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No one knows for sure that you will be ok. But, with that being said the complications that you mentioned are rare. At this point you have decided on your own that this is right for you. You have to continue to trust your own judgement. Be realistic , will you lose the weight without surgery? I had gotten to the point that I would rather die free than live a slave to my parasitic fat. I have NO regrets.

you should take a peek at complications threads

I'm going to 2nd that -- this was the best choice for me. Do I consider it successful, even though I'm not at goal? Absolutely. And I'll get to goal eventually. For me, not having a "window of opportunity" was key. The band is still here, even if I wander off track. The key is that in wandering off track, I no longer gain back everything I lost and then some, because I just can't eat large quantities of food -- the worst I can do is make poor food choices. Of course, part of my decision was because I had one friend and one acquaintance who regained their weight a few years after their initial RNY. And the complications with RNY are very scary. Of course, there must still be a lot of successful RNY patients out there, or it wouldn't be so popular. Have you considered a duodenal switch (DS) or gastric sleeve? Those are a couple other surgeries I hear people talking about on here as alternatives to banding or RNY.

I agree with elcee u are definitely overthinking this whole issue.. why would u be more worried about a small peice of plastic being placed into your body as against all the co morbilities that being obese can cause, to me a peice of plastic v diabetes, and all those complications, heart disease, high blood pressure everything far outweighs the placement of a lapband.. wait till u get older and need a hip replacement or a knee replacement or a pacemaker would u still think u didnt want a foreign object in your body ?.. try and get past what the negatives in your mind are and look at the positives.

I was way less afraid of those things, which, afterall are easily rectified by removing the band, than I was of major major surgery and having my insides re-routed. Being a relatively modest BMI of 35 meant that that option would probably not be available to me anyway, if they did gastric bypass in Australia anymore. I also dont care to lose a ton of weight in a very short amount of time, look like a corpse and have a problem with loose skin. I love love love my band. I am living a completely normal life, just one in which I eat a bit less. I eat way less junk, but I eat out, I eat with family, I sometimes eat yummy things for a treat, I can exercise (I've started running again, a MAJOR NSV for me), its simply the best thing I ever did. If I should lose it one day due to a complication, well I guess I'll face that when I come to it. I think I would see how I went without it for a while - I only have 1.3 ml in my band and no real restriction, much of what I've achieved has come from conscious behaviour modifcation. I'd have to say the band's major influence on my has been psychological - I dont expect to fail, therefore I dont.

:cursing: Did anyone here stuggle with decision of band vs. bypass? Hi everyone! I'm new to this site. I posted this as part of a thread yesterday and haven't gotten a response, so I'm trying again as a new thread. I'm sure that all surgeons handle the process differently, but after nearly a year I have finally jumped through my hoops and have been scheduled for surgery on feb. 25, I have 2 appts with my surgeon between now and then as well as a slew of addittional appointments with nurses and classes and pre-opp stuff. I haven't actually met my surgeon yet. Weird in a medical way, but seems to be fairly normal in the weight-loss surgery world I;ve heard. Has anyone else had this experience of not getting through the 'gate keeper' to see an actual doctor at your practice until you've been given the all-clear and scheduled? Anyway, I originally chose the Lap-Band after researching it for more than a year and then going to my doctor's seminar last Spring. I was mainly afraid of the 'permanace' of the bypass, and of course of complications. Until I consult with my surgeon on 2/12, I won't know if he thinks I should go with one vs. the other but I'm sort of leaning towards bypass now. That's why I searched for this site tonight. I've done all my research, but I need to hear from more people who are living with the band. For people who have had an option... why have you chosen one over the other? I'll be lurking around here, absorbing what I can from what everyone has posted in general (so glad to have such a great forum!), but any specific replies would truly be helpful. I'm a nervous wreck. I hate feeling like this is a 'decision' and that I might make the wrong one, when in fact I know that this is no longer a choice, it's a necessity in order for me to live a healthy happy life and be here fully for my daughter... I know this is such a blessing and have been waiting for sooooo long. Leave it to my human-self to now be freaking out about the very thing I've been wanting so badly!

