michellemo

I posted a few weeks back because I couldn't keep anything down. This has been progressive and it been going on for over 6 months. I went to the surgeons office three times with issues and all the Fluid taken out. The last visit in July I requested the appointment to be with the doctore (Atkinson) and still, when I went for the appointment I was seen by the PA. The PA said she would talk to doctor about the band slipping and check with my insurance to re-position or remove the band. I didn't hear back for a few weeks. I called the office and they said that because my insurance was now Aetna, not Blue Cross, Dr. Atkinson would not perform the surgery, even out of network. As you can imagine this was very frustrating. As the months went on, my symptoms kept getting worse. I dedided to start calling other bariatric surgeons in the area and no one would take me as a patient since they didn't perform the surgery. Long story, but I finally went to my regular doctor because I couldn't hold liquid or food down for several days. She contacted a bariatric surgeon and he told her to get me an upper GI. I still wasn't sure if he was going to take me as a patient. Anyway, I got a call from the surgeon's coordinator and she couldn't believe my upper GI. It was the worse slip they had ever seen. She explained that the doctor usually take other doctors patients, but my condition was very severe. My entire stomach has slipped through the band. The band is now located between my stomach and intestines. This can be a life threatning situation. So I was told not to throw up any more until I coudl see the doctor. My appointment is Tuesday and my surgery will be scheduled. Sorry for such a long post but this has been such a bad experience for me and needed to vent. I have a few friends that have the band and it works great for them. But for me, the band has to be removed and can't be replace. I have learned alot with this band and hope to continue my weight loss with other means. If anyone has had this type of band slippage I would love to hear from you as I don't know what to expect with the surgery.

I had an upper GI. But if your band is slipping, sometimes the upper GI can show normal. My band has been slipping back and forth for months. It just so happens that the day I had the upper GI, the band was at the bottom of my stomach. But like I said it had been moving up and down. I guess sometimes the band can correct itself and your stomach can slid back below the band. The doc said sometimes a fill, then an unfill will fix the problem. My doctor also recommended I do not get another band as once you have a slip, it is likely to have another. Being in the US with such terrible health care, I can't afford it. Hope this helps. I have many friends who the band has worked for, just not me. Don't risk more health issues and a terrible way of life just because it's not working for you. Only you know the answer to that question. Have a great day.

My band was installed in March 2008. I have been having problems for over 6 months now. All the fluid was removed a few months back. For the past 5 days I can't hold anything down, even orange juice or slimfast drink. When I throw up, I throw up hard. I mean heaving. Sometime I can feel it coming back up through the band. Do I have a slip? The doctor who did my surgery said he won't remove it because my new insurance. Now I am in need of help, my financial situation is very bad. Do you think I could just go to a regular surgeon? I mean they do all kinds of sugery, I could find someone "in-network". Let me know what you think as I am really not feeling well and can't go on throwing up at every bite.

Hi Carol. Congrats on getting the surgery date. I was in the hospital overnight and left by 9am the next day. But you may go home the same day as the surgery. Since your insurance is paying 5k, it would probably be cheaper for you not to stay. I would call SWCC and double check. Keep me posted. My first fill is in a week. Will be glad to get some restriction again as I can just about eat anything and have stopped losing. My email is momoline@cox.net. Feel free to contact me directly.....let me know how you are doing and I will help in anyway I can. Michelle "MO"

This has been a bad week for me. In January I was table dancing and stepped on the leaf of the dining table I was dancing on, fell right through it(well not table dancing, more like using an old dining table in the garage as a ladder:blushing:) Landed on my left foot/ankle and went to emergency, bad sprain and was sent home with crutches. Went and saw a specialist back in January and he saw me for all of 3 minutes, put me in a velcro boot thingy and sent me on my way....Well it's been 3 months and I still can't put much weight on that foot. So I went and saw another specialist. She was very thorough and had me get an MRI. The MRI showed a split tendon and some ligament tears. Bottom line is I have to surgery to repair the tendon. Sure would have been nice to know 3 MONTHS AGO...The surgery is on April 17th and then I will have 6 weeks in a cast. No weight on the ankle either. The reason I waited so long to see another doctor was I thought my huge butt :lol:was causing the foot problem. I weighed 352 and am 5' 9". I was banded on March 10th and have noticed I can start eating more and more, so I want a fill...ASAP. The good news is I lost 27 pounds, but the bad news is I am starting to gain it back....So I called to get a fill and they earliest I can get in is April 25th. That is really sending me over the edge. I don't want to wait almost 3 weeks to get a fill.....:thumbup: I am afraid I will gain more weight. Especially since I can't walk or exercise for a long time. Anyway, sorry for the long rant. I am just really frustrated with all this. I was hoping to start exercising and losing more weight. And I AM HUNGRY. Thanks for listening.

Well I am only 3.5 weeks out and I can pretty much eat anything. I have been eating salads for almost a week. Lettuce, tomatoes, beats, green onions, croutons, cheese and even a bit of bacon sometimes. I chopped the salad really good and then have at it. Small bites. I would hate not to be able salads. I have also had asparagus with no problems. I think chewing is the key. I do get hungry and don't fill up too easy, so Monday I will calling to get a fill. Good news is I have lost 27 pounds since my surgery date of March 10th, but I gained one pound back. I think I am eating too much. Or could it have been that ice cream....hmmmm:redface:

Today was my 2 week anniversary. Decided I would temp fate and have a little chicken (been hungry). Well, did I learn a lesson. Pureed stuff and liquids have been going down without a fight, but tonight was a dinner with some out of town relatives and decided I would join in. I was at the table chewing on some chicken when all of sudden felt like my chest was gonna explode and thought for sure I was gonna throw up all over the table. Everyone could see it on my face. Had to sit there for a minute then walked into the kitchen hovering over the sink. :biggrin: Thankfully I did not throw up, but learned a lesson. DO WHAT THE DOCTOR TELLS YOU. Only one more week and I can start with solids, but I will wait longer for chicken......

Saw the doctor yesterday and he said it was okay to go to solids, but to be sure and cut things up really small before chew chew chew. I think I was taking too big of a bite. We'll see how it goes....but excited I can go to solids...Yay!!!!

Hi, I had my surgery with Dr. Soong and Dr. Atkinsons. IT WAS GREAT. They are both very knowledgable and pleasant. My surgery was only 2 weeks ago and I feel wonderful. Had very little pain and they both came highly recommended. You should check out there website. Gastric Band Institute - Las Vegas

Seems like lots of debate on what to eat/drink, how much and how soon. Every doctor has a different plan and every person has a different need. I was banded 10 days ago and can basically have any thick liquid, but I go to solids March 31st. I seemed to be really hungry today at dinner, so I mushed up a few ravoli's and sauce, got full quick and figure I had about 200 calories for dinner. Before the band, 200 calories may have covered the drink portion of dinner. So my two cents, eat what makes you satisfied. Remember, if you don't, we usually eat something much worse. My next doctor appt isn't until April 21st, but the doctor said if once I started solids and if I wasn't getting full, to come in for a fill. Not to wait until the next appt. Michelle 350/330/175

Seems like lots of debate on what to eat/drink, how much and how soon. Every doctor has a different plan and every person has a different need. I was banded 10 days ago and can basically have any thick liquid, but I go to solids March 31st. I seemed to be really hungry today at dinner, so I mushed up a few ravoli's and sauce, got full quick and figure I had about 200 calories for dinner. Before the band, 200 calories may have covered the drink portion of dinner. So my two cents, eat what makes you satisfied. Remember, if you don't, we usually eat something much worse. My next doctor appt isn't until April 21st, but the doctor said if once I started solids and if I wasn't getting full, to come in for a fill. Not to wait until the next appt. Michelle 350/330/175

I think PB means "productive burp".

Hi All, Newbie here. Had my lapband put in on Monday, March 10th and recovering very well. Not too much pain, but still have that dang gas bubble. It likes to move around, now if I can only get it to move out.... Lost 11 pounds this week, which I think is too much. Not sure if am eating (drinking) enough. See the doctor on Monday and I guess I will find out. Michelle Surgery was done at Desert Springs Hospital, Vegas by Dr. Darren Soong. Love him.