Rubyjade

Wow it has been a life time since I was last on this forum! I would love some advice right now as I am pretty much over this whole thing! I was banded 10 years ago in Australia and have managed to lose (and keep off) over 150lbs. Now I am living in the US (since 2004) and am having major complications where I cannot sleep at night due to choking on stomach acid. The band has to come out or I am at risk of Aspiration Pneumonia, which can be VERY serious. All options have been tried, so I am not here to ask for advice on that. My surgeon has advised me that the only option is removal or eventually severe illness. I am already wheezing and am weak due to the foreign matter constantly entering my lungs at night and choking me. My good old band has done its job and for that, I am thankful.However, it is time to part ways. I am exhausted due to lack of sleep and completely miserable due to the discomfort it is now causing me. My surgeon says it has to be out by the end of this month. One slight issue........ my insurance won't cover the removal. Not one little bit. It's excluded, even complications. So I am desperate and don't have a spare $10K laying around to self-pay for this. I have explored the Mexico options, which look REALLY good but was wondering if there has been anyone else in this situation. I do not qualify for any loans due to past credit issues but am in the best financial position of my life and can easily pay back a loan if I actually did get one, which I won't. Any assistance would be wonderful. I am too tired to even know where to begin.

Wow it has been a life time since I was last on this forum! I would love some advice right now as I am pretty much over this whole thing! I was banded 10 years ago in Australia and have managed to lose (and keep off) over 150lbs. Now I am living in the US (since 2004) and am having major complications where I cannot sleep at night due to choking on stomach acid. The band has to come out or I am at risk of Aspiration Pneumonia, which can be VERY serious. All options have been tried, so I am not here to ask for advice on that. My surgeon has advised me that the only option is removal or eventually severe illness. I am already wheezing and am weak due to the foreign matter constantly entering my lungs at night and choking me. My good old band has done its job and for that, I am thankful.However, it is time to part ways. I am exhausted due to lack of sleep and completely miserable due to the discomfort it is now causing me. My surgeon says it has to be out by the end of this month. One slight issue........ my insurance won't cover the removal. Not one little bit. It's excluded, even complications. So I am desperate and don't have a spare $10K laying around to self-pay for this. I have explored the Mexico options, which look REALLY good but was wondering if there has been anyone else in this situation. I do not qualify for any loans due to past credit issues but am in the best financial position of my life and can easily pay back a loan if I actually did get one, which I won't. Any assistance would be wonderful. I am too tired to even know where to begin.

Hi All I am hardly a newbie to the lap band but have only had 2 fills in the entire time I have had it and both were within 3 months post op. I was banded in Jan 04 and have lost around 140 pounds but my weight has been pretty much the same for the last 18 months or so because I haven't been as committed as I should be eating the right foods and I get hungry quite often ......... so this brings me to my question. I get full on small amounts of food still so I don't think I have an issue with my pouch being stretched (which previously I have had) or with slippage. The problem is I am hungry again within an hour or two of eating so I am snacking all day because I am never satisfied for long. I eat small amounts each time but it's SEVERAL times during the day, not just 3 or 4 times. Do you think this is indicative of needing a fill? My band has been entirely empty for just over 18 months (No coincidence really is it that my weight loss came to a screaming halt around the same time??!!) so I probably could do with a fill. I had port revision surgery in Dec 06 and have not had a fill since then. I am scared it is something more serious even though I can only eat small amounts and have no pain or anything else unusual going on. I have an appt with my surgeon next week and they want to do a fluoroscopy first just to make sure everything is ok because it has been so long. I guess it is just a precaution to make sure its all ok before they fill me. I know you guys arent doctors but hearing your opinion would calm me down a little if you just think a fill is all that is needed. I'm a bit scared. :crying:

So I went to my doctor today and I dont need a fill after all. He thinks I just really need to go back to basics and follow the band rules all over again. I have a sneaking suspicion he may be right hehe. Now I think about it, I drink way too soon after eating and my choices could be better. He did look at me under fluoroscope today and watched me drink. Filled my band I think 1cc (it is totally unfilled), watched again and said no way, it was way too much restriction. I have a very small band, the ones they used in Australia 5 years ago, much smaller than the american ones. I believe it may be an 8cc band. So anyway I just have to give it a week or two and do what I am supposed to do and if I still feel hungry to just go back. He said the band looked great, no erosion, no slippage, no pouch dilation. Im pretty happy with the visit actually. He gave me great words of encouragement and told me that I am truly a success story. To be banded almost 5 years ago and to have lost 140 pounds and not gained any back was truly 'exemplary'. Now I know what I gotta do to get rid of the rest of this weight so I can get the boob job I so desperately need!!! I feel very motivated after my visit. He's such an awesome doc!!!

DEFINITELY DEFINITELY call the doctor and let them know. I had my port replaced and had the weirdest swelling but it was actually around the port site, not my whole belly like yours sounds like. Anyway I told them it was odd and looked like I had a tennis ball under my skin. I felt fine too. Then about 5 days out from surgery I was soooo sooooo sick. Like food poisoning, only it wasn't. I was bedridden for 2 days, so sick and weak. During that time the swelling completely disappeared. Now I am not a doctor but to me..... my case seemed like I had some kind of infection around the port area which probably entered my bloodstream and made me so sick. I was fine after a couple of days but if I were you, I would not just ignore it. I am probably over reacting but you know... it's best to get this stuff checked out ASAP.

Hi All I am hardly a newbie to the lap band but have only had 2 fills in the entire time I have had it and both were within 3 months post op. I was banded in Jan 04 and have lost around 140 pounds but my weight has been pretty much the same for the last 18 months or so because I haven't been as committed as I should be eating the right foods and I get hungry quite often ......... so this brings me to my question. I get full on small amounts of food still so I don't think I have an issue with my pouch being stretched (which previously I have had) or with slippage. The problem is I am hungry again within an hour or two of eating so I am snacking all day because I am never satisfied for long. I eat small amounts each time but it's SEVERAL times during the day, not just 3 or 4 times. Do you think this is indicative of needing a fill? My band has been entirely empty for just over 18 months (No coincidence really is it that my weight loss came to a screaming halt around the same time??!!) so I probably could do with a fill. I had port revision surgery in Dec 06 and have not had a fill since then. I am scared it is something more serious even though I can only eat small amounts and have no pain or anything else unusual going on. I have an appt with my surgeon next week and they want to do a fluoroscopy first just to make sure everything is ok because it has been so long. I guess it is just a precaution to make sure its all ok before they fill me. I know you guys arent doctors but hearing your opinion would calm me down a little if you just think a fill is all that is needed. I'm a bit scared. :crying:

Thank you Hollie :crying: yeah I am definately eating enough hahah. I am eating too much actually and of course have not always been diligent about WHAT I am eating too!!!!!! Yeah I guess that is true.......... if my pouch was stretched again I would be noticing that I can eat larger amounts. I have had heartburn pretty much since the day I was banded so that is nothing new. There is nothing new or unusual going on, just hunger too soon after eating. I feel a little better, thank you. I'm so impatient to just get the rest of this weight off. It's been too long. I want to get to 160 (which is only 65 pounds or so away) which means I would have lost 200 pounds and then I can think about surgey to fix my revolting flappy arms I cant wait.

Hi All I have been having bad reflux during the night lately where I wake up choking on acid. Very attractive, I know. I have had this before, when my band was too tight so I got a complete unfill (I have a very small band - Dr said much smaller than american bands) and this fixed the problem. I vomited a couple of times the day before just due to me eating too fast and not concentrating, it happens occasionally. Do you think the two things are related? That I have possibly just irritated the area enough that it is a little swollen and is causing this? I had a much better night last night, no acid at all BUT made sure I didn't eat within 2 hours of bed time either. Is this a rule that most people stick to? I have been banded for 4 1/2 years so I have a good idea of what to do and what not to do. Everything else seems normal but just the acid was something unusual. I am fine during the day and my tolerance is the same as it has been for a long time. I guess I am concerned that I have a slip or something. Does this sound like it? I know I should go visit a doctor if the acid persists but today I am doing much better so thought I would ask for your experiences. Thanks Suzie

For the last 3 weeks I have been serious about getting my arse back to the gym and counting every single thing that goes in my mouth to get my weight loss back on track. For the first week I worked out 5 days per week for an hour at a time and ate about 1200 cals on avg per day. I lost 3 pounds that week. For the second week I worked out 6 days per week for an hour at a time and ate about 1300 cals on avg per day. I lost 4.5 pounds that week. This last week? Worked out 6 days and hour at a time and ate about 900 cals per day. I LOST NO WEIGHT THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!! What a learning exercise this has been for me. Obviously I am not giving my body enough fuel with all the exercise I have been doing and it has come to a screaming halt. I was not intending to have such a low caloric intake, I was just busy and not very hungry this week. This week I am going to up my cals and make sure I plan ahead and fit in at least 1200 and eat some whole grains with it. I am really bad at that. Stay tuned for the results!! Anyone else have a similar experience?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm I really really want to say that it isn't caused by being too tight. But it may be. I was waking up choking on acid during the night and got an unfill and the problem was solved. But then again, I don't have allergies either so I guess that is possible. It would suck to have an unfill because of this seeing as you are getting great results though :frown:

Geez I was scared to read that you are eating non mushy foods this soon out. I am not a surgeon though and I did have my surgery over 4 years ago, so I am sure that things have changed a bit since then. Be so so careful though. The reason I was told you start out on liquids and mushies is because you are newly banded and the band has to adhere to your stomach and that takes time. Caution in the early days is crucial to make sure you are set up ok from the beginning. Your doctor knows best for sure though. Please call him if you have any doubts!! Good luck on your journey!!

Welcome!! Good luck on your journey to a new healthier you

Ok so I just had a really really good loss this week so I need to reset my goal for this challenge LOLOL Not that I am complaining of course..... so here is my updated goal below!! Name............Current............Goal..............Lost........Still to Loose... Jennifer..........188................183................4............. .1............ KarenG............174...............169.................0............. .5............. Tracy..............271...............265.................0............ ..6.......... Suzie.............221................210.................0............ ...6............ Shampoo .......162................155.................0...............7....... ...... Mary..............177...............172.................0............. ..5............. JoAnne............164...............155.................0............. ..9.............

They put me back on liquids only for a week to let any irritation ease off. I could have all clear liquids and stuff like tomato soup and slimfast for a week. Then I was on mushys for another week. It wasn't fun but it scared me enough to do the right thing. They said if I had continued with that same behaviour, my band would have slipped. It didn't and now I'm ok.

I need to just not have them on hand honestly. Snacky type carbs that is. Yesterday we did grocery shopping and I bought a weight watchers dessert (2 in a box) a small hersheys plain chocolate bar and a box of 100 calorie pack cookies. Sure enough, guess what I was obsessed with last night and ate all of? I ate both desserts, the hershey bar and 2 100 calorie packs. Ok so I was full and didn't eat dinner after that but that really is not the point!! I've asked my husband to throw out the rest of the box of cookies today before I get home. I am fine with just having a candy bar occasionally, no harm in that, but I realize it has to be something small I can eat then and there and nothing where it is multiple servings, cos I will eat them all!!! You live and learn, right?!!

Unfortunately you wont know until you have had a barium swallow, most likely. However, I stretched my pouch about 18 months ago and I can tell you right now I KNEW something was wrong. I could eat way too much (and I was not being disciplined - I would drink with meals which I NEVER do now) and I had the worst heartburn you can imagine, all the time. I don't think it's too unusual to have a little reflux (I still get it sometimes) but when it gets to be all the time, then that is a definate warning sign!!! I hope everything goes well for you and nothing is wrong. Unfortunately it's something only a doctor can diagnose. I just know that in my case, it was obvious. Good luck.

I want to be around to be able to experience being elderly and walking down the street holding hands with my husband. You know those cute old couples you see? Yeah that's what I want!! The band has given me the gift of living long enough to make that possible.

I wanna wear a size 10 but the number for me is not as big of a deal as the number on the scale. My goal is 160lbs. That means I will have lost 200lbs by then, so that is my ultimate goal. I am now 221 and a size 16 so with another 60 pounds gone, I think I am going to be very close to that size 10!!

WOOOHOOOOOO SIGN ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Name............Current............Goal..............Lost........Still to Loose... Jennifer..........188................183................0............. .5............ KarenG............174...............169.................0............. .5............. Tracy..............271...............265.................0............ ..6.......... Suzie.............221................215.................0...............6............

I'm staying on plan today because I am fortunate to have this wonderful tool to help me lead a longer, healthy life and I am not going to take it for granted!!

There are numerous threads on this forum about shoulder pain. I know too well this feeling!! Mine always came back as a sharp stabbing pain in my left collarbone area whenever I got too full, hadn't eaten in around 5 or so hours or drank soda. My doctor said it was caused by your stomach now being at a different angle since surgery and when it expands, it touches a nerve that leads to your left shoulder. It is pretty common now. I had it for 3 years after surgery but funnily enough it went away once I had port revision surgery so maybe it's relevant to port placement too. You aren't too far out of surgery so it may not be this but if it continues during these times, it may be a possibility. Hopefully not!!!

So much of it has to do I think with your shape and your starting weight. I had a very high BMI and a weight higher than yours but I noticed little things immediately. Just things that no one else would notice, like being able to bend down that little bit easier, being able to cross my leg that tiny bit further etc. small things like that. I didn't notice a dramatic difference in clothing until I had dropped about 40lbs then the next 100 just FELL off me and a speedy rate!!! It's funny now I can walk really fast up a hill and not even be the slightest bit out of breath. My husband just smiles at me and reminds me of how that was an impossibility for me pre band. He remembers the small things that I have somehow forgotten!!

Thanks a lot Sarah :blushing: I guess seeing as my surgery was over 4 years ago, there are a ton more doing it now at the Wesley. There were only a couple that did it back then. Dr Nathanson was WONDERFUL. A very attentive, caring and knowledgeable surgeon. He was fantastic. Give Brissie a big hug from me, I miss her!!!

I will tell anyone who wants to know, I am very proud of my achievement. The only problem I have had is with someone my Mum told. This woman had a daughter the same age as me and we went to school together. All my life she compared me to her daughter (skinny) and always had to make smug remarks about my weight. So my Mum saw this woman after 20 years and told her all about my surgery and showed her pictures of me. I know my Mum just did it out of pure love and pride but I was really really pissed off this woman knew all the details!! Geez Mum!!!

I am treated SO differently that it's very hard for me to think about in too much depth.... but here goes. I will give it a shot. First of all I think it's DISGUSTING how society has the right to decide whether I am an acceptable human being or not. That's my measure - I don't get made fun of anymore and so therefore, I am acceptable by society's standards. Screw that. Men flirt with me several times a day now. That's pretty funny in itself. My husband flirted with me when I was at my very heaviest. He loved me for my confidence, my wit and my heart. Am I bitter? Yes, to a point. Would they have liked me then? Probably not, but I am not a negative person and this is something I am still working on. I need to let this go because it's pointless and a waste of energy and it's not something there will ever be an answer to. Secondly, I am conflicted with my whole 'invisible' vs. 'visible' theory. When you weigh 360lbs it's funny how you can be treated like a freak who gets stared at constantly but be strangely invisible at the same time. From a distance people have no problem laughing at you, making fun of you etc. but when you want someone's attention, you never get looked at in the eye. You are treated second class, period. The worst thing was that because I was so fat, did people also think I was stupid and/or deaf? Did they honestly think I couldn't hear what they were saying or that I didn't understand the knowing nudges and smirks? Hardly. It's nice now to not have to constantly be looking around on the defensive, watching people to see when they are going to look at me and get the joke. Being that fat was the most painful, heart wrenching period of my life. One that I would not wish on any body. I'm a beautiful person. I always have been. I'm still me, there's just a lot less of me now and a whole lot longer life ahead of me.