Elisabethsew

I got the band 3 years ago and researched it for 9 months before I actually went for the surgery. Back then, great things were promised with the band. Since that time, studies are showing that the least amount of weight is lost with the band and that people are increeasing reporting weight gain not to mention complications. I did not wake up one morning and decide to go for revision surgery. I had to look at all the weight loss surgeries available and then determine which one was right for me. After making the decision to have a sleeve, I then had to research surgeons to find the best one skilled in that procedure. I will not be flying into Mexico. I'm flying into CA and then being driven to the hospital which is not in the part of Mexico "in the news." I don't need more time to think about this because I took the time and am at peace with the revision surgery, the surgeon, and the hospital. I am very sorry that your surgeon would not do the surgery you wanted. I would not allow a surgeon to tell me what he would or would not do. I'm paying the surgeon. If I don't get what I am paying for, I look for someone else. Eleven pounds in 5 weeks is very good and I hope you continue to have success.

I see this band as a parasite living inside of me. At first, it poses just an annoyance but, as time passes, it slowly sucks the life out of you. That's how I've been feeling. It's draining to not know if you'll be able to sleep at night, how bad the heartburn will be, etc. Once the parasite is out of me, it dies and I thrive. While that might seem very "dark" to say, it's truly the way I feel.

I have yet to find a protein powder I can tolerate. I did find a soy based protein drink that I love but it won't be allowed for the first 10 days. I guess my taste buds are sensitive to the awful taste of protein. LOL.

Actually, my husband will be going with me now, instead of my mom. I prefer it, he has a very calming affect on me. I have everything ordered for post-op and am just waiting for UPS to deliver it. I am like you, I am so excited to get my band out, that I have no nerves at all. I start my liquid diet tomorrow, and am even excited about that. Although, I am sure by Saturday I will be a complete bear to be around. I hope you have a safe trip as well. That's great that your hubby is coming with you and yes, I bet you'll be sick of liquids by the end of the week. LOL. I am finding it very hard to do only 30 carbs a day but got through yesterday and will survive the rest of the week.

Thank you sooooooooo much for posting and for the tips. The only thing I purchased for the post-op phase is some chicken broth. My sister can get anything else I might need when I get home. Like you, I do get tired after surgery. After banding I was amazed that people were back to work after just a few days. I was VERY sore (351 pounds at banding) and quite tired. I took a week and a half off from work for the band but only felt like myself again at about 2 weeks post-op. It sounds like you are doing great. Please keep posting with how the recovery is going and what your experiences are like. I only 3 weeks behind you!

Perhaps you could elaborate on what it is you're talking about? As you can see, we're all confused.

I can so relate to you. The first thing I would do is see a gastroenterologist (GI doctor) and have an EGD. You're just NPO (no food/drink) after midnight and then get intravenous (IV) sedation to put you to sleep. The MD will pass a flexible tube (scope) down your throat to look at the first part of the digestive tract (you need a barium swallow to see the mid-portion and a colonoscopy to see the last portion) and determine if you have damage to your esophagus. Depending on your insurance, you may not need a referral. Call your insurance company and find out the "next step" once you have the results of the EGD. A year will little to no weight loss with the band is considered weight loss surgery failure by many insurance companies and some pay for revisions. When you call the insurance company, ask for a case worker and get his/her name. If you can afford it, you could always do the self-pay and that puts you in control. The surgeon who banded me does not do the sleeve. I could no longer live the way I am and decided to look into Mexican surgeons. I want THIS surgery to be the LAST surgery so it was very important that I find the BEST surgeon. There are a few to choose from and I will be placing my trust in Dr. Aceves. I did not want to jump through insurance hoops and wait up to a year to build a "paper trail" for the insurance company. The acid regurgitation and daily vomiting is dangerous and damaging. Please take measures to prevent complications (I'm a nurse) and do whatever you need to. Keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you, Nancy. It looks like you have explored the various weight loss surgery options available to you and made an informed decision based on what is best for you and your needs. Talk to your surgeon about the malabsorption aspect. The more he bypasses the greater the degree of malabsorption.

The message that I got from reading those posts was, "STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM BETANCOURT/EMMANUAL AS YOU CAN GET". I leave for my surgery in Mexico in 6 days and if I were going to this clinic, I would cancel in a flash. Knowing that an RN is stating that MRSA is a common infection there should be a warning to everyone to seek a different facility. Geeeeeeez! Scary!

I started the pre-op diet a day early and am trying to get everything done that I need to before leaving for Mexico in 6 days! I am so eager to get the band out of me that I really am not nervous. Good luck with the pre-op diet. Mine is not as limiting as yours.

Men have a greater muscle mass and seem to be a bit more successful with the band but, had I known what I do now back when I was banded, I would have NEVER done it. I got the band to help me solve one problem... obesity. I am now getting a second operation to solve all the problems the band caused (esophageal irritation, gastro-esophogeal reflux, insomnia from reflux, heart burn, etc.). Have your surgeon explain ALL forms of weight loss and do a ton of your own fact finding before you allow them to do ANY surgery on you. The band is actually preventing me from losing more weight because of the dietary restrictions it imposes in me... not being able to eat solid Proteins, etc. Good luck to you.

I would be interested in knowing how much weight you need to lose.

Congratulations, Dan, and much continued success to you. I'm revising to a VSG on 4/1.

I feel so bad that you suffered an infection that requires continued antibiotics. Maybe you should see an MD that specializes in infection control. I am having surgery in Mexico and am so glad I read your post and did not choose your surgeon. Get well soon!

It's interesting to me that you posted in a closed thread that you and your daughter were having the lapband done at the end of February and now you both have the VSG. Did something go wrong and you had to have the band removed and revise to a VSG?

I've got relatives not too far from Walton... a lot of them. LOL. I looked into the RNY but don't feel it's good for me. I have Iron deficiency anemia and can't swallow pills (LOL)... no joke. I eat healthy but the portions are too big and my down fall is hot bread. Unfortunately, I can eat toasted bread and everything else with the band. Best of luck to you.

The cost is $12,500. You send a $500 deposit 10 days before the surgery and can either bring a certified check, cash, credit card, or use financing for the rest (in their information guide). The money pays for a car to take you to and from the airport in San Diego, a stay in the hotel the night you arrive, medical clearance, pre-op EKG, chest x-ray, lab work, etc., the actual surgery, and 3 nights in the hospital. There is no extra money to put out for the anesthesiologist, medications, etc. I have the patient information booklet and can email that to you if you like. I am sorry you're having problems with the band. It seems we're hearing more and more that the band is not working for many people even though they are working for the band.

Thankfully, sleep apnea, etc., are not a problem. In fact, when I am in the hospital, they have even woken me up because I don't snore and am a closed mouth breather. LOL. I do have to admit that my sleeping (when the reflux is not acting up) is much better once I got on the right dose of synthroid for the hypothyroidism. I'll keep you up to date. I started the pre-op diet a day early (today!) and was dying that everything in the store was filled with carbs. LOL. I can only have 30 for the day.

Well said! In this economy, many MDs are feeling a slow down in their business. Paid posters must bring in business. Whenever anyone is considering surgery, they really do need to make sure they find out the facts, the fiction, and talk with actual patients.

I am a registered nurse and followed the rules of being banded to the "T". I don't have a slip or erosion or an overfill. In fact, I have never felt the restriction that the band was supposed to afford me. What I do now have is night time regurg. and heartburn that is becoming persistent. I worked the band but the band did work for me and MANY people just like me exist. I could not be happier for you that the surgery you had was what you wanted and that it was successful for you. However, I don't think it's fair to insinuate that most complications are because patients did something wrong. Now that the band has been a populat surgery for some time, statistics are showing that MANY patients are experiencing complications and that the average time they are showing up is the 3 year mark. When I got my band (a few days shy of 3 years ago), I was told the band might not be a lifelong option because no long term studies were available. For many, the band is failing forcing them to explore other options. I hope you never have to be in the boat a lot of us find ourselves. Best of luck on continued success.

Restriction and no getting stuck... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. I can't wait to get this band gone... 9 days to go. LOL.

Thank you! I am running around like crazy trying to get everything done at my full time job, getting my student's work all corrected (part time job) and shopping for all the post-op foods/liquids. I am going to work at 6:30 PM on 3/30, leaving work early on 3/31 to get to the airport by 8:15 AM, flying 3K miles to CA, and then it's about another 90 minutes or so to the hospital. Between no sleep, a time zone 3 hours different than mine, and the excitement of getting this band out, I bet I sleep well when I finally get to the hotel room. LOL. I hope you and your mom have a safe flight in and I look forward to meeting you.

They are living in the ice-cream parlor trying to put out the hearburn! LOL. Sorry, I need comic relief at this point but having that awful acid come up and choke you in your sleep and guzzling antacids all day is NO quality of life. I agree that bands will soon be joining the dinosaurs... extinct.

I have a BMI of over 40 so I'll be starting a one week pre-op diet soon. It's low/no fat and carbs. You can have Protein shakes/bars, low fat yogurt (yuck, I'll pass on that), and unlimited lean chicken, fish, and beef. I'm just a few years older than you so I'll definitely keep you posted on how it goes.

kgloverii and oregon daisy, THANK YOU! I am so eager to start my new life and finally feel like I have made the right choice. I'm another day closer. LOL.