bbw1924

Anyone know of a band doctor that accepts medicaid?? I've finally made the decision to have the surgery now it seems that all the doctors Ive researched won't take it any more. Talk about a bummer. Any info would be appreciated.

Hey everyone. I've been disappointed with my band experience and I was hoping I could get a little advice from you guys. I was banned on 9/13/06 and I haven't lost much weight. I lost a few pounds immediately post op but it didn't take long for me to fall back into my old terrible eating habits. I've only had one fill thus far and though I have a little restriction, I can still get down a pretty good amount of food. This whole procedure has made me realize that I have a serious food addiction. Iv'e been overweight and had issues with food for over 15 years but now I see the light on this addiction like never before. On my worse days, I actually force food down to the point of serious discomfort. I haven't been to the doctor or any support meeting in over 4 months because I'm embarrased about my weight. I started out at 380 and though I haven't weighed myself in a while, I know I'm still well over 350 lbs. All my friends and family know I got the surgery and they all wonder why I'm not dropping pounds like others who have had wls. This all has me very depressed and as a result I turn to food even more to comfort me. I'm scared to get another fill because I fear I will continue to try to overeat and end up seriously hurting myself. Restriction in my stomach doesn't really make me feel "full", the food just feels "stuck" and I find my self just waiting until the food "goes down" some so I can eat some more. Isn't this isane? I haven't had any physical problems with the band except for a little sorenes in the port are every now and again. Yet still I am seriously considering getting the band removed. I never was thrilled about the idea of a foreign device in my body, and now I realize that the issue is with ME and my terrible habits, not the size of my stomach. Do you guys think another fill will help my situation? Or should I just focus on the REAL problems within me. I'm confused and utterly depressed. If it wasn't for the love for my children I would have given up on life a long time ago. Any insight would be helpful.

Anyone else going through Dr Bonomo at Mercy Hospital. He hasn't done many lap bands (just started in April). Mine is scheduled next week, I'm pretty nervous. Is anyone else going through the program at mercy?

Hello all, Ive had my band removed about a month ago. Its a long story....Ive posted about my band problems before, but I feel better now. I'm still a faithful lurker to the board. This is not to offend anyone, I just wanted to know if anybody can share any online support groups or boards for those who or morbidly obese, that are not related to surgery. If you try to do a search on weight loss support everything either points to surgery(aaah commercialism :Dancing_wub:) or groups of soccer moms who have 10-50lbs to loose(lucky bastards). I'm not anti-surgery (or soccer moms:biggrin2:), I would just like to see an online community of people who are like me, dealing with the struggle of having 100+ pounds to loose....naturally. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out Weight Watchers Ive been to Obesity Help.....didn't seem to dirty to me, but it did focus on surgery a lot. Wheetsin, I guess I would like a place where there is more emphasis on obesity support than just "diets". What is FAA? well, nevermind....(Off to Google:o)

Hey guys, Ive had the band over a year now and have lost very little weight. I recently had a fill and I can hardly keep anything down. (Warning: This is about to get gross) For the last two weeks Ive been throwing up everything I eat. Its so bad that I have to eat in private (with a bag nearby) because I spit up every few bites. I know that I'm probably to tight and need to get unfilled. The thing is Ive lost about 15 pounds since that fill and I feel GREAT about it. My experience with the band has been so depressing that I was ready to give up. This is the first time ive ever saw "results" with this thing and I don't want to loose that. I'm almost willing to put up with my gross eating habits to continue the weight loss. Am I crazy?? I know this is no different then having bulimia or some other eating disorder. Even though I feel no discomfort, I know throwing up at every meal can't be healthy. What should I do

Thanks for the replies. I believe I will call my doc for a slight unfil. I'm also switching to a diet of mostly liquids and soft foods, hopefully this will help.

Hey guys, Sorry if this is too long. Ive wrote before about my saga with my band, mostly on the "Removal" board because that is what I really wanted at one time. I had been having some discomfort at times but I don't think removal is absolutely neccessary. My frustration with the band came more from my failure in weightloss than any medical reason. I have listened to some of your replies and have decided to give this thing another shot(ThanKs to all those that helped). Hence my NEW problem: Finding a doctor that will take me as a patient. My original surgeon is Illiniois and it is getting inconvenient and expensive to keep traveling to see him. It seems like every doc in Ohio I've talk to either does not take patients they didnt operate on or do not take my insurance. When I finally did find a local doctor that took my insurance I was happy as allgetout. But my first visit was horrible and I really do not want to go back. I told them about my discomfort and the doctor said I should have an x-rAY. So sat in a room for about 2hours waiting to be x-rayed, so I thought, while different people (most likely med-students) came in asking me the same "bandster questionaire" over and over. Finally the real doctor comes in followed by the legion of assistants, students, or whoever they were, with a big needle in his hand telling me to lie back. He was attempting to give me a fill! The doctor had just seen me a couple of hours ago and said I needed a x-ray because he couldn't tell exactly where my port was. Plus I told him I didn't want a fill untill I knew what was causing the pain. When I alerted him to this, he actually yelled at me, "WHAT ARE U TALKING ABOUT I JUST PUT IT IN LAST WEEK!" He thought I was a totally different patient! If I had not said anything, he was attempting to stick and inject me with saline in a spot where I KNEW there was no port. And the medical assistants whom I had told my life story to repeatedly for the last hour where just as clueless about who I was. I felt I was in the twilight zone. They all scurried away and about 30 minutes later a nurse came back and told me that the x-rAY techs were gone for the day and I had to make an appointment next week to be x-rayed and we will go from there. So I sat there for 3HOURS for nothing. Needless to say I ran outta that place with no intention on coming back. So that leads me is my current situation, I want to be examined to see where my discomfort is coming from if possible. Also I would like another fill so I can continue in this journey and learn how to work with this band. Why does that seem so hard to get accomplished? I am on CareSource (an HMO through medicaid) I guess thats a big barrier because a lot of surgeons don't take it. And as a said before many of the offices I called were not enthusiastic about taking a patient operated on by another surgeon. So my options seem pretty limited. I was considering following up with the Dr. Strange (not his real name:)). But not only was the staff and the surgeon rude, but also incompetent. The wait was aggravating but the "mix up" was downright scary! Any suggestions would be appreciated. I live in dayton, oh but I would be willing to travel to Cinci, Columbus, or anywhere else inthe Ohio area to find a doc that will help me.

thanks, but u know thats the first place I checked. Doesn't take my insurance. I wish he did he seems very knowledgeable.

Hi, Theresa Im in dayton also. I'm new to the area. Please read my post on the Lap Band Support forum. I am assuming GSH is Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton? I have never been there, but unfortunately one of the doctors u mentioned is the doctor in my post. I saw him at another clinic and I'm not gonna name names because every one is entitled to a bad day, i guess. But as a local person in this field I would value any comment or advice u have to offer. Feel free to PM me. Thanks

Hey everyone, I posted a while back about some issues I am having with the band. I have decided that having it removed was the best thing for me. I havent told my doctor yet, but we have been discussing the discomfort I've been having. I am set to have an x-ray this week to try to figure out what is going on. Whether he finds something seriously wrong or not I am gonna ask him about removing it. I'm kinda worried about him trying to talk me out of it or refusing to do it. Im also concerned that my insurance will refuse to pay for it. Anybody else "volunteer" to give up their band or am I the only weirdo:) ? Ive been trying to find specific information about the removal process with little luck. I was hoping those who have had it could give me some insight. When researching the band everyone touts about it being easily reversible, is this true? Once removed does everything go back to pre-band state? Any permanent after-effects? Is the surgical procedure, hospital stay, and recovery time similar to having to having it put in? Im a big crybaby when it comes to pain so I kinda want to know exactly what to expect with any medical procedure. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for all the support.

Thanks for the replies. I am having some soreness in the port area. Especially when I try to lay down. Its nothing major, some days its a little irritating though. My reasons for wanting it removed have more to do with my personal issues than a physical problem. My doc didn't do the original surgery. He said that my port was put in an unusual place (near my ribs) and has offered to reposition it after we get the x-rays. But instead I would rather him just take it out. I was thinking the pain and the odd position of the band could be my "medical" excuse for having it removed.

Thank you all for your input. Its hard to talk to "regular" people about this, they have no idea about the struggles of an obese person and even less understanding when it comes to the band. Gayle you are right, carbs and sweets are demons in my life right now. I just made a move to a different state so I'm in the process of locating support groups and a new Dr. Any one else from ohio (dayton area)? Thanks so much for the support.

I guess it would depend on the type of work you do. If its office type of work and not a lot of standing, lifting, or moving, I think it would be ok. I'm only 3 days post op but I get around just fine. I was told no driving, lifting or any streneous activity for at least 5 days. The most important thing to remember is to rest so the body can heal. Even though I'm feeling ok, I don't think I can stand being at work for 8 hours a day right now. But everyone is different. I have a little more weight to deal with than you (about 150 pounds more) so my recovery may be a little longer. I plan to return to work after my 2 week checkup, but you may do fine after a week.

Well I'm at home. Overall I will say everything went well. According to the Dr, surgery went great. Recovery was kinda painful but it keeps getting better with every passing day. I'm really thankful for my blessings! I'm still a little (yeah right) sore but vicodin is a wonderful thing :0) I haven't had any appetitie. I just sip water, protein shakes, and gatorade here and there. Gas is my biggest enemy right now. But rolaids seem to help a lot. I'm just so happy to be on the other side. I go back for a checkup in 2wks and 2wks after that I have my first fill. Right its just an empty band, but I still don't feel any kind of hunger. I have my head hunger issues already. Everything smells so good. Ive been having dreams about my favorite foods. But the way I feel right now, I couldn't imagine putting any of it in my mouth. All in all I'm a happy camper. I know you will do great also.

My experience with them has been great. His nurse Florence is really nice. They were nice enough to schedule all my preops (except sleep study) in one day since I live 5 hours away ( St. Louis). As a result I was able to get a date pretty quick. I go in Weds. I'm kinda(very:nervous ) nervous. I was wondering if anyone else online has had him do their band. I think everything is gonna be ok, though. good luck to you.

thanks joy! I'll call today.