Troy45

I thought I'd note my experience with Tricare Standard (West) and removal of the Lap Band. I've had it since 2007 and lost a fair bit of weight (75#). The past month though I went mostly vegetarian(fish one night a week and meat on one other) and dropped another 15#. Then my port flipped on me. The doc said it was most likely due to weight loss. Had some lower GI pain and blood in the stool same day as it shifted which freaked me out initially. Anyway, I'm pretty dialed in now on portion sizes and just wanted it out. The surgeon had a xray taken for my visit. Tricare did approve the removal in two business days and had it out the day after approval. I had read on various forums before that they won't take it out but with complications it seems to not be a problem. They don't last forever. Good news is it was intact and "hadn't come apart" although I did have some scarring. He said he's taking more of them out now than he's putting in.

Had my first fill yesterday and it was done by my Doctor using a floroscope. I prefer it that way myself. He does all of his own fills. I also like that the Doc can check the placement of the band (that he installed) to make sure it's all staying put. At first he gave me 4.5cc (I have the big band) but backed it out to 4.2 as I had that 'backed up' feeling from the slime you have to drink.

I take Costco chewable Am and Pm. Also a liquid B vitamin complex, I've seen them in most drug stores.

I'm a Tricare Prime user and had to go self pay. They'd pay for a RNY but I just didn't want to get hacked on. I figured the self pay ended up costing about the same as a cheap car and the car won't improve the quality or length of my life.

Part of it will depend on how you react to general anesthesia. I hadn't been under before and found that my (previously undiagnosed) sleep apnea affected my O2 saturation when coming out of anesthesia. I felt good but they wanted to keep me on O2 and monitor me overnight. I'm glad that I stayed just cause it's easier having the hospital bed that first night and they gave me meds via IV that I wouldn't have gotten at home. I think it sped my recovery. Was back at work in 3 days.

A preop diet was recommended but not required by my Doc. I did do it though. I had the shakes twice a day than a small meal for dinner. By the time the two weeks post op liquids were done, I never wanted to see another friggin Protein shake ever again. I was cleared this week for 'regular' food and get my first fill on 8/8. I think the preop diet helps though. I never needed the bottle of Percocet, just liquid Tylenol for a day and a half and never got any of the gas pains in the shoulders. Was really fortunate.

I was banded on 6/25. I was on liquid Tylenol for a couple days but have been good since. Now, a week and a half later, the port site can still be tender at times and I try to watch what I'm doing when rolling around in bed. It comes and goes.