Headhunter

Do let us know....i've been watching...I'm happy for you! HH

A few weeks ago, I found a pair of pants that I bought for a business trip to Chicago back in 1986. I remembered buying them. That was the LAST year that they fit. I tried them on recently, and they were WAY TOO BIG. amazing. Interesting to see the very subtle changes in fashion in the last 23 years. They were nice pants, but they looked just so...."80's"! HH

Absolutely. I totally agree with BstoneStreet. I would have my doubts about any Surgeon who wanted to install a LB and DIDN'T do a scope on me. It's very important to take a look at the inside of your stomach/esophagus/etc, and see what the condition is, and look for any signs of potential trouble on the INSIDE. It's a very easy procedure, and nothing to be concerned about. And, sometimes they give you nice pictures of your insides! HH

Hi, Tiffany; That is a wonderful story. Having your whole family behind you almost ENSURES your success. I have a good feeling about this for you. It is sometimes so difficult for family and even friends to get "on board" with things like this. Especially spouses. I LOVE hearing when a spouse gets on board, and gives his/her full and complete support. If you want to read another success-story-in-the making, do a search here for "agnes", and read about her and her husband Erick. Agnes is getting the band, but Erick came here and got his own account, and has been asking questions about how best to support his wife through this. It's very touching! So, best of luck in your process. You're off to a solid start....keep us all posted on everything that happens. HH

You know, I KNOW that there is one out there. I know several developers personally that are working on just that for the iPhone. Have you searched the App Store completely? try using different keywords....I'll take a look and see what i can find....I know one is out there somewhere.....if not, I know a couple that are coming soon! HH

