texasbandster

I didn't have pain (just sore) for 5-6 days. Banded 1/4/08. Then the shoulder pain started. Good Lord!! It felt like a two sided knife in my shoulder. It waws just my left shoulder. I haven't had any for a week or so.

Two questions: How can you tell of you have "slippage" or if your band has slipped? How to you know if you want is eroded? Are there signs to look for? I was banded on 1/4/08 and I don't think I have had any problems, at least I know of. Thanks

My port is just above my belly button about an inch or so to the right. Why are the located in so many different areas? Is one better than the other or is it something the doctor sees while doing the surgery? I am going to ask my doctor when I go for my fill in February.

My husband even felt Dr. Davis (Garth) would take excellent care of me and that was after attending his seminar. I had my surgery at University General and it is an outstanding facility. Plus it was self pay and was more reasonable than Methodist. I don't see anyway in the world you can go wrong with either Dr. Davis. Joan and Marge are the insurance are the insurance gerus but both my plans BCBS and Atena exclude weight loss surgery. grrrrrrrr Good Luck and no regets here.

Hi, I was banded on 1/4/07 by Dr. Garth Davis. I was self pay and had my surgery at University General Hospital. I knew Dr. Davis was the right Dr. for me after attending his seminar this summer. He certainly was plus it's always a plus to have a cute doctor. Just because your insurance plan is accepted by the docter doesn't mean your plan will pay. I have SCBS and Atena, husbands and mine, and BOTH exclude weight loss surgery. Oh well, mine is paid for, the surgery is over and I am on my way. I am really so happy I had the surgery. First fill is scheduled for Feb. 11.

I didn't need the vicodin or the liquid tylonol I bought. I crushed chewable gasX and put them in my applesauce. I think it probably helped. I don't really know. I did walk lots and lots. I am outside of Houston so the weather is warm. I walked three big laps around the pool everytime I got up. I was good a passing gas. I shoulder didn't hurt until 6-7 days post op. I told my husband last night I read about your shoulder hurting and I thought I had passed that up. NOT. Girl be ready...it's coming. I haven't had any shoulder pain today. I am not offically addicted to sugar free popcycles. I love them. We went to laMadaline today and I had Soup. It was SOOOO good and I was stuffed like I had eaten Thanksgiving dinners at both sets of family on the same day. I didn't buy the tongs either. If I couldn't wiped my behind it didn't need wiping. When you are fat sometimes it's hard to reach your behind anyway. I did fine wiping thank you. I couldn't understand the bandages people said to buy either. I didn't buy them. I guess all doctors are different but mine put clear steri strips on my incisions and you could hardly tell they were covered. I had that thin fishing line string hanging everywhere from my sites but Dr. Davis cut those on Thursday. I am a big pain baby and honestly it wasn't too bad. Sore yes, pain no. I haven't figured out what "port pain" means. Anyone reading this that hasn't had surgery I would say do it. I am only a week out and I KNOW without a doubt it was the right decision. I have great insurance BCBS and Atena but they EXCLUDE any weight loss surgery. Of course your employer who buys the insurance plan makes that decision for your policy. Not the insurance company itself. Sorry I rattled on and on.

I am one week post op and never really had pain. I was sore but not painful at all. I rested alot and did pretty much nothing but walk. I took crushed chewable Gas X did it help, I don't know. I passed alot of gas I know that much. I expected the worse from surgery but got the best and I am wimp. In my case it really wasn't bad. First couple of hours it hurt then just sore. If you buy the liquid Tylonol don't take it out of the box. I did. Never used it so now I have a big container of it. I went back to work today too. I was a little tired and my back got sore from sitting at my desk. Life with the band...so far priceless..even with self pay.:wink:

Ok teachers I am the school secretary that takes care of all of you. I had my surgery Friday 1/4 and I am going back to work tomorrow Friday 1/11, only because my principal is going nuts without me. If she wasn't my best friends I would wait until Monday to go back. Saw my Dr. today and everything is good. Scheduled my first fill for Feb 11. Dr. Davis is the BOMB.

I am six days post band and I agree with everyone who posted. I felt guilty I was taking money we could use for the entire family and using it for myself. My husband said forget that...that is what we worked for and if it makes you life better DO IT!!. I did and I don't feel guilty anymore. One fear down. I felt what if I die on the operating table. Dr. Garth Davis and his nurse and the people at the hospital said I would be fine.l My family felt assured I would be fine and I was. I cried when they put my IV in. I was scared. Girl that gaved me a shot and honestly five second later I was sleeping GOOD. I was sore but never have really hurt yet, except for a couple of hours after surgery, just sore. I am no wonder woman, I am really a baby when it comes to pain but I didn't even have the use the liquid Tylonol I bought let alone the liquid Vicodin. I have been passing gas like crazy but that's ok I just do as many as I can and as big as I can. I kept waititng on the infamous shoulder pain. It came on day five. Ouch. Every now and then I would just go Ouch or ow ow ow. I had it about five times. None today - day six. I am weak today - not getting enough Protein I think and maybe my blood pressure med needs to be adjusted. I hope my Dr. tells me I can have mushy tonight. I am planning on going back to work tomorrow. It will be one week post surgery. Big Medicine stared last night on Discovery and I can tell you I am so blessed Dr. Garth Davis did my surgery. I see him today at 4:30 and will let ya'll know what he says about me six days out. I need him to pat me on the back for my confidence. My husband tells me how proud he is of me for taking this step. It is a life change and most everyone that has posted gave it deep thought. Honestly the decision would have seen somewhat easier if my insurances had covered it. Both have exclusions for weight loss surgery (but we will be glad to cover your heart attack or stroke). Total BS but that's another story. Get your surgery and just worry a little. Rest after surgery.

Bert, I am with you sister. Hang in there. I go back to the Dr. tomorrow one week post op. Hell, I am hungry too sometimes. A real meal can't come soon enough. Even good mushies can't.

Is there a support group for patients from University General in Houston. Dr. Davis did my surgery on Friday 1/4/07.

I had to do cash pay since my insurance excludes any weight loss surgery. I had all the medical needs to qualify. Dr. Garth Davis wouldn't consider by pass and was 100% in agreement with the lapband. So now I have been banded for four days. I see him in two days. My husband and I trusted my life with him and we were very comfortable. Surgery was at UGH.

Calanne I would love to meet with you sometime and pick your band brain since you were banded 20 months ago. Pearland only takes a little bit to get there. My best friend lives there. I go 518 or 45 to Dixie Farm Rd or Beltway to the exit by the golf course. Depends on where I am going. We will have to plan once I get settles and can eat "food". Phyllis

My dvr is set and ready to go with the new season. I go in Thursday at 4:30 to see Garth for my one week check. That should be interesting, I have no idea what we will do then. I wish they showed some of the personilities in the office. I hung around about an hour waiting on paperwork in the back and got to see comings and goings. Marge - the happy one working on your insurance - helping in any way she can. Upbeat. Just what his office needs. Joan - work, work, work. I think probably the glue that holds the office together. You should see her desk. One little space to work and the rest PILED high with paperwork. Melissa - his nurse. Cute as a button and happy to help you. Just what his office needs. She is nice just plain nice. The two girls up front don't act like they enjoy their job. Don't really know why. You know make faces after other people they work with walk off. Another lady doesn't seem happy with her job either. The lady that weighs you and gets you ready for the Dr. was nice enough. Just a different office. I know I want all the people in my office to get along and work together - not apart. We work hard to achieve that goal. Loved meeting with Dr. Davis and he did a fine job on my lapband. I couldn't or wouldn't have gone to anyone else after attending his seminars. Does anyone have experience with him and his fills? Does he actually do them or some of the women? Will let you know how the office visit went on Thursday.

I am feeling pretty good. I just went to Barnes and Noble (Tuesday after Friday surgery) and I am tired now. I also put a load of laundry in this morning. I am taking it easy now. Today would have been to early for me to go back to work. I think Friday will be ok. I look forward to hearing what Dr. Davis has to say on Thursday. I just want to hear - you are doing well, your incisions look good and your port is in the right place. I can't feel my port so I guess I just want reassurance from him. I have BCBS and Atena and both excluded the lap band or any other weight loss surgery. We had to self pay too. It was a sacrifice for our family but my husband was 100% behind it. I am blessed.

Vinnie I agree with Bandme. I had my surgery at UGH too but I didn't stay overnight. The key really is walking. It will dispel the gas and you won't be as sore. I am five days out and not too sore at all. I didn't really have pain except for right after the surgery I was just sore. I crush the chewable GasX and take two of them a day but I haven't had to take anything at all for pain. I have a big full bottle of liquid vicadin I didn't need. My biggest fear was I wouldn't wake up after surgery and I told everyone that I came in contact with at the hospital. They assured me I would be fine and that was so, so common. Anyway good luck with my experience it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I am looking forward to hearing what the dr. says on Thursday. Hope everything underneath the skin is ok. Take care and good luck to all.

Gingerbug, I am from League City too and had my surgery on the 4th by Dr. Garth Davis. Who did yours? Are you still on clear liquids and shakes? I am looking forward to the mushy stage. I was 237 but haven't weighed since the surgery. I go in to see the Dr. on Thursday.

I have touched my incisions and don't feel the port. Are you supposed to be able to feel it this soon? I hope it's there and hasn't gone anywhere.

Dr. Davis did my surgery 1/5, I go for visit on Thursday. On Friday I think I will go back to work. My surgery was at University General and I was self pay. I have been pleased with everything so far. How about you?

It went good but I am still a little sore Monday 1/7. I am walking so the gas isn't too bad just sore. I am confused about one thing are you supposed to be able to feel your port? The liquid diet is getting old. I go back to see Dr. Davis on Thursday.

Dr. Davis did a great job. I was home by 6:30 and haven't had any problems. I have been sore by no pain -pain since I got home. I have walked around the pool several times and mopped the kitchen floor. My husband has done everything. Fixing my broth, getting my drinks, everything. If you live in Houston I would highly recommend Dr. Garth Davis and University General Hospital - they took such good care of me. I have had bowel movements and it is sore wiping. Reaching back. That might be gross but that's the worst part so far. I keep trying to keep the three dogs off my lab, that a struggle too. Everyone wants to sit by mom. I am happy I made the decision and followed through with it and I am blessed to have a husband who is so supportive. Our insurance excludes bareactic sugery so we were cash pay. I couldn't have done it without his support.

Now I have to figure out how to do the ticker..he he...Hope I lose a pound or two. I only had to do four days of liquid diet. I blended frozen fruit and put in my "shakes" as they call them. Meal Replacements. I hated that part. I know if I did ok after surgery you will. I had 54 myself and was 235 the day before surgery. Keep in touch.

Dr. Garth Davis did my surgery on 1/4/07 and he was wonderful. If you live close to houston I would recommend him. I am sore n1/6/07 but otherwise doing ok.

Garth did my surgery friday, Jan. 4, 2007 at University General in Houston. They were all wonderful. I would highly recommend him to anyone. I go this coming week for a follow up. Did he do you surgery?

Dr. Garth Davis is doing my lap band on Friday 1/5. Is there anyone out there who had him to their band? If so will youo share your experience. I am really having jitters about the surgery.