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I went this am to see if I could get a fill. My surgeon is very happy with my progress and doesn't feel I need it. He does not want to see me get too tight and says I am doing a good job. I lost another 4 lbs since my last appt. 3 weeks ago. He sat and spoke with me for about 20 min. He went over all the complications from being filled too tight. He is such a nice guy it is hard to get mad. I am disappointed. I drive an hour to see him and then wait for some time to hear keep up the good work. He says that I am a good patient and I am doing it the right way. I would love to say my hunger is gone but it is not. He says that for some people the hunger does not go away ever no matter how filled they are. He comes across alot of individuals who eat around the band and make bad choices and still gain or do not lose after this surgery. I don't know what to do. I am not going to rush back there anytime soon. It takes up my whole morning. The only good part was seeing the scale go down which I knew b/c I weigh myself every morning. I hope everyone is well today and keep up the good work !!!!

The Boy didn't want me to have surgery, either. He was concerned about complications, death, and convinced that I could lose weight on my own. Ultimately, though, he knew that it was my body and my life and he's been very supportive. I asked him if he'd ever worried that I would lose all of my weight and leave him; he said that he is concerned about it now but the thought hadn't occurred to him before :thumbup: I'm really sorry that your husband isn't being supportive. As others have said, I think that reassurance is the best medicine for the problem. Good luck :biggrin:

According to your profile, Is it accurate that you had surgery in 2009 and have lost only 30lbs? And you Dr. does not want to put Fluid back in band right now...how recently was your band slip? I'm not being critical, but to respond to questions, I look for a little background and can only tell from what you have either in your post or on your profile. I've never had a band slip, or any problems or complications...but there are many here who have and will share their experiences... One thing I have read is that the Dr will empty your band untill such time he/she feels it is safe to start adjustments again. What that time frame is I am not sure.

Having the surgery and losing the weight will actually give you a better chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. I don't have first hand experience but I know plenty of people who have had success having children after surgery. I have a friend who has been trying to have a child with his wife for almost 20 years. He thought he was sterile (she has 2 kids so her stuff works). They have both had the surgery and are now pregnant and doing great. As a woman who is in the same position as you, ready to start a family, I was very worried about pregnancy after surgery. I have done a ton of research and ask my doctor about it every time I see him...literally EVERY appointment I ask him about how surgery can affect pregnancy. I have gotten so much positive notes on how much healthier pregnancy is after surgery then it would be for me at my current weight. Pregnancy is complicated and there are always a million things that can go wrong. Yes you will have to be super on top of your vitamins and making sure you are getting good nutrients from your food. However, I think anyone with past weight issues would have to be on top of not gaining too much weight and most women have trouble losing weight after having a kid. I am personally stoked to have this surgery and increase my chances of a health pregnancy. Also, you need very little additional calories to grow a baby. Especially if you are still in the overweight category. "Eating for two" or "you need to eat more for your baby" is not true. A person in the healthy weight range does not need to eat more calories in their first trimester, 340 more cals per day in their second trimester and 450 more cals a day in their 3rd trimester. If you are still considered overweight, these numbers would be even lower. At 1.5-2 years post surgery, you could easily add a couple hundred cals without screwing up your sleeve. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! You might want to go back to "home" page and go all the way down to the "Lap Band Complications" section and there are several threads there regarding slippage and what it feels like and solutions to fix it like getting completely unfilled and getting on liquids for a duration, etc... So, check that section out for some helpful answers... also, you might want to get a fluro done to see it on xray.. I believe that's how they tell.

I am sorry that your post was missed. I too have found that if I post at a time when many others are posting, it can get pushed to the second or third page of new content and you get few to no answers. If I am still needing responses, I just reply to my own post to push it to the top. There are some really supportive people here, please don't take it as a personal shun when no one responds. As for your question, I think they are normal. I find comfort in information and read everything I could find. My hubby on the other hand just wanted to know the doc had great stats and to please not tell him about all the possible complications. I am still terrified at 6 weeks of eating the wrong thing, but it is getting easier. After watching my grandmother have her first major stroke at 53 due to diabetes, my mother at 54 can barely walk due to diabetes an my uncle just died at 56 last summer due to diabetes, I wanted to be there longer for my own children and grandchildren. The risk of me dying in the surgery now was low, but the risk of severe health problems before 50 and death before 60 was very high. It has been worth the fear now to know I will be there tomorrow. Best of luck to you.

