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Hi to all., Here is my 3 week breakdown. but first just a recap .. I started this journey July 2011 started my 3 month Insurance qualifications in August at a weight of 318lbs after the 3 months i was hovering around 310lbs .. It took longer than anticipated to get the insurance approval but after 5 weeks i was approved.. I started my 2 week preop diet on Dec. 18 and by surgery date i was at 301lbs... My surgery- My Doc. is so personable and very informative ., Dr. Schrope ( Columbia NY / Valley hospital NJ) is amazing, caring and funny.. Thanks you For giving me my life back.. I was amazed at how well i did immediately after surgery., I walked around 15 min every couple hours ., didnt really use hospital pain meds that often. Dont get me wrong i did felt GAS and some stomach pains something like you feel after doing several hundred situps..But The gas pains did hit me hard at times..I was sent home the day after surgery and manage well with gas/ pain medicine.. It all seems so long ago tho because i havent had any real complications., never vomited, never had any redness around the scars., liquids were no problem / Protein either., I advanced to mooshie food fairly quickly and easily., I am introducing more solid foods and feel pretty good., I will also start cardio this weeks. I am down to 282lbs as of yesterday @ 3 weeks... any questions or comments .. just ask away... I wish you all a great journey....

Helicobacter Pylori is a common bacteria that causes Peptic ulcers. It's unknown how it's transmitted and why some people become infected with it and others don't. Sometimes an infection will cause Peptic ulcers and contribute to stomach cancer, and sometimes it will be harmless. It is generally treated with a couple of different antibiotics and a deacidifier. It takes two or more weeks to cure it. If there is any danger you have an infection, you need to know about it BEFORE you have surgery, so it can be treated and resolved before it causes complications. Even if you have it...it would just cause a slight delay while you treat it.

My BMI was 31 and I consulted with surgeons willing to perform the VSG for me in Southern California, but they were in the $29,000 to $35,000 price range. I have PCOS but that didn't qualify for me any form of insurance coverage. After considerable research and thought I decided to go to Mexico and have the surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia. I had a fantastic, hassle-free experience and no complications. It was $4200. The endocrinologist who recommended VSG to me to help with PCOS agreed in advance to provide follow-up care for me. I had been hesitant to go to Mexico at first, but ultimately decided that it was the most feasible choice for me. I'm one year out to the day, have met my goal weight, and have no regrets. I would definitely look into going to a reputable surgeon in Mexico if you cannot find one in the US who is willing to perform the VSG at a cost you can afford.

read up on the surgeries (all of them) to see what would be a good fit for you...remember any WLS works and none are better than the other no matter what anyone says.....WLS is a complete life (lifestyle) change and for best results, always do what the dr who operates on you advises.. unless you decide to eat better, exercise, no WLS will help.......people get one surgery, it dont work for them and off they go to another one......the person looking at oneself in the mirror is a HUGE reason a WLS can work or not work.......(granted some complication can and does happen on any WLS) but those are small risks in my opinion to gain a longer life. so if you want to be healthy and get healthy do it....but expect to do some work...

