urbrdfs

They request that usually if the band slips.

Did you go back to Dr. Aceves to get the sleeve done? He did my lapband 3 1/2 years ago.

Why did you have yours removed? Mine, I have been told, has "expanded", is that the same (do you know) as slipped? It has not given me any trouble up to this point, they did take all the "fill" out in hopes it would correct itself.

I was told recently that certain doctors will remove excessive skin if you donate it to the "burn center" for children. Anyone have knowledge of this? Bette

Sounds good. I'm 3 years post, lost 100 lbs, would still like to lose another 30 but just can't seem to get there. One month at a time sounds great, thanks. brd

Well unfortunately because of bad reflux problems (from my first fill being way too tight) I can not eat 3 - 4 hours before going to bed. I usually try to eat something small, but filling with protein if possible, (cottage cheese & fruit) around 6 pm. I usually do not eat after 6:00 or 6:30. This tends to keep me from being and/or waking up in the middle of the night hungry.

Yep, I hear you. I just didn't want any "negative" input, especially going "out of the country" for the surgery and I knew that is what I would get. I only told two of my dearest friends that I knew would be supportive (one went with me) and my district manager. I did not even tell my immediate supervisor, she was a very "mouthy" person and I knew it would be all over the office. I told no-one in my office, they thought I simply went on vacation. When I started losing weight I simply told them I was changing my eating habits. 3 years later (in September anyway), 100 lbs lighter most of the office still does not know. I did not want the "oh, do you think this is because of the band"? For some reason people want to blame everything (even the flu) on the band and I just couldn't go through that. Hope this helps.

I was absent a week of annual leave (vacation time). When asked where I went on vacation, I simply told them I had things to do around the house. I was not in any pain upon returning to work but because of drinking liquids, mushy stages of course people were curious and did ask questions. I simply told them I had an upset stomach and left it at that. I am lucky because I don't have alot of people eating lunch at the time I do. As I started loosing weight, when asked, I told them I had changed my eating habits (which of course is true). My thing is if people know you have had the surgery they watch every move and blame every little thing on the band "oh you look really pale today, think you might not have went with that surgery?" I just didn't want to hear it. As a matter of fact I didn't even tell my immediate supervisor, she is rather "mouthy" and would have told my business to everyone...just didn't want to go there.

Has anyone taken "liquid" iron. September will be 3 years since my surgery and recently I have found that my blood is very low...(it was a 7 before giving me 3 units of blood). After three days in the hospital and they find no bleeding, the doctors have come to the conclusion that it is an iron deficiency (or at least for the most part). I simply cannot take the tablets of iron, looking for something in liquid to build my level up quickly.

Control type stockings. I use the sheer energy, get them in a bigger size and it goes all the way under my bra. Someone told me the other day "you don't even have a stomach, there's just nothing there." Ha! Not true, you don't loose 100 lbs and not have some loose skin (especially if you are 50).

Dr. Aceves and his group is great. I was banded 2 1/2 years ago and have never regretted it. They will treat you well and when you have quetions ask... Good luck. Betty PS By the way, Ihave lost 100 lbs.

Still hanging in there. Had my surgery September 2005 in Mexicali Mexico, Dr. Aceves. Lost 100 lbs. No tummy tuck, no boob job. Still need to lose 30 lbs, only had 2 fills. Very happy, satisfied with the band, would recommend it to anyone that truly has "made up their mind". The road has not been easy, have acquired reflux due to my first adjustment being too tight (never even knew what reflux was...) on medication and it appears will be so for the rest of my life. Very little slimming unless I eat really fast and don't chew my food up small enough.

What happens if you don't know it has eroded? Say you've had the band 3 years, no problems, only have a slight fill without plans to have another fill anytime soon (therefore since I am self-pay would not have the fluro done). Can it be lifee-threatening?

Hi, I have also gone through fillcenterusa for my fills (I am 2 years out). I have not had a fill in Duluth (I live in Griffin, Ga-by the way my sister lives in Dalton). If you get to Duluth and use the fluro machine, will you email me and let me know how it goes? Thanks, Bette

I am 2 years out with little hairloss. My doctor told me to take Biotin. The last 6 months I have added Evening Primrose Oil and my hair is actually thicker than it has ever been. So.....worth a try. My sister, which has a child that has had major chemo/radiation told me about the Evening Primrose Oil. I decided to try it and am sooo glad.

Hello- You say you know how a slip feels. Would you be willing to describe that for me? Thanks, Bette

Biotin is good, however I am also taking Evening Primrose Oil which has helped tremendously. Good luck.

Silverwoman - You can go thru fillcenterusa. I live in Georgia and have been to their Tampa office/Dr. Grossbard for my fill. You do pay an initial fee of $299 but after that your fills or $150 without fluro or $200 with fluro. They are great!! As a matter of fact Dr. Grossbard has the lapband himself. He and his partner both do the fills, first stick no problem and believe me that is not always true (had one done in Nashville, or should I say attempted to have one done, and after about 5 sticks I said "no more." Bettye

I know what you are talking about. I have lots of reflux and aspiration problems for about a year now (I am 19 months out). I have never had any type of reflux problems before my first fill. The dr gave me a 2.5 which was just too tight. After 3 months of it they decided to take it completly out, put me on nexium for 7 weeks to see if the problem could be corrected. It did indeed help, however 2 months later I had half of the fill put back in (1.8) and to this day have not had another one. I have lost 98 lbs but I suffer with reflux/aspiration problems 4 out of 7 days. My primary care doctor put me back on nexium this last month because of the reflux was just too bad. It is so very frustrating. I try very hard NOT to eat any of the "trigger" foods, I don't eat after 6pm and often I still have problems....my thing is will this be forever???

What happens if one does NOT get a slipped band repaired?

Did you have trouble from the beginning with your first band. What kind of trouble did you have?

I would request some test to be done for my own "piece of mind" if nothing else. I now have to deal with reflux, which I will say I have never experienced in my life....due to being filled too tight the first time and my doctor pretty much refusing to take any of it out; basically was told "there's nothing wrong with your fill, quit being such a baby and deal with it." I am now having to deal with all the problems that come with reflux and it was totally unnecessary. Take care. Bette

I decided not to discuss it with anyone at my office and only told my best friend,and my daughter in case something should go wrong. Since I am a single parent, I made sure my friend had a copy of my will, insurance papers etc. I requested time off from work because of "minor" surgery and when I was given a little bit of a hassle I simply asked if I needed to bring a doctor's excuse in. I was told no and given the week off. Everyone at work simply thought I had taken some time off. I had researched the lapband for 2 years, knew it was for me and since I would be self-pay decided to go to Mexico to have it done. I did not desire to hear all the negative comments that people are just gonna give....esp about going out of the country. I do not regret my choice. It has been 1 1/2 years later and 90 lbs gone. I have told a few people that continue to question my weight loss. However, like others have said they have seen us all diet, go up and down so they simple think it is another one of those things....All has worked out well. I just told my family Christmas (a year later). Everyone has to do what is best for them. I have seen people tell immediate family, friends, co-workers and they were talked out of having the surgery completely or simply scared into not having it. I just did not want to deal with all of that.

Have you tried fillcenterusa?

Yep, sure would and that's with more than a few complications. I've still lost 88 lbs, keeping it off and still loosing (after 18 months).