Search the Community

I everyone. I am beyond happy that I found this site. Like many of you, I have tried to lose weight for the past 7 years(I'm 25) and I just can't seem to lose it. I lose the weight and gain it right back.. My sister got sleeved on January and OMG she went from a size 18 to a small .. Amazing I know.. So at first, after seeing her have some complications, I said I can't do this, forget it... But just 3 days ago, I was trying to wear something for work and it wouldn't for properly and after trying few other outfits, I said that's it, I will have the surgery regardless what ends up being. Not for nothing, but I have an amazing life, I have a awesome job, I go to school which I graduate next fall, but I'm not happy with my weight. This is where the problem arises, I weight 200... I could of swore I was more but I was too scared to weigh my self. So 2 days ago I wanted to see how much I weighted and I was disappointed lol.. I calculated my BMi and it's 34 Uhg so frustrating.. Now some of you may say well wtf are u doing here, but that's not the case.. I am very self couscous and I don't ever go on dates bc I feel like I am huge (which 200 is not small) I am 5'4 also... I am registered for a seminar for Wednesday 10/2/13... Not sure if I qualify? Would I? I mean I do wear a size 16 so you would think I do? Right? I was always a size 4 until I turned 19.... I know it's wrong but should I gain a little weight? I did have a heart surgery in 2010 and my heart beats more than normal peoples so maybe they can consider that right? Worse comes to worse and my insurance say No, can I do it anyways paying cash? Will they allow me even though my BMi is not 35? I really want to be at least 130 and I have tried almost every single diet on the planet.. I just want some insight since I really want to do it but my family won't really support me since they still think I have a heart condition which I don't anymore.. I have decided I am going to do it even if it costs my life in the end... That's how serious I am .. And I have read so many of your stories and I am inspired.

Not a lot will change to be honest. You'll just need a 200-300 more calories, more carbs, if you still have weight to lose you might not gain a lot. You know all about the baby stuff so just good follow up care. If you've read any of my pregnancy updates over the last 9 months, you know that VSG has not complicated my pregnancy in the least. There's plenty of WLS patients who conceive before the "recommended" time frame, and even some surgeons are loosening the restriction on band and VSG patients because honestly, there's very little issues with pregnancy with the non-malabsorptive procedures. You'll be great, the baby will be fab. Just get your calorie/protein/carb goal from your doctor and adjust your intake accordingly. I can't remember, but I don't think you were a super low carber so you might not have to change much. The biggest challenge is the water/clear Fluid intake increase to over 100oz per day.

had my surgery on the 23rd as well.. but i had complication and my shakes didn't start until the 29th had two shakes at the hospital (had Optisource caramel and strawberry) although i wasn't a big fan i was happy to have something other than just plain water. although for the first time in my life i never wanted water more than i have now. on the 30th first day back home I had two more Optisource shakes a day and wasn't too bad, i never finished either one all the way but almost most of it. I also started on sugar free jello (again never happier to have jello). Today I tried costco premier shake (chocolate) and it was so thick it took me about two hours to have half of the shake. for my second shake (also the chocolate premier) i tried it with three ice cubes blended and it was much more easier to drink. the coldness or lighter feel felt easier to drink. I didn't finish it all but almost all the way and this one only took an hour to drink. Hope that helps, i will continue to try new ways of having the shakes and keeping the goal of three shakes a day. Hope this helps a bit Good luck!

My answer to the OP is simple...Can you smoke?Yes absolutely you can smoke. Should you smoke?Absolutely not! People have and do smoke with this surgery and experience no complications but People also jump of of bridges and buildings and don't die.A simplification yes but still true none the less

I've soaked up info forever it seems talking, meetings, seminars, books, doctors, phone calls and met more surgical patients than I can remember. So far it seems pretty even with gaining back weight after bypass versus keeping it off with the band with complications neck and neck. My friend in radiology doesn't want me to have a bypass so he calls and reads me all these awful results from upper gi's and endos of all the complications he sees from both types of surgery. It's hard for him to understand that risks at our weigh are often worth it. If I burned as many calories running my mind over the decision as I could on a treadmill I wouldn't need either.

So, I’ve read various posts about regretting the journey that sleevary (yes I’ve created a word) brings. However, do some of you fully regret being sleeved or are you impartial to it? For instance, my journey to sleevary was quick fast and in a hurry. I never considered having WLS. In fact, I was one of “those” individuals whom laughed at the very idea of WLS and even said “I’d never do that”. Until June 2011 hit and I was diagnosed with Diabetes. That is when I said I HAVE to take control of my health and weight and must be proactive about it. And proactive I was. I was dieting, exercising and losing weight. Until, my cousin told me about a WLS forum. I attended not thinking anything of it. And the surgeon announced the fact that WLS reversed diabetes. Instantly, I said “sign me up”. I did not hesitate nor did I think about it. My insurance had a short process – 3 months, and since I had a comorbid disease the doctor said I would be approved. I did my research and sure enough it was proven in the research that WLS fully reversed diabetes. So literally, less than three months from my first WLS forum, I was on an operating table getting sleeved. I did minimum research, I knew about the risks, but to me, being diabetes-free far outweighed any leaks or any other complications. July 17, 2012 I’m sleeved. Told no family members, coworkers or anyone and went through the recovery process by myself. Thankful to God, I had no complications (and still do not have any). It’s January 2013 and I’m down 91lbs thanks to my sleeve and exercise (I’ve been a gym rat). 91lbs Horray!! One would be ecstatic right!? I look good (like a new person), I feel good, and best of all I’m diabetes FREE. After all, that was my goal for sleevary… Right!? Absolutely. One would think I’d be living the high life, I’m no longer classified a “big girl” I don’t have to shop at Ashley Stewart or in the plus size section(s). I should be happy. Shouldn’t I!? Well, I’m not. And here’s why… I can barely eat. I throw up sometimes but it’s very minimal. I feel most foods going down my esophagus, and although it doesn’t hurt it is uncomfortable. I can’t enjoy basic foods anymore…! Am I miserable? Am I unhappy? Absolutely not. I was never a food junky. However, do I believe I should have and could have lost this 91lbs without being sleeved? Certainly!! So why did I do this to myself!? Why did I take away 85% of my stomach? And now I can’t even enjoy the simple things in life... I can’t go out to eat with friends or on a date to a restaurant with a cute guy or participate in work functions that involve food because it’s embarrassing to be full off of three bites and have everyone sit and stare and wonder what’s wrong with her!? There’s just so many “normal” things that you just cannot be a part of post sleevary -- like enjoying a full slice of pizza, or popcorn at the movie theater (granted NOW I can eat popcorn but a month ago forget about it, pizza not so much) or how about a bagel with cream cheese or a full sandwich (and I’m not talking about a gigantic 12in sub just a measly homemade sandwich with two slices of bread), or how about indulging in thanksgiving dinner or eating a snickers candy bar without feeling stuffed or eating more than 1 egg or to have to chew EVERYTHING to a paste-like consistency before you swallow. The list goes on… Two of my friends know about my sleeve, and one is overweight. She is so excited to be sleeved and I told her if you do not have any medical problems it is not worth everything that you are giving up. Sure, you are skinny but is it worth the basic joys of life!? To some it is. To others it is not. To me, a person formerly (I love that word) living with a horrid debilitating disease YES it’s worth it! With that being said, I DO NOT regret my sleeve. And I thank God that I have not and prayerfully will not in the future have any complications. I just caution those whom are out there to try to lose weight naturally (unless you have severe health problems) and truly think about whether the sleeve is worth you losing your basic liberties (whatever they maybe)…! But, I can and will say. I love my sleeve. I love my surgeon and I love God for allowing me to become insulin and finger prinking free! However, I do wish that I would have taken control of my health BEFORE I became diagnosed with diabetes. Had I had any inkling that I was even close to that diagnosis of that dreadful disease (and I don’t care what people say, IN MY OPINION, that disease is like being diagnosed with HIV it is just awful – don’t even get me started on how life altering living as a diabetic is and how depressed I was… Ugh!) I would have ran to the nearest gym and stopped all the ice cream and soda (because that’s all I used to eat) cold turkey!! All I am saying is… Think about it! Truly, sit down and think about whether being sleeved is right for YOU! If it is, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH!!! If it isn’t, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH ALSO!!! You can do whatever you put your mind too! Persevere and rise to the challenge. God Bless you all~!!!! I love my VST-Family. SmoochieS~! TinaMari – Sleeved & Loving It July 17, 2012 – Washington Hospital Center.

I was going to have the gastric bypass, which I did a lot of research and it scared the crap out of me.. A lot of possible side effects with that. Dumping syndrome, hair loss, malnutrition is a big one too. When I found out my insurance co would cover the sleeve, my personal Dr was very excited and recommended that surgery due to less complications. Where I had my surgery done, which was Puget sound surgical center, I voiced my concerns about side effects and I also did my research. Unfortunately this is a newer procedure so not a lot of long term information. But, speaking to my Dr, he informed me out of the 250+ surgeries they had performed to date, they only had 3 complications. One, was due to issues the patient had prior, one was a leak and I cant remember what the other was from. I think having the sleeve will be one of the best decisions you ever make. I hope your friends are just kidding when they say they will never speak to you again! A true friend will support your decision on this and you need that support when you have to make a life changing decision that will effect the rest of your life! Best of luck to you

Thanks everyone - great responses and discussion. For me personally, I probably SHOULD be worried about the forced change of relationship with food, but I am actually looking forward to that part. I know it will be rough at first, but I want to eat like a normal woman, small quanties and and based on what I need to fuel my body and no more. I probably should be more concerned about the fact that being obese is slowing killing me (I have sleep apnea, early onset arthritis and borderline blood pressure. I have insulin resistance, and will likely become diabetic if I don't get the weight off and keep it off), but there is something about surgery that focuses your worries on a specific event...lol My conscious fears are really surgery and recovery related. I know that MOST people have no major problems, but I guess the thoughts that keep creeping in is what if I am one of the unlucky few that get a leak, a stricture or has a problem during surgery. I realize that my odds of dying on the table are very low,but it is still in the back of my mind. As a revision from the band, I probably have a higher risk of leaks and I know that can be a real recovery nightmare. You are right, I feel great about my surgeon's skills and support, but I know that even so, bad things can happen. I am trying to keep my mine focused on all the benefits of losing weight and becoming healthier. All the sleevers I have met are just so happy with their new life - I keep trying to focus my "eye on the prize" but I do sometimes get a little overwhelmed with the fears. I keep trying to visualize myself 6 months post surgery - alot of weight gone, feeling healthier etc and with NO long term complications.

One more comment: If you chose to go ahead with the surgery, I'd strongly recommend getting travel insurance. I would imagine the Africa trip is quite a financial commitment and this way you have at least some peace of mind. Complications, while unlikely, are still a possibility and you also don't know how you'll feel (people here report needing to use pain meds anywhere from not at all to two weeks...). Are you heading into the bush or staying close to civilization? I postponed my first fill because I was heading to the Galapagos the next week and didn't want to risk needing an emergency unfill so far from any medical care. Dealing with the lap band requires special equipment/needles that are not likely to be found in many developing countries. I can appreciate your impatience to get started. Realize that lap band works over months or years and that two weeks more or less are not likely to matter in the long run...

Yeah? Wait until you see part of it try to slide out. LOL. I have to keep a tight rein on those puppies. I'm already on it. I've been to my dermatologist and complained about the rashes. He gave me cream of course. My insurance says the panni must be below the pubis and it must cause complications like rashes and back pain. I think I've got it covered. The rashes aren't bad, but I already have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in my lower back and it's causing some pain. I'm already starting to document things.

I had the sleeve done while I had 3 bleeding ulcers. All I can say is that I went to hell and back with months of hospitalization. Still recovering :-( Your Dr. is very smart, give your body a chance to heal even if it takes a year. It's not worth the complications to do the surgery prematurely. Hope you heal quickly!

I was banded on 8/13/07 and then re-banded on 8/17/07 due to slippage and herniation. I didn't have any complications after that except starting my fills later than most people do. Since about the end of this September (2008) I've been experiencing some vomiting after eating. This was attributed (by my dietitian and surgeon) to not chewing well enough and eating too fast. I took the advice to chew better and slow down. The vomiting was almost instant and the relief was as well. I'm sure that some of you know that feeling of relief when the food isn't stuck anymore. This past week, I had a BAD experience with lunch and was vomiting for almost an hour after only eating a couple of bites of my lunch. It hurt-I had pains in my stomach that I had never had before and I've never vomited more than once after eating a meal and this time it was 3 times. In between vomiting, I had these awful sharp pains that traveled from my stomach up my esophagus and then nothing happened, and I would get another one that started in my stomach and traveled up. I had never experienced this much pain from vomiting before. I was scared, because of my complications so early on-that I decided to contact my surgeon's office. They again said it was from not chewing well enough and/or eating too fast. (This was food that I had tolerated before and not had any problems before that day) They told me to do Clear liquids the rest of the day and if I couldn't keep anything else down or got the sharp pains in my stomach again, that I would need to go to the Emergency room of the hospital that she is in-which is 2 hours from where I live. Luckily, I was able to keep some Soup down for dinner and avoided exercising for the night, just to let my body settle down. The soup made me sick to my stomach, but I think my stomach was just sensitive from the vomiting earlier that day. So needless to say, I didn't have to make the 2 hour trip to the ER. Well, this past weekend, it happened again. I had dinner on Saturday night (leftovers from dinner on Friday night, that I had tolerated fine on Friday night) and this time I had the same thing happen- I felt sick for about 10 minutes before I finally threw it up, then still felt like I needed to vomit again. This time I vomited twice, and it hurt again. The pains in my stomach weren't nearly as bad as they had been during the week when I got sick, but I still felt like it hurt more than it should have. Now I am having pain/discomfort/pressure in my port area. Sometimes I experience discomfort just because it's there and sometimes it's when I'm exercising. I had a fill on 10/14/08 and now have 2.5ccs in a 4cc band. So I am a little over half full. I still don't feel like I am all that restricted, although I have lost quite a bit of weight since surgery (although I am discouraged by losing weight slowly and wish I could lose more) The prospect of needing an "unfill" has come up, but I feel like it's counterproductive to my weight loss. I have to drive 2 hours for everything and I don't want to drive up there again to get Fluid taken out of my band- it's discouraging to think that might be a possibility. Soooo, basically- I am kind of worried because I'm afraid that my band might slip again, or might be slipping, or eroding-or some other BAD thing. I don't think my surgeon would do another band on me, and the idea of having to have surgery again is UNTHINKABLE! I had such a hard time having it twice in one week, I don't think I could do it again. Has ANYONE out there experienced anything like this? To be vomiting at this stage in the game is frustrating because you think it's something would deal with in the beginning-not over a year out. And does anyone know if a band will slip suddenly, or can is slowly slip until it's completely slipped? I know what signs to look for-because I had a slip before and it was absolutely awful. It was right after surgery, so I thought the pain and stuff was normal, until I started to vomit blood-that's when I knew something was wrong. I haven't vomited blood this time, but I'm just paranoid about this. Does anyone have anything for me? Trying to be patient and positive about this...

Melissa, i am sorry you have had such a difficult time! Do you mind sharing more about your complication - what went wrong? I have not yet been sleeved, but had my band out in late Sept and plan to be sleeved before the end of the year. I read alot of people who are very happy with the sleeve, even when they had a rough start like you.

Anyone else? Pre-op diet starts this Thursday! I am so nervous and excited! I have three boys (7,5, 10 months) and I'm most scared of a surgical complication. I am looking to lose around 150 pounds. I'm 6'0 tall and have always carried a lot of hidden weight. In 2009-2010 I lost over 100 pounds on my own, but I have gained a little more than half back. So ready to get it off and keep it off!

I was banded in December of 2005. I had many boughts of vomitting. Finally in August, 2007, I could not even keep liquids down, I had my band deflated and it was discovered that my band had slipped. I decided on removal because of the risk of future complications and the fact that I will no longer be insured for bariatric coverage. I am about ten days into my "post-band" life and it is nice to eat and keep the food down.

That's a standard term to mean that the insurance company believes you're worth spending the money on. Mostly they want to make sure that your risk of recidivism is low, that you know what you're getting into and how to take care of yourself post-op. That's why there's a psychiatric exam requirement before you can be approved. Most people do just fine with that, though in some cases the psychiatrist may feel there is some previously undiagnosed or untreated depression that could affect your health. There are also other factors, such as if you have other severe medical conditions like advanced cancer, are you likely to actually benefit from WLS? They balance that against the cost of leaving you untreated and instead paying for all of the complications that could arise, such as diabetes. Bottom line is unless you have an extreme situation either physically or mentally, you'll be fine.

