marieze

I was banded 8 years ago by a very prominent bariatric surgeon here in Oregon. I started out at 376 pounds. I have ALWAYS had ban issues that mostly centered on vomiting, sliming etc. long story short, in 2014 I started having such reflux problems that I was awakened every night with vomit coming out of my nose. I was terrified I was going to aspirate on my vomit and die. I had 2 endoscopes which proved the band was fine....2 upper GI's which showed some backing up.....and numerous other tests. Finally in Sept. my bariatric surgeon had me do a cats an which determined I had gallstones! I was thrilled she finally figured out what the problem was. She took out my gallbladder which was a piece of cake surgery, but two days later I almost choked on my vomit again! Un-flipping believable! When I told her she said the band has to come out. I hadn't had any Fluid in the band for some time so 10 days after my gallbladder coming out my lapband came out. For me, just like the gallbladder surgery, it was a no-brainer. I went back to work (I'm a field sales trainer) two days later. So here it is Febuary and I haven't been back to see her until TOMORROW! I've blown her off because I was ticked thinking that my gallbladder didn't really have to come out. That said, everything with the band did check out and I DID have gallstones...... Anyway, I still believe she is the best around. I know that she won't revise to a sleeve as she mentioned in the past she won't due to scar tissue. She will revise to bypass though which I'm seriously considering. I REALLY NEED Y'ALLS HELP....since the band came out 4 month ago I have gained between 40-50 pounds if you can believe it.....I AM SO EMBARRASSED to even write that. So here are my questions/concerns..... A. Do I have to jump through all the hoops again with the psychologist, nutritionist etc. if I do this? I want to move quickly if I do this. B. Having just had 2 surgeries in October do I have to get all new blood work etc? C. Do most bypass patients spend 2 night in the hospital D. In revision, how long did you have to do all liquids? E. Post-op....how long liquids until puree's then finally solids? F. Do you find it daunting Vitamins for the rest of your life? Are they expensive? G. If you need 60-80 grams of Protein per day yet can only intake 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food, how am I reading that people eat apples etc. doesn't almost all food need to be protein? Any way around drinking the shakes? H. How do fats work? I try to eat a low carb diet yet I do enjoy my salad dressings, butter and olive oil? I. It freaks me out that one can gain weight and stretch out their pouch....hence landing up where they started. This surgery is so final but it would be worth it if I keep my weight off. My main problem is my appetite! J. Is it like the band in that you can really eat pretty much anything but just smaller portions...like really small? I am so grateful for any and all information you can share with me. I find the best way to get educated it to ask those who have walked before me! Oh, one more thing....my new insurance which is Blue Shield of Calif. Isn't as good as my previous insurance. I have a $1,000 deductible and I have to pay 20% of everything else. So I really have no idea what I'm looking at financially. As a single mom this may be a problem. I know they cover bariatric surgery but that's all I know. Again....I appreciate everyone's feedback! Marieze

Surgery is in 2 1/2 weeks. Haven't been doing the diet the surgeon gave me. I told her that looked awful and she just said, "don't gain any more weight between now and the surgery". I haven't been paying attention and might have gained some; i'm not sure. Tomorrow I want to do what I need to do to get on track. They only require a liquid diet 24 hours before surgery. liquids only one week post-op then mushies. They seem liberal compared to others. What is the fastest way to shrink my liver? Low carb? Low Fat? Low Calorie? Any suggestions? Marieze

Hi Everyone! One of the Many things I didn't like about the band was that I never experienced what I would call a "satisfied belly" feel. I would stop when no longer hungry of I'd vomit. My RNY is two weeks from Mo day and I'm wondering......unlike the band, do you feel full/satisfied as one would feel without the band or what is the sensation like after RNY? Thanks! Marieze

On another forum I posted that I was banded in 2007. For me, it was a nightmare.....either too tight or too loose and my doc couldn't get a handle on it. It was taken out, port and all, in October 2014 after months of being awakened in the middle of the night with vomit forcefully coming out of my nose...... Since then, believe it or not I have gained back almost 60 pounds! I have new insurance which is Blue Shield of California. After a consult with my surgeon on a Monday a few weeks ago, I decided to revise to RNY. I asked her about the sleeve and she said she will not revise to a sleeve, ever, due to scar tissue as she believes there is a greater chance for leakage. Also, if someone has a predisposition for reflux like I did, she is especially adamant. Anyway, they submitted whatever they needed to submit to my insurance two days later on Wednesday and on Monday I was approved! I figured they must have seen my photo and said, "hell, we better get this gal in here quick", being that I'm gaining so fast, lol! I spoke with my surgeon on the Monday I was approved and she scheduled me for bypass on Monday, 3/31/15. Everything happened so fast my head is spinning! She asked me to lose 10pounds by then which I think I can do but no special diet or anything. And since I'm revising, I don't have to do the whole psychologist, nutritionist thing. I am feeling a little scared yet blessed at the same time! Marieze

