lefty

Sorry that you have had a bad time of it. I am confused a little, though. Did they remove your band and port, then? It's very gracious of you not to blame your Doc, but hey, what exactly went on to cause not one, but two perforations? I think you have every right to whine, you've had a miserable go of it and it sounds like you have a ways to go before you fully recover. It is fortunate that you are a nurse and know what to look for if things start going south again. I hope you have a speedy recovery and are feeling better soon.

You're right, you could get that infection anywhere. Have you been in touch with the original surgeon? Will he put your port back in at any significant savings? Is the new doctor willing to follow up on you regardless of where you get the new port installed? If it is a matter of the money, then the original Dr is probably cheaper, but, once bitten, twice shy. I would be more comfortable with the closest surgeon that can monitor my recovery. Not much help, am I?

Hey, I'm all those things and I new it, so maybe that is why they let me make my own health decision..........

I think if you are getting hungry too soon and are having to really work at sticking to the bandster portions, then regardless of your loss, you need a fill. It sounds like you are having to work at the loss and while 4 pounds is OK, it's not optimal, either. But, as the other bandster said, you have to be careful not to get too much of a fill and end up having to get some removed--it's hard to have to go back in and say, guess you were right. I don't think he is trying to cheat you out of any fills, but certainly was wrong to compare your journey with others. Perhaps just a bad choice of words on his part?

Audrey, nice name, (my 18 month grandbaby's name) Anyhow, If I hadn't had an emergency appendectomy last year, I probably would have been really afraid about the surgery. But, that experience helped ease those fears. However, I did have major trepidation about the lifelong changes needed to live comfortably with the band. Personally, I felt it was right up there with getting married. (29 years, this month). When I got married, (really small, 5 people including the chaplain and us) I was so distraught, I got hives in the morning and my knees shook throughout the whole ceremony. My mind kept chanting, "am I doing the right thing, am I doing the right thing?" Then it was done and over with. I was banded on 4/23/07 and so far, it has been smooth sailing. I didn't have much post surgical pain and have not had any problems introducing food back into my system as scheduled. I hope to not treat this as another 'diet' but as a way of helping me to learn to eat normal servings at normal intervals. I will get my first fill 6/6/07 and my Doc will do it under fluoro. Frankly, I think the thought of that is more worrisome to me than the actual surgery procedure. Who wants to drink barium? I think it is great that this life changing surgery is available to you at your age. And, I agree, why wait to start living an improved life, when you can do it now? Congratulations on your decision and don't let people who don't 'get it' get you down. Cathy

Another thing that my nutritionist told me was that you need to keep your metabolism 'fueled' by eating at least 3 times a day at regular intervals. One of my pre-surgery issues was only eating when I was hungry--about once a day. Not good for weight loss efforts. I'm sure you will be able to do whatever is necessary to qualify for your surgery. Cathy

Youtalk, I found posted on the incision thread a post by Babygotback, she was a 31 BMI at the time of surgery. She got it done in Mexico. There is some discussion there that you can read at this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6117&page=20 While it's true, that insurance won't help you with WLS at a lower BMI, there are some surgeons in the U.S. that will consider it for cash payers. In WA. state, one such place is at: http://thelapband.com/ .

Good luck to you! Although, I'm sure you don't need it. I had my band placed on the 23rd. I am doing ok, pain about a 3. Went ahead and went to my monthly support meeting (I was bored and hadn't had any pain meds yet, so what the heck) Stopped at a casino on the way home and made $150., but was dragging at about a 5 (on the scale) by the time I got home, so NOW I am appreciating the meds. lol. Been burping alot, but think that is normal with getting rid of the gas. Let us know how you make out. Cathy H.

Both are nurses. Both have lapbands. Both try to dispense helpful information for people. Jessie is at the yahoo group and Sandy is at obesity help. I know Jessie has written a book that is on an everyday level that has been published. Sandy has also written some things about lapband, but I haven't explored that further. There has been a lot of discussion about Sandy on the complaint forum here. About the only thing I don't like about smartbandsters is that they tend to push the one clinic so much, it feels as though it is a forum for that clinic only. I tend to read what I can to help me to know what to expect and to make my own decisions based on what my surgeon (and of course, they ALL have different opinions, as well) might recommend. Some of the info is very helpful, and some, well.................you know how that goes..........:huytsao Cathy H

I guess I'm a little loopy today, have sinus thing going on.........that surgery will be at Puget Sound Surgical at Steven's Hosp. I looked up the other one after posting, and see it's something entirely different. :phanvan

I'm having my surgery tomorrow at Pacific Surgical Clinic. Jessie isn't quite as preachy...... Cathy H.

Oh, I DO know what you mean. LOL :biggrin1: Cathy H.

errrr----her name is spelled Jessie AHRONI-- and her book is: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery sorry about the typo. Cathy H.