I chose LB over GBP based on: 1. You lose the weight slower, which is healthier for your body. 2. LB allows your food to be processed normally, allowing your body to absorb the necessary nutrients by taking its time instead of a quick route to your lower intestines. 3. It's reversible! So if there are any complications, I'm reassured by the fact I can have it reversed, if all else fails. However, with the newest appliance on the market (the AP), the slippage rate has been reduced dramatically - just in the past 4 yrs. 4. I like the idea of having a less-invasive surgery - recovery should be better. I have 2 aunts that have had the GBP & they've been happy with it, but I just didn't want to take those chances since I'm a mom of 2 young children! Good luck in your decision & process.

i get exactly what you say i have been one of those who was so harrassed on OH after i was banded last year (and before my surgery) with pm's saying how stupid i was to get the band and why didnt i get the sleeve or bypass and in two years id have to revise and all these complications i was due to get... and every time i posted a question of what is this or that, id get a link to the failed banded fb page...that my dear is what i call trolls and people who bait just to be mean.. i cant tell you crappy i felt for a few months thinking what a mistake i must have made...i felt bad bc my ins didnt approve sleeves..self doubt..how nice of people to do that to a newbie.. but you know what, i am proving those women wrong. so as for all i got out of your post..i read it and understood it. i agree with it. i support any and everyone who gives a crap about following their dr's advice i do not coddle those who divert off course.. and if you want support, in my opinion, it starts with ones own self.

definitely doesn't sound normal. sounds like you're too tight. while breads and other doughy foods can be difficult to consume, you should be able to eat 2-3oz in one sitting, which is definitely more than a chicken nugget. speak to your surgeon asap. keeping yourself too tight can have long term complications.

I don't think I would personally do it.. I was one of the rare complication cases and 6 surgeries later I am so glad I had my surgery in Toronto with cdn doctors there is another thread you may want to read that thread too and take all the advice there into account. I would get rock solid contracts if i was going out of country and make sure that they are applicable under both cdn and the other countries laws... deal with post op including complications and who pays etc. Good luck with your decision Heather

Hi, I'm 7 weeks post-op today too. My doc (not my original surgeon, I've had some complications), said I could start salad this week. Also said I could have some cooked veggies too - not a big salad eater, but so glad I can eat some cooked veggies!

You're not alone in feeling that way. I have gone through questioning every little thing, being almost TOO addicted to these boards. However, I recently posted a question that received three pages worth of responses. I simply asked, did anyone have a normal recovery? The responses were overwhelming. Several people smartly pointed out that not many post saying, "having a normal boring day feeling like myself!" when of course the bad stories stay in your brain. No one can answer for you whether it's right or not, but if you want additional perspective to balance out what really are the less common complication stories, I'd check out this thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/47767-anyone-have-a-relatively-easy-recovery-story/

I did. My doc said my hernia was more complicated thend he expected but I never felt anything but a little pressure in that area for a day or so. It did t delay or add to my recovery which was smooth all the way.

Here's a high level list of what I talked about with Dr. Michaelson: How long have you been doing the procedure? How many have you done? What is your success rate? Rate of complications, and what sorts of complications? What can I expect from you throughout this process (availability to answer questions, meetings, etc)? What will be expected from me? Are there current or former patients I can speak with? What can I expect it to be like post surgery (time in facility, recovery time at home, diet, etc) assuming nothing unusual about my surgery? He told me to not hesitate to call if more questions came to me, and either he or his staff would do their best to address my concerns.

I have Regence Blueshield of Idaho insurance and they specifically exclude any treatment or surgery related to weight loss, including complications that arise from any such treatments. (Despite paying over $3500 in premiums to them every year....F.....ers!) anyways, I've researched several other insurance companies in Idaho and they are all the same (ditto to previous exclamation). Does anyone have individual insurance in Idaho that has had bariatric surgery covered? I'm going to self pay for the surgery itself because I'm not about to kiss their as....es and jump though all their hoops, but I was hoping to have coverage for any post op complications that may arise. Thanks!

