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It sounds like someone in the surgeons office coded things wrong, and they are evaluating it as a weight loss revision rather than as complication revision

I had RNY on 12/28 and I have had zero complications and I'm eating well. I had the lap band several years ago and I feel that has helped me understand the importance of small bites and chewing food to a soft consistency. I've lost 19 pounds in 10 days. Loving my decision Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes that is prob my main concern too ! I finally gotten over my fear of being kidnapped by drug cartels or shot by random gunfire lol and I'm more comfortable with the flight though it's not my favorite thing to do but I'm still left worrying about 1) post op complications and 2) I worry it won't work for me since I'm a revision. I don't have anyone set up to follow up with at home so there is that as well. I know they do leak tests and I plan to do an excessive post op diet (with my sleeve I did 4 whole weeks of liquids!) to make sure I heal really well ! I'll prob do that again this time too just so I don't take any chances of eating too soon ! Other than that it's just really playing the odds ! Thankfully only a 1% chance of a leak are pretty good odds ! Lol

Hi Paula and welcome to this site. You will meet many nice folks here that can provide you all the information you need. As for me, Oh yes I would do it again and I am so happy I did it. I had been looking into weight loss surgery for about 10 years but I never really discussed it with anyone. I went to about 4 or 5 different seminars at various hospitals in town but I guess I just wasn't ready. My husband talked me out of it twice. Finally last summer it hit me... I had been fighting this obesity for most of my adult life and not only was it not getting better, it was getting worse. I could not get a grip on it. Nobody in my family is overweight so they did not understand and at family get togethers I always felt like the elephant in the room. So one day while researching diets and weight loss on the website for the local teaching hospital, up popped an informational advertisement on WLS. I made a call that day. I went to see my PCP and she was all for it but directed me to another facility and another doctor who had more credentials in the WLS arena. I go an invite to their seminar about a month or two later and that's when the process began. Many tests were done to ensure I was healthy enough for surgery and then the pre-op diet before surgery. My insurance company mandated a 3 month physician monitored diet before they would approve. Thought there can be very real complications with any WLS, mine was pretty text book. I had the surgery on a Monday, went ho on Thursday and I have progressed according to plan. I just had my 5/6 week check up and I have been released to do anything I feel up to and to eat anything I can tolerate. Life is good. I'm losing weight (I did have a two week stall) and my clothes are starting to fall off of me. I have closets full of clothes in smaller sizes I can wear so not time to do too much shopping yet. I didn't want any complications so I did exactly what the doctor said and I could not be happier. Social situations can be sticky at times but when I remind myself that my health is my priority it all gets put back in perspective. We still go out to eat at restaurants with friends and my husband and I share a meal. I didn't tell any of my friends or family I was having the surgery so they don't know and by sharing meals no one is the wiser. Some times my daughter goes out with me and we will share a meal. Both my hubby and daughter have now lost weight too so they are keen on sharing our little secret. I would never tell someone to jump into this... but if you are thinking about it, do your research and find out everything that is involved because it is a permanent alteration to your stomach and will only work if you make a life style change. Weight can always come back but if you alter your life style and your choices you will be fine. Go to some support groups at the surgeons office prior to surgery to give you an idea of what's going on and buy some books on WLS and read them a couple of times. Read everything you can on the Internet and go in to this as informed as you can be. My only regret is that I didn't do this 10 years ago. I wish you all the luck in the world in whatever you choose to do. Janet

I had no idea that this feature was available on this site. I really love BariatricPal.com. It's given me an outlet for all these thoughts circulating around in my head and how to deal with them all as I get adjusted to this new life. A little background about me - I'll be turning 40 this year. I've been struggling with my weight for the better part of 20 years now but have always struggled with my image. I look back at pictures of me when I was thin and healthy and fit and remember thinking how fat I thought I was. I now have a 3 year old and doctors were beginning to use words like diabetes, hypertension and "morbidly" obese around me. The biggest I ever got was 240 and that was quite enough for me. My mom died when she was 65 from all the aforementioned conditions and their complications. I already started late out of the gate having my daughter late in life. The least I can do is try to extend this here life a little longer. That's not really possible / an option if diabetes and hypertension are eating away at my ability to exist. So I banded! My surgery date was 7/11 and it's been pretty smooth so far. Just getting adjusted to it all. Today's challenge is gas, feeling tightness in my esophagus (which I think is my body just now taking inventory of the band install) and I can't wait for these incisions to heal so that I can pick up and hug up on my daughter. The journey continues!

I don't mind people sharing negative experiences. I like to hear it all, I believe it helps keep us informed. HOWEVER, what I don't like is people who post these experiences, and pretty much say because it happened to them it'll happen to everyone. I also don't like it when people don't specify what may have lead up to a complication...not saying that things can't go wrong on their own (I personally had to have a port replacement that was of no fault of my own)...but I have noticed that many times people were not living by the band rules, neglected to get follow up care, etc. It's important to share the good, and the bad, but let's make sure we're sharing everything accurately.

Going in tomorrow to repair a kink in my tubing. We mull over all the complications that can arise and hope and pray one doesn't happen to you. But this is something that was out of my control apparently. Trying to find a positive spin....the complication could be so much more problematic! This should be an easy fix. Please send good thoughts and energy my way. Thanks

But you're not a doctor, and guessing could be dangerous if you're wrong. The Green Zone is useless if you lose your band trying to preserve it. Band complications always get worse the longer they go untreated.

Thanks B-52, Let me explain. By nature, I worry alot, especially my health, tis why I did this surgery. A few months post-op on my journey I did have one complication that sent me back to surgery a second time. A few months after surgery I started dealing with a suroma on one of my incisions. The suroma was drained several times and after the second time my port tubing broke thru the skin and I had 3 inches of the tubing sticking out of my belly. When I called the doc that night I was instructed to place a bandage on it and report to the OR in the morning. I took pictures of it and have a reminder of the scary event. Anyhow, the next day I reported to the OR and doc also discovered that the stitches had all broken off and the port had completely dislodged. Doc put me under and had to create two more large incisions to move the port to the other side of my belly. Because the tubing had been exposed the second surgery lasted 2 hours long with the port being attached and the disinfect proceedure. Recovery for this surgery was much worse that the first, thus, I'm terrified of other complications. Your reply has helped me come upon a realization. I need to not come onto this website as often as I do. When I read about slippage, erosions etc. etc., I start to dwell on the negative. I need to get on with my life and come what may, I will cross that bridge when and if I come upon it. It's funny that I've given that advice to others and it's finally sinking in with me. Thanks again. Jake

I live alone and managed just fine after surgery. Unless you have complications of some sort I don't see the necessity of having someone there. It will help you be more active anyway, which is good.

txchloe- I would definitely call your doctor about your port area. I know everyonce in while I get a slight ache in port area, but it goes away. Since your pain is really increasing, can't sleep on side, swollen, I would definitely call your doctor just to be safe. I have heard that as some people lose weight they can see the port protruding up a bit. Someone on a post I read yesterday posted something about that. But call your doctor to make sure you are not having any complications. Let us know how it goes.

Yas, I also had 5 scars, 4 are very small and 1 about 2 inches. No stitches at all. As for pain, I had a small complication therefore I had pain for about a week but with the pain meds it was bearable. I am 7 weeks post op and I find you kinda forget about the what the pain was really like. I also had the surgery in Mississauga but I had Dr Mumford as a surgeon.

Astrotoes, The book is great and so worth the $15.00. I love the thought that a runner is someone who runs...nothing more complicated than that. It is cold like the dickens here right now, and windy. Let me check the old weather ... it is currently -25, with the windchill making it -39C. So, I think I will drive home tonight and cuddle up with my gang and watch a movie!!! Have a good night all!!! Dawn Banded April 4, 2006 Montreal

Thanks everyone for advice on post op complications for a self-pay- not sure if my surgeon has done 300 of the "sleeve" since it is a relatively new procedure - but I do know she done tons of the bypass - but as I sit right now, I'm more interested in the sleeve. Sure is nice to have this site to be able to ask questions and get support. In 16 days I'm scheduled for the surgery - boy! seems close to me so I'm trying to find out as much info as I can.

I'll be watching for answers. I am scheduled to fly and am worried about it. Not sure that enough people will see this thread "as a complication" and wondering how many answers you'll get. Maybe start a "poll" in another topic thread, if you don;t get many responses?

I'll be watching for answers. I am scheduled to fly and am worried about it. Not sure that enough people will see this thread "as a complication" and wondering how many answers you'll get. Maybe start a "poll" in another topic thread, if you don;t get many responses?

well, here's my story..... Had surgery on May 27th 2011, weighing in at a whopping 196 lbs, I'm 5'3 and was told I was in the obease catagory. By thanksgiving, i reached my goal of losing 70 lbs, (in 6 months time) i have since then lost another 6 lbs, now weighing in at 119 lbs. I did this by following the diet the dr. set fourth for me. i'm now a size 2, (from a 14/16 in pants) I'm trying to maintain the weight and not keep losing, my trouble is that I'm so dead set against putting foods in my mouth that are not "good" foods, that the pounds keep comming off. The foods that I eat are 100% on my mind all the time, i'm so afraid to put weight back on. I think i'm getting a little obsessed.....lol. I have very little loose skin, but I have been excersizing like crazy to work on that area also. My advise, iff you have hit a stall, look at the foods that you are eating, watch your calorie intake, make sure the foods you are chosing to eat have Protein, and low calories, low carbs, and DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!!!! Best of luck to everyone, i'd do this all again in a heart beat, it's been a wonderful experience and no complications at all.

