SoccerMomma73

So, for a different point of view (FYI, this thread amused me greatly) I am a failed band, had it removed almost 3 weeks ago secondary to slip. I was banded 12/2009 @ 295 with a BMI of about 50. I did well for about 6 months then had an episode of tightness leading to dehydration leading to total unfill and IV fluids. I had some restriction but was not too tight, I as slowly and consistently losing weight but it was the week before my period, 4th of July weekend and things just got tight. I went to liquids, but never recovered. After the unfill things were never the same. I NEVER could get to a comfortable spot with my band. We put a little in here and there but essentially any time I'd add anything I'd have to have it removed soon after. Upper GI was normal. So I played the band game. I ate mostly what I should but had great difficulty with solid Protein, I drank my Water, I exercised very little. I got down to and maintained around 225 with a BMI of 36 ish. I lost essentially half my excess body weight which is about average. I did not drink through straws, drink sodas, eat a lot of crap..... I spent a couple years with almost nothing in my band and I maintained that weight. This summer I developed severe reflux, waking up at night choking, chest pain with any foods (soft or otherwise) and eventually difficulty tolerating liquids. I was found to have a slipped band. Was I a perfect bandster? No. Was I bad and did so etching to my band? No. Sometimes **** happens.... Do I hate bands? No. Will I have another? No way. When I had my band removed I had so much inflammation and irritation that my surgeon felt it unsafe to do an immediate revision and I'm now in a 6 month healing period before I can get bypass. In hind site I have a lot of problems with allergies and drainage and my band didn't like that. I catch every GI bug that comes through the clinic, and my band didn't like that....I was not the best choice for a band. Knowing what I know now, I would have gotten a gastric sleeve (except the weren't being done here yet). The band works for some but there's a chunk of us out there that it didn't work for. It is reversible as they say but that doesn't mean there's not permanent damage being done that can ever be taken out. I know of 1 case where the band did so much damage the patients surgeon told her she can never safely have another bariatric surgery (1 out of a million yes, but still something to think about). FYI I am a family practice physician assistant, my surgeon is one of the best in the area and who you go to if there's a problem or you need a revision. I went in to this well educated with a good surgical/bariatric program to support me. I again contend that sometimes **** just happens and you can't really predict who it'll happen to! Best of luck with your decision. Get to know all 3 procedures and talk to people who have been successful as well as those who have not been successful. As for bravo-omega-fatty acid dude, he's a freak, ignore him. I love how he talks about 'intel' cuz obviously he's important and in the know on all things lapband.

Ah, sorry, missed that part. Hope you're feeling better.

I told everyone and really had few who were less than fabulous. A 5'6 and 295 I loved the few that said 'but why, you're not that big!!!'

I wouldn't think what you ate yesterday would make you dump today....but I'm a RNY virgin, we need the experts to chime in.

I use SF pudding in tiny amounts or SF jello as needed....I'm too lazy to order the syrups and this is what my surgeon recommended...I like peach and orange best with a tad bit of SF cheesecake pudding

bad bad bad

I think, the supervised weight loss is on its way out as part of the criteria....it may remain for someone who has no documentation of a lifetime of obesity, but I think over the next few years you'll see it disappear as a requirement and be replaced with something like you have to show a several year history of obesity, and if you've seen a doc one or twice a year and they've documented your weight, it'll count....at leat I hope that's where we are headed.

Agreed....but I still have to say DAMN to this whole thing.

If it makes you feel any better, I have to wait 6 months til my revision, no doctors appointments, no teting, no classes, nothing to check off a list, just wait. My next doc appointment is in early February! Sounds Cray but I almost wish I had a meeting or something in between to make more of a short term goal!

You'll do great and feel so much better I did have a pity party for a couple days post op, got majorly down about the whole thing and pictured myself becoming a whale. I hear that pretty common though so dont be surprised if it hits you. Take it easy and go slow. M and keep me updated!!!

Lol, I had NO guidance on diet on discharge. Advance as tolerated were my discharge orders. I did 2 days of liquids and then 4 or 5 of softs mostly out of fear. My band had been giving me hell for months so I was PETRIFIED to try real solid foods, particularly Protein....truly, it was bizarre. I'd get chicken on my plate then just play with it and eat everything else on my plate, I did that for several days before I finally tried it, and was perfectly fine. I have been hitting my fitness pal like a crazy woman! My instructions for the next 6 months are to maintain my current weight (or at least attempt) and continue to exercise. So far, weirdly, I'm down 1 pound since surgery. I feel SO much better!!! I don't feel like I'm having a heart attack when I eat. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't being bad some (as an end of summer bash my son and I had popcorn at a movie and frozen yogurt for dinner last night), but I'm mostly being good. I'm able to get protein with no problem at all so the majority of my foods are the healthy crunchy solid stuff I've been missing. I'm actually feeling more energetic and exercising more than I have in over a year so no doubt that is helping. The plan for now is to be pretty good on Sunday, great Monday-Friday morning, then Friday night and Saturday do what I want to do, within reason. The urge to eat until I'm stuffed is gone so ths too is helping.

It was probably a bit easier than having the band put in. The normal aches and pains of being cut open and holy cow was the port site sore!!!! Yup, for better or for worse I can eat anything. I'm madly in love with apples and celery and missed them sooooo much!!!

And she considers a BMI of 22 at the high end of normal..... This ranks up there really high on my list of 'Duh' Sometimes we take risks for good reasons, sometimes we take stupid risks. Having major surgery with the risks of anesthesia and other complications without physically needing it to be heathy qualifies as stupid in my book. If this is all true you shouldn't be given a cent of public assistance to cover any of this or complications from it, your surgeon is an idiot strictly out for money with no concern for the well being of his patients and whomever the wonderful doctor is that has been giving you fills should be ashamed of himself. If this is true you are a very ill woman and need serious help. That said, good luck, hope you don't end up with peritonitis and dying a painful and miserable death all because a healthy BMI wasn't good enough for you.

I had mine removed 2 1/2 weeks ago secondary to slip. I was supposed to revise to bypass but there was so much damage they send me home for 6 months of healing. While not at goal my BMI is now 36 with no co-morbidities so I was petrified I wouldn't qualify for revision. However my insurance company has chosen to use their brain and base revision on my pre-band BMI of 50 and my diagnosis of hypertension although now removed. In many ways I'm doing better than I thought I could. Apparently having a band taught me I don't have to gorge myself, I can have a bite or two of the delicious bad for you stuff and survive!!!! Good luck to you!

It sucks, but you'll make it through! Are you getting a revision as well or just removal?

Yup, what would you like to know?

I find it bizarre that your surgeon's office, who does this all the time, seems to be having issues getting their crap together on this... Good luck!!!!

Calcium and vitamin D....essential for healthy bones and teeth.

Take to the hospital: chap stick, your own pillow (much more comfy in the hospital and you can hug it on the way home to help with pain), gas-x strips, slippers OT socks with grippies on em, phone charger!

And some of us have had it, had complications, had removal, and are waiting for our next bariatric surgery

Curious to try because I thought kale was like the most repulsive thing on the planet!

Just use caution, the last thing you want or need is an infection in your abdominal cavity....bad stuff!!!! I'd be getting it replaced ASAP a you said, having any part sticking through the skin freaks me out!!!