Chelleanne

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in Houston Texas back in March of 2006. Initially I lost about 30 lbs and finally that number rose to 70 lbs after I was diagnosed with Diabetes in March of 2008. I was happy with my band for the most part. It kept me from overeating and I still got to eat most of the things I enjoyed. During the whole time I had the band I never gained a single pound back of what I lost. I started at 257 lbs and ended at 187 lbs. For 3.5 out of 4.5 years of being banded I did not maintain any saline in the band. I prefered it that way. The challenges I had though consisted of constant vomitting and really bad refux. I had to take extra Vitamin D, Iron and Folic Acid to make up for what I was losing in nutrition. In the Fall of 2010 my food was coming up during the middle of the night while I was sleeping and I started choking. In order to go back to bed I would have to vomit. After several months of this I finally decided to go see Dr. Spivak. I did a barium swallow and the Fluid did not go through the band. It stopped on top. He said that I had pouch dialiation and slippage and that the band needed to come out. My first instinct was to cry. I was scared for many reasons but mainly of gaining the weight back, panicked in fact. I was immediately put on a liquid diet and my surgery was scheduled for 6 days after that Dr. appt. I had my band removed on 12/6/2010. After the surgery Dr. Spivak told my husband that he did not find slippage. It turns out I had scar tissue that was closing the hole of my band and keeping food from going down. How are things now? Well, great actually. I recovered well from the surgery and my stomach returned to normal. I am having no problems eating and have been enjoying eating in moderation some of the things I was not able to eat while banded like rice. Two of my five incisions look bad from being opened twice but will heal and be ok I am sure. I was closed with steri-strips and they easily peeled off around day 10. The one concern I have is what feels like a plastic string sticking up ever so slightly through one of my incisions. I think I need to call Dr. Spivak and ask him about it. I have joined Weight Watchers to help with the eating. I can't be rebanded or go to something else like the sleeve due to the pouch dilation. Spivak said it wouldn't work. I'm up 2.6 lbs since the surgery and hope to start following the Weight Watchers plan after Christmas. I want to enjoy this holiday. All-in-all, while I was scared and upset at first, I am glad to have had the lapband removed. Michelle

I just went in for my third fill. I was at 1.8 still with restriction, but wanted to be tighter so I could lose more weight. My old fill was removed and a new one of 2.3 was put in. However, the next day I had practically no restriction. Why is that? I can eat much than I could before the new fill. Can anyone explain this to me? I'd appreciate it. 3rd Fill 2.3 Now at 232 lbs.

"My fill took three weeks to kick in. Now it feels like it's dissapearing already. I only had good restriction for about a week. I go back in one week for my second fill and I can't wait!!!" Did you find out why you felt like the fill was dissappearing? I got my second fill on 5/10/06 and had restriction for about 12 days, now I can eat much more and really want to understand why. Thanks. Michelle

I got my second fill almost two weeks ago. I finally thought I had the restriction I was looking for and lost another 6 lbs. However, it now appears that I can eat more that I could a few days ago. Why is that? Does that happen for anyone else? I don't want to have to go get a fill once a month to keep restriction. Any thoughts? Michelle Banded by Spivak on 3/22/06 256/240/150

Well, for some reason now I can eat more and am not PBing. Does that mean I've lost some of my fill? Just when I finally thought I had a good restriction. What happens to the fills? I don't want to have to go get a fill once a month. Any thoughts? Michelle

I just got my second fill (now at 1.8cc) last Wednesday and it seems that each time I eat I end up PBing a portion of it. It comes up without any effort. I am wondering if this is normal. I am not able to eat much of anything that is solid without feeling like it's stuck. The only relief I get is when I PB. I've lost 6 lbs in 6 days. I am fearful that my body is getting used to PBing and expects it after eating. Any thoughts? Am I too tight? Michelle :help: Banded by Spivak on 3/22/06 256/240/150 1.8cc

Hi everyone! I have just made the decision to get the lap-band surgery. I have a BMI of 46 and the following problems: - elevated heart rate - sleep apnea - Fatty Liver (NASH) - Gall Stones - Depression/Anxiety I need to lose 130 lbs! However my insurance will not cover the procedure so I will be a cash patient. I am in the process of scheduling my surgery for sometime in March. Naturally I am nervous and scared. I'm worried about the excess skin people talk about and hair loss and banding complications. However, I will be so pleased to get off the CPAP and see some improvement in my other ailments. I met the Dr. last week. All that he wants me to do is provide him some results from a recent Upper GI I had. Other than that, he said he'd see me on surgery day. Everything went alot smoother than I thought it would. I guess because I am a cash customer. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and I look forward to being an active member. Michelle :nervous