fit2-btied

Hi All, My name is Rick and I am 46yrs old. Here is my nightmare situation. Suggestions or help welcomed! After hearing the 1 800 Get-Slim commercials, I signed up in late 2010 and eventually had my surgery in April of 2011 with "Dr. T" in Beverly Hills. For the first 2yrs I was the model patient....Dr. T even asked me to take part in their advertisements (I declined). I started at almost 300lbs and made it down to 218lbs with my highest fill being 10cc (14cc band). Like many, I slowly put on 15lbs and then stayed pretty flat. I was totally happy, active, and doing pretty well with the lifestyle. The only odd bit was that fills were getting harder and harder to do as they suddenly could not find the fact of my port (where the needle penetrates). I eventually had to do them under x-ray while drinking barium....yum. Fast forward... In February 2014 I woke up one night and was physically sick....blood coming out both ends and I was not able to function...my wife rushed me to ER when I started fainting. It turns out that I had 5 ulcers, including one 2cm bleeder on the base of my stomach. The doc who did my endoscopy said my band looked fine and was not the culprit, but I should have it emptied so I can recover 100% (eat foods that will give my tummy a break....however may be tough with the band). He was also nervous about erosion. Anyway, that was a 6 day hospital stay! As directed I retuned to my doctors. Dr. T had actually left the practice so was now being seen by Dr. Sedrak. Doctor Sedrak agreed to drain it to 2cm and we would re-visit fills in a month or two. After two broken needles and a few others bent, plus another go with the x-ray, he finally found his way in and drained it accordingly. I was bruised and felt like a pin cushion, but on my way to recovery. Fast forward... I eventually returned (a few months later) for a fill as the weight was coming back on! This time it was yet another doc as Sedrak was off busy that day. After reading up on my history, we went straight to the x-ray....no need to break more needles. Even with the x-ray, the new doc could not get into my port and even called Dr. Sedrak on the phone and explained the my port appeared to be unattached from my rib muscle! We watched it dance around on the screen every time the needle pushed against it! Both agreed that given my medical history and the fact the port was unserviceable, I would be a great candidate for the sleeve. Fast forward...... It get's better.....as of today, the same above mentioned office (in Pomona CA) no longer has a surgeon on staff and has been in trouble countless times! Dr. Sedrak has left the company and I cannot find him. My insurance carrier changed so I'm having to jump through the same loops again, just like I'd never had surgery. In my opinion, I should be considered a "warranty repair" and not a new client! They already charged my insurance over 120k!!! To compound issues, I moved from CA to Austin TX and I have not had any luck finding a doc to look at me "because they did not perform the surgery". Really? This is silly. I am super depressed here. I've gain all of my weight...even with a decent exercise regime etc. My metabolism doesn't know which was is up! I'm stuck with a useless band and not getting anywhere. The Pomona office offered a port revision, but it appears that nobody else will service the fills (here in TX) since they did not do the work. Just a sad deal all around! Thoughts or suggestions?!?! Sincerely, big and pissed (Rick)

I appreciate the reply and will check the list. My current insurance is a PPO however they want me to go through another 6 months of counselling as if I am new. My (even) bigger frustration is that after 120k spent, my original Doc is not fixing it when it was clearly not installed correctly. I'll keep y'all posted!

Hi, So far everything has been great since I was banded on April 28th. I am at 8.5cc's with an appointment on July 15th for .5cc's more. My only hang-up is that I usually feel discomfort when I eat. I'm careful on my selections, reasonable in my quantities, I chew things to death, etc. The best way to describe it is that I feel each bite slide through slowly (which can be uncomfortable), and then it "drops" into my stomach, which doesn't feel great either. After a few bites this usually mellows, but not always. With the exception of soups or soft foods (yogurt, etc.), this tends to happen with everything. It was even happening prior to my last fill, so I don't think I'm too tight (?). I was actually thinking that I may need more water, but I do drink alot of liquids. I've also thought that maybe I'm waiting too long between meals and always eating when I am too empty?.....just not sure. I've lost 30lb's and everything is ticking along nicely...besides what I've explained. No regrets...just want to get this under control! Any thoughts? Thanks!

Thank you for the replies. I will definately talk to him about it and watch my bites and chewing habits in the meantime.

Fill #3 has indeed been a killer. I was banded 4/28 and had fill #1 in early June....and then 2 and 3 w week apart. The Doc said that #3 would hit like a freight train and it has. I've been stuck a few times and the band is playing a big part in when and what I eat. I'm at 8cc and am supposed to get one more cc this week for a total of 9 (which is where the doc thinks I'll stay). I'm not sure if I'm ready to take it up a notch though...it's been rough but I'm sure worth it in the end.

