txchica70

Lap Band 9/2007 by Dr Spivak in Houston: 20 lb weight loss immediately after band. Lost another 60 with running, boot camp, exercise and benefit of band as tool to eat less. Reached weight of 135 and felt great, but intermittent episodes of severe restriction, vomiting. Dr Spivak had moved out of the country and his website directed his patient to the physicians at TLC Surgery in Houston. Made an appointment with Dr Sherman Yu. Found out in July that my esophagus and pouch were dilated and i had reflux esophagitis (asymptomatic). All Fluid had to be removed from band and I returned to bad habits. Gained 50 lbs back and felt miserable. I was approved for band removal and revision to sleeve right away, but I chickened out and canceled my surgery in February thinking I could do it on my own. Wrong! i rescheduled and had my revision on 5/12/14 at Park Plaza Hospital. In the hospital, I received IV acetaminophen, dilaudid PCA and the On-Q painbuster ball. I walked 4 hrs after surgery and went home around noon the next day. The staff at PPH was amazing. Dr Yu gave me prescriptions for pain and nausea meds at my preop appt so it would be available when I got home from the hospital. He also is using new compounded lotions/creams for scar, nausea and pain which I am using as well. It is pod#4 today and feel great!! Of course, I have some incisional pain, but I really cannot complain at all. The last time I took pain meds was 2 days ago. I was sent home with the On-Q pain ball and removed it myself on pod#2. No nausea or vomiting, able to drink without problems. I drove myself to the movies yesterday and walked 2 miles today. I hope I'm not speaking too soon and jynxing myself, but I really don't think so. I just wanted to put a positive experience out there for those folks who have heard the horror stories. Best of luck to all!

Hey Darr, Singing Off Key and Maple- How are the new bandsters of 9/21 doing? I feel pretty spectacular myself! I posted this in another area so if you've already read it, please excuse me. I wanted to share with the 9/21'rs as well...... I was the first on the schedule at PP Hosp for Dr Spivak. I spent more time in holding than anywhere else, I think. Saw him and asked for a picture of my new band in place and he said sure. So I have a cool photo of my banded pouch. Begged the anesthesiologist for extra nausea meds as I always have nausea and vomiting with anesthesia and for the trip home (30-40 min of Houston traffic!) Next thing I know - was was coughing (and cursing) in the recovery room and off to my room. Brenda from the office came to see me w/instructions and told me I could get up and go to the bathroom. I got dressed and did a couple of laps around the unit and they sent me home. I even walked into Walgreens to drop off my Rx! I haven't had gas pain so far. The most pain is my port site where he went through the fascia - that's a booger when trying to sit back or lie down! Walked my block a couple of times when we got home, slept quite a bit. On Post Op Day 1, I showered and took off the bandaids - my incisions are so much smaller than I thought they'd be! We went to Wal Mart and Sams. Today is POD#2 and I feel even better. My calves are sore - I guess from not walking as much. My throat is definitely sore. I'm chewing on gum occasionally because my jaws are sore from not chewing food. I think I'm gonna go take a walk this morning and today is the start of mushy food - so I'm gonna cook some egg beaters. Woo-hoo!!! I really can't complain so far - so much better than I expected!!! But I'm still taking this next week off work. I need to learn a little about what I can eat and how all this works before I go back. Hope you're all doing well. Please keep this thread going so we can keep in touch and see how we're losing the chub together. I guess I need to get one of those ticker thingies for my signature, but that means I'd have to get a scale.......

Hey Hazel - I made it!!!!! I'm officially a September bandster!!! Post-op day #1 for me......... I was the first on the schedule at PP Hosp for Dr Spivak. I spent more time in holding than anywhere else, I think. Saw him and asked for a picture of my new band in place and he said sure. Begged the anesthesiologist for extra nausea meds as I always have nausea and vomiting with anesthesia and for the trip home (30-40 min of Houston traffic!) Next thing I know - was was coughing (and cursing) in the recovery room and off to my room. Brenda from the office came to see me w/instructions and told me I could get up and go to the bathroom. I got dressed and did a couple of laps around the unit and they sent me home. I even walked into Walgreens to drop off my Rx! I haven't had gas pain so far. The most pain is my port site where he went through the fascia - that's a booger when trying to sit back or lie down! Walked my block a couple of times yesterday, slept quite a bit. Today I showered and took off the bandaids - my incisions are so much smaller than I thought they'd be! We've been to Wal Mart and Sams. No pain meds since 1 am last night! I am pooping out right about now and think I'm going to settle in with a pillow and a movie and maybe a little pain medicine. I really can't complain so far - so much better than I expected!!! How are you doing? Better each day I hope.............. Keep in touch my fellow Spivak Sept bandster........... Kimmie - I feel like a skinny bitch already........... (maybe not quite yet) :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

:nervousPlease add me to the Sept 07 Bandsters. I'm scheduled for tomorrow morning by Dr. Spivak in Houston! So nervous now............

Hazel - Glad to hear you're happy and recovering well. Congrats on the 7 lbs!! That's awesome!! I will definitely keep in touch and want to hear updates on you as well. I'll keep your advice about Jello in mind when I go pre-shopping today. Kimmie - Glad to hear you're feeling well, too. Best of luck to you. Here's to the future skinny bitches!!!!!!!! Two more days 'til the beginning of my new life!!!!!

Hey hazeleyegirl - Congrats on your banding and I hope you're feeling well. I will be banded this Friday 9/21 by Dr. Spivak. I went to seminar and same day consultation last weekend and since I'm self-pay, there was no wait. I'm waiting for the office to call me with info re: what hospital, instructions, etc. So far, everything I've read about Dr. Spivak has been positive. Are you happy with your decision so far? Also - I love your signature with the wings. Where did you get it? -Kimmie - Love your sub-heading!! I'm planning on becoming a skinny bitch, too!!!!!!!!!

Hello - I'm scheduled for this Friday with Dr. Spivak in Houston. I was very excited, but as it approaches, I'm getting more nervous. Best of luck to all and keep us updated.