buttercup74

Hey Everyone, Okay this is kinda long but I need some serious input.....I have been banded for over a year and in that time I have been in pain for about 9 months of it....my Doc. kept saying nothing is wrong you are fine...yada.yada..yada...Then my Doc up and moves practice out of state and there is no one around who takes my insurance...I paid her 300.00 for lifetime program fees because she said my insurance didn't pay her enough. To make matters worse I finally got an out of network referral to another surgeon who said I may need a new port and that it needs to be moved!!!! I have only had 1 fill and the new surgeon said I should have had a lot more follow up than I have had.... I looked into bypass and I may still end up going that route but we need to make sure of a few things with the band first. My dilemma is I have no one to talk to about this stuff. There isn't a support group anymore and it is really difficult to figure out what is going to happen...I still lose about 4-5 pounds a month and that is all my previous Doc wanted me to lose and that is okay with me but I know that something is missing here...The new Doc said that my port may be flipped??? infected?? all of these things and that I should have had some scans done a long time ago! Can someone tell me what is next...I have to call the Dr.'s Assistant on Monday to find out what he wants me to do. Any input is greatly appreciated...Thank You!

Hello... I am so happy to hear that you are doing well and will keep you in my prayers. now.... where is the lawyer that got this mess started???? I agree with most of you here and I do appreciate advice,comments,success, and horror stories...that's why some people come here.... to learn. Personally, my surgery was done in the US and she was inexperienced and I had and still have complications...that's my fault. I did not research enough and was so desperate to have this surgery that I just went with whatever she said. I realize that most people are desperate to have this surgery and will take the only Doctor that there Insurance will pay for. I did. I am a full time student and have 2 children so paying out of pocket was as likely as sprouting a new head. We come here to support and be supported. I have nothing but respect for all of you...you have walked in my shoes and I have walked in most of yours...well maybe not the Lawyer because I would never call anyone an outright liar.....Who are you to judge anyone? ...you said yourself you represent and defend the "US butchers" ...now that was my 2 cents and I know to some it isn't much but to all of you I say Thank You for sharing your experiences with us and God Bless all of you...even the Lawyer...

I just wanted to say thank you for the support you have given us bandsters that have had and are having complications. Thank you also for the insight and truthfulness that you give this board. I don't care what anyone says I respect people who tell it like it is and are willing to share their personal feelings and experiences. Maybe you helped save someone who was too afraid to ask the ?'s that needed to be asked! So, You Rock!!! Much love coming your way from TN!!!! Christy Dawn Light

:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana:banana :Bunny :Bunny:Bunny:Bunny:Bunny:Bunny:Bunny:Bunny:Bunny Got My Check and put it towards my new printer!!!!!

I know I am not a regular here but I do want to say, there have been times I hate my band and I am not fond of it now, I need a port replacement BUT...I have lost about 60 pounds that I never would have lost w/out the band. I wanted the bypass first and my surgeon pushed the band so that is what I got. I have met lots of people who have had both surgeries and are doing great. And there are some that are doing not so great on both sides.. I have an infection we can't seem to get rid of.....but I am 60 pound lighter and I can walk without my cane and breath so much easier...I talk with nurses all day there are several who would endorse the bypass because some people who are obese need a quick and dramatic weight loss to survive. Everyone is different. I am proud of all of you because you are empowering yourselves with information and that is the ONLY way to make this decision. Baron Patrick (((HUGS))) to you!!! I have faith in you and It ain't over cause you haven't said it is!!!!!

I know that I am not the only one now.....Thank You!!! My port feels like it is right on my ribs. When I lay down I can feel it (port). If I roll over to my lft side I will actually yell out in my sleep. ...Scares the crap out of the Hubby... I wish I was awake to see him jump...lol I know that's not very nice...but it's football season and I don't have to be...I could get on the roof buck naked in a wheel chair and roll off and he would say "just a minute hon` the play is almost over...it's 4th down!!!! Anywhoooo...Don't know how I get so sidetracked sometimes....Yes I do I have 3 children...Courtney's 8, Kacie's 3, and My Husband is 30....hee hee! Sometimes I wonder if there is a lot of scar tissue and when I move a certain way it tears that tissue. But man I swear that thing is on top of my ribs!!! Nancy, Pass me some of those healing vibes !!!! I am a SISSY!!!!! Trish, when are they replacing the port? Let me know how that goes!!! I have to call my surgeon back tomorrow and find out when and where. We gotta do some scans and stuff. Oh, what joy! I just really want to get back on track with this.

My port is right next to my rib cage and every time I move a certain way it feels like someone is sticking a knife in me. (Lower Left Rib) I haven't met anyone else who has their port there. A few people have it on there side and a few right below their sternum but mine is right next to and almost on top of my ribs. It is a very odd feeling sometimes. Thank you for your words about my weight loss but I know I could be doing so much better. I think I have just gotten very discouraged and need to get out the old excersise bike again!!!! I have lost all support and even the family isn't behind me...not that they were to begin with....my Husband is the only real support in this quest for a longer life...and he just wants me to be happy and healthy...he says if I could be healthy at my current weight he could care less if I lost any more. but...I know he would like a child of his own...he loves my girls but I know he wants a child to bear his last name ....he is the only male in his family to carry on the last name!! I would love a little boy....Thank you for listening....

