Dannie's Darlin

Hi everyone, I just returned back to work after being off for a week. I wanted to let everyone know my experience with the band. I got banded on 4-28-05. I had probably 10 fills and unfills since then. I lost 23 pounds total up and down in that time frame. Not impressive by any means, other than the fact was I hadn't lost any weight before due to yoyo dieting. It seems like I was either to tight or not enough restriction. Some of my fills were quite painful. But to make a long story short, on Sept 8th I ate a roll for Breakfast. About 1/2 hour later I felt like I had to vomit, like something was stuck. I ended up vomiting through the day as well as through the night. There was lots of dry heaves since my stomach was empty. I hadn't eaten anything since the roll. By Sunday the 9th, I was in SO much pain I called by doctor. He had me meet him at the ER and did a scope, the roll plus one of my diabetes pills was stuck. But due to the profuse vomiting my stomach had prolapsed into my band. That was what all the pain was about. He asked me if I wanted him to remove the band since I wasn't following the rules anyway, (so he says), anyway at that point I was in so much pain I said yes. I was in the hospital for 4 1/2 days, even though it was done laprascopically. Yesterday I went for a follow up and the spot where my port was, is quite hard and has a knot on it. The doctor says its scar tissue, seems funny it would of all ready built up. Has anyone else had this problem? Had their band removed? I thought that everyone should be aware of this being one of the risks involved. I am now going to try to keep the 25 pounds off that I did lose and continue on my weight loss journey. Debbie

Thank you for all your support. I will keep posting and let others know how I am doing. God bless you all, Debbie

Hi everyone, Just an update, I was unbanded on 10-10-05 due to a prolapsed band. I have lost 25 pounds, but I pray that I can continue losing weight even without the band Good luck to all of you. Debbie

DeLarla, I was in one day for the scope procedure and then the other days just related to my band removal. I also had a problem with low oxygen. Thank you and the others for your supportive comments. I appreciate and need them. Debbie

Crystal, As I read through all these I think about how I have been to ashamed to even talk about how I feel. It is sad that so many of us have been hurting because of the dumb excess weight we are carrying. Both physical and mental weight. As a kid I was skinny, always being told to eat more. I can remember trying to make myself eat meat. I would chew, chew and still couldn't make myself swallow it. As a teenager I worked at J.C. Penney's and remember buying size 13 or 15 and thinking I was so fat. After getting married and having my first child I was still slim according to pictures of me holding my daughter. But with each subsequent child I gained more and more. Been on so many diets and programs. My highest weight was 251 and now at about 229 I have lots to lose. In some ways I am afraid to be thin since I don't know if I can trust myself to be thin. What a case I am. Debbie

Nylons! (Sorry for the mixup I was on page 1) Long or short hair?

Dogs for anyday! Short or long hair?

I was banded on 4-28-05. Have only lost 17 pounds, and these are the same ones I lost right after surgery. I have had 2 fills. I haven't been able to eat much except cereal and milk. Just about everything I eat comes back up, first a couple of PB's and then I am vomiting up whatever I eat. I have tried many different foods and most everything comes back up. The other wierd thing is once in a great while, last saturday, I was able to eat a small piece of chicken, some mashed potatoes and some corn & squash casserole. Other than that the only thing I have been able to keep down is cereal and Milk. Now comes the really aggravating part, I am still not losing weight! Please tell me has anyone or is anyone going through this? Debbie

Thank you for all your replies and info, I am going to see my doctor on Thursday the 21st. I am hoping this will get me to that so called sweet spot. I am so ready to start losing weight, and having the band work like its supposed to. I do know that I have been eating mushies and not low calorie ones either which is why I haven't been losing the weight, that and the fact I haven't started a exercise program. I am considering starting counseling, I think something really is wrong in my head, maybe I really am scared to loose this weight for some reason. Who knows. Yesterday I had a severe problem on my right side that traveled to my back. Horrible pain, I saw my Primary doctor and had blood work as well as a cat scan. It turned out I had a kidney stone. Thank God I passed it and feel so much better today. Again thanks for all the help and suggestions, this is a great website. Debbie

Kelly, Happy BIrthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Kelly, Happy Birthday to You! Hope you are having a wonderful day! Debbie

Hi April Bandsters, I was banded on April 28th with Dr. Smith in Pueblo CO. I have lost 16 1/2 pounds. I had my first fill on 6-8-05, 1.5 cc's. I had a rough time with the fill. I was in the office 3 hours and was it painfull. The doctor wasn't able to locate the port. Finally after 2 ultra sounds he got it done. At first I didn't think it was working, because right after the fill I was able to eat mexican food with no problem, but a few days later I knew I was tighter. I haven't been able to eat lots of different foods without having to vomit. It has sure been a learning experience for me. But now that I know what not to eat I am doing much better. I have been struggling with not eating junk food snacks and I haven't started exercising so I KNOW thats why my weight loss has been slower than it should. I am glad to hear from you other April Bandsters, kudos to all of you! Lets keep this thread going so we can pray and encourage each other. Take care and God bless you all, Debbie

Trish, I am sorry you are feeling so nervous an upset about your WLS coming up. I look forward to meeting you on Thursday, what time do you check in and what time is your surgery? I have to be there by 9AM, and surgery at 11:30. I am feeling somewhat nervous, but also very excited. I will say a prayer for you that, God will give you peace about this, so you enjoy looking forward to getting it done. Debbie

Hi, I want to join the April Bandsters Bandwagon too! My date is 4-28-05, same as Trish. Same day, same doctor and same hospital. I look forward to meeting her. Good luck to you all. Can some of those that have had their surgery in April, let us know how they are doing? Thanks Debbie

COngratulations to you and good luck! Tomorrow I go for my appointment with the dietician and my psyche evaluation right after than (on the same day( then next week I have my final psyche evaluation. My primary doctor sent Dr. Smith a great letter so hopefully by March 31st I will have an approval from my insurance Company. Does anyone out their have NRECA insurance? If so what was your experience like? I have a tenative date set of 4-28-05.

Hi, I am just starting this process for the lap band. I met my doctor last week and am waiting for the psyche exam and a meeting with the dietician. These must be done before my insurance will consider the WLS. Hopefully I will get approved and get on the way to my new life. Dannie's Darling

I am the Benefits Administrator and I did talk to my insurance company and luckily they cover lap-banding! I now have to wait to get my appointment with a nutrition specialist at the hospital and then 3 meetings with a weight counselor, then they will consider approving me. I have diabetes and high blood pressure as well as a 47 BMI, so I think those will all be things that will play in to the decision they make. Debbie

I need to lose about 125 pounds. I am hoping my insurance company approves me and I can get going on this. I have been overweight for about 25 years. I have type 2 diabetes and hypertension and am so looking forward to getting this weight off and living a whole new way of life. Thanks to everyone that welcomed me. I am so glad to find a place to ask questions and get support. Debbie