Hi All, I was also banded on the 28th and am on my last day of Clear liquids, hurray! I've never dreamed of yogurt or oatmeal until now. haha On my follow up visit (this past Saturday) the Doc told me to drink a Fiber supplement to get things moving in the #2 dept if you know what I mean. He said all of the gas rising in the body is causing the discomfort and going #2 would let the air and contents escape. So that afternoon I bought strawberry kiwi flavored "Benefiber" at Target and mixed into a bottled Water as directed. Sure enough 2hrs later I was taking care of business...although mostly "airing out". After 6 more visits to the restroom the discomfort is gone and I'm much better. Sorry for the gory facts but I firsthand know how you feel and want to help. 14lbs down as of this morning! :thumbup:

Hi, I'm based in the Norco CA area and was just banded by Doc T at the Beverly Hill Surgery Center (via Weight Loss Centers). I'm on day three and doing great. I am almost 42 and this was my first surgery...I was also nervous but kept reminding myself why I wanted to go through with it....you will be fine and the results will be well worth it! On day two I managed a trip to Lowes, Target, etc. with my wife and kids and it was all good. Let us know how you do. Cheers, Rick

Hi All...The moment that I qualified for the band I felt sorry for myself and took on healthier eating habits. It was almost as if I went in thinking "there is no way that I will qualify", ...but I knew that I would. From that day I quickly lost 20+ lbs and then like before, the momentum stopped. Meanwhile the clock has been ticking and last week I had my scope. All was well so I am now less than two days before surgery and it's hard for me to get my arms around changing my life. That said, my life as a big guy has been filled with despair on many occasions and I know that this is the right step in being a healthier happy person. It's like I'm ready, but I cant believe the time is here. I work in the music biz (for my real job) and then play guitar in a band 2-3 nights per week. Standing on stage feeling blah and lacking self esteem and confidence sucks and I'm looking forward to looking and feeling better...I'm just having cold feet I suppose!:smile: It must be the puke stories and the thought of living off fluids for Lord knows how long. If I was good at that then I would't have gained so much to begin with!:smile: Oh well...thanks for listening to my rant. I'm at Bev Hills Surery center early Wed so wish me luck! :thumbup:

Hi All...thanks for the post and to all of you prepping for yours, it's not bad at all! I had mine yesterday and went for several short walks. I even managed to sleep ok...although not on my stomach which is my norm! Today (day 2) I went shopping at Lowes, Target, and then Bed Bath and Beyond. I am moving in a mellow fashion and not pushing it, but I do believe that moving around is the key to a healthy recovery...but know when to take a break! It's all about finding your comfort zone. I do miss the idea of eating, but I am not hungry by any means. Between the trama and the device, and well yes, the soreness, eating is not a need at this point. A little Water, apple juice, and chicken broth has been just fine. Speaking of, I was happy that Doc T gave me the okay for chicken broth out of the gate....it's almost food! haha :smile:

Hi RR, Thanks for your kind words as well. It seems like I'm feeling better every hour and am looking forward to the future. Keep up your good work and I look forward to sharing progress reports! All the best, Rick

Hi Catherine, First of all, and with all due respect, you look incredible! :redface: Nice work and a sincere congrats to you. My surgery went really smooth and the recovery seems to be going just fine for my first day. I actually went for a few short walks and am enjoying the idea of a new life challenge. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Cheers, Rick

Hi All...The moment that I qualified for the band I felt sorry for myself and took on healthier eating habits. It was almost as if I went in thinking "there is no way that I will qualify", ...but I knew that I would. From that day I quickly lost 20+ lbs and then like before, the momentum stopped. Meanwhile the clock has been ticking and last week I had my scope. All was well so I am now less than two days before surgery and it's hard for me to get my arms around changing my life. That said, my life as a big guy has been filled with despair on many occasions and I know that this is the right step in being a healthier happy person. It's like I'm ready, but I cant believe the time is here. I work in the music biz (for my real job) and then play guitar in a band 2-3 nights per week. Standing on stage feeling blah and lacking self esteem and confidence sucks and I'm looking forward to looking and feeling better...I'm just having cold feet I suppose!:smile: It must be the puke stories and the thought of living off fluids for Lord knows how long. If I was good at that then I would't have gained so much to begin with!:smile: Oh well...thanks for listening to my rant. I'm at Bev Hills Surery center early Wed so wish me luck! :thumbup: