cannot seem to find much about it. Will it cause any complications. When I burp it is like this wierd reverse burp where it feels like I am taking in more air to get the burp out. Please let me know if this is normal. Thank you so much.

I would like to hear from bandsters who have been banded OVER 5 YEARS?? OVER 10 YEARS?? I read posts from all of you wonderful people, but most of the band dates are very recent. I would like to know what complications?? what successes?? Are you happy with the results??? Are you sorry you did it years ago?? Did you have to be re-banded with a newer lap band model?? I am being banded on Friday March 20, and I am concerned with the LONG TERM consequences. Thank you cc

Depends on what you're paying for the surgery and if you have complications that throw big hospital bills in your lap. mine probably won't pay off for a while. But in the long run, perhaps. Course now I'm buying more food from the health food store instead of lots of ice team and Chinese buffets, so I really think its about the same as before. After these bills are paid, anyway.

I've been banded for 3years but due to some complication I had to get all my fill out because my stomach was swollen. Now, I tried to do this portion control w/out any restriction and it worked for a while but I've gained a lot of weight back and tomorrow I've decided to go for the 1st fill and don't want to because I'm worried that I won't get to eat anymore (obvioulsy) and since I haven't had a fill in a while how my tummy will react to eat, because I don't want to throw up anymore. HELP!

So I have been really quiet on here because I was just trying to get rid of the last of the health issues I had going on. Polyps are gone and uterine fibroids are gone. I had an appt with my bariatric surgeon today and we discussed getting the revision now that I have a clean bill of health. Looks like it'll be mid July sometime. BUT...my revision is a little more complicated. Here's what I was told: Normally they leave the bottom part of the stomach when they do the bypass because there might be a need for a feeding tube at some point, or something like that. HOWEVER, with my situation, the part they would normally leave is where all the polyps were. So the surgeon is going to completely remove the bottom part of the stomach (making my stomach about 2oz instead of the 4-5oz it is now) during the bypass surgery. He said that's not ideal, but given my situation, it's the best course of treatment for the GERD, esophagitis, gastritis, and getting me back to being able to work out and live a normal life again (which is really all I want). He said it does present a problem later on if I need a feeding tube or whatever, but that's a big "if", and considering all of my issues right now, it's worth the risk, if I agree. I agreed with him and I'm waiting for the coordinator to call me to schedule the surgery officially. I'm so close to this being over. I can see the finish line FINALLY!!!!!

Hello everyone. I got banded back in August and things have been going so so. I'm down 50 pounds and only 30 from my first goal, so I guess I should be feeling more encouraged, but I've been having a hard time with my band the last couple of months. I got a pouch dilation back in the beginning of January, right after my fill up to 5cc (I have a 10 cc band). My next appointment wasn't until February and I wasn't sure at the time whether this was a real problem, or if I was simply just starting to feel real restriction so I didn't go back for an unfill until a month later. During that month, I could drink liquids but sometimes I felt like they weren't going down as easily as they should, especially in the mornings. I was able to eat food too, in teensy lap band portions and I ended up losing 13 pounds in that one month. I've never gotten stuck so badly that I had to bring it up, PBd, or had reflux, but I did get painful hiccups sometimes that don't last very long. At my February appointment, they found the pouch and put me on a 2 week liquid diet to make it go down, but when that didn't work they had to take 2 CCs out bringing me back down to 3. I've been slowly getting refilled since then and haven't had any problems. Monday they got me back up to 5CCs, and I'm having the same problems again. I CAN drink liquids, but they aren't going down as smoothly as I think they should, I sometimes get painful 'hiccups' after eating a tiny bit of food, and I haven't felt hungry at all since two days ago despite barely eating anything. Maybe that's normal with good restriction? It's hard to describe, but I can kind of feel the band squeezing around the liquid while I drink. Should I be getting that feeling with a band that's only half full? My fill doctors are closed until Tuesday due to the holiday, they said that I could go to the ER but I don't think it's THAT series because I can still eat and drink. I'm going to do a liquid diet for the next few days, but what should I do after that? Ask for a sooner appointment to see if I have a pouch again? I really don't want to go through another unfill just when I'd started to feel good restriction again. I'm ashamed to admit that my self control isn't as good as I thought it was and I gained back another eight pounds after they took out those 2 ccs. I'm also feeling very discouraged that I can't seem to get past the 5cc mark without having this problem. I worry that if they do unfill me, I'll just have the same problem again in another three months. Is it okay to just leave the pouch alone, as long as I'm careful? Or will it lead to complications? I've love some advice, thanks!

Had my bypass and I have struggled since day 1 first pain now 3 weeks of nausea and tonight I coughed/threw up blood. Idk if the blood is just from my stomach and esophagus irritated from all the dry heaving and throwing up or what what do u all think? Anyone experience coughing/throwing up bright red blood?

I went through a similar path. Make sure you stay on the liquids. The constipation stage was horrible for me. Brought out roids and I won't even get into that. I ended up taking daily probiotics and adding them to yogurt or pudding, and every other day had probiotics that had added fiber. I think the brand was Culturelle? I stole some from the supply for my kid - but the adult version is just taking 2 of the kid doses. I started with kid doses (one packet of powder). Just make sure you get those liquids for sure. I have heard the biggest contributor to readmissions and complications ends up being dehydration. Back in the day I would just chug a bottle or two of water and catch up, gone are those days!

Best decision I ever made! I'm 5 months out and have had no complications or regrets and lost 106 pounds. You definitely need to be prepared. The 6 month program I was in before the surgery really helped me understand exactly what I was getting myself into. You'll be fine. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

Hi all. I need some help. Had my surgery Oct 2020. Went private in the UK which means no psychological help/therapy beforehand & £10,000 out of pocket 😕 I lost very quickly & easily, minimal complications. I'm about 12kg from my goal bmi of 23 and feel & look a million times better. But... I've stopped trying. I injured myself about a month ago & couldn't exercise, I stopped tracking food & started eating rubbish. Not binge eating but actively making terrible choices, partly because real food was a struggle for a while & junk gave me energy at least. I'm not losing but not putting on. I'm fit again but can't bring myself to exercise. Friends & family haven't noticed an issue as I'm a normal weight now but I know I have more to lose & would like to. Not sure what's happened, I just can't seem to remotivate & I'm terrified about wasting this "golden" time & know that if I carry on I will eventually start to gain. Any advice or suggestions would be most welcome. Every day that passes I feel a little more lost & useless.

I had gallstones at the time of my surgery. I asked my doc how I can tell the difference between a gallbladder attack and possible RNY complications. He said gallbladder pain originates on the right side, and RNY pain is primarily on the left. Call your doctor's office. That's what they're there for. I hope you feel better!

Glad to hear things went well. Your doc listened to you. It took me 7 months to convince my doc something was wrong. I wasn't staying restricted. I knew I had a leak but he wouldn't listen. Finally after getting very assertive he did the test, and sure enough, right in his face!! So the band is leaking and my port was fixed last June and it never healed right. So i still continue to have port site pain. I can't lift like a heavy load of laundry..so in 4 days i am having it removed and getting the sleeve. Would I do it again, YES! I understand complications are part of surgery but when you doc fails to listen to you that's not your fault. I gained all my weight back plus 10 pounds. Talk about sad...but like you said, you have to stay strong and pull yourself up and start again...found myself a new surgeon who i absolutely love and talked to patients who had him for a surgeon. Not one bad word..same hospital, different surgeon. how awkward was that. My body and I will decide who does that cutting!!! One time my surgeon didn't know how many CC's i had when I asked him. I walked out of there and slammed the door. This is not over with. When i am done with my surgery i am going to the hospital and having a chat with a rep. Patients have rights too and they need to know they have Chief of Surgery that is very difficult and is not doing his job. One time I told him I had yogurt for Breakfast and his next question was, what did you have for breakfast. OH MY GOSH!! HELLO!!! So thank god I can move on and have someone who will listen to me. So that's my story. Again, not bashing the band, just the doc!!! have a good day and keep up the good work. Renee