Julissita

I was banded by him- never had a fill as I didnt need it. I had complications and had to be hospitalized, we called and called and called and finally heard back from barbara who would get him to call. After first hosiptal visit we go back for him to check out- up to now I am still in love and thinking he is the best- then I get hospitalized again for complete restriction. I call and call and finally hear from him when I am completely freaking out as I cant stop the vomitting and spasms, etc. Then he tells me it sounds like a slip, I go to the nearest ER and YEP its a slip. So we call him and ask what now and he explains it will be about another 8k to fix it/remove it. He then tells m:thumbs_down:e I couldnt tolerate it- hello where did we read in the complications "tolerate". I didnt have the time to get to acuna to get it out so I went to another ER w/bariatric specilist and they said it had to be removed. No one discussed a repair or anything like that! No one ever called to check on me or even what happened? It made me sad because I had hear so many good things and I happened to be that 1% complication and just as What if you are that other percent for this year? What will they do? Do you have a Dr in your area who will help you? Get all your ducks in a row before you go far away. I really thought I made a good decision and well Iwish I wouldnt have been so rushed. :confused_smile:

There is a doctor on this site called dr c ask him and he will give advice- realy good to talk to!

I lost 70 lbs, no fills ever and out of now where started vomiting and from there it went to a slip and I had to have it removed asap. I was dehydrated and it was the second time in one month I had been hospitalized! CRAZY! I too was having to sleep sitting up to avoid choking at night and well believe it or not after one year without the band I am reconsidering doing it again! It has been a crazy year and I only had regained 12lbs until just recently!:confused_smile:

If you just got banded in May you do not need it out. Even now with my band out I still have port pain as they left my port in and it has nothing to do with the band. I would do anything for my band back. I fight every day to maintain my weight and I am no way happy weighing 244lbs. I my husband does not want me to be banded again and I knw I need help! Take care of your band, help yourself and take advantage to get awesome weight loss!Port pain is no big deal-good luck!

Dr Pleatman- believe me I did not want it out, nor did I want to leave without another procedure, but my circumstances did not allow for that. We put in the request and the insurance did not respond fast enough and by the time I went into emergency surgery they still had not responded and there was no approval to reband, or doing anything except take it out. Now here I am two months out and trying like crazy to get approval with every barrier including my husband who now after going through all of this is against me going through this again!:girl_hug:

I had mine done with Dr. R on June 16th2006 and had to have theband removed as it slipped on June 22 2007. When the complications started i was told it was all in my head, as long as i stressed I would have issues and pretty much that was it. i never had a fill and lost 69lbs total. I also could not tolerate solids for the last 3 months of this whole deal. I too thought he was great until i asked for help. The first time I had to be hospitalized for dehydration we all agreed for me to get care here then i would see him after they stabalized me. i was ok with that. Then when I went he did a fluro and said I was fine, just swollen leading to more restriction. He told me to stay on fluids another 2 weeks. I did and upon returning to solids I started vomitting again and called. He said he thought I had a slip and could remove it for 3000. I was so upset as I was not even a year out. My husband called and they had words- he stated he wouldnt charge for his services, but the hosiptal fee was 3000 for the night. GIVE ME A BREAK- do I look dumb- I know that hosiptal does not cost 3000 for one night. Upon finding a Dr here who would take me Dr. St. Laurent stated I had too tight of a band and it has slipped. he stated i needed a bigger band all along which would have solved all of this. We brought this up to Dr. R numerous times and he stated he knew what he was doing and I had the right size. I now agree with this Dr. If it had just slipped why hadnt Dr. R tried to reposition this. Why hadnbt he given me any drugs for the inflamation? I am still just mad and every time I see my payment taken out I am sad. If he knew I had vomiting all along why didnt he offer a different apporach to help me keep even liquids down. Let me tell you that upon thinking I had a slip- not even other MX Drs wanted anything to do with this case or to help me. Sad huh. I admit fault in not being persistant, but I wished he would have offered me more options. i think what made me the saddest was I did like him and he never even checked up on me- it was all one way communication when problems arouse. Just think about making a choice that would benefit you if an emergency did arise- what is your back up plan!!! I wish I had a better back up plan. Cover all your bases!:cry

Ok so it has been 3 weeks since my band has been out. I lost another 4 lbs went to the Dr and he said I was too skinny for the band. I have never been too skinny for anything. he said I need to gain 5lbs to be eligible again. In other words when i come back I need to come back with heavy clothing, shoes, the whole deal and I need to stop "dieting" for a while. I totally freaked out. i have never been "free' and when I am I gain like other of you 10lbs ina week - easy. The nutritionist sat down with me and said no more fitday.com. no more shakes and eat on a regular size plate. I am still thinking about all of this. I want to be rebanded, my husband says no- he really thinks I can do it on my own and I am like most of you sad and crying some days. I still drink 2-3 shakes a dsay and eat one main meal with one 100 cal snack. I really realized this is a mental thing and witht he band I could go 3 days with nothing and still be ok so I know I can control my calories and stay at this weight, but I dont want to live life freaking out. I liked the band because it was the control facotr- it did stop me when i couldnt stop my self. This is what i have been doing.

Are you taking any meds for reflux or severe heartburn after you eat? I am still taking prevacid and am wondering when that will go away!

Well i had to have my band removed because it slipped. No one even discussed revision. Horrible reflux, etc. Now I will be at 3 weeks out this thursday. I too have gone to fitday.com and write everything down to track my calories. i am sticking to less than 900 calories a day. Weird thing is - well not weird, my Dr left my port in so if I get rebanded I only have to worry about the band and not the additional pain that goes with the port- so I still get port pain- WEIRd huh?? I cant explain it! I really am trying to stick to shakes 3 times a day and one regular meal and yes I do feel I still have restriction. So your band eroded? That must have been tough too. How have you been since?? I miss parts of being banded, but I do not miss the reflux, the vomitting and the slimming! That was not the best. I have learned to be more concious about everything I put in my mouth. I lost 62lbs with the band and refuse to put weight back on! Tell me how you have weathered???

So Ethansgrandma- what have you been eating? Has your hunger returned?? Mine is starting to awaken and I am freaking out over here!! Today I decided I am going to watch every calorie that goes in and I am really sticking to protein shakes during the day! Tell me what you have been doing. Oh by the way- how was your time with the band before the slip??? Please let me know how your road was before you lost it. Thanks,

As i read Silviah statement I can so vividly go bak to two weeks ago and being int he same boat! I was so miserable, but so determined to make this band work. If you have flu like symptoms isnt that the sound of erosion- the extreme reflux sounds like a slip. Sorry! You know yesterday I was miserable wanting to eat everything in sight and wanting to cry (OK I CRIED) about this head hunger! It was horrible. Today I could barely eat - and this is without a band! Am I the only one going through this??? I think a bunch of this is fear- I really dont want heartburn or reflux or anything!! Let meknow what you all think!

Ok I got my band out last Thursday, am back on regular food and notice a few things: 1. When I get to a certain point of eating my nose starts to run?? (This used to happen with band when I had had enough) 2. My stomach feels tight in the morning..does yours? 3. I get the full feeling, the nose run and once a burp that was like a pb. Is this normal?? I have not over eatten and have really tried to have lettece when I do eat reall food. I have also stuck to one or two liquid meals. Is this normal?? I still feel restriction. Does this happenn to anyone else?? Did anyone else have gastritis after removal??? Just a few questions! Thanks,:phanvan

Ok so I am a few days out and feeling weird about all of this. I miss my band, but not the drama that I had at the end. I am sooooo scared abiut gaining weight and more so about what should be my next step. My new insurance covers this so I could have it done again, but do I want to? Those of you who had it out- where are you on this issue? Would you go throught this again if you had so much trouble with it the first time around???:help:

I had to have my band removed and he was the only one who would touch me as I had my band put onin Mexico. He saw me the same day I called and operated a day later. His bedside manner was great and he explained everything. If I get rebanded he will be my man FOR SURE! I also know some of his other paitents and they are doing great. Good luck to you! He operates off of 1960 and jones rd (Cypress fairbanks medical center).