matchamaiden

Hi KC Bandsters! Here's an update on my progress: I was banded September 16, 2010 by Dr. Malley. The New Hope staff really took great care of me and Dr. Malley is a very skilled surgeon with a very witty humor; quiet, but very funny. I have not done so well with the band. I've had a lot of problems with any amount of fill and have experienced bandster hell many times until I got an unfill. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and had only lost 17 pounds post-op as of March, 2011. I found myself sick most of the time and in a great deal of discomfort. However, New Hope was great at checking me out to ensure no slips happened and that the band looked good under floroscopy. As soon as I'd start to recover and go in for another fill, the same thing would happen - I'd get sick and be unable to keep anything down, even liquid. However, I managed to continue working out several times a week but developed very unhealthy patterns of eating because of all the problems with keeping food down. I couldn't do protein at all except in protein shakes and yogurt. I was starving all the time, but could not eat. During the times I was able to keep liquids down, I drank all of my calories and naturally, I would get so sick of protein shakes that I would go for the stuff that packs on pounds just to get a change from the protein shakes, which I did not seem to lose with. Hell...truly. I let my tummy rest after the last unfill and it seemed I was able to at least keep some food down and was actually able to maintain my weight rather than lose and gain the same 10 pounds between fills and unfills. So.....after 5 months passed I returned to my PCP, who shared her experience with HCG. I was so tired of being sick and so discouraged that I decided to give it a go in March. I lost 24 pounds in 30 days and have finally been able to eat the protein my body needed so badly. I'm scheduled for another round of HCG and am 50 pounds from goal. It's the first time in my life that my physical hunger has been controlled. I expected the band to at least help with a portion of my physical hunger like it did for so many of my friends. But, it didn't really do much for my hunger, even when I was so tight that I couldn't keep anything but water down. Since it had been over two months since my last fill, I decided to go in for a tiny fill. That's why I had the band, right? Well, the same thing happened. I went and had a little unfill and still I have been puking all weekend. I really regret the decision I made to get banded. For me, unlike several of my friends, it did nothing at all to curb my hunger. I never got to the point of not feeling like I have a ball in my stomach and always feel irritated. I know I'm not the norm and that others have had great results. I believe my body does not react well to the band and will be discussing what my options are to at least have a complete unfill or possible removal. I can't live like this anymore. The support groups are great and I really recommend them. To those of you considering if New Hope is a good choice, I would tell you not to hesitate about the quality and skill of Dr. Malley and his nursing staff. You are in great hands!

Thanks everyone for your responses and feedback. Actually, the NP is not the first person I'd been to in the practice. The surgeon did the previous fills and I believe he was outstanding and one RN did an unfill. However, the surgeon also was hesitant (but did not refuse) to tell me about the amount used in the fill. I live in a large city with numerous options for providers, luckily. Since I work in a hospital side-by-side with providers, I felt I had a good grasp on appropriate care (I agree with Jingleboob's thoughts). I hold shared decision-making as a standard in care that should not be compromised. I plan to schedule another appointment with the surgeon and will communicate my concerns - at least this will give him the opportunity learn of what is going on in his practice with the other provider and be given the opportunity to address it. Meanwhile, I did have my information sent to another practice for review, but plan to attend their support group and drop in to the practice before I make my final decision. Thanks again for the feed-back. Rebecca

I'm 4 months out and have had 3 fills and two unfills. I'd had trouble keeping solids down for a week and then I couldn't even drink Water without foaming, sliming and eventually having it come back up. I scheduled an appointment at my surgeon's office and when I arrived, I learned he wasn't there to see me, but was told a nurse would see me instead. I asked if I could see the nurse prac instead of the RN and they said I had to see the RN. Strangely enough, the nurse prac ended up seeing me, so I felt a bit better about things. She put me under the flouroscopy machine and said the band had not slipped, which is what they were initially concerned with. However, her attempt to access my port was really very painful and when I grimaced, she commented, "Now, it can't hurt that bad". I tried to tell her it was really, really painful and that my stomach had been so sore from throwing up. She shook her head and went on to say she was going to find out how much I had in my band. She proceeded to say she was going to take some out because she thought I was too full and that is why I couldn't keep anything down. I asked how much was in there and she said "you don't need to know how much is in your band and you it shouldn't matter how much we takeout". She proceeded to take some out, had me drink some water and it was much improved. Again, I asked how much is now in my band and how much was taken out. She responded, "Why are the numbers so important to you? I explained that you don't need to concern yourself with that part". I tried to explain that shared decision-making is important to me in this journey and that since the adjustments were being made to MY body, that I would like the information. She disagreed and walked out of the room. I called the office manager and expressed my disappointment in care. I signed a release to have care transferred to another clinic and was told by the receptionist, "If you leave, we won't take you back". At that point, I knew I definately needed to move on. Do most of you ask your doctor how much is going in or out? Is this unreasonable? Just curious how others' experiences are at their fill visits. Thanks for sharing with me! Rebecca

Gas...and lots of it here! I also struggle with this and have come to terms that it will likely be the normal for me. It is very painful and Gas X doesn't touch it for me. Dr. Malley's nurse told me they only recommend the Mylanta or Malox with Simethecone (40 mg) because they have found the most success with those. The nurse told me that sometimes Gas X doesn't work with the band. She also said this could be something that just doesn't go away. I had my surgery on Sept 16, 2010 and if I don't take Mylanta twice a day I am doubled over in pain. The heat feels great and so does yoga, but it just doesn't get rid of the gas for me. Moving around doesn't seem to prevent the gas, either. I am strict with liquid protocol. I have also found that going with the basics for food works the best for me, such as chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, eggs and a bit of cheese. Bariatric Advantage Protein shakes to supplement. I can't handle many veggies without awful gas and forget anything with sugar or heavy carbs. My tummy becomes a fermentation tank! So, that's what has worked for me, but still I have extreme gas without the help of the daily dose of Mylanta. Everyone is so different, you'll just have to tinker a bit and find the fixes that work for you....the best to you!:biggrin: Rebecca

Hi! I was banded on Sept 16th by Dr. Malley and I'm pleased with things so far. I just need the extra support. Are there groups that meet more frequently than the one at New Hope? Thanks! Rebecca

Hi There! Yep, I had my surgery September 16th and I've only lost 3 pounds since surgery, but lost 10 pounds during the two week pre-op phase. Amazing, huh? I thought there was something wrong with me until I read all these posts and found it is pretty normal. I'm so amazed that for the first two weeks after surgery, I couldn't eat much AT ALL and only lost a few pounds. Now, I feel like I don't even have the band since all the swelling is gone and I can eat like I did before surgery. However, now is the time I'm relying on behavior mod and exercise and trying to accept that I won't feel the restriction until after my first or second fill. So....I think we are normal in that regard:cool: I can't speak to the healing issues, but others on here seem to have some solid recommendations! Good luck and keep us posted! Matchamaiden

Well, here's my newbie introduction! I was banded on September 16, 2010 at New Hope Bariatric's in Overland Park, Kansas. I'm doing well, but have not lost the amount of weight I expected when I compare myself to friends who have the band. But, I am reminding myself of the huge learning curve that comes with this new part inside of me! As of today, I'm 13 pounds down, but 10 of that was from pre-surgery prep for two weeks. I've over-come numerous hurdles so far, so I'm in the learning mode. Look forward to hearing the experiences of others as we all travel down this road.