My Lap-Band Experience So Far.....

[DieselCowgirl 0]

Good Afternoon, everyone. My name is Melissa and I have a Lap-Band. LOL

I'm going to start by saying that I am probably the least likely person here to be talking about my surgery. Honestly, there are only a select few people in my life that even know I have a band. However, I have had some experiences recently that have led me to seek answers, and my first Google search led me here.

I had my Lap Band Surgery on December 1, 2009 in Bellevue, WA. My insurance company insisted on an overnight stay in a hospital, otherwise I would have had my surgery at NorthWest Weight Loss Surgery (NWWLS) in Everett, WA. My surgeon was Dr. Alana Chock and she was wonderful. As a matter of fact, EVERYONE at NWWLS are pretty amazing. :-)

I started my journey at 256 pounds...I had tried what seemed like every option available, from exercise to Jenny Craig, WeightWatchers, Nutrisystem, etc. to diet pills and so on. I have a pretty active lifestyle to begin with...no, really! My family would always say "Well, if you're so active, why are you heavy?" Well, I couldn't answer that question then, and I can't answer that question now. All I know is that on a daily basis, I walk a MINIMUM of 2 miles...I climb up and down ladders (2-3 stories) all day...I always take the stairs instead of the elevator (mostly because it's faster than waiting). Anyway, Dr. Chock determined that I was a good candidate for single-incision surgery, and I have only one scar - right at my belly button.

During the first year of having my Lap Band, I lost about 74 pounds and held steady at 182 pounds for over a year....right up to this past Christmas. One evening, I went to dinner with friends. I'm not sure what caused it, whether it was the type of food I ate or accidentally eating too quickly, but I ended up in the restroom seeing my meal in reverse. Unfortunately for me, there was also blood there. I panicked and immediately called to make an appointment with Dr. Chock the next morning.

During my appointment, she used the flouroscope to see what was going on and told me "Your band is very tight." I thought that was odd, because I hadn't been experiencing any difficulty up to that point...but she removed 0.4cc of Fluid from my band that day (December 22nd) and scheduled me to come back after the holidays to see how things were.

Now I will mention that during Christmas, I was probably eating WAY more than I should have...but it also took WAY more to make me feel full. Granted, I realize that 0.4cc of Fluid isn't much...but it apparently made a huge difference to MY stomach. So, I went in on January 5th of this year to get a fill done....and I had gained 14 POUNDS!!! 14 POUNDS in 14 DAYS!! I just couldn't believe it. They did a fill of 0.2cc and said to come back in a month to see how I'm doing.

A few days later, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that they would no longer be covering NWWLS as a "preferred provider." So, to deter any immediate out of pocket costs, I went to see a doctor that they recommended on March 26th. They also did a flouroscopy and said that my band is very tight, and refused to do a fill. Here is where I am confused, and realistically, SCARED. The day before my last appointment, I finished my dinner. That may not seem odd to some of you, but I FINISHED my DINNER. I haven't cleaned my plate since November 30, 2009. So, for them to tell me that my band is very tight, but I am able to eat a full plate of food...that terrifies me. Right now, I weigh 199 pounds. I told myself that I would NEVER, EVER, see 200 pounds again...and here I am teetering on that edge. My doctors tell me that my band is fine and it looks good on the scope....but there is definitely something wrong. Can anyone offer me some advice??? Thanks so much in advance.

[tym4me 206]

Hi there one thing i am thinking is could you still visit your previous dr that you loved for your fills an pay out of pocket? But also in the mean time it looks like you are gonna have to live through bandster H--- again. Just because you can eat a whole plate of food doesnt mean you should.

I still measure an way everytjing even though most of the time i dont finish my portion but i know im not going crazy over either.

[1shauna1 129]

I don't really see how your doctor can say you are "too tight", I would think that is only something you can say. If you tell them what you're eating (i.e. more than a cup of food, you can eat anything etc.) would they not give you a fill? Granted I have never had a fluoroscopy so my nurses only rely on what I say as to if I'm too tight or loose. As you mentioned over Christmas, if you're eating more than you should, that is indicative of needing a fill. Just because you may have more Fluid than someone else doesn't mean you're "too tight"....if you were too tight you would be PBing after solids and having problems eating solids. I don't know.....can you go back and insist on a fill?

[Dulci 108]

Did either doctor withdraw all of the Fluid from your band to see how much they can pull out? It is possible to have a leak in the band or the port tubing.

[bigenuff 302]

Sorry I can't help u with ur issue I was just banded on 4/6/2012 but I know ur experience can help mamy of us newbies here.I hope u continue to stay on and answer questions,inform and inspire us with your long term success

[DieselCowgirl 0]

Did either doctor withdraw all of the Fluid from your band to see how much they can pull out? It is possible to have a leak in the band or the port tubing.

Actually, yes. The new doctor that I saw a few weeks ago took all the Fluid out first to see how much was in there. That was the first time anyone had done that and it made me immediately nauseous. Howbeit, my records from my original doctor showed that I had 5.2cc of fluid in the band, and they only pulled out 4.6cc. Because my original doctor always did it by feel and not flouroscopy, I attributed the difference to them missing the port at some time. I will have to ask about that. Thank you!

Hi there one thing i am thinking is could you still visit your previous dr that you loved for your fills an pay out of pocket? But also in the mean time it looks like you are gonna have to live through bandster H--- again. Just because you can eat a whole plate of food doesnt mean you should.

I still measure an way everytjing even though most of the time i dont finish my portion but i know im not going crazy over either.

I COULD technically still see my original doctor...but right now, I just can't afford the out-of-pocket cost. My husband didn't work for several months and we are still trying to get caught up. And you're right...it's going to be back to measuring and calorie counting... :-/ Thanks!

[DieselCowgirl 0]

Sorry I can't help u with ur issue I was just banded on 4/6/2012 but I know ur experience can help mamy of us newbies here.I hope u continue to stay on and answer questions,inform and inspire us with your long term success

Congratulations on your band! Even if I am currently having "issues"...I am still down 57 pounds, and really, that's nothing to scoff at! I look forward to following your progress...take it easy for the first week or so....I tried to go back to work after 4 days, and almost passed out. LOL Take care!!

[bigenuff 302]

Yes I will take it easy.I'm off for 2 weeks but I have a 3 yr old.so I'm working on relaxing :-).I will post my progress .someone will have the answer for ur issue also.:-)