Advice Please... In pain Did it slip?

[Liz1531 3]

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Hello all! I've been banded over a year now and well it's just this thing in my body that makes it difficult for me to eat but hasn't really helped me in any life altering way to lose weight. Anyhoo, on Friday I noticed pain when trying to eat and since then have not even been able to get mushies down. I struggled with a bowl of yogurt and granola (broken up tiny granola) this morning. I had a hard time eating ice cream last night even. Oh and I know what your thinking (ice cream, no wonder she's not losing)!! But let me assure you the ice cream is out of sheer desperation as I was so hungry and didn't have anything else on hand that should go down easily. Tonight it has taken me nearly five hours to get down a completely melted (water consistancy) smoothy and it HURT going down. Every drop!

Okay, I was going off track for a minute. So, here's the thing, I've moved out of state and my doc is in TJ. I am BROKE and have no insurance and no doctor to go see. So, I am trying to figure out what is going on with me so I can plan my next move. Any advice is appreciated!!!

[Hilary 0]

Liz I do not live in the States so I don't know your medical system, but noticed no body has replied to your post. I think you need to go to see your general practioner doctor at the very least so he/she can help advise where to go from here. It sounds to me like you really need to see somebody quickly as that type of reaction is definitely not right.

I do hope you can see someone very soon.

Edited October 1, 2008 by Hilary

[Doublewall 0]

Hey Liz I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. If I were you I would go to local emergency room. If you go to a county hospital you may not have to pay anything to be seen. I'm sure they will bill you and since you don't have insurance it might be a little more than you are used to paying but alot of times they will set up a payment plan for you. I have evn payed them like $20.00 a month before until I payed it off. Well I will say a prayer for you today please keep us posted on how you are doing.

[Liz1531 3]

Thank you so much for responding. I was in so much discomfort and couldn't find any answers. My doctor called me and said to go on liquids for five days. I did this and now am almost 100% back to normal. I still feel a slight pain in the morning if I try and have solids for Breakfast, but other times am able to eat foods that I couldn't before (like bread). I am going to my surgeons office in Mexico this weekend for a slight unfill and hoping that will take care of the problem.

[Hilary 0]

Liz I am glad you have sorted that out and that you will get a slight unfill. I actually did the same yesterday as for some time now I have had several days where nothing much stays down at the evening meal. I decided to take my advice to you andf go see my doctor. She removed 0,4 of a millilitre of saline and thinks that should do the trick.

All the very best

[cookienay 0]

Liz, glad you are feeling better. If in the future you are finding you may need the services of the ER for your band, I have some information that may make things go more smoothly for you. If you have access to one, go to a medical center with a Surgical Weight Loss center (preferably a Center of Excellence) that way if you do go to the ER with a surgical emergency, they can take care of it there and don't have to transfer you-which costs alot of $$. If you do research now, then you will know which hospital to go to in the event you need one. Also, if you need to find a surgeon in the states (for non emergency care), a Center of Excellence has to accept you. Now, they may require some type of payment up front, but they cannot turn you away outright. THis is part of their COE accreditation. Secondly, any emergency department (county or otherwise) cannot turn you away regardless of ability to pay. A federal law entitles you to receive a medical screening exam and any stabilizing treatment necessary regardless of ability to pay. Now you may have a long wait in the ER (hours- alot of hours), but you will get seen eventually. I just wanted to be of some help in case you find yourself in this situation again. Hope this wasn't too much info. Best wishes!!!

[Cadets71 1]

Cookienay,

I found it interesting that COEs cannot turn a patient away. Where can I find this information. I have a friend who has had a terrible time finding a Dr. in Las Vegas. We have TWO COEs, but they would not take her. Thanks for your help!