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Serious problems with the lap band....



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I too am a healthcare provider. I have been a CNA for almost 12 yrs. now. Since I've worked at a Nursing Home, I haven't seen anyone with complications from the lapband. I have however weighed the pros and cons on this procedure and the pros far out weigh any cons that I have heard or read about. Growing up I was actually underweight. When I met my ex-hubsand, I started gaining my weight. When I got pregnant with our 1st child, I gained over 100lbs. I never lost the weight from having her, guess I was too secure with my married life. 2 years after my 1st born, I had a little boy. By the time I had him, I weight around 230lbs. Never felt the need to lose the weight after him either. The day my ex-hubsand left, I weighed 300lbs and was so unhappy at where my life was going. Let's see, he left the last thrusday in June and by the new year, i had lost down to 218lbs. All on my own, plus my freind depression helped me quite a bit.lol. Since then, I have remarried and wonderful man and have gained back up to right at 300lbs.

I'm sick and tired of not being able to get out in the yard and play with my kids because 1. my back starts hurting after just a few minutes of standing, 2. I can't do hardly anything because i get out of breath too easily and i guess my having asthma dosent help that part out any at all, and 3. I just don't have the energy to get up and run around the yard with them. That is what brings tears to my eyes.

I'm so ready to have this surgery done and then start dropping the pounds and feeling good about myself once again. But most of all, give my kids the mom they deserve, (the kind of mom that can play and run with them) and to finally be a real wife to my new hubsand that i have only been married to for a little over 4 months but been with for over 2 years. OK if this is TMI, I'm sorry I really am but I don't like looking at my body fully clothed much less naked and my hubsand isn't going to even get the chance to see me naked until this weight comes off and i feel comfortable in my own skin. So in 18 days, I start my new journey and I am so excited about it.

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I had to have my band replaced since it was placed incorrectly the first time. I went 8 months before it was discovered... mainly because I didn't have restriction even though I had 9cc in a 10cc band. Anyway, even though I was terrified at the thought of another operation, I definitely would have been devastated if they said they couldn't put another one in. I have lost 20 kgs (44.5 lbs) and I haven't been this weight for at least 13 years so I'm happy that I had the band put in.

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I would guess that there are more people coming in due to weight issues than wls issues. My mother's doctor asked her, "How many senior citizens do you see who are obese?" Obesed people don't live as long as people who are not obese. My sister had a stroke at 34 years of age. She had a baby/high blood pressure/and gained 150 pounds. She has a pace maker and can not use her right side of her body. She has since lost the weight but she is my biggest supporter. If this surgery was available 15 years ago she would have did it. I will take my chances on this surgery because as I see it there is a bigger risk for me if I don't do it.

Peace and blessings

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When you know the chances of something going wrong are less than 1% and weight them against that 1 out of 6 morbidly obese will die within 10 years, the odds favor getting the surgery.

I have to say I came out of surgery asking when is dinner. It did hurt to bend over and to get out of bed for a few days. Im now about 4 weeks past surgery and unless I twist the area where the port is Im all fine now. Me and the guy who they meet at the El Paso airport, we both flew thru surgery from what I understand. (I went to Juarez and they meet you at the airport in El Paso to drive you to the hospital).

Other than what the doctor said was gas for a while, I was fine, just tired after surgery and Im 57, one of the older bandsters. I decided I didnt want to die early is why I went thru with the band. Im still not sure it will help me lose weight. I have over a week before my first fill. I am more a nibbler than a overeater, so Im unconvinced, but did it anyway.

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I have a question for anybody that cand get me an answer , does anybody know where to get a fill in VANCOUVER B.C CANADA ? i am getting banded on aug 19 .08 in mexico and need to find somebody to do fill here in vancouver, please help me. tx. and also pray for me :thumbup:)

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I can't talk for anyone else but myself. But I'm due to get the band in a few weeks since I have failed in past diet attempts my whole adult life. I have gone through the joys of losing a large amount of weight but surely enough have gained it all back plus some. Now i'm in my mid 30's with two children and the side effects of my stature are now coming into focus like high blook pressure, PCOS, cholesterol etc. So after much consideration I have opted for the band knowing what risk are involved. My view is that if I do nothing the risk can be much greater. As long as you do your part to research and find a well qualified doctor than the rest is left to planning a happy future for yourself. Not sure if this helps you, but I thought I would throw my 2 cents.

My sentiments exactly.

I have a list of my pros/cons in my blog... check it out. My initial thoughts when I first started considering surgery were all of the risks and the scary parts..... I have been overweight for 5 years and nothing, no matter what, will take the weight off. I have health problems thanks to my weight. So, for me.... the benefits outweigh the risks by far. Not to mention the fact that very few people have problems in comparison to those who are successful.... and a lot of the slips and erosions are caused by the patient's not doing what the doc said and not following the diet properly (most, not all).

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I had mine done June 5. The doctor I use stitches part of your stomach over the band so there is no slippage. I haven't heard of too many others on here that had it done that way. My doctor says this keeps the band from erroding into your stomach too. Ask you doctor how he does his procedure, it's your right to know. I hope everything goes well for you.

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Wanda - I got my band 7/07. It was stitched the way yours is. I was under the impression most if not all lapbands are now done this way.

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That's how mine will be placed also.

teri

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I personally think there are much more risks in being obese than band complications !

We all know the comorbidities that come with obesity eh .... :mellow:

I think these outweigh the risks & possible complications .

And yes I think most surgeons use the stitch band to stomach nowdays to avoid slippage .

Hoping u make the right decision for yourself :)

Choosing WLS and which type is a very personal decision helped along with health care professional recommendations, which type of surgery is going to be best suited and sucessful for you !

Tc

Sas x:thumbup:

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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