Rchavez101

I had surgery on November 4th and have lost 83lbs to day. Everything started out great for about the first 2 months and then I started to have some issues. I was having issues with throwing up foam and went in to the doctor and they did a unfill. I had to go back several times untill they unfilled the band completely. I went in about 2weeks ago because I was still throwing up and there was no Fluid in the band. They did a live x-ray while I drank barium and you could see in the x-ray how it would pool up right before the band and slowly make it's way down. The doc was very surprised how tight it was for not having fluid. I also have had issues with my port incision. It has been draining for about the last month and half. The doc has seen it and there is no infection. They gave me antibiotic cream so that I could change the gauze pads twice a day. At the beginning I had a hematoma and have had issues with the incision getting better and then worse then better then worse. There has been no pain associated with the draining. To top off everthing my employer changed insurance at the beginning of the year and the doc does not accept the new insurance and they are the only doc in New Mexico. I was told that if we had pre existing appointments I would be covered for 90 days. I was givin the ok by the new insurance to go to my appointments. I have seen the doc for these issues about 3-4 times since the beginning of the year. I received statement in the mail yesterday from my insurance showing what they paid on one of the claims. They paid about $100 and I am responsible for about $1700. I called them to see what the deal was. The guy that originally gave me the ok told my wife that he may have mis informed me because they don't deal with anything with bariatric surgery. He said it was his fault but will have to look into it. So at this point I don't know if they are going to cover the appointments that I had or the existing bills. The doc that did my surgery is from Fort Worth texas and flies out to New Mexico to do the surgery. When my wife asked the insurance what were my options after the 90 days as far as seen a doc in network which includes my orginial surgeon but in Fort Worth. They said that my employer and eliminated any thing to do with bariatric surgery. So basiclly I would have no coverage what so ever. I called my HR and they were upset with what I was told due to the plan should be the same as the one we had. Just different doc and network. So it should have been set up so that I could go in network although it would be out of state. They are going to look into it to see what is going on with the coverage for the 90 days and then what kind of coverage I should have after March 31. I have an appointment on March 3rd with the original surgeon so that he can see what are my options with the complications that I am having. At this point If I can get the ok that all bills will be covered with in the 90 days I may have them just pull the band out before March 31 since I don't know if I will have coverage after that. I don't want to put my family in a situation that could cause financial hardship. I have had issues with the band but since the last appointment I have really felt good as far as the vomiting foam. I think I can make it through the issues but since it is very inconsitent I am not wanting to take the chance with out knowing what will happen with the insurance after March 31. I may have been rambling on and on but I am just venting. Worst case senario I hope they pay the bills for the 90 days.

I know for a fact that I have no fluid in my band and have lost 83lbs. I had to go in for 3 unfills and on the final unfill they took out the final 3cc's. I had 5cc's in after surgery to begin my journey. I have a appointment for a followup/fill at the end of March. Maybe I will need it may be not. Time will tell. Good luck to everyone on your journey and keep up the good work.

Yeah that was pretty fast weight loss. The doc wasn't to concerned with it. It has slowed down now. The big concern was gull bladder issues with rapid weight loss. It happened so fast I almost forgot what I weighed before and how it felt.

Even if the band has no Fluid it is still being used. Your upper part of your stomach was not the size of the band with out fluid. They make a small pouch with the band. So I feel that I am still working the band properly even with out fluid. I still have to make choices of eating the right foods and eating slow. If you have the band and don't get fills or have no fluid in it and continue to lose weight you are using the band to its extent.

I am down 80lbs in about 3 1/2 months with no fills. I actually had to have unfills due to being to tight. I have no Fluid in the band at this point and still have restrictions. I hope it continues to work for me. Good luck on your journey.

I am 3 months out now and have always had issues with constipation. I went to a gastro doc in the past and was told to take benefiber once a day. I am very unpatient so didn't do it for more then a few days because I did not see results. Recently I was told to see another gastro doc by my Lapband doc since I was concerned that I was not using the restroom often. Well they told me that my digestive system was just slow compared to most people and it is ok. As far as the constipation they told me to take Benefiber and Murolax a stool softner everyday and it would more then likely be for the rest of my life. I thought oh here we go again this isn't going to work. Well to my surprise after actually doing it for a few weeks I was on top of the world. Going to the bathroom was amazing. How funny that I would get exctied about the restroom but it was no longer a struggle. I would reccomend you try it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. You might be surprised with what happens. Just last week I seen what the side effect of takeing Benefiber with out drinking enough water. It was not good so make sure you drink plenty of water if you take fiber. Good luck.

I was banded on November 4th and had a hematoma about 1 month out. It never really healed but got a lot better. About 4 weeks ago I was out cleaning the garage and noticed in the after noon the port area was sensitive and swollen. 2 weeks ago It started draining with bodily fluids and a little bit of blood. The doc said keep it clean and let it drain. It has been draining till about 3 days ago and was all good. Today after changing out the brakes on my car the scar filled up again and then later on opened up again and drained. I just wonder if anyone has had this issue and what was your outcome. There is no infection at this time. It's more irretating then anything since I have to clean and bandage at least twice a day, Other then that I feel great.

I have been having issues with foam build up in my stomach and then I end up throwing up. I was told yesterday by someone on this forum that it may be excessive stomach acid and to possibly try Prilosec. I went out and bought the pills but am a little scared to take the pills due to the size. I may be worried for nothing but I am a little nervous about taking the capsule. Has anyone else taken these pills and had no problems with them getting stuck?

Thanks for the input. I looked up Prilosec and seen what the pills look like. Are they something you can swallow easy. Assuming you take them. If you do take it for 2 weeks does it clear up after 2 weeks?

Great job keep it up.

I had restriction from day one I started at 344. I think I was very close to my sweet spot immediatly. I have lost 72lbs since Oct 22nd with no fills. I have actually had to have 2 unfills due to tightness around the band.

No I am not. What is PPI?

Hello everyone. Have any of you had problems with throwing up a foamy substance? I have had this issue for about 2-3 weeks on and off. When I eat it goes down but then later I may vomit. Not violently but what I think most call PB'ing. Only foam comes up. I have gone to the doc and had 2 unfills. I have 1cc in my band now. My wife told me to take gas medicine and when I did it seemed like it calmed the feeling of foam in my throat. Just not sure what could be the cause.

Remember that is 40 lbs closer to your goal. So instead of saying only say "Oh Yeah that is 40lbs I will never see again." Keep it up.