ABLOND

Dear Brian, I am so sorry to hear of your problems. My husband has been overweight since he was a baby. For 10 years my husband and I attended seminars, studying, reading, contemplating. We waited until the sleeve because he was terrified of the consequences of this major surgery, and I sure didn't push him. He still had that look of terror at our last pre-op visit, and the doctor said you should be scared. You have morbid obesity. Anything can happen. Please try to find the positives and seek advice. There are false teeth worn by many. We all suffer the bowel problems, either diarrhea or Constipation, my husband still has sleep apnea post surgery, his blood sugar is stable (like yours as you say) at 110-120 after many years of it averaging 300-400 morning and night, and many ER trips unconscious by Rescue with 40 blood sugars at 3 am. At 66, he is alive, and doing good, 1 month post op. I am going to pray for you, and as for your mental health, please find someone to talk to and help you with this. When you get that help, I believe you can emotionally and confidently deal with the other problems. I will deal with any problems so long as my husband is living, and I know you have loved ones who feel the same about you. God's Grace, and my best to you. I was sleeved also, and no longer on Metformin, and breathing better with my asthma.

Hope someone from the UK is monitoring this thread so they can cast some light on how this works in your part of the world? Here(U.S.), it's either patient pays, insurance paid or aftercare is all part of the package.
You definitely need a new doctor? You're in the right forum, but the topic headline and initial comments were confusing. Sorry. So, here's what I suggest: Start a new thread in the Lapband support forum. Just click on this link:
http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/16-general-lap-band-support/ and start a new topic. Maybe the headline should be: Need UK Help Please? The headline may grab someone's attention who may understand your situation better?
All of us here can walk you through how to make this work for you but the aftercare costs and who pays may be beyond our expertise? Hang in there, you can still make this work.
tmf

All I read was a rant? What kind of help do you want? You said you were having it removed? Why not keep it and make it work?

@@Galaxy Sorry you had a bad experience right from the beginning.
Any surgery should have a lot of research and questions asked prior to going through it, in my opinion. From your description you didn't meet the surgeon until you were being wheeled in for surgery--that is unfortunate especially since that is the person that should have been answering all of your question and concerns.
As far as scarring goes, I would think any surgery would leave some type of scar. Laproscopic procedures tend to leave much smaller and not as noticeable scars.
As far as not having the right procedure in regards to WLS…different surgeons will consider/recommend different procedures for the same exact person.
I was a food grazer….I didn't even know what hungry felt like anymore until I started on my pre-op diet.
Any WLS can be a success if the patient puts the work into it. I work hard and listen to my hunger signs more now. Do I still graze all day, no --my band and plication have helped to curb those habits. Do I still eat treats now and again, yes…even when I may not be hungry. I watch the # of calories going in and the # of calories I expend. I walk and walk and walk some more!!!
This surgery (lap-band) has been a success for so many people on here…people who are grazers, emotional eaters, high BMI'ers…all sorts of shapes and sizes with all sorts of emotional, personal, and health issues…it can be done….but work MUST be put into it.
This surgery has been a tool for me…and one that I work day in and day out and it IS working.
Wishing you luck and hope you find the peace you are looking for.

I don't think anyone is trying to ridicule here. You just offered such patch info we are all trying to figure this out. I get this:
-surg 2 years ago
-promised no scar
-came out with large dressing
-no Fluid in band
-unhappy
I think you would need to provide more info so we can figure this out.

Welcome!!!

I think everyone trying to get to the green zone wishes doc's would do more fills... but once you experience being really stuck, you'll appreciate why they go forward with fills slowly rather than aggressively.

Hello all!! I have been a member of this site since April of 2012, when I got banded. I just popped in here this weekend for support but felt the need to really introduce myself Some of this is a repeat so please bare with me as I'm now on a computer and not a phone (I was on the road for 3 days) Prior to being banded, I spent about 2 years debating on the procedure with one year doing counseling and dieting while getting prepared - I lost 20 pounds in the time prior to the actual surgery. My surgery went good, and only few people knew I got it done. My Mom & Sister were my big supporters and my Dad still has no idea what I did. (He believes that God gave us our body and we should NOT tinker with things like this or you are considered "weak")
I am stubborn by nature, a bit hard headed too But I got the surgery done and followed my plan for about 2 months. I lost 40 pounds and since then, have gained a lot of self confidence - but still have more work to do. I will admit, that I botched my surgery even after building up so much "power" to BELIEVE I would not fall off my plan. Well, I was laid off of work right after my surgery, like a day later. I'm a single parent and have also battled sever depression all of my life...only having it get worse after my surgery.
I have maintained my weight loss, continue to exercise and watch what I eat. I come here to be more of a lesson to others. FOLLOW THE PLAN!!! For the most part, I have beat myself up endlessly. I blame no one but myself for NOT sticking to my plan - NOBODY. I will also admit that I have been embarrassed about it but, I am working through that. I did not go to support classes because I was so focused on finding WORK, plus I didn't want to go back to the hospital that just laid me off . So basically, I got my band....and proceeded to move on in life as best I could. I was facing foreclosure on my house...trying to keep my son stress free...and keep myself on an even level while being without a job.
Last year, I received TMI therapy...basically got my brain "shocked" to help cure my depression and by the Grace of God...it has helped me tremendously!! I no longer consider myself a depressed person (yay!!!) so now I am really back to focusing on my physical health.
In the past 2 years, I went from starting out strong to falling off the wagon quickly. I ate and drank the same things I always had, thinking "If I puke like they say I will, then I'll never do it again!!" Well...everything went down fine, with no issues. I have visited my surgeon one time since the surgery to get one fill done. My surgeon is not too fond of me because I was not able to pay my bill and it went into collections. Being wildly embarrassed by that alone, I just didn't even think too much about the band because it's hard to face someone who isn't fond of you, who you couldn't pay (although I have made monthly payments consistently since I did find work 6 months after my surgery.)
I have continued to go to my regular doctor who has been a great help. My blood levels are great, and I am no longer diabetic! WOO HOO!! I also no longer have high blood pressure. But about 9 months or so ago, I began to have problems. I would eat and then the bites I would take, felt like they were getting "stuck" but at the time, I attributed it to heart burn and told myself to chill out on the crap food. A few months went by and I was fine - kind of off and on again. I went to my regular doctor to monitor me and she thought perhaps it injured my esophagus (she knows I got banded). I then found a HUGE lump in my stomach and got a scan of that and was told it was just a fatty "mass" but not life threatening. Then this past 2 months or so, things got worse. Now, if I do not chew my food and swallow too soon...it feels like I'm swallowing a golf ball! The pain stops me in my tracks and I just pray that it goes down and I could literally feel it pass through when it did. However, over the weekend (and this began last week) I actually started to vomit. Over the weekend, I realized that instead of sitting at the table wishing food would go down (with a look of "oh crap" on my face and people wondering what is wrong...), I have learned that I can just go to the bathroom, lean over and heave and poof, up comes the bite that was not going down. Yeah...that's not good.
I decided a couple of weeks ago that perhaps the band is now working as it should...? And I know it sounds so stupid but, I figured the band is now ticked off and showing me a lesson. So back to soft foods I went OR chewing the bejesus out of food until it's MUSH and taking teeny bites, and it will go down. I won't lie, a part of me also felt that if anything, I would lose more weight this way. But now, since I am vomiting at times, I came here for support because again, I have not been in contact with my surgeon - or ANYONE who has been banded!! I wanted to get others' idea on things and everyone has been GREAT (except for one person) but the advice I got was enough to get my behind on the phone and stop being embarrassed and ask for help! I will go in this Wednesday the 21st to do a swallow test to see what is going on, and they will refer me to a new surgeon.
Many may ask why I waited so long to address this, well again, I know I am the one to blame for this, and it is quite embarrassing and I'm not one to want to get beat up over it because I can do that all by myself!! I got a new job and didn't want to take time off for doctor visits (and NO, I'm not making excuses...it just is what it is...) I was embarrassed that I fell off the wagon...embarrassed that I am not now "skinny" as I thought I would be (but still quite proud of what I've lost and kept off!) Through this ordeal, a best friend of mine committed suicide, another very close friend passed away from breast cancer, and I myself, am having to worry about a breast concern too (so is my Mom and we are both getting scans again in a couple of weeks), plus my Mom has been very very very ill but is now getting better. All of that in addition to other things not listed, really just took my mind off my band...until now when it has reached a level of being scared.
Thank you all for accepting me into this community!! If I can say ONE thing to those who are getting banded or have just gotten banded...please please PLEASE, stay on the plan that your surgeon gives you!! It really is not worth feeling like I feel (when I'm eating)!!! My family is a group of eaters. We Celebrate EVERYTHING with food. But you have to have a STRONG support system, and this is something I have now learned. So get the support, and be well all!!! *Smoochies*!!

I have had approximately 13 fills over the course of 16 months. I 'think' (HOPE!) I am finally in the green zone. (Noticing a real difference in this last fill...hoping it lasts). Anyway, my point is, while it can be frustrating not to get there immediately, I have to say because it took so long, I learned a lot along the way and have not had such a hard time with the rules of eating with the band. I have had over a year to adjust and I think that is a good thing. Since January of this year I was only losing a pound/pound and a half a month, But with this last fill I have dropped 3 lbs in 10 days. Be a patient. I am up to a little over 9 in a 14 cc band. Don't panic, relax and practice the rules of eating...you'll get there. And remember EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!

My Dr tells me there is no limit as to how many or how often I can get a fill. Banded Sept 30th, had my first fill Nov 1st and I've had at least 10 fills since then. Last week I had a fill and is at 10cc in my 10cc band. I'm having no restriction at all. I have in the past gotten a little restriction a week or two after I've had it. I'm so discouraged. How much more will they be able to put in my 10cc band.

My doctor has me waiting 8 weeks between fills. He is very slow. I wish it would have been every 4 weeks. The first few weeks are great and then the restriction becomes less and less but that is me everyone is different.

@@ABLOND I know I feel the same way...

I wonder how soon after your fill can you get another one, I had my first fill 5/2 and I am not having any restriction at all.

I feel it the first week then return back to feeling unrestricted. I find the band also requires willpower and learning to eat when hungry only.

My last fill was done during barium xray , all fine but told no restriction so half a ml was put in ontop of the amount already in , soft things and liquid normally ok , mornings things seem tighter so anything more than yoghurt or Protein Shake a no no , my throat feels sore but infection has been ruled out , is it a clue to being too tight despite it being done under xray conditions ?

Pain shouldn't be a part of the green zone. Hopefully this is just a reaction to the fill on Monday and passes soon?
Just curious, