bullit143

I have been gone for awhile from lapband talk. It's good to be back. You cant beat the support on this forum! This is for Kashia, and all of you others who are suffering form complications from the lap. I have had 2 great years since being banded, with 90 lbs off. I have had some complications over the last year, which have really gotten worse lately. I am in the process of trying to get a lap band revision surgery approved by the insurance, for after having an upper GI, the surgeon thinks the band may have slipped. I too, have tried to understand what has happened, and have at times blamed myself. After much research, here is my conclusion: I received the adjustable lap band 2 years ago, when it was fairly new to the states, and therefore the stitching techniques were new to the surgeons. I went to a reputable surgeon, who was also the only one in my area approved by my insurance at the time. He did every surgery known to man, including the lap. I found out after the fact, that he had only done 20 lap bands. I am not blaming him, but we all know... practice makes perfect! Anyway, I have found out that MANY lap banders have had a problem with slippage if you were banded in 2004-2005. My new surgeon tells me the stitching technique has now been updated to assist with Band slippage. I have read some guilt stories on this forum where some of you are feeling responsible. I too have had guilt feelings. One thing I KNOW I DID WRONG, ( which I believe is a dirty little secret that many lap banders are too ashamed to talk about is forced vomiting.) Please hear me... I was never bulimic at all before my weight loss. An overeater...YES, but never bulimic. The shear fact is I many times feel I ate the wrong things, or the wrong amounts, and food got stuck and made me miserable, and instead of waiting for food to go down slowly and painfully, I stuck my finger down my throat. Do I think this made by band slip? Well lets just say it didnt help matters! But nobody ever told me to be careful of this... I want to help others of you out there know that this is not good for your band! Lets face it... WE ARE ALL NEW AT THIS! We are all trying to break years of unhealthy habits! The doctors are obviously new at this too. I think band slippage is an individual thing, and it can happen for a number of reasons. I have heard success stories of people getting the band revised and doing just fine. I am praying and staying hopeful and my insurance will approve the revision, and that I will be successful in managing my band better this time. I DO NOT want to lose my band and I AM NOT giving up... for I believe it is a great tool, and has changed my life. One thing I have also learned, is that you have to be careful during stressful times of your life. Your stomach restricts when you are stressed, which can cause your band to be tighter, and I feel while I was nursing my husband back from a near fatal accident, and while I lost a pregnancy and then went through a late in life adoption of my baby, my stress factors contributed to my lap problems.. ANYWAY...I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK OUT THERE FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED WITH SLIPPAGE, ACID REFLUX, TROUBLE KEEPING SOLIDS DOWN< LOSS OF SLEEP DUE TO ASPIRATING FOOD AT NIGHT, SEVERE BURPING AND GURGGLING NOICES... all of which I have had. Thanks for your response and support. If you are expereincing any of these, please dont feel alone.... Lets stick together, and we can get through this! We all deserve the healthy life we are pursuing! Take care~ Bullit143

I am 2 years post Lap Band with 90 lbs weightloss. I am happy with my success, but have suffered with horrible acid reflux and terrible restiction, and lack of sleep many nights due to aspirating. I am trying to get a revision approved with insurance. Dr. thinks lap has slipped. Would really appreciate response about your experience with revisions. My Dr. states that newly improved stitching methods have been developed to prevent slippage. What do you think? Thanks so much! Bullit

thanks for responding. My dr. is trying to get the insurance to agree to a revision using the same band. He thinks it will help to stitch the band in on a different area of the stomach. Have you had a band repaired?

HI. I am currently working with insurance to get lap band revision surgery approved with Dr. Turnquest. I also had a great feeling about him when we visited. Did you know he was voted one of the "super doctors" in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine? He was voted on by his peers. He also had 2 awards in his office from a hospital where he was voted favorite Doctor by the staff. Having worked in a hospital with doctors... this is a huge honor and says alot about his character. As far as his experience with Laps, his nurse tells me he has done about 80. This is not a huge amount, but in the texas monthly magazine it said he had no complaints against him with the medical board. good luck. hope this helps! Bullit

Have any of you had experience with Dr. Turnquest in Houston? I am looking at the possibility of him helping me with lapband revision surgery. Thanks~ bullit

I am currently working with Dr. Dexter Turnquest on Red Oak to help me with revision surgery. He is awesome and comes highly recommended. He was voted one of the "super Doctors" of Texas in Texas monthly magazine by his peers. I think he takes most insurances. good luck~ Bullit

Dear Dr. C: Wow! I cannot believe your kindness in helping us out on this forum.... especially with your busy practice I know you must have. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and time! I have a question about lap band revision. I am in the process of trying to get my insurance to agree to a revison. I have been told by the surgeon trying to help me, that there have been recent improved stitching techniques to help prevent slippage. Is this true? I been successful with the band with 90 lbs off for 2 years now, but must be honest that I believe I have possibly assisted the slippage with forcing myself to upchuck stuck food. I noticed severe restriction during stressful times in my life over the last 2 years, especially nursing my husband back to health after a near fatal traffic accident. Have you had your patients experience severe restriction, acid reflux and vomiting during stressful times? Nobody tells you to watch for this stuff when you are desperate to get the surgery approved! I hope my thread helps others to be careful about not forcing themselves to throw up and damage the placement to the band on the stomack. Thanks so much for your reponse Dr. C. and God Bless! Bullit143 in Texas

PLEASE be careful! Nothing against your surgeon, but common sense says practice makes perfect. I am now going through a painful process of trying to get my insurance to approve of me having a lap band revision surgery due to slippage. I attribute much of the problem with the surgeon who did my lap. He had done a ton of gastric bypasses, which are much mor complicated, but the stitching technique of the lap band has recently been perfected to prevent slippage. Slippage is a HUGE problem many lap banders go through in year 2 or so.... Can you look for another surgeon in your area, even if you have to drive a way, that has done MANY lap bands, and knows about the new stitching techniques? My advice would be to look further. You only have one life and many time only one surgery, as many insurance companies are giving us hassels about revisions. Unless you are wealthy, and can afford a revision, I would listen to that gut God gave you and look further. good luck! Bullit 143

Kashia: Please read my new thread: band slippage, acid reflux complication. I was thinking alot about you when I wrote it. Hang in there~ Bullit 143

Greeting fellow bandsters! I am 6 months post op and just had my 2nd fill. I had to search for another Doc. due to my surgeon having terrible aftercare services. Anyway, I just got my fill last week, and have been having SEVERE SALIVATING PROBLEMS AND GURGLING NOISES! These can be so embarrassing, as I have to go and spit in the sink or outside, or carry a cup to spit in. I can have 3-4 bites before filling full. Is this normal? Dont get me wrong... I am thrilled with my new weightloss, since losing 10 lbs in the last week. I was stuck and 40 lbs, and felt like a real failure for only losing this amount over 6 months. I am now at 50 and happy. Can anyone give me advice about my new symptoms? Are these abnormal, or will they just be a part of my new life? Thanks for your response! Take care ~ Bullit

wow... thanks alexandria.... no one ever explained it that way...sounds like I am taking too big and too many of bites! Do you ever have the weird alien gurgling sounds? Thanks! Sheri

Hey guys: I am 1 month out, and have lost 20 and am happy. My weight loss has slowed down now.. and I am slowly adding food. I am having great difficulty not drinking (at least something) with my meal...my mouth gets so dry, and I just so want to drink at least a sip... Do all of you truly go through a meal without drinking? I have not been able to do it yet... I guess its a habit I am really having trouble breaking.... Will it really sabatoge my weightloss if I just have a "few" sips during my meal? I would really love to hear from you seasoned Lap Banders.... thanks for your time! Bullit

Way to go! that is Awesome! You have done awesome...You are one of my role models that I read about on here! keep it up! I am one month out, and have lost 20... Hoping I will be as successful as you! Bullit

Hey guys! I had my surgery 1week ago, and My doc put my port under my left breast. WOW! It has been REALLY uncomfortable! He said the swelling will go down, and that it will not hurt when all heals.. It hurts to sleep and to walk...Other than that... all went very well. The week of clear liquids was not bad, due to not being hungry.. Lost 12 lbs the first week, although I know this was due to no food! My doc wants me on creamy liquids for another MONTH. Did anyone else's doc prescribe this? My friends doc allowed them to start eating soft foods the 3rd week. Would love to hear from you! thanks Bullit

Glad to hear from you! You are doing great! I have lost 15 in 3 weeks, but the weight loss has seemed to halt. I have read about this period, and about not getting discouraged waiting for the first fill.. Soups and yogart are getting boring, although I think I blew it going to black eyed pea and schloskys and ordering bowls of their cream of broccili and potato soups. Too many fat grams and carbs I'm sure.... I think I will take your advice and get going on the adkins shakes.... Protein make sense to me.... I have noticed that I dont get full so easily now... I am drinking alot more than a shotglass at a time, which is what I was consuming the first week. How about you? I was told this might happen when swelling went down, and until the next fill. I am trying not to panic.... fearful that maybe the band fell off or something...... I am hoping this is normal Would love to hear from you. Keep up the great work! Could you give me an example of your daily intake? Thanks! Bullit

Hey there: Glad to hear you are doing well... My port is not as painful,,, just uncomfortable and weird! I feel like a robot! Anyway, my doc has a really strict diet post op... only "creamy" foods for now... lots of creamy campbell soups and yogart and store bought smoothies...he told me to stay off of the protein drinks for now, I told him that I had a goal of losing at least 80lbs before next oct-nov. due to a goal I have of implanting frozen embroyos my husband and I have ( infertililty problems for years!) Anyway, my doc said that these protein drinks can inhibit weight loss due to "protein turning into fat?" ? I dont really understand this.. due to the fact that the ONLY diet that worked for me was the high protein low carb adkins... I am taking in a TON of carbs now with these soups and yogarts... seems weird.. but I guess he knows what he's talking about.. have lost 15 in 10 days.... weightloss in slacking off now though... I'm sure it was all water.. What protein drinks are you using.?.. Any other creamy food/drinks you are using now? would love to hear from you! Bullit

thanks alexandra for your comments... I see you are a veteran on this site, and you have lots of great info. to share.. How have you done with your lap? did you get the adjustable? Thanks! Bullit

Hey....thanks for your reply...Good to hear that I am not the only one with a painful port area...It feels strange... doesn't it? I did not know he would put it rught under my boob! Ouch! anyway,,, it is slowly feeling better... Yes,,,I think 1 month of thick liquids seems strict... I';m "trying" to hang in there,,, cause I am motivated to make this work....but if I start to hit rock bottom..I "may" slowly introduce muschy food... so far I have lost 14lbs...and to be honest... right now I am enjoying watching the scales go down... am feeling week though... Are you drinking, eating something every hour? my doc says try and drink a dixie cup full of something every 15 minute.. This is hard to do! Especially at work! How about you? Who is your Doc? thanks! Bullit

Sorry to hear you are having problems... I had my surgery on 3/10. My doc is VERY strict regarding intake after surgery. He had me on clear liquids the first week, and CREAMY FOOD/LIQUIDS for the next month..Now I know this is to give everything time to heal... If you have been eating mushy or solid foods, it may be too soon, My suggestion is to go back to just liquids... gatorade, broths, creamy soups, fat free yogarts, sugar free posicles...etc.... Your insides had quiet an insult to them, and they need time to heal! Good luck! Bullit

Hey guys: I have been reading this sight for awhile and have been inspired by all of your stories. I will have my lapband surgery in 2 days, 3/10, and am getting pretty nervous. I guess its normal to fear the unknown.... Did any of you have any complications the first week after your surgery? My biggest fear is nauseousness and throwing up. My Doctor wants me on liquids for 6 weeks, and I'm "hoping" these 2 side effects will not be a problem if I follow the program. Can anyone give me insight into my first few days after surgery... and what to expect.. to help me with my jitters?! thanks so much! bullit from Texas

Hey guys: I have an appointment with Dr Adam Naaman in Houston, Texas. Does anyone have in experience or knowledge of him? Thanks! Bullit in Texas

Howdy from Texas. I am in the beginning stages of pursuing my lap band surgery. I am collecting all of my medical info. and have an appointment with Dr Adam Naaman in Houston Texas. I am very nervous, and scared, and I have 3 friends who have had gastric bypass who are trying to talk me into not having the lap band. After all of my research, I have peace in my heart about the lap band being the best surgery for me. I would really like to hear from you veteran successful lap banders about your experience, and about your opinions regarding the difference between the 2 surgeries. I am finding that there is a definate ocean of controversy and difference in opinion about which surgery is the best. I weigh 258, and have struggled my whole life. I am also hoping to get pregnant at a later date, which is one of my many reasons for wanting the Lap Band. Thanks to those who take the time to read and respond! God Bless! Bullit

Thanks Alexandria! I plan to fight until I get approval.. Especially since I plan to try and get pregnant after, which would make the adjustable the appropriate surgery for me..Thanks so much for your insight. How many months post op are you? Any difficulties? Any regrets? Sheri

Hey ladies: I am new to lapband talk, and am in the process of having my surgery approved. I went to a required nutritionist meeting the other day. She told us that we could NEVER NEVER have carbonated cokes or drinks again, and that we could only have flat colas, due to the carbonation "stretching out your new stomach"???? Is this true? I dont know why this bothers me so... I'm not really a soda addict... but this is basically the first time I have heard anybody use the term NEVER in relation to post lap band surgery behavior. Dont get me wrong.. I am ready to change my habits.... I just want to hear your opinion.. She also said NO MORE GUM or straws.... EVER!!!! What do you think? Also, I do not know if my insurance is going to approve the adjustable lap band,( which is the surgery I want due to trying to get pregnant later...) Did any of you have trouble getting this surgery approved? My insurance is saying that it is still considered "experimental"...but I thought it had been approved by the FDA. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts! Sheri

Christine: Congrats on getting your surgery approved; Did you have trouble getting it approved? sounds like you and I are going to both have to deal with the soda thing.... I am not really a coke addict, but I do enjoy my diet Dr pepper and Diet sprite every day..... oh well,,,, a small price to pay for a better future, Right? Cant wait to hear how your surgery goes... I am still in process of getting mine approved..best of luck, and stay in touch... Any fear of doubts? Sheri