NAT_Too_Shabby

I got my band put in on 09/14/10. I took out loans to do the surgery self pay, as my insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all. Nothing for weight loss will even be considered under my policy. I did very well up until January 2011. I was at 6cc's of restriction and I started experiencing projectile vomiting and was unable to tolerate even liquids. From January to March, my surgeon's office only removed 1.5 cc's and the whole time I was dealing with all of my complications, my surgeon only saw me once. Initally after each adjustment, I would do well for a week or so and then start having issues again. I dealt with the Physician's Assistant during everything, the surgeon didn't even remember me from one week to the next and was very sarcastic and rude to me. I finally went to another doctor for a second opinion (paid out of pocket as well.) The new surgeon and his PA are a lot more compassionate and seem genuinely concerned for my well being. Nevertheless, I'm miserable. I can't eat or even drink Water in the morning. SOME days I can tolerate food in the afternoon and evening, other days I throw up no matter what goes in my mouth whether it's liquids or solids. I constantly have uncontrollable burping and it's completely humiliating. People at work are starting to catch on that I'm not eating and I always seem to have an excuse. I burp all day long... and I never feel relieved!! If I never burp another day in my life, it will be TOO SOON. Even with all this, I'm not losing weight. I've only lost a total of 26 pounds since September and I'm wondering- is this even WORTH it??? I have never been so unhappy in my life!! I'm sad every day, I cry constantly... I'm completely shutting down. On top of feeling physically horrible, I'm $16,000 in debt. The Dr I got the 2nd opinion from ordered an Upper GI which I'm scheduled to have this Friday. It'll be my 2nd UGI in 3 months so who knows if my insurance will even consider it. So that will be another $300 - $400 I'll have to dish out. IF he decides I need my band removed, that'll be thousands of dollars more. I doubt I can even get any more loans. HELP me please!! I desperately need some words of encouragement. I feel like I can't go on like this.

Thank you for your support. Yes, it's quite frustrating. My appointment was moved to next week, but I will keep you posted

Yes! That's exactly what happens to me! There are days (like yesterday) that I can barely even take a sip of Water without burping for the next 25 minutes. It seems like with every bit of air that comes up, a little bit of water trickles down. It's super frustrating. Then on the days that I can eat "comfortably" of course... I go to town and eat as much as I can. The UGI I had in March showed that the band is in perfect position, just like yours. They don't seem to know why I'm having so much trouble. I'm sorry for what you've gone thru, I know exactly how miserable it is.

Wow that sounds awful. I'm glad you're doing better now and have been able to maintain your weight! I'd like to know how your appointment goes next month, keep us updated. Good luck with everything!

What symptoms were you experiencing to begin with, that made them want to do more testing?

Thank you for your support! I will keep you updated on the results of my UGI and appoinment on Friday.

Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself! I was told the EXACT same thing you were... my surgeon is in Virginia. My mom even went with me to the information seminar and all of my pre op appointments. I have a witness! They said "you will be able to eat whatever you want, just not a lot of it. And this is how you lose weight, because it teaches you how to eat the right portions!" And I thought "Amazing! I'll finally be able to eat and STOP when I'm full!" I was sooo excited. But had they said "you're going to have this foreign piece of plastic in your body but you'll have to diet and exercise vigorously for the rest of your life, or you won't lose weight" I would've saved the $16,000 (yup, I took out loans to do this) and just went on trying all of the fad diets and yo-yo'ing forever.