Ms_Kb718

I was banded in May 2010. I started out at 250 and I lost around 30 lbs in the first 2 months and then nothing else. I felt like I hadn't even had surgery. I honestly believe that my initial restriction was only due to swelling from surgery. Once the internal swelling was gone, I felt like nothing was there. I went back and forth with my surgeon for 2 years who basically said I wasn't trying hard enough and kept prescribing me appetite suppressants. I gained back the 30 that I lost plus another 10 so I was up to 260. He eventually agreed to consider a revision if I went through his entire program again and paid another $900 program fee even though my insurance didn't require it for a medically necessary revision. Without performing any testing he said it wasn't medically necessary and I had to repeat the program. I found another surgeon... My current doctor ordered multiple tests and discovered that my band had slipped up above my stomach. It was just sitting there and wasn't providing any restriction. It was as if I didn't even have a band. I had my band to bypass revision in June 2013 and in the past year and 4 months, I have lost 105 lbs. I totally regret getting a band in the first place. I initially wanted the bypass but my surgeon pushed the band so hard. He said that I didn't weigh enough for the RNY and that I would lose too much weight and get sick. I wish I hadn't allowed him to change my mind. I had done so much research prior to seeing him, but all of that went out of the window when he starting praising the band. I have no regrets after my revision and I love being happier and healthier.

Does your insurance require this or your doctor? When I started having complications with my band, my surgeon's office wanted me to start all over again as well, including paying another $900 program fee! I called my insurance company and they told me that if my band was not working correctly and my surgeon deemed it medically necessary, then they would cover the revision after 1 nutrition visit and a repeat psych evaluation. When I informed my surgeon's office of what my insurance company told me, they said I still had to repeat their entire program. So I found a new surgeon. He ordered testing to find out what was going on and discovered that my band had slipped. It was nothing I had done, just the faulty band. If your insurance doesn't require you to do everything all over again, then I would find a new surgeon.

The doctor would have to make an incision in your abdomen and then into the unused portion of your stomach to examine the area if necessary. It would be done laparoscopically. This was one of the options offered to me earlier this year when I was hospitalized with abdominal pain with no apparent cause after routine testing. So it is possible it's just more invasive than a normal upper endoscopy.

I had my surgery at GW University Hospital in DC. I was a band to bypass so my insurance only required 1 nutrition visit along with my psych eval. They have a nutritionist as a part of their program (and she did my session over the phone!) but I had to get the psych eval done on my own. Called September 2012 to schedule my first appt and was given a date in December 2012 and everything was submitted for approval by March/April 2013. My surgery was in June 2013. Love my surgeon Dr. Lin and I love his NP (who I dealt with most of the time). The nursing staff was also great during my hospital stay.

Hello, I've been banded since 2010. I've been steadily gaining weight over the past year, have no restriction even with several fills in the past few months and I have been experiencing a lot of reflux and incessant hiccups. I had an Upper GI Series last week and an Upper Endoscopy yesterday and my band has slipped up to the base of my esophagus in the cardia region. I've only heard of the band slipping down with the stomach sliding up over the band. Has anyone ever had their band slip up?

3 days post op. Came home late last night with a drain. Apparently liquid Percocet is hard to find so they wrote me a script for regular Percocet that I'm supposed to crush. Well let me tell you, I'd rather be in pain than choke down the crushed Percocet. I almost threw up trying to get down one so I've been taking liquid Tylenol and it's working just fine so I'm ok with it. Cvs said they could order it and have it in 1 day, but the pain is so minimal it's not worth the effort to call and get it changed. My goal for the first week is a minimum of 30oz of liquid each day. If its protein, great, if it's just regular liquids great. I won't really have to focus on my protein until after my post-op follow up in 7 days when I progress to a puréed and soft diet. I've managed 18 oz of crystal light today and now I'm going to work on 8oz of protein for the next couple of hours before treating myself to a sugar free Popsicle or some jello. Voila! 30 oz in 14 hours. Lol who would ever think it would be so hard to drink so little. No hunger but a little discomfort from gas. Overall I'm feeling good. Looking forward to a little improvement everyday. Good luck to everyone who has surgery this week. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Surgery was yesterday morning. It took a little under 3 hours to remove the band and convert to bypass. Haven't really had much regular pain and no gas pain at all. I've been up walking 3 times, once last night and twice today. I'm so happy and blessed. I know everyone has a different experience but I had mentally prepared myself for the worst. I'm so glad that my pain and discomfort are at a minimum. My biggest complaint at this point is a dry mouth and I can't even have ice chips until day 2 after surgery, so tomorrow. God is so good! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Yeah, I'm getting ready to drink my first bottle now. The nurse said that it works by drawing water into the intestine, so the more water I drink after taking it, the faster it will work. I'm supposed drink the bottles 2 hours apart and follow each bottle with a minimum of 16 oz of water and continue to hydrate throughout the day. I sure hope I'm not still feeling the effects in the morning because I have to be at the hospital by 5:30 am.

