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Yesterday seemed like a blur of appointments and blood work & tests. The highlight of my day was my annual appointment with my gynecologist--never thought I would say that. But, last visit, I was in there for ovarian cysts---not "Polycystic"--these were the kind they were really worried about...solid adnexal cysts with significant fluid around them. Didn't look good on the sonograms, but after being on the pill they have gone away. Problem is that I want to get pregnant again--sometime before I'm 35. The lady put my stats in the computer and I could see the history of the last 3 years as she did so. Weight 212.5, Height 5'4.5"....compared to last time of 203 and then the time before that at 186...I see a pattern. The girl didn't say anything. When I met with the GYN in his office we started talking about me wanting to get pregnant and then going back on the pill about a month ago. I took a breath and told him the surgery I am getting ready to have. I always feel trepidation when telling people. Not sure why--but am anticipating some kind of judgement or alarm. (Most of the time I get that!!) But anyway, He was OVERJOYED and SOOOOOOO supportive. He knows of my surgeon and said he's the best one around and that I would NEVER regret the surgery, and that someday I will look back and say it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. He looked at my blood pressure--history of weight--cysts...etc. He told me that he has had SEVERAL patients who have gone thru it and then have gotten pregnant--and they've done "remarkably"---and EVEN that they had LESS complications and problems than their FIRST pregnancies without the band. He just went on and on and the more he talked the more reassuring it was. I was thinking while I was waiting for the appointment...I wonder what he would say--and what it would take for him to say to make me NOT want to get it. Obviously that wasn't an issue. I have only three more hurdles before surgery. Monday is the first support group--my surgeon requires that I go to ONE before surgery......Tuesday is my PREOP appt with the surgeon (I will talk with the Nutritional Therapist at the same appt)...then the 10th starts my PREOP liquid diet. 19 days left...the countdown has begun!!! I am getting SOOO excited I can hardly stand it. My two sisters are distributors for this vitamin supplement called RELIV....they have talked me in to starting it NOW and taking it THRU the surgery--THRU POSTOP diet---etc. I'm excited about that too. It is a liquid vitamin--and 45 calories for the shot--which I can live with. It will provide plenty of great micronutrients vitamins and minerals. If I can get this stuff down then I'm good with whatever liquid protein stuff they can throw at me for this preop diet. I did my will---I know---that might be overkill, but it is a good feeling knowing that my baby girl will be ok if the worst were to happen. But, I'm hoping for the best ---and keeping my eyes on this Christmas and next summer and having a new little baby brother/sister for her.

Yesterday seemed like a blur of appointments and blood work & tests. The highlight of my day was my annual appointment with my gynecologist--never thought I would say that. But, last visit, I was in there for ovarian cysts---not "Polycystic"--these were the kind they were really worried about...solid adnexal cysts with significant fluid around them. Didn't look good on the sonograms, but after being on the pill they have gone away. Problem is that I want to get pregnant again--sometime before I'm 35. The lady put my stats in the computer and I could see the history of the last 3 years as she did so. Weight 212.5, Height 5'4.5"....compared to last time of 203 and then the time before that at 186...I see a pattern. The girl didn't say anything. When I met with the GYN in his office we started talking about me wanting to get pregnant and then going back on the pill about a month ago. I took a breath and told him the surgery I am getting ready to have. I always feel trepidation when telling people. Not sure why--but am anticipating some kind of judgement or alarm. (Most of the time I get that!!) But anyway, He was OVERJOYED and SOOOOOOO supportive. He knows of my surgeon and said he's the best one around and that I would NEVER regret the surgery, and that someday I will look back and say it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. He looked at my blood pressure--history of weight--cysts...etc. He told me that he has had SEVERAL patients who have gone thru it and then have gotten pregnant--and they've done "remarkably"---and EVEN that they had LESS complications and problems than their FIRST pregnancies without the band. He just went on and on and the more he talked the more reassuring it was. I was thinking while I was waiting for the appointment...I wonder what he would say--and what it would take for him to say to make me NOT want to get it. Obviously that wasn't an issue. I have only three more hurdles before surgery. Monday is the first support group--my surgeon requires that I go to ONE before surgery......Tuesday is my PREOP appt with the surgeon (I will talk with the Nutritional Therapist at the same appt)...then the 10th starts my PREOP liquid diet. 19 days left...the countdown has begun!!! I am getting SOOO excited I can hardly stand it. My two sisters are distributors for this vitamin supplement called RELIV....they have talked me in to starting it NOW and taking it THRU the surgery--THRU POSTOP diet---etc. I'm excited about that too. It is a liquid vitamin--and 45 calories for the shot--which I can live with. It will provide plenty of great micronutrients vitamins and minerals. If I can get this stuff down then I'm good with whatever liquid protein stuff they can throw at me for this preop diet. I did my will---I know---that might be overkill, but it is a good feeling knowing that my baby girl will be ok if the worst were to happen. But, I'm hoping for the best ---and keeping my eyes on this Christmas and next summer and having a new little baby brother/sister for her.

Kath4. Thank you for recognizing the positive in me. I am truly excited about my life after surgery. I think having a best friend that has already been through all of this helps tremendously. I have first hand knowledge. I also watch tons of youtube videos about successes, setbacks, and complications. I'm fully aware of what could go wrong. You will do great. Just check off each hoop as you jump through it. It will go pretty fast. I can't believe that I'm going to have surgery in 9 more days!

Yes. I had my surgery November 8 and had my first fill this morning. I can't say enough about Dr. Mac and his nurse, Brenda. My best advice in getting through the red tape of the process it to FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP! The staff would much rather you stay on them with reminders, questions, etc., than expect that they'll remember everything pending with every patient. Granted, they do their best, but they're only human! I had absolutely no complications from the surgery (knock on wood!) and so far, so good, on the fill. I love Dr. Mac because he no longer does the bypass. He's COMPLETELY committed to the band, which means he and his staff will be there for the critical follow-up support. I have spoken at his last 2 information sessions. Any chance you were in attendance??? Allison 321/300/288/175

I agree..i got a total unfill because i was worried about complications and i didnt want them to keep stickin me with that needle....also what if u get further along and are filled and have to keep gettin emergency unfills thats not good for u or ur baby....i jus hope nothin happens to my band as my belly gets bigger...my port side is really startin to hurt!

Here is what I did on my last surgeons visit day 6 days before surgery. --I met with the before surgery nurse, She checked my meds, went over the steps I would have to take to get to the surgery. Talked about the self injected blood thinner I would have to take for a while and gave me some booklets on how to inject myself and the lists and maps of where I would have to go during the day and the day of surgery. --a "fellow" (Dr intern), went over the consent form contract for the surgery and had me sign it. Got my copy. Asked him if the center ever did sleeves... he said yes, that he had assisted on 5 himself and there were many other interns that were assisting at other times. He said that the bypass takes a ton of skill, and not just anyone can do it, they do a bunch of bypasses and have for years, he said the sleeve just needs someone who knows how to do it. I asked if I could have a copy of my surgery recording... and he said no, it was a liability for them. I asked him what Bougie size the Dr used and he said of all the questions anyone has ever asked, no one has ever asked that one. He said they use a 36 and staple it loose. He said they hand stitch the staple line or sometimes us a robot to stitch. There is no advantage they have found to one or the other. The surgery is 3 1/2 -4 hours long. I said that seemed long, and he said Teaching Universities are in no hurry. There is plenty of time taken for surgery, no need to rush. The hand stitching takes a long time. I asked him why I heard so little about the sleeve before my first meeting with a Dr. He said that California is way behind the east coast as far as sleeves go, not because the Drs skill or desire, but the insurance here is so screwed up that it has been excluded until recently by most insurance companies. He said he worked doing sleeves for three years on the east coast before coming here to California. --a research representative, asked me to agree to be part of an ongoing study of WLS as part of them keeping their "Center of Excellence" status. The want to do followups for 5+ years if possible. I signed that. --the during and after surgery head nurse, Anne. She went over much of the same stuff as the before surgery nurse, and we chatted about travel, and how 50 is the new 40. She wrote me a note to give to my work saying I need 6 WEEKS! off to recover. Ouch, I have sick pay/time saved up for 3 weeks, and one staff at work is going to try and give me some of hers... well see....She said the Dr (Ali) was at a meeting and couldn't see me that day, but he would see me on the day of the surgery. She decided what my med schedule would be before and after the surgery. She put a list into the pharmacy for the dissolvable meds I would need. She did a short physical to access my state for surgery, checked my heart, reflexes, flexibility and asked questions about arthritis and such. -- the Lab for blood work and a pregnancy test, and then I went next door and got my blood and urine done. They need a pregnancy test. I told the lab tech that if I was pregnant then she was witness to a miracle. (being menopausal) They took about 6 tubes for testing. --the surgeon I went back to the office to pick up my letter for work, and the after surgery nurse grabbed me and said the Dr was back and wanted to talk to me. I went in and had a nice 20 minute visit with him. He was really nice, and personable. I asked him about the bougie size and he asked me why I wanted to know, and i told him about wanting good restriction and not to leave much of the stomach that stretches out more. He said all the parts are stretchy. He said they use a 36. I asked them about the loose cut, and he said it has to be loose because they stitch the whole thing and the extra room is to do that. He also leaves a little bit extra by the pylorus end to avoid complications that sometime happen there. He said that even people that have a 60 bougie lose weight, that the main reason for people gaining weight is their own actions, not the size of the bougie. You have to make changes in how and what you eat for the surgery to be a success. He also warned that it is his opinion that more people will gain weight back from the sleeve than RNY. Even though the long term results are not in yet. I asked him if he thought the people who gain back weight do it more because they eat around the sleeve, or because the sleeve stretches out, and he said they are related, and the people who gain weight back are more likely to look for some outside reason for it than how they eat and exercise. Those who follow the plan and exercise into the future lose the weight and keep most of it off. He talked about leaks, and nausea. He said that nausea is the most common complication. It can last one day to months. In the case of months, some people need to be fed by IV. 20% of his patients have some amount of nausea. There are meds for nausea. He said he thought I would be a good candidate and believed I could find success with the sleeve. I asked him why I didn't see or hear anything about the sleeve in his lecture or literature, and he said that until recently the sleeve was not covered by insurance in California and so he didn't bring it up as a choice. --the anesthesiology offices. They checked my meds, asked again about allergies and such. About a 5 hour day. They will call me friday to let me know when I need to go in for surgery on tuesday. The day of surgery will be about 8 hours of check in, wait, surgery, recovery and to the room. They expect I will be in over night, there will be a leak test the next day. If all looks well, I can go home the next day. They want to see that I don't have a lot of nausea before I go home and will keep me an extra day if need be. There ya go. The rundown as well as I remember it. More later!

I am sorry that you are having this pain however if it does end up being your gall bladder just say you are having complications from the surgery or you developed a hernia from the surgery. Those types of things do happen and they have no reason not to believe you.

My dr. Put me on a low sodium low carb diet and i dont feel that im shrinking my liver enough so i put myself on a liquid diet during the day and only having tuna salmon or chicken for dinner and still am not dropping as much weight as i would like. I think im overthinking this whole pre op thing because my liver was enormously enlarged and caused me a lot of complications with my gall bladder removal... i get banded december 12th and i cant wait. How are u all doing with ur pre op diet? CONGRATS TO ALL GOOD LUCK

seriously for small weight losses like that, do NOT get a surgery! The complications from the surgery are not worth the risk. Invest in a Personal trainer and nutritionist!

So I was banded in November of 2012 and I started off at 267lbs got down to 169lbs. Then about 6 mos ago I dont know what happened to where my sugar cravings havr gotten the best of me. I fimd myself wanting all the things I know I shouldn't eat. Also I'm afraid of having any complications with my band. My husband says he noticed that I eat faster now. Which is not good. I need to know that there is hope to get back on track. I jave gained 12lbs back and I can feel it. Please I need some advice or just some words of encouragement. I have know other person in my life who understands what I'm going through with the lapband.

All: I hear your concerns and very much support your choice of which surgery is best for you, as only you can decide what is best for your body. While my surgeon was equally partial to both surgeries, I really liked the idea of great weight and rapid weight loss with bypass, but didn't like the idea of being completely rerouted internally. However, instead of gastric bypass, I really wish I had known about VBG or the gastric sleeve as both of these procedures produce great weight loss with less complications than bypass. I am by no means trying to sway you into a surgical procedure, only stating that I myself only thought there were two bariatric options (being bypass and lapband) and wish I had known there were other options that were combination restrictive/malabsorptive. Bottom line: learn about as many options as you can and make the decision that is best for YOU, regardless of what the surgeon wants/pushes.

Hello, my name is Martha. I am new to this forum and I was looking for a bit of advice. I realize that this is a decision I have to make, but I am all over the spectrum right now with all sorts of emotions. I am excited, scared, confused, mad, happy etc...I have been approved for the Sleeve on Monday 06/03/13. But I am really scared of all the complications I read around here. I went to see my surgeon (who I am very pleased with), I went through all the classes and seminars, and they made it seems so straight and clear cut. I knew at that point I could work on the healthier lifestyle, and begin frequent exercises! As I started my research on the internet, I began to get scared, reading all the negativity and complications. They have been discussed with me in my surgeons office but he explained as if they were extremely rare complications. Especially for someone in my condition. No, diabetes, blood pressure issues or sleep apnea. Cleared with flying colors from the Psyche, the heart dr, and the lung dr. Now I feel I am so stressed out and I don't know what to do??? when the hospital called and Friday and told me my surgery time... I gasped and told the lady, Ill be there if I don't decide to leave the country and never come back! (Needless to say I am still here). A lot of my decision is based on my 10 yo son. I want to be here for him for as long as I can!! and the Question now is, which one has me closer to Heaven? Sorry to bring this up, I know not a great subject, but it is reality for me (maybe toooo dramatic). Its really hard to talk to family, friends & co-workers, they all say "go for it!" uuhhhmmmm, wait a minuite, you are not going through what I am going through. I must add, I have never had an elective surgery, just an unexpected C-Section and of coarse I didn't have time to research the internet for that surgery since it was all of a sudden. I really love to hear all the great success stories here that had no complications I truly deep in my heart envy all of you. And those I have read that have complications I will continue to pray for you!!! Any words of encouragement or discouragement would be greatly appreciated!

Take it from somebody who truly regrets this surgery - even though I have had no complications so far (knock on wood) - unless you are 110% sure- don't do it - it completely changes your life - and not all the changes are good. I read & researched for a year...thought I was 100 %...woke up regretting it and regret it more each day. Life is more than what Mr. scale says...I just didn't realize that soon enough. Do what is best for you & your situation. I wish you the best of luck!

I wasn't heavy enough for gastric bypass. But in all seriousness, I had heard enough about gastric bypass that it was just something that I wouldn't have considered even if I HAD been heavy enough. I like the band because I didn't have a permanent re-routing of my gastrointestinal tract. The fact that it seemed a simpler procedure and carried less risk of complications is what made the idea of bariatric surgery even possible at all in my mind.

I'm going to post my (almost) 3 month success. I have conquered a brutally painful post-op ulcer. A gallbladder removal where it had to be peeled off my liver from having embedded itself into it. And a hernia repair where my intestinal junction had started to separate. All in the last 2.5 months. I am healed up completely now (still a week from exercise post-gallbladder) and ON TRACK LIKE A NORMAL PATIENT. Suck it, unjust medical complications! And I am officially my lowest adult weight since 2013. 63lbs down since September. 53lbs down since 11/1 surgery. And that's my mini-success.

Medicare doesn't have a pre approval process. If u meet the qualifications (bmi of >40 with no comoribities or >35 with 1) u just take ur chances and u find out after the surgery whether they paid it or not. At least thats what my dr office insurance coordinator told me. Medicare paid for my lapband in 2009 and my sleeve revision 10 mths ago (at bmi of 28. I had a band complication that necessitated removal). Not sure what/if ur other insuance is, I'm just speaking for Medicare. Good luck! Enjoy ur vvacation

I was a diet Dr Pepper addict. I drank a two-liter everyday. When I was told that I couldn't have them at all, I went cold turkey off of it and haven't wanted it even once. There is a lady that I know who thought she could beat the system and drink the cola IF she let it go flat. Well, she almost lost her band completely. The pouch swelled up and then drooped down around the band. Why would you want to pay so much for surgery, go thru everything post-op and then take the chance of complications all over a cola? There are reasons WHY the doctor says no cola. Ask him the whys/whynots. If you can't follow the rules up front, how do you expect to be successful? Please re-think the cola...for your own sake.

definitely count your blessings. i got the other side. no complications mind you, but pain, fatigue, constipation. took a couple of weeks to work it out.

I've gotta say I think it is much easier to be a man!! Typically, they get to sit back and just eat what is served to them. They are not the ones who have to put together meals, holiday feasts, and Superbowl spreads!! It's just a little frustrating when the hostess with the mostess (me) cooks up everyone's favorites and lays out a virtual smorgasboard of game day goodies, but I can't partake!! I am only THREE MORE DAYS away from being banded, and there is no way I am going to cheat. The last thing I want is to be the cause of my own complications in surgery; how stupid would that be?? So the alternative, I have actually had to leave the room and shut myself in my office while I sip on my protein shake pretending it is all my favorites. I read in someone's blog recently that 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels', and I keep repeating that to myself. The first two days of the pre-op diet were tough, but after that, I thought I had it down . . . until now. I actually wondered why I was being banded when it was so easy to diet. Now I remember why!! I will get through this, because there is no alternative, but it does help a little to have a place to come and vent. :-) GO STEELERS ! ! ! ! !

Welcome and congratulations on making such a smart decision about taking control of your health and well-being by having bariatric surgery! What's helpful and what's not in terms of prep (and on an ongoing basis) will depend on your personality type and how you prefer to learn, but what I've found to be most useful and beneficial is staying away from social media for the most part, and instead engaging in a great deal of on- and offline research. I read A LOT of scientific papers and studies prior to surgery (and still do), and was careful to seek out evidence-based information and data on types of surgery, outcomes, complications, expectations, etc. from scientists, obesity specialists, bariatric surgeons, bariatric dieticians, and other medical professionals working in the field. What a lot of quality, realistic thoughts and suggestions you're receiving in reply to your question here! I would add that for me, taking maximum advantage of the first 6 months -- and particularly the first 3 -- after surgery has been *crucial* to my overall loss and success. If you're not hungry after surgery, take full advantage by keeping your calories very low, because the honeymoon phase is finite. Begin entrenching good food habits right now (if you haven't already) and work to sustain the changes over the long term by cutting out processed foods, highly palatable foods, and sugar and instead focusing on eating healthy, whole, nutrient-dense foods once you've passed the fluid stage(s). Start an regular exercise program if you haven't already. Look for ways to keep increasing your NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) and act on them daily as your ability increases over time. Contact your bariatric team immediately with any concerns that may arise around potentially significant physical or psychological issues because social media absolutely cannot help with those. Wishing you all the very best with a successful surgery and recovery, and much ease as you pass through all of the bariatric stages and into your new life 😊 Highly-Palatable-Foods-slides.pdf

I need some tips on getting my head straight.... I have begun my six months of supervised dieting, and I feel like i am on a journey of last meals....one mexican. one italian, one chinese...one indian...you get the picture.. Things are complicated by the fact that it has been raining for days and also very cold BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I need a lift...or I'll GAIN:embarassed: weight before my surgery.

I am also to be banded. My surgery is scheduled for February 7th is Richardson, TX by Dr. Marsden. I am excited but at the same time scared of the process, specially of possible complications during and after surgery. I am such an eater, my goodness !!! No wonder I gained 70 lbs in the past few years.... I am now 193 lbs and need to loose 70 lbs, I hope Lap Band works for me, my appetite is so intense, maybe I can have the doctor stich up my mouth too... Just kidding... Everything sounds good for me, from Indian to Brazilian food but it is time to shed the extra weight and feel good about myself. Good luck to all of you having the surgery.

No complications... sometimes I wonder if I even had it done but the small incisions let me know it happened LOL

It is good you are doing research before getting any weight loss surgery. I think reading the posts here, both the success and the complications, will help you in your decision process. Just as news of a car accident does not prevent you from getting in a car and driving, though, news of a complication should not necessarily prevent you from taking steps to improve your health. Make a cost/benefit analysis of your individual situation. Good luck!

To me it means your golden year is your best time frame for weight loss. Weight loss surgery restriction is fantastic in your first months. Your surgery restriction will become less over time and weight loss slows down. “Taking advantage” means don’t waste this time frame. Follow your surgeons’ plan/instructions. Log your food, hit your calories and macro goals for the day, hydrate, exercise/activity and make behavior changes for the long term. We cannot control the “luck factor” Sex, age, medical issues, medications, complications, hormones and body physiology. What you can control is “working your plan” Decide how lax or strict you want to work this. Decide what you want out of your first year.