oldoneyoungagain

Well my new doctor was 95% sure my band had eroded. The good news is that he did an endoscopy on me Thursday, only to find that it had slipped. Bad news is another surgery as it has to come out, this is per him and he won't do another band, or try to see if we can get it to slip back into place. Neither have good results in the end. Now hopefully the next good news will be that they can do the bypass at the same time as removing the band. While talking with the nurse, she said that quite a few doctors are now shying away from the band, too many problems. Thank goodness that I had problems early, even though I never had any problems or so I thought. Just thought, because I didn't have any problems, did I have a band? So I'm happy that I found a doctor who listened and checked it out as most doctors will not do any other procedure after you have reach a certain age. 72 is there cut off and I'm pretty close to that. So we will see where my next Journey takes me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, that the insurance will approve it all.

Those of us who have the band, would we have had it had we known then what we know now. All the new research coming regarding the band, I wouldn't have chosen it. Trust me, did well not a thing to complain about it, until Thursday when I found it had eroded, I've only had it three years, and only to find the research is showing this more and more. The band came in to play about 20 years ago, and there have been improvements, but the complications are still great. And now the research is showing the problems. Now my new doctor did give me a choice, but I threw it back to him and asked which would he recommend (he does all three of the surgeries) and he said bypass. I have to agree with those of you that feel there is not enough research on the sleeve, it is too new. If it has taken 20 years regarding complications with the band, what will we find about all the complications of the sleeve. Mostly likely the hard way, the same as with the band. All in all it your decision, but do the research, I truly which I had three years ago as I would have had RNY but old doctor was pushing the band.

I've used Unjury since March 2010, for me the chicken was okay, threw the cheese away, use Chocolate Classic and the rest of the flavors. Very seldom do I use milk but I do mix strawberry and the unflavored with with fat free yogurt and a little water, blend and add ice and blend again. Makes a good smoothie. Also use various flavors of Crystal light and use Strawberry and the unflavored for a cold drink. Another good one is sugar free hot chocolate and mix either vanilla or chocolate. And if you are allowed to drink coffee and don't mind it at about 130 degrees or a little less mix in chocolate and have a chocolate mocha or the vanilla is similar to cream, except sweet. Also, sugar free pudding is a good mix. As far as mixing even the unflavored with any other food, I'm a chicken, because if I didn't like it therefore wouldn't eat that food for years. Also think of mixing with Crystal Light, you definitely are getting your water along with Protein, thus killing two birds with one stone. Unjury also has some good recipes. For something different I've tried the Adkins bars, and they are good, but I try and select the ones that are higher in protein.

So happy when I got my band in March 2010 by Dr. Hitchcock, who at that time was with Malley Weight Loss group, ten months later he was gone. That was the first problem, but had no problems that couldn't be handled after the surgery, just the normal discomfort. Lost about 40%, which I understand is pretty close to normal, in the first year. Second year I started joking/complaining that if I didn't know better I felt I didn't have a band, meaning that I didn't have any symptoms that others seem to complain about. Into the third year and second problem, an insult from the NP who was now doing the fills then the third problem last September, a promise she would call me with some lab test results and I have yet to hear from her (I did get my lab results because I requested copies from the lab) but I felt after her insulting me the first time and the promise she would call, and didn't, I felt it wasn't my place, by this time I felt it was all about $$$$$$$. With the help of another doctor he recommended me to another doctor. Have found there are few clinics that will take a patient who has had lap band placed by another doctor. So I switched clinics and seen my new doctor last Thursday. He asked when was my last fill and if they had been done under fluoroscope. Mine had all been done blind at Malley and never checked except at the time of surgery. Before he would give me a fill he checked the band with the barium only to find my band has eroded. I have not had any discomfort, no pain, no heartburn,no vomiting, no nothing.. Come to find out in researching the band all weekend, 1 out of 3 bands erode and usually three years is when problems start to arise. Now I'm scheduled for an endoscopy on Thurs to see how bad this is, then scheduling for the removal and don't have a choice on this. This really makes me sad, as I had faith in the band and felt so good, actually still do. Just wish I had done better research and made a different choice, so I wouldn't have to go through another surgery or two. So to all of you that have had problems from almost day one and now want the band out I empathize. For me, who never had a problem even to complain about had to be that one out of three, that has an eroded band and didn't even know it and wish it didn't have to be removed. I'm hoping my insurance will cover the gastric by-pass as Iam also afraid of the sleeve as it is so new there hasn't been enough research to what problems might develop. They are just now reporting the problems with the band after it being in use since 1994, I think. So any of you that have the band or are having the band, if at any time you feel you are having problems, it never hurts to have it checked under fluoroscope, insist. Just don't take no for an answer. And those of you that don't have any problems like myself, it should at least be checked yearly. Myself, had I known, I would have found a clinic, which I have now, that does all fills under fluoroscope. Hope this will help any of you that are planning on having it done.

So happy when I got my band in March 2010, had no problems that couldn't be handled after the surgery. Lost about 40%, which I understand is pretty close to normal, in the first year. Second year I started joking/complaining that if I didn't know better I felt I didn't have a band, meaning that I didn't have any symptoms that others seem to complain about. Into the third year, an insult from the NP and a promise she would call me with some test results last September and I have yet to hear from her, I switched clinics and seen my new doctor last Thursday. He asked when was my last fill and if they had been done under fluoroscope. Mine had all been done blind. Before he would give me a fill he checked the band with the barium only to find my band has eroded. I have not had any discomfort, no pain, no heartburn, no nothing. Come to find out in researching the band all weekend, 1 out of 3 bands erode and usually three years is when problems arise. Now I'm scheduled for an endoscopy on Thurs to see how bad this is, then scheduling for the removal and don't have a choice on this. This really makes me sad, as I had faith in the band and felt so good, actually still do. Just wish I had done better research and made a different choice, so I wouldn't have to go through another surgery or two. So to all of you that have had problems from almost day one and now want the band out I empathize. For me, who never had a problem even to complain about had to be that one out of three, that has an eroded band and didn't even know it and wish it didn't have to be removed.

After complaining for two years that I feel I have no band (never any pain, vomiting, stuck, etc.) I switched doctors. I saw him for the first time last Thursday and basically his first questions was, "when you had your fills were they done under fluoroscope". My answer was "no, all fills were blind and in fact the band was only checked after surgery, it hasn't been checked since". So he immediately did a fluoroscope,but before drinking the barium, the first words were, "well there is a slight problem, your band is straight across rather than at a angle as it should be, now take a swallow of the barium, I did, and the second statement was "this doesn't look good, the barium is going around the band and I think it has eroded . He had me take the second swallow of barium and showed me what it was doing. I am now scheduled for endoscopy on Thursday and if he sees the band from inside the stomach, surgery will be immediately be scheduled and the band comes out. So now I have really researched the band, only to find, that erosion is quite common with the band, caused from coffee, NSaids, steroids, too tight and the list goes on. So anyone who feels they are having a problem, and your doctor does not check that band, either insist or find another doctor who will listen. My problem, or so I thought, was I just felt I didn't have a band as I never, never had an issue with my food nor was I ever in pain or discomfort. Hopefully my erosion has just developed and isn't serious as complications can arise that are very serious. Nor will I get re-banded after my stomach heals, nor after research will I get the sleeve (same problem but far more serious), gastric by-pass is what I should have had in the beginning. A longer procedure but definitely going to do more extensive research and get the ins and outs. My surgeon who did the lap band assured me he didn't have any patients that had a band erode so I must have been his first since he started doing bands in 1994 when it first came out. Or could he have been lying. I truly believe the latter, so always do your research first.

Actually both Prozac and Wellbutrin will help with food cravings and also with weight loss.

Unjury's chocolate splendor or the chocolate classic is great with coffee. Gives you a coffee mocha. I'm actually buying individual packets to take with me to Germany the end of this month to drink with coffee on the plane. Dr advises to drink nothing but liquid as at high altitudes the band becomes more restricted and you could have a stuck episode while flying if you eat solids or mushies. For those who have problems with other Proteins mixes and their taste, unjury does have a great taste. I usually mix the unflavored with Crystal lite, it will do. But like the other flavors better. Just an FYI.

I use only Unjury as it was recommended to me by another bandster and I have recommended it to others to also like it. I have tried all their flavors. Before being banded, I mixed strawberry with Crystal lite lemonade and the unflavored with other flavors but once banded I started mixing a banana, 1/2 cup Water, scoop of strawberry unjury, or chocolate, or vanilla and mix in my blender and then add ice to make it thicker. I also mix coffee, with chocolate or vanilla, ice and do them same with that. Use Silk lowfat milk or skim milk, SF pudding, unjury whatever flavor you might think will go with the pudding and ice. I even use the 80 calorie yogurt doing the same thing. If you want it hot, then you have to watch out as nothing you mix it with can be more than 130 degrees. I haven't actually tried it just mixed with milk but have with hot coffee. Also used SF Swiss Miss hot chocolate and mixed a scoop of chocolate in it making it a double chocolate. Unjury does have recipes on their sight. Will definitely say their new chocolate taste like hot chocolate. I also need to add that I only drink a shake for Breakfast, but since it isn't holding me will probably go back to Crystal lite and the Protein powder and eat a form of a solid breakfast. Before investing a great deal you might try the Unjury packets first but think you will like the taste and how it mixes. Hope this helps.

Aren't they a fantastic bunch. It is like you are their only patient, yet they pretty much have patients all day long. I seen Dr. Malley one evening at the seminar that Dr. Hitchcock was presenting and Dr. Malley was still taking care of patients at 7:00 PM. I also complained of throat pain but it subsided later that night and wasn't having any problems by the next day. Hopefully you are okay now. Hope all is well with you now and congratulations on a healthier you.

Thought I would reply to you as we are just two days apart of being banded on the same date. Currently, everything is well with me, just would like to have lost a little more this last month. But when I do, the doctor says I'm losing it too fast for someone my age. Finally though he did put in 2cc's on 9/9/10 putting me to 4.8ccs in a 10cc band. Not that I feel restriction, I'm just not hungry but eat two meals a day plus a Protein shake in the morning. Will probably hold at 4.8 cc's until Christmas that is if I take the 10 pounds off I signed up for by Halloween. Will be overseas at Thanksgiving and don't want a stuck moment in the air or in a foreign country. :tongue2: The good thing about the band is the fact we are taking off the weight, whether it be fast or slow, we will have a better chance of keeping it off. This is the best thing I think has ever happened since Peanut Butter was invented. :thumbup:

I went for my fill Thursday 9/9/10 with Dr. Hitchcock and I totally agree with ladykcusa with regards to the fills. Last month I only received 1cc this time 2cc's other times .5cc's. Now have 4.8 cc's in a 10 cc band. Dr. Hitchcock is going really slow with me as I have a control issue with my body, I start crying. I cannot handle vomiting, even though I have at various times throughout my life, but not many. So I think he is taking my fills very slow. Also, he doesn't want me to get too restricted as will be flying to Germany in two months and he doesn't want me to have a stuck issue while in the air or in a foreign country. So "we" are going very slow. So totally agree with ladykcusa about the individual and dr. Now for the weekend. Go "TIGERS", Go "WILDCATS", and that bird better gets some feathers back. To you all, have a wonderful weekend.

Isn't it great! I will Celebrate six months on 9/17/10 and haven't felt this well since 2004. Wish I would have had this done three years ago when I first mentioned it to my PCP. But I would have probably never found out what the cause of my misery was. Either way I feel great now and can honestly say I am really glad this band was invented, as I would be eventually looking at a lifetime being on oxygen, or death from a pulmonary embolism. Now I have a better life and will celebrate an appreciate it to the max.

well, well, I guess I eat crow. The tiger and the wildcats did a great job yesterday, but the bird got plucked. Maybe next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!(I won't hold my breath, though).

From reading some of the other post here at Lap Band, yes restriction may set in a few days or even longer after a fill. I'm noticing more restriction two to three weeks later, then I lose weight and the restriction is gone. By then I am scheduled for a fill. Do make sure, if you don't have an appetite, that you get Protein in. Very important. Good luck.

Just remember Tigermom, those Tigers are down three players, or it might be four. But looking at the current score "they" might win today. :scared2:

Have to correct myself on this. When looking for Dr. Hitchcock on "Find a Doctor" he is not one of the preferred drs showing. Yet did talk with them on Thursday and they do accept Aetna and he is an in network doctor, so go figure with Aetna. The charges were for the fact I first have to meet my deductible. So after this next fill, if he gives me one, my fills will be just my co-pay amount. Which is great. Was so scared if something happened I would have to be paying for an out of network physician. Sorry for the misinformation.

Okay, for a fellow bander, I'll cheer for the Cats today :scared2: but when the bird and the cat play against each other (even though I think KState has a better team), I'll have to cheer the bird on. Hope you understand :biggrin:. Hopefully you keep yourself hydratated today and have a fantastic time.

Thanks to both of you. My company switched insurances the first of June and since Dr Hitchcock is doing my fills I just got hit for over $200.00 as they don't accept Atena. I don't mind paying what they advertise for a fill, but my insurance shows they are chgning $114.00 office visit, $459.00 surgical procedure. So I assume this is because the dr is doing the fill on me and I have yet to get to 5 cc. So thanks for letting me know, either will see if I can have Karen do the fills, or will have to check with St. Lukes or KU whose doctors are on the insurance's preferred list.

okay tigermom I'm really jealous. You got banded in July with a 10cc and already have 5 cc in it. I got banded in March, and I'm yet to get there. May ask who is doing your fills at Malley?

Chatty Cathy-So glad to read your post about Dr. Selim. I was an employee at KU until I moved to SW Missouri (have since moved back). When I was considering LB I made an appointment to go to a seminar with him but because I could get into Malley faster went there. I have now had my LB, but shortly after having it done my company changed insurance companies and Malley isn't on their list but Dr. Selim is. Now I have to pay big $$$s for fills. So my question to you, do you happen to know if they do fills for people who didn't get their band through them?

I'm don't know anything about any of the protein powders at local stores as I only use Unjury. Have not tried anything other than Unjury because once I would get something that leaves a bad taste, I'm done. I use Unjury unflavored protein powder in quite a few of my flavored drinks. So this might be an option with Gatorade. I also like Crystal Light lemonade with Unjury's strawberry. Chocolate or Vanilla with my coffee, but the coffee cannot be over 130 degrees or the powder clumps. This could be an alternative for you all.

I think you will find that you don't remember these lapses as they only take a few seconds to bring you up out of a sound sleep and you go right back to sleep. The ones that awake you are the ones that you actually have stopped breathing for a longer period and then you actually make more of a choking sound which brings you totally out of the dead sleep and you remember it. The others you will awake but actually don't remember. You might be quite shocked to see how many times an hour you stop breathing and not know it. I have sleep apnea and the only thing I do is snore loud. Actually don't have any other symptoms. Mine is mild, but still have it. Don't think you will have any problems. Most people don't even remember breathing lapses.

Hello everyone in KC. Well since my slight fill on 8/12, I'm doing as I did the last time I got a fill in June. I'm noticing that I start seeing or lets say feeling restriction about a week to a week and a half after the fill. Won't be going back to Hitchcock until 9/9/10 and will see then if I get another fill. Just haven't figured the doctor's logic regarding exceeding the weight loss for my age. Oh, well I'm at 30% of what I want to lose and at 50-70% what all the doctors want me to lose. I guess, they look at it as we age, there is a tendency that we start losing taste and appetites so they want me to have a little meat on my bones. All I do know, I'm losing, don't really try at it just watch the amount I eat and what I eat. And the most important thing is that I feel fantastic and that I trully enjoy. Hoping all of you in the KC area enjoyed some of the rain we had Friday evening and the somewhat cooler weather that is being predicted this coming week.

Well here I am, feeling like I'm 39, and was once again told by the doctor that I am no longer 18. My reply was, I'm not?!!!! (Hear the Lion roar ;>) Anyway, went for a fill on Thursday, and was scared that since I had lost another 2.5 lbs it would be yet another month. He wouldn't give me a fill last month as he thought I had lost more then a person does for my age. Don't know what changed his mind but he did fill a little more this time, don't know how much, as he didn't share the amount this time. I was just happy he did one. So I guess for a young 68, contary to someone elses thoughts, I'm doing well with weight loss, as far as the doctor is concerned. Just want to be down more so that my elastic waist band jeans will fall off my hips before I have to buy more. I'm a tightwad. I'm even thinking about altering these so all my friends will stop complaining about them being so baggy. I just smile. Well, all is well and sincerely hope it is for the rest of you. Have a good weekend and enjoy the healthier you.