Maddog

Make sure you have plenty of loose clothes! Your incisions will be above waist line. Since you'll be swolen from the gas, you want to make sure that nothing you wear hits you above the waist line - that's not much fun! Oh, my daughter is getting banded on Wednesday- they told her to bring a kitchen timer to keep up with when she's supposed to drink liquids.

I had surgery on Wednesday. My dr. sent me home with phenergan. It has really helped. I'm sure your doctor can call it in for you.

I applaud your studying and carefully considering your decision. I was banded in July of last year. On Wednesday of this week, I had to have my band removed and another one put on. My band had slipped. Even with all of that, I'm glad I did it. I've struggled with weight all of my life. I think I've gained and lost 10 people in my 45 years. I've lost 55 pounds with another 30 left to go. What I love about it is that it is a lifelong tool. My daughter is also doing it next week. I'm 2 days post-surgery. While I don't have much pain, I am still really sore and having a little problem with the gas. But, the worst issue is that the pain meds make me irritable. With young children, I would suggest getting help for several days. You really shouldn't be lifting them and you need to focus on you for just a few days. Just plan to be selfish for a week or so. Lots of Luck.

I just had my band removed and replaced yesterday. My band slipped too. I was having vomiting, too. The good news is that this surgery was so much easier than the first one. I'm having much less pain and soreness than the last time. Hang in there.

I agree on doing your research before you proceed. I wish I had known about this forum before I had my surgery. My daughter will be having the surgery June 4. I told her about this site and told her to do research before her doctor visit. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any medications that you currently take. You may not be able to swallow them post-surgery. You might need to see if they can be crushed or come in liquid form. Be sure to understand exactly what your doctor's post-op diet restrictions are. Good luck!

I'm self pay in Arkansas. My cost was $16K last July. My daughter is getting banded June 4 in Northwest Arkansas for $18k. You cost seems really high!

What kind of protein shakes do you guys use?

I've tried to eat it twice and had horrible vomiting. Boy, do I miss it.

My surgeon only required liquids a few days and then soft foods. But, within a week, I was eating some food. I didn't even know that there were the official food stages until this forum. But, now by band has slipped and I really think it did it in early after my band. I can't help but think that if I'd gone through the official food stages it wouldn't have happened. Once I get my band repaired or replaced, I guarantee that I will follow the weeks of liquids.

I've tried peanut butter twice and got deathly sick both times. I used to live off the stuff and really miss it as a quick source of protein. Anyone else have this issue?

Good luck! Let me know how you do after you get your fill reduced.

Sounds exactly like what I did. My Doctor told me my band was overfilled and had to remove some fill. The next fill I had, I did the same thing. Isn't that taste the most awful thing ever! Anyway, my doctor tells me that my band has slipped. They can prescribe some prescription antacids which might help - it didn't help the night time thing for me, though. Good luck! let me know how you do.

I got my band July 2, 2007. My 26 year old daughter is going to get one now. She lives in Northwest Arkansas. Does anyone else have experiences with any doctors in the area?:thumbdown:

My surgery was outpatient and I was self pay. My total bill was $16K for hospital, surgeon and anesthesia. You're getting ripped off!

When I stopped losing weight, I found out that I was not eating enough, believe it or not. And, I wasn't eating enough protein. Are you getting enough protein? If not, my doctor recommends the Atkins shakes. I like the chocolate ones. Good Luck! keep up the good work

I have INAMED band. My doctor says the newer design band is much less prone to slipping.

On both of my last 2 fills, I've had the horrible reflux issues that you've discussed - not sleeping - aspirating acid. My doctor tried prevacid which didn't help much. My doctor removed fill to where I only have 1 cc and told me that my band had slipped. I no longer have the acid reflux issues, but don't have much restriction either. I'm still trying to decide whether to fix the band or not.

I was self pay 7/2/07. After my second fill, I had horrible problems with acid reflux, couldn't eat anything or sleep. I had to get an upper GI - my insurance paid. It seems that my band has slipped. I've lost 55 pounds in total. After determining that my band had slipped, my doctor reduced my fill to 1 cc. Since then, I haven't gained or lost (approximately 1 month ago). My surgeon has recommended going back in and trying to tack the band back up again or possibly replacing it with the newer design band. He won't know until he gets in there which one he will have to do. It depends on whether it has floated up or is wedged low. And, of course I'll have to self pay for the second surgery. My surgeon will not charge for any additional surgery within one year. However, I will have to pay for the hospital and anesthesiology. If they re-tack the original, it will be slightly less than $5k. If they have to put in the new one, it will be approximately $11k. I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm only 30 pounds from my goal weight.

I only had reflux after my band slipped in December and again a couple of weeks ago - my band slipped more. I've never had reflux before. Once I got fluid removed, it really helped. But, the acid reflux was so bad that I couldn't sleep at all.

I'm in Arkansas, too. I used Dr. Luttrell in Little Rock. Have you considered him?

I've just found this forum. I got my band on July 2nd and have lost 47 pounds. In a support group meeting, they told me about a book called "The Lap Band Solution". Does anyone know how to get a copy of it?

I had lots of heartburn and vomiting a couple of weeks ago. They said my band had slipped a little; however, he didn't think it was enough to do more surgery. They removed some of my fill and I'm much better now. Did they remove any of your fill?