Nanook

I still wonder BabyNicole, if I had stuck with my original plan two years+ ago, and gotten the RNY where I'd be today or if I'd still have those issues. I had to postpone the first surgery due to my dad's illness and death and some other things that compounded it and at the time it just wasn't the right time. So I had much more time to think about it went up and down the scale again and at a high scale point after my dad's death that's when I decided to go and have the lap band as my surgeon's group was now offering it. They weren't when I first met with them the two years prior. Oh well guess I'll never know but you seem to be doing very well since your surgery and my daughter is doing well also now that she's had her stricture problem taken care of. Take care Nancy.:lovechoc:

Sorry you're in this situation too. I have a similar story and was banded last 8/07. It gets frustrating when you read how well others do with it and you really wanted it to work for you too. I gained back all the weight I'd lost on the 5 week liquid diet. It seems that some people have struggled with diets all their life but get banded and it's like a life saver and it's the tool for them. For me I've struggled with diets all my life but the band was just like another diet to me. I've done the follow-ups for fills and unfills but it just never worked. Maybe because I was always overweight and lost over 100 lbs twice in my life but then turned around and gained it back my body refuses to do it anymore. I'm not 20 anymore and have put my body through a lot to lose weight and this was the last time. I did expect more and was afraid at the time to get the RNY and why I went for banding instead. My daughter had the RNY and has been successful but I still don't want to take a chance on a revision surgery. Too paranoid at this point that nothing would work. But that's OK, I'm still trying to work on being healthy just not through WLS and will have mine out sometime in the future as long as insurance covers it. I wish the best to you and hope you can work out something that brings you relief, take care, Nancy.

Well I met with my surgeon two years prior to surgery and for a few times. I met with the people in his clinic many times before my surgery and still did not feel prepared for the aftermath that ensued. I've had many surgeries in my lifetime and I suppose I was not as well prepared for those either as I only met with that particular surgeon and only met one or two times prior to that surgery but I seem to be doing well anyway. I've had second opinions before prior to a surgery but did not get one with my lap band, probably should have but being as he was the only one in my area that did that surgery I didn't. Do most people get second opinions on WLS? I don't know. Maybe we should. I speak from my own experience and possibly if I had more information prior to my surgery and had listened to someone like "myself" I wouldn't have gone through it. I did not come to LBT until after I was researching on line problems with the lap band and found this forum. I then did my research here to see if there were others like me having issues. Maybe there are a lot or maybe there aren't a lot that are still here or maybe there aren't a lot at this current time. Good luck to all of you who are doing well as that is what I had expected myself. To those of you who are having problems I hope you're able to get them resolved and find support here also, Nancy.:crying:

Thanks for the info Donna

Dr. Stan, As stubborn as I am, I probably would have gone ahead and gotten the lap band even if I knew every single detail prior to banding. But I did get it and it is not what I expected and I tried to figure out what was going on and after months of searching here just realized it was not for me. If it's not for me it's probably something that is not for others as well. I am getting mine removed in the near future as soon as my surgeon and I can arrange things. It's understandable that you are angry, for many reasons but it will not go over well here as people here are not interested in hearing "band bashing". So don't be surprised if you don't get the response that you thought you'd get and good luck with your health, Nancy.

I totally agree with what Susan has said. I know that I did not get enough information prior to banding and don't know if it was timing, surgeon or if I needed the trial and error of surgery which I wish I could have avoided. The more problems you read here the more prepared a person can be in making the decision. Even though the lap band seems "mild" and less evasive than other WLS it's still surgery and can cause many complications and may not turn out as we expect. So the information needs to get out to all the patients prior to banding and I believe doctors need to do this as not all patients think to go outside their doctor's office for information on banding and that's just how it is unfortunately. Nancy:smile:

I had severe apnea too which in some ways made it much easier for me to get used to the machine/mask. I think because I was really missing that good night of sleep and really wanted it I was able to adjust easier. I also joined CPAPTALK.com when I first got mine and it helped me through many questions I had at the time and they were very nice. My mask covers my nose only but I put my hair in a ponytail at night so that the gear goes over my head easier and flip the hose over my head when I sleep. I know it's a pain and I look like Squidward from Spongebob but at least both you and your husband have them and can look cute together! Good luck and hope you feel and sleep better soon Nancy.:crying:

To be fair, if that's possible, it was posted in the "Life After Lap-Band Removal" section and if a newbie wants to go there so be it. I never really even starting going to this section until I was considering getting my lap band removed. I don't think if a person has a problem with their lap band that they need to be called a troll and blamed for all the inadequacies of the band as if it's their own fault. This forum tends to do that. Nothing in life is perfect, the band maybe for some but not all! JMHO, Nancy:smile:

How long did it take before you felt like "normal" again after it was removed? Also are there other issues besides the scaring? Sorry you went through this as you are not alone. Hope you're doing better, Nancy.:thumbup:

People of all sizes have sleep apnea it's not just something that affects people of a larger size.

Thanks Moses, I hope you're able to get yours removed too. I think that women in particular have a difficult time with thinking outside the box when it comes to our attitudes about "thinness". Believe me when I was getting the surgery I was like everyone else, I was excited thinking I would lose the weight but it didn't happen! But once it failed I had to learn to deal with the situation at hand and focus on my health physically as well as mentally and I think I may have learned a thing or two in that year and I am happier with "me" as I am now. And yes I know Union workers work hard as I worked data entry for one for a few years when I was in my 20s, take care Nancy.

Sorry you're having issues too Moses. I wish I could give you specific information but I don't have it at the moment. I saw my surgeon last month and he asked me to wait a few more months and then schedule the procedure to remove it with his surgical coordinator. My insurance covered my surgery and I'm assuming if they cover it they should cover it if it is not working as intended as they can't leave it in there indefinitely as it is. I had all my saline removed but there's still restriction and I do worry about something going wrong or that possibly something already has. I suppose this is human nature. Anyway when I get more concrete information I can let you know. I have no idea how long it will take to actually have it removed after it's been scheduled as my surgeon's office has grown so much. I'm looking into either this January or May when my daughters are out of college. I'd suggest if you can schedule an appointment with the surgeon who put in your lap band, if that's possible, that would be my first choice as to where to start. I have a very good surgeon just made the mistake of choosing the lap band. Good luck to you and I'll post what I know when I find out more info. Take care, Nancy.:tt2:

You said "site" as opposed to sites. Could it be your port? If you have any concerns you should always call you doctor that's what they're there for, take care, Nancy.:thumbup:

Sorry Carol..., That does suck. You've been through a lot and then to have this on top of it all. Mine never worked and I'm getting it removed because of that before something actually goes wrong. I hope you feel better about things soon. It's understandable to be angry after all you've been through it's a normal emotion. Take care, and get healthy Nancy.:thumbdown:

That's the beauty of a forum like this we all come here with differing opinions and experiences. Those that are still considering surgery can get the good, the great, the bad and the ugly. In my experience genetics plays a big part in one's lifespan. I've had many relatives that smoked for many years and have gotten cancer and died from that cancer at a very young age, like my mother, age 51. My husband's father also died due to cigarette smoking at an even earlier age, 46. My little sister has smoked for over 30 years and also was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago as well as my husband's older sister who smoked for over 30 years and was diagnosed one year ago. All of these people have been or are of "average weight". My relatives that did not smoke but by today's standards would have been considered obese lived into their late 80s or 90s which seems to me to be a much longer life than that of my mother who died at 51 and left 5 children. The women normally put on weight once they hit menopause and they didn't have the pressure then to be thin as we do now. I know my mother used smoking to curb her "appetite" as did a lot of women in that era. So did I for a few years and once I quit and had children did put weight back on. To me extra weight wasn't worth the damage I knew smoking did to me and would do to my children. So even though I cannot with with good intentions recommend illegal drugs for weight loss, cigarette smoking for weight loss I also cannot recommend with good intentions lap band surgery as it wasn't worth the cost and aggravation I've been put through. It is my opinion because of my own experiences. It's just one girl's opinion. I've also heard a theory that the attitude people have about themselves can affect their health. If one hates oneself due to their appearance, size for example, it could be detrimental to their health. So there's still a lot we need to learn about obesity, body and mind before we just accept WLS as our only option especially if you have a low BMI to begin with. Nanook:smile:

All I'm saying is thin does not necessarily equal healthy and fat does not necessarily equal unhealthy. It depends on the individual person. Someone is making an awful lot of money on our struggles to acquire thinness.

I think it's so insane that one little post upset so many as it wasn't intended to. First of all I commend a doctor who doesn't take anyone's money to do this surgery. It shows he has some scruples. It's not only doctors who have strict criteria it's the insurance companies that are dictating who gets this surgery and it's very common for an insurance company to expect you to have a BMI of 40 or have a BMI of 35+ with multiple comorbs. Mine did and I'm sure there are plenty others. I met that criteria without a problem. I admit there was information I was lacking before getting the lap band and it didn't work out for me as planned. Mistake made. Lap banding may not seem as drastic or invasive as RNY etc... but it's still surgery and there are still many risks and there are still chances it may not work or eventually you'll have complications and have to have it removed anyway, possibly struggle with weight gain again and consider revision surgery. I feel bad for self pay people also because I can't imagine what happens when you have complications and have to pay for that down the road. Anyway it was a simple poll posted by Froggi and possibly made people think about what they were doing especially with such low BMIs. Maybe a bit of work on learning to love ourselves at a heavier weight is more important and constantly struggling to be a certain size dictated by our society and shoved in our faces constantly. And having surgery for that purpose might be a bit extreme even if it is only a lap band. Just a thought Nancy.:smile:

I second the emotion!! B. Obama can really rally people together, Nancy!

My daughter had the RNY last May 2008 and has lost over 100 lbs so far and I got my lap band in August of 2007 and gained back most of the weight within months of being banded. I could be envious of my daughter but she's my daughter, my blood and what makes her happy, makes me happy! Like the poster before me it has not been an easy ride for her either and part of the reason she has lost so quickly was due to a stricture and tomorrow will be in the hospital again for a second endoscopy. I think you have a lot to be thankful for. You're young, you live in probably one of the nicest areas of the country and you've done very well on the lap band from what I can see as it doesn't work well for everyone so count you blessing and you'll be happier!! Nancy.:biggrin:

I had a bad case of anemia a few years ago that was detected by a blood test for something else. I had always had really heavy periods since I had kids and ended up getting an uterine ablation which solved my problem with anemia. Don't have to take the iron anymore. I used to half freeze bottles of watter to a slushy consistency, that's what I preferred! Weird how that's a sign isn't it? I remember when it got really bad I was actually falling asleep on 30 minute road trips in the car, my husband was driving. So be careful and hope you figure it out soon, Nancy:smile:.

I've never been too tight to take my medication, if I am then there's a problem! I currently am unfilled but prior to that I was still taking the same cocktail of drugs every day. Sometimes you may feel tighter in the morning and a warm cup of tea prior to your meds may help but I don't see why it would be a problem. I have a thyroid pill I have to take on an empty stomach with just Water first thing and that has never been a problem either. Take care Nancy.:thumbup: I don't know about weight/dosage I guess it depends on the drug so you'll have to ask your doctor(s) about that. My daughter did have RNY and the amount of pills she takes is even grander than mine and her antidepressants had to be adjusted due to the malabsorption.

I heard the "sponge" is coming back or is back anyone else hear that? Birth control pills give me blood clots and are a no no, Nancy.

It means you eat the foods that go through easier usually because you're band is too tight and you're vomiting up the healthier choices like Protein and veg. You could be eating slider foods which go right through your band like chocolate, candy, crispy foods like Cookies and chips, soft high caloric foods like pudding, ice creams and liquids usually of the high caloric varietal. So though the band is there to restrict you, you figure out a way to eat around it by eating those types of foods. Hence why I am not a good candidate for the lap band! Nancy

Everyone is certainly different and that goes without saying really. What happens when we age, isn't that going to affect our marriage also? If losing weight is going to make someone insecure then if one ages poorly and one ages well in a marriage will that also send someone over the edge? To me the signs are there in the beginning if your have a spouse that is insecure then you have a spouse that is insecure beginning to end. Pick the right one from the start. We all get old and don't stay "cute" forever, Nancy.:thumbup:

I know there is a theory behind it and it involves eating more when you don't sleep as well due to lack of energy or something. I know I sleep much better with it and it's very possible for some that it might affect their eating. If it has affected me in such a way it is very slight, Nancy. Prior to being diagnosed with sleep apnea, I flunked the preop breathing test and my oxygen level was low in my blood test that they have you take, I had no energy and was taking naps every day and had a difficult time falling asleep at night also. It didn't take them long at the sleep clinic to see I had many apneas during the night. I knew nothing about sleep apnea at the time. I've been using the mask, just covers the nose and use the humidifier in the winter, for just over a year and it has definitely affected the quality of my sleep in a positive way. Go to CPAPTALK.COM for questions regarding sleep apnea and machines etc.. it was very helpful to me, Nancy