Search the Community

I had cold feet before my surgery, but I'm here a year later to say that I had NO PAIN, NO COMPLICATIONS, and the surgery worked. Good luck with your surgery (my birthday is 1/23)

Hi Y'all, I Relaize This Forum Is For People W/ Lab Band. I Am One Of Those People, I've Been Banded Since 1/07 And Couldn't Be Happier. My Problem Is My Mom. After She Saw My Succsess W/ Lap Band She Went Through The Process Of Getting Approved Through Her Insurance. She Had Everything Riding On Getting Approved And Kept Gaining Weight. She Then Found Out That Her Insurance Didn't Cover Lap Band But, Would Cover Gastric Bypass. Which To Me Makes No Scense What So Ever. Any How, She Went Ahead And Got The Gbp. Despite Me Warning Her Of All The Complications. She Had Her Surgery 1 Month Ago, And Has Been In The Hospital Twice Now. Once For Dehydration And To Stretch Her Stomach And Again Another Time To Strech It Out Even More. The Reason She's Having Her Stomach Stretched Is She Couldn't Even Keep Water Down. She Still Can't Eat Anything She Looks Horrible Very Weak And Pale. Her Doc Says They Can't Strech Her Out Any More. She's So Miserible And Wishes She Would Have Never Done This To Her Self. She Cries All The Time Bc She Can't Eat Anything W/o Throwing It Up And She's Hungry. She Also Says She Has No Support And Can't Go It Alone. We Live In Different Cities And She's A Widow. I Looked To See If There Were Any Gbp Support Websites Like This One And Couldn't Really Find One For Her. I Know Any Time I've Had A Question, Concern Of Needed Support I've Always Found It Here. My Hope Is Someone Will Read This And Maybe Know What I Can Do To Help Her Or Know Of Someone In A Similar Situation She Can Talk To. Anyone Please Help. I'm Very Worried About My Mom. Thanks Y'all.

Hello, all. I'm a 3 year band veteran and new to this site...judging from my current prediciment, I would've done well to find this site a years ago. Hold on to your hats...this is going to take a while... I was banded by Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago in Feb. 2004. I have not kept vigilant track of my loss, or my fills/unfills as most people seem to on this site. I did however, have amazing results of weight loss in the first year or so. I began somewhere around 308 and was down to 209 within a year. Couldn't ever make it past the 100 mark. (I am now 29 years old and have lost and gained significant amounts of weight prior to the band. Numerous times. In fact, I had an abdominoplasty and lipo in various areas following a significant loss. I proceeded to gain over 100 lbs. over the course of the next year. Just to give you an idea of my classic yo-yo syndrome.) I was extremely faithful in my exercise program and in my eating habits for about a year and a half following being banded; however, I threw up ALL THE TIME, on a very regular basis, even with just liquids and I don't mean literal vomiting, but "PB'ing" as I've come to learn it is called on this site. My weight loss was going so well, I chose to just accept it. My weight loss slowed after about 18 months...and at this point, I'm positive the scale is going in the wrong direction, I'm just too ashamed to look. I've only had about 3 or 4 adjustments over the course of the now 3 years of having the lap band, but have no idea as to how many ccs, I don't even know what band I have, specifically. I suppose these are things I should be more aware of. The last time, (which I'm estimating was 6 months ago if not longer) I saw my surgeon, I had an "un-fill", because I had completely stopped losing weight and finally owned up to the truth about my "PB'ing" and evidently my pouch had stretched out? (I don't know that that is the correct terminology). I went back in 2 wks later for an adjustment. I have not been back since. (Let me clarify, I was a self-pay and every time I walk in the door of my surgeon's office I'm spending $250). Since then I have not had the problem with the PB'ing barring a few exceptions, like when I tried to eat more than I should. The truth is, I eat soup and soft foods. And I most definitely, on a regular basis exceed the 4 oz. that my pouch should sufficiently hold. I don't even try to eat things like meat or bread. They don't even exist in my vocabulary. I have for at least 3 months lived with pretty acute pain in my upper abdominal region. I have chosen not to address it, because I am so ashamed, as I, at one time, was a "star patient" and now I have failed, yet again. (Unfotunately she shame goes far deeper than that). I am beginning to rapidly gain weight again at this point. I just decided to start researching and found this web site. I have finally called my surgeon and admitted my failure and told him what has been going on, in particular, the pain I've consistently had now for quite some time. Now that I have admitted this, the pain is quite more apparent. I will be seeing my surgeon (actally, Dr. Horgan has left the practice, however, he had a team of surgeons with him who have continued the practice). I spoke to him yesterday and he seems confident that I simply need to have the band deflated for a few weeks. I, however, after perusing many of the threads on this site fear major complications such as erosion or slippage. I don't have the reflux, as I have taken nexium for about 10 years (but if I don't take it, the reflux is constant and unrelenting). I am extremely frightened and am feeling so, so utterly ashamed of my failure and neglect and I hate that I know I will be made to feel even worse when I do go in on Wednesday, but I fear my health may be in jeopardy at this point, so I have no choice. I'm curious what you would do in my situation. I feel like an Upper GI is necessary, but I know that my doctor is simply going to do a barium swallow under fluoroscopy, deflate the band and send me on my way, to return for an adjustment in a few weeks. Should I be demanding an Upper GI? I have also requested a referral to a psychiatrist and will soon be seeing one who is also a patient himself. (I was req'd to see a therapist for 6 months prior to my surgery, and continued for about a year). I apologize, as brevity is not my stong suit, but would greatly appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks very much. ABP

Okay, I am hoping that there is someone out there that can give me advice, words of wisdom, or just plain old Ive been there and it is possible to get back on track. I got my band three years ago. Lost 100 pounds. Had complications, band slipped and severe acid reflux. Surgery to put band back, then way off the good trail on eating, followed by divorce. Now 80 pounds are back and I want to get back on track. I just cannot seem to stop eating and kick the habit. Any advise? I know it is up to me. I just don't know how to get started again.

I would make sure I am confy with the clinic and the surgeons I choose first and foremost I would ask how many bands have they done? what types of bands they use (yes this does matter different body types work better with different bands) how many complications they have seen (ask for a percentage the more bands someone has done the more complications they have seen) What type of complications have they seen (disconnects, slips, erosions etc) If you have a complications what is the procedure? Who pays? If the band fails or you have an issue/reaction to the band what happens to you? (there have been some reactions to the materials of the bands themselves very very rare but happens) so what else can that surgeon do for you do they offer other types of WLS or only the band. (I can think of one person I know who had an allergic reaction had the band out her surgeon only did banding he refunded 1/3 of her money and said he would help her with other alternatives and she never heard from him again) What type of pre-op diet do they have you do What is your post-op routine? What is their post op support for patients (do they offer seminars, counselling, online support groups, dieticians, nutritionists, fitness etc etc) Are any of their staff banded? I find this helps in having people who understand where you are and when you have an issue they get it. What is their typical fill routine? (does the nurse ask how you are doing, what you are doing etc?) Again remember this relationship isn't just one surgery it is a lifetime relationship. You will need fills, defills, support etc. I am 5 years + out and I was at my surgeons office yesterday for a small de-fill, I am not there often but I still get them.

Has anyone here experienced a flipped port? I'm almost positive mine has either turned on it's side or completely flipped over. I used to be able to feel it completely flat and round, and now it's hard to find and feels like just a slight bulge. I have not gone to see my doctor yet, but I'm concerned if there are any major complications from it, and how in the world did it flip? Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I'm already upset because my weightloss has been so slow, and now this. Maybe I posted this in the wrong forum. I'll try another one.

Some of this may be TMI for folks but thought i'd put it out there Got to the hospital on 10/11 surgery was at 7:25 on the dot and at 11:30 am I was in recovery not feeling a thing the doctor calle my daughter to let her know how I was doing, I had made the decision that I wasn't going to let anyone know in my family which I have stuck too its been hard because I'm excited to see the changes. any how on to the way i'm feeling- by 2 pm on Tuesday my heart was pounding I was not doing well, I ended up getting two blood transfusions, way to many pin sticks my orginal IV went bad by the beginning of night one so they had to fight to find another place for a new one- I have so many black and blues on my arms that I look like a needle junkie, finally they had someone from cardiac care come up and put a new IV in thank god I was in tears and it was 2 am. Lots of pills to help with my heart, way to many blood draws to make sure it was all going ok, today I'm home and resting. but I have the dreaded drain still in and it will be with me for 3 weeks it freaks me out big time trying to log the liquid and keep it drained I knew I wasn't a nurse for a reason. LOL I was suppose to go back to work next tuesday but due to complications there was no way he would release me so now I'm off until 10/25 when i see him and than maybe one week past that if he doesn't feel i'm doing well enough. I'm fustrated and I've certainly had the talk with myself along the lines of WHAT TO HELL DID I DO THIS FOR? but still hoping it will work out after a few weeks but right now WOW was I stupid for having this surgery, it was much easier having the band surgery.. in and out and back to work by day 3.. Well I'm off everyone i hope those that are on their way or have been sleeved have a much easier time of it best of luck to you all. B002011

I have not been around as much lately and several LBT friends have asked why…… I was banded in February of 2012, lost 80 pounds in 10 months and have maintained that weight until I had a tummy tuck on Halloween… After the surgery I had 2 drains, they were removed after 2 weeks. Within 5 days, my tummy filled up with fluid and my doctor drained it (this is like drilling for oil with a really BIG needle….. not fun!). Within about 5 days my tummy was full again so my doctor put a drain back in. The next week the area above my belly button filled up with fluid and I had another drain put in just below my bra line. About a week later I had the upper drain removed & that issue was resolved, BUT…. I was still accumulating over 50cc of fluid a day from my lower drain. Doc said the magic number was less than 20cc a day for 2 days in a row, well that wasn’t happening. So on Monday doc flushed Ethanol thru the tubing of my drain into the pocket in my tummy (100cc total). This is supposed to irritate the area between my skin & abdomen wall and cause it to stick together. Today (Thursday) I am still getting 30cc of fluid a day from my drain…… I go back to the doctor Monday. My options are, do the flush again and if that doesn’t work…..another surgery. Ugh Complications happen, I know that. But, how has this affected me mentally? Well, I can’t exercise (every time I do the amount of fluid goes up), I can’t go in my hot tub with my husband (open incision), Have this glamorous drain to carry around in my pocket….. IT SUCKS! And I have gotten very depressed over it. I have disconnected from my life lines (Local support group, LBT wait I mean Bariatric Pal, and my family) Yes I looked to food for comfort. (We won’t even add the holidays on top of all this….) So you wonder….how is my weight? I am about 10 pound over my original goal weight (I weigh between 177-180, depends on the day). But even more important is how I am mentally? I will be honest, I am struggling. I am pissed, why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? WHY? Oh WHY? OH WHY????? Full on pitty me party here!!!! This is my confession, I am not the perfect role model. I struggle, I have pitty me parties, I ask why me…… and so I stayed away from my support. Too many people saw me as inspiration. How can I be inspiration when I am like this???? I am taking my complications day by day. I am not giving up (& yes the tummy tuck was worth it). I just don’t think I can motivate anyone right now.

I'm reading all these "issues" after the sleeve procedure, and now getting rather concerned. I was living in la-la-land in my head thinking that nobody had complications (already read that thread) or issues with the VSG procedure as opposed to the band which has lots of complications. However, I read about the heartburn (I've never HAD HEARTBURN or acid reflux and I don't want any) and weird tastes/smells, and now I'm getting nervous about doing any WLS. I'm just spook'n at the gate so to speak. I don't want problems I don't have now after WLS. I have noticed that since I've been fatter my sense of smell has lessened. I even went to an ENT about this but they couldn't find anything wrong after scoping my nasal cavity. The next step was MRI, but I just knew there as nothing really wrong and concluded my head must be too fat (OK, everybody laugh here:001_tt2:) and something is pinching on the smell nerves. How's that for a diagnosis?:tongue_smilie: Anyway, I'm digressing. I just don't want to have to live on antacids after surgery and I don't want any stuck problems, etc., etc., that's why I'm opting for the sleeve and not the band where I originally was starting to go with my research. I need someone to tell me it'll be OK, you won't have these issues, kwim?:huh0:

You have or had a fever. GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM NOW! Trust me you don't want to play with this. And if it is not a leak there is some complication. The fever tells your body you have an infection. It would be best to know whether it is a leak or just getting a cold.... Please go!

I think if you'd never had the complications, and you would have woken up without the sleeve you'd be just as upset. Especially without the perspective of complications. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Vicki - yes the complications scare me. I don't want to be gagging and vomiting. I do that with Byetta. I can't go anywhere once I've taken that.

Almost 10 months here and I agree, complications free just get use to the fills and eating again. I would be second in line behind you Tanya.

I was just wondering if anyone out there has had the band for a long time and if you had any complications? Would you do it again if you had it to do over again?

Hi, I have been lurking around this board for a couple of months. I live in San Jose, Costa Rica, and have lived here for 12 years. I was banded on 3/29/07. The first night i stayed in the hospital and was in quite a bit of pain. Yesterday was better, and today its alot better, although i still have some pain, its like i did 1000 situps. I am on Clear liquids for 7 days, then am allowed to progress to the mushies. I plan on sticking to the diet that my doc has given me, I am scared to death of a slipage or an erosion, i know they happen, but if i have one i dont want it to be because i didnt follow the diet. I went through what alot of people describe on this board, the first morning waking up and having doubts if i had done the right thing. My wife is very supportive and said that i had, and if i hadnt it was too late to worry about it that it was done. I have 3 children, ages 6-11 and both my parents live down here in costa rica. The thing that made me finally get banded was that my mother is very large, and has been really sick the last year, with alot of different problems. She is 72, and when the doctor was explaing the latest set of problems he was basically telling us that it was really hard to treat all of these different things, and if she was at a lower weight she wouldnt of had the problems and for sure not the complications that she is having now. My Dad is the same age and he is very healthy, goes to the gym 5 times a week and has no health problems. He has never had a weight problem and i have been up and down over the last 10 years. Anyway, thats alot of rambling, dont know why i am posting all this, but i guess thats what these boards are for. I am looking forward to losing, getting back to the gym and changing my eating habits. Thanks For listening

I lost about 90lb and it took me 14 months to do it, I havent lost anymore since then even though I havent changed anything. I'm just inside the top of my healthy weight range, so considered normal weight. I'd like to lose a bit more I guess but dont really care enough about it to change things so much as to make it happen. I did it on a normal everyday diet. I eat carbs (good ones). I dont count Protein. I ate less and moved more - I run an hour five or six days a week. I didnt get scientific about it. I lost fast sometimes, slow others and not at all for weeks on end. I've never had my band tight, had only one or two PB's and dont get blocked up very often. I kept my hair, havent had any complications, so all in all a pretty easy, smooth journey for me.

Hello, First of all Congradulations to all of you with the band ! I am going in on Tuesday June 5th ( wow two more days ) I am getting very nervous and major cold feet worse than getting married LOL It has been so many yrs since I have had a hospital procedure done I just feel lost wondering what to expect when waking up . I have heard the pain is pretty bad, what was your experience ? Any words of wisdom you would share with me I would be so grateful. I posted before but didnt get a response. I am just getting scared of the " what if's " that I read on the complication board. Plus I watched the video of the surgery kinda wished I hadn't , it looked worse than I expected. I dont mean to sound like a baby but now that the date is so close I am getting nervous and a bit emotional at the same time because it is such a life changing event. My weight has ruled my life physically and emotionally for so long I cant imagine what it would be like to get out of the vicious cycle of diet failure. Deep down I am so excited I cant seep. Does this make any sence Haha ? It isnt just an operation it is going to change my life I hope for the better. Anyway what is it like the day of the surgery and that week ? Anything that I should be aware of or that you wished you would of known? Thanks so much you have no idea how much I appreciate your knowledge:) Sincerely Kim

Thanks guys. So happy to hear Meemee is Starting to feel better. My Stricture was caused by misinsertation of the bougie ( being pushed in to far) And the tauntness of the stomach being pulled across the bougie before stapleing. It is a complication of the surgery. Complications DO NOT happen often but when they do it is 100% you. My doctors had never seen this before. They are a centre of excellence. I am so grateful I had such careing doctors. And that I didnt end up with a gastric bypass or worse massive medical bills. As I am a Canadian with ironically no medical coverage in the states. I live very close to seattle so I would drive down with my husband for care. Any questions are welcome. Oh, by the way I feel great now with no major issues just reflux that I take omeprizol for. And I am 10 lbs away from goal!

Thanks Wendell - as each day goes I'm sure that this is what I want to do - I don't need the complication of other peoples issues - so I'm going to go for it! Can I just say thanks to other bandsters for posting on this wonderful forum - it is such a help to know there are others that understand this mad, bad relationship with food you can have.

It all began when we found out that my wife's close friend was getting the sleeve done. She had it done in Decatur Texas and had part of her insurance help due to a hiatal hernia. We quickly saw her results and had probed her for questions. 9 months later we were on a cruise with her, her husband, and another friend couple. She looked fantastic and was a completely new person. I could put my arms around her when I hugged her and it really got my wife and I talking about it. We pried her for all of the questions and our intrigue got very serious. My wife signed us up for a seminar with the local hospital group in Wichita, KS. 10 minutes into the conversations they passed out a price sheet for self pay and I was about ready to leave then ($22,000+). You see my insurance only covers four visits to a dietitian, nothing more. During the presentation though we learn of the many comorbidities that are cured in the surgeries or rather percentages that are resolved. What hit home the most for me was the three I have, diabetes (on metformin daily), high blood pressure (lisinopril daily), and sleep apnea (prescribed cpap nightly). This became really important for me to find out more. Not just for me, but because I too would love to see my wife happy and being thinner would do that for her. My wife talked about using her 401k and other options for financing to go to Decatur and pay just over $10k. I happened to stumble across the idea of mexico medical tourism. She was scared about it until reading more on this site about the successes and that's why I wanted to write this to help others in the decision that it's not near what you think. You see while she may get financed, there was no option for me other than tax return this February-ish to get me close to the cost just to go to Mexico. Well when financing fell through, we both decided Mexico was our option. Many website searches and forums read led us to Dr. Ortiz with ALighterMe.com. So to jump to it for me... I was scheduled for December 30th to take advantage of a slight discount on their regular price for the holidays and travel increases. My flight was in on the 29th and early so I was asked if it was ok to move my surgery up to the 29th. I flew in and when I was walking out to ground transportation I tried to call Abraham. Well Orlando called me right then and told me he was looking for me. I found a sign outside, called him and told him the sign "P Zone" and he was there within a few minutes. Traffic was hell though. Two ladies were in the van when I hopped in. The van was a little rough, yes, but I wasn't expecting a limo either. We stopped by another parking lot place to pick up some more folks and off to mexico we went. We went straight to the hospital and up to the fourth floor. Orlando checked me in with the nurses and had me wait in a small waiting room as they were cleaning the rooms and releasing people back to the Marriott. Once my room was ready a male nurse came to get me and took me to the room. The room was fine with a hospital bed, the little stand/eating tray that comes over the bed, tv, place for my things, and full bathroom. It was clean and the bed had clean sheets. It felt like a regular hospital room. Eduardo came in to introduce himself to me and tell me anything I need to let him, Abraham (when he would come in) or Orlando know. They all promised to take care of any needs. I feel I am very humble anyways and didn't need anything at all. The nurse came in and she was CUTE, but spoke no English. She gave me a gown and asked me to change. I did and then she proceeded to put on the compression socks on my legs. From there I was given an IV and a pro-tip here -- ask for it in the forearm, not the hand. My wife's hand hurt a week out due to the antibiotics and such they push through the IV. I had to take it in the bend of my arm where you normally would give blood, just because it was easier for her to get the vein. While getting the IV, another technician came in and drew blood from my right side for the lab work. The nurse then hooked me up to the EKG, which I have never had. The machine looked old and archaic, but what do I know, I've never had one. She hooked up many points on my chest, both ankles, and wrists. Once done I then was there sitting around and waiting. I waited and waited and waited. I met Abraham, Dr. Ortiz, and his assistant Dr. They gave me plenty of opportunity to ask questions and they all made sure I knew what I was getting into. I did ask about the drain and IV as to when they would come out and what the best things I could do. Dr. Ortiz told me to make sure I walk alot and that I eat the ice chips and drink as much as I could stand to practice for while I am at the hotel. Don't let two hours go by without drinking as I would get dehydrated. Many nurses were in and out as well. Later in the evening Jessica came in to check on my vitals and introduced herself. She spoke great English and was very pleasant. She was my favorite. Very pretty, very sweet person, and I could tell had a caring heart. She asked me to be forgiving of her counterpart as she didn't speak very good English and that her English was only ok. I can tell you, her English was great, absolutely fantastic compared to my Spanish! I knew what I was getting into though, I was in Mexico. This was no surprise. I found out that the room I was in was going to be my room, so I setup my stuff while waiting, cpap setup and filled with water, phone on the charger, and suitcase locked. I screwed up on the safe, but really didn't need it. I just put a padlock on my suitcase. The wifi was great, I put my iphone on airplane mode and turned wifi on to message the hell out of my wife and play hay day all day long. Later that night (close to 10pm), Jessica came in and asked me if I was ready "as ready as I'm going to be". So she put on some little booties and a hair net for me. I threw my phone on the charger and hopped in a wheel chair. They took me down to the 3rd floor. From there I walked around into another room outside of the operating room. From there I hopped on another bed and then the anesthesiologist introduced himself. They took my vitals and of course high heart rate (nerves). So they asked me if I was nervous and I say "of course". I was offered some meds and I accepted. He put a little in my IV and walked off. He came back to check on me and I felt much more relaxed. They took vitals again and asked me if I was ready to go into surgery. With a "yes" they escorted me off the bed and into the operating room. I crawled onto another bed that was flat and I laid there looking a two very large operation lights (that were not on yet). The anesthesiologist was doing some work above my head and mentioned something if I was ready again. I don't remember anything else from there. I woke up at midnight with a pain in my abdomen and struggling with the oxygen mask. Jessica was right at my side telling me "Joe, don't move, don't move". I asked when I could go to my room and when I could get up and walk. She said to lay down and rest right now, we will take you soon. Another 30 minutes or hour passed or so and they asked if I could move my feet and legs. They had given me more pain meds and I was able to raise my legs up and move them ok. They wheeled the bed into the little elevator and up I went back to my room. They bunked the beds next to each other and I crawled over. Jessica handed me my CPAP and turned it on. I asked when I could start walking because I wanted the drain out and no gas pains. She said as soon as I felt ready I could start walking and have ice chips. About 2am I got up and was walking the halls. I had pain in my abdomen, above my belly, like in my diaphram. I walked the hall a few times and Orlando came up. He had some drinks with him and we gave each other grief as "what are those for" and he said "for you my friend, for you." I knew he was joking and we laughed it off as he put them in the fridge. I talked to Jessica about the pain and asked if it was probably drain or gas pain. My shoulders didn't hurt which is where most people feel the gas pain. She indicated to me where the drain was and how I was not having pain from that. I walked more, grabbed some ice chips, and went back to bed. At 4am they came in for more meds and after I got up walking around and ice chips. This continued for a while. I never had nausea only pain in the upper part of my stomach and mostly was controlled fine with pain meds. Dr Ortiz came in and checked me indicated that I was a good patient and there was no problems. No leaks when they tested the surgery and that I would do another test just to be sure. He checked my drain and said if it continues to look good, no dark red, we will remove it tomorrow morning. I was stoked and kept on walking! I had the swallow test and all was clear there. It was until the labs came back though from the swallow test around 2-3pm that allowed me to have my first sip of apple juice and gatorade. I did have to ask for more pain meds later that afternoon. All seemed to clear up and I continued to walk on commercial breaks on TV or whenever my back would get tired of the bed. Monday night late, my IV was running out when they gave me a round of meds. I noticed this after the nurse left and decided to go walking and ask her about it. She took the IV off and put a cap on the port in my arm. I was a little shocked, but elated cause I didn't have to drag the pole around. I walked and walked. Yesterday morning, they came in, checked the drain, and said we will remove it. I had it removed and while it was very awkward, it was not too painful, but more just awkward feeling. It was pretty quick and I really felt like a new person. I continued to walk around and they finally took out the IV port. I was then released to Abraham and Eduardo to go to the Marriott. I must say the Marriott is a great hotel. It's beautiful and very clean/welcoming. I will say bring a computer/ipad/books or something. There are not many channels in English. I walked to Wal-Mart on my first day out. It is a half mile each way and uphill / downhill both ways. The trip today was much better than yesterday. There is a GNC by the walmart and it has some RTD 51 shakes. They are by MET-Rx "Protein Plus" shakes. I have had the chocolate so far and it is very good. It has 51g of protein per can. The hotel broth is to die for. I had it for lunch when I got here and heated up another couple of ounces of it for dinner last night in the coffee pot (lol, yes I am innovative too). It is the best chicken broth I have ever had! Abraham will give you a gatorade. It's small and I would suggest keeping it for the flight out. I got one from the hospital too, so I have two for the flight. I picked up a bigger one at Wal-Mart for just over a $1 that lasted me yesterday. I have been drinking alot of fluids, more so than I thought I would be able to handle. Two 600mL waters with propel zero powder mixed in and a 600mL gatorade yesterday. Two 600mL waters with powder and on protein shake so far today. ALighterMe gives you a care package when you leave the hospital with all of your meds and they explain what you need to take when. You have a Maalox type of med to coat your stomach 5 minutes before you take your antibiotics, but it is also good for gas and churning stomach I have found out. The pain meds are good in they are almost instant and sub lingual. I haven't had to take many, but on my walks I take one and did last night too to help me sleep. Two other folks with me in the hospital were having issues. Both hurt very much from gas pains and one had a hand that was numb. It wasn't from the IV either, but he said they had to restrain him in surgery... Anyways, I noticed them complaining on the ride to the hotel and I felt bad for them because I felt so good. They were supposed to get their drains out today where I was a day early. I think the key though is walking. They were feeling nausea or pain or something that kept them from walking as much as I did. I think this is slowing their recovery. Overall, I'm very happy I chose ALighterMe for the surgery and I so thankful to them and the courteous staff at MI Doctor for helping me turn my life around. I know I'm not far in, but having survived without feeling hungry or any cravings since Saturday is a wonderful thing. I drink only cause I know I need to and I know things are going to be great from here on out. Anyone who has any thoughts of going to Mexico for the surgery, I hope you find some solace in my story and make an educated decision. I had a wonderful experience and I will never "recommend" anyone to do this because of the complications, if you are going to do it anyways, I will recommend ALighterMe and Dr. Elias Ortiz. My wife had a very good experience just two weeks prior to me and my experience drives it home for me. I can't be thankful enough.

I'm self pay and my Dr. said that anything after the original surgery that would have to be fixed is medically necessary and there's not an insurance company out there that will fight it, so it should be covered. Find out how much the fills are after the first year so you know ahead of time. My Dr. said he codes it under something (forgot what it was) and I'll only have to pay my office visit co-pay. I know it's scary when you think about all the things that could go wrong such as slippage, erosion, flipped port, etc. But I decided that as long as I follow EVERYTHING my Dr. says, then I should be ok. If something happens that's out of my hands, then I couldn't have helped it to begin with. My surgeon was very honest. He told me that he will not nickle and dime me because I am self pay. He thinks all insurances should pay for the surgery anyway, so he's not willing to take anymore than he has to from people who have to pay for it themselves. His surgery fee is only $5,000. It's the hospital charging $9,600 that's killing me, for 1 night. I think this is extremely too high, but what am I to do. I don't feel comfortable flying out of the country to do. If problems occur, I'd be so far away, and I hear it's hard to get a local surgeon for after care afte you've ben to Mexico. So I figure if I'm going to fork over the money, then I'm going to do it right. I'm worth every penny, and it's my body and my health I'm dealing with. Hope this helps some. Sorry to carry on like I did, but it did take me a long time to get over the what if's of complications. You take the good with the bad, and that's what I plan to do.

My insurance has an exclusion for any obesity treatment. So I will have to self pay if I want to get the band. My concern is, what if there are complications during surgery? Will I have to pay for all of that too? What if there are complications 2 or 3 years out? Will I have to pay for that too? What if the band needs to be removed? Will I have to pay for that too? It would cost $17,500 to have the surgery and that would include one year post op care and fills, etc. But what about after that? If there are complications and I have to self pay for that too, I could be financially ruined for life. Any comments, suggestions, advice? I don't know what to do.:faint:

I'm kinda new to this, I was banded in April with some complications. I didnt get my first fill till about 5 weeks ago and had LOTS of humm I wont call it PBing, because I wretched!!!!!!! I think you need to REALLY pay attention I mean REALLY pay attention to what you eat in the first weeks after a fill. If it feels like maybe its not going down right ITS NOT. Try something else on your plate, in my expreiance taking another bite at that point is just asking for a wretching episode... When I've had a really bad wretching episode I usually wait for the next meal or next day to try solids again. Hope this helped.

I was sleeved Jan 16 at Newton Wellesly. excellent all the way. they are known as conservative but if you study complications after they are setting the standard

Re: too tight Quote: Originally Posted by christa94 donna, you mentioned that you were losing before the fill. why did you have the fill? did you feel you were losing restriction? you mentioned that the fill is too tight. what makes you say that? are you still losing? Hi Christa, I got the fill because I had lost and regained the same pound four times over a two week period, which my doctor said is a sign you may need a fill. Additionally, I was at twelve weeks post op, by which time most bandsters are already on their 2nd or 3rd fill. LOL, I was afraid I was going to be left behind. Let this be a lesson, listen to what your body says, not what other people are doing or saying. What I needed to do was reexamine my caloric intake and increase my activity level. The other thing I did wrong was to try to be accomodating. I had my surgery in Mexico so I'm using a local surgeon's facilities for fills. I had already scheduled a fill and even though I had recently had a bad PB (my first) which caused swelling, I didn't want to cancel my appointment because I didn't want them to change their mind and not accept me as a patient - so I went for the fill. Big mistake. Having a too tight fill is miserable. After the PB swelling and the fill (1.4cc) I had constant pressure/pain at my sternum front and back. In the morning it hurt even worse and it even hurt to breathe deeply when I first got out of bed. I couldn't eat anything until 1:00 in the afternoon usually. To complicate matters, by the time I got in to the Dr.'s office for an unfill, my PB swelling was finally going away and I was almost comfortable with my fill level, so I wasn't sure if I wanted/needed an unfill. This was my first fill, I wasn't sure what it was SUPPOSED to feel like. I was already at the Dr.'s office so I decided I'd just have them check my band to be absolutely sure it was still in the right place - of course it was, but you hear so many nightmare stories here on LBT . . . . The surgeon was doing fills on that Saturday (!?!) and insisted on checking the band by removing all the fill and putting it back in - I still don't know why he didn't just look at the band on the fluoroscope. I didn't really feel like I had any choice, so I went along. He was terrible at giving fills - I've only ever had one and even I could tell he wasn't good at it! - the Lydocaine shot HURT. My first fill Lydocaine shot didn't hurt at all. He pulled the fill out, checked it, and then SLAMMED it back in! I had excruciating pain in my sternum till he pulled back on the syringe a bit. I was laying on that F'ing table gasping it hurt so bad. I don't know what he was playing at, but when he put my original fill back in - HE ADDED .5cc's! I went for a possible unfill and he added .5cc's! WTF? To make it worse, he didn't tell me he added .5cc's, in fact, he told me there was only 1cc in the band. Since we've all heard that it's very common to lose some or all of a first fill, I wasn't alarmed by that and was actually grateful because I was finally getting comfortable again. When I left his office I felt tight but was able to swallow easily - I just thought the tightness was because of disturbing the stomach area again. That was on a Saturday and by Saturday night I could barely swallow my own spit. I could only take in water in sips amounting to the size of a pea. I tried to have LITTLE TINY slivers of sugar free, fat free, frozen yogurt which sounded soothing to my swollen, hungry belly - it caused me to slime for about 40 minutes before I was able to swallow my own spit again! Forget about eating. Not even soup! Not even clear broth! Because that visit was on a Saturday, I had to wait until Monday when the doctor's office reopened before I could get in for an unfill - which irritated my stomach more. Fortunately, the surgeons fill nurse was there on Monday. She's awesome. When she pulled the fill out, sure enough there were 1.9cc's of fill in there. My original 1.4cc's PLUS the .5cc's that idiot of a surgeon added at the time of my SUPPOSED unfill! I was furious. I went the whole weekend in MISERY because this jerk-off thought he knew what was best for me - and didn't even inform me of what he was doing. I'm furious about it still. The fill nurse took my fill down to my current 1.2cc's and I'm beginning to feel better today but I'm still on liquids and will stay on them until this Sunday - 7 days of liquids just to be sure I don't cause another PB re-irritating my already irritated stomach! This has been a horrible experience and I don't plan to have another fill until I can't lose another ounce no matter how much I restrict calories and increase my activity! I will never again compare my fills with anyone elses, nor will I agree to have fills on any kind of schedule. Needless to say, I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, let that surgeon touch my body ever again. If the fill nurse isn't there, I'll leave. Even if I have to pay for an office visit he'll never touch me again. I'd never use his facility again except that his fill nurse is wonderful (compassionate, careful, HONEST - pick whichever one you like, she's all of that and more), and, because I didn't have surgery in the U.S., I don't want to go around looking for another local who'll see me. Here is my advise for anyone wanting to know about getting fills: 1) If/when you get a fill, do it in slow increments - more is not better, or even cheaper. It will cost you in the long run to need unfills and refills when you could have got to the same place COMFORTABLY by sneaking up on your sweet spot. 2) If you think you might be too tight, GO GET AN UNFILL! It's not worth the misery or the irritation and possible damage to your stomach to try to keep your fill in an attempt to lose weight faster. That's not what I was doing, but I see that on LBT frequently. 3) Make sure YOU call the shots - not some numb-nuts doctor who thinks he knows everything. Once again I must learn to trust my own instincts (a lesson I thought I had learned long ago) and listen to what MY body is telling ME! Sorry to go on and on, but this is the first time I've written it all down and I'm still pretty steamed about it. LOL - Um, what makes you ask? Good luck with your band and weight loss journey. __________________ DonnaB Adversity introduces you to yourself. - Anonymous