Aurelia

Mine came 2 days after surgery. Fun times.

So I have a bit of a complex issue. I had the Lapband put in 2009 and had great success. In 2015 I developed an antibiotic resistant port infection and had to have my band removed. I’m trying to get approved for the gastric sleeve but my insurance has denied saying I’m only allowed one surgery per lifetime. Has anyone ever successfully got them to approve it with peer to peer review. Trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

Weirdest thing, I was banded in March of 2009 and never had any issues and had great success with the band. I've lost over 100 pounds. About two months ago my port started getting tender it got progressively worse. I started running fevers and the pain was bad but not unbearable. I went to my band doctor and he said the band needed to come out. He put in the request for band removal surgery but my insurance denied it. He appealed and they finally approved it. It's started getting bruised and now I can't even tolerate the sensation of anything touching the area. Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm so disappointed. I've had great success with the band and I'm so scared of gaining weight.

He hates the band and is weary of all the complications he's been seeing lately. He's had to remove a lot lately. He's also concerned about this spontaneous infection and says that the band could be encouraging it. He says a film grows on the band and bacteria can grow on it. I've also been on 4 different antibiotics and none of them seem to be working. This is the first major issue I've had with it. I wanted a revision to sleeve but my insurance says my BMI of 20 doesn't qualify me for more bariatric surgery.

Kate, I'm having the band removed on thursday. I had an EGD and Catscan done. EGD showed no erosion or slippage but the CT Scan showed a lot of Fluid around the port. The swelling around it has worsened and its bruised. I just wanted to know if the port can spontaneously get infected without the band slipping etc. I'm interested so see what he finds when he goes in on thursday.

My bandiversary is on 3/18 and I'm happy. I've passed my goal weight and I now weigh 125 pounds and I'm continuing to lose. My mom has been so impressed by my results that she got banded last week. Don't give up ladies!!

Dr. Cohen did my Lap-Band surgery and he is simply amazing. He makes you feel at ease and explains the ins and outs of what to expect after surgery. He is very accessible should you have any questions. The office staff are also great! They are very accommodating and they are willing to go the extra mile to help you. I also like the pre-operative and post-operative support that was provided. I went into surgery will prepared with the right info to help me succeed.

I totally understand your hesitation. This surgery is a big deal. You're having someone cut into you so it's something you should approach with caution. Dr. Cohen is awesome...I'm about to hit my two year anniversary and I'm very pleased with my results...over 105lbs lost and counting. As I've said before, they really prepare you for the surgery and life afterward. Do your research and make the decision of what's best for you. If I had to do it all over again...I would in a heart beat!

It depends on the type of coverage you have. I have Choice Plus and everything was covered for my surgery.

6 months and I absolutely hate it. I have lost a lot of weight but I've been in pain and no one really knows why. I maybe getting it removed. My mom was thinking about getting the surgery but after she's seen how much I've endured she changed her mind. It's not for everyone and everyone's body reacts differently. I'm grateful for the weight loss but the price has been too high in my opinion.

You're not alone. I hate the band and wish I had gotten a bypass or a sleeve.

I'm a Flight Attendant and I just wanted to see if my experiences with flying with the band are on par with others. My trips typically last 4 to 5 days and they are pure hell. I try to drink water during my flights because I know dehydration can cause the band to tighten. However, I find that I am unable to eat on the days that I fly and for about 2 days after. On the last trip I did I almost passed out from the lack of food. I have considered perhaps getting an unfill but on the days that I'm not flying I'm ok with eating food. Has anyone else experienced this and how did you combat the problem. I've also noticed that my port site becomes extremely irritated when I fly and I feel it popping when I bend over. What's a girl to do?

Are you ladies exercising? I started out at the same weight that you did and I've lost 65 lbs. I can't stress how important it is to get moving. Even if it's just 15 minutes of walking it does help. Also, if your doc has a support group try to find a buddy and exercise with them. You'll give each other positive support. Are you also watching the fat and calorie content of the food you're eating? Last but not least get a fill if you're not losing. You got this operation to lose weight so be persistent with your doctor about getting your weight loss going.

Violet, Thanks for understanding where I'm coming from as an aviator. No offense to the responses that I've received but business or leisure flying is not the same as working a flight. I'm glad I got a FA to respond to my question. I have spoken to my doctor about adding my issues to his case studies and so far he's given me a cat scan and an upper Endoscopy but all seems well with the band. I still have ridiculous port pain and I think it's shifted and lodged up by my ribs. He's not really sure what's going on and seems to just be scratching his head. I have a work colleague who had bypass and he has no issues. I really think doctors shouldn't recommend the band to pilots or flight attendants. It's just pure hell!!

Has this ever happened to anyone? It started out with port site pain that was very tender to touch...went to see the doc today and now I'm waiting to have a CAT Scan done. He said the band might have eroded. In a situation like this would they revise it to a sleeve or gastric Bypass? I'm just scared because my weight loss is going great.

I'm not talking about run of the mill soreness. It hurts to touch...I can't have anything on it. He says my band is most likely infected.

for the past two weeks I've noticed that my port site is very tender to the touch. Forget laying on my stomach...it's incredibly uncomfortable. This week it started popping when I would bend over. Is this normal??? Anyone else experience this?

No it's my port. I feel it moving and making a popping noise.

Um...there's no joint in my stomach last I checked.

I guess everyone is different! I do try to drink water throughout my flights to stay hydrated. It's just nearly impossible to get anything down once I'm back on the ground. This is so weird. Plus you also have to remember that I'm in the air a lot longer than the average person especially when you factor in my 3 hour commute home after flying for 13+ hours from the middle east.

Sally, I think two things cause the restriction...The Cabin Pressure and the dry air in the cabin. I finished flying on wednesday morning and I'm still not able to eat because I'm so tight. I'm giving it one more day and then calling my doc to see about a slight unfill.

I was outpatient and the my hospital bill was 36K My physician was 10K Anesthesiologist was 6K Physicians Assistant was 5K I nearly fell to the floor when I saw the charges. Thank G-d my insurance covered everything and I didn't have to pay a cent/

I'm at 56 pounds weight loss and wearing size 12/14. I just got a fill and I'm at 6.5 cc in a 10cc band.

I have UHC choice plus and my surgery is done and paid for.