keith1675

Just joined the group. I have been reading some experiences of individuals on the boards. The information is very useful and much appreciated. I have been overweight since my teen years, and I am now forty with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and severe sleep apnea. My wife had gastric bipass surgery two years ago and lost 110 pounds. I have tried every diet under the sun. I always lose weight, but then put it back on plus some. I am scheduled for my first doctor's appointment Nov. 27th. I so want to perminantly lose the weight and get healthy. Anyway, I just want to say hi. Hopefully, I will be approved for the procedure. I will keep everyone up to date. Thanks in advance for all of your help. Regards, Keith

Well six months ago I went to St. Luke Hospital here in Northern Kentucky, to have my lap band installed by Dr. Dwaine Smith. My band was installed on one day and removed the next. It was removed because I had developed a fever during the night after my surgery. The next morning, tests revealed a potential hole in my stomach where the band had been placed. Later that afternoon I was taken back to surgery and the band was removed. Cultures were taken and I spent the next seven days on IV antibiotics in the hospital. Before I could go home a PIC line was inserted into my arm and I had to continue giving myself IV antibiotics for another seven days at home. As a result of the pre-op diet, and the problems with surgery, I lost thirty pounds. Now six months later I have gained back everything I lost. I know I need to do something, but I don't know what that something will be. Anyway, I just thought I should share my experience with all of you who are considering the Lap Band approach. The odds of something going wrong are advertised as being very low, but if the odds happen to fall against you... Regards, Keith

It is my understanding that I was infected with staff, strep, and possibly something called c-dif, although I never received a definitive answer on that one. Regards, Keith

I just feel like it is a more moderate approach to losing weight over the other options. There seems to be more control using this procedure, and I have seen my wife lose a tremendous amount of weight, but she did suffer quite alot during that time. To this day she is prone to getting sick at the drop of a hat. On another note, thanks for the warm welcome and words of encouragement. Regards, Keith

Thanks to everyone for welcoming me. Good luck to those who are about to have surgery.