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Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone has been to Parkview Bariatric Center in Fort Wayne IN ? My first consultation appointment is set for June 19th and I'm trying to do a little background if possible. Thanks

You need to see a doctor; one that has some kind of experience with bariatric surgery. It's impossible for anyone here to tell you what's wrong, but clearly something is wrong.

I do protein 2o Bariatric unflavored protein powder Sent from my U693CL using BariatricPal mobile app

Every bariatric surgery has it's problems. RNY is great because people lose weight so fast (due to malabsorption) but I recall my original band dr saying (when we were discussing options) that with RNY you have to work hard to get your weight loss done in year one because by year 2 the stomach begins to relax a little and the body adapts and weight loss becomes much more difficult. Then in the next breath he told me how much discipline it takes to lose weight with a Lap Band because there isn't malabsorption issues. I am hearing about more and more RNY patients coming back for a lapband, it's actually not so unusual. And so, she's on the same crazy journey we all are on. I hope she finds some peace.

I started with the Bariatric Advantage Protein powder and I could not take it! Worst aftertaste ever. I tried the chocolate Premier Protein and it is soooo much better. Went out and bought the vanilla and strawberry days later. I'm on the pre-op diet now too - good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If your docs don't know what it is they will probably consult some other docs. Sometimes the consulting ends up here: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/florida/departments/general_surgery/bariatric/default.aspx The Cleveland Center in Florida is one of the best in the world. My 1rst class surgeon studied there.

I am new to this site - but one of the other users asked me to write some info on European batriatic centers - that I knew of. About me - I am from Denmark, and in Denmark, the Slevee is not performed very often. Almost never... Gastric Bypasss is the main operation. I want a sleeve, havent had one yet - but is almost certain wich doctor, I will choose. I will tell you another time :-) A lot of danes had an operation in Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Greece. I will give you the info, websites and prices I can find. I do not have any relations with any of the clinics - but I have been in contact with all of them! (Not the german yet) SWEDEN Centrum för Titthålskirurgi - CFTK Drottninggatan 99 113 60 Stockholm Sweden The surgeon: Dag Arvidsson Tfn: 08-32 62 20 Fax: 08-32 62 15 E-post: info@cftk.se PRICE Somewhat expensive, but they have a full program with psychologist, dieticians, online services - and a 3 year follow up program!!! All is included in the price. Approx 11,900 Euros /10,400 GBP ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- GREECE http://www.bariatric...y.dk/index.html A greek-danish doctor, had a danish education, worked in Sweden for many years. Now working in Athens He speaks fluently greek, english, swedish, danish, norwegian, and understand german and dutch. The danes are beginning to know him more and more. He aswers questions for us at our danish forum Nikos Valsamidis Bariatric surgeon info@valsamidis-surgery.com[/email] 30, Abdominal Surgeon Medical Director Department of Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Meditarraneo Hospital Glyfada, Athens PRICE Approx 5.000 GBP / 5800 Euros This include surgery, hospital stay. You need a gastroscopy 150 euros (Can be made at home) If you have a "high" BMI, you need to see a dietician and psychologist - it cost 100 Euros ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- GERMANY - Dr. Krause In Denmark we get the contact through a agency who handle all papers and contact. http://www.ihcare.co.uk/ Dr. Krause His secretary Frau Jansky: christel.jansky@klinikum-nf.de http://www.klinikum-...0DK/10DK_fr.php Price 9600 Euros Including operation, consultation with surgeon, psychologist, dietician ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- BELGIUM - Dr. Lemmens "The sleeve gastrectomy is also performed in well selected cases " He mostly do bypass http://www.dr-lemmen...emid=75〈=en You can write to him on the website, and he will respond to your mail. I only received a mail the first time, and didnt get an answert on my 3 others. But perhaps her was very busy, ill or out of town. Price aprox: 7000 Euros / 6100 GBP (for a Bypass!) I think that sleeve will be the same or less. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- BELGIUM - Dillemans http://www.azbrugge....r_dillemans.pdf Dr Bruno Dillemans T +32 (0)50 39 29 80 bruno@dillemans.com In Denmark we get the contact through a agency who handle all papers and contact. I do not think he makes many Sleeves. http://www.ihcare.co.uk/ Price 8200 GBP / 9400 Euros ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------

I have a friend doing this exact thing. Her OB is going to coordinate with the Bariatrics surgeon. It can be done pretty easily.

Thats the PONT! If WLS is for life Why would you want it reversed? It only needs revisonal surgery if its going wrong and the complications again are rare and if like happen very early days. Unlike the band most people experience probs around 18 months to 2 years. It can be devastateing if the band has been great then suddenly slippes and needs removing. Not every one is likely to keep the weight off! You ONLY usually have the band removed when there is complications and the long term chance of complications are way higher with a band than any other method of WLS. A Doc will endourse the band if thats all there doing and most general practioners dont know enough about anything so have a say eather way. (in a specialist manner) A Specialsit bariatric surgeon should be skilled in all the surgeries and should have enough experience to assess a patient and there suitablility for what ever procedure. The patient should of course consult with the surgeon and heed the surgeons advice. This less invasive and reverasble thing is sooo repetative it seems like the laimest excusess for a band i have ever heard. It says you expect it to fail and when it does its easy to fix. Whats the point in entering into a lifetime commitment to change with the expoectation its likely to fail. All surgeries to some extent are reversable. The band completely reversabe and usually with that there is a very high chance the weight will regain. Thats prob one of the sole reasons why lots of insurance companies in the US dont fund banding and lots of people have to fight for it. Surly that tellls you something! i seriously cannot see why you would ever want it reversed if things are going well. And in most bypass cases things go well like the stats say there is higher complications probs with a band than any other method of WLS so again if this are going great why would you consider revision?

Thanks Melinda, I just received an email from the Bariatric co-ordinator (that's who originally sent my paperwork in and my contact person) she informed me she had to "re-fax" my paperwork back to BCBS. I really need to know what happened.. when I called around Aug1 to BCBS they said "still being processed" how did it go from "being processed" to having to be re-faxed back in?? OMG So does this mean I have to wait another few weeks for a decision! yeah its time to get back on the phone with BCBS and find out what I should expect from them.

Hi Suzanne! The seminar is in Ashburn Va, and I will jsut cut and paste the info here. It's sponsored by Obesity help (dot) com another GREAT resource. 2008 - Ashburn, VA ObesityHelp Event ObesityHelp Regional Conference Quick Links: Purchase Tickets Topic List Schedule Sponsors 0.5 km0.5 mi Data ©Navteq,TeleAtlas ©2006 Yahoo! Inc. When: May 3, 2008, All day. Where: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY Lodging: Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun 44610 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA Hotel Website 1-800-EMBASSY About the area: The newly built Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel is located only three miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport, near the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Ashburn Ice House, Old Dominion Brewing Company, Dulles Indoor Sportsplex, Dulles Town Center, Washington Redskins Park and the corporate headquarters of AOL, Verizon Business, Airbus and Orbital Sciences. This full-service upscale all-suite hotel is just minutes from the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Reston Town Center and Tysons Corner. Guests of the Embassy Suites Dulles - North/Loudoun, VA hotel stay in spacious two-room suites and receive a complimentary cooked-to-order Breakfast and a nightly manager's reception. Wireless and high-speed Internet access is available in all guest suites and public areas of the Embassy Suites hotel (daily surcharge applies). The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to and from the Washington Dulles International Airport. Announcements: HOTEL RESERVATIONS To make your reservations, please call 1-800-EMBASSY and give them the code "OBH". Room rates are $109 per night and prices are valid on the nights of May 2-4. Reservations must be made by April 11th, 2008. For ease, you can CLICK HERE to reserve your room! Event Host Jackie Thodos is a Gastric bypass post-op, ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and co-founder of Obesity Freedom. Since her surgery, she has been very committed to the bariatric community, and helps people succeed everyday in her successful support group in Fredericksburg, VA and beyond. A Motivational speaker, Certified Back on Track facilitator and Life Coach, Jackie has inspired audiences large and small on transforming your life through weight loss surgery. Jackie combines her true passion for coaching fellow weight loss surgery patients with years of event organization and staff development. Her latest book, Idle Hands = Active Mouth: A Grazer's Journey to Weight Loss Success, will be available in early 2009. Jackie lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia with her husband and son, her greatest supporters. For more information on Jackie, visit Bringing Freedom from the Restrictions Associated with Obesity. Schedule: General Schedule for Saturday7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Vendor Setup Time8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration and Time to visit with the Vendors8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Opening statements and introductions9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Dr. Mitchel Krieger9:55 AM - 10:40 AM Dr. Andrew Goldberg10:50 AM - 11:35 AM Dr. Denis Halmi & Dr.Daniel Tran11:35 AM - 12:15 PM Break - Visit the Vendors12:15 PM - 1:15 PM lunch & Schedule Update1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker2:25 PM - 3:10 PM Jeremy Gentles, BS, CSCS3:20 PM - 4:05 PM Speaker 4 - TBA4:15 PM - 5:00 PM Closing Statements and Prize Giveaways Speakers / Topics Special Guest Speaker - Heidi Ecker - from ABC's Extreme Makeover "Laugh it Off: Tales of a 100 Pound Weight Loss" -from ABC Extreme Makeover Cast Member Heidi Ecker Join Heidi as she takes you for a speedwalk on her awesome journey as an always-overweight 270 pound 32 year old woman who one day decides to transform her life by eating healthy and exercising and loses over 100 pounds and six feet of fat in less than a year! Heidi will take you on a hilarious review of five a.m. curtain calls at the gym, eating enough eggs to lay one, and being so sore from working out just sitting on the toilet felt like competing in the Iron Man! You won't want to miss this exciting review of how she exchanged Washington's scales of justice for the scales at the gym going from a size 24 to a size 4, a story ABC believed in so much she was then selected for an Extreme Makeover that aired last year. She's launched a website community to bring her vision to others in the battle against obesity. Her website, Heidi Hype - Heidi Ecker, is where America is laughing together and losing together! Dr. Mitchel Krieger, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Krieger is a plastic surgeon specializing in the art of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. He prides himself on the excellent care he and his staff provide their patients. A former military surgeon, Dr. Krieger completed surgical training in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. He brings nearly 20 years worth of experience in treating bariatric patients. Dr. Krieger offers a full range of cosmetic surgery services with an emphasis on plastic surgery for post bariatric weight loss patients. He is a skilled surgeon sensitive to the needs of patients who have lost considerable weight. He is currently co-authoring a new book on plastic surgery following massive weight loss. It is expected to be released this summer. Providing body recontouring surgery options to patients who have recently undergone bariatric procedures, he is able to help people more fully enjoy their new, slimmed-down bodies. His involvement with Fair Oaks Hospital has given Dr. Krieger unique experience to help optimize your surgical results. Adroit in a wide array of available procedures for patients, Dr. Krieger readily consults with patients to bring them the latest techniques suitable to their needs and desires. He looks forward to the opportunity to meet with you. Dr. Krieger's presentation will include: -Mid and Lower Body Recontouring After Weight Loss -Bodylift and Thighlift Surgery -Answers to common questions related to recovery afer plastic surgery Dr. Krieger will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Andrew Goldberg, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Goldberg is an accomplished cosmetic surgeon trained in both aesthetic and complex reconstructive surgical procedures. Washington Checkbook and Northern Virginia magazines along with multiple other groups have consistently listed him as a Top Physician. He is fervent in his belief that plastic surgery can improve one's self-esteem and confidence. He hopes you will give him the opportunity to help you reach your goals. Dr. Goldberg's cosmetic surgery practice covers a broad range - from facelift, breast enhancement, and body contouring to laser and minimally invasive procedures. His colleagues trust of his experience and knowledge are evident by his position as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at FairOaks Hospital and by his membership on the Board of the Medical Society of Virginia. Dr. Goldberg's Presentation will include: -Breast/Arms/Facial Rejuvenation After Weight Loss -Answers to common questions regarding plastic surgery Dr. Goldberg will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Denis Halmi, Bariatric Surgeon Denis J. Halmi, M.D., F.A.C.S. is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr. Halmi has performed over 1,500 gastric bypass surgeries and over 150 laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands. He is one of the pioneers in the field of weight loss surgery with more than 15 years of experience in treating overweight patients. He is well known nationally and internationally for his clinical and scientific work; he has contributed numerous research papers in this area. Dr Halmi regularly attends professional meetings as a speaker on the surgical treatment of obesity. Dr. Halmi has special interest in long term weight management after bariatric surgery and in minimally invasive revisional weight loss surgery utilizing the latest technologies. Currently, Dr. Halmi is the Medical Director of the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center – a multi-specialty medical center dedicated to provide physician supervised services in weight loss, diet education, exercise, behavior modification and plastic and cosmetic surgery. He is also the Medical Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, Virginia, a designated Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Halmi will be providing private, one-on-one consultations during the conference. Registration for the spots are limited and will be available the morning of the conference. Dr. Daniel Tran, Bariatric Surgeon Daniel D. Tran, MD, FACS Bariatric Surgeon, is a board certified general surgeon who completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He received subspecialty training in trauma and surgical critical care medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Tran has special interest and expertise in minimally invasive weight loss surgery. Prior to relocating to Virginia, Dr. Tran was the medical director of the Bridgeport-Yale New Haven Health Weight Loss Surgery Center in Connecticut. He has performed over 300 laparoscopic gastric bypasses and over 200 laparoscopic gastric bands. Dr. Tran has special interest in the latest surgical technologies: endoluminal surgery and robotic assisted surgery. Dr. Tran is designated as a Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Dr Tran is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at the Virginia Weight Loss Surgery Center performing a high volume of laparoscopic weight loss surgery procedures. Topics being presented: -Key factors of success in long term weight loss after bariatric surgery -Long term side effects/risks of different weight loss procedures -Latest surgical options if all else fail (weight regain, complications) Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoy a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program. It's your journey....Train for it! I know the registration was getting close to being full, i registered for two spots, but am not sure if my friend will be there or not, so once i find out, if you are interested in going I can give you one of my slots.

I'm in Los Angeles, land of everything cosmetic from WLS to cosmetics after WLS. There are doctors everywhere. My doctor here is with beverlyhillsphysicians.com. They are world-wide. The surgeon is Michael Feiz, M.D., he's the bariatric guy. I will be speaking to him soon to ask all those questions about his experience, of course, I'm sure he'll love me grilling him on his experience levels but that's OK. Re my insurance the most I can pay out of pocket for approved medical procedures in one year is $5,000. Of course IDK how it's handled if for instance the anesthesiologist is out of network or something; been there before and you just have to make a deal with them for cash. The hospital is separate from the surgery costs, naturally, but again all I'm responsible for is $5K. I will get to the fine print on that if I decide to stay in the US. The hospital would be Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. They have a weight loss center there so again, very experienced people. It will all come down to how comfortable I am with the doctor. He seems very good, but I don't know his stats, and doctors do have a tendency to gloss over details, especially when they "can" because they're in Beverly Hills. I don't live in BH, just saying that's where the group has one office. I'm sure I'd get much better personal attention with Dr. Aceves and his team, but there is a big difference in price from $5K to $9.5K. My husband is fine with whatever I want to do; I'm just trying to decide what to do. I've told Nina to set it up in August; we'll see what Dr. Feiz has to say about his stats, but again as I say, there's no way for me to call him on it if he decides to be less than forthcoming with me, kwim?!:wink0:

Hi ladies, My name is Lydia. I, too, am a Register Nurse by profession. Currenly, I am faculty. I don't have a date yet as I am in the preliminary stages. I will be attending a nutrition education session on Wednesday morning for about three hours. The surgical associates I contacted first send out an application (4 pages long). I filled it out. It is reviewed by a RD to see if you qualify to go on to the next step which is the education session. I submitted copy of insurance card along with application too. I was contacted this morning to set up a date for the nutrition session. After the session, I believe they give you all the preop testing information plus an appointment to see one of the bariatric specialist. As long as all gets approved, I am psyching myself up for this journey. What does the preop diet consist of? Lydia NYC:

I'm actually going to Barker Bariatrics. I considered Nicholson. When is your surgery? Hopefully January for me!

I have a broken foot and sometimes I'm in a lot of pain at night. I was prescribed 5-325 Vicodin to take as needed. My bariatric doctor said it was no problem for me to take it.

Actually I hate to say this but I didn’t have much pain with dumping. But 20 mins of real pain both sides at the bottom of my ribs - like really painful - does remind me of gallstones! I had my gallbladder out nearly 4 weeks ago. Not uncommon following bariatric surgery, but usually later after a chunk of weight loss. Fats set off my gall bladder. Sugar set off the dumping. But that is only a rough guide! Gallstones do show up on an ultrasound... keep a good food record so you can see what the triggers are. Glucose syrup - sounds like a likely dumping culprit...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Thanks so much for such delightful visions of what it is really all about. I'll be driving over to my most special brother's house. This will be my second banded Thanksgiving and I hope I do as well this year as I did the last. I recall leaving without that 'stuffed' feeling and really proud of myself that I didn't devour everything single thing available. I made myself a small plate with spoonfuls of most of the things I liked. I also had Desserts, but they were small in comparison to years before and I left feeling completely satisfied and NOT GUILTY for having eaten like there was no tomorrow. I was able to actually sit back and observe my loved ones and actually 'see' that sparkle in their eyes, enjoy their laughs and their warmth toward others. I left feeling truly thankful for so much. My own life and health returned, my totally dysfunctional, but awesome family, new generations, new traditions, renewed faith in a God who got us as far as we have come. Finally, what Thanksgiving is all about. Bounty IS more than food, and it is far more visible to one who is not in a food induced stupor.lol

My BMI is 35.5. I have a hernia that was caused from my ovary removal 18 mo ago. My bariatric surgeon said he will not be repairing. I'm a little irritated by this because now I'll have to have another surgery, when I have had 14 in the last 26 months! My hernia is very noticeable and I worry it will be even moreso after surgery.

He's been performing bariatric surgery since the late 90s. He's done thousands and thousands. He developed the Mini sleeve and he does them daily. I trust him implicitly. I read the 1 review about alcohol abuse that you mentioned. I don't really believe that. If it did happen it was written 5 years ago if I remember correctly. He's fit, energetic, charismatic and bright eyed. (He's also eye candy... Lol!) I don't believe that review at all.

I have heard of this on this, Several times, on BP. And if I remember correctly, it was around the 2 year mark. Personally, I have not experienced it. Maybe get hold of your nutrionist from your bariatric team for suggestions. I specifically remember at least one person coming back and mentioning the issue had resolved, but can't recall how. On another note, it's great you have maintained your weight, relatively well. I never got down to my goal weight and have regained about 11 pounds! It's a real struggle to get it off.

@@diane1 -- Is that something your bariatric surgeon said he does or will do? Tubal ligation isn't an area of expertise for me, but I'd never have thought a general surgeon would perform the procedure. @@Anilyn -- Is tubal something you want? Vasectomy is a simpler procedure. I suppose you and your husband have at least begun discussion. Would he/does he claim the fictitious, fabled male entitlement or to be a partner in birth control? He'll benefit down the road from your RNY -- you'll be around longer. What is he offering for your benefit -- as a partner in life, that is, not as a begrudging martyr? Just tossing it out for your consideration; don't wanna know any intimate details.

So glad you asked these questions. As you can see there are a lot of us who are now in the best shapes of our lives. I am 4 years out. I work out 6 -7 days/wk. I also heard similar comments from friends, trainers and even a bariatric MD. Getting my band was the best decision I ever made for my health and self-esteem. My story is a lot like yours. If you interested you might find something of use on my blog (in my signature below). Good luck.

Oh re vitamins. I take and enjoy my gummies very much! Look forward to them each night. Vitafusion women's multivites, b complex, omega 3, vitamin d, and some fiber gummies plus bariatric advantage caramel calcium. It's our little treat at night and if I forget, my husband demands them . Nice, easy way to get your vities

I had a rough time with the band. I wasn't banded in Mexico. I was banded at a Bariatric Center of Excellence in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was told, 3 bites of Protein to every bite of vegetable. I was told, avoid beef and pork. Eat what walks on two legs or swims. Don't use sauces, gravies or dressings because you're adding unwanted calories. I'd eat chicken/turkey and it would get "stuck" and I'd have to get an unfill. And there I would be told, "Yeah, chicken is hard for a lot of people to eat. It gets stuck. You should probably avoid it." I'd eat fish (salmon usually) and sometimes it would get "stuck" and I'd have to get an unfill. And there I would be told, "Yeah, fish can be a problem because it's flaky and gets stuck. You should probably avoid it." I was told yogurt can be okay but it's easy to eat too much because it's a "slider" food so I should avoid it (even when I said I was eating plain greek-style stuff that was 24 grams of protein per serving! "When you eat yogurt, you won't feel full because it goes past the band. And the band is there to make you feel full.") But I was continually told, "3 bites of protein to every bite of vegetable." So...avoid beef and pork. Check. Chicken/turkey can be a problem, avoid it. Check. Fish can be a problem, avoid it. Check. Avoid yogurt. Check. BE SURE TO EAT PROTEIN! check!!! I got to the point where everything was getting stuck (except the "bad" stuff - sure I could eat pudding and Cookies and usually cake!). I could eat runny eggs (not scrambled and certainly not hard boiled). I could eat yogurt. I could eat cheese. And I could drink protein. Basically, the only Proteins I could eat had to be soft or liquid. And that was what I was supposed to eat most? How can anyone live that way? Yes, I lost a bunch of weight - because I wasn't eating much! I couldn't! I couldn't eat healthy foods! I was miserable! My surgeon had left that Bariatric Center of Excellence where I was banded/maintained. In October last year, I had a big problem (couldn't sleep, couldn't drink, let alone eat) and the Bariatric Center of Excellence in Scottsdale had no one available to do an emergency unfill. No NP or PA, the surgeon was out of town but I could go to the ER (not covered by my insurance because they weren't contracted with that hospital) and a non-bariatric surgeon who wasn't really familiar with fills/unfills, on call with the Bariatric Center of Excellence, could help me. No thank you. I found my original surgeon practicing elsewhere (finally! he wasn't for a while), he was able to get me in. He had me do an upper GI at the hospital right then - my band was prolapsed quite a bit. I was only at maybe 3.5 cc in a 10 cc band. He was aggravated when I told him about my fill/unfill/fill stuff with the other office - especially when the fills were very, very small. He said they should've known there was a problem because I was barely filled. He deflated the band completely (relief! I could drink Water again!) and told me I needed it removed. It wasn't an urgent thing unless I couldn't eat or drink, so I went home. He told me he wouldn't reposition it because if it happened like that with me, it would happen again. Starting sometime in Spring 2011, I started having "stuck" issues again. More bringing up the food. One night in July, I had cooked a burger patty (after deflation, I was able to eat most everything again). Ate it plain, no bread (of course), no veggies. I had eaten too much. I didn't know I had until it was too late. Unknown to me, my band had prolapsed again. It was allowing me to eat much more than I had before. This night was just too much. I tried to wait it out and I went to sleep after a while. I woke in the middle of the night and I vomited. I didn't bring it up, I vomited. Retching, stomach acid, etc. After that, I couldn't really drink. I "slept" upright. All day the next day (thankfully a Saturday), I didn't eat. I just tried to sip water. I had no improvement. After the next night of waking, coughing up water over and over again, I drove myself to the ER. Unfortunately, my surgeon was out of town. His partner in the practice was on call. He wasn't very nice to me but...I had the band removal surgery and that was that. (I'll say healing was much better with this than when I had it originally - no port/muscle wall stuff to deal with) Was it the worst decision I've ever made? No, because I needed to do something. And I did lose weight. But I was miserable most of the time. So very miserable... I'm still over 100 lbs overweight and gaining. I have PCOS and I don't know what to do. But weight loss surgery is no longer an option for me. And I'm really worried about my future. To the OP - find a local surgeon. Fork out the money. You need an upper GI. You could have a prolapse and you are risking erosion. This is your health and your quality of life at stake - be proactive.

This thread was just what I needed I was begining to think that BGH (Buffalo General Hospital) was the only choice in Buffalo. I just got off the phone with a friend that had a bypass done with Dr. Caruana and she could not speak for Dr Vilianco but said the staff there was amazing. Unfortunately they close at noon on Friday so I will have to wait till Monday to call them. I was extremely put off by BGHs lack of compassion, I understand being backed up but I was basically thrust into voicemail twice to leave a name and address to mail a application package to when I called for information. I had to call a different number and get a different person to get though and get permission to pick up a package. I went in person and they had to make sloppy photocopies of the forms while I waited ten minutes. They did not even put that package in the mail till a full week after I had called, it took 10 days to receive from the time I left the voice mail and in reading the cover letter they warn "don't call us we will call you" and it takes "two to six months for a first appointment". No thank you, I will find a practice that is more interested in my business than that. If they are that "backed up" they should be hiring additional staff. I look forward to calling and meeting with a the staff at Synergy Bariatrics.