grammi

:omg:I was banded in May 2005. The first year was great and I lost around 50 pounds. In January of this last year, I started having horrible acid reflux and pain. I went to my regular physician and he started me on Previcid. Problems persisted so he did a scope and I had horrible inflammation of my esphagous as well as a small sore spot on my stomach near the band. Started me on Previcid 2 x daily and sent me to my lapband doctor (unfortunately I had never seen a doctor since my surgery due to the doctors leaving the center). I through a fit and saw a doctor who decided to fill some more which he thought would help. Wrong answer. I only got worse. Had to sleep sitting up, literally was gagging on reflux during the night, etc. Called my regular doc who had a barrium swallow and cat scan done. It showed a hiatal hernia and enlargement of my esphagous. He sent me to another lapband doctor who said I may have slippage, etc. Said he would call me in a few days after he had time to go over my films. Two weeks later never heard from him (and I am in a fair amount of pain and not sleeping real well). I called his office and his nurse said I neede to come back in and talk to him but she was not sure where he was going with helping me and he was not in my insurance network. I went to another doctor who was in network at KU Ned Center. He saw me, said I was probably filled too tight but needed to see my records. I was to come back in two weeks. I called in two weeks and his nurse said he did not make any notes and she did not know what I needed to do. I was SOOO upset. We were going on 8 weeks with no help in sight. My esphgous felt like sandpaper at this juncture and EVERYTHING even Water hurt going down. I started calling lapband doctors and almost evryone said they would not do surgery on one of Dr. Malleys patients. I even have United Health Care who generally pays for everthing. Fed up and in tears I call Tallgrass Bariatric Center in Topeka. There nurse corrdinator gets me in right away. Dr. Dunshee sends me straight to the hospital for another swallow (after talking to me for a very long time and offering me options). They held me at the hospital and called the doctor with the results. I was sent back to his office and was infomred my band had slipped (add this to the hernia and reflux). It took him literally three hours to find what three other physicians looked over for six months. I am now waiting for a surgery date (this week) for removal of my band and checking my hernia, etc. He unfilled my band and I feel a lot better already but, an very sad to have it removed. I guess I just want to say to all lapbanders, if you do not feel the lapband it working right, demand answers. My band probably would not have slipped had the doctor not filled me more and I had not been so ill and threw up a lot. Anyway, I am down 50 and will be joining Weight Watchers after my surgery. GOOD LUCK to all new banders...it does work for some.

Thank you so much. Dr. Dunshee actually spoke to me about this and it may be a possibility. I live about 50 miles away is the only problem. I am so impressed with their center, I cannot tell you. I have had an overall HORRIBLE experiance with my lap band due to the doctors coming and going, etc. Absolutely no follow up....so if I choose to have it done again, it will definately be at Tallgrass. My family and husband want me to take some time off and regroup before making any more decisions. This whole ordeal has definately taken a toll on me, my hubby and my kids. I have simply felt horrid for over six months. Again, thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

I posted on 3/21 that I had been approved. However, I called my doctor several days before and told his nurse. Too date, I have not heard from them and left several messages about getting some of the testing set up or at least coming in to see him. I have not had a return call and am feeling a little frustrated. How I realize all things take time, but I was wondering how many of you heard right away from your doctor once you were approved and am I expecting too much? I am at 12 days with no response...HELP!

I have been having a pain in my left side and dry heaves. My doctor did a colonscopy and cat scan (regular doc) and said he sees nothing. However, he does want me to contact Dr. Malley or Lopez and have them look me over as he feels my band may have slipped or adhesed to another part of my anatomy. Has ANYONE else ever experianced this wonderful phenomonom? I had laid off the fills until we found out what was going on. My restriction is odd...sometimes I cannot get two bites down (of anything) without it sticking and other times I can eat a house....I am getting so sad as I want this to work but not having a left side ache all the time. Also, when I bend over I feel something pull inside....COUNSELING PLEASE!!!

Thank you Renee! I needed the hugs. I did call Dr. Malley and he wants to see me and make sure all if okay. I was feeling SOOOO good up to this point and am down around 40 pounds since May 18. Again, thanks for the encouragement!

Happy birthday! I have been away for a while and just looked at the latest pitures. YOU LOOK DAMN GOOD! Have a great day! grammi1207.

God I am glad I tuned in today! I have been so depressed. I was banded May 18 and am down around 25 pounds. I have had a horrible time getting restriction. I too have a large band and after 4 fills am still under where I should be. Sometimes I feel like I could eat a house!!!! Anyway, thank you and count me in as I need all the encouragement I can get at this time. On the other hand, I am down more than I was in May!

I agree with the fact that Dr. Malley was somewaht rude in the way he left. The info I received from the office has himover in Prairie Village which is still Johnson County but a little further over than I care to try to reach on a lunch hour for a fill. Anyway..hope he finds what he was looking for and keeps up the good work. I had a wondeful experiance with him and his office!

I too was banded by Dr. Malley in May of this year. I was so sad to show up for a fill and find him gone with no explanation. The office has been great and I will probably stay there. I has surgery May 17 and am down around 34 pounds and going for my 3rd (small) fill tommorow. Let me know if you other Kansas/Missouri people get together. I live in DeSoto but work in Olathe. Good luck to all on whichever dr. you choose.