I agree, that's AWESOME. You clearly made the right decison for YOU! HH

“Tell me something, Headhunter. Do you skulk around the forums to refute everything everyone says…… “ I never skulk. I creep, I slither, and on rare occasion, I snake, but no; I never skulk. “….because you think you are some kind of authority on these procedures. “ I am indeed an authority on the PROCEDURES THAT I HAVE ENDURED. And that is all I have ever claimed to be. I do NOT comment on issues that I have no personal knowledge on. I have been immersed in my own WLS processes for nearly EIGHT years, which has included multiple surgeries (6), many diagnostic procedures, and countless discussions with Surgeons, Bariatric Specialists, LAWYERS, and plenty of REAL research, NOT merely glancing over a few biased web sites and reading brochures from Lap band Mills that are PUSHING the band because it’s more profitable….which appears to be what you and others here have done. When my problems began with WLS, I made a conscious decision that I was going to find out EXACTLY what I am up against. That means research, and I have done PLENTY of it. “You are not a doctor” That is correct - I am NOT a Doctor. Kindly point out where I said I was. Please….I’m waiting….. When I give my OPINION, I state it as such. But when I state a FACT, it’s a FACT and I make that damn clear. And if you don’t like my delivery, that’s tough. I am NOT speaking to you….you have HAD your surgery. It works for you, and that’s great. And I really don’t care what decision people make about their own surgeries, as long as it’s based upon ACCURATE and REAL information, not just half-baked opinions. And THAT is what is pissing me off in THIS place. People talking without having any idea what the REALITY is. My problem is with people who spout off crap that I KNOW is wrong….not just “think”, but KNOW is wrong. “What I said is fact, given directly to me by bypass patients, nutritionists, and doctors by the Westchester Medical Group.” Ok, that’s fine. You talked with a few people. The Westchester Medical Group. A Medical Group that does NOT EVEN LIST BARIATRICS ON ITS LIST OF SPECIALITIES OR SUBSPECIALTIES. They don’t even list WLS at ALL. And, I’ll assume that there is only one WMG in New York, if you’re going to suggest I am looking at the wrong one. Here’s a news flash for you: Bariatrics is a SPECIALTY. Most PCPs don’t know ALL that much about it. Even gastroenterologists aren’t all that familiar with the fine points of WLS. If you haven’t talked to several Bariatric Specialists, then you haven’t done ANY research. And if the “The Westchester Medical Group” is the best you can come up with, well….. that makes it all very clear. If you have a kidney problem, are you going to see a Cardiac Surgeon? It sounds like you might. “You can only give your OPINION, not debate what is medical fact. “ And medical FACT is what I AM giving….whether YOU like it or not. One other thing that I have stated repeatedly, and people are just reading past without “getting” is this: I am NOT advocating Gastric Bypass. I am NOT advocating the Lap Band. I am NOT advocating the Sleeve. I am ADVOCATING what is RIGHT for the PATIENT. And when MISINFORMATION is disseminated about ANY of these procedures that I am familiar with, I am going to CORRECT the comment, regardless of whether anyone likes it or not. Unbeknownst to you, I have been in other forums where I have to continually correct people about their misinformation on the Lap Band. I have defended the band on many an occasion, and I have done that HERE as well. I made MY OWN errors as a result of misinformation and bad decisions on my own part. My OWN responsibility. I do not wish for that to happen to anyone else. People can listen to what I have to say, or not….and many do. I don’t care what people think. I care that they get the correct information. “DUMPING SYNDROME IS WHAT THIS SIDE EFFECT OF BYPASS SURGERY IS AND IT IS A FACT.” I didn’t say it WASN’T. YOU need to get both your FACTS in line, AND you need to learn to READ WHAT I SAY, if you are going to comment on it. So, I’ll repeat: Dumping is a side effect that does NOT HAPPEN IN EVERY BYPASS PATIENT. And when it does, it is VARIABLE in effect. It is NOT an absolute. That is a MEDICAL FACT. And guess what? To Celebrate that Medical FACT, I’m going to go home and have a nice dish of Rocky Road Ice Cream tonight, BECAUSE I CAN. WITH NO DUMPING. “SUGAR IS NO LONGER YOUR FRIEND ONCE YOU GET BYPASS.” Here’s a tip for you: Sugar is NEVER your friend, Bypass or not. People should never eat sugary junk. But I CAN if I want. With NO Side effects…..unless I ate a half gallon, and at that point ANYONE would be having a problem, not just a bypass patient. It doesn’t work that way for EVERY Bypass patient. But I didn’t say that it did, now, DID I? Get your facts and your quotes straight before you challenge me. "You can never have sugar again with bypass. You will experience really bad pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea with the smallest amount. " You're trying to pass that off as medical FACT? you "WILL" experience that? I'll go beyond saying that's incorrect....that's B******T. “AND AS FOR FEELING NORMAL, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING A BYPASS PATIENT. WHY ARE YOU ATTEMPTING TO TWIST MY WORDS.? “ I am pasting your EXACT words here…. “You can never have sugar again with bypass. You will experience really bad pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea with the smallest amount. I needed to feel like a "normal" person.” You don’t think your words are referring to your opinion of being a Bypass Patient? Huh? Those are YOUR WORDS. No need to twist them. YOUR WORDS. What YOU said. Jeez. “WHAT I THINK IS THAT YOU'RE NOT NORMAL.” If you and your “ilk” are what is considered “normal”, then I will happily and proudly remain “Abnormal”. Thanks for watching. HH

It IS a good thing! You really want everyone to be on board with the procedure, including the "sleep guy". :thumbup: Of course you want the surgery, but you also want to be SAFE during it. Having more tests will simply allow all concerned to make the proper preparations, and do everything they need to do to ensure a very positive outcome. So, relax, and use this time to prepare yourself for the life-changes that are going to occur when you DO have the surgery! Best of luck! HH

Hi, Grandma; You know, I think I WOULD push for the endoscopy. That way, you/they would know for sure if there was erosion, and what stage it was at. The problem with erosion (one of the problems) is that it can often prevent you from having ANY future WLS procedures, including a new Band. So, you really, really want to KNOW what is going on down there. That way, a treatment protocol can be established and you can solve the problem. The endoscopy is really a simple procedure, I've had a number of them. And they take some nice pictures, too.:thumbup: It's always best to know EXACTLY what you are up against, and the sooner the better. Keep us posted, please! HH

Evie is correct. These doctors have a "network" in which they "feed" each other, and YOU end up paying the bill. I suspect that they might not take you if you DON'T pay the "Program Fee", but I would give it a shot. It is HIGHWAY ROBBERY, though. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it., and you SHOULD let your insurance company know that they are trying to soak up some extra cash outside of the system. HH