So here's the deal.....an hour after surgery I took a shower and started walking the floor. The nurses thought I was a visitor and not the patient because I put on street clothes and I was sitting on my bed with my legs criss-crossed as I typically do. I had a total of 1 Oxycodone the day of surgery and none since and was driving the next day. I'm 60 years old and I'm telling you guys all this for a reason. I have been eating the creamers Soups, getting my liquids in and eating all my Protein....typically 90 grams.....AND I'm hungry! This morning I had coffee with 2% (doc approved) with 30 grams of unflavored protein....1/2 plain Greek Yoghurt 10 grams, one bottle Isopure 40 grams, some creamy chipotle Soup 1cup early...another cup lunchtime......and for dinner 2 CUPS OF LENTIL SOUP.......AND IM HUNGRY.......and I know my body well......I had a lapband removed in October after 8 years.....I could never have done that with the band....I feel no restriction! I haven't lost any weight which I'm not freaking out over.....but sheesh! I figured I'd better write before I go straight into the kitchen and purée some hard boiled eggs with mayo!!! I'm hungry! My experience seems so different than everyone else's who say they aren't hungry etc. Whaddaya think?

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that I am a revision? It was as you describe when I first got my lapband back in 2007. I know revisions lose weight more slowly but can't believe I ate 2 cups of soup with no problem..... That said, what else could it be? My surgeon is considered the absolute best in our state and proctors all the other doctors and is brilliant.....she told me my revision was a breeze and my liver was "beautiful" and not the least bit fatty......I just don't know what else she would do if I did call her....

Well, now I'm totally freaked out!!!! You're six months out and can't eat a cup of soup????? Not only was I able to eat two cups I had absolutely NO PROBLEM eating it at all!!!! Oh man.....I'm almost sorry I asked.....now I'm convinced something is wrong......

My surgeon and NUT specifically told me to have Tomato Soup, lol! They even recommend getting it at Trader Joe's in the carton....it is DELICIOUS. don't think I'd eat Campbell's but Like another poster said, Progresso is delicious! Go for it!

Hi Everyone....I'm here in Portland and Emma Patterson just did my gastric Bypass on Monday 3/30/15 and I feel great! Emma placed a lapband in 2007 and after years of complications took it out Oct. 2014. I have to say that I wasn't expecting to still have the appetite I seems to and that's a bummer. But I am getting in all my liquids and Protein via Soups with Protein powder and shakes. Anyway, just thought I'd pop in and introduce myself! Marie

To recap, had band out in October after loads of complications in 8 years and now RNY is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 am....Whoo Hoo! My surgeon only requires 3 day liquids prior so I started today....so far so good! I'm hungry but when I hear others saying they have to do weeks at a time on their liquid pre-op, I don't dare complain ???? I'm feeling pretty on my game as I pre-made 8 meals for my son today and froze them and got everything ready for myself when I come home....I've got the premier Protein shakes in the fridge, bottles of Isopure that everyone spoke about, unflavored Protein powder, all the bariatric Vitamins (Barimelt brand)..... a new Ninja high powered something or another that is awesome for shakes and I AM READY! I gained so much weight back after they removed the band, it's ridiculous! At 60, I'm so flippin' tired of screwing around with my weight! I really hope this tool will help me lose the weight and make peace, once again, with food! Marieze

I'm just going to say I'm eating much smaller portions and low carb....and that I've cut out all the crap! It will be true!

Banded in 2007 and was a total nightmare. Band removed 10/14. My doc submitted to Blue Shield of CA last Friday and was approved today, exactly one week later....not bad, right? My company's insurance we used to have would have been paid at 100% and had no deductible, but our new insurance is only 80/20 with $5,000 out of pocket maximum! I'm sick to my stomach thinking that I will probably have to pay everything up to $5,000 which is my ENTIRE savings.....I'm freaking out. Any thoughts?

Banded in 2007 and was a total nightmare. Band removed 10/14. My doc submitted to Blue Shield of CA last Friday and was approved today, exactly one week later....not bad, right? My company's insurance we used to have would have been paid at 100% and had no deductible, but our new insurance is only 80/20 with $5,000 out of pocket maximum! I'm sick to my stomach thinking that I will probably have to pay everything up to $5,000 which is my ENTIRE savings.....I'm freaking out. Any thoughts?

Banded in 2007 and was a total nightmare. Band removed 10/14. My doc submitted to Blue Shield of CA last Friday and was approved today, exactly one week later....not bad, right? My company's insurance we used to have would have been paid at 100% and had no deductible, but our new insurance is only 80/20 with $5,000 out of pocket maximum! I'm sick to my stomach thinking that I will probably have to pay everything up to $5,000 which is my ENTIRE savings.....I'm freaking out. Any thoughts?

Hi Everyone! After having my lapband taken out last October I am considering RNY. I met with my bariatric surgeon today who said she thinks I am a good candidate. When I told her that last year I had kidney stone surgery she seems a bit concerned. She told me to speak with my Kidney Stone doc and tell her I was considering RNY and see what she says. I'm just wondering if you or anyone you know has had any issues with Kidney stones. Apparently once people have gastric bypass their chance for kidney stones doubles! Marieze

I'm considering revision fro band to bypass and you just sparked a question in my brain....so, if your pouch is a certain size and only hold between 1/4 to 1/2 to 1cup of food....how does one gain weight? Is it the choice of food or is it eating past when one is full? Don't mean to hijack...just figuring it all out...thanks! Marieze

I'm not banded yet and still freak out when I read about people getting stuck. I also keep reading about people getting un-stuck by drinking pineapple juice. For those of you who have been stuck and tried pineapple juice; did it work for you? I'm curious because I would carry a small can in my purse which would probably alleviate my anxiety about getting stuck if I knew that worked. What was your experience? Marieze Thanks!!!

When I was banded last Wednesday my surgeon told me that she repaired a small hiatel hernia I had. I read a little about the hiatel hernia, don't really understand too much about it and wondered this: does that mean some of the reflux, heartburn etc. I had from certain foods/overeating will be gone now? What will I now see in the way of benefit from having that repaired? Marie

Now the reality is settling in and I'm becoming more anxious than when I was just anticipating the approval!!! I attended the seminar for Dr. Emma Patterson here in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, August 21st. I sent in the paperwork the next day. Thursday, Sept. 29th the office confirmed they had my paperwork. October 18th was my first 1/2 day of testing (lab and 2 hour long written psyche. exam). October 23rd was my second 1/2 day of testing (nutritionist, psychologist, nurse practionier etc.) Then nothing until I met with the surgeon herself right after Xmas on Dec. 27th. They let me schedule my surgery, tentatively, based on approval from United Healthcare. I told them I needed my son home to help me a little and he would be off 5 days at that time. So now it's a go for Feb. 13th! I have United Healthcare's EPO program and they are paying the surgery at 90%. Thank God or I otherwise would not be able to afford it. I am extremely fortunate and I know it. I just thought I would share the good news!!! Marieze

I'm doing the same thing! I'm two years out and for the last 8 months or so it's either I'm too restricted and keep barfing, or they take out the absolute smallest amount and I could eat a horse. I just came back about 2 hours ago from another fill. We'll see what happens. One things I have been very bad about is doing the liquids/purees after my fills. I just eat. I'm hoping that has been my problem so I came home and had some tomato soup. this sucks.

Hi Everyone- Just wondering. My boobs are now in a completely different hemispere than they should be and my panni covers my pubic area; as a result, my lower back and upper back are always killing me and I can't stand for very long. When I do, I get pain in my pannus area. Have any of you had a breast reduction at the same time you had the pannilectomy (sp)? I just can't imagine the recuperation period or the pain, but would love to get everything done at the same time...your thoughts.... Marieze

O.K. People- I seldom every post anymore but am now having a problem. I have lost around 80 pounds in the last 18 months (too much ice cream), get stuck fairly often even though I am not too filled (still some old habits, too big of a bite or eating too fast) and for some reason, I noticed that I am VERY tender between my breasts (which are down to my ankles btw)! But right where the band is it is so flippin' tender. Has this ever happened to any of you and if so, what was it? Marieze:scared2:

I was banded 18 months ago and have lost about 80 pounds or so. I can't remember how much is in my band and haven't had a fill for quite awhile. I have had a problem with pb'ing in that I either eat too fast or take too big of bites. Today I noticed that right at my breastbone where I think my band is, it's VERY sensitive to touch and I can feel something (that I am assuming is the band). The feeling is as if I am very bruised or something. I plan on calling my doctor first thing in the morning but wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and if you might have an idea what happened? Thinking I need an upper GI. Marieze:unsure:

Hi There! I don't post very often but really thought it was great you came through this so well! Let me ask you this...coming from over 315 pounds, how does it feel moving around with so much skin being removed from your tummy? Had you experienced back problems? If so, are they gone? What feels different and what do you notice is different? Marieze

I have about 200 pounds to lose. I'm curious. Has anyone lost 100 to 200 pound and NOT needed to have plastic surgery i.e. tummy tuck or anything. Or is this inevitable? Marieze