new2tch

This is my second week without my band. I lost weight right after due to the liquid diet. The doctor told me Thursday he does not recommend anymore weight loss surgery, but to try weight watchers (again). I want to thank you for the post, because it proves that we can lose weight without the band. It's is a shame the tool did not work for us, but as you said Diane, life does go on. I am in the process of finding an exercise activity that will work for me and for me to commit to it. Thanks again, Cyndi

Ok, I am a teacher and I know alot about acroynyms. Please refresh my memory about the ones you have been talking about. (I am sure I am having a duh moment) RNY EGD DS I know LB is lap band imagine that! Since my band came out a week ago today I have lost 5lbs. That is more than I lost in one week with a band in. However, I am so scared to be able to eat again. I think it was harder to have the band removed that placed in. Do others feel that way? Cyndi

I am wondering what is a malabsorptive procedure ? Would that be like having a sleeve? If so, could you tell me what the surgery was like and recovery time. When I had the band put in, I was back to teaching in three days and felt great. Now that it has been removed, it seems to be taking a longer time to heal. Which it makes sense, because the doctor had to undo all of the work that was done. I just didn't like having the tube in my nose and the drainage tube inserted. Where my port was is now stapled. It is sore, however all of the other incisions have surgical glue which seems to work well. Thank you all for your responsive kind words and information!:wink2: Cyndi

I had my band removed this week due to erosion (in which I was not experiencing any pain). I lost only 40 lbs in a year and 9 months. Now I am extremely nervous about regaining. I cannot be rebanded and I am not sure about having WLS ever again. Any recommendations on how to deal with the loss of the band. I could always trust it to work, it was better than having nothing at all. Cyndi

Thank you so much Patty. You spoke to me in a beautiful way and I needed to hear those words. Thanks for understanding and showing me the process to think things through. Have a wonderful day, Cyndi

Hi There, I have been banded since August of 2007. I found out last week that my band has eroded and tomorrow I will be having the band removed. I thought it was God's plan for me to be banded. I prayed for a year if it was the right decision or not. As things began to take place everything went well with out a hitch. I have lost about 40lbs. Within the last few months my fills have not restricted much and there has been minimal weight loss. So now I won't have a band and I don't understand how to handle the situation. Do I try to lose weight without any tools and on God's strength alone. I am scared I will rebel against Him and gain weight again. Any input will be appreciated. I am having a hard time discerning right now. Cyndi

I have a 10cc band with 7cc in. We never found my sweet spot and I did have fills under fluro. Now almost 2 years later I am having the band removed due to erosion. I am not sure if I will reband. How long did you wait from the slippage to the rebanding?

Hi, I just found out that I will having my band removed on Monday. Everything is happening so quick. I am nervous about life without the band. I hope I have the strength to not regain the weight. I have alot to do to get sub plans ready for a few dqys off for recovery. Thanks again for your support. Cyndi

Hi All, Thanks for you input. I did not have any symptoms. After each fill I would feel nice and snug, then after about 2 weeks I can eat all that I want. That is all that was happening. I lost weight but it is not much for having a band for almost 2 years. I go back to Dr. F next Thursday and I will listen to what he has to say. If my insurance does not cover the removal or the new insertion I probably won't have a new band put in. We'll see. Thanks for your support and comments. Cyndi

Hi Vermonters, Dr. F performed a endo on me today and I found out that I have an erosion. I believe it is where the band adheres to the stomach. Now I have to have it taken out and start from scratch again. I have lost 38 pounds since my August 2007 lap band placement. The going has been very slow. I am disappointed that I have to go through this again and I wonder if I should bother. I still have about 50-60 more pounds to lose. Any advice or comments? Thanks for any comments. Cyndi

Louisa, Well said! Thank you so much for the support. That was exactly what I need. I appreciate your response and understanding. Sincerely, Cyndi

Hi all, I just wanted to say that I truly understand this article. I am in a place where I understand some of the emotional trigger which drive me to food. In fact, yesterday I came home from work and I fifteen minutes to spare before I went off to a class to do a presentation which I was feeling anxious about. Even though I knew it was wrong I ate apple pie. I do not know how to replace that behavior when I am facing anxiety like that. I was so caught up in the moment, it was like a release for me when I finished eating and off to class I went. What do other people do overcome a situation like this? Thank you for acknowledging the fact these emotions exist for us and there is more to fact, other than making wrong choices when we eat. Sincerely, Cyndi

Does anyone have pooping problems like me? I have to go very often every day. It is not diarrehea, but darn close. I know it is not my gallbladder, because that has been out for years. I have avoided milk and wheat porducts and it is not that. I can't seem to pinpoint the issue. I am also very gassy, all day and all night. This is an embarassing issue. Food seems to go right through me, not matter what type of food it is. Any input is greatly appreciated. :smile:

Dear Boos.. You are 100% right! I cannot say it any better. Thanks for the encouragement. I have an adjustment in two weeks. I too log everything. I need to kick up the exercise to a harder level. Thanks again for the support. new2tch:smile2:

Hi Michelle, I am sorry to hear that you are having issues with your band. I hope you have care soon. i hope you don't have to wait until November like to do just to get into the hospital. I guess, I also find it hard to go the Williston office just to be told yes I can have an adjustment and then billed for 114.00 for a two minute visit. Then I have to wait two months. After that my visit is 300.00 and I have not been restricted. My patience is running out and I just become frustrated. I hope you are relived of your reflux soon. I wonder why it is intermittent? Is it the type of food that could be causing the reflux as well? Do you think we are getting substandard service because it is a weight issue? It could be people do not find it important or valuable to us to have the proper service because they feel we are unworthy because we are overweight. They do not understand that we do not ask for it and that we are trying to better ourselves. There have been many times throughout my life when people do not think I am worthy because I am fat. It is sad and true.:thumbup: Keep me posted on how you are doing. Cyndi

Hi Julie, I had my last fill on August 11th. I have not lost a pound since February of this year. I am in a hate relationship with my band. I have very little restriction. I only feel is when I eat meat and I don't chew it well. I am frustrated with the the fills being so little. Then I get frustrated because it takes time to get an adjustment. I called today, I have an appointment on Thursday to see him, but the adjustment appointments are being scheduled in November. I am disappointed to how this all worked out. Do people with bands still follow a diet like weight watchers? Maybe that is what I need to do. I have been walking, although not marathons. How much harder do I need to try? Thanks for writing!:embaressed_smile: Cyndi

Good Evening all, I did not know that one of Dr. Forgione's patients had started a chat group. I was banded a year ago on the 20th of this month. I am sorry to say that I have not lost much weight only 34 pounds. I just had another restriction this week and I still do not think I found my soft spot. I have a 10cc band and I wish that the doctor was more aggressive with the fills. People who know I have had the band placed are asking me if it was worth it to go through all of this. I do believe it is worth having a band, I just wish I could loose enough weigh to make a difference. I do walk, but not religiously especially during the summer. Since I am a teacher I tend to walk more when I am in routine. I also find it difficult to get to the doctors. We have to wait to get into the new office in Williston, then a month later for the restriction. (Plus since I work an hour and forty five minutes north of Burlington I have to take a day off just to do the ten minute procedure. This is my own problem) Those of you who have Dr. F could you please share your success with the weight loss? In your experience is the Dr. shy about adding restriction? Thanks for letting me know. I do get frustrated with the slow weight loss, well at least I am not gaining!:thumbup:

I was banded at FAHC by Dr. Forgione and I have only lost about 30 lbs.I had expected to loose more. But, Dr. F did say it is 10% band and 90% of my effort. I try to exercise, but it is not my priority. So, I do understand I am at fault as to the slow weight loss. Cyndi

Hi All, I haven't been on for awhile due to college courses, work, kid's sports, life etc...I am sure you get it. I am still losing weight, but it is very minimal. I last saw Dr. Forgione in March and he refused to tighten me up. I feel like I still eat too easily and if it were a little more difficult I would think more about what I am putting in my mouth. I am going to try to see him again soon. I have a question though for lap banders...have certain types of food effected the way it is digested in your system and passes through? For instance, I feel that when I eat salad greens and strawberries they go right through me and I am crampy for about 2-3 days. "Bad" foods don't seem to give me bowel trouble, but healthy foods tend to. Am I nuts? Thanks to all those who respond. Summer is almost here...although I am wearing a turtleneck and sweatshirt today.:thumbup: Cyndi

Hi There, I have had three fills since August. After each fill I have to wait about 3-4 weeks before they can get me to see the doctor again to talk about whether or not I need a fill again. Then that takes 3-4 weeks. To talk about whether or not I need a fill is an hour drive, drive into the parking garage$$$ and the visit is only five minutes. The worst part of it all is that I have to take off from work. That means the school needs to find a sub for me. I am still eating quite a bit, although I have to chew well and take small bites. I just understand the frustration of waiting for fills. Cyndi

I wasn't thrilled with D.W. either. She made me feel like I don't try hard enough to exercise and loose weight. Well if she was this fat she would have a hard time too. That's the only thing about the visits. Dr. F is fine, in fact he never sounds condescending, but D. W and the nutritionist seem to. I am trying to put more exercise into my life, but it's a struggle for me. Cyndi

Hey Elizabeth, That is me! I am now working in Richford as a Title I Reading Teacher and I love my job. I am trying to stay positive about losing weight and I know it will happen sooner or later, its just that life is short. On that note, I try to live for the day and not for the future...I am learning. Cyndi

I saw Dr. Forgione today as well. I have two fills in and another one scheduled for Feb 25th. I begged to get in sooner, but they could not fit me in. It feels like I have been on this road to weight loss forever and I want to see some results. I was banded 8/20/07 and I have lost only 11 1lbs. since then. How far do you have to travel? It takes me an hour and a half to get to Burlington on a good day. Cyndi

I use CIGNA as well. However, you do have to jump through all of their hoops. It took me about 6 months from consult to operation. CIGNA did not pay for some test such as the one for a baseline heart rate (done as a pre-op). At this time they do not pay for my consults after the fill or for my fills with Dr. Forgione. I have the insurance through my husband's work. I am not sure how CIGNA's plans are developed, maybe in tiers? My husband's employer is our town we live in and as of now we do not pay into the insurance. This is a very small town and we did not want to rock the boat by complaining about the insurance plans. So this is my experience with the insurance company. Cyndi

I am here too! I am a Vermonter from North of Burlington. All is well with me, how are you doing? I just had my 2nd fill last week and I already can tell I need another one. I will see Dr. Forgione next week for another 5 minute chat that will probably lead to another fill a fews weeks later. I can't get over how busy he is. I will have to check this thread more frequently to see how you are doing. Has anyone had the Lapband surgery and see Deborah instead of Dr. Forgione for any of the visits? Just wondering. Cyndi