isabelle290

I hope everything works out. Please call your doctor!

Hello, My lapband is three years old and since I was banded in Mexico, I haven't had access to "proper" aftercare. I haven't had restriction in about two years. The fill doctor said I had a leak and so I just gave up. She knew this because once they filled me, it would all be gone in about a week. I started having strange pains in my stomach two weeks ago and after an ER trip, was told that I have a broken lap band tube. Thankfully I now have bariatric coverage (with a HIGH co-pay) but at least it is coverage. My new doctor prefers to do the sleeve but he will fix the band if that's what I want. Any one else have their band revised after a broken tube or have opinions for me on what to do??? Thanks!

Sorry this is happening to you. I am having a revision surgery because my tubing is broken off. I had my surgery in Mexico and since I now have bariatric coverage, I can fix it at home. I am still debating between the band and the sleeve. My doctor says the sleeve is the way to go. He said once you have one complication, there is an 85% chance anther problem will occur. It's no fun having a broken band! I am just thankful I found a surgeon to fix my problem.

Yea! I have a Realize Band too. I've been doing great with mine! Good luck to you. Keep up with the forum. It will keep you motivated when things get difficult on the liquid/ mushie stage. We are all your support! Let us know if you have questions::thumbup:

I agree 100 % about Cosmos. I used Fill Centers at first and most of their patients are from Mexico. Dr. Ortiz did start the group. You can read about it on the website. In fact, that is why Fill Centers are spreading around the country- from Mexican patients. They didn't say one bad thing to me about going to Mexico at all. Not on the phone or at the doctors office. What a LIE! I don't know what his personal agenda is against Mexico. You would think he would have better things to do with his Harvard degree and all.

I had a jerk Anesthesiologist when I had my second daughter. He asked me how much I weighed and when I told him, he said good lord, 280! Then when he was giving me my epidural, he made another comment about my weight. My husband said he wanted to knock him out. I try not to think about it, but sometimes I just think why did this jerk had to put this terrible memory in my head when I was giving birth? Like I don't have enough bad memories involving my weight already! I don't know why some doctors have to be like that!

Hi everyone, I was just curious how many other bansters started their weight struggles as a child like I did. :biggrin:

It is very normal for this to happen. I started walking a couple weeks after surgery and found that got the weight loss started. Hang in there! Your fills are coming and that is what really gives you the tool to lose the weight.:thumbup:

I drank some Cherry Coke. Not a good idea- I am burping like crazy! I just haven't had a Coke in so long. It tasted so good at the time.

Yes, these bands really do have a mind of their own!!!

My advice if you are a self pay, try to find a fill doctor that can your fills under flouro. That way, you get the correct amount of fill and don't have to have as many done. Plus, the chance of your band being damaged during a fill is virtually impossible because they can see everything.

I went through some crazy emotions too right after surgery. I think a lot of it is hormonal. Then I also think that we were so used to eating to cover up/ deal with emotions that it is hard to face how we really feel. Instead of eating, you have to cope with everything in your life. It is a hard thing to do. It does get better with time, so hang in there!

Of course the decision is up to you, but here is my take on this: What made you get to the point of scheduling surgery? More than likely you are like me. I could lose weight, but always put in back on. The band is a tool that allows you to keep the weight off. If you could do it on your own, I doubt you would have gone as far to set up a surgery date. The majority of patients do not have complications. They are very successful and happy with their bands. I love my band and know it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. Do you want to risk being overweight the rest of your life? Or do you want to move on to losing weight and starting a new life. Believe me, you feel GREAT when the weight comes off both physically and emotionally. Think really hard about what you want before you cancel!

There are several reasons why I had lap band surgery: I have been huge since first grade. I have tried hundreds of diets that all failed. I knew that if I didn't do something, I would get up to 300 pounds. (I weighed 290 on my surgery date). This was the real kicker: I was shopping for an outfit for my neice's birthday (she is a size 6). The sales lady came over to me and said, "Honey, let me show you were the bigger sizes are." I was mortified! I couldn't even get out the words to say that I was shopping for my niece. I just left the store and drove away crying. That day, I decided to be a self pay (my insurance kept denying my band). Best decision I ever made!

