RobbieGirl

I have an appt tomorrow morning with surgeon and hope he will agree to remove it. I wasn't the best at following a diet after 2 years. I started having problems last fall. Reflux first but the past few weeks I have abdominal pain and bloating. Both an endoscopy (Oct '12) and CT scan of abdomen & pelvis both showed lap band in place. I just feel like it is time to go. I certainly don't want to have to have emergency surgery! Anyone know if an ultrasound of abdomen would be better than the scope? I wouldn't think so but wondering about it. Don't know what he will say is the next step. Will post tomorrow after appt.

I have to disagree. This man is an ego maniac. You can't even ask questions because he has to do the talking. Seriously, I had a successful surgery and lost a lot of weight but when you gain 5 pounds he will get ugly. He's overloaded now, working week-ends, starting up other locations. He's the only surgeon/doctor there. It is going to catch up w/him. Very arrogant man. Some of his patients believe his whole intent is to make you strong, but IMO a doctor does not treat patients this way. It's not just me. There are plenty of upset patients & spouses because of his rudeness.

I saw my surgeon today to tell him I am still having bloating, chest pain after eating, heartburn, etc. But I do have restriction. A week ago he removed some fluid & more today. But it is not empty. Said for me to come back next Mon. So frustrated that he doesn't check by fluro and didn't offer endo. I just hate the waiting. He seems to think I'm just too tight. On the other thought if he is right I will be happy. Anyone else have to go thru this kind of unfit, wait & see, another unfit, etc? Worried about a slip, dilation or erosion.

Thank you. Now my next question is did you get rebanded, choose gastric bypass or any other surgery? I still need to lose 70lbs but would be happy to get to 50. I still have restriction even tho he removed the saline. Since I am 4 yrs out & have gained really concerned that I will have to have it removed. Bottom-line, I know this isn't normal & will keep making appts to get it resolved. So many posts here are saying they have the barium w/the fill & that concerns me that mine doesn't. He has a big practice and affiliated w/Baptist hospital. I guess I will break down and ask him why. To be honest he is very intimidating and patients who aren't losing the weight well get an earful from him. Not so much mean but very stern.

Thank you. Now my next question is did you get rebanded, choose gastric bypass or any other surgery? I still need to lose 70lbs but would be happy to get to 50. I still have restriction even tho he removed the saline. Since I am 4 yrs out & have gained really concerned that I will have to have it removed. Bottom-line, I know this isn't normal & will keep making appts to get it resolved. So many posts here are saying they have the barium w/the fill & that concerns me that mine doesn't. He has a big practice and affiliated w/Baptist hospital. I guess I will break down and ask him why. To be honest he is very intimidating and patients who aren't losing the weight well get an earful from him. Not so much mean but very stern.

Kayleighsmom - what I have now sounds like what you describe. Gassy, bloated, discomfort but not a sharp pain. Surgeon did a regular x-ray (doesn't do barium fill) and the x ray shows un place. He did take out sme, not all. Felt better for a few days & now it is uncomfortable again. Will have to make another appt. Wondering if I shouldn't request the endoscopy. He may want to just remove all of the saline. I want to know if it has slipped, eroded or infection. And waste more time. Thoughts?

I too am struggling w/a gnawing in left abdomen. No nausea but feel bloated. Appt w/surgeon last week & he did a regular x ray. The band was in the right position. He said i was too tight so he removed some. He doesn't tell anyone how much. I did feel better in a few days but now hurting again & i can feel the band more than ever. Will make another appt. BTW I was banded in 2007. Lost 70 lbs & have gained 20. He wasn't happy w/me either. Now I am worried. Hoping I get in soon. Hope your problem will resolve itself. Keep me posted on what happens w/you.

Surgeon's office said the x ray shows the band is in proper position! That's the good news & a scare enough to make me go back to eating like I had been, for sure. I can also tell the ease of the restriction is a lot better. But my abdomen still has a weird feeling mostly like bruised I guess. Maybe a result of him doing taking some out on Monday. Taking it easy on what I'm eating hoping it will settle down. If it isn't better within a week I plan to call the office & let them know. I would feel a lot better if I had the fluro or endoscope.

Klariade - THANK YOU for the quick reply. I'm worrying myself silly over this so it helps to know someone has experienced the same. But now that I've been scared - I will be staying on track much better. It's very discouraging to gain weight and I had been doing so good. My loss was 72 lbs then gained almost 20. I see you are doing awesome. Congrats!

I am looking for some thoughts on my situation. I have had some problems just in the past 2-3 weeks with stomach feeling bloated, some discomfort but not sharp pain, just sort of dull. Then last week I started to get throat tightness. My appt w/surgeon was this morning. He was upset w/me because I gained weight. He thinks that I am just too tight. He removed some fill (he doesn't tell you anything about what band you have & how much can go in). He ordered an x ray and now I wait for the office to call. Just a routine x ray but they took it of both chest & stomach. So can you actually see a slippage, erosion, dilated pouch, etc. in a routine x ray? Everything I have read indicates most people have an upper GI xray or endoscopy. Surgeon does not do fills w/fluoroscope as I've seen here. Just confused & hoping nothing is wrong other than I needed that unfill to let things settle down. Any thoughts? Thanks - I am brand new here.