MelissaGG

I hope that you are feeling better now.

Whew! After being infertile for so many years myself, I unfortunately know all about this stuff...hoping and waiting and losing weight and it never happening. Thank goodness for my Dr, I now have a 3year old, love of my life.

The number one thing that I have heardis that your hormones are effected when you lose weight and that is why many people become pregnant after infertility. I know you are likely not pregnant but the pill is rendered ineffective with the use of antibiotics. I don't know if you were on them but if you were, think back and see how long, it could throw you off and if you were relying on the pill, you might want to test just to be sure.

I am so encouraged hearing this but I feel so far from ever having any sort of achievement. This lap band feels like it has gone toxic and I am still unsure where to turn. I have had this thing for a decade and thoughts would never need surgery again (I was told) but now I feel weak, tired, sick and I hope to get where you are someday but I am so scared of what they will find when they open me up....I am usually very optimistic but I feel worn down and alone right now.

Downers Grove would be a great option for me since it is really close (I am in the Plainfield/Naperville area). I am going to have to see if they are listd under my insurance. I am from New York originally and that is where I had my Lap Band Surgery but going back there now is not a great option for me.

Thank you Laura, but I am still scared of everything to do with this operation..I don't want to be the girl shouting "LEAK!!" because some surgeon put his ego before my health. What if they get inside and this band tore me to shreds and they decide oh, another 4 hours of cutting oh, and she wants a sleeve too, ok another 2 hours and we will be done and then they go on vacation the day after or some crap like that? Just being a big baby right now but it will get better, I am not such a crank.

I am usually the happy go lucky optimistic poster child but seriously, I am ticked off that I am even here!!! There I said it! I hate this band, I hate that it did not work, I hate that I had surgery 10 years ago and was told that it would stay in for life. I hate that I am considering sleeve, I hate that I need surgery, I hate that I have no idea where to go, who to see and who to trust. I hate the uncertainty and I hate that I have to worry if my 3 year old will have a mom and I hate that I did this to myself. There, I feel better and between my tears, I ask if anyone else felt this way too?

I think that the people saying that to you are saying it out of concern. They may be the closest people to you and are happy that you are taking control. It is a brave choice, one that not everyone can make. Turn it around and believe that it is admiration rather than criticism. Good luck...there goes that darned optimism again :0)

At least it's not a goat cup...now that would be gross

I get it from Whole foods

PB2 rocks, i love it! How about pre op diets...and what about puréed fruit?

For the lady who is having issues with lettuce, try it chopped very fine. I had problems when I firs had my lap band and I hen purchased something from Tupperware that chopped my lettuce in a way that made it very digestible. Sad that my band made me so sensitive to eggs, salad, chicken and fish but allowed tortilla chips through very nicely.

I am from the Island but live in Chicago now. dr Alan Geiss s a great surgeon and he did my Lap Band 10 years ago. Although I want this band the heck out of me, I still believe he is the best on Long Island.

Oh nuts... I pad keeps correcting.. PRE OP!

Lol... Per op, not pretty op, although, I'd like to get to pretty some day.

Pretty op here you read your post...let it all ou girl. I am not scared of what you are feeling. Between all the drama, you are safe and sound. I didn't hear a single complication in your whole post. I kind of felt that way when I was post op lap band but it faded into memory fast. I am due for one massive or 2 massive surgeries to take care of my failed LapBand. If I can ever get to the point where you are today, I know it will be all better in the future. You will do great and get out your stress so you can move past it.

Shannon, can you tell me about band removal? If you don't mind, it seems to help me. I am really scared of the damage this thing caused over 10 years. I have some Weird symptoms and as you can see, I am freaking out just a bit.

I am so sorry to hear about this. I hope that everything turns ok with the first surgery. I really have no advice other than what I would do myself. I think that given the fact these surgeries both involve the digestive system, I would wait until you are "out of the woods" with the first surgery and have fully healed. Best of luck toy you and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. May you heal quickly.

I am glad I caught this thread. Cc is an option under my insurance but I am in another state. Having my band removed after 10 years and I am not getting a good feeling about the locals in Chicago. I just think I need to be in the BEST hands, I was thinking that CC would be an option that I would feel comfortable with. Did any of you also have a band removed? Is there reason to NOT go toCC?

How long we're you banded?

Wow, we must have the same husband...add some tartar sauce, tomato soup and he is reliving his youth. Plus, he eats. All the items you mentioned too.

LizV, were did you previously have a band? Having the "heaves" daily is not something that would work very well for me. I am wondering how that happens?

I finally realized that if I just keep trying, I will just keep trying and wasting time. I have put my all into diet and exercise at times but I am also a Mom to a 3 year old and a full time working career woman who commutes 3 hours per day. MY exercise time is at 10pm, or 5am and I have to be conscious of every calorie, every morsel. It is hard, and I expect it to be hard. I also have to cook dinner and maintain my house as best I can along with the rest of life. There is simply no help to be had and weight and life is getting the best of me. I need a tool and a little forgiveness in having to workout and count every calorie, every day of my life. It is not fair to my son who is in daycare 12 hours per day or to myself whop works herself to the bone. Its not the easy way out, at this point, being almost 270# its the only way to create somewhat of a balance in my life. Working harder is not possible and trying more is not buying me any time or advcantage. I have a lap band inside that after 10 years is starting to hurt and it is time to get it out. I never imagined another surgery at all. I have kind of the opposite problem with my hubby because my husband thinks of himself every time I bring up surgery, he imagines himself having it. He is wanting to go "first" but he does not realize that I have an immediate need with my lap band needing to come out. Somehow he think we should do this at the same time and I need him to be healthy to take care of me for a change.

Good luck to you, I am Mommy to a 3 year old and also pretty scare. I have a lapband that is failing me and hurting me and looking for a way to revise or just have the darn thing out. Having surgery is scary but a little easier if you have only 1 to go through. I know being separated from the kids and feeling weak is scary but imagine all that you will gain for having gone through it and how much better you will be after you heal.

I have had this band 10 long years and while I had no documented slips or issues, I am starting to feel like something is wrong in there. I never lost weight, I did very few fills and there was no organized suport when I was first banded. I had other issues over the years and found a new Dr here in Chicago, tried to make it work and then turned my energy to infertility and have a wonderful little boy. During my pregnancy I unfilled and let it sit for 3 more years. I had my band checked when I starting having discomfort and through a fluoroscope the new Dr said nothing was wrong., I am researching revision but am looking into another surgical group. I am awaiting all of my medical records and I am still not feeling well. I am really freaked out about possible damage inside of me. The new surgical group will not see me until they have my records. I am welcome to come to a seminar but that is all. It is making me nuts. What were your experiences with a long-term band removal? What tests should i ask for? What were your symptoms?