Poll: What did you do after your Band removal?

[Honey123 0]

Hi,

My doctor is such a pain there's no way he'll give me pills. In fact I'm looking for a new one. THe day before my surgery I had to have a shot for blood clotting. He would not give it to me (the banding hospital and Dr.are 45 miles away). My band Dr. thought my GP would give it to me.I ended up doing it myself. My GP did NOT want me to have the band at all. I basically told him I'm doing it either way.Sounds like you have a good Dr.

Do the pills have side effects?

[JennyJ 0]

Just had my band removed last week. I plan on losing weight on my own from now on. I'm already down 4 pounds this week - yeah! I was able to lose 65 pounds and then gain 70 pounds all with the band. It really showed me that my initial weight loss after surgery was a result of my hard work rather than the band. My doctor keeps reminding me that 98% percent of people on diet and exercise alone are unable to lose weight and keep it off. Hey, I just plan on being that 2% that succeeds!

[dcprincess 0]

How do you know the band has slipped and can eating too much cause this condition. I have been overeating nd now Im very concerned.

[Anthony 1]

I had a VG (Vertical Gastrectomy). I am almost 4 months out and LOVING it.

[JMO 0]

Ok I am having band put in july 25th and I knew this day would come (where I have a date ) but now I get this nervous pit feeling in my stomach when I read about complications.. (no, it's not hunger) My DH are doing this together and I am so scared that one of us will have problems. My questions is "IF" you have band complications do most doctors offer to do another surgery in place of the band? And if so will they do them at the same time? I don't want RNY but if it is that or nothing, if I lose the band, I would do it. (I think ) Thanks

[informednomore 0]

Hello All,

My story is a little different then most of you on this board.

But I really don't "fit" in any catergory.

I had 1st Lap-band surgery. Surgery was aborted BEFORE actual placement of band. Surgeon said it was aborted due to abnormality in anatomy. Although he did sucessfully remove my gallbaddler.

I had 2-nd attempt at placing lap-band @ same hospital w/ my original surgeon assited by another expert lap-band surgeon, approx 6 months after original attempt. Lap-band surgery 2-nd attempt was also aborted, due to scar tissue (internal) from first surgery.

:faint:

Now I'm on Phentermine, it works okay, but not great. It is prescribed for appetite supression. Just recently started the Phen RX, about a month ago. I don't feel it is doing much, but then again neither am I. Other then continuing to make healthier food choices (I have been slacking on the gym lately).

Tracy- What is Effexor? And how does it help when used w/ phentermine?

I am just wondering how everyone else deals? Does anyone else struggle with the decission of considering more drastic WLS? Anyone know how to the "it factor" back...the one that gets u back to gym, back on track?

[Anthony 1]

Ok I am having band put in july 25th and I knew this day would come (where I have a date ) but now I get this nervous pit feeling in my stomach when I read about complications.. (no, it's not hunger) My DH are doing this together and I am so scared that one of us will have problems. My questions is "IF" you have band complications do most doctors offer to do another surgery in place of the band? And if so will they do them at the same time? I don't want RNY but if it is that or nothing, if I lose the band, I would do it. (I think ) Thanks

There are other surgical options besides RnY

http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html

[velaton 0]

I had mine for over two years. Had a slippage about a year out and had it repaired. I constantly had reflux and had to have it removed on May 11, 2006. At the time of removal I had the RNY-lap. I have lost more with the RNY in 7 weeks then I lost with the band in over two years. It has been a long journey that is far from over. Also I never had reflux before the band and since the RNY I no longer have it.

Tonia

[DevilMayKare 1]

Now I'm on Phentermine, it works okay, but not great. It is prescribed for appetite supression.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack this, but I'd really like to warn you about Phen. After 6 mos or so it really started doing a number on my short-term memory. It took me awhile to figure it out (kept forgetting).

Just PLEASE be careful of any diet drugs. The brain effects can be subtle until they're so noticable they can't be ignored and by then the damage may be done.

THere is a LOT I am willing to do to lose weight--but being DUMBER isn't one of them.

[Mochababe 0]

Hello,

I am a Canadian girl who has had the band since April 21.

Due to some problems, I am considering having the band removed at some point.

I was wondering if anyone knew what the costs of having a band removed are?

Also, are there any people on this forum who went FROM a lap- band TO an RNY?

Any information would SO be appreciated.

Cheers,

TEM

[Mochababe 0]

Hi Tonia,

I would be interested in talking to you about going from a lap-band to RNY.

As I am considering the same.. What were the costs? AND are you happy that you did it???

[hootiebelle 0]

I know the Dr that put mine in charges 6000 to remove the band....Someone asked on his message board once and that was ther answer they gave......He is a great doc....

[ereves 0]

Oh man, every banded person needs to read your posts, it's very, very important. The band may be a tool but it's a very shaky tool if you don't take care of it correctly. I had one serious ( and several episodes of just plain vomiting to clear something I ate too fast) episode of not being able to keep down even Water. I vomited so violently that my esophagus was burned and swollen for days. Scared me plenty, I'll tell you. After the fliud was removed, I gained 7 pounds instantly. (Of course, I was dehydrated and vomiting for 24 hours prior) but I was plunged into a depression so deep I don't ever want to go there again. The surgeon was not sympathetic, skinny bi- - -. I am very careful now and have only had one slip but I recognized it right away for what it was, started vomiting and stopped all solids for 24 hours. Your esophagus, stomach and cardiac sphincter are nothing to play around with. I'm still dieting, I will have to for the rest of my life. I accept that. I go to hypnotherapy because I know there are some chinks in my eating habits that I have to get my head around if I want to keep the lap band, and it helps. It's allowed me to slow down my eating and shun sweets, my two worst habits. Now I'm working on the exercise. Any other tricks I can use, I'm all ears. When I cannot lose anything I go on the fat flush plan and I get a jump start by dropping 7 pounds in two weeks. It works for me. Thank you for sharing your stories, it's a very important read for lap banders and I may be unbanded and living in this forum, it's quite common. I agree, lose what you can with the band, and appreciate the small pouch every meal. It may not be permanent.

[ereves 0]

Kaiser surgeons won't do RNY if band doesn't work. . .don't know about other docs.

Read these posts, the band is great I literally eat half portions and I feel satisfied. but you have to care for it properly don't take their instructions lightly. Tiny bites, one bite at a time is my mantra.

[hulia goolia 0]

What does it feel like when your band slips? Do you definately know it or does it have to be "diagnosed" ? Does pbing cause the band to slip? How about erosion? Would someone mind explaining that? Dumb questions? Hope not. Thanks, Julia