NewStart95987

Good morning friends. I had the lapband done in 2011 and always had issues with my band. Vomiting became a daily part of my life for years. I tried the revision process before but had obstacle after obstacle. I am now ready for revision and will have surgery on Nov 20th. We hope to remove the band and perform bypass all in one shot. I remember band surgery was not fun. What advice do you have for this soon to be bypass newbie? Advice before, day of surgery, days after surgery and etc? I read somewhere even a pillow for the ride home can be extremely helpful (my ride home will be an almost 2 hour drive if there is no traffic). So that is added to the list. Thank you so much for any info. I am very excited and nervous but cannot wait to get started on this new journey. Have a wonderful day! Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

If you want revision, yes!!!!! Take all the fluid out! This may be enough time to help heal a bit and can increase the odds of it being one surgery instead of 2. I felt instant relief when my fluid was taken out. I could not believe it. Again, it wasn't even half full and I was just used to it and vomiting almost daily. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi dear, not aure if you're asking me but I'll respond:-) I started revision hoops last week, 6 months of stuff but doctor said because I have one failure with band, high BMI and sleep apnea, I will totally be approved. She won't know if it will be one surgery or two until she's there and sees what state I'm in. She said it most certainly sounds like I have scar tissue bit having an unfill and months to heal, could certainly work in my favor. I'm hoping to have it all done in one but if it takes two, then so be it. Better safe then sorry. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I had band done in 2011, got pregnant a few month later with an empty band. Fast forward to finally getting 2 small fills. Vomiting almost daily and thought I was just doing something wrong. I finally realize that stress, my period, time of day and so many other factors actually affected my band. I had an unfill last week and started the process of having it removed and getting bypass. It was normal to vomit or go days without keeping anything down. IT'S NOT NORMAL! but I kept blaming myself or making excuses. I cannot wait for revision. It'll take 6 months of insurance hoops but I can't Wait! Just remember everybody and Every Body is different. I did band because I felt like it was less invasive and the success was still up to me. Live and learn. It wasn't right for me and the more research you do, the more confusing it can be. What are you comfortable with? How much of a fight are you willing to give? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I had lapband in 2011. Got pregnant almost right away, finally years later had 2 fills. I have vomited almost daily now for years as well. After many life changes (divorce, new career, etc) I'm ready for me. I saw my surgeon today and had the 5cc's in my band taken out and I noticed the moment it was out. That pressure was gone but for me, it was normal. So I start my 6 month process of hoops now for the insurance. I'll be paying plenty out of pocket along with it but I'm torn. I was totally ready for Sleeve but now I'm wondering. Go big or go home? Enough screwing around and just do the gastric. My surgeon (same who did my band) agrees wholeheartedly on a revision but she herself said there is no winner. She thinks both would be fine since I'm not a heavy or sweet eater. I'm just scared and I have time but..... Any help? BTW, Back at the heaviest I have ever been, just not sure how to update my profile on here.

Thanks dear! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

What's that? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Awe Stacy, you got this honey! Something that is sticking to me is what my surgeon said. Bypass helps with the eating of course but also the biology. Something contributes to obesity. Whatever it is (a million variables like thyroid, metabolism blah blah), bypass hits the serving size and helps with the bio. There's a cartoon type video on her website I would be happy to private message you to see if you're interested :-) Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for your replies. I was always so against bypass for me. But I'm actually leaning towards it as of now. Crazy. I'm excited regardless. A new journey :-) Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I was banded June 2011, got pregnant soon after and had to move away from my surgeon because of work. Long story short, after having my daughter, going through a rough divorce when my spouse battled sudden sever depression, I finally got some fluid in my band. I'm disappointed. This isn't what my doctor had said. I did research for a year before I decided to get the band. Sleeve wasn't a "thing" yet and I was scared of full bypass. I get stuck almost daily, I am either so hungry or so full that I am uncomfortable for hours. Sometimes, I can't keep liquids down. I have 4 ccs out of a 10 cc band. Some days I can't eat anything! I never know from one day to the next what I can or can't eat. I'm heavier now then I have ever been. I have no health problems yet but at 300+ lbs, how much longer can I get lucky and not have a heart attavk, diabetes or god know what else. I am excited to think I could get a Sleeve! I'm scared because I have my daughter now to think about and am terrified of surgery again. I have an appointment on April 17th for a physical and to get a referall to start the process. For Lapband, I started the process and was almost done when the insurance said they wouldn't cover it, that I was given wrong information. I waited months, had to pay everything out of pocket, got on another Insurance, started the process all over again to fight for my band. A band I fought so hard for but am so sad it's not worked like my surgeon had said. I haven't found my green zone. I'm embarrassed when I have to run to a restroom to vomit. There has to be something better. Sleeve? Is this what I have been waiting for? I'm a bag full of emotions.