You are NOT a failure...(keep repeating that) You only fail when you quit trying!!!!!!!!!! I was very hungry after my banding and I didn't get my 1st fill for many months down the road and after that fill WHOA>>>NELLLY!! I didn't want to eat anything..talk about some restriction...I still have some and that is with only one fill. Keeping busy helps more than you know...When I am at school I find that I have sat in on 2 3 hour lectures and have sipped Water ONLY! I have to make myself eat sometimes...One of my biggest challenges is watching my family eat whatever they want...Then I try a bite and viola`! I am stuck and can't breath!! It's like one of those electric doggy collars...No ..Jake!!! Don't go near the road!!!....ZAP!!!! Good Luck ..You can do it!

Thank You so much....I have been on antibiotic 2 x's now. They said after doing my blood work that I had a very high white count and they couldn't find the source of the infection. Keep in mind that I live in a very small town and the nearest Hospital is more like a clinic. I am surprised we don't still pay our Dr.s with goats and corn....lol Thanks for your advice...

There are GOOD & BAD points to both of these wls. I have met some remarkable people who have had success with the Band & the Bypass as well as some horror stories for both! I am having a revision to the bypass. I was banded in Oct. 2004. I have had many complications and it just keeps getting worse. My NEW surgeons office performs both surgeries and I am very happy to be having the bypass. I have a friend who had bypass last week and is doing wonderful. There are so many circumstances to be considered. Ther are the co-morbidies to be considered as well as the actual weight of a patient. At my highest weight of 400 pounds I never should have had the banding.. I needed to lose a lot of weight fast! Either way a person decides we should be thoroughly supportive, after all it's their lives not ours. I hope everyone makes an informed decision, not based on my cousins, brother sisters, 2nd grade teacher.....I think you should get other perspectives but this decision is between You, your Family, and your surgeon. I am behind anyone who makes the decision to have either surgery because they are choosing life...we all know how crippling a disease Obesity really is. You should LIVE & LIVE BEAUTIFUL!!!

Hey Baron Patrick, I responded to you earlier on the other forum. I like to watch the threads here too...Good Luck and Welcome!! Christy Light

Wow! I'm not sure where to begin to comment on all of this. I think 1st of all I should say I had a banding done a year ago and i am about to have a revision to the bypass. I have had alot of complications. as far as bashing other types of surgery, the site i normally frequent does not do that. thinnertimes.com we are all very supportive and urge everyone to make an informed decision about what is best for them. most people that i know have researched enough to know if they can follow through with the diet of the band or not. because with the band if you are a compulsive eater you can drink milkshakes till the cows come home and with the bypass you are welcome to try but.... do it close to a hospital cause you are gonna get sick. with the bypass reversal ..it can and has been done, my surgeon has done them and they are very difficult and are prone to complications and are only done in extreme situations. Both surgeries have people that regain their weight! That is a fact and it is not just because of the type of surgery it is because people are addicted to food, afterall thats why we are or were over weight! It is a choice and while my experience with the band has left me bitter if asked i will tell it is their choice but i will be gald to tell of my experiences with it! With the pregnancy issue, there a lot of people who had children post operatively from bypass and all are doing fine. I have a friend that became pregnant 5 or 6 mos out and had a very healthy pregnancy. From the sites that I have researched (absa.org) and others the 25% statistic is actually a little low. A lot of people have to have the revision due to complications and the fact that if they had the will power to stop eating junk they wouldn't need surgery to start with. I have respect for the bandsters who are losing and doing good and I have respect for those trying to achieve weight loss. wls is a battle and it should not be argued amongst the ranks it should be argued on the field. If someone is putting your choice down that makes them the loser not you! You did what was best for you and your family. Who gives a crap about he said/she said we are adults fighting for our very lives. I don't need anyones approval but God, My Family, and the Insurance Co.! ( in that order ) Good Luck to you all and hope to have your prayers as I undergo this revision at the end of the year. Christy

Beans!!!!! you should be on liquids. you should call your doctor and ask about your food intake. maybe all doc are diff but your stomach is probably not ready for beans of any kind

Tammy, It's very normal. It seems like all I did was burp.... there is a good side to this if you aren't burping you are gonna hurt girl.....I know!!!!!! No burping means gas pain:dead Good Luck, Christy

Hey, I live in Portland, Tn and my banding was done on 10/06/2004. My surgeon was Dr. Lindy Hruska of Clarksville. I get my first fill this Thursday and I am scared to death. I waited too long and gained some weight back after my surgery. Did any one else have any problems in the beginning? I am really looking forward to talking to other people who know what I am talking about!