Surgery is set for tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. I made it through my 4 week pre op diet, just clear liquids and vitamins today. I also get to do my bowel prep today with 2 bottles of magnesium citrate. That should be fun. Later today I have to take 3 doses of 2 antibiotics. A dose at 5pm, 6pm and 9pm. Did anyone else have to take pre op antibiotics? I don't remember anyone mentioning it. The nurse said it cuts down on the bacteria in the intestine and reduces the chance of infection. I will also get a another antibiotic in my iv right before surgery. I'm nervous but excited. Spent the day yesterday getting everything organized in the house for Hubby and our 4 girls. He's going to stay home with them tomorrow and my sister is going with me to the hospital. I can't wait to get this band taken out. I may even be more excited about the band being removed than getting the RNY. I received an unexpected call from the hospital yesterday. I have always been told that my cost for the surgery will be $1250 and I was prepared to pay it the morning of surgery. However, apparently with all my pre op appointments and testing along with various expenses for our kids, my family is only $83 away from our out of pocket maximum of $2500 for the year. I hadn't really been keeping track of it so that was a welcome surprise! I guess I will put the rest of the money away to go towards my new sexy skinny girl wardrobe lol. Good luck to everyone who is having surgery today and tomorrow. See you on the loser's bench! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Yay! Finally someone who is also having surgery on the 21st. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Welcome to the group! Do you have someone to help both of you after surgery since you won't be able to help each other.

I had my final pre op appointment with my surgeon yesterday. It was pretty standard. We went over all of my test results again and I signed all of my consents. I also had blood drawn for my type and screen. I've lost 15 lbs in the past 3 weeks on my pre op diet. He asked me was I doing ok with it and if I could make it another week. He said that he would prefer to modify it if necessary rather than have me cheat. I told him that I can do the last week with no problem. He laughed and said that after he offers to modify it, most patients admit that they have been struggling. I did find out that because I'm a revision I have to stay 3 nights. He told me that revision patients have a greater chance of developing a leak so he always keeps them an extra night for observation. June 21st can't get here fast enough.

I bought a whole case of the chocolate 3 years ago after I got my lap band. I drank one. It was disgusting to me and I barely got it down. Now that I think about it, the rest of them are still in the box on the bottom shelf of my pantry. I'm sure they're expired by now, so I guess I should throw them away lol. I never had the heart to try any other flavor. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Every doctor has a different program, but my daily pre-op Protein goal is 75-125 grams a day. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

My doc made me have an EKG, stress test and an echocardiogram before my lap band insertion 3 years ago. At the time I was 28 and 252 lbs. This time around I had an EKG and a repeat echo. Lots of people are required to have a stress test. For some it's the surgeon's requirement and for some it's an insurance requirement. Both are quick, easy and pretty routine. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

My surgeon usually meets with patients 3 times before surgery. The initial consultation where he reviews your medical history and decides what testing you need. The second appointment is after you have completed all of his required testing and the insurance requirements as well. At that appointment he goes over test results and makes a final decision as to whether or not he will operate. After the 2nd appointment, insurance pre-certification is requested. Once the approval is received he sees you for your 3rd and final pre-op appointment where you get to ask any last questions and sign your consents. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Good for you! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Congratulations! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I would recommend the Mirena to anyone who already has at least one child. I have 4 kids and I love mine and I've only had it for a few months. My husband and I decided last year that he would get a vasectomy this year. How convenient for him that as of Jan 1st our insurance no longer covers male sterilization but it will cover a tubal ligation that costs much more. Yet another example of an insurance company with a stupid policy. So although its not meant to be a short term solution, I got the Mirena in March to prevent pregnancy before and after my RNY. Later this year after I've recovered, I'll have surgery again for a tubal ligation. I have already met my $1250 out of pocket max for the year with pre-op testing so I won't have to pay dime for it. Good luck with finding birth control that works for you. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Congratulations to everyone who had surgery yesterday and good luck to everyone who has surgery today and the rest of the week. I'll keep everyone in my prayers. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I am 5'5" and was 258 and a tight size 18 at the start of my pre-op diet. I see many people who weigh less than me and wear much bigger sizes. I guess I truly an big-boned. I wouldn't want to weigh any less than 160 and I'm not even sure I want to lose that much. 170 may even be better for me. I've lost 10lbs in 6 days on my pre-op diet and my mom said maybe I won't need surgery. I'm like yeah right. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

The nurse coordinator at my hospital tour said a routine laparoscopic RNY with my doc takes about 2 hours and unless there is extensive damage, the band removal only adds about 20-30 minutes. So 2 1/2 hours sounds about right. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

The only people that know are my husband, parents, my sister and 1 of my cousins. The only reason I told my cousin is because we are really close and she is getting married in the Bahamas on June 22nd, the day after my surgery. She wouldn't have accepted any other reason for me and my husband to not be there. I'm currently a stay-at-home mom so I don't have any crazy or rude co-workers to worry about. As for my friends, I told a few after I got my LapBand, so I'll probably tell the same friends a few months after surgery. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk