brent0517

Ok here's my story and was wondering your thoughts. In 2009 had a 10 cc realize band put it. Worked awesome. Lost 120 pounds. Then on a family vacation a bite of a hot dod got stuck and body tried to throw it up, didn't work spent the next 3 nights in a D.C. Hospital. Long story short I broke my band! But at the time we didn't know that. So a few months went by and I gained weight. Went in for a fill, and felt fine next day could eat like I did pre band. Doctor was clueless, he just keep filling me. Couple more months and zero restriction. I decided to change doctors (my original one had just been kicked out of the hospital for too many law suites or something like that). Told new doctor my story and you could tell he thought I was smoking crack about how much Fluid was in there. So he goes well let's take out the fluid and see where we are. To the tenth of a cc he took out what I said was in there. 40.5 cc's!!! In a 10cc band. New doctor is flabergasted. Calls a meeting in the hall with colleges, call realize band rep, etc. He scheduled me an ultra sound and that's when we discovered the band broke. It straight as an arrow in there. Looked like a pencil in my belly. He takes it and my gallbladder out and tells me he couldn't put it back in dude to the whole in my stomach where the band was super pressurized and made my stomach erode over the band. Next few months where very painful. But now everything is back healthy and I am getting it put back in by the new good doc. I have been fine with all this up to now, but after self pay for the first one at about 30k, and the 15-20k I had to spend for my hospital stay in d.c. I now am thinking about the next one I will have to pay for. Then I realized, I think my old doctor and/or realize band people should help me pay for it!!! By the way the rep for realize band said he had never seen or even heard of a band breaking like that! But he was going to make it up to me by getting my next one free! Whoop! What's that going to save me 12.95$. Ok there u go just wondering your thoughts,?? Also if any one is wondering. I am 6,3 and started off at 345#. The day the hotdog got stuck in Washington I was hovering around 215. Now back up to 295 but after dec 19th I will have my sweet sweet band back!!!

Hey everyone. I am so ticked right now. I am supposed to have my surgery next Wednesday the 21st. As a prerequisite I have to use a cpap machine for 14 days prior to surgery. I went in to have it downloaded and the sleep center said I may have to postpone my surgery because I have been getting the full therapy of the cpap!! My doctor requires 4 hours a night minimum and I am averaging 6 or so. But they say I may have a leak because my percent of use is around 70. I was borderline on having "obstructive sleep apnea" as it was. I was told I have it if my pulse-ox dropped below 90 and mine went to 89 during my sleep study (sounds a little shady). Anyway, I have already got my time off work set up and have been off already to concentrate on my pre-op diet. So, if they postpone my surgery because of this sleep study stuff. I am going to be really really mad. I hate the machine and the second I get my 14 days done, I am throwing that thing in the trash, even though my doctor says I need to keep using it after surgery, I am not going to. This has been the worst 2 weeks of sleep ever. Anyway, just wanted to rant. Sorry. Brent

Oh Melina, Your funny. You have nothing to apologize for! Your exactly right that is why I came on here to get some opinions from people who have been through what we have been through. And let's face it, as much research as we all did prior to our surgeries, we are all mni-experts!!! Anyway, no worries!

Thanks for the post. Yes it was just the wiener part of the hot dog. Thought I was taking small bites chewing well, but I am not perfect, sometimes food gets stuck. Anyway, I don't care too much about the money. I just think it was their fault and would like to have them pay to replace my band. Also, if I didn't make it clear. On the www.FDA.gov website under The document talking about the US approval, there is a section called safety. I will quote it word for word...."NEVER Fill the band with more than 9ml of saline. Filling with greater than 9ml of saline may result in....band erosion". I was under flouro for all my fills. He emptied the band then proceeded to put 4 consecutive 10ml syringes in. So, I am pretty sure it was intentional, I don't see how u "accidentally" put 40ml in when you have to empty and draw 10 more ml out of the saline bag, and do it 4 times. I must of drank a gallon of berrium that day, and every time I drank it it went str. Down, ZERO restriction. Finally when he started drawing out the 5th syringe. I knew I was done with him. Told him that was good and I will just go on my way. Left there and made an appointment with a different doctor. I know I am just a fireman but even with my limited EMT medical know how, I knew that wasn't right. I guess I will meet with an attorney and see if they will take as a contingency case so no out of pocket expense for me. If something comes of it, good if not at least I let em know that total disregard for the limits placed by the FDA and the manufactor will not be tolerated.

Hey everyone. I need some help. I got my band in October of 09. Everything went great until aug of 2010 ( went from 345 to 220). On a family vac to D.C. I took a bite of a hot dog...long story short went to the ER for stomach pain. I think it got stuck and my body keep trying to throw it up, while doing that I tore my stomach. Worst pain I have ever been in, I am a fireman and have crushed my bone in my thumb and broke my orbital bone around my eye, skiing. They tickled compared to this. Back to the story, a month or so goes by and everything is fine I noticed I was aging weight so I went in for a fill, 2 days later I could eat like a did, PRE SURGERY!! I went in for another fill 5 weeks later and my doc was totally dumfounded, he said my band should be completely shut at 14cc's but the solution was sliding right down. He keeps adding and adding I left there with 25 cc's in a 14 cc band! I am still able to eat anything I want and have gained 50 pounds back, with no end in sight. I couldn't get back in to see him til feb 25! So I thought I would turn to u guys and see what your thoughts were! Thanks!!

Ok just a little update....changed doctors and I told my new doc the story about having 42cc's in a 14cc band. He thought I was crazy, so he did an unfill. And right on the number, took out 42cc's. Got to admit I felt a little validated. Anyway after an upper GI, they saw that my band was unlatched! Still in the right spot and all just unbuckled like a belt. Weird.

Ok, A little back ground. I had my realize band put in Oct. 09. First year and a half went great. Lost a hundred and twenty pounds. then something went wrong. Been slowly gaining weight. Went in to get my 4th fill and doctor said my band should be completly closed at 14 cc. And when I walked out of there he had 42cc IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!! He called the rep and they are pretty sure there is no leak because he had negitive pressure after every syrnge of saline. Anyway, needless to say he was dumfounded. Ordered an upper GI and a ultrasound of my gallbladder. Got a phone call today saying he wants to take my gallbladder out and then give me another fill. Can someone please tell me how my gallbladder has anything to do with my band not giving me ANY restriction?? If anyone has any insight to this at all, I would really appreicate it! Thanks, Brent

Ok just a little update....changed doctors and I told my new doc the story about having 42cc's in a 14cc band. He thought I was crazy, so he did an unfill. And right on the number, took out 42cc's. Got to admit I felt a little validated. Anyway after an upper GI, they saw that my band was unlatched! Still in the right spot and all just unbuckled like a belt. Weird.

What is the pouch test?

The thing is he draw back all the fluid after he put it in.

Hey fellas I noticed there are several fireman who have the band. I am getting mine next wenseday. I was wondering if you guys could share some of your experiences with me. All the guys at my station suppport me, and I have already arranged to have 6 weeks off. Was that enough/not enough time for you? I work at a fairly busy station 8 or 9 calls on a 24 hour shift, did you notice any difference in the ablility to do your job, etc? Thanks. Brent

What i did was put the ipod with nike plus sensor in my pocket and pinned the earphone cable to my collar of my shirt to keep it from pulling out of my ears. Works good for me. Good luck, hope this helps.

This is slow process, you will get there. From what I understand you will get to your sweet spot and The wieght will melt off. Keep up your excersie. Good luck.

I know it freaked me out too. surgery day 316, three days later 321. Dont worry, it will go back down. Here I am 10 days post op and wieghed in this morning at 307. They pump in the fluids. good luck!!

Hey Did any one else gain weight in the days following surgery? On surgery day I weighed 316, I weighed again this morning at 320. What is the reason for this? I have only had liquids and have walked a mile on the treadmill both days. What gives?

In by 6:00 today, in the car on my way by 10:30. Not bad! Only 4.5 hours total

I am rocking. feel great, have walked about half mile. Slight pain in the port site, but the oxycodone is taking care of that. Thanks for all the well wishers. I can tell you this if you have a good support person, it makes all the difference. My wife ROCKS

Cant wait. I think all the people getting banded oct 21st will be the most successful bandsters, ever!! Plus I have lost 26 pounds on the pre-surgery diet!

Thanks guys. I am really ready. Bunker gear was getting a little tight.

Me too!! Oct 21st. Super Pumped!

I am selfpay and I just give my card and so far it has worked but I half expect to see bills in the mail when they figure it out. But, I dont care I will just pay it I really want to get this done.

Try this, my doctor is really pushing it. 42 grams of Protein in a 3 oz shot. The taste blows, but one of these a day will supplement your protein. Protein Shots! Buy Cheap New whey liquid Protein Vials Bullets by IDS Sports Ready To Drink RTD! Protein Vials!

Hey fellas I am getting banded oct 21st. Is it just me or are the quote unquoute ideal weights way way off? I am 6'2 330. I would say a medium build. And the charts say I need to weigh 177! Which means I need to lose 153 pounds! If I weigh less than 220 I would look sick. I would really like to be 230 to 240. How did you guys set your "goal" weight? Off what the "charts" say or what you think is best for your body type? Thanks. Brent

How many people tested positive for sleep apnea? I have my overnight in a couple of days and was just wondering.