Dreamy Isabella

I will give some advice and tell you my experience that I wish someone would have told me a year ago. I was in your same shoes at this time a year ago. I had heard in the radio about True Results lap band surgery and how it was an affordable option and they were having a special price. I requested an appointment and was blown away by the entire procedure and the fact that it seemed affordable. Although I had insurance, I was told that it could take more than six months to qualify for the procedure, and at this point of my life i was DESPERATE to start loosing. I did not want to wait for the insurance to approve and I wanted the procedure right away. I financed the lap band procedure and had it done in March 15, 2011. This facility did bill my insurance for some of the cost because according to them the Doctor also had to repair a hietal hernia which I never had symptoms for. And honestly there is no way of proving that I had it. To make the story short, I lost a total of 20 lbs with the lap band. This particular facility advised me to ONLY eat Protein lean meat for my three small meals. No carbs at all, no milk, no nothing. I got fed up of only eating meat and protein, and as soon as I started eating carbs I gained the weight back. Plus, this facility does not do the fillins with the barium drink and xray, which is a huge difference. They only fill you little by little which can take a long time for you to actually feel some kind of restriction. By the way, there are different sized of lap bands. At this point of the journey, I have attended two seminars for the gastric bypass. I have learned so much. The lap band is not the only procedure out there for you. There is the gastric bypass and I forgot the name of the other one. Although there are complications, I have come to learn that the lap band also has its complications. I have also come to learn that insurances usually only cover ONE weight loss procedure per LIFETIME. Which means if the lap band does not work for you, then you are out of luck, because they will not cover you to have another procedure done. And sometimes even if you pay for the first procedure cash, they will not cover you to have a procedure done because it is much more risky and they do not wish to cover those costs. PLEASE do your research. Do not rush into anything. Go to various seminars and get to know the surgeon. Look up information on him. Ask him what size of lap band he uses. And if the fills ins are done under the xray machine with the drink or just little fills every two weeks. Trust me, those little fills do not work. It is amazing what you can see under the xray.Consider the other two surgeries and look into them. I am not looking forward to getting my gastric bypass and having to go through all of that pain. It is very painful. I was out 3 weeks when I had the lap band surgery due to severe pain under my rib cage on the left hand side, which is unusual. I have never seen my surgeon anymore since my 1 week post op. Make sure that you get informed and that way you can make a wise decision. I hope this info helps you.

Thank you so much for the encouragement! Yes, I will definitely keep on going to get my fills, till I feel that I have restriction the way it should be. I will keep you updated

I felt the same way you did right after surgery. I was in TONS of pain, especially on my left side, and I could not take a full breath. I had my surgery on a Tuesday, and was seen by the surgeon a week later on a Tuesday. He saw that I was in a lot of pain, and prescribed me additional pain medication since the one from the surgery I had finished. There was no way that I was going to return to week! I had to request a leave of abcense and was off from work almost 3 weeks. I too thought like you, that I was not EVER going to feel pain free, and guess what, I do now! A month after surgery I felt much better and was working already, although I was still taking it easy. Two months later I felt normal. I was able to sleep in my stomach again. I slept sitting down in the sofa for the first 3 weeks since I could not lay down AT ALL. I hope this helps you to realize that you will be feeling better, maybe not soon, but you will definitely get back to normal. I dont know what you mean about your gall stones, but I had my gallbladder removed 7 years ago, and boy was that painful too. I wish you the best and take it easy. The pain is not forever, trust me

It is very encouraging to hear your story. I am afraid that it will be my case too. I do not feel ANYTHING at all. I do not feel any restriction whatsoever. I am very afraid that I will be pointed at in the Doctor's office for being the patient that does not loose weight. I have the Large AP 14cc capacity band. It was filled with 5cc during surgery; then 1cc; then 1.5cc; and the last one 1.0cc for a Total of 8.5., and I do not feel any restriction whatsoever. But just like you I keep on going back for more fills, and try to get an appointment every two weeks. I am just praying to God that this is not a failure to me because I have spent a lot of money on this surgery and my husband was not agreeing with me AT ALL on me getting this surgery. If this fails, then I am going to have to hear him telling me "I told you so".

I was banded by Dr. Carcamo on March 15, 2011. He is a great Doctor! He explained to me the entire surgery procedure and was very attentive the day of the surgery. I highly recommend him!

Very interesting article/website. It makes a lot of sense what it says. It is easy to forget what the lab band actually does for you and how it works. Thank you for sharing!

I am not sure what that restriction feeling feels like either lately. The only time I felt restricted was when I first had surgery for the first two weeks. That feeling was great! I have a Large AP band 14cc capacity. As of this Monday, my band is filled with 8 1/2 cc. So far, I dont feel any restriction. I can eat as much as 2 cups or more of food with no difficulty (which I should not). This past Monday the technician told me that I should probably not return to get another fill till in 3 weeks, and even then most likely I would not get a fill since I already have more than 8cc in my band. I completely disagree. If I was put a 14cc band then it obviously holds 14cc's. So I will be going back in 2 weeks to get a fill. I am a cash patient and I need the band to work out for me. I also plan on going on an all liquid diet for at least a week. That should get me to feel what drinking only liquids is all about and hopefully help me to only eat 1/2 - 1 cup of food. Has anyone gone through this? Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, does anyone know of any support groups is San Antonio Texas? The one for true results is only the second Wednesday of every month and I am not able to go.

You need to look for another Doctor. The whole purpose of the lap band is to feel a restriction when eating. If he does not want to do a fill, then you need to find another Doctor. Tell him that he needs to go back to training about the lap band since he does not know what he is doing.

I had that left side pain for about 3 weeks after surgery. Mine would not go away. I had to be careful how I sat, how fast I got up, and could not make any sudden movements. The pain was so severe that I slept sitting in the couch for 2 weeks. I had a hernia removed after surgery, or so they say, so not sure if that had anything to do with it. I was not able to return to work a week later, was actually off for 3 weeks. I think everyone is different. The pain will go away, but it takes time. I am two months post op and I dont feel any pain, not even when I get my fills. I am able to sleep on my tummy and toss and turn and no pain. Hang in there. I am sure that it will go away. But if it does not, talk to your doctor about it.

I too am itching everywhere. My surgery was on March 15, 2011. While on the pain meds for a week I felt no itching only on my stomach. I am off the medication but I am itching everywhere. My hands, legs, stomach, back....everywhere. I took benadryl and that is not working. After reading your post, I am going to an allergist. Might even have to go to an urgent care. I really cannot stand this itching.

I am getting banded on March 8th. Weirdest day to choose since it is my 8th year wedding anniversary. I am starting to get nervous about the procedure, but I am very sure that I want to get this done. I am so sure of the procedure, that I am willing to pay out of pocket for it. The only thing that I am failing right now is the preop diet. I was suppose to do for 2 weeks. I will definitely have to start it tomorrow, my "only liquid" diet ...ugh.