annanyc

It makes total sense, except that my port's on my left side. So it doesn't seem like it'd be related... but it didn't start until I had the surgery. Thanks so much for the reply though!

I was banded about two months ago, but haven't had any fills yet. I'm waiting until January to start on that for insurance purposes. I don't currently feel restriction. But 2 or 3 times, I have PBed when I eat bread products too quickly. This hasn't been full vomiting or particularly dramatic. I have definitely eaten meals that are too large on occasion though. But no adverse consequences when I do. Again- I don't feel any sort of restriction volume-wise. For the last month I've had on-and-off but fairly regular pain on my right side. It's almost like the cramp you get when you run. It will last for several hours at a time, in kind of an annoying background, I'm aware of it, but it's not super painful kind of way. It gets worse when I move, it also seems worse when I'm digesting. It's not super sharp, and the fact that it's lasted so long makes me think it's unlikely to be anything appendix related. I also haven't had rapid weight loss. I've lost 12 pounds since banded Sept 20th, which I think makes gallstones less likely. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It's not getting worse or better. And I know it's on the opposite side of the stomach from the band, but I've never had stomach problems of any kind before, so I'm thinking it's probably related. Just wondering if this is common.

Hey, I'm six days out of surgery. I just noticed a disconcerting numb spot on my stomach. It's fairly large- almost fist size, and it's below my port incision site, where no other incisions are. Anyone experienced this? Know what causes it or whether it is likely to go away? Thanks in advance.

this was day 5 for me. overall, i feel great. very little pain of any kind. occasionally there's a little discomfort/gas pain. i feel like i want to burp or hiccup but can't. actually, my biggest annoyance is that i'm really, really hungry. yesterday was my first day on all liquids, and i had a smoothie. today, i've had at least 800 calories of juice/smoothies/soup and stillllll hungry. guess i'll be making that first fill appointment asap. also, i'm retaining water and i've actually gained about 5 lbs since surgery. i don't feel backed up or anything. but i wasn't on any pre-op diet, so i was ingesting plenty of calories right up till surgery, but it's been 6 days since i've had a bm. sorry if tmi. i'll probably roll out the milk of magnesia if nothing changes by tomorrow.

I guess I have to respectfully disagree. I see the advantage of both positive and negative information. But I believe the quality of the reviews speak for themselves. I give about as much credence to unsupported positive reviews as negative ones. And to be honest? Lap band really has been a terrible choice for some people. It's good for me to hear about these stories so that I can think about the way I live, my risk factors, and make a judgment about likely I am to suffer a similar fate. Something that's a little related... has anyone noticed that bariatric surgeons, in general, seem a little less candid and neutral than a lot of other doctors? I spoke with five different doctors in considering gastric procedures, and all of them were frankly, a little too optimistic. Not one told me I should reconsider surgery or highlighted any possible complications or negatives unless I directly asked about them first. And even then, they glossed over them, dismissing them fairly quickly, often intimating that they were the result of patient non-compliance or true flukes. They weren't as able to give me dispassionate clinical statistics regarding how many of their patients had kept off a significant amount of weight for five years, how many needed revisions, etc. I guess they're selling the dream. The before and after pic. But again, I feel like many bariatric surgeons walk too fine a line between plastic surgeons and other surgeons who offer mainly non-elective procedures and have no problems discussing potential risks in a very candid and thorough way. I probably wouldn't have done lap band if it wasn't for these forums, and the ability to do my own, independent medical research so that I felt like I knew what I was getting, warts and all.

you can also make your own shakes. i normally like putting in whatever fruits sound good, and you bulk it up. i'm vegan, but if you're not you can just put in some egg whites. i use soy or silken tofu (silken tofu makes a great shake- especially with berries). sometimes i'll use almond milk though the Protein count isn't as high. you could of course use regular milk. finally i also add Peanut Butter and/or avocado depending on hunger levels. that way you avoid the chalky taste, and can customize it to your tastes, sweetness wise.

Hey, I'll type more tomorrow- I'm pooped,, and my vision's slightly blurry from the muscle relaxant- but I had my surgery today! I went under around 1pm, left the hospital around 7, feeling great). The first thing I remember saying to the surgeon was "I can't believe I actually did this. I was sure I was going to end up backing out at some point." I remember him saying that that's the most common thing he hears after patients are out of ga Anyway, feeling great about the decision, though there were a few points in the process that I'll go into more in a surgery day write up. Good luck to everyone out there- and that your surgery recovery is at least as easy as mine has been so far It really is so much better once it's done.