I was sleeved on 10/23, I had no complications (knock on wood), getting my water and protein in, gas was decreasing, somewhat regular BM,, pain was steadily decreasing. However, yesterday the pain became worse and steadily increased. Today was no better and it got worse. I went in to my PCP, (who btw had bypass be same surgeon), from there I was sent to the ER (at surgeon's request). They gave me pain meds which only took the edge off the pain and conducted CT scan. They said no leak, no hernia. The CT scan was all clear. So they are thinking it is muscular pain (only hurts when I move), and sent me home with more pains meds. I am very relieved it was nothing serious; however, I am curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this?

I'm down 100lbs, halfway to my goal weight! I had my first RNY on June 13th, second (complications :-/) on July 11th. Went from a 28/3X to 20/1X.

Thanks all! I got some sleep and I am doing better today. Living on yogurt and water crackers. They think it affect me differently because of the surgery. I seem to be the weirdo with the intestinal issues. It just scares me since I had a complication with an intestinal stricture (staple caught the other side and twisted.) If it didn't ease up today I had to go in for an x-ray.

I'm having the same concerns, I'm scared that I'm scared that I'm going to be in that % that will experience complications. I too have thought about doing this surgery for over a year and finally just came to a conclusion that if I don't do it, my life is basically over anyway. I mean yes I would be here physically but for how long??? I want to LIVE and be healthy. Good luck to you sweetie on your decision.

Hi, I'm knew here but could relate to your post. I have not had surgery yet, still waiting for a date here in UK. But totally terrified of hospitals and surgery! My son had a horrific accident many years ago when he was 10 years old (he is now 31) and I spent months in hospital with him as he underwent one procedure after another, it took its toll on both of us but thankfully he survived. I have chosen bypass because I'm diabetic and have fibromyalgia. It will help diabetes get under better control but won't cure the fibro in fact I've been told that it will probably make that worse to begin with so except a lot of pain after surgery due to the fibro, this hasn't helped my nerves! I'm going to see a hypnotherapist at end of September to get some help with this fear. The dying part is a normal fear after all we are choosing this surgery to better our lives not end it! But it depends on any other health issues you have and your surgeon, have you asked him/her what percentage of patients have had complications or death with them? All surgery comes with a risk and many surgeries have a much higher risk than the bypass. No surgeon wants to have patient death rates, it doesn't bode well for their career, so if you were a big risk they wouldn't be doing it until you had lost some weight first, maybe inserting a ballon to help you. It's the complications that concern me, I'm already anaemic and they can't fund out why, this will get worse after surgery. The diabetes is known as the "silent killer" but the fibromyalgia affects my quality of life much more and I live with daily pain, to add to that with further complications would finish me off anyway - It's important to focus on why you are doing or wanting this and try to stay positive, I know that's hard but if you can be positive about it, you almost always get a positive outcome. Take care x

I'm sorry to hear about your appendix but aren't you glad it happened BEFORE your Lap Band? Better to happen now and heal, than have complications later, right? Wishing you a speedy recovery Eliz! Now I don't remember anyone setting defined rules for being a "Springer." I think it's more a state of mind for me and everyone else in here. OF COURSE, you will remain here. I, for one, value your friendship and would be disappointed if I didn't see your posts! Get well soon Ladybug! Your banding will happened when it's supposed to! hugs, j~

Some doctors are very lax, some are strict. Mine is pretty strict; 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks puree/mushy, 2 weeks soft food. Only at 6 weeks does the plan allow me to try out things to see what I tolerate. I'm on week 3, the first 2 weeks were really tough, but the mushy puree stuff isn't bad at all. I'm in the same boat as you where I feel like I could tolerate pretty much anything, but if sticking to the plan gives me a lower probability of future problems then I will do it. Plus the restricted diet has helped to jump start my weight loss. Its all about percentages I suppose, letting your stomach do very little work and sit still while it heals allows the band to stay in place better long term, which lowers the probabilty of slips and other complications.

Is it my imagination that it seems like the guys here have an easier time as far as common complications after surgery? Maybe it's just because there are less guys here...lol.... but it seems like most say it was a piece of cake ( probably not a good analogy huh?) I don't hear them complaining much of nausea or pain. And they don't seem as food specific sensitive. Seems like they're running around quickly too.