NewSho

:confused: Wow? And you had a Lower Body Lift? I always think if I'd have had one (didn't really qualify but it was a great thought) that I'd be much, much smaller. Amazingly, I only lost about 51#-53# (depending on the day and my cycle) but I lost more than 4 clothes sizes - I went from a 22/24 Tall about down to a solid 16W or so. But I had tons of ab flab to get rid of, so I didn't look great in any size. Then I had the Tummy Tuck 13 wks ago (didn't really lose any weight) and managed to go down a size. Now I normally wear a regular size 14/16 (not a womens size 16W anymore) or a 14W. That is a huge improvement, and I'm grateful. But there are still stores I long to shop in that I can just start to squeeze into now (Bebe Sport, BCBG ) and tons of places I can't find clothes from (like the dressier Bebe). Plus there are still brands that I can't wear - the upscale designer jeans from Seven From All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Chip and Pepper - etc... They only go up to size 9 or 10 (Grrrr... ) Hopefully after some weight loss, a Boob Lift and Lipo (basically, I'll be like "The Six Million Dollar" woman by the time I finish reconstructive surgery) I'll get closer! Happy Band Journeys to All

OK. So I finally got the results of my Upper GI from my (potentially) new LapBand surgeon. (As some of you may remember, my LapBand surgeon of 5 years has 'fired' me saying that despite my protests, he will perform no further fills on me. Ever. Why?...Because my fill level is approximately 2.8 in a 4cc band. Now he's always been conservative and he's very very stingy with fills - which is why I call him "Dr. No" but him refusing to fill me when I know I need more restriction has been an absolute death warrant for my weight loss. I'm struggling to fight to lose the same 3 pounds over and over and this has gone on for months. Oh, "Dr. No" also went on to say that the band has done all it will ever do and that I've probably lost as much weight as I'll ever lose with the band. Um, problem is, I'm STILL fat! Technically by BMI standards I'm still obese at a BMI of 30 but Dr. No says "Oh you look great." This has been a real issue lately, as we don't agree on that at all. Now keep in mind, I'm hungry more lately and I've absolutely stopped losing weight for eons...so this is a real problem and in the Battle of The Bands, of course, my surgeon won. He refused to fill me further and sent me a certified letter to that effect. Meanwhile I've been struggling to keep from gaining any weight, and trying desperately to lose a few pounds. Nothing has worked.) But for months, I've been begging for more restriction as I really was fighting major hunger pains. Serious ones, not just head hunger - which is difficult enough to deal with even with good restriction. Anyway, after months of desperation about thinking either I was the world's biggest LapBand failure (I've been banded 5 frustrating years) or that my band was either eroded, slipped or in some other type of jeopardy - I finally started looking to find other bariatric surgeons. I figured if the band was screwed up and if my original surgeon wouldn't help me, I'd just get revised to the RnY. I've really been through enough in 5 years of banding, so if I need an RnY bypass, I'd get one somehow. So I picked an experienced bariatric surgeon who had been doing RnY bypass and is just recently beginning to get more Lap Band experience. In fact, in his study of LapBanding, he actually worked under my original surgeon who is considered a veteran in the field. Well guess what. The Upper GI/radiology tests came back and my (if he'll really take me on) new surgeon pronounced that my band is fine. His quote: "It's perfect. It's absolutely textbook." Huh? Me? The world's biggest LapBand failure (BMI of 30 and still holding, dang it) has a 'perfect' band? No (evidence of) erosion, slippage, or other types of band problems? Well, so then the question is - why don't I feel enough restriction? Good question. Many surgeons find that the longer a patient has been banded, the more restriction they sometimes need. OK, fair enough, it's been 5 years for me. Then, the new surgeon checked out my current level of fill - turns out, I had not 2.8, not enough even 1.8 - but approximately 1.75 in my band. (I hadn't actually been filled since late summer/early fall but I was at 2.9 late last year and had been told I had at least 2.8 back in late January while I went in for flouro. ) So the mystery is: What happened to my 2.8 or 2.9 fill level that I still supposedly had? When I went in for my fill in January with Dr.No - when he decided not to fill me - did he not accurately check my fill level? (Unlikely - he is absolutely on point on this things, usually) OK, then did he slightly unfill me without saying anything? (Hmmm, he's been definitely on a tear lately about not liking patients to have a higher amount of fill, but 2.8 is not that much for someone banded for 5 years) Would he just take a little bit back out? Or did my band simply 'sweat out' more than 1.0 cc of fill in less than 3 months? We know that bands do lose fill level sometimes. Excessive exercise (errr, not very frequent, but I have been known to exert myself now and then), dehydration and simple osmosis sometimes makes the amount of fill decrease over time. The new surgeon checked again, found that I really did have only 1.75 and since my test results looked good, decided to give me a tiny fill to get me back to 2.0 Then, he'll see how I do with that and then in 2+ weeks or so, he'll nudge me back up to 2.5 or so. That's a bigger jump but it's still less restriction than I thought I was walking around with. Then he wants another series of tests to make sure all is well. My concern is whether I have some sort of slow leak or something like that. (*sigh*) Few years back, I had a leak in my tubing and NONE of my fill would stay in, so I'm on guard to see if anything like that happens again. I've had the unfilled band and it absolutely does NOT work for me long term. I need restriction, or else I will gain. So let's see how this will go. I hope everything's OK. I'd like to get back to a real fill level again or else I'll never win the Battle of the Bulge. Wish me luck. Happy Band Journeys To All...