Elisabeth is correct. However, I'm not sure why they would not want to perform an endoscopy to verify the erosion, and see the extent of the damage. That is a little puzzling. BUT....if there is erosion, and you have to have your band removed, remember that it is NOT the end of the world. There are many people who have gone on "bandless" and have been able to retain their weight loss. Others have had a different procedure performed, and the results were even better than with the band. So, don't let it devastate you....it's not the end of the line!!:thumbup: HH

what clb825 says is true. They DO prefer RNY. Their Chief of Bariatric Surgery there is considered to be an expert in problems with the Lap Band, and he DOES recommend the RNY. He opened my eyes to a lot of problems with the Lap Band. He is very, very good at what he does. I would at least, as clb825 has decided to do, keep an open mind and go through their educational classes before you make a decision. You will see a lot of people on THIS site have had their band removed and changed to an RNY or, more recently, the Sleeve. Also, keep in mind that you need to choose the procedure that will work best for YOU. In some cases that IS the band, but you need to look at all the option are available. HH

There is a difference between Fact and opinion. I'm pointing out a fact. You're expressing an opinion. HH

Amen to all of the above. HH

Elcee; yes, it is interesting reading.:thumbup: It was an interesting experience. Some 300+ responses. And i don't blame you for not reading through the whole thing....it was a mess. It was a very enlightening experience. for me. As far as the eventual outcome, it ultimately died. I came on and made one final post 2 days before my surgery, I think it was. I apologized to the forum as a whole for "entering" the way i did, with as much drama as I did. But, I was facing a surgery where the outcome was somewhat questionable. I sincerely felt that I needed to make people aware of MY experience so that they would not make the same mistakes that i did. And since then, THAT has been my message: Choose the surgery carefully. Choose the Surgeon carefully. Cover ALL your bases. And I have been very consistent in that message. As far as being an "expert", well.... I AM an expert....an expert in MY OWN experience, and that is all I have ever claimed to be. And yes, Wasa did use that Dr, I believe. Wasa is "good people". She's a nurse, and she knows her stuff. She was one of my "critics" in that orginal thread, but we corresponded offline, I sent her some Endoscopy pictures of a tube from the band snaking through my colon, and she uiltimately came to trust what I was saying. She is a REAL asset to this forum. She doesn't take any crap, and she puts in a LOT of time trying to help people through the WLS "minefield". HH

