lighter02

I'm just 4 months shy of 4 yrs out and going through a real rough patch with my band and could really use someone to talk/vent/who understands.

I want to thank you all for your advice and support. My surgeon's office called this afternoon (he apparently forgot) and saw me tonight. Instead of my band being at the usual 2 and 8 its at 1 and 7 so we aren't far off. He's going to double check my new gi with the initial post op one. He also removed some of the fill and said within 2 wks I should be ok. Thanks again, I really appreciate all the support. This last week was the most nerve wracking ever.

Hi, It's been so long since I've been on here or asked anyone for support. I was banded May 2006. Since my banding I have had off and on hell with it. The first 2 yrs I had only lost 10lbs. From the first day I have had issues with PBing at every meal. My surgeon kept saying it was no big deal dont worry about it. I have learned to live with the downfalls and eventually started to lose weight and live with my band and despite my issues love and cannot go without my band. Around Thanksgiving I developed just acid reflux which got increasingly worse. By the last wk of the yr I went to my PCP for help and was ordered an H-Pylori test which was negative, and an upper GI. The test came back as "band on it's transverse axis" and "esphogeal dialation." I haven't been able to get an actual answer to what my series means. At one point I was told I need to go straight to the OR due to erosion but then my surgeon never showed up. My primary won't give me an answer either. I can't get an answer and am having a lot of symptoms like; shoulder pain, thick saliva, nausea, occasional vomitting, severe acid reflux, and my meds arent working correctly. My surgeon has been non-responsive and I can't get the surgeons where I work to even see me. I need to know if anyone has gone through this or has advice as a next step. I'm getting worried that this could be serious that I'm not getting help or doing enough.

My situation is a bit intense. I'll pm you because I don't want to affect anyone else.

Does anyone know of any surgeons in MA that would take on a patient that's already been banded that just needs a new physician?

Thank you all. I work at the same hospital that my PCP works at so I emailed her personally on Friday demanding answers. I think up to that point her nurse was interceding my messages. I also got the Upper GI disc just in case. I tried calling the bariatric team where I work and none of them would take me on because "they don't fix other surgeon's messes." A friend of mine who was bypassed let me vent last week and then sent me a list of about 5 surgeons in my area who may be able to help. I am going to start calling their offices tomorrow to see if other people can take me on. My other problem though at this point I'm disregarding is because I work for a hospital my insurance is geared for that hospital so if I go to any other hospital in my area they will only pay a small portion of what I need. I'm hoping tomorrow I can get some answers tomorrow.

I was banded last May, and never set unrealistic goals for myself or had high expectations, in case my sx didnt work. From last April when I started my liquid diet until now, I've only lost 10 lbs. I do everything by the book and try soo very hard. About 2 months post-op I started having problems like pbing and not being able to tolerate a lot of foods, even if the food was too hot or too cold I couldn't tolerate it. I did my fills regularly for a while (i had 5 fills) but I never got full/ I pprobably could have eaten the same amount of food as i did pre-operatively. Then i started see everyone in my group shed like 30+lbs in 4-5 months even less sometimes and i was barely at ten. (and of course everyone knew i had the sx and wasnt succeeding so i was gossipped about and the usual) So i feel into a depression and stopped attending meetings, and stopped seeing my surgeon. When i tried to get nutrition appts so was booked up like 3 months and couldnt see me when i free (i work as an MA for a Dr), so i didnt go back. Then I found out my failure was due to a tx I was getting for another medical condition, one that i cant stop and i wont lose wait as long as i do this tx. part of me says you went so far keep trying, part of me says your just so miserable and a failure give up, have him remove the band, and go on with your life. if you were in my place what would you do?????????? im so desperate i dont know what to do, and i dont think my surgeon will switch me to a bypass because my bmis not that bad yet. desperately Tabitha:think

thanks vanceemilton for your understanding, and yes I am headed down that rode but my gyn is trying every possibility first. I've already been through 2 major laparoscopies, and if this tx fails then a hysterectomy will be my only choice, i'm just trying so hard to avoid that right now. Jack as for your ?'s I know your not trying to be harsh and just dont know so I'll try to explain............during my initial post op period i pb-ed at least 3-4 times a wk, my nutritionist watched me eat and said it wasn't because i ate to fast or didnt chew enough. we summed it up to if i take foods directly from the fridge, freezer, or microwave and ate them it would upset me stomach to the point that id get sick. i also couldnt eat some foods that i ate pre-op like chicken, as soon as it went down id be sick, they said i developed intolerances. As for the feeling full i mentioned...the 1st month post-op i was feeling full/satisfied i was never hungry then i went to being the way i was post-op always hungry always needing food, even after id eat i was still hungry. and yeah my portions were bigger than the nutritionist suggested but i couldnt get satisfied or full and i was eating at the same times every day and the right amount of meals and calories and everything. When reading my inital post i assume you saw the part where i mentioned that they were gossiping about me, it felt like high school all over again, with the talking and the taunting, and it hurt too much to be in the same room with those ppl that's why i stopped going to the support group, i joined for help, advice, and support, not to be made fun of by ppl just like me. For seeking assistance from my nutritionist I tried, and shes booked out 2-3 months and can only take my at certain times, but i work for an MD during the day a 9-7:30 job Mon-thur and cant just leave work to see her, we're a small extremely busy practice with only 2-3 MA's on staff and no secretary so i cant just leave at any time. (we're going to be downsizing next month and because of all the time ive taken for the band's appts they told me im most likely the one to go.) So yes my health is very important, but at this point so isnt my job and health ins. My surgeon just doesnt understand he knew about the meds before the sx and didnt even tell me of the risk but says "well its the shot thats why youre not losing the weight............" UHH!!!!!!!!!!! For removing the band Im not sure of the benefits but preop i wasnt gaining weight i was just fat and obese and could eat food without having to worry about eating too fast or the right foods or will i pb whereas w/out the band i may have a chance at some normallcy for eating........................................................ I just dont know anymore. Update....Since my original post (actually last tues)my surgeon has given me another fill and told me to give it some more time and he was furious about the gossiping and said hed deal with it next meeting. I dont know if any of it will help but well see.

Hey guys, Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately for me its not that easy. My other medical conditions txs aren't going to evolve over time, it's either this or a hysterectomy, and at 22 Im totally not ready for that. As for the fills, my last one was in September and I was due for another one in October, but I just couldnt get over the news I found out in Sept about the injections preventing the weight loss, so i never went back. I tried the banders basic diet a total of 5x 2 before Sept, and 3 since then without any success. The only time i felt full was for the first 3-4 wks post op and that was all, the rest of the time i felt like i did before the sx so I think that its not a full or actually over-fill issue because i never felt that way again......... Thanks for the suggestion Im just so confused and upset right now. Tabitha

Hey Marissa, Im 22, and was banded last yr @ 21, I actually wanted the sx alot younger but that was before my surgeon started the lap-band and my bmi didnt fit for a bypass. I know about 20ppl personally, not even through here, who've had their sx's ranging from 18-23, so I dont think you've given up to soon, and as my surgeon said, I did something good before all the negatives (ie: diabetes, HTN, and high cholesterol) could begin.

I am officially living every lapbanders worst fear. I was banded on May 8th, and have done everything by the book. 64 oz of water a day, exercising daily, eating healthly and the right # of meals. As of the last time I got on the scale I only lost 10lbs. Ive been on the lupron injections every 3 months for another ongoing medical condition, and no matter what i cant stop them. when i lost saw my gyn and surgeon they both said the same thing, the lupron's whats keeping the weight on.......... in the past ive had pbing episodes and now cant eat a lot of my favorite foods. i am sooooo grateful for losing the 10lbs that i lost, but i have 75 more to go and now im never going to see anything less than where i am... i am so discouraged and heartbroken that i went through all of this, including surgical and post-op complications and everything else. I dont know if i want to kick and scream or just crawl into a ball and cry. i always heard ppl say thats their worst fear and theyd rather die than go through what i am and it makes it worse because i was one of those ppl. Sorry about the venting i just had to get this out...... the biggest loser on lapband. tabitha:think

I was banded at the Lawrence Memorial w/ Dr.Randall and hes done 3 fills already, Im due for another one in 2 wks. Im semi-restriceted but i still need my fills. the pbing stopped between the 1and and 2nd fill. they were actually from food i can no longer eat ie: certain veggies and meats. I excercise a min of 45mins/day, eat 4 meals a day and get my fills as i need them. im following everything everyone has told me to do, but without the results. im trying so hard and nothing is working. ive even done some intermediate days of just liquids to try and jump start it w/out success. We also did diuretics for a while to see if that would help w/ the retention w/out any luck.

Hey everyone sorry i haven't had a chance to write sooner, i work 3 jobs so its hard to find time. I have been continuously on the lupron for 4 yrs and with the consultion of 4 MDs I will probably be on it for a very long time. I have severe endometriosis and ovarian cysts to where i have had 2 laparoscopies, and debilitating pain to where i wouldn't be able to get up for days at a time. My periods would last for like 3 wks of non-stop heavy bleeding. for those whose who don't know its usually given w/ norethindrone- one as a HRT and one to lower your levels. I have literally tried every bc pill, patch, and ring out there and so far this is the only tx thats worked to give me a normal life. Going into the sx I checked with my ob/gyn, my pcp, and my surgeon no one realized this would have any affect on me. ive had the same condition for 10 yrs only 8.5 w/ a dx. nobody told me that this would happen, and since it wont go away til i reach menopause, it going to be awhile since im only 21. the only weight lose was original post op and its also because at about 1month-2 months out i had a long period of PBing episodes and wasn't eating alot, and then as it tapered so didn't my weightloss. thanks for all the support i needed someone who would understand, my family just doenst understand and it doesnt help. tabitha

I was only a 35 BMI and had a few comorbities ie: high cholesterol and glucose intolerant. It all varies by your ins co and you. Hypertension and high triglycerides do help you to qualify as comorbities though.

No problem, Dr. Randall and his staff are awesome. I recently had a problem and didn't even realize that it was band related, he did and even told me about other symptoms that i never told him about. good luck w/ everything, and maybe well meet end up seeing each other there. let me know if you need anything else tabitha

It most likely will include a PFT which is a pulmonary function test, to see how well you breathe. They usually do it before sx to check if you may be at risk for certain breathing problems while your under anesthesia. My surgeon required one, but i had one about 6 months before, so i skipped mine. Being on Cpac for 3 yrs Im sure you may have had one before??? Hope this helps and if your still not sure about the test let me know and i can give you more info.

:think Hey guys, I totally need help.... I was banded on May 8th, and have been fairly lucky, only a few problems w/ PB'ing and some post-op problems, but I was blessed. I've had 2 fills and I'm due for my 3rd Sept 5th. Im totally stuck in plauteu land. I went from no exercise pre-op to hitting the gym 2-3x/wk for 30-45 mins and doing 45+minute walks every other day. Im eating everything Im supposed to, and still getting in enough Water, Protein, and calories, but Im not losing. I have lost a total of 10lbs, and Im totally discouraged and hurting. My nutritionist cant even meet w/ me due to a tight schedule, then our hours mesh. We're doing phone consulates and monthly meetings, but its not enough. Im going to start liquids tomorrow for a few days, but if any of you guys have any suggestions I can really use the help. Im going out of my mind trying to figure out what im doing wrong, and its just not happening. Suggestions would be awesome, thanks Tabitha :help:

Hey guys, I want to thank you for all of the suggestions, and help. I feel like I'm living every lap bander's biggest fear, to go through all of this, and not lose anything. I don't feel so alone anymore. I have an update to my problem. I took your advice and tracked my food/calorie intake vs burned, and I'm actually burning 2-3x more than I'm taking in. Tues was our monthly meeting so I brought it up to my nutritionist, the group, and my surgeon. The nutritionist said that I'm eating exactly how I should, except my qty is a little high, which may be because I'm still not fully restricted and i only have 1.2ccs so far. My surgeon asked me like 4 questions, and he was right on to other symptoms that Ive been having, but didn't realize were related. He thinks that i may be retaining fluid, so hes prescribing a diuretic for once a wk for 3 wks and a fill on sept 5th. he thinks if i do that and slightly decrease my water it should help. I was drink about 80oz of water a day, he said to go to 64ish, and w/ all of this the lbs should start coming off. Dr. R was a little upset at me for not coming to him right away, he told me his door is always open no matter what, so next time i have a problem, its you guys and him right away. Thanks again Tabitha

I havent been measuring myself. I know that it helps, i just never did. At the beginning I was still losing inches, but now even thats stopped. Normal plauteus are ok, but even my nutritionist said i shouldnt have w/ only 10 lbs. thtats my total weightloss from pre-op to now, so about 4 months.

I totally agree w/ you. I havent found a copng mechanism as of yet, but would love to see what this thread holds. In the beginning I had a lot of issues w/ PB'ing and not able to tolerate certain foods. I was banded in May, and have only been to two restuarants since then. The first one 2 wks ago to a place I had never been to before, and the menu was like 8 pages long in med print, and it was Mexican. I tend to get sick off of spices and stuff, and it was an office outing, so I sat there hemming and hawing for like 20 minutes and panicked more about what i can eat, and how to get to the bathroom if i needed to in case of an emergency. The second restuarant I had been to before and knew what I could eat, by safety, unwilling to try knew things. Does anyone have a system they suggest???

Hey Linda, If you were looking to go slightly outside of Boston, there is an excellent Dr. # the Lawrence Memorial in Medford. His name is Sheldon Randall, and he performs the sxs and the fills. He actually trained w/ the Drs in Boston.

Honestly from my own personal experience and also from those at my monthly meetings, it stays w/ you. My farting unfortunately has increased dramatically since I was banded. This is pretty much true w/ any WLS you have, its just never mentioned. Though I dont know about you, but my burping got better w/in 5 wks. Hope this helps and you find relief soon.

Some ins co who aren't totally used to a procedure/sx yet will ask for that info. if you wanted a sx that would ultimately cost them like $25,000 they would be like hold on, no, so they try to get a price range and then compare it to what your nutritionist, surgeon, and psychiatrist recommend. Most times they do approve the procedure, but they are just cautious about prices. I work for a drs office and I have seen insurance companies who want estimated pricing for diabetic shoes w/ inserts which are like $150. I wouldnt be too worried. Good luck and hope you get your approval soon. hope this helps.

If Im correct, angioedema is basically hives, w/ deeper swelling than typical hives.

Hey Deanna, Welcome to the site!!! All of your medical conditions, height, and weight do qualify you for the surgery. The pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and metalbolic problems will actually be minimized or gone after being banded. As for the angioedema, your surgeon may want you to have an eval before your surgery to make sure that your ok to go ahead, but it shouldnt rule you out. Good luck on your Quest for WLS, and hope all goes well. Did you make a consultation appt w/ a surgeon yet???