I put this here, as it didn't belong on an insurance-related thread. Hopefully it sheds some light on my viewpoint. OK posting 5 days later seems untimely to you, I just saw it. You did say the same thing on this post and I replied in detail. Don't know what else you'd want. I'm not angry (frustrated, yes but anger is a wasted emotion here) but I'm decidedly cautious. And if I've come off as defensive - walk a mile in my stilettos and you might be too. I've got enough on my plate without having 'outed' a surgeon about my experiences. Don't assume because someone's LapBand path has been rocky that it's not believable. I'm merely telling my own story and keeping other peoples' names out of it. Jeez, short of posting my Upper GI and X-ray's (which others have done I think) I can't think of how more open I can be here? Only the names of the innocent and the medically powerful have been omitted. I can't even post my test results until I black out all the personal details on them - including the name of the surgeons who ordered the tests. Yep, that's true. I realize it's a tough one to digest, but it's absolutely true. Unfortunately, I really was banded when I said I was: 5 years ago. I never used to post my original banding date mainly because I'm an admitted Remedial Bandster. Plus I honestly thought it was kind of irrelevant - in my mind, it didn't make me anymore knowledgeable since I didn't have what I thought were stellar results. Others have different opinions on this - and apparently some people value veteran bandsters' opinions no matter what their experiences are. I hear that now. But let's go back a bit. After being an active band forum participant after my original banding 5 years ago - illness and complications made me unable and later unwilling to participate in Bandster online and offline support avenues. When I returned to online forums after being re-banded, I didn't want to deal with explanations. I didn't want to have to wear the banner of the World's Least Successful LapBander. I didn't deserve that title, but man, as soon as you say you've been banded that long, here come the questions about all the complications, and lack of success. It is hard to believe I wasn't up to it? So admittedly, I just came in only mentioning my second Banding date. I did it with good reason. If you don't accept them - or believe them, then that's your option. The mistake I made was thinking I had nothing to offer. I was wrong. Just because you don't think I have credibility because I don't name my surgeon, then fine. I now have an implanted medical device that will always require surgeons or doctors to work with it. For the rest of my life. The stakes are really high, I'm in a tight spot and I felt like I had to keep some parts of this quiet. Maybe when I've gotten to a better situation with my LapBand then I'll be in a position to name names. But not now! I can be very defensive about the implication that I haven't been successful due to a lack of effort or dedicated on my part. Additionally, NOBODY deserves to feel like they are someone's biggest failure as a surgeon. So It's really quite a relief to not have that pressure anymore. It wasn't my decision but if he's that vexed by having his 'failure' around - why should I name him? Things have changed since then. He's no longer my surgeon, so I'm no longer have to be his biggest failure. The day I was no longer his patient was the day I came out of the Bandster Complication Closet. But I can't say those things if I say who the surgeon is - I'm just not at liberty to say. But if I ever finish redacting the copies of my medical records, they make for fascinating reading.I hope to get them online on a separate website once I do the long process of editing doctors' names out. People can question me, and they do. I came here, I say things everyone doesn't agree with, and that's that. So I have to expect flack. But you'd probably not appreciate having to hear an endless stream of "but you've been banded 5 years and you're still fat" or "I've been banded 6 months and I've lost more than you have in 5 years" comments. Yes, I've "outed' myself but what's the point of just letting myself be raked over the coals repeatedly because I've been banded so long with little success? It happens more than you think, I'm just more open (yes, open) about it then others who have also struggled. But seeing what I've faced makes me understand why so many struggling Bandsters stay in the Band Closet. Oh, there are a lot of things in life that I don't think are fair - and you questioning my credibility (???) is one of them. But hey, I put it out there by choice, you choose not to believe it, I can't help you. But honey, it's absolutely positively more true than you'll ever know. As always, Happy Band Journeys to all..:clap2:

Anwyn- Wow, what a whirlwind you had. But you're back and banded and on the path of recovery it sounds like. All I can say is ((( HUGS ))) and PLEASE let us know how your healing is going. Happy Band and Non Band journeys to all...

Laaron - HUGS to you and keep us posted on what the tests say. We're here!

Babs: Exactly1 See, I wondered about this too. As you may remember, I had a TT about 13 wks ago and my access port was moved, of course. I didn't choose to get an unfill before the TT (some patients I know did, some didn't and they both seemed to do fine but it took the unfilled ones longer to get back to their restriction level and I couldn't chance it). However the PS (Dr. Big Needle ) I picked is both LapBand-knowledgeable and a colleague of my original surgeon, Dr. No. In fact, Dr No got to poke his head in during my surgery (long story) and Dr Big Needle was kind enough to let Dr No sort of determine to what location the port was moved. But just after surgery I felt more restricted and had less appetite. Now, this could have just been a normal post-op swelling thing but unfortunately the restriction went away. But I did wonder about this very thing. Yep, it's like you're reading my diary. Exactly where I am - after 5 years I hate that it came to that, but as I posted before - once we started disagreeing about my fill and restriction level - my original surgeon dropped me like First Period Calculus class. This last time, in January, I went in for the fill under flouro. That's when Dr No refused to give me a fill (though I'd been complaining of lack of restriction) and he tested it then, under flouro, and proclaimed me to have just about 2.8 or so. Yes, Babs, and what's so sad is that I've been walking around thinking that this so-called 2.8 fill wasn't enough restriction and that if I couldn't ever get any more fill that it was time to look at other surgeries or procedures. I can't call him a DUMBO (although you are more than welcome to, believe me) but for sure, he RATIONS fills. Up until this fall, however, I'd been getting them only when I needed it - and it was working. But I couldn't convince him to give me one for more than 6 months and since then I've been struggling hard to keep weight off. Right. I think his office fill back to 2.0 was a good start but I agree that I should get back ASAP and see if I can at least get back to 2.5 From your lips, Babs...my fingers are crossed. I'm trying to stay positive and not drag all my emotional LapBand baggage over to my new surgeon - I deserve a fresh start ! FYI: Dr. Adam Smith in Fort Worth is also banded and he is a lapband surgeon as well! THANK YOU - you are so right! Dang it - THAT'S the name I couldn't remember. I mentally ran down every surgeon's name in the Metroplex, but couldn't remember Dr. Smith...in fact, I think he's the one whose wife is banded also: they are a banded couple, right? My friend who went to TCU went to him, I'm almost positive. He's near the school, I think. We should really compile a comprehensive list of banded surgeons one day - I think it's valuable. So far having a teensy bit more fill is going OK but I really need to get back to my 'normal' fill level. Fingers crossed!

Wow, beautifully put Rachele! Happy Band (and non-Band) Journeys to All...

Yep, it's curious. I'm wondering what's up myself - I went from a supposed 2.8+ fill (where I feel literally, very little restriction compared to what I had before) that was measured in mid-to-late January to finding out last week that I have less than 1.75 or so now! Losing more than 1cc in less than 6 wks seems VERY curious. I don't know if it's a leak, osmosis or the common "sweating out" scenario - but there you go. Happy Band Journeys to All...

Woo Hoo!:clap2: Way to go, girl. My TT was the best thing I've done since getting approved for Weight Loss Surgery. It's been over 13 wks now and I starting seeing a post-op improvement each week, so I know you're gonna recover great. Later the plan is for me to get "The Twins" lifted and lipo done (hopefully in one fell swoop) so I can also get a new silhouette like you have. Hooray for you! Happy Band Journeys To All...

