Caterpillarfly
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Everything posted by Caterpillarfly
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Lap Band Surgery Terminated Due To Scar Tissue
Caterpillarfly posted a topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hey everyone, A few weeks ago I went in to have my surgery, and when I woke up, the first words I heard were "Attempted Lap Band." My surgeon could not place my band because he encountered adhesions from a surgery I had when I was a baby. After reading my post-op report, I've learned that I've got scar tissue attaching my liver to my stomach, my stomach to my abdomen, and my intestines to just about everything. I was obviously surprised that the surgery failed, especially after I showed the surgeon my scar, let him feel my stomach, was told that the previous surgery shouldn't be an issue. (I'm sort of surprised there was never an ultrasound or further testing of my stomach before surgery) Speaking to my doctor, he told me that he'd never attempt the surgery again, that he couldn't insert the band through an open procedure, and that the best I could do was wait 2 years for a new procedure that is done down the throat. Now, I trust my doctor, but I find it hard to believe that no one with a Lap Band has scar tissue or adhesions. I'm looking into consulting with other doctors, and I was wondering if anyone here faced anything similar, or had a doctor with experience in that area. Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or alternatives? I appreciate any help I can get! Thank you, Jessica -
Our month is FINALLY here! I wanted to post a thread where our newly banded May Flowers and Shrinko de Mayos could check in and let us know how everything went. I hope that our May 1st surgeries went wonderfully! I can't wait to hear from you all!
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Hey there...thank you so much for checking in. I'm doing okay, but I'm still completely heartbroken. I'm looking into other doctors and alternatives, but nothing is looking too hopeful. Good luck to you!
Jessica
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Hey there...thank you so much for checking in. I'm doing okay, but I'm still completely heartbroken. I'm looking into other doctors and alternatives, but nothing is looking too hopeful. Good luck to you!
Jessica
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Hey there! I just wanted to drop in and wish you luck. I hope everything goes really well with your surgery. I haven't been on the board much at all lately, but I hope you'll keep in touch! My email address is heroicdiva@aol.com.
Take care,
Jessica
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Thank you all for your kind words and support...I am truly heartbroken right now. I spoke with the nurse today and she didn't sound very hopeful. I guess that the adhesions were attaching my liver to my stomach, as well as my liver to my abs, and there's a good chance the scar tissue would come back if I attempted to remove it. I'm still waiting to hear back from the doctor and I want to ask him if they could install the band through an open surgery, but I really don't believe that he'd want to do that. I wish you all the best of luck and all the success in the world, and I'm devastated that I won't get to take this journey with you. Take care May Flowers and Shrinko de Mayos, Jessica
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I guess I'll be the first to post bad news. I went in for my surgery this morning, and everything ran smoothly until I started to wake up. The first words I heard were "Attempted Lap Band" and I knew something went wrong. After the doctor made the first 2 incisions he discovered that I have tons of scar tissue on my stomach from a surgery I had when I was a baby, and they weren't able place the band. They basically said the only thing I can do at this point is have a surgery to remove all the scar tissue and adhesions, and then maybe the doctor would consider doing it again. The doctor himself didn't sound hopeful at all...he said my best bet would be waiting 2 or 3 years for a procedure they're working on where they go in down the esophogus. I couldn't be more devastated or hopeless right now...I thought this was the beginning.
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I'll let you know how everything goes!
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Is anyone else having a hard time staying in control of their diet with the pending surgery? I feel like I'm having the world's longest "last supper" ever! I think the mentality is that I'm going to finally get in control when I get banded, and I can just enjoy myself now, but there's WAY too much time between now and May and I know I can be awfully destructive in that time. Is anyone else going through this? Does anyone have any suggestions?
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It seems like there's a LOT of us having our surgery on May 13th, so I thought I'd start a thread for us. How is everyone doing so far? Are you doing a pre-op diet? I'm nervous and scared, but I've had some crappy things in my personal life remind me just how badly I need this surgery, and how much better my life is going to be once I have it. I want to be healthy of course, but for me this is about experiencing the life that I've been missing by looking and feeling this way. I'm just so grateful that I've been given the opportunity to do this at a relatively young age, so I can make up for all that lost time! My doctor has me on a pre-op: 3 high Protein, low carb shakes a day, and 2 high protein, low fat, low carb meals a day. The shakes haven't been a problem at all, and I've actually limited myself to 1 meal a day, but some carbs keep sneaking into them. Overall I feel healthier since I started the diet on Tuesday, but I know I need to be more strict in these last 11 days...the band certainly isn't going to do all the work for me post-op! I think I might actually just start doing all liquids...there's never a problem until the real food! Hope you all are doing well!
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Ok. It's officially here. May. Wow.
Caterpillarfly replied to tonyahebert's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I am so excited that May is finally here! I'm so happy for all of you guys...this is going to be a really special month for all of us! -
I know there are a few of you on here who are NASCAR fans...I am a big fan of racing and I also work in the sport. This weekend I was watching the NASCAR race from Talladega, and I had a thought that made me giggle. I'm not banded yet, but I now have a new name for my band...I like to refer to it as my "Restrictor Plate." I thought that might make some of you smile...
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I'm SO sorry to hear that...it just amazes me when you can have such a special relationship with a guy, and they'd trade all that for a better body.
I should specify, it's my best girlfriend who knows about the band...the guy knows I'm having an operation (I had to explain why I wasn't going to be at work, and why I'm suddenly broke) but I explained that I have cysts on my ovaries (which I do) and let him assume that's what the surgery is for.
I'm just hoping that in the time it takes me to lose some weight and feel better about myself, he'll be figuring out that she's not smart or classy. I know that someday I'll figure out whether or not I'm actually supposed to be with this guy, but I just want to know that I have a fair chance.
I'm always here if you need to talk, too! We definitely have a lot in common and it helps to know I'm not going through any of this alone!
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I totally understand not telling people...my mom, grandmother, aunt, and best friend are the only ones who know about the surgery. My father doesn't even know! He would only be mad about me spending the money, and think that I was being lazy and taking the "easy way out." Everyone who does know has been really supportive...they understand that I just want to begin a healthy and happy life, and that I can't do it on my own.
The last few days have been extremely hard for me...I just found out that this guy (my best friend) I've been falling for is dating someone. The thing that's killing me is that I know the girl, and she ISN'T very pretty, REALLY isn't smart, and is SO trashy...but she's got a nice body. It just hurts me that he and I have so much more in common, and have so much more fun together, but she's more attractive to him. I'm obviously doing this surgery for me, and not some guy, but I'm looking forward to the day when I'll have that great body, and the confidence that comes with it, so that I can at least take the chance and tell him how I feel...until then, it's just driving me crazy waiting for this new life to start!
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Hey! I am so excited...I can't wait to get started on the road to a better life! How are you doing?
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That is absolutely awesome! Thank you!
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Hey! Still nervous but definitely excited about the surgery...I just can't wait to get started on my journey.
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Your fear sounds a lot like my biggest fear...I'm just so afraid that I'm going to fail. The band is only a tool, and it's still up to me to change my habits. I get so excited looking at my ticker, but as it gets closer, I'm just so scared...I can't afford to fail. I'm just so grateful I have all of you here for support.
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Goals...inspiration...dream outfit...etc...
Caterpillarfly replied to pinkdots410's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Beautiful Brown, I LOVE that dress, and I agree, Jordin Sparks is a great figure to aspire to. This is my dream outfit...I don't have to be the same size as this model, but this wedding dress has been a dream of mine for a while. As a 25 year old woman who has never been in a serious relationship, I like to think that this surgery will lead to me eventually getting married someday. And when I do, I'll definitely be smiling more than this model. -
Scheduled for May? What Day?
Caterpillarfly replied to pinkdots410's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I just looked at my ticker and I can't believe how close this surgery is. I am so excited, and I'm so happy for all of you who are coming up in this next week! May 1- Monica, BandFan1, feelgoodagain, Jamie, Awomangodcanuse May 2- Christal May 5- Tracy, Sandy, KathrynRose May 6- Shawna, Jemo97, Cherj60 May 7- Makeupqueen, Mely, Ellen, Pix, JRFAN88, Brenda, Chelsea May 8- Mae May 9- Nicole, casscitymom May 13- Jessica, Molly, Bella, Michele, Crystal115, njudono May 14- Perky66, Cathy May 19- Lexy, Amy May 20- Coco May 21- Sarah, Pen, Ailie May 22- Helen, Krysten, Jaime, Lena, Di4AU, Natalee May 23- LaMonica, Michelle May 26- Shelly May 27- Kammi, Sydney, Tina May 28- Nora May 30- Three Sixty Six May 31- Tonya Let me know if I'm missing anyone! -
Scheduled for May? What Day?
Caterpillarfly replied to pinkdots410's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thanks for keeping up the list, Bizzy! Here's a few more...are we missing anyone else? May 1- Monica, BandFan1, feelgoodagain May 2- Christal May 5- Tracy, Sandy, KathrynRose May 6- Shawna, Jemo97, Cherj60 May 7- Makeupqueen, Mely, Ellen, Pix, JRFAN88 May 8- Mae May 9- Nicole May 13- Jessica, Molly, Brenda, Bella, Michele, Crystal115 May 14- Perky66, Cathy May 19- Lexy, Amy May 20- Coco May 21- Sarah, Pen, Ailie May 22- Helen, Krysten, Jaime, Lena, Di4AU May 26- Shelly May 27- Kammi, Sydney, Tina May 28- Nora May 30- Three Sixty Six May 31- Tonya Bandfan, I totally understand your concern, and I'm scared about the exact same thing. I just try to believe in my heart that this is the change that's going to change my life...I have to believe that this is going to work. -
I am suddenly absolutely terrified. For the last month I have been so excited about this surgery, and so ready to get it done and begin my new life. Suddenly, now that it's just a month away, I am SO scared. The reason I'm overweight to begin with is because of ME. I have the help of PCOS and Insulin Resistance, but the primary reason for my weight is my bad habits, bad choices, and emotional eating. I know that the band is a TOOL and not a magic wand, and I'm so ready to make the right choices and change my life, but I've made these changes before and I've failed. I'm just so afraid that I'm going to fail. On top of that, I'm a self-pay, and as we all know, this is a LOT of money. It is money that is totally worth investing in my life, and I have no problem with financing my life away if it means health and happiness. But I also know how much I'll regret spending the money if I fail, and my job feels like it is on rocky ground right now. I guess I also got a little shaken up by watching 20/20 last night where they talked about the horrible effects of Lipo Dissolve and all those places going out of business. I know this is NOTHING like that, but I ALSO went and got a consultation for that because it sounded like a good idea and I actually put serious thought into it. I realize how ridiculous and dangerous that procedure is now, but it makes me question my judgement and desperation to lose weight. I know that my surgeon is well respected and has a lot of experience, but it makes me nervous that I find very little information about True Results Weight Loss, which is the "brand name" of the company facilitating the surgery. I've put so much thought into this so it isn't like I'm jumping into it, I'm just second guessing everything now that it's getting closer. I know that I could cancel it if I wanted to, but every person I've talked to has said their only regret is that they didn't do it sooner. I don't want to put off making this wonderful change...I'm just so scared! It becomes so big and intimidating the closer it gets. Does anyone else feel this way?
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Scheduled for May? What Day?
Caterpillarfly replied to pinkdots410's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Wow, a bunch of you are coming up soon! So exciting! May 1- Monica, BandFan1 May 2- Christal May 5- Tracy, Sandy May 6- Shawna, Jemo97, Cherj60 May 7- Makeupqueen, Mely, Ellen, Pix May 8- Mae May 9- Nicole May 13- Jessica, Molly, Brenda, Bella, Michele May 19- Lexy, Amy May 20- Coco May 21- Sarah, Pen May 22- Helen, Krysten, Jaime, Lena May 26- Shelly May 27- Kammi, Sydney May 28- Nora May 30- Three Sixty Six May 31- Tonya -
It makes me feel so much less alone knowing that everyone is feeling the same thoughts. I love that someone mentioned that it's like getting married...you know its a good thing, but you just start getting cold feet! Angel, I'm so excited that we've got the same surgery date and that you're so closeby. I don't have a lot of people in my life who know about the surgery, so it comforts me to know there's someone else who will be healing with me! The support of this board means so much to me...it's such a unique circumstance we're all going through, it's great to have people to lean on.
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That's great that we're the same day! I believe my surgery is being done at the hospital in Perimeter.