Shiki

Just want to add my .01 cents to this discussion. Unless there is a financial or otherwise compelling reason to stick with your original doctor, SWITCH. You may have to travel a bit to find someone you like, but this is too important to be with anything other than a great doc.

That is nearly unbelievable. All that happening to you. Yikes. Your body must fell wretched. I am horrified this happened, and so glad you're OK. I've heard of bands slipping but never like this. And I've never heard it's 50%. I will certainly have to look into that, especially because I'm not banded yet. I recently canceled an appointment with a Dr. because he wouldn't do the band. Hmmm. Do you have someone to take care of you while you recover? Biggest, gentle hugs and sweet Shiki smooches to you.

Cheryldee - Congrats on your weight loss. That's quite an accomplishment. I am hooked on Cherry Pomegranate. But I discovered WalMart has same thing at a much cheaper price. What are your flavors? TexasSusie - I am very happy for you. Wish I could be your roommate, but I haven't yet managed to jump through all the hoops. Best of luck, soon-to-be-skinny lady!

I would keep it short and be creative. Keeping it short means less to explain, less to remember what you said. Being creative means you "spin" your story in such a way it leaves no room for questions. So ... being creative ... 'xcuse me while I brainstorm ... "It was a female issue I had taken care of." If pressed, say "sorry, don't want to talk about it ... it's really personal." If still pressed, say "on the order of a hernia. I'm all better now." The main thing is to say little, discourage discourse and change the topic. If any continue to press simply repeat what you just said until you sound like a broken record. People will give up because they have no other choice. Change the topic and move on. For mom: "It was a quick outpatient procedure on the order of a hernia. I'm all better now."

There are a lot of success stories with the band. If you read them, though, one thing stands out loud and clear. The band works to the extent that you work the band. In other words, it's one method with rules, kind of like being a member of a committee that wrote its bylaws before you joined. From what I've read, to be successful, one must learn the rules, read the bylaws and follow them. After 3 years, you gotta know that you can't eat a chunk of beef unless you can blast it into smithereens. The band doesn't work that way. If we want to do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten. In this case, no weight loss. I know adjusting to the band's rules will be hard, but that is what I prefer to the danger of the other surgeries. The sleeve is the latest hot topic. But for me, removing a large portion of my stomach, with no reversal ever, seems a huge risk that I really prefer not to take. However, not losing weight is dangerous as well. So I guess you do whatever will work for you. Best of luck to you, in any case.

Congrats! At least you're on the right road ... and further down the road than you expected. I'll be curious to know how it works for you. My pcp is wretched and not at all helpful, but I'm keeping her temporarily because she has approved a motorized wheelchair for me.

Check out MyFitnessPal.com - it will calculate calories for whatever you eat. You'll soon discover what amount is OK. For example, I eat this really healthy butter -- Land 'O Lakes Spreadable Butter With Olive Oil. I was shocked to discover that 2 tsp. had 200 calories.

I'm in Dallas near downtown. No, never been. Good luck with the clinic. Let us know what happens. Another site that's helpful is MyFitnessPal. Check it out. It calculates what you eat, among other things. I'm ShikiP there.

Violet, I didn't do it on purpose. Must have nicked my leg on something.

Ashley -- I wish more people on this site would step up and offer to mentor. There's clearly a need. I'm still a pre-op, so I'm in a holding state. Did the medically supervised diet, but I'm changing docs so things are on hold till April 2. Keep up the good work!

I'm still pre-op, but a doctor told me that my lymphadema would clear up completely after surgery. He didn't say how long it would take. Your ankles look more swollen than mine, but I'd have to measure to know for sure. My condition is pretty ugly consisting of alligator-like skin with many small & a few large boil-like lesions. In fact, I go to great lengths to hide my legs. I think it scares people to look at me. My condition begins on the inside of my thighs and continues down the top and sides of my leg to the ankle. One thing you may be interested in is that the swelling is not Water.Edema is what normal swelling is called. Lymphatic Fluid is milkier and thicker than water. Once, I broke open one of the hundreds of the little boil-like lesions, and it started to leak ... a lot. This went on forever! It was 3+ weeks before it stopped. I would give it some time and see if it starts getting better. Congrats on your weight loss to date & best wishes on your new journey!

Certainly time for me to update you folks on what is going on with me. I have had so many ups and downs, I'm about to name a new roller coaster after my experience. I have had 3 dr. visits so far. My search continued, though, because while I did find the most celebrated dr. in the Dallas area, his office is 35 miles away. Too far for me. I was about to switch to True Results when I learned they don't take my insurance, which is Medicare. Finally had a bit of luck when a True Results employee recommended a dr. with whom she had worked. Things are looking good for me to be banded by Dr. Harry Meyers in Dallas. I have an appt. on Apr. 2. Medicare does not allow anything new, so the sleeve and plication are out. Strictly bypass or band, nothing else. Thanks for the recommendations, though. I will post another update when I have one.

Looks like my surgeon will be Dr. Harry Meyers in Dallas, who comes highly recommended. I have an appt for April 2. He isn't affiliated with any other company. From what I hear, he has a very mellow atmosphere in his office. He used to be Chief of Surgery at Bethesda Medical Center. He was recommended to me by a gal who works at True Results. She used to work for him and thinks the world of him!

Got really bad news today. True Results does not accept my insurance. Now I start searching over again. Like you, I don't have issues with food. I was thin all my life until I went thru chemo. The steroids caused a massive weight gain. Sounds like you're on the right path.

Hi Chrysta, Congratulations on your weight loss. Way to go, Girl! That's amazing that you lost 30 lbs. What's your secret? I'm still pre-op ... in the surgeon search stage. But I think I'm about to make a decision. I can't wait. I've lost 30 lbs, too since I started my journey in July. Keep on posting! Welcome to our group. We're still new & super glad to have you.

Remember the old saying: Fools Rush In ... " & another "Act in haste and repent at leisure." How unfair of your doc to throw that at you at the last minute. My 2 cents? Get another band ... since that has already worked for you, it's removable, and fixable if it slips. Second choice is the sleeve, which has been around longer than the pcilation. The sleeve is very popular right now and you can lose a lot of weight with it, but most of your stomach will be removed. I think it's 90%, Pcilation is only about 1 year old, so it's still experimental. I followed a pcilation group for a month or so and some reported no weight loss, others loved it, and docs were talking about how they are just tracking it, warts and all. The danger here is in changing to a more drastic procedure from which there is no going back. Once they cut out your stomach with the sleeve or pcilation, it's gone for good,. Personally, that's way too risky for me. We know the band works. Sure it has it's problems, but it does work and you don't have to have your stomach cut out. Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks for commenting. I like Dr, Fox a lot. The only reason I didn't pursue it is because he's very strict. He has the best stats in his practice because of that. But I'm looking for a doc that takes a lighter approach.

Two things about your post really stand out: 1) If your decision to get surgery is so iffy that one doctor's opinion would shake you ... then you are not ready. 2) I'm very cautious discussing this with anyone -- especially medical personnel. Most people have uninformed opinions. Those in favor of the surgery usually know 1+ people who've had it done. Often, they're also uninformed, though, and usually convinced one type of surgery is the best. I am a high risk patient, so I did extensive research before making a decision. I researched 8 surgeons and met with 4 before finding the doctor who was perfect for me. Finally, I'm ready & excited to tackle my morbid obesity. It's like getting married: you'll know when you're ready and when have met "the one." My advice: ask yourself "Why do I want this surgery?" If your answer is not rock solid, you are not ready. When you are convinced this is the best solution for your obesity problem, then you are ready. But you need to get comfortable with your decision. Get an online "buddy" with a track record of success and someone you're compatible with. Ask her to help lead you down the path. With your buddy you'll be ready ... to go for the gold!

I'm still pre-op, but from everything I've read, it says fills are done every 6 weeks, except for the first fill, which is done a month after surgery. There's always a chance of the band slipping or problems from surgery. So many people insist on getting all fills done under flouroscopy. It costs more, but they feel it's worth it.

UPDATE: FYI. Based on all the input I've received to date from good folks like you. I've narrowed the field down to just two doctors: Dr. John Michael Marsden and Dr. Stephen Hamn. Dr. Marsden is at the head of the pack. I don't know much a lot Dr. Hamn yet, but I'm researching him now. I decided against, Dr. Benavides, Dr. Cribbens and Dr. Fox. All are Dallas area surgeons.

No one responsded to this topic when it was posted 3 years ago. But I think the poster wound up using him. I'm thinking of going with him as well. So, if anyone can share anything, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Those are the exact symptoms I have when I get cellulitis and must receive IV antibiotics in the hospital to quell the infection. Whether it's from the surgery -- and when did paramedics add M.D. to their name -- or from an infection, I hope you spoke with your doctor asap.

You guys are ROCK STARS! Your input is invaluable. Thanks a lot!!

I really need your help with answers to these key questions: 1. How long was your pre-op liquid stage, and what were you told to eat? 2. How long was your post-op liquid stage, and what were you told to eat? 3. What was your follow-up care like with the doctor and his staff -- good, so-so, could be better? 4. What was the thing you liked best about your experience and the least?

I've narrowed my list of Dallas area docs to 5: Dr. John Michael Marsden, Dr. Louis Fox, Dr. Stephen V. Hamn, Dr. Joseph Cribbins, and Dr. Richard Benavides. This list is based on excellence, experience, good reviews and distance. Please help me pick the right one for me. I've already visited 3 docs, so I can't afford to see them all. Please comment specifically on these questions. 1. How long was your pre-op liquid stage, and what were you told to eat? 2. How long was your post-op liquid stage, and what were you told to eat? 3. What was your follow-up care like with the doctor and his staff - strong, so so, could be better? 4. What was the thing you liked best about your experience and the least?