mlejeune

You are right, HELL isn't a strong enough word. LOL. I went round and round and round with Tameki. I did switch dr's at the last minute. I actually called my ins company and cancelled the pre-authorization that she had submitted, and decided to just stick with Dr. Spiegel (who did my lapband). Im so glad I made the decision because Tameki submitted my coworkers at the same time, and she got denied because the wrong determination code was used. So, now she has to appeal. I was on week 4 with Tameki when I cancelled. I cancelled because the ins company STILL didnt have all they needed and had been calling her with no response. I cancelled that on a Monday, Dr. Spiegel re-submitted on Tuesday and I was approved 5 days later and I'm scheduled for surgery this Tuesday. I plan on writing both Garth and Robert an email because I think they trust their staff and have NO idea what is really going on. Yes, their staff SUCKS. LOL

I consulted with Dr. Robert Davis from that show. I have been banded for 4 years, but started having complications last Oct. I'm having the band removed this Tuesday and doing gastric. I will say that the Davis's are outstanding surgeons (I didn't choose them to do my surgery because I had HELL with his staff), but they are not fans of the band which is why you probably dont see them pushing it on their show. Everyone is different. I lost 23 lbs the first 8 days. Just follow your dr's instructions and you will be successful.

You may want to go see your surgeon and do a barium swallow. I am having a revision from the band to the bypass because of complications with the band that started out as chest pains. First, they were mild, then they began hurting between my shoulder blades and eventually got to where I couldn't breathe. I thought it was my gallbladder, but wanted to start with my lapband dr first just to rule out anything with the band. Sure enough, when I did the barium swallow, it backed up into my pouch and didnt go down. Sometimes your esophogus can swell. Alot of people can get unfilled and do liquids for a few weeks and then get refilled and everything is fine. Unfortunately, that wasn't my case. Good luck!

Mine was stretched once, and I didnt have pain or anything. I just felt hungry, and could eat more than normal. They made me do a week of liquids and it went back to its normal size.

Congrats on your weight loss. That's alot in 6 months. You should be proud. Count me in the challenge.

Hi. I'm new to the site, but I'm in need of some help. I was unfilled in November due to some complications I had with my band. I've put on 20 lbs, and have an appt scheduled Thursday morning for a refill. For some reason, I'm freaked out thinking that my band will not work again. I was banded in Aug 06. Has anyone been completely unfilled and then refilled? How did it work? Sorry if this is a repative post. I looked for something similar, but couldnt find anything.

Thank you for the response. Isn't it amazing how fast the weight comes back? I really thought I was going to be able to maintain without the band, and now I can't wait to get it refilled. I'm trying to look at it as a fresh start and not focus on the 20 lb set back.

I'm new to the site, but I need help!! I was banded in Aug of 06. I lost about 60 lbs, and then this past November, I started having complications and had to be completely unfilled. I've put on 20 lbs. I"m going in Thurs morning to be refilled, but I am terrified that my band won't work anymore. I could use a buddy!