I'm glad that someone posted this issue, because it is quite pertinent to me. I was banded 2.5 years ago in the UK. Because I lived at the time quite far away from any doctor who did fills/band care I had many many complications, including a near-removal slippage and numerous fills and unfills. Despite this, I still managed to lose close to 50 pounds. After my last unfill in April, I gave my body a good rest up until a month ago, when I got filled again. So far, I have had no problems, even though my doc filled me quite a lot, and I thought I would immediately be too tight and experience those same problems again (mostly severe pbing - not on purpose!) Not so, as I learned a few important lessons in the half year I was totally unfilled: 1. THE GOLDEN RULE: know your body. I ignored so many signals that my particular body was giving me: being very tight in the mornings, which meant that I shouldn't shove some Breakfast down my throat just because I thought I needed to eat breakfast (years of mind training). Now I have a few cups of very hot coffee, wait an hour or two until my band is a little looser and have a small breakfast/lunch. I have the same problem with dinner: I'm very tight in the evenings. In the past I would try to eat Protein and cause agony as I either ate too fast, too big of chunks of meat, etc. etc. I now know that evenings are going to be difficult for me so I cut off eating no later than 6:00 p.m., and if I'm hungry later in the evening I have some Soup or sugar free jello/pudding. Please note, this works for me, other people know their bands work in different ways, but the most important thing is: know thy body, know thy band... 2. RECORDING EVERYTHING I EAT: This is a big pain, but if I don't do this (I use fitday.com) I am very liberal and imaginative with amounts/quantities of what I eat. I'm afraid that I am becoming too anal retentive by doing this, but I'd rather swap my obsession with eating, with an obsession of recording calories, carbs, etc. It is also quite eye-opening to see how much you actually eat, when you are convinced that you are eating itty bitty harmless portions or foods. Since I was pre-diabetic at some point, I really really watch my carbs, and try to stick to around 800 calories a day. Some days are easier, some more difficult but I try to be consistent. 3. ESTABLISH A LOCAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A FILL DOCTOR/SURGEON: I live in Europe and where I once lived in Poland there were no doctors at all who did this procedure, and every time I needed help I had to board a plane to London to get filled/unfilled. Obviously, this was not an ideal situation financially and when you're really ill from too tight of a fill, every moment you're not unfilled is agony. I have now moved to Vienna, Austria and have made contact with an American trained band surgeon who is 15 minutes from my house, and only does fills under x-ray. It is a huge relief to know that if I am too tight, or need some kind of an adjustment he is just a brief trip away. This is an extreme example (I know) but it is something to consider to those bandsters who go to Mexico and need to be treated by someone else in the U.S. Really think about your decision. In my case it was my only option at the time, I'm really glad I did it, but it hasn't been easy. 4. EXERCISE: Ugh, I hate it, really I do. So I'm trying to walk approx. 30 minutes a day as I can see a purpose to walking somewhere than sitting in a gym. I also bought an inflatable exercise ball that I use with various DVDs that I have bought via Amazon. This is the area where I need to see the biggest improvement. But I have noticed when I walk a lot the scale does move down if it's been a bit sluggish... My only regret is that I don't have a local (English-speaking) band community I can use for support. My husband and friends have been terrific, but I have to say that I learned all these very difficult lessons on my own. But the point is: I've learned and I'm losing again (10 pounds in 2.5 weeks). I'm so glad I kept my band. At times I thought it was my enemy... but the real enemy.. was ME! Hope this helps someone!!! (Sorry so long)

I think I agree with Paula. Unfortunately, the people I've known of that had eroded and were rebanded eroded again, even more quickly. :mad: I just don't think I'd want to take that chance the second time around. I have a friend there in the LA area who had a laparoscopic bypass with an apparently very impressive doctor. She has lost 110lbs since December and doing very well. No complications whatsoever. She is also about 60 years old. I am so very impressed with how well she's done. If you want, I can find out her doc's name as well. Whichever way you go. I sure don't envy you the decision or having to go through a second/third surgery, but I'll sure be sending good thoughts your way!!

Sorry about the complications, but it sounds like you're okay now. Wow, what a huge weight loss so quickly! Congrats and good luck on the rest of your weight loss journey. I'm in it for the long haul.

