Status Update For Vermonters

[Newbeginnings 0]

HI all, I was going to Dr F but was referred to Umass to Dr Kelly because I had a large hiatal hernia. It is about 4 hrs to get there and he wanted to see me for a minimum of 6 mos before allowing me to go back to Dr F. It has now been almost a year and I am still going down there. I love my dr and although it has been kind of a disappointing year in weight loss, I don't have any problems getting an appointment and getting in on time. they have about 4 fill dr's there. I didnt think i had any restriction until a wk and a half ago. then Dr k gave me an upper gi and then a fill and now I think i finally hit the sweet spot. I have lost 5 lbs so far. My surgery was March 30 and I have had 5 fills. I had the realize band and it has about 10 cc's in it which is close to maximum. I usually do 2 miles on my treadmill every day and am trying not to eat the wrong stuff. the problem is the crap like chips and Cookies slide right thru and the Protein and good stuff get stuck sometimes. I still wouldnt have changed a thing and havent had any acid reflux since dr K fixed my hiatal hernia the same time he placed my band. good luck to you all on your journey. waiting for the surgery is only a part of it. then comes the waiting game to see when you will get restriction. believe me you will wonder if your band is working before you finally get restriction.

Kathy

[auggies 0]

Thanks for the update, Kathy. It sounds like things are finally falling in place for you.

I had my surgery with Dr. F on 12/15/08 and I have my second fill scheduled for tomorrow. I currently have 3cc in my band and have very little restriction. I'm looking forward to my 2nd fill. I have found Dr. F's office to be very supportive in my after care. They get me right in for appointments and I've only had to wait 1 1/2 weeks for my fills. When I was in last week for my appointment, they actually were willing to fill me there in the office but I'm still a flurobaby. My inner tube of a waist line is still too big to handle an in office fill.

Hopefully I'll be that much closer to my sweet spot soon!

[Angie1985 0]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd drop in and say a quick hello. I'm a Canadian girl who just got banded about 3 weeks ago here in Toronto. However I lived in Vermont from about 18 months two years ago, and am planning on moving back (to Stowe) this summer. I look forward to getting to know all of you and hopefully joining you in some support groups.

Best,

Angie

[boos02 0]

Hi Angie -

Yes, be in touch when you get to VT. There is a monthly support group, and a small group of us who get together weekly.

In the meantime, I find LBT to be helpful.

[new2tch 2]

Hi Vermonters,

Dr. F performed a endo on me today and I found out that I have an erosion. I believe it is where the band adheres to the stomach. Now I have to have it taken out and start from scratch again. I have lost 38 pounds since my August 2007 lap band placement. The going has been very slow. I am disappointed that I have to go through this again and I wonder if I should bother. I still have about 50-60 more pounds to lose. Any advice or comments? Thanks for any comments.

Cyndi

[sandyswhisper 0]

Cyndi, So sorry to hear that you have to go thru this. My question to you is what were your symptoms to make you think something was wrong? I'm glad that at least you know...and now you can get better.

Good luck.

Kelly

[boos02 0]

Hi Cyndi - Sorry to hear your news. You are the second Vermonter I know who this has happened to. Only you can decide if it is worth doing again. Or, look at other options like the gastric sleeve, or do nothing.

I'm not sure what I would do. I was banded in July 2008 and I have ony lost 20 lbs. It is a daily struggle.

Good luck with your decision. Do you go to the monthly support group? There might be some advice there.

[new2tch 2]

Hi All,

Thanks for you input. I did not have any symptoms. After each fill I would feel nice and snug, then after about 2 weeks I can eat all that I want. That is all that was happening. I lost weight but it is not much for having a band for almost 2 years. I go back to Dr. F next Thursday and I will listen to what he has to say. If my insurance does not cover the removal or the new insertion I probably won't have a new band put in. We'll see. Thanks for your support and comments.

Cyndi

[new2tch 2]

Hi,

I just found out that I will having my band removed on Monday. Everything is happening so quick. I am nervous about life without the band. I hope I have the strength to not regain the weight. I have alot to do to get sub plans ready for a few dqys off for recovery. Thanks again for your support.

Cyndi