"donna": My post was not directed at you in any way, shape, or form. If I HAD been addressing you, I would have used more single-syllable words so that you might understand. So, let’s take a look at the most recent load of excrement you’ve released on this forum, shall we? And note: I did NOT address YOU in my post. You turned around and blathered out your crap so that you could simply start something again. You need to grow up. “Mexicali is completely safe and has had no incidents of violence in the recent past because I have done my homework and besides I have spent time there over the past few months as well as others that I can put you in contact with to put your mind at ease. I have traveled all over the country and to many areas of Mexico and have only felt unsafe in TJ.” I didn’t specify any place or location. I stated the FACT that there has been increasing violence in Border towns. That is a FACT, whether YOU like it or not. It doesn’t happen everywhere, but it DOES HAPPEN and any intelligent consumer needs to take that simple FACT into consideration when selecting location for their Surgery, ESPECIALLY when they are leaving the protection of their OWN COUNTRY. ““Mexicali is completely safe and has had no incidents of violence in the recent past because I have done my homework and besides I have spent time there over the past few months as well as others that I can put you in contact with to put your mind at ease.” Huh? Whatever “Homework” it is that you’ve done has certainly not taught you to construct a sentence that is intelligible. I’ll just have to assume that you did your “homework” in the same place you did your “homework” on Gastric Bypass. “HH doesn't know me from Adam but seems to have some kind of issue of being the authority on everybody else as well as trying to undermine my personal experiences with his criticism.” That’s right. I DON’T know you. Nor would I want to. “undermine your personal experiences”??? What the hell does THAT mean? Thus far, you haven’t proven that you have ANY personal experience in ANYTHING other than spouting MISINFORMATION. As far as your surgery experience in Mexico, I have No problem with you talking about that. It was YOUR experience. Criticize your experience??? Just when did I even MENTION you in my response? I didn’t. Get over yourself. Here’s a little Factoid for you: I have addressed the issue of Surgery in Mexico in numerous threads here LONG before you ever showed up in this forum. And I will continue to do so long after you have moved on. I ALWAYS give my point of view, and I ALWAYS refer the OP to WasaBubbleButt, who is an ACKNOWLEDGED expert here at LBT on the subject of Mexican Surgeries. Unlike YOU, I recognize that there are different viewpoints on the subject, and I am happy to provide anyone with the source of the opposing arguments. THAT is where OPINION comes into play. There is difference between FACTS and OPINION, and someday when you grow up you might “get” that. When I have an OPINION, I state it is as such. And when a fact is a FACT, I do the same. You seem to think that everything you have in your head is a “fact”. It ain’t. “I have told you from own MY personal experience that I have received excellent care from Dr. Aceves and his staff and I have been there and am speaking from personal experience which HH is not.” Ok, AGAIN: where in the hell did I say ANYTHING about YOUR experience in Mexico? OR Dr. Aceves? Or ANYTHING that you said??? C’mon….spell it out….where did I address you AT ALL in my post?? Maybe one of your Imaginary Bypass friends is telling you this stuff…. “Only a lawsuit minded individual is worried about having legal recoase.” Ya think so, eh? A dumb-ass statement if I’ve ever heard one. When you grow up, perhaps someday you will come to understand the realities of financial responsibility. And what can happen when you make BAD decisions. Like I did. “If you go to a good surgeon instead of a hack you don't have to worry about such things. Obviously HH didn't do his homework or he would have not made such a mistake. There is an old thread I can refer you to that will totally enlighten you in regards to this individual if you so desire please message me personally and I will provide references from Dr. Aceves patients as well as the thread info.” Huh? WTF? You act like this is something you have “uncovered”. In ALMOST every post I make in this forum and elsewhere, I state ABSOLUTELY that I MADE A MISTAKE in choosing my SURGERY and my SURGEON. Why can you NOT UNDERSTAND that? I say it over and over. Ok, I think I know…. The ONLY reason I spend any time here at all is to help people AVOID making the mistakes that I made. And do you know why some people make mistakes? By listening to people like YOU….who haven’t got a ghost of a clue about what they’re talking about. And the thread you are referring to that will “totally enlighten” the OP? Go ahead. Bring it on. Send the link out to EVERYONE you know, including your imaginary Bypass friends. I have NO APOLOGIES for that thread. Everything I said then, I say now. The lap band almost killed me. I suffered enormously as a result of that experience. And some people here tried to turn it into something it wasn’t, because they didn’t want to accept the fact that there might just be some problems with the Lap Band But an interesting thing has happened in the year since that thread appeared. Some of the people that criticized me most harshly have had their BANDS REMOVED. Others have regained weight. Others have said that they have regretted getting their bands. And others have gone along just fine, and are healthy, happy and trim. Because THAT’S what happens with the Band….it’s good for some, not so good for others, and it’s HORRIBLE for some people as well. And if YOU can’t read my posts and past threads and UNDERSTAND that fact, and what I am trying to do, then you have a very BIG problem. BUT….I think we have already established that….FACT. You do, indeed have a Big problem. No opinion there….simply FACT. You need to grow up and pay attention to what you DO know. And Not what you DON’T. And It’s quite clear that the former is bigger than the latter. HH A NOTE TO THE MODERATORS: You will kindly note that I did not ONCE mention this person in my response to the OP. I did NOT address ANY of my comments to her or her experience. Those of you who know me, know that I have addressed the Mexico subject on a number of occasions, in exactly the same way I did, as I have stated. “donna’ decided to “engage” me here with references to past threads, etc. I didn’t start THIS one.

Christa; Generally, I would be opposed to having a LB installed outside of the country, or even outside of your own geographical area. There are many things to consider, particularly the aftercare. Many US Doctors will NOT provide aftercare to patients that are banded outside of the country. I also feel that it's very important that you be within a reasonable proximity to the facility and Surgeon that performed your procedure, in the event that there is a problem of some sort. Also, there is the issue of liability in the event that is a problem....it's hard to go after an out-of-country Doctor if something goes wrong. Finally, there is the increasing incidence of violence along the Border cities with Mexico. Those are just a few of the reaons to re-think the idea of going to MX for surgery. Note that there are SOME Drs here in the US that are lowering their rates to attract additional patients....the economy is htting even the WLS industry! Now, having said all that, there IS another side to the issue, and I would refer you to WasaBubbleButt here on this forum. She had her surgery (Both of them) performed in Mexico, and she is probably the resident authority on the subject here. She has some excellent information that will help you make the choice, and if you choose to go to mexico, she will know WHO you should be seeing there for your surgery. She's terrific, and a great source of information. She is a member here, BUT she spends more time these days over on the "sleeve" forum (www.verticalsleevetalk.com) where she is a moderator. I cannot overemphasize the quality of information that she has, so I would highly recommend that you PM her....she's always glad to help! HH

I think you should let the Dr. dictate the course of action here. As other posters have noted, this Dr seems to be aware of what is needed. It has also been correctly noted that these are tests you will most likely need to have anyway. And, if you have not seen a Dr on regular basis for a number of years, I would think that you might want to let them run whatever tests they want, if only to determine your true state of health. People seem to get really annoyed at the tests and the pre-op diets and everything they make you go through. But they are doing it for a REASON. You WANT them to have as much information about you as possible so that they can make the right decisions. And even if it takes several months,....well, that's what it takes. You didn't become overweight overnight, you shouldn't expect to have the problem solved overnight, either. Just relax, and go through the process. It SOUNDS like the Doctor is being conscientious and has your best interests in midn. And That is what you really want. HH

I think that EVERYONE who has had the Lap Band installed and had it fail would have hoped that it would work for them. I know that this was the case for me. But, it didn't, and when I had my GB I realized (much as you have with the sleeve) that it was what I SHOULD have had to begin with. Elizabeth, you had your band put in back in '06, and while the VSG was "known" then, I don't think ANY insurance would have covered it back then...most insurance still won't cover it. I'm not even sure you would have heard much about it back then, so it couldn't have been presented as an option to you (correct me if I'm wrong about that). But, you eventually found it and discovered that it was what YOU needed. :thumbup: I, on the other hand, had my band put in when bands were still fairly new, and the RNY WAS an option, and it was "slightly " suggested to me (that's a whole different story...), but I didn't listen, and I didn't do the research that I am encouraging people to do now. People shouldn't have to go through multiple surgeries to arrive at the best one for them. The information is OUT there, there are plenty of resources available to help people make their choice. There is also a lot of MISINFORMATION out there. It's a minefield, actually, and it's tough to sort it all out. The sleeve would not be an option for me, because It's not what I need. But, I DO hope that more people will at least CONSIDER the sleeve, because it's one of the best options out there right now, for people who need the restriction component. And the appetite reduction element is a HUGE plus. Lots of people can't get past the idea of having part of their stomach removed, though. Even when THAT'S what it might take to solve the entire issue. It's small price to pay for the outcome....I think most most "Sleeved" people would agree. HH

A very good point. The whole BMI "thing" is a little misleading. A Sports Med Dr can give you a much better idea of what would be right for you, particularly in light of of your interest in physical activity. Also, goals of ANY kind need to be revisited on occasion. What worked for you in your life last year will not neccessarily be right for you THIS year. HH

And now you've gone ahead and Cancelled out your ONE TIME being correct by being wrong yet again. I'm actually not "mean", as you put it. I dispense a bit of reality into dialogues where BS has taken over. If you percieve that as being "mean", so be it. HH

My God. You are actually CORRECT about ONE THING. I was indeed thinking of another post. Congratulations. You have now OFFICIALLY been correct ONE TIME. HH

That is not neccessarily the case. The AMOUNT of weight is not the indicator of which surgery that the patient should undergo. I will say that it would be a little unusual that a Bypass would be prescribed for someone with under 100 pounds to lose. But, not totally out of the question. As I have been saying all along, what the patient NEEDS is what determines the surgery. If the Doctor in the OPs case has prescribed GB for her, there might be a very good reason for it. It is entirely possible that the Surgeon has correctly identified her as a person who needs the malabsorbtion component that the GB offers, as opposed to the restriction component that is the heart of the LB functionality. They are two entirely different concepts. Also, considering that the OPs family members have gone through GB with success, well, that could also indicate some genetic disposition to the dysfunction that makes the GB a more viable option for THAT person's family. So, there are some very good reasons why her Dr might be prescribing a GB as opposed to the Band. It's something that NONE of us here actually know. But, the statement that the LB is a better choice than the GB simply because of the weight of the Patient is just plain wrong. HH

More Misinformation. You are speaking this as though it were FACT. It is NOT. NOT. It happens to SOME people. It is not an absolute. And those who DO experience it can still have reasonable amounts of sugar without enduring what you have suggested here. and: "I needed to feel like a normal person" ?? So....people who have Bypass are somehow not "normal"? Unbelievable. Simply Amazing. HH