I have posted a couple of times, asking questions so that I can make a final decision. I am 100% sure that having the surgery is the best decision for my health. I think the biggest obstacle now is a lack of family support. Everyone is my family suffers with a wonderful metabolism, I on the other hand, have a rare disease that causes weight issues, as does the medication I am on for the disease. My doctors all support my decision, but I don't feel comfortable even telling my weight obsessed skinny family members. We live on a large farm, 3 generations and we share meals together (1 large, central kitchen). They eat horrible meals. When/If I tell them, I know they will appear to support my decision, but meals are going to be an issue. The relationships are complicated and so just hoping that they are supportive because they are family, is really a fallacy. I am dealing with hypercritical, judgemental and passive aggressive personalities. Advice?

i havent yet decided whether or not i want to have the lap band surgery done. i've talked with someone close to me who has had the surgery and she doesnt reccomend me getting it.so im unsure. she said she works with 10 people who have had the surgery done and they all havent had good luck with it. i dont know if its the hospital they went to to have it done or what. so i guess im lookin for opinions on what everyone thinks about their own surgery. successes and complications. :cursing:

My mom is an ICU nurse there in Vegas too at St. Rose in Henderson... she too will be accompanying me at my consult and surgery... so far the staff has been great and very accommodating... I'm sure things will be fine, and the positives definitely outweigh the negatives, but it's hard not to imagine worst case scenario on things like these... My mother in law was banded in Mexico a few years ago and has no complications, and I know several other people throughout my travels that have been just fine too.... It's exciting and nerve racking both at the same time... MINI-Me.. what was the pre-op diet like? My surgeon here was going to have me do liquid diet four days before surgery.. since I won't actually get to meet Dr. Umbach until the day before the surgery, I wanna make sure I'm doing everything I need to do, especially if it will assist in the surgery going off with less complications. Also, I'll be coming back to Tulsa after the surgery (leaving 4 days later) - what type of follow up should I schedule? Should I set up a scope 6 weeks after to check the healing? or should I only worry about it if I have complications?

honestly it was the best thing i could of ever done before...it not painful...at least for me it wasn't...its just a big life style change... you have to be prepared to eat less..eat healthier and work out (you don't have to but if you want to get the maximum results i suggest it) When you get banded there is about a 6 week recovery in sense of it wont be filled...so after a week or so your going to feel hungry and your going to be able to eat more than you will probably want to...Once you get your first fill thats when it really all begins. I just got my first fill on 12/2. He filled me 7.5 which was prolly a lil too much but i'm working with it. Every meal i eat is centered around protein(chicken, turkey, ham, cheese, fish, etc) i do not drink with my meals...makes your hungry faster, i also find if i do drink right after it actually hurts a bit...i can eat about 1/4 cup at a sitting...the goal is to eat 1 cup at a sitting...Of course there are certain foods people with the band should avoid but thats just more a matter of avoiding complications. I have chosen to mainly cut out sugar of my diet. i found it has been easy...your biggest thing to remember is to become creative in how you eat things...for example if you really like mayo on your sandwitch but can live w/o it i use either diojonaze or i used avacado's that are mashed up and spread it like a spread....its good and has a lot less calories...the surgery itself isn't bad at all....most of the time its same day...i arrived at the hospital at 6am...and left around 9pm that night...i had very minimal pain that night which i took a liquid pain pill my doctor prescribed for me...the only pains i had were from gas.... within 3 days after surgery i was eating creamy soups and egg salad...it was great....i can honestly say i myself was shocked how quick and easy of a recovery it was...

Eric and mom took me to the hospital last Thursday. Took an Ambien the night before so i slept realy well. They didn't. I was so nervous about the operation! Mainly about complications and waht if something goes wrong??? The nurses were incredible, just great. They were skilled and compassionate, answered all my questions. Made me feel ok.

I had surgery on the 17th I am doing good as well, not in as much pain as I was in yesterday, although the gas is killing me!! I had no complications durring or after surgery thank GOD, and I don't think I have been hungry either....my stomach keeps making noises and I don't really know what they mean....it use to mean I was hungry, but who knows what it means now! lol

I thought this was a really great FAQ that answers a few more questions beyond the usual what is a band/how is it adjusted type of question. Also, interestingly, the doctor talks about the causes and repair of erosion, slippage, and pouch dilation. This docter says erosion has to do with the way the band is stitched to your stomach. If that's true, it might explain why erosion is more likely to happen with some surgeons than with others. Just a thought. liquids. That said, average weight loss is 50% of excess weight at 5 years. But this includes all patients, including those who have lost little or no weight. How is the Band adjusted? The Band is tightened by accessing the port with a needle. This is most commonly done in the office. Some surgeons do it at the hospital under x-ray guidance, but this is generally not necessary, and makes the procedure much more expensive. For patients with very thick abdominal walls, it may be more difficult to find the port. In our office we have an ultrasound machine which makes it possible to access most ports without need for x-ray. Can I adjust my own Band? In theory, yes. But the answer is NO. NO. NO :confused: (you just know somebody has tried this at home) Why do I have to take Vitamins? The LapBand operation is purely restrictive, so technically you don't need to take vitamins if you are eating a healthy diet. On the other hand, by definition you are eating a hypo-caloric diet, one which will cause you to lose weight. Because of this, we worry that you won't get all the vitamins and minerals you need. This is the main reason we ask you to take vitamins after the surgery. What about the gallbladder? We don't remove the gallbladder unless you already have gallstones that are causing symptoms. Weight loss is slow and natural, so the risk of gallstones is not sufficiently elevated as to make gallbladder removal worth doing. Can the Band be rejected by my body? The Band is made of silicone rubber, and cannot be rejected. Of course it can become infected and require removal, but this is not the same as being rejected like a transplanted organ. What happens after I lose my weight? The Band causes you to lose weight by restricting your caloric intake to less than your caloric expenditure. As you lose weight, your calorie requirements diminish. Once intake matches expenditure, you stop losing weight. How long does the Band stay in? The Band stays in forever. If it is removed you will regain all the weight you lost. What is a slipped Band, and what causes it? There are two types of slippage; anterior and posterior. This refers to whether the front or back side of the stomach slips. There is something else called concentric pouch dilation, but this is not the same as slippage. Slippage or prolapse is when the stomach slides up through the Band, making the pouch bigger. If this happens the Band usually becomes too tight, and patients experience symptoms of reflux (heartburn) as well as nausea and vomiting. This is because the amount of stomach being “squeezed” by the Band is increased, thereby obstructing the Band. There are several causes. Posterior slippage was more common when the Band was placed by the “perigastric” technique. With this technique the back side of the stomach was free to slide up through the Band. These days most surgeons use the “pars flaccida” technique, which was developed to prevent posterior slippage, and has more or less eliminated the incidence of this problem. Anterior slippage is when the front of the stomach slips up through the Band. We try to prevent this by suturing the stomach below the Band to the stomach above the Band, “locking” the Band in place in the right spot. In spite of this, slippage still occurs. It can happen because we haven't placed enough stitches, or they haven't been placed in the right place. Slippage can also occur if patients eat too much and vomit frequently. How is a slipped Band diagnosed? Fortunately, this is very easy. Often the diagnosis is made based on the history alone. A patient who has been going along fine, with no problems, and then suddenly develops reflux symptoms or symptoms of a too-tight Band will most likely have a slipped Band. The diagnosis is easily confirmed with an x-ray and barium swallow examination. Endoscopy is rarely necessary. How is a slipped Band fixed? A slipped Band needs to be fixed with an operation. The Band has to be dissected out, all the sutures removed, and the position of the stomach made right. Some surgeons remove the Band and place it back through a new tunnel. Others just straighten things out and re-suture the stomach over the Band. What happens if the Band slips again? That's a tough one. One could certainly try to fix the slip again, but my personal view is that, for whatever reason, the Band is just not working for that particular patient, and ought to be removed. What is a Band erosion? This is when the Band actually erodes into the stomach. It is a more serious problem, and generally requires removal of the Band. Band erosion is thought to be related to placing too many sutures (or too tight sutures) at the time of Band implantation. Surprisingly, Band erosion is often unnoticed. Occasionally the port will become infected if bacteria track along the catheter out to the port. Other times patients will stop losing weight. Diagnosis often requires an endoscopy. What is concentric pouch dilation? This is technically not the same as slippage. In this case the pouch just seems to be enlarged. Sometimes partial emptying of the Band may help with this. What is esophageal dilation? This is when the esophagus enlarges over time, and is probably related to either too tight a Band, or possibly improper placement of the Band around the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This requires loosening or removal of the Band. What happens if my Band has to be removed because of complications or failure to lose weight? One option, of course, is to give up on weight loss surgery. Another option is to convert to another procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This can be done at the same time the Band is removed, and is generally done laparoscopically. If you have questions that have not been answered by this FAQ, please send them to me and I will try to answer them for you. Mark A Pleatman MD 43494 Woodward Ave. #202 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 Office Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Phone: (248) 334-5444 Fax: (248) 334-5484 Email: pleatman@laparoscopy.com

One would think the best time to treat a disease is BEFORE dangerous or life threatening complications arise... But apparently insurance companies are only JUST NOW figuring that out...

I only want to go through this once. It seems the alternatives have a higher chance of complications or failure. I would like to lose 150-200 lbs and bypass seemed like my best option.

Dr. W. is accepting patients but will only do fills for patients that are his. At one time,he used to but he stoped about a year ago. He does not have a clinic and he does not have fluoro. Although, I can't see why you require a fluro for a fill. The procedure is usually only done if there are suspected complications. For support, we do have a support group that meets once a month at the Lions Gate Hospital and anyone that is researching the band and/or has the band is welcome. There is no membership fee, just a few of us get together to discuss the pros and cons of our journey. We also are available to answer questions for anyone researching the band.

I too was banded in September 2008. I lost 16 pounds on my 3 week pre-op diet and have lost 55 pounds since my surgery. I've had to change the way I eat and the way I think about food, but I love my band!!! I've had no complications - just some adjusting to having real restriction. I feel sooooo good!! If you added up everyone's 2 cents that they give you about your decision, you might have enough to pay for the surgery. Seriously.... do your research - you know what is best for you. Good luck!!! Becky

Hi Danyielle - I second what Nancy said. Remember, it's your BMI that matters and not your actual weight; 191 pounds on 5'2" looks a lot different than on 6'2" -- you know that already, but it's worth repeating, because the 200-lb. mark is irrelevant for shorter people. (At 5'9", I wouldn't have been a band candidate at 191 lbs., but you might be.) Some doctors use a 35 BMI as a cut-off point, but not everyone has the same standard. Surgeons will still consider you a good candidate for the band if you have serious weight-related complications. Sounds like you're in pretty good health; that's great, but a disadvantage if you're set on getting the band! You might want to start documenting any joint problems -- have an orthopedic specialist check you out, if you have decent insurance. If you really think the band is for you, do as much research as you can. Let us know if you have more questions. Whatever you decide, good luck to you.

I'm sorry for all the complications you're experiencing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

OMG poor thing, I am so sorry for you complications. I pray you get better soon !!!!

Hello :tt2: I have some questions for people who have had the LAP-BAND®, I basically am not sure if I want to go through with it and I would like to hear some stories of people who also couldn't decide at first lol. I understand it is not a quick fix, and it is going to take time and effort and what not. I do have some questions though. I have been overweight my entire life. My mom loved food, therefore I love food. She rewarded me with food and we pretty much lived on fast food growing up, therefore I am quite morbidly obese. In Kindergarten, I was 100 pounds, most of the other kids were around 60. Last time I was weighed, probably close to 2 years ago, I was 427. Food is my comfort and I spend any money I get on food... My parents have never said you cannot have this or no we cannot order this in, if they can afford it, or I am willing to pay for it, we get it. That is that. They have tried to mention my weight and doing something about it, but they know it does not phase me and that I ignore it. I actually made effort when I was 16 to go to a nutrionist but after a bad experience, I completely refused to go back to ANY nutritionist. She basically told me fat peopel cannot be succesful, it felt like an interrogation, and that fat people cannot do anything. It was just so rude. Since I was 16, I am 18 now, my mom has been talking about the lap-band® and how I should consider getting it when I turn 18. Lately she has really been bothering me because the class you have to attend is in a few weeks, and I only have until I am 19 (less than a year) to get it done, which is when insurance stops covering me. I have social phobia/social anxiety though, due to being taken out of school 4 years and put into homeschooling with no real human interaction. I was put into homeschooling due to bullying, I have been clinically depressed since 3rd grade, that is when I was diangnosed. I have told my mom several times, i will not go to a class with other people in it, I cannot do it. If you do not know what social phobia/social anxiety disorder is, it is basically fearing human interaction, and you totally believe everyone is looking at you, judging you, saying things about you, point at you behind your back, making fun of you etc.. That is the only way I can explain it. I have only just started going and getting the mail in the past 2 months, and only if nobody is outside their house and I have a hoodie completely covering me, with a long skirt. I only leave my house if I absolutely have to, and at that, it is usually at night time, and I do not go inside anywhere. I always have to have a hoodie on that covers everything and a long skirt,so nobody can see me. I only go in the dentist when I am in terrible pain, I deal with moderate/mild pain otherwise, because I know I will be in a room with just the dentist and I. I have not even gotten my license yet, nor do I have any interest... I seriously start having a panic attack in social situations, I have not had any RL friends in 3 years. Lately I have been having so many pains due to being overweight, and I am sure in a year or 2 I am going to end up having a heart attack. The doctors said at anytime I can have a heart attack. I never mention these pains to anyone though because the social phobia/anxiety, and I will NOT go to the doctor. So, what I am asking is to hear from people or people who have had friends/family get the LAP-BAND® and if it is really something worth doing? The main questions I have are; 1. Is there pain after the surgery? And if so, what kind? How long did it last? 2. How long do you have to stay in the hospital after surgery? 3. Is there a specific diet before/after surgery? 4. Do I have to slim down to a certain weight before I can get it? 5. I know you eat less, a lot less, do you eat more smaller meals or just 3 really small meals? 6. If really small meals, is there enough food for your body to like have energy? :S 7. Should I worry about complications with my weight? 8. How many people die of complications every year? And how many people get the surgery every year? 9. What kinda of diet are you on currently? 10. I cannot stick to diets, will I be told to TRY dieting before the surgery? 11. What happens on the day of the surgery? 12. Side effects? 13. Problems you had? 14. Did you ever consider not getting it because of the extra skin? 15. How steady of a weight loss can one expect? 16. Did family members actions change after you got the surgery? 17. Your worries before you had the surgery? What about after? That is all I can think of but I appreciate any replies! Thanks, sorry for the long post lol.:thumbup:

I am Sept 10th. I am on the mushie food. Sick of refried Beans, but only have a few more days before real food. I have had no complications either. Only problem is constipation, taking stool softeners and Miralax. Not working. Only brown Water. TMI, sorry. Otherwise, its all good.

Oh that's me too!!! I have been feeling really excited & then I did a very stupid thing....I went to read the "complications" thread. O. M. Heavens, what am I about to do????

My ins paid for my surgery. I was told that most self-pay patients opt for outpatient status. I was told that my ins may require that I stay over night. I wouldn't know until the surgery was over, the case complications and such. I packed my over-night bag and brought, just in case. I was let go about 3 hours after surgery. However, had they wanted to keep me over night, I'd been a bit disappointed. But hubs and I decided that if the doc wanted me to stat over night, I would have. They had my best interest at heart. I think you'd be wise to consider an over night stay, if that's what your doc wants. I live in Louisiana, so I can't help to as far as doc's go. My advice would be to not weed out good doc's because an over night stay is a possibility. They only have your best interest at heart.