Remember the Lap Band works differently in everyones body. Some people may not be able to tolerate it, afterall it is a foreign object! I haven't gotten the band yet but I sm in the process of it. I chose the band for several reasons, according to 3 different books I've read that explains each of the surgeries with pros and cons. The pros of the LB far outweigh the pros and conscof the other two types, gastric sleeve (gb) and the RNy ! Most of the people who get the band have no problems with it and when you learn how to work w/ it, it is very beneficial! Reasons I choose the LB over the others: 1) noone is messing w/ my organs! No cutting, stapling, reconnecting of the original design. 2) the LB is the least invasive and requires the least hospital stay time afterwards. 3) the % of weight regain is lower than that of the other 2 surgeries. With the other two, the belly can be stretched out after many years while the Band continues to provide restriction. 4) It is reversible (removable) if there are other complications that result: ie stomach cancer or something like that! 5) while the LB does require additional visits to the Dr for fills/unfills, the other two require a couple followups and it's done- now up to the patient. The rapid WEIGHTLOSS for these 2 are too quick, and most of the time require plastic/cosmetic surgery later. I'd rather be continually monitored by fills/unfills regularly than to be done after a couple followup appts. In addition, losing the weight more slowly allows for the skin to catch up and thus prevents "less of a chance" for skin removal surgery! Not alwYs but most of the time! 6) the LB is becoming more popular than the other 2 surgeries. The RNy is the most expensive, and most dangerous simply bc it is rearranging the order of how your food is designed to be digested (routing process). The LB is the 2nd most expensive but has longer term lasting effects. Ok so there may be 2 reasons in my #5 but hopefully u get it. Like I said, the L- band does work differently in everyones body , it may not be the right choice for that person! It really depends how u think u can succeed and w/ which surgery u think u would benefit most from. I have read 3 books so far and all are highly praising the Lap Band thus far! Hope it helps!

I can't imagine what you're going through with your toe. I am a pedicure kinda girl and I get one regardless of whether I need it or not. I have always been lucky but my friend's daughter also had to have her big toe nail removed because of infection from a pedi. It is a rough recovery and she didn't even have the complications you did. Listen to everything your doctor says because this is really serious. Good luck!

I thought it was a good question too, but, I am kinda surprised that no one from Alabama has replied. Although Jack is great and has wonderful comments, he is not a Bama man... so, this is not a good indicator for people banded in Alabama. I'll give it more than one day for comments... so, if you are from Alabama and you have had no problems, please add your time line to this thread and we can get an idea of the length of time you can actually have a band with no complications. Please note that "complications" does not include gas/burping and normal pouch symptoms. I'm counting anything that required surgery or special treatment which prohibited the normal function/benefit of the band. Thanks, y'all!!

I honestly don't think there will be a lot of people that are having problems hanging around the forums (there is one group here, lap-band problems or complications, though). I remember you saying you had been to a support group meeting. Maybe you should come back and ask specific questions of those who have been banded. Or even try a different support group where you might find people that have been banded for varying lengths of time. I take it you're looking for people that have had their bands for more than a year or so.

What an initiation into band-land. Too Funny...... Luckily I missed a lot of those complications. How are you doing since surgery..... Take care, nancy

On June18 2012 I had the sleeve done. I was released the next day and was feeling pretty good. By the 10th day post op, I was not able to keep water down. I went to the Dr. He sent me to the ER. He called down to the ER and told them what tests he wanted ran. Needless to say, I had a leak. I was admitted into the hospital and my Dr. took me into surgery to repair the leak. I woke up in intensive care with a feeding tube. 2 days later I was told I had to go back into surgery because they discovered an abscess. On to surgery I went. I was in the hospital 39 days. I was finally discharged, feeding tubes and all and so happy to go home. I was home for one week. I still could not keep anything down. I was very dehydrated and was in the hospital for 2 more weeks. Over the next month I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration and severe pain. In August I was admitted again for dehydration, pain and nausea. The feeding tube was removed and a picc was placed. I was then put on TPN (total protein & nutrients) feedings. Admitted again in September after my daughters wedding. This time a fistula was found. Another surgery and feeding tubes were placed again along with TPN bags. I was so depressed. I was not getting better, I got worse. I was in the hospital from Sept 13 to December 10th. In the middle of the night I had a hematoma. Throwing up blood. Caused my spleen to enlarge and become infected. Dr felt that stent was necessary. So one was pyt in. On thanksgiving morning I had to have my spleen removed. The stent slipped and had to be replaced. The 2nd stent was horrible and that had to be removed a few days later. I was in the hospital a total if 116 days from end of June to Dec 10 2012. Still unable to eat, nausea 24 hours a day feeding tubes in place. My Dr could not figure iut what to do. He called other Drs. Mayo and other states. I was discharged and losing weight rapidly. In January of this year I was admitted again. Severly dehydrated and still nausea. After 27 days in hospital a 3 strnt was placed. 1week later it had to be removed. In Feb. my Dr called the Cleveland Clinic in Weston FL for a second opionion. On March 1st my husband and I made the 7 hour drive. I met with the Dr there. I was sent down for uppet gi. Funny.... they found the problems immediately. I was scheduled for surgery on the 14th. I had to have the remainder of my stomach removed, my small intestine was cut and pulled up to my esophagus and attached. Plus the inflammed scar tissue had to be removed. It had been a ling 10 month journey. I have lost 94 pounds, and 10 sizes smaller. I am still not able to eat real food. I eat mashed potatoes, yogury, smoothies, applesause, popsicles, cream of wheat. I do test the waters with some soft foods. Somethings stay some don't. Dr. said It could be 6-8 months before I can tolerate food due to all surgeries. I am also battling a stomach and urinary tract infection for the last 5 weeks. Would I do it all over again. Probably not... however... I did it because my husband has a rare cancer ( due to exposure from agent Orange from Vietnam). He lost his leg and is wheelchair bound. I truly wanted to be healthier to care for him. But he is caring for me now. Please take your time. Research, ask questions, follow your heart. Dont ever let anyone make you feel that you are bothering them. Its your life and you are paying for this procedure to be done. I can sue. I've done a lot of soul searching and even tslked to attorneys. The end result.. I want to live. I want to get better. I want to eat again. Good luck to each and everyone who decides to go forward with which ever procedure. God bless and thank you for allowing me to share my journey.

Stacey~ Ask as many questions as you can about the follow up care you will recieve and what it will cost you....seems like hidden costs can eat you alive at times if Ins. won't pay for fills or Dr. visits. Ask how many bands Dr. has done and what complications he or she has incountered. Gosh theres just so many things to ask... I think making a list was wise and that will help you remember things when you are there and probably a bit nervous. Good luck!!!

Honey, I too am pre op but the only people who've tried to talk me out of it, don't know about the Lap Band. The complications were to people who had the othe procedures. Most people don't know about the lap band but only the by-pass. Looks like you need to lose 105 lbs I need to lose much more and I am 52. You sound young. Please don't give possibly having a longer and healthier life up to hear say. Maybe the friend is afraid you're going to change toward her if you lose weight.I've had a couple of people ask me that stupid question. UHHH yeah I'm gonna be happier and feel better so I will change for the best. If your friend can't handle you getting healthy then, that isn't much of a friend. Do what you and your Drs feel is best. Not what others who really have no clue think. It's your life at stake. Best of luck. My surgery is on May 19th. Hugs, Rose

Hello! My first post... BRAND NEW here! Hi! I'm (almost) 48 and went in for my surgery back in September of this year. They put me to sleep, woke me up, and said "we can't operate. You have a large mass in your stomach." WHAT??! Long story short, they referred me to OBGYN and I found out I have a cantaloupe-sized cyst parked on top of my good-for-nothing uterus. The OBGYN said she would consult with the bariatric surgeon and if her surgery is without any complications, they could both operate on the same day. She will be the lead surgeon, as the hysterectomy takes precedence, and if there are no adhesions/nothing unexpected, the bariatric surgeon will begin his procedure once she is out. I've googled quite a bit and it doesn't seem as though there is much information out there addressing this type of procedure. I'm a little nervous but I trust that these surgeons will be safe and do what is in my best interest. But it's scary... surgery is scary, regardless. Anyway~ that's my introduction! I'm 5'7", 260 pounds, and expect to look like a 30 year old supermodel this time next year. Or an "improved me." I'm happy either way!

I asked about how many surgeries, how many leaks or complications, any deaths... and then into the questions about the pre-op, post-op diet, and how pain was controlled immediately after surgery, and then I asked what sized Bougie, and whether they over-stiched the staples. I also asked the total price, and how long I'd be in the hospital, whether I'd have a private room, and if he would send me home with both pain meds and gas meds. You can't have too much information! Good luck, Cinderella