conner281

I have not lost any weight in months, a total of 17 after surgery. I feel no restriction and it's as if the band is not there. I've had at least 6 fills since August. This is just another fail, I guess. So frustrated with myself. Now I have a foreign object in my body for no reason... Battling pneumonia at the moment which I'm now reading could be a complication from lap band. Tried to stay positive for a long time but not feeling it anymore. Has anyone else experienced absolutely no restriction no matter how many fills you get?

I had six fills and was up to around 7 in my band with still no restriction, no stuck episodes, hunger immediately after eating, etc. Each time I would go in to the office they would give me very small amounts (.3, .6, 1). I started with 3-4 in the band at surgery. After a year and only 15 lbs lost I had basically given up and stopped going in for 6 months. I went in this month and asked for an X-ray. Sure enough, band was loose and the nurse only pulled 4 out of my band. She added a full 2 and now I finally feel like there's a difference. What could have happened? The nurse said she's not concerned about a leak... But where would the fluid be? How could the numbers be so off? Any advice appreciated.

I was supposed to have approx 7 in the band and only 4 came out. She said that it was probably not a leak... I'm just wondering what else could make fluid disappear. Who knows! Hope this time it stays in.

Reaching out here because I'm at my wits end with stomach pain. To make a very long story short, I am having extreme pain in my left side of my abdomen and back every night starting at 5pm and ending in the morning around 6am. This has landed me in urgent care and two ERs and a hospital stay in the past week. I've seen doctor after doctor and no one knows what's wrong. Waiting to see a GI specialist. I was discharged with narcotic pain meds to control it and those don't even work. Totally fine during the day. No problems eating or any other classic lap band complications but my surgeon is not ruling out lap band issues.... Has anyone had this? It's like clock work and I dread every evening. I met with my surgeon today and unfortunately his solution involved going to an ER and hospital that are not on my insurance. Any advice appreciated. The pain is constant, intense and travels throughout my left side. Ruled out OB issues, kidney stones, gallbladder, etc with a CT scan. All bloodwork normal.

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I just had my surgery Thursday. I get my claims set to me online. I was self pay but since I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time, I only paid $5,500 out of pocket. It looks like True Results billed aetna $17,500 for the EGD and $29,000 for the hernia repair! I don't know what to do but I can't be responsible for them battling it out, right? I paid my portion as agreed upon. I'm assuming if I owed more, TR would have billed me before the procedure? Anyone had this situation?

No two days look the same... Except for the coffee. I usually eat almonds and string cheese or yogurt for breakfast. For lunch a salad on work days. Dinner is a problem because I'm eating whatever I can find while I cook for everyone else. I could be doing better but I've never had a problem with what I'm eating (not a junk food or fast food person), just the quantity- which is why I went for the band. Even though I know it's not the point, I was hoping it would take some of the decision making power away from me by physically limiting my intake.

Just curious, I was not expecting to get "stuck" 4 weeks after surgery prior to any fills. I have never been so scared in my life. Thought I was going to drop dead! Ha. I have no fluid in my band at all. I'm concerned about my first fill this week... I am already having anxiety about getting "stuck" again. I guess I just had too big of a bite. Has anyone else been stuck prior to any fills? I'll be extra cautious now that I've been through that.

Chest and shoulder pain free! Hope the same for you. Once I took off that nausea patch they put behind my ear, the dry mouth got much better. Thank goodness for pain meds. Hope everyone is doing well.

I had my surgery on 8/15 by Dr. Reilly with TR Houston. Does anyone know when the support group meets? I can't find it in my paperwork. Feeling pretty good today minus the cold I have. First day was rough, but better once I realized I was only taking 1.5 ml of pain meds as opposed to 15 ml! Oops.

I had my procedure today too. Woke up with the worst chest/shoulder pain ever. I got the surgical glue as well since I'm allergic to adhesive tape. My main problem now, on top of having a cold, is dry mouth. Are you experiencing that? I can't even use the gas x strips because I have no saliva. I have a heating pad on my shoulder too. Congrats and good luck to you!

Thanks. Called today and they said I could go forward if I do not have fever or a lot of drainage. We shall see...

Naturally, I've not been sick in 6 months, not even a sniffle but 2 days before surgery I'm feeling like crap. I have a really sore throat, sneezing, allergies, no voice at all, etc. Is there any way they would cancel surgery? Should I choose to postpone it? My theory is that if I'm going to have to be off work anyway, and feel bad, I might as well do it all at once. I do not want to postpone at all. I've worked really hard doing pre-op diet and mentally, I'm ready. Does anyone know if taking over the counter cold meds is permitted so close to surgery? I know you are not supposed to take aspirin, blood thinners, etc. I plan to call my patient advocate later today...

My surgery date is 8/15 but since being on this site I have become less certain this is what I want to do. I am overweight, BMI of 36, but otherwise no health issues at all. I'm worried that I will go from a "healthy" person to one who is suffering from constant pain, tiredness, gas, acid reflux, esophageal erosion, etc. Seems like everyone has similar complications and complaints. While I'm so glad I found this site, I'm kind of wishing I didn't until after surgery! Ha. I want my kids to have a mom who is active, healthy and thin but not at the expense of being debilitated by other symptoms. Does anyone know if insurance covers band removal or additional surgeries related to band complications? I have Aetna. I also worry about going bankrupt dealing with treatment of complications. Ugh. Lots of worry. I guess I should utilize my "patient advocate" who has not contacted me once....

Thanks! I had my EGD and they discovered a hiatal hernia so that's good as far as insurance coverage goes. I'm moving forward and will have the band put in on Thursday. Thanks for the response. I'm down 10 lbs just on pre-op so I'm excited to continue. Just scared of the actual procedure. I'll get over it. Ha.

I'm scheduled for surgery 8/15 and want to be prepared. I never take any medication, except for the occasional anti-biotic when I get sick (and pain meds after I had children). Is it true that you cannot take any more pills while banded? If so, do you leave your surgery with a prescription for liquid painkillers, liquid/chewable stool softeners, etc. I could not find liquid vitamins, so I bought the gummy kind. Is this acceptable? Or would that get "stuck"? Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm sorry you have had troubles. Being on this sites has made me second guess my upcoming surgery on 8/15. Did your insurance cover complications related to the band? Are they going to cover having it removed? I hope all goes smoothly for you.

I'm having my surgery with dr. Reilly on 8-15 in Houston. My friend had dr. Hollis and has not had any issues since 2010.