athykay

Delarla that poor girl is me. And I am filing bankruptcy not because of the band but I couldn't find a job to replace my 40,000 a year salary. I posted that post earlier this week. I have been having alot of health issues. Bronchitis, pnemonia and I had been overfilled so I thought maybe there was a posiblility that the band was involved. I don't know if my band has anything to do with what is going on with my health. I just know that it would be nice to know that it is not involved. I go to PCP she has no clue if it could or could not, I went to Dr. Neal in Olympia this last Thursday wanting to have a Endoscopy. He said that he didn't think it was necessary and we should wait until my bronchial stuff is all cleared up and he will do a fill under floro and check the band out further. So you see I don't see that I can do anything further. I have spoken to Penni and she offered for me to come and see Billy also. I would love to jump on a plane and go have it checked out but that is just not feasible. I don't have the money for that. And so I have decided that if things get bad I will have my husband take me to a Portland Hospital I really think that is my only option. I am feeling somewhat better today. So I am hoping that things are going to improve and I can see Dr Neal soon. But for now I can't let my self worry it is just been to difficult. Hanging in!!!!!!!!!!!

If I have any regrets about the band it is that I didn't make sure I had great follow up care. Yes I researched the Doctors in Mexico and felt sure I made the right choice. I had the money to have the band placed and had a good job at the time that I had my surgery. Didn't think money for aftercare was going to be an issue. Well lost my job now aftercare is an issue. I just can't jump on a plane and go back to Mexico for care. Nor do I want to. Would I have the band again yes in a heart beat. Would I have it done in Mexico or any other country NO. Why? Because if you can't find anyone to take care of you after what good is it. Finding a doctor to care for me has been one of the biggest struggles. Right after my surgery I tried contacting Dr. Lopez office for advise on some meds and to request my records. That was a nightmare, I called and called no one ever faxed my records. I think I got the med advise from someone here. So my advise to anyone seeking out the band, would be find someone you can depend on and that is close by. We shouldn't have to jump on a plane or travel miles and miles to find someone to take care of us. But we should know all that before we make the decision to have the band. It would have been well worth it to pay the extra and have the comfort of knowing that your doctor is near by if you need them and knows about you and your circumstances. This post said it best!!!!!!!! I have to point to Big Paul's post again. This is not just about finding someone who can get that band in you and send you on your way. It's about thinking ahead, thinking smart, covering your bases, and being prepared. If you can get to Mexico for after care and you have a good relationship with your doctor there, that's awesome. But if you're thinking about putting all of your savings into a quick trip to Mexico and you know you won't have the money or whatever you need to get you back down there when and if things go wrong.. you might want to pay that extra bit upfront and find a surgeon with a completel plan for your well being here in the states. This if from another thread.. and it REALLY puts a spotlight on what we have all been trying to say in this thread: Ok I just got off the phone with Dr. Neal's nurse. I talked to her about my problems that I have been having. Now I don't know where to turn. She basically said that I should contact Dr. Lopez in Mexico and let him know what is going on. Well that is not a option for me like I told her. I want a american Doctor that I can depend on. She gave me the cost of the Endoscopy and it is about 4200.00 and my insurance will not cover, if the band is eroded or there is a problem with it. From what I told her she didn't say whether she thought the band was related to my problems. She did say that if there is a erosion and it is left untreated it is very serious. So now what do I do? I don't have the finances for this type of procedure right now unless they take payments??? Delarla, Penni any advise. What about Dr. Billy what is the deal with him. Would he see me? I am getting so frustrated I am about to have my husband just take me to Portland and check me into the hospital and see what they can do. What should I do??????????

:whip: Watch out Steelers the Seahawks are :hungry: :cheer2: GO SEAHAWKS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cheer2:

I asked for the EGD basically to rule out any problems with the band. I would just like to make sure it is not involved. All the doctors I have been to and no one thinks it is the band. I am not saying that I think it is either I just wanted to make sure it isn't. Penni I would have to check out the cost to come down there right now and see if I can swing it. Can you find out what Billy charges for the endoscope? I don't know if my insurance would cover it. But maybe we could try and get them too. Money is very tight right now for me and that makes all of this even more difficult. I was so thankful that when I saw Dr. Neal for the consult he didn't charge anything. That really surprised me and I so much appreciated it. Thanks again, Kathy

Well no EGD yet, he wants to wait a couple of weeks and see how everything is going. He doesn't seem to think my band is eroded. I don't know what to think anymore. I have been to so many doctors lately and they all say something different. So what is a person to do. Still hanging in here!!!!!!!

Boy maybe Delarla advise of Susan Lucci really works. I just got off the phone. Dr. Neal's office calling back and saying they don't want anyone having trouble and they would be willing to work with me on the cost of the procedure. They called me!!!!! I have an appointment on Thursday at 2:15 meeting with Dr. Neal and letting him know my symptoms. Leatha the nurse did say something about the way they would bill it. So maybe that will work out. Your so smart!!!!! Thanks So I am going to get somewhere with this! Finally, I was feeling such desperation. Thank you all for such support, I really need it right now. I will stay in touch for sure. Kathy,

Teresa let me know how it goes for you also. I didn't call yesterday and I know I should. I am not sure who I should have do the endo. My PCP is in Hawaii and the new band Doctor I have is in Olympia about 50 miles. I am scheduled for a follow up on Thursday with another Dr. that is filling in for my PCP. So I am debating on asking him. But then again he won't know anything about the band stuff either. The blood thing has got me freaked out the worst. I still have blood sometimes when I cough. I will get to the bottom of this just have to figure out who is the best to see for what is going on. Even if I have to do a Susan Lucci. LOL You crack me up!!!! Delarla when you had the bronchial problems did you ever have blood? Thanks again girls, Kathy Yes it is very nice to see all of you again too!! No more being a stranger!!!!:clap2:

Teresa your friend is in my prayers. This is getting very scary for me. Since I am a Lopez patient also. I am calling today about an endoscopy. As I told you all I have been pretty sick lately. Well I had to go back to the Doctor last Thursday. I am now on so many meds I have to write them down so I don't forget which one to take. My bronchitis/whatever is just not clearing up. Now I am on steroids and inhalers and more antibotics. I just don't know what to think anymore just getting so frustrated. I am at least getting some stuff out of my lungs now and no fever. I just don't know if I should be concerned that the band is involved or just a bad case of bronchitis. Going to make a call today. I don't know if they could even do one until I am better. Just the fact that Lopez was my surgeon makes me worry anymore.

You look awesome girl!!!!!! TOO FUN!!

Laura please be super careful. I had a fill on November 11th and kept thinking things would get better. Well they didn't, I now know that being to tight caused my aspiration pneumonia. I have had the band since May of 2004 and never had any acid reflux or heartburn. Since my fill in Nov I had it constantly. I was taking all kinds of antacids. Eating things on the mushy side lots of soups and ice cream all the stuff we really shouldn't. If our band is right we should be able to eat pretty normal, but much less. Just be really careful, I know I wanted my fill to smooth out. I had been stuck on my weight loss and was really hoping that a new fill would just kick it in again. But in reality I just needed to be a better bandster. Trust me it is not worth getting sick, I am just now since my unfil last week starting to feel better. I think you will know, I think I did I was just hoping that it would get better. Be careful!!!!!!

Thanks Jodie that is good to know. Everyone I talked to said no you shouldn't cough up blood with bronchitis. So of course I was freaked out. What ever it was didn't like it. Hey Delarla ya crazy girl, I know I have been a major stranger. I couldn't believe it when I read about you and Penni. What is up with that? Did Penni have Lopez too? I remember you losing your port, but now the band too. That just doesn't seem right. It must be for the best I know you have had way to much trouble. I am going to get an endoscopy as soon as I get to feeling better. Finally found what seems to be a good band Doctor that will take care of us Mexico patients. That as been one of the biggest struggles. When I was having all this trouble my fill Doctor kinda checked out. She has some major health issues going on herself right now. So I felt very lost didn't know who to call or who would see me. I know my home town hospital has no clue when it comes to bandsters. My own PCP said yeah I can only go by what you tell me I don't know anything about the band. At least she was honest about it. LOL. Thanks Jessie I am feeling much better. Now if this darn acid trip I am on would go away. LOL the Vertigo feels like an old high school high. Yep I was a bad girl back in the day. I grew up in the sixtys what can I say. LOL Anyway it sure feels nice talking to all of you again. I felt so out of it for a long time. I think all this illness as knocked some sense in to me at least. I have missed you all!!!!!!

Hi everyone, I haven't been here or posted for a long time. I do sneek back in to check out some of the post but this place has grown so much it is very hard to keep up on everyone. I have had lots of stuff going on in my life and really couldn't find the way to share. About 7 months ago, lost my job, a friend and things just kept coming. Now I am facing some health issues and was very surprised when I read some of the post here. Delarla, Penni and who else? Erosion? Oh my gosh freaked me out. Like I said I only sneek in and out occassionally. Well I guess I need to share so maybe it helps someone and maybe it will help me too? I had a fill in November I was up to 2cc. Seemed fine for awhile, then I started having the reflux and heartburn. I had to sleep with my head propped up. Solids didn't do to well, it was ok until I drank hour or so later then I had discomfort. Many episodes of PBing. Then just before Christmas I started having a cough. It wouldn't go away, I was so fatigued couldn't do much. Went to my family Doc and she said I had Bronchitis. So had the first dose anitbiotics, still didn't help much. Went back was severly dehydrated so more antibiotics and drink lots. Also I was very dizzy which she said was dehydration. That was on Thursday, when I woke up on Sunday I had a bad coughing spell and coughed up blood. Ok so now I am totally freaked out. I had had some spots of blood a week or so earlier but nothing like this. And I had told the family Doc and she said it could be irratation. Well hubby said we should go to Local Hospital and see what they thought. Here is there verdict::: Vertigo causing dizziness, slight dehydration, and yes bronchitis but the lungs looked pretty clear. So I now have a inhaler and dizzy pills. So by now I am starting to think something is going on with my band. Like I said I have peeked in now and then and read some post. The thing is I just sometimes thought if I read certain things it was just freaking me out. Then I imagined that was going to happen to me. Or I would start thinking it was happening to me. Weird I know. Well I tried for 3 days to get a hold of my fill Doc and she never replied. She has some health issues of her own going on right now. So I started looking for someone that would see a Mexico patient. Finally I found Dr Neal in Olympia and they said it sounded like I was overfilled. They weren't going to be able to see me until the 19th but had a cancel and I got in yesterday. She said that it looked like I was to full but the band looked in good position and seemed ok. So they took some out I am down to 1.5cc now. Well I thought that by doing the flouroscope that they could see slippage, erosion, or any problems that might be going on. I think I was wrong, not sure but I think I need some other type of test?? Now I know if I visited here more often I may have more knowledge on this but, I found myself getting freaked out so much that I avoided it. I know Shame ON ME!! I am feeling a little better today, but still not knowing what is going on is so frustrating. All the could be's is driving me nuts. Could be the band, could be bronchitis, could be this could be that. What the heck is a person to think. I don't know if I need to push further on the band thing or what to think. I have never had any type of testing on the band, the flourscope with barium yesterday was the first time and I just assumed that was what I needed now I am even more frustrated because I read something about a endoscope. Which I have no clue what that is how they do it, if it will be paid for, if not how much it will cost me out of my broke pocket. Who to call to have it done? Sorry for being so babbly just don't know where else to turn and I feel bad because I don't come here often enough. And I know that you are all wonderful people and I feel bad for not sharing more often. If anyone out there can shed some light on all of this and help me or anyone else that may be having some of the same issues. I would so appreciate it. SOoooooooooooo Frustrated!!!!!!!!!

Just want to update everyone. I have been doing pretty good so far. Added some real food to the diet today and so far so good. I am still pretty sore in the rib area from the coughing I am sure. Did take a fall today still have the Vertigo going on. That is like the trippest thing ever. I have meds for that but they don't know how long it will last. I want to thank you all again for your advise and concerns. Going to have a endoscope as soon as things are better. Thanks again, Kathy

It is one of my favorites, it has always gone down great.

That is one thing I loved about my band. I never had heartburn after surgery. Until my last fill which we have found to be to much. Since it was removed yesterday no heartburn or acid reflux. I do think that is a sign of a problem that needs to be checked out further. They say that is almost always a sign that you are to full. Just going by what the flouro tech told me on Wednesday.

Yes I must say I was a little amazed that even though I was having the trouble I was, they still weren't going to be able to see me until the 19th. Thank god someone cancelled and I did get in right away. They removed some of my fill I am back down to 1.5 cc and things seem to be doing fine. I am on liquids through the weekend so that things have time to heal up. So far so good. Thanks again Kathy

I everyone, well I am back from PCP and I spoke to my fill Dr for over a hour this morning. With all that has been going on as I explained in detail to both doctors they both seem to think that it was aspiration pneumonia. And my PCP had the lung xray from Sunday and confirmed that there was some pneumonia. I may have had the bronchitis also but in my opinion it was mis diagnosed all along. My chest hurt, I was waking up in the night gagging and I do believe it was from being to full. As for the blood they both agreed that I probably ruptured some veins/vessels with the coughing and vomiting. They both agreed that I need to take it easy and let everything heal for awhile and see how things go. If I have any more troubles they are both ready to set me up for an endoscopy. Well once I am feeling better or if I have any more trouble I am going to insist on one. But for now things are somewhat better. We will see as the days go. I guess it really does help to yell out when things aren't as they should be. And I need to thank each and everyone of you for sharing your stories. It can make you kinda crazy sometimes reading some of them, but it helps to know what fellow bandsters are going through. Thanks again for all your thoughts, I will check back more often and keep everyone posted. I hope that this may help anyone out there that may be having some of the same issues. Thanks again, Kathy

Hi Pearl, Like I said in my post I don't come here often. I came today because I am having some health problems and don't know where else to turn. As soon as I get this figured out I would love to meet up. Sorry it took so long for me to respond, hope your still hanging around here. Kathy

Michelle you are one awesome individual. Welcome home, I am not here often but I usually seek out your post. They brighten my days always. Thanks for sharing.

Now I just noticed this was a month ago that you posted!!!!! WEIRD**************

DeLarla, How strange is this, I don't come here much lately. Been a bad band girl. Just have so much going on in my life right now. But I just happened to stop by tonight. And the first post I read is this one. I just had my first tarot reading last week. My band doc in Portland recomend that I have one. Still waiting for the tape so I can remember all that was said. She also hit right on with everything that is going on with me right now. If I were you I would get on seeing a doctor asap... Can't hurt. Better be safe. Well I just wanted to let you know that I am still living and trucking thru this life. My head is not screwed on real tight these days but I know it will all work out. Miss chating with ya!!! Take care, Kathy

Your all in my thoughts as well. Think wonderful thoughts and it will be. Kathy

Hi, I used to hang out here alot, but have been pretty bad lately. I would love to chat, I had surgery in May 04 and I am down 95 lbs and just had another fill. Kathy

Hi, Michelle Haven't been here in a long time. Your post is the first I have read in months. I have been dealing with a lot of other issues. First let me say your post hit home with me. I have to get my head out of my ass.. but, not with the band issues but other issues in my life. You have done so awesome and you are right the band was and is a tool. You will do just fine without it. With your great attitude you will be just fine, I don't think anyone needs to worry bout you!!! Stay as cool as you are!!

Happy birthday to you!!!!!!! ENJOY