He everyone! Just have a question and need some advice! With summer here, and pool party season in full swing, I need some advice. It seems like every weekend for the next month or so I have a party. Most are pot-luck style with a lot of grazing going on. I am 4 months post op, and am wondering how my fellow sleevers handle themselves in this situation. My problem is not over eating, but grazing. And with having to wait 45 minutes after eating to drink, it seems to be complicating things. Any advice would be great!! . Thanks

My PCP was dead set against me having a bypass. The complications arent' worth the risk. When I went to see my surgeon (he does both procedures) he never once tried to change my mind. There was an article on the news here one night that stated they are finding more long term complications from the bypass that they never knew about. Some doctors are stopping the bypass and will only be doing the band in the future. I don't know how accurate that report was, but atleast with the band, I know I don't have to worry about future complications, atleas not anything that couldn't be fixed by easily reversing the procedure.

I get so tired of those making comments with no facts. I had surgery with Almanza and I survived with no complications. He has never killed a patient unlike Dr. Rodriguez but I don't hear anyone advising against him. Whomever decides to go to him trust me and the countless others who have gone through him you will be fine.

I am 62 went from the band to by pass surgery was on April 12 was at 320 now at 287 needless to say I had no complications except I was allergic to the pain meds

I posted this on another forum and felt it might be useful for other people to have a read of, if like me, you like your scientific facts. Maybe the below will provide a bit of clarity as to the 'nuts and bolts' of some of the bariatric procedures and their long-term (within the limitations of the data) efficacy. This first academic journal quoted was published in May 2013. So, it doesn't get more 'up to date' with regards to evaluating the comparative effectiveness in the three biggest weight loss procedures. I have only reproduced the abstract and have quoted the source below as the abstract covers the salient information we'd be interested in. The second section is all about the metrics, with a snapshot of all the procedures being evaluated in a tabulated form (the table was removed from the cutting and pasting process, so read left to right) and the risks associated with the operations. The primary and secondary sources are also cited. Better to make decisions based on rigorous scientific research, than hearsay and charasmatic sales pitches, I feel... Hope it helps. Article 1: Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYGB), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures. Background: Citing limitations of published studies, payers have been reluctant to provide routine coverage for SG for the treatment of morbid obesity. Methods: Using data from an externally audited, statewide clinical registry, we matched 2949 SG patients with equal numbers of RYGB and LAGB patients on 23 baseline characteristics. Outcomes assessed included complications occurring within 30 days, and weight loss, quality of life, and comorbidity remission at 1, 2, and 3 years after bariatric surgery. Results: Matching resulted in cohorts of SG, RYGB, and LAGB patients that were well balanced on baseline characteristics. Overall complication rates among patients undergoing SG (6.3%) were significantly lower than for RYGB (10.0%, P < 0.0001) but higher than for LAGB (2.4%, P < 0.0001). Serious complication rates were similar for SG (2.4%) and RYGB (2.5%, P = 0.736) but higher than for LAGB (1.0%, P < 0.0001). Excess body weight loss at 1 year was 13% lower for SG (60%) than for RYGB (69%, P < 0.0001), but was 77% higher for SG than for LAGB (34%, P < 0.0001). SG was similarly closer to RYGB than LAGB with regard to remission of obesity-related comorbidities. Conclusions: With better weight loss than LAGB and lower complication rates than RYGB, SG is a reasonable choice for the treatment of morbid obesity and should be covered by both public and private payers. SOURCE: Carlin A, Zeni T, Birkmeyer N, et al. The comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. Annals Of Surgery [serial online]. May 2013;257(5):791-797. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Article 2: September 2012: Morbidity and mortality associated with LRYGB, LSG, and LAGB from the ACS-BSCN dataset LRYGB LSG LAGB 30-d mortality (%) 0.14 0.11 0.05 1-y mortality (%) 0.34 0.21 0.08 30-d morbidity (%) 5.91 5.61 1.44 30-d readmission (%) 6.47 5.40 1.71 30-d reoperation/intervention(%) 5.02 2.97 0.92 SOURCE: Data from Hutter MM, Schirmer BD, Jones DB, et al. First report from the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has morbidity and effectiveness positioned between the band and the bypass. Ann Surg 2011;254(3):410–20 [discussion: 420–2], in: Timothy D. J, Matthew M. H. Morbidity and Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Adjustable Gastric Band, and Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. Advances In Surgery [serial online]. n.d.;46(Advances in Surgery):255-268. Available from: ScienceDirect, Ipswich, MA

Ok as of Monday Jan 11, 2010 I officially became a bandster :cursing:. I didnt have much pain, gas, or complications it was a success. But I do have one question did anyone experience the pressure in the chest area like somethings stuck there if so how long does it last because its so irritating. Other than that I feel great, now im on the big road to recovery and major weight loss:thumbup:.

Three more hours I will be going back to into surgery. I'm hoping to wake up with getting through the procedure this time with no complications. It was truly disappointing and a set back for me the first time due to low heart rate. My whole focus was thrown off and depressing. I'm asking all buddies to please pray that this time around be successful.

Going with both responses above with an emphatic agree! I was scared beyond belief with any of the surgeries but never even considered sleeve with my surgeon as soon as he said it had even a little chance of gerd worsening. I was stage 3 and having my esophagus widened every year with swallowing problems-with a real fear of Barret's Syndrome for real. I had tight fists of air in my chest that didn't hurt but were so scary and disturbing with a lot of breathing problems. My surgery had some complications but minor in the long run. I am 15 weeks out now and down 100 lbs as of today! Not gonna lie-my GERD is not completely gone but my Dr said with the severity I was at, it can take a good 6 months for it to be so much better. He still has me taking meds for that but it is much better and more so day by day. Dumping syndrome is not fun but I also feel it's a benefit to learning how to eat differently for long term weight loss and control. I really feel like a new person and am ok with what I need to do and the after-effects of the bypass. It's not an easy recovery but not as bad as I thought it would be either; I still have some bruising as the complications made it more difficult the first month. Even with that, I am, without even a tiny shred of doubt. so happy I went with the bypass. Yeah, I wouldn't want to just 'gamble' with surgeries as a 'just in case'. Especially with GERD-it's a very serious thing to have.

Congrats on your progress! I sure hope you get to feeling you can change your member name someday With complications, your body has really been hit hard. May take a little longer to recoup. Are you eating/snacking/drinking enough? I found early on that I had a lot more energy if I added some carbs to my protein smoothies and snack list. I ate more carby proteins like beans, blended bananas or peaches or berries and skim milk with my protein drink, and added oatmeal to my Greek yogurt, etc. Also make sure you are taking your vitamins, including a separate D3 and sublingual (or injectable) B12. Does your doc do 6 month bloodwork to check iron and vitamin levels? These things could definitely make you tired if low.

Personally, you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to touch a carbonated drink since being banded. First, there is a research study out of Germany that followed over 4000 people with Lap-Band. One of the things listed as a cause in 8.6% complications was band slips from drinking carbonation. When I was in the hospital getting my band, the woman sharing my room was in there for a band replacement, Why? Because she had been regularly drinking soda and it caused her band not only to slip, but her stomach actually prolapsed through her band. She also gained back 40 pounds because of it, too. Most doctors say no carbonation for good reason, and I've found research as well as a real life experience to back it up. Yes, liquids do pass right through, but that gas (carbonation) causes bloating and expansion of the stomach. That's why soda makes you burp. When the soda or beer goes through the band to the bottom of the stomach, the carbonation expands from the bottom up, thus the slips occur. To each their own, but I will never have carbonation again. The proof is there it can cause damage and it's simply not worth the risk to me.

Yes it IS too good to be true, looks like alot of possible complications http://ezinearticles.com/?Vertical-Sleeve-Gastrectomy-With-Duodenal-Switch&id=444089

I'll be having my surgery at a surgical center. As soon as I can swallow drink and pee that's pretty much it providing there's no complications.

Is this at the incision sites, or is it deeper, like where your stomach is? The fact that it goes away is a pretty good sign. It's likely that you sleep in an awkward position, or maybe you toss & turn a lot which creates extra stress on your incisions. But with some of the complications we've seen lately, from twisted stomachs to leaks that caused some miserable experiences I do have to say, if this is not distinguishable as incision pain go see your doctor. And if they seem dismissive, don't hesitate to get a second opinion.

Anyone please help, I have the new realized band..I got my lap band done in august'07..I am having too much complications..I have no fills by band is empty and I have been vommiting on Water for the past 2 days.. Lilly

Ok, so I am new to this forum. My name is Tricia and I was banded at St Vincents Trussville AL on Nov 22, 2011. I quickly lost 50lbs and the loss slowed down to a stand still. I was ok with that for a while and went to have them put more Fluid in my band. I went from a 7.5cc to a 9.5 cc over a few months. I got the restriction I needed, but over time developed the horrid complication of nausea and vomiting just about everything including Water. Went back to their office, ( I live 50+ miles away), had a barium swallow and endoscopy which were both inconclusive. Had all fluid removed and basically was told my system needed a break and to reboot. I (and I know this is my fault for non restraint!) quickly gained back those 50 lbs plus a few friends. While all of this was going on, I lost the job with the bariatric coverage and now have only my spouse insurance which has no bariatric. Fast forward to early this year, had fluid put back in again and finally got an appointment where I saw the MD and not the nurse practitioner for the first time since surgery in 2011. He recommended starting over and bumped me up to 7.5cc. I explained to him that I am extremely frustrated with the band and the lack of patient care I have received from him personally since my surgery, and that I would like to explore the option of getting this band out and having the sleeve done. He said that he was sorry and basically since I no longer have bariatric coverage I am out of luck. I have gone to a seminar for a bariatric MD in Huntsville, but he wants $500 up front with no guarantee that he will even take me on as a patient! SO - here I am needing to start all over on my journey - almost 3 years out. I am disgusted and frustrated. Is there anyone here who has had a similar experience and been able to make the band work? I have pain that radiates up into my left shoulder almost every time I eat anything tougher than the consistency of an egg. Because of this I end up either not eating or eating "slider" type foods that I know are no good. Sometimes I wish I had never done this surgery!

I can't begin to describe how blessed I have been this year. Before I was banded, I was lost. I would wake up most mornings and just say to myself "where do I even begin to dig myself out of this hole". Yes I was referring to the massive weight gain that I had in the past 2.5/3 years. I was falling into a depression but no one knew about it because I was putting up this front that I was the most confidence "fat chick", because I had to...it was my defense mechanism. May of 2009 rolls around and I am desperately searching on the internet for a surgeon to finance my surgery because I am a part time employee and full time student with no health insurance. That's a different story though! The angels sent to me Dr. Webber at Harper Hospital in Detroit MI. This was the start of a new life for me, it was the end of my sorrows, the beginning of a lifetime of happiness. I wasn't going to be overweight for all of my 20's, I will enjoy the last 5 years of my 20's shopping in the same stores as my girlfriends...going to a party and not cry because I have nothing to wear, attract guys with my real confidence and not just a pretty face. More importantly I was going to live to get married and have children w/o any complications. So this Thanksgiving I want to give the greatest Thanks to my Dr. Webber, who without him, I would still be lost and in the deepest hole that I wouldn't be able to get out of. I want to give thanks to him for convincing me to have the surgery and reassuring me that it was going to be OK when I was scared and crying the morning of surgery and about to change my mind. I want to give thanks to him for keeping me safe when my life was in his hands for the 2 hours of surgery. I want to give thanks to him for being the person that saved my mind, body and soul! So thank you Dr. Webber I love you! I was banded May 22nd 2009 and 6 months later I am down almost 70 lbs!! I am happier than ever, and I wish that everyone reading this is as happy as I am and has the greatest success as I have had so far. Goodluck to everyone....and God Bless!

I assume you want to fly after having surgery. I was not earied to fly until a full seven days after surgery. Took a flight on that eighth day with two legs for about 8 hours. Now, was I smart to do this? Hmmm. Question is how well you will be able to hydrate during that time frame. In 15 hours is it good to go without protien and just Water? Since you can not take in liquid protien through security yiou are going to need to consider this. Hydration is key after sugery. So - yes, you can probably do this, but consider what you are going to do if you have any complications? You are up in the air without medical attention. If you have a leak, you could be a a heap of trouble. Consider legging your trip into smaller portions, where you can get a hotel room ,rest and drnk some liquid Protein. I was exhaused after return trip and slept for the next week to recover from lack of hydration and protein. Ask your surgeon. If on day of flight, you are not feeling right (would say gut feeling here) rebook. Good luck!

For me it is supposed to be 12 months for insurance purposes, but I'm at month 8 and my paperwork is being processed, and I'm meeting with the surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist in two weeks! Due to the complications with my back, I've been told that with physician referral and my well documented process, they may approve me a little early. ... Keeping my fingers crossed - although it's harder to type that way!! ...

Many people with Sleep Apnea have been banded. In fact, sleep apnea is one of the main co-morbidities that insurance companies use in the decision to approve your surgery. Your doctor sounds like he's either lying to you, or just has zero understanding of surgery, assuming of course that there aren't more complications in your medical history than you've mentioned here. If sleep apnea is really his only concern, you may want to find someone else who knows what they're talking about. Update - oops, I see you already replied. I don't know anything more about sleep apnea than the co-morbidity thing I posted here, so I'll just back my hiney right out of this conversation... lol