Covered mine in Kansas and is paying for the first 2 month of fills. Then I pay $15.00. We have the PPO policy....it actually paid 100% to date!

I know that.....we will get through.

I am so there with you...I was banded May 21 and have lost 14 pounds but am at a stand still right now. But I am starving and as trying to eat as healthy as I can. But those damn cravings..... I get a fill the 20th so I am one week away also. I ate a part of a 6 oz filet last night and had NO problems (teeny tiny bites). Anyway...right now NOT gaining is my goal and taking one day at a time. It is hard but we can all do it!!!!

I am having the same problem. I was banded May 12 and am down 14 pounds, but right now I feel like I could eat anything....I do not get a fill until June 20. It is so frustrating because I am still eating so much less and have been at the same weight for two weeks. I am really hungry and I am having to tell myself DO NOT EAT LIKE YOU USE TO as you are defeating your purpose.....but I agree with all of you....this is so hard. Other people without the band do not help as they expect me to be dropping weight weekly.... Then I can come here and find people that are coping with the same frustrations....right now I am trying to retain what I have lost, eat less and hold oout for my fill and pray it does the trick and I start loosing again. I also tell myself 14 pounds is a lot smaller than I was on May 12....... Everyone experiencing this limbo before a fill.....hang in there...we shall all get through this with the help of the experienced banders... Thank you all!

I have been banded for a little over one week and have had no problems at all. Banded on a Thursday back to work (as a paralegal) on Monday. I feel great. Just returned from my first post-op and lost 10 pounds the first week and can start on "soft" foods. I also have been a little leary about all of the above....I think the best advice I have had from this board is follow your own body and the signs it is giving you. I had 4 oz of broth, Jello or strained Soup 5 times a day and drankl lots of Water in between and have as I said above...no problems. The only paid I had is when I bent over to paint my toe nails!!!! Just take it easy, eat or drink slow and when it is time to eat...chew...chew..chew!

Goodluck and let us know how you are doing when you fel up to it!

Hey all-it has been exactly one week since my banding. I have not weighed per my doctors instructions until I see him tommorow. I feel great..still gasey and a little hungy at times. (Last night was bad..my husband caught me picking a noodle out of the lasanga I made him and trying to eat it. I do not even like it!) I already feel I have more energy even eating these smaller amounts of mushy and liquids. No pain whatsoever! So for all you newbies to be...I hope this experiance (so far) is as good as mine and goodluck. I will post after I go to the doctor tommorow for my check up.

Hi all. I had my surgery on Thursday morning and am back to work today. I have felt great with no problems whatsoever. I may not be able to stay all day as I feel a little tired but so far so good. I am on anything that you can sip through a straw or eat with a spoon...but I have kept it simple like clear soups, jello, popcycles, water thinking that would make my adjustment easier and maybe less painful. Dr. Malley was great as was Midland Spine and Specialty Hospital in Overland Park..so if anyone form the KS areas is reading these posts...three thumbs up!

Dr. Malley and his office are so nice. I am, sure you will be impressed! Goodluck to you both.

Debbydo--21 ilbs...way to go..hope I do as well. I will get a tickler added so I can keep you all updated as to my loss...my doctor told me not to weigh until I come in on Friday for my post-op check up. (I am a little gasy.....Beano helps some.) Giveyouthemoon...goodluck and remember everyone is different as to dealing with pain, etc. I have had 7 surgeries total so I am old hat.....just remember....rest and losts of water!

I am keeping the water by me at all times also!!! Thanks for the words of encouragement.. have to say tears started flowing righ before surgery....but I was out and back in my room before I knew it. Also food commercials suck and I am trying to continue to have the food my husband likes on hand..willpower it will have to be!

Okay all...I start my 24 hours of liquids tommorow morning then nothing after midnight....surgery Thursday at 11:00......I have stocked up on gas x, liquid tylenol, a heating pad and liquid Vitamins. Also already picked up pain med and nausea med....packed and loaded..... Glad you are all doing well for the most part, for those of you not feeling too well, please take it easy and follow doc's instructions. I will post once I return home on Friday and let you all know how my surgery went.... See ya Friday!!

Welcome to LBT....all of the people here has made my choice for lapband a much easier choice and they are informative and very nice!!!! I thought about gastric bypass also, but I felt like you and after a lot of research fell this is the best way to go. Welcome and goodluck!!!!!

You are doing very good.....I too am sorry to hear about your dog. Enjoy your son's graduation and have a great summer!!!

Very good news!!!! How are you feeling otherwise? I am being nosey as I have surgery Thursday. Again, way to go and keep up the great work!

So true and what a horrific tragedy. I have a 8 year old grandaughter who walks home two blocks after school in Lawrence, Kansas. How safe is that? My heart and prayers also go out to these families. As for the death penalty, I do not know and we can also pray they can find the deviant that took these children's lives. I work for an attorney and I have to say, if we were ever appointed to represent this type of case (or retained for that matter), I would walk away without looking back (or any other crime against a child.)