nightingale2u

Hi Carmen! Welcome! I hope they find your "sweet spot" fill soon and that you'll really be able to use your band as it was intended! Congratulations on the weight you've lost so far! Darcy

Hiya Suzy! Welcome to the site! sounds like you have done an awesome job with your Lap Band... Congratulations! Darcy

Hi Nanny, Most people are completely unaware of what the Lap Band is and like some of the other gals mentioned... they lump it in with the gastric bypass. Know that they love you or they wouldn't make such a fuss... I'm sure they feel they are protecting you. I'm so sorry that they can't see through their own fears to support you but am very glad your hubby is there for you! You also have lots of support here! (((((hugs))))) Darcy

Hey Lisa, The vertival gastric banding is a little less drastic than the gastric bypass in that is doesn't re-route or remove any of the small intestine... but it is permanent and non-adjustable. Most insurance companies cover this procedure as well as the GBP. From what I can recall from the seminar I attended... they staple off the upper portion of your stomach and restrict the opening into the smaller pouch that is remaining... there is then another small opening that empties into the lower portion of the stomach. There is no malabsorption with this procedure. There was one person there representing this procedure because her insurance would not cover the Lap Band and she was very pleased with the results. That would have been my second choice... and now am wondering if it should have been my first choice???? I've been backing off from the board as some of the things I am reading are freaking me out... trying to keep it in perspective but it is hard with my surgery coming up next week. I am fairly certain I am making the right choice but am worried more than I was before. I still know that I DO NOT want the gastric bypass... but will be asking a million and one questions tomorrow at my pre-op H&P appointment. Hope that helps ya... ((((hugs)))) Darcy

Hiya Keith! My big brother's name is keith... so if I ever slip and call ya "bro" ... you'll know why! Welcome to the site... there are oodles of friendly folks here and everyone is very helpful! You're right Alex... we do need more menfolk around! Welcome again... Darcy

Oh Donali... my heart is breaking for you! I'm so sorry that this is happening and I pray that all of us can somehow keep your spirits up as your stomach heals. This is a complication that we could all potentially face and a fear that everyone that is banded must carry... I'm not even banded and I'm already attatched to the damn thing still sitting in it's package. You do have many things to be grateful for and you have a huge fan base here waiting to give you any support we can to help you through whatever the future holds. The option I had decided upon, if I was declined for the Lap Band, was the VGB... Is that a surgeical procedure you would ever consider??? I didn't do very much research on that option but know Dr. Chua does the Vertical Gastic Banding often with good results???? (((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hi I'm 36... dangerously close to being 37... one daughter age 11 and a fantastic husband (2nd marriage). My hubby and I are coming up to our one year anniversary this July and I still can hardly believe we found each other! We live in Wisconsin but I was born and raised in California... I'm not going back until I can hit the beach in a suit! I've been heavy/chubby since about age 8 and life hasn't exactly been a picnic but I think I finally found the party and am ready to join in! I am to be banded June 30th.. YAY! Oh... can't forget the zoo... We have two doggums and 3 kitties... Jack, Rudy, Tassy, Jinx, and Ollie. This is a great site... THanks to Jenye for telling me about it when I first started my journey! Darcy

SOOOOOOOO glad to hear that Lisa is on her way home! I was really worried and look forward to hearing all about her adventure! Darcy

Hi guys... just wondering if anyone here went home the same day of their surgery and if they would do the same if they had it to do all over again??? When I had my pre-op testing, I told the nurse I was planning on going home the same day and she encouraged me to reconsider??? I live an hour and forty-five minutes from the hospital and she thought it would be a difficult trip. Anyhoo... any input would be appreciated!

Hiya Pamie! Welcome! This is a great site... everyone is really helpful! Wishing you great success with your new band! Darcy:cool:

Me either but wanted ta give you a great big ole WELCOME anyway! THis is a great site ... hope you love it as much as we all do! Darcy

Thanks ladies! My hubby will be home with me for 4 days after my surgery... but my daughter will be with her Dad so I won't have to care for her needs as well during my recovery. She will actually be gone on vacation with her Dad during the worst part of my recovery so that will be perfect timing! I guess I should say... I HOPE I will be recovered without any port problems as are being discussed! I'll play it by ear but think I will try to go home... my surgery is at 9AM so hopefully I'll be ready and willing to hit the road that evening. (o: Darcy

PM...not be confused with BM... cause that would be GROSS Darcy....

Sent you a PM Miss Lisa... I included Penni's email that I am pretty sure was supposed to go to you. (o: I'll stay calm... for a couple of minutes... Darcy

Welcome home Bailey!!!!!!! Tell me all about it girl cause I'm next!!!!! Hope you feel better soon! Darcy

When Penni told me about her situation and that her surgeon was the same as Lisa's... RED flags went up immediately. I told Penni to come here and check out what was going on with Lisa because they seemed to be having a very similar problem. I do not think either of you should have to pay for these revisions... and something doesn't feel right about this situation at all to me. Lisa... I am also concerned about your waiting until this weekend with that tube protruding from your incision. I feel that is a direct line for bacteria to enter the abdominal cavity and I don't like it one bit... not one bit I say!!!!! It bothers me greatly that Dr. Lopez is also willing to wait until Saturday... did he see those pictures?????? I am also worried of course in regards to if this is a common complication... or if it is just common for Dr. Lopez or any specific surgeon. Actually... it is scaring the BAJESUS out of me. If anyone is able to obtain statistics about this... I would be eternally in your debt! Penni... I think you emailed me instead of Lisa... I got an email from you and it seemed to be directed at Lisa AKA DeLarla ??? Worried in Wisconsin... Darcy

Thanks everyone! I think my concern is that I am such a creature of habit... have to have six pillows... a fan ( not the clapping type) and just the right temperature in the room to get what little sleep I do get. I am a TERRIBLE sleeper and worried that I will end up completely exhausted if I stay. Maybe I'll have enough pain meds on board that I will doze peacefully...hmmmm... WHat a big baby I am...LOL!!! Yep Vera... Miss Nicci is my Angel! We have only met a couple of times but I am pretty sure we are cosmic twins! I am constantly amazed at how much we have in common... even our husbands are eerily similar. It's been a long time since I have had a close girlfriend... forgot how great it is to have someone to giggle and be a silly gooberhead with! I don't think she will be at the hospital although she would be welcome to come by and see me in all of my drugged out glory. (o: She'll get a direct line to my hubby though and I'll have him call her and update on the status of all of my pain and suffering. I won't have anyone at home so it would be peacful and quiet... no beeping IV's or call lights... no vital signs every shift... no dragging a pole with me every time I need to tinkle... Hmmmm... things to think about...

Parrots???? Oh man... now that's a quiet pet for sure! I live in fur filled and farm fresh barn as well... two dogs and three cats... and as god as my witness Louise... NO MORE ANIMALS!!!! Come on girl... Brad awaits with his boots on! Thelma

You crack me up Lisa! I am on the committee as well! It really ticks me off that all of the plus sized clothes are designed with melons in mind and here I sit with plums. ALEX... OMIFRICKINGGOSH!!!!!!!!!! The difference is amazing!!!!! You look FABulous and I am so glad you shared your pics! Every before and after picture that I see gives me more an more hope for what the band might help me accomplish! Thanks Alex! Darcy

Gross Darcy.... hmmm... that sorta has a ring to it! I'd go with you in a heartbeat but thinking you are probably not going to want to "stop by" Wisconsin and pick me up.:think We could be just like THelma and Louise! (minus the driving off the cliff part)

Lisa... I'm just relieved that you got a hold of your surgeon and that you are being taken care of! I'm so sorry that you are going to have further surgery... (((((hugs))))) and hope that everything will go a smoothly as it should have the first time... Darcy

For heaven's sake Lisa!!!! I just want to crawl through those telephone lines and shake the people on the other end!!!! I was just catching up on reading this post and my stomach is just churning for you! I am so damned sorry that you are experiencing all of this and wish I could help you!!!! I know there isn't a hug big enough for this situation but I'll send one anyway. I feel like you need to be on your way to Mexico as I type... hang in there and honestly... I really want you to book a flight... your surgeon needs to see what is happening.

The post-op diet that the dietician gave me includes Protein shakes for the first month... I would really appreciate any suggestions for shakes that taste good or at leat don't taste bad. Thanx Darcy

Hi Lill... I'm not banded but know that my surgeon does fills in .5 cc increments after the fist initial fill. Good luck with everything... and hope you find your "sweet spot" fill soon! Darcy

Hi Jacqui, I just wanted to welcome you to the site... can't help you with finding a doc... but definitely think it is time to drop the one you already have! This is a HUGE decision... and everyone should be absolutely sure when they do this! I think a lot of doctor's like the immediate results from the RNY... they get all of that positive feedback and hero worship right away! I can't imagine making the decision to cut my stomach apart and re-route my intestines without a whole HECK of a lot of thought put into it! Your decision to leave your GI system intact and opt for something that works as a tool that can be adjusted or removed if need be was a very wise one! Darcy