Thanks for all of the replies. I started gaining weight in first grade when my parents got divorced. I remember being so large that I couldn't fit in the little desks. One time I got stuck and when I tried to get out, the enitre desk flipped over. The entire class laughed and I was mortified. I am trying to do EVERYTHING I can to keep my daughters from going through what I went through. It helps to hear others stories.

Good Luck! You will be so happy you are doing this for yourself! Congrats-:thumbup:

I agree! It is getting old Cosmos! And anyway- Dr. Arturo Rodriguez is not a bad surgeon! I know a co-workers he has banded that is doing great. I am doing extemely well with losing weight with my band. All the people I met when I had my surgery are doing well all with no complications, as I keep in touch with them. He even baned my mom's best friend and she has lost 100 pounds! Look on the forum and you will see US surgeons that have had lots go wrong. Dr. A. Rodriguez also takes on patients that other doctors refuse. He has banded people who weigh over 500 pounds and people who have had their stomachs stapled and they now want a band. Those patients are at risk for more complications and they know that going into surgery. He shouldn't be slammed for trying to help people and give them a better life. I am absolutely NOT a patient coordinator like COSMOS claims. I am just a normal person, who was denied 3 times by my insurance for a band. I went to Dr. Rod on reference from my co-worker and my mom's friend who used him. My experience was WONDERFUL and I was taken care of in Mexico. My band is changing my life for the better and I LOVE IT!

There are so many great doctors in Mexico! Just research this forum and you will see many people who have had lots of success with their doctors.

PS- I know Cosmos isn't telling the truth because Dr. Rod will fix any complications the first year for no charge. You just have to pay a small fee for use of the hospital room. If he can fix it in his office, he doesn't charge anything.

Maybe Cosmos is a Realize band promoter in the U.S. Dr. Arturo Rodriguez only uses Realize bands and now that they are approved in the US, maybe he wants to shoot down any competition. Just a thought to all of his bizarre posts!:cry_smile:

I've seen ads in Houston for Dr. Spivak 11,400.

Cosmos, We are not attacking you because you are new. There are just some questions we have about your post. In one post, you say you had your surgery, got pneumonia, and then had to wait 6 months to get fills. Then, in another post, you say you only had your lapband 3 months and then had to have it removed due to faulty installation. Then, again in another post, you say that you went to Monterrey serveral times, when on your price list, you just list two trips to Mexico. This is your story, so you would think you could get it straight.

Cosmos, I disagree with you about Dr. Arturo Rodriguez letting you die. If that were to happen, his reputation would be ruined and no one would go back to him. I thought he was a very good doctor and NO I am not a patient coordinator trying to get him patients. I support ANY good doctor in Mexico. I think the doctors in the US are money hungry. I feel in Mexico, the doctors are giving people a chance to have a band that they wouldn't have otherwise. People in the states also have things go wrong with their bands and they have to pay to get them resolved, so it can happen anywhere. My life was changed by my band and I would go back to Monterrey in a heartbeat. I have had three children and the hospital in Mexico where I had my surgery was WAY better than any hospital in the states. I also have met hundreds of people at the reunions Dr. Rod has that he has successfully helped get their lives back. If Dr. Rod only cared about money, why does he take the time to have reunions?

I watch the Biggest Loser every week and I am hoping a girl can win this time. The crying is a little much- I AGREE! Did you know that the reason they contestants must take off their shirts before weighing in is to prove they haven't had weight loss surgery. (I guess everyone would see the scars if they had). Just something I heard on a the radio. Apparently on the Biggest Loser in anther country, one of the contestants had a lap band put in and tried to "cheat" as they said on the show. I don't know about you guys, but having a lap band still requires hard work to lose weight! Why do people think it is cheating? :smile2:

NSV means non scale victory. The scale may not go down, however your clothes fit better or some measure themselves and see how many inches they have lost. Good luck with your band!!!:smile2: