Can't believe I'm back here!

[Sarah D 0]

Hello bandsters (and pre-bandsters). Sarah here. I had the band put in LAST January...but I got it done by the people with the billboards all over Socal (1800 get thin people) BIG mistake. I had nothing but trouble. Right off the bat things were bad. I couldn't seem to shake the anesthesia... I was still groggy for DAYS. I read about people getting home, folding laundry, hanging out, or even driving themselves home! I couldn't even stay awake long enough to post on here! I had a bad feeling about it from the getgo as well... called my mom as soon as I woke up to pee the first time and started crying about how I made a mistake. It felt like HELL. The only plus was that I didn't get the shoulder pain a lot of people got (although I got it when I had it removed, but not terribly). I also had a friend that was willing to take short walks with me multiple times a day to try and relieve some of the gas pressure and prevent DVT. I got regular fills, never lost a pound, and frequently was throwing up due to food getting stuck. The thing that finally ended it was my final fill, I went home and couldn't keep anything down (I was chewing on ice cubes and couldn't even get the little liquid from that down) so I went in for an emergency appt with flouro and xrays... (you know you are dehydrated when you see a cup of barium and want to chug it), they told me the band had slipped off my stomach, and they weren't sure if it was put in the right place in the first place. OY. Well, I wasn't about to let THEM cut me open again, so I said thank you and went on my way (after all of the Fluid in my band was let out and I drank 2 bottles of water). I waited a month until I moved back east (December 2010) and went to DHMC in Lebanon, NH. Dr. Trus did my removal, he asked me if I wanted him to try and fix it and at that point I just wanted it out out out! It was a great surgery, the anesthesiologist listened to the issues I had previously and they were all so nice and good at their jobs. As soon as I was released from the hospital I went grocery shopping with my mom (albeit, completely stoned from the anesthesia and percocet, but it was probably the most fun I have ever had at a grocery store!). I have had great recovery and I only had a minor issue where they thought I might have a hernia but I'm pretty sure I just pulled an internal stitch (the pain went away the day before I was supposed to have an xray, go figure!).

Now, if I had my band removed, why am I here??? WELL, I am pretty sure I want to get the band put back in. I'm at the heaviest I have ever been and not happy. My birth mother just got into a pair of size 8 jeans for the first time in years and she owes it all to the band! I trust Dr. Trus (almost a rhyme), and I am hoping I can get approved to get the band put in through him. I am going through the appropriate channels at DHMC (seriously my favorite hospital in the world) and praying that I can FINALLY change my life. I didn't expect this post to be so long, but I haven't really vented about it since the whole thing happened (over the span of about 11 months!)

Would love thoughts, comments, ANYTHING you want to share!

-Sarah

[SoCalAvsFan 0]

Hello bandsters (and pre-bandsters). Sarah here. I had the band put in LAST January...but I got it done by the people with the billboards all over Socal (1800 get thin people) BIG mistake. I had nothing but trouble. Right off the bat things were bad. I couldn't seem to shake the anesthesia... I was still groggy for DAYS. I read about people getting home, folding laundry, hanging out, or even driving themselves home! I couldn't even stay awake long enough to post on here! I had a bad feeling about it from the getgo as well... called my mom as soon as I woke up to pee the first time and started crying about how I made a mistake. It felt like HELL. The only plus was that I didn't get the shoulder pain a lot of people got (although I got it when I had it removed, but not terribly). I also had a friend that was willing to take short walks with me multiple times a day to try and relieve some of the gas pressure and prevent DVT. I got regular fills, never lost a pound, and frequently was throwing up due to food getting stuck. The thing that finally ended it was my final fill, I went home and couldn't keep anything down (I was chewing on ice cubes and couldn't even get the little liquid from that down) so I went in for an emergency appt with flouro and xrays... (you know you are dehydrated when you see a cup of barium and want to chug it), they told me the band had slipped off my stomach, and they weren't sure if it was put in the right place in the first place. OY. Well, I wasn't about to let THEM cut me open again, so I said thank you and went on my way (after all of the Fluid in my band was let out and I drank 2 bottles of water). I waited a month until I moved back east (December 2010) and went to DHMC in Lebanon, NH. Dr. Trus did my removal, he asked me if I wanted him to try and fix it and at that point I just wanted it out out out! It was a great surgery, the anesthesiologist listened to the issues I had previously and they were all so nice and good at their jobs. As soon as I was released from the hospital I went grocery shopping with my mom (albeit, completely stoned from the anesthesia and percocet, but it was probably the most fun I have ever had at a grocery store!). I have had great recovery and I only had a minor issue where they thought I might have a hernia but I'm pretty sure I just pulled an internal stitch (the pain went away the day before I was supposed to have an xray, go figure!).

Now, if I had my band removed, why am I here??? WELL, I am pretty sure I want to get the band put back in. I'm at the heaviest I have ever been and not happy. My birth mother just got into a pair of size 8 jeans for the first time in years and she owes it all to the band! I trust Dr. Trus (almost a rhyme), and I am hoping I can get approved to get the band put in through him. I am going through the appropriate channels at DHMC (seriously my favorite hospital in the world) and praying that I can FINALLY change my life. I didn't expect this post to be so long, but I haven't really vented about it since the whole thing happened (over the span of about 11 months!)

Would love thoughts, comments, ANYTHING you want to share!

-Sarah

Out of curiosity who was your doctor?

[brbm6 6]

The first time I checked into the band (2 yrs. ago) I went for a consult with a big 1800 billboard doctor. Something just wasn't right. They really never talked about success and support just $$$. It just didn't feel right and I left very uneasy and never went back. I was just banded by a surgeon here in our town at our hospital. What a difference. The nurses, nutritionist, everyone...FANTASTIC. There is something to be said for that one on one consultation. I think if you are really comfortable with the surgeon and you trust him then this time you will be successful! Good luck on your new adventure. Keep us posted.

[ElizabethNYC 1]

I think if it's what you really want then go for it! I really wish you the best of luck and SUCCESS!!! Keep us posted and let us know how it turns out.

[Jack 855]

Good luck on your new choice! A bad experience like your previous surgery would give me pause too. Glad you found a good team to support your new effort.

[Sarah D 0]

Thank you all for your input! And to Socal my surgeon was dr T. I think it was Tasjhan? (Spelling is probably WAYYYY off) and then the person doing all my follow up was Dr. Madan.

[SoCalAvsFan 0]

Thank you all for your input! And to Socal my surgeon was dr T. I think it was Tasjhan? (Spelling is probably WAYYYY off) and then the person doing all my follow up was Dr. Madan.

Ah i see, well im sorry to hear it didnt go well for you =( I too went through the 1800 Get thin people, but had a much different experience. Money was never talked about until it had to be, and I always felt immense support from every person I met. My consultant Lindsay, god love her, pretty much has a rainbow growing out of her butt she is like overly nice and helpful. And My Doc Dr Gee was Great! He was funny, very confident, highly regarded, and just an overall great guy. Just got banded 5 hours ago, and couldnt have been happier with the process. I think it just has to do with the people you get to work with, it makes all the difference. In any event, congrats on your choice to try it again!

[54Shirley 105]

Well, you said it yourself $$$$$$ money really does talk to these surgeons. Make sure you are comfterable with him, and check him out on the Internet, Look for his success, and suites.

It's your body ! So I hope you do the right thing, and I wish you Good Health, Success.

Shirley.

[honk 780]

FYI I used Dr. Brahms at Lahey in Burlington, MA and have been very happy with them.