The only thing I was required to do was get a referral from my PCM to go to the surgeon I chose. I also had a referral from my endocrinologist to go see this surgeon, so the PCM was a formality for the insurance. I am +100 lbs overweight, diabetic, sleep apnea, and a couple other issues, so I met all the criteria, and because my physician requires it, I was able to produce 2+ years of diet history, including the diet my endocrinologist has had me on for the past year, plus my medical history where a former PCM recommended me for gastric bypass and my subsequent refusal to have it (due to someone I know who had complications), so... I saw the Dr. on 4/7. He sent the paperwork in that week. Tricare approved me on 4/14. I found out on 4/21. They called on 5/12 and scheduled me for 5/29. They had originally planned to schedule me for 5/22, but I have a work thing and had no choice but to put it off one more week. I wanted to cry. But that's Ok. I have time to prepare (AND I'm already on a planned vacation that week so I don't have to explain a darn thing to a darn soul about where I've been !)

I have never had any complications. If something tugs or pulls, it usually goes away pretty quickly. Now, it seems for the last week, my port has been hurting me. Either a tugging sensation, or just a sharp pain. Any ideas on what's causing this or more importantly - how do I made it stop? Thanks for your help.

Chris, Can't wait to worry about loose skin! Out of curiosity, did your insurance go by your starting BMI for approval? Is your surgery going to be out patient? Mine will be barring any complications. I'm super excited for you! Best of luck! Tasha

I am having surgery with Dr Barkan. DId you use him? any complications?

Tasha, Thank you foe explaining . I was asked by another Washitonian if I was going with Eviva too but they never told me what it was. I only had to have three month of monitored dr visits, so I chose to use my surgeon. It was no big deal. Each appt went over weight, BP - as mine is high and a indicator being used for my justification for sleeve, diet intake and any other questions I had. I also had to have an ekg, labs, and pschy eval. All of the later were good. Yes a week from today is my surgery. The hospital called today to pre-admit me. I'm not nervous. I have had 4 major surgeries since Feb 2015. Unfortunately they all had complications which either required longer surgery time, readmit to the hospital or a second surgery. So I am being told I should be freaked out about now....LOL. I am excited, ready for it to be done. I think I have more concern over the loose skin issue. Christina

I too have read many threads/posts from banders that have their tool locked away as you discribe. I know there must be a fine line between being too agressive with fills and not agressive enough. I agree that the banster who lives in banster hell too long needs to comunicate with the doc and if things are not going well, find a new doc. My doc was fairly agressive with the fills and I am happy about that because I spent a very short time in banster hell. It also saved me time and money because I do not live in the same town as my Doc's office. As I've read these posts from bansters who get 6, 7 , 8 or more tiny fills to feel restriction, I wonder if there is a much larger risk of getting leaks. I have read posts where ports have been missed and fills have been complicated and painful. Elfie, your example of a Dr. not listening to a cancer patient was a great example. My mother died because of one of those types of Dr.s. Over the years I have changed Dr.s for the same reasons. I think as patients we all need to be aware that if we know something is wrong and the doc continues not to listen, we need to find one who will.

I will keep that in mind for sure. I have not had surgery yet but will be getting my lap band checked out since it has been causing me so much trouble. I am almost sure that I am going with BMI at Silver Cross. I like the comprehensive program and the fact that they are not too far from home in the event of a complication. That said, I like to exercise anyhow so if it winds up being just lap band removal without vsg, then I am still planning on losing weight, so a bike ride or walk or even a jog is fine with me.

Your friends experience sounds about right! There is plenty to research, its a major surgery and a huge life change but so far I have no regrets...only that I didn't do it sooner. There are plenty of great success stories on this forum and there are very true and difficult complications that folks have had. Read them all! It's given me the restriction and allowed me to have the will to make the right choices. Good luck to you!

The plication is not as reversible as it's marketed. Several plication patients are looking at revisions to the sleeve. There are a few patients who had severe complications that have shared on obesityhelp and personally, I would never consider the plication. Partial gastrectomies and complete gastrectomies have been performed since the 1800's for stomach cancer and ulcers. Many people live fully-functioning lives without part or all of their stomachs. Best wishes in your research.