Thank you so much! That is exactly how I feel. Especially having my daughter now. I'm terrified that something will happen to me and since her father has chosen not to be involved in her life she would be left with a stranger really. Thank you so much again for your feedback, I'm really thinking I am ready to get this thing done for me, for my daughter.

I had LapBand June 2011 and became pregnant shortly after. I moved away from my surgeon because of my job and was unable to use the band while pregnant. I had my daughter and shortly after was laid off, was focused on helping my husband through a new found depression state and then a year later had moved and filed for divorce. I no longer had insurance that would cover my visits and being a new single mom, money didn't grown on trees. Long story short when I had the band done I knew I needed more help but gastric bypass scared me. I'm ready to focus on myself and my health again. Been there with the dieting but I need more help. I'm not considering gastric sleeve. Surgery scares me and lapband was no walk in the park but I want to be around for my daughter. I'm in relatively good health but how long will that last since I am so overweight. I was once super active on here and need to get back with it. I feel like the sleeve was what I was looking for in the first place but it wasn't well known or an option for me at the time as I don't think my surgeon did it. I dread this process, I am excited for the future, I'm scared of surgery, I am just a bucket of nerves and emotions. Any advice, encouragement, anything would be greatly appreciated :-)

I am looking for a LapBand Buddy. Doesn't necessarily have to be someone in SoCal but someone willing to share their success and defeats via e-mail and text. Someone who can swap photos of food and recepies. Encouraging each other and being a positive influence. We all slip up at some point and that's ok, I'm not perfect and not looking for a drill instructor. Man or woman, younger or older, doesn't matter, we already have a connection and something in common with the Band. Let me tell you about myself: 26 year old wife and mother of a 16 month old baby girl I do have encouragement in my life for the band but feel I could use someone in a similar situation on this journey to weightloss Outgoing and very open, I'm an honest person Maybe we could e-mail and get to know eachother and then exchange numbers? Even if its a thumbs up photo or a picture of Protein, something to help encourage eachother. Not to mention, who doesn't love e-cards for a good laugh. Band was placed a couple years ago and within months I became pregnant! Had a rough pregnancy due to blood clots and finally after a year once my daughter was born, got my first fill. I do not live close to my doctor which makes it even more difficult. Ok, I feel like I'm leaving a dating profile I love long walks and....... you get it. Anywho, and having a hard time without a lapband buddy and would love to have one :-)

I had my band placed 3 years ago. I ended up getting pregnant right after surgery. I moved away from my surgeon and was looking for a doctor to continue my care when I was laid off after our company was purchased by an investment firm. I'm traveling 6 hours to see my surgeon next week and am hoping to get my first fill. I'm nervous since I'm not close to her in case something happens but I'm also tired of not using my band! I lose my benefits in September so I'm not sure if I can squeeze in another fill or afford another trip if I need another. I know it's not idea but at least I can get the ball rolling? Any advice? I asked the do's and dont's before my first fill and the woman who booked it said they didn't have any......

The reason some doctors make you sign a paper saying you won't TTC for a year is to not mess up their stats. With most doctors being "centers for excellence" amongst other things, the patients are followed and progress is monitored. Getting pregnant would mess up their statistics. I had irregular periods for my whole like and right after being banded, started a regular cycle. I asked and the doctor said that YES it can play with your hormones. I had my surgery in June of 2011 and had my one and only May 2012. Ill let you do the math.....

I had my band surgery in 2 years ago. Not even 2 months after surgery, I transferred from Northern California to Southern California for my job. A month and a half after my move, I found out I was pregnant. Never had a fill and decided not to since I have blood clots and other things to worry about with my pregnancy. My 2nd official day of maternity leave and one day before going into labor, my company sold and 2 months after returning to work, I was laid off. Losing my medical benefits after already having a hard time finding a surgeon willing to take me on since I was hours from my original surgeon, I haven't been able to get a fill. I'm feel like I have started my journey by having my band but haven't used it and feel I'm going no where. I'm making a special trip up north to see my surgeon and HOPEFULLY get my first fill! I'm scared, excited, nervous! I'll be so upset if I can't get a fill. I'm ready to lose some weight! With all of this craziness, I thank God for my beautiful band baby who turned 1 on May 23rd. What a blessing! Wish me luck! Any advice?

My hubby was afraid to hurt me. I did them all myself, a couple things I learned: Inject slowly and it won't sting I would scratch with my nail and learned where to more sensitive spots were and avoided those If you have the time, you can always ice before injecting Never get on top of another bruise Bruises and lumps are normal, you didn't do something wrong if you get them Just remember that this is a very necessary precaution! Set an alarm and take them exactly as planned. If I can do a couple hundred of these because of my pregnancy, you can totally do it. Little did I know my two weeks after my band was a trial run for many to come. Best of luck!

Not only did I have them two weeks after surgery but I just had my first baby. 2 months into my pregnancy I was back on Lovenox (developed 2 more clots) and was on 100 mg, each syringe, twice a day until 6 weeks after my pregnancy. Needless to say, i'm a pro now BUT my stomach is still brusied and I have little lumps. You didn't do anything wrong.

Just a couple hours old! Katelyn is here and was just days away from her induction date but decided to come on her own. She was 6 lbs and 10 oz born at 5:03 a.m on Wednesday morning. She's 20 inches long and so tiny. She was conceived just after having surgery last year in June. Planning on healing up from labor and getting my first fill sometime in the weeks to come. :-)

Got pregnant just months after getting banded. I thought I had the flu! lol, wrong!

Was banded in June of last year adn immediately had regular cycles, something I have NEVER had. Found out I was pregnant end of August. I see a high risk specialist due to a history of blood clots who said they see many women who have had the band become pregnant quickly after surgery. I'm due any day now. She's my lap band baby, lol.

No dangers but a lot of surgeons follow and report results and after that time and weight loss they consider you a success. I got pregnant almost right after surgery and I'm now 35-36 weeks. I do have complications but not anything related to the band. Sad but true. Though I understand going through all the motions and having to wait for continued success. I was a bit frustrated as well BUT they also don't tell you how the band can effect your hormones. It's a catch 22 which is why some surgeons are so strict about not getting pregnant! They want to help make sure you are taking precautions. I went from a period or two a year to fertile mertile after my band. My specialist (I'm high risk due to blood clots) laughed and told me its VERY common to become very fertile after banding. GI figure! Best of luck!

In Tustin and interested!

Another vote for Hernia! It's nothing major and if your like me (didn't know until after surgery that I had one) it was the cause of my acid reflux. I was eating tums like candy and I haven't touched a tums since it was fixed. Please take care of yourself and be careful, if you need a little help, ask don't over do it because your hiding it and cause yourself any extra pain. I needed help getting out of bed and off the toilet the first couple of days. As for your friend, you need to heal and don't need to pull stitches by exercising IF you have acid reflux this can be another part of the excuse for you needing the repair, to help prevent a lifetime of taking meds for it. I was given liquid vicodin and a sleep aid. I was not allowed to drive! You better believe I was taking it every 4 hours like I was allowed. I don't think it really helped with the sleep or pain much but I didn't want to find out. I also had liquid Tylenol on hand but didn't take it. Have a heating pad handy as I think it really helped with the gas they fill you with. Taking gas meds don't help since it's not in that track of your body but I walked a lot around the house and when I sat, I had the heating pad handy on my shoulders. You will look SUPER bloated. Best of luck and congrats on taking this step! Welcome to the Band Family :-)