Interesting. Would you mind expounding on this? It's the first time I've heard of biochemical changes caused by the band. It's definitely something I hope for. I have no problems keeping active and I eat fairly healthy relatively (vegan, but definitely too many processed foods). There are times though when I just physically feel like it's impossible to eat enough. Not sure what that has to do with. Chemistry, emotions, huge stretchy cavernous stomach chasm- probably a nice mix of all three I only expected the band to address the last one.

My surgery is Wednesday. I think I've been in denial. Haven't wanted to think about things at all lately, and so much to do. Exciting. But also terrifying. Wish me luck. Luck and calmness. I'm doin' just fine, but I am on the edge of freaking out just a little. I've never had surgery before. It's a big deal. (But welcome, good, etc. etc.) Just... eep. Eeep and Calm.

I know this may vary from person to person. But I was wondering about the people who lose a lot of weight without any fills- a few people it seems don't even need a fill for years. Is this primarily just because of diet? Or does the average person feel some restriction just from the band being in place without any fills?

and if so, any problems getting coverage for revisions/removals? i assume if blocked under pre-existing condition, this should not be a factor once obamacare kicks in? thoughts?

Such a bad taste in my mouth. Looks like he was featured in Newsweek "Showcase" which is exactly what I was afraid of- a paid advertisement made to look like an unbiased article. If you go to www.newsweekshowcase.com it expressly says "It does not constitute an endorsement by Newsweek and no endorsement is implied." Contrast that with the following OCC video, which not only shows a Newsweek magazine, but talks about how Newsweek chose to honor them and, apparently surprised, he called them and said "Don't you know we're in Mexico? Are you sure we still qualify?" Pretty sure money's money, pal. And paid advertising doesn't usually discriminate on the nationality of your bank account. Ugh. Now I feel like everything's suspect. Super shady, no? There's got to be a real difference in laws. In the US, that video is easily false advertising. It's not even on the borderline shady gray area. It's way deceptive.

So on his website Dr. Ariel Ortiz claims to have been named one of the top 15 bariatric surgeons in the US in Newsweek. But there's no link to the article. I've been to the Newsweek site to search and Googled the claim, but while I can find other doctors who also claim to have been in this "bariatric surgeon showcase", I can't find any evidence of the actual 2011 article. Newsweek searches go back as far as at least 2008. A search of "bariatric surgery" brings up plenty of other articles. Not to be cynical, but my suspicion is this was maybe an info-tisement, where 15 doctors got together and brought some ad space hawking their skills as opposed to third party, independent recognition. Anyone have any more luck tracking down this accolade? Or another plausible explanation?

Thanks Denise. Super helpful!

I'm comfortable with my choice, though it wasn't an easy one for me to make. The way I see it is there are no physiological reasons that the band isn't appropriate for me. It isn't a higher risk surgery at my BMI, there aren't increased complications, and in fact, the limited research that's out there suggests I may be slightly more likely to have long-term success with the band than someone with a higher BMI. FDA has approved use of the band on BMIs of over 30, and there are at least 10 countries with first world medical practices who have approved the use at lower BMIs (generally 25-28). If for some reason it doesn't work out, I can revise or remove just like anyone else. All our bodies and experiences are so different. There are people who need the band at a BMI of 35 because their bodies handle that weight more poorly- more health risks and comorbidities. Someone else who manages to live life fully and relatively healthfully at a BMI of 40 may not find the band appropriate for them. It's all about quality of life and it's not a completely objective assessment. My physical health is great. Part of that is genetics. Part of it is hard work. I mean, I ran a half marathon every month last year. I'm vegan. I try really, really hard to be healthy, even if I fail in certain key ways. But that's not the whole story. I'm uncomfortable in my own skin. I struggle to perform as well as an athlete as I want, I suffer very real professional discrimination, and my self-confidence is directly tied to the size of outfit I pull from my closet, which might as well be a store, since it offers range in clothes from size 2 to size 14. And maybe other people would be able to live life more fully than I do at this weight. But again, we all have different bodies, different brains, and subjective experiences. I'm not happy. I've been not happy for long enough. I've diligently tried to live a healthy, fit life, but I need some help. Hello, lap band. I know this explanation is a little all over the place. And it may not be persuasive to you. I am happy to answer any questions or discuss further, cause it helps me think about things more fully as well. But I'm not really looking to convince anyone else- I don't really feel like I need approval. I know someone could easily arrive at a different decision with the same facts. But what's important to me is that I'm comfortable with my choice. And I am. I'm just trying to explain why