It's been 5 years for me, and I'm still trying to get my BMI below 30 (which is technically still "obese" by most chart standards.) Yes, I've gotten nutritional consulting and given much thought to what I eat. So I still have weight to lose, and yes I still try to work and be a "good band citizen." After 5 years of banding and struggling to get to this weight, it simply terrifies me to think of unbanding without a revision to another surgery. So let us not assume it just naturally gets easier over time. Happy Band Journeys to all...

People who gain and lose weight (whether or not they do it through Weight Loss Surgery or not) often suffer elasticity of skin. Younger skin can have some increased elasticity but if it's stretched enough, excess skin can be the result. With RnY bypass patients,often the sudden speed at which they gain/lose can be more detrimental to the skin's ability to adapt, but it can be seen with LapBand patients also (though we generally lose at a slower pace) over time. A lot of it has to do with your individual situation, skin condition and your personal tolerance for excess saggy skin. Especially on other weight loss forums, you will encounter those who say "Oh I lost 213 pounds with my bypass but I wouldn't even consider cosmetic surgery - the hanging skin doesn't bother me." OK, fine. Personally I was sick and tired of the excess skin and flab around my abdomen. I've never been pregnant so these weren't proud battle scars I had - this was from being overweight and being sick, and I wanted it off. Exercise and diet helped me get fat off, but even after all my work, I was still stuck with the excess skin & stretch marks. YUCK! As a single girl who still goes out - I knew the kind of clothes I wanted to look good in (camisoles and shorter tops, lower rise jeans, skirts, etc ) weren't going to hide my tummy flab. So I had an abdominoplasty (or Tummy Tuck) and I am so glad I did. I eventually went down a size just from no longer having to stuff my flabby excess skin in to my clothes. Later on, I plan to have a Boob Lift (want them sitting high and perky again like they used to) and some lipo for those stubborn areas of fat. So that's just me. Not everyone feels like they need it, some don't want. I need it and I want it. Instead of spending time camoflaguing or hiding my flab, I wanted to show off my hard work and weight loss. Good Luck with your continued loss. Happy Band Journeys to all...

Well said. :clap2: As I've mentioned before, I'm still trying to work with the band but after 5 years, my BMI is still at 30 and I know I have more weight to lose. Although I have suffered thru a few serious complications with the LapBand, my biggest concern is not the issues with it, but rather that it won't ever help me get near a lower weight. It's a great tool, but overall patients lose a lower amount of their excess weight. Period. Like many people, I hoped hard work, exercise and diet would help me beat the band odds. So far, they haven't. I hoped it would be a safer procedure than the RnY bypass. So far it hasn't been for me. I've had just about every complication with the LapBand that people associate with the RnY - except the complication (or benefit of) the malabsorption aspect itself, and the one of the few non-band complications I've escaped so far is erosion. Knock wood. So if I suffer any more further issues and still haven't lost further weight, then I will have to consider an RnY. Hindsight is 20/20, and after laying in the ICU of a hospital after banding - I definitely had time to consider whether I should have had the RnY. No matter how much more dangerous it's supposed to be than LapBanding, banding is NOT without complications and yes some of them can be serious and life-threatening. It happens, but luckily it does not happen very often, apparently. So to answer your question: 5 years later, I'm still fat so I if I'd known then what I know now, I might have gone to the bypass. But right now, I'm trying to work with the tool I have - but I'd never say never. Happy Band (and non Band) Journeys to all...

Re-post: I'll say it again

Places that I knew of (national and regional) where most of the group employee health insurance policies did NOT have an exclusion against bariatric surgery ( and no this is NOT a comprehensive lists, but speaks in generalities) : JPMorganChase Bank (most of their PPO policies, HMO's are toss ups - note they offer benefits for FT & PT Home Depot (have benefits for FT & PT ) Charming Shoppes (Lane Bryant stores - their employees are having it so often now that they can barely wear the LB clothes anymore) Starbucks (benefits for FT & PT ) Continental Airlines Methodist Hospital in Houston (offers benefits for FT & PT) I used to have a quick list when I worked at the insurance company - but as I think of more, I'll add more names. Happy Band Journeys to all

Alright, so what's wrong with a surgeon expressing his opinion on what they've seen in their patients after LapBanding? Raising my hand here... Been there, done that, got the hospital gown. I've previously had major complications after LapBanding. I've recovered (knock wood) and I'm still banded, but after going through what I've been through with the band, a revision to a bypass procedure, doesn't quite seem as drastic as it seemed before I was banded. So my fellow banded patients who "pooh pooh" the idea of a revision to a bypass surgery, probably haven't quite had to face what some of us who've had complications have faced. And yes, people on LapBand forums do NOT like hearing this....but walk a mile in my stiletto shoes and still end up at the weight I'm at now. Suddenly a bypass isn't quite so scary...it isn't what you might want, but as an alternative to more LapBand drama, then bypass starts looking OK. I suspect my original surgeon feels the same way as Dr. Pleatman about band success - but the only difference is that I think my surgeon thinks it's OK for me to be obese forever since I'm "not that big", rather than considering that the bypass could potentially be the next step in helping me getting the rest of the weight off, and to keeping the weight off over the long term. That does make me angry because at my current weight and BMI - if I'd had the RnY bypass no surgeon would have called this a success. It's hardly a reflection of the amount of time, effort and money I've put into my weight loss journey. But with the band - it's "oh well, good luck, you only get 45% to 50% of your weight loss - so deal with it." And all banded patients should be aware that no matter how hard they may work, they might not be in the minority that successfully loses a large portion of their excess weight. And after some suffering complications too, why not consider bypass? I'm working with the band now and hopefully it will help me get to where I need to go, but if it doesn't work (and if I suffer further band-related complications) I will consider next steps. So everyone's different. And if there are those who are more willing to accept the band's limitations and are pleased with what they've lost: great. If I hadn't been through what I'd been through, maybe I would be more accepting too, but after dealing with all of this AND still being overweight/obese/fat ??? No way, this sucks. ___________ How can you even say this? I know US docs who don't require extensive tests, especially for their cash patients. And to insinuate that those of us who have had complications had them because we aren't getting tested is utter crap. I have had Upper GI's (had one 2 weeks ago) and every other diagnostic test relating even remotely to LapBanding. Yet my post-LapBand medical records read like a soap opera script, if not more dramatic. I wouldn't be banded in Mexico on someone else's dime. They have a huge erosion rate and they don't even require a diet beforehand to shrink the liver. Neither do many US docs require a pre-op diet for liver purposes. Lower BMI patients with minimal signs of enlarged livers are routinely exempted from pre-op diets. I was - and others I know also were not required to do special diets specifically for liver shrinkage. It has to make you wonder if that may not be one reason for erosion...the liver is too big to get the band high enough on the stomach. Your knowledge of Band Anatomy could use a bit more research. It's just not true. I think there are lots more erosions from Mexico because the surgery is but a plane ride and a walk in the part for $10,000. That's just my 2 cents for what it is worth. You said it. I would rather jump (or step gingerly) through the hoops to have an excellent surgeon in the U.S. I prefer US doctors too, just because the logistics of maintaining long term relationships with out-of-the-country surgeons is too difficult for most patients. I can name a specific Mexican hospital facility that I do not recommend due to the long history of complications at this particular location. But other Mexican facilites are first-rate. But just being in the US doesn't mean a surgeon is excellent, by any means. But your across the board comments about US surgeons being better are quite unfounded. Happy Band (and UnBanded) Journeys to all...

All I can say is ((( HUGS ))) and no matter what happens, we're with you.

Thanks to all my fellow Band Buddies for the support and encouragement. This has been such a wild ride, that I really appreciate you guys giving me your feedback. Actually I do 'share' a lot, including direct quotes from the surgeons themselves. I don't list them by names because the stories I tell are very personal and sometimes not very flattering to the doctors involved. But I can either edit what I say about them (and definitely not quote what they say) or I can tell my story without naming the involved surgeons directly. Those are my only options. So I use nicknames (like Dr No) rather than their real names. It just keeps me out of more trouble. By not naming the surgeons themselves, I can speak freely about them. Now, when I'm giving specific types of recommendations I name specific names. If someone asks for opinions on doctors that I know or am familiar with, I do share information. I'm the one who blogs/writes online about my own complex medical experiences, but I have to be careful when I'm so open about what happens to me. I'm already in a difficult position by changing doctors (not by choice, mind you, but by necessity) after 5+ years so, but the last thing I need is to be blackballed in the very small world of weight loss surgeons. I tell the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - but without their real names. But all the things that doctors say are NOT fit to print. For example... This is an actual conversation I just had, with a prominent doctor: Me (speaking to doctor): You know, doctor, I've experienced a bit of random swelling over the weekend. Doctor: Oh yeah? I had a little random swelling over the weekend too, and let me just say...my wife was very, very pleased...(He winks) :rolleyes And that's the rated PG version of what he said. Trust me, if I listed my doctors' names, I couldn't print the things they say quite as freely. Hopefully that makes sense. ______________ Yeah, I got my records immediately after I received the certified letter that 'fired' me as a patient (or as an 'active' patient, so to speak). I saw nothing in my medical record details about a slight unfill there, but I honestly was suspicious. It's difficult, but I'm trying hard not to be paranoid - but after being frustrated for so long, it really makes me speculate... Yes in the Long Term Band patient groups, there are many patients with 4.2 to 4.5 or more in the band (probably including the amount in the tubing, it could maybe go to 5 cc total in a 4cc band). I'm just so dang resentful that I've spent months wondering why a band filled not even 3/4 of the way full seemed just so scary to Dr. No - why is that? He never elaborated. What spooked him about me getting near 3.0? I have friends at 3.5cc or above in a 4cc and they are doing well. Heck I don't want more problems so if I'm too tight, I'd just have them unfill me. So far only getting past 2.7 cc ever even helped me feel "real" restriction for the first time, and I only got that after 4 years of banding - so it's not hardly as if I rely too much on fills. I know he's been apparently been reading some not-yet-published research done by the veteran Band pioneer surgeons about long term results of 'full' & 'overfull' bands - but sometimes I hate always being the one who has to have the new theories tested on them, just because I've been banded so long. That's getting old, LOL! . I agree with leenerbups and KarenB - doctors may have a degree based on averages and theory, but we're the ones living in our skin and we KNOW before they begin to surmise. Yes, exactly. Moments like this make me wish I had a LapBand surgeon that was banded himself or herself. I think it would go far to advance the study of the LapBand from a patient viewpoint, and not just from a surgeon's viewpoint. I know that the top Mexican surgeon, Dr Rumbaut has been banded for llike 8 years himself , and in Texas there is Dr Mary Hewitt in Houston (who does fills, but not LapBand surgery if memory serves) who is banded herself, in Florida there is Dr. Grossband who is banded, and I've heard Dr Jesse Lopez in Kansas might be banded, also... I know of quite a few banded doctors who are general MD's , but not that many LapBand surgeons who are banded. We need more banded surgeons! Again, I'll keep everyone posted on what the newer surgeon (who is the complete antithesis of my former surgeon who I used to think I had a good relationship with.) This new one is obviously very cautious of the fact that he's accepting a patient from a more prominent (in the LapBand field) surgeon. He might even feel sheepish about it (although one of my other non-LapBand doctors thinks it should be a feather in this new surgeon's cap, I think I feel more like a discarded tire than like a prize trophy patient) So I don't think I'll have to worry about the new doc asking me to appear in his brochures (like another surgeon had long ago asked me to do, once I reached my goal. Of course I'm still waiting to get there!:nervous ) Happy Band Journeys to all... My own journey never has a dull moment.

Hmmm. My problem is this person that is desperate for LapBand surgery also just received a Negative Feedback just over a month ago- for not paying on a Vegas trip they bid on and won. You can see that here. So you're desperate to have LapBand surgery but you have money to bid on trips to Vegas (not business trips, pure vacation). Sorry, no sale. If you look at this link you can see the other things this person has bid on and won. This includes a set of collectible Absinthe liquor decanters for $56 and other junk. In other words, they have money for Vegas trips & liquor decanters but not for LapBanding? They'd rather get donations and let us pay for what they need, so they can keep paying for what they like (like Vegas vacations?) Sorry to sound so cynical but it's just tacky, in my opinion. Grrrr, people lie that are so irritating! Happy Band Journeys to all...

Well, I'm the exception to every rule. Band erosion might make me consider a removal if it could include a simultaneous revision to RnY. I got myself approved for the RnY bypass first, but I saw the Lap Band when I lived in the UK and I was really excited about it being approved here. So I joined the original (and ill-fated, LOL) FDA Study of the LapBand and boy have I had 5 fun-filled years of unique LapBanding experiences and occurences. And in 5 years, I've experienced nearly every complication that a Banded patient can experience. I keep thinking erosion is next (*sigh*)...but no signs of it yet. (The fact that many erosions are asymptomatic is not comforting, but there you go.) After my LapBanding, I literally was sicker than any bypass patient I know (and I know quite a few Weight Loss surgery patients) so all those things I hoped for with Lap Banding (having a less minimally invasive, safer surgery with fewer complications) didn't exactly go as smoothly for me. So when I see people say "Oh I'd get banded or nothing" well, to each his own. But I'm still trying to work with the band or my new band (or technically I received 2/3 of a new band last year) and on dark days, a bypass sounds good to me right now. But I'm at BMI of 30 - so insurance approval for a revision to bypass seems unlikely. It's unfortunate to be too fat to be content, yet not fat enough to get a revision. Anyway, as long as the band works, I'll keep working with it for now. But I am absolutely determined on this point - if I get one more single band complication, they can have it. Revise me to an RnY, if the band can't get the job done. After 5 years of band issues, a little malabsorption might not sound so bad to get some of this excess weight off. Enough is enough - and I might throw in the towel. But again, I'm the exception to the rule. Happy Banded (and Non-Banded) Journeys to everyone...

I think if I ever had to go to Mexico for surgery (I prefer something closer) that the ONLY surgeon I would consider is Dr Rumbaut. He's one of the original and best LapBand surgeons in the world, has a LapBand himself (so he really understands what LapBand patients go through, which even some of the best Weight Loss Surgery doctors do not always relate to), is very surgically skilled, considerate, charming, handsome (OK, that's not really important surgically but I thought I'd stick that in - see some pics of him here and here ) and has a very impressive success rate with his patients. He banded quite a few people I knew, including a pal of mine who lost 100# and absolutely has kept it off since surgery. He is without a doubt one of the best LapBand surgeons around and his facility in Monterrey is head-and-shoulders above other Mexican hospitals. That said, I would probably be more comfortable with getting Banded a bit closer to home so for my friends/colleagues that are considering self pay in Mexico, I also have them research the Wish Center in San Antonio which (although is it not as experienced as Dr. Rumbaut's group) is closer and cheaper for many self pay patients. The full LapBand program with 1overnight stay is $10,700 cash. They also have a Band Fill program for non-Wish Center patients which I've heard is very good. (No I'm not affiliated with them in any way but I know San Antonio is a heck of a lot easier to get to than Mexico for most Houstonians.) So if it had to be Mexico for me, no one else but Rumbaut. But I'd consider my closer, in-state choices first. That's just one Bandsters' opinion. Happy Band Journeys To All...

Congrats, Cady! Sounds like you have really done some great research and are considering your options. What I'd suggest (which may sound crazy) is asking your LapBand or WLS surgeon what he would suggest for his own wife - getting it done in Utah by plastic surgeon #1 (his colleague) or getting it done locally by plastic surgeon #2 who you could continue doing post-op follow up's with. See what he says - if your WLS surgeon would recommend a family member would go with one or the other, that's generally a good idea of what he thinks of a plastic surgeon's work. Mine said he'd recommend my PS with no hesitation to a family member, so that was good enough for me. Plus a scrub nurse I met said she always told her family "If I'm ever in a bad accident, don't let some ER doc sew me up - make them page (my plastic surgeon) no matter where he is and let HIM handle the incisions." So then I was sure of my choice of plastic surgeons. Good Luck! Happy Band Journeys To All...

Just a thought - LapBandsters (especially those rare birds who lose a lot quickly) can suffer hair loss after LapBanding. In fact, a good number of Bandsters definitely can suffer hair thinning...It's not just malabsorption that causes hair loss/hair thinning, and in my local Bandster support group it seems to be most common in the first 4-6 months then eventually evens out... And as for gas - OMG, a Bandster who has just eaten broccoli/cabbage/other stalky types of greens can potentially clear a room. And we Bandsters burp/hiccup and do other things that I never EVER dealt with regularly before banding. I have eaten something innocent and then began to hear a Bandster Symphony of noises (especially embarrassing in a small TV studio where all noises are magnified by the sensitive microphones ) - it's something we deal with also. So although there are other very complex and dangerous aspects of RnY Bypass that have been explored in detail, let's never forget that we Bandsters experience some oddities too. Happy Band Journeys to all! :eek:

I'm not good at quantifying pain. I don't like any pain ( who does:confused: ) and the pain was more substantial than my LapBand, but it didn't last long. I think stopped taking pain meds after Day 3, but the biggest problem for me was the drains. Once those little plastic hand grenades were out (I did take a 1/2 dose of pain meds on that day - Day 10 or so), I could maneuver around and didn't feel so house-bound. So more so than sharp pain, I felt a swelling. It was a Fluid retention, jelly belly kind of sensation. Over time that ebbed a bit... but after 12 wks I still feel swelling especially after a busy and hectic day - or when I've been stuck in any position too long. Ironically, swelling seems to subside when I lie down - so in the morning it's usually at it's lowest. All in all - I would say the fluid retention & swelling was more of a prob than the pain. I'm sure you'll do fine. Happy Band Journeys to all

You know, due to that experience I probably take insurance issues more to heart than most people - so that makes them seem more important to me. I can see where others think this isn't a big deal so probably I should have not bothered to share the information. What I will do is to stop posting on this thread and direct my energies elsewhere. I believe it's a case of shooting the messenger, but since I'm the one who started the thread, a better way for me handle this is to just let it go. Happy Band Journeys To All...

Hello! This is a little snippet that I've posted before when this topic comes up. Maybe some have seen this a few months ago, but it's information I get asked or emailed about a lot, on my blog. _______________________________________________________ Tummy Tuck after LapBand: I just had a Tummy Tuck ( T.T.) with Muscle Tightening about 12 wks ago, and after 4 consults with different surgeons. I picked my WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) doctor's colleague for PS (plastic surgery). He'd done more LapBand patients than the other PS (plastic surgeon) that I consulted with... and he works well with my WLS doc. Some plastic surgeons had not worked on any LapBand patients or very many of them - and I wanted someone more familiar with LapBanding, tubing, etc... 1. Swelling from surgery didn't affect band tightness per se, but I had little appetite and wasn't that active for first few days. It felt like a slight fill, but was I needed one anyway, LOL. 2. Normally my Plastic Surgeon consults with my WLS doctor to determine re-position of the LapBand. Actually I think my WLS got to pick the spot and he was in a nearby OR during my surgery. 3. Some people get unfills before their TT surgery. Some of my banded pals with TT got them and some didn't. Both groups did fine. I guess they unfill some LapBanders for the patient's comfort sake - but I was absolutely terrified that I'd be home on medical leave and munching all day out of boredom so my PS said he'd moved enough bands and didn't think I'd need to unfill. Honestly the band never bothered me after my TT and I was pleased that it worked out so well. 4. I had a lot of skin removed however, so my new tummy and port are much lower than before - my LapBand port is closer to my "new" belly button. Just an FYI 5. People had me scared with TT stories but honestly I found the toughest part to be the drains. Once they were removed I did have more swelling & Fluid retention, but I physically felt much more normal and my healing progressed from there. 6. Wearing the binder made a HUGE difference. With it on, I felt like I good resume a more normal schedule and get back to light activity. 7. Just a FYI - lots of people have other procedures (like lipo or Boob Lifts) done at the same time at their TT. That does save recovery time and operation costs but I just felt the the TT was enough of a procedure for me to deal with at once. It was a longer recovery than the LapBand surgery was for me, so I am happy I only did one thing. However I do plan later to give 'The Twins' a lift and have some lipo to contour my back, sides, and thighs. With the affect on my circulatory and lymphatic system the TT was enough for one time, and maybe within the next year I'll have the Boob Lift and Lipo done in one procedure - those are more compatible when done together. But I understand while some people do it all at once. 8. Many people think you lose weight with a TT but usually that's wrong. In fact, shortly after the operation, the scale might move UP (yuck ) due to fluid retention and swelling. I ate a bit less due to healing and swelling and maybe lost a pound or so but although my doc says he removed more than 6 lbs (so he says) of skin and abdominal flab (I call it "ab flab") attached - I didn't see myself really get lighter on the scale. Skin is fatty but weighs very little compared to fat & muscle. But although I didn't really lose pounds, I went down more than a size in my clothes - I can't believe how I was having to stuff all that tummy skin into my clothes, but now I can see a real difference in how even smaller size clothing fits me now. Love it!:clap2: Of all the Reconstructive Surgeries, the TT can really give you one of the best results for your money, in my opinion. I am hardly looking like a model but I now have a stomach that better reflects my new size and though I don't look like the girl on the "Abs of Steel" book cover, I am looking so my much better for my size. I don't post links to my post op pictures (all pictures like that are icky, mine included) but I have sent the link to my private online album to other TT patients who are really interested and exchange their own links with me. Hoping my healing continues - I've gotten so many positive comments since my TT. Yes I lost some weight before it, but having all that abdominal flab & skin removed makes my weight loss really show. It's like people can really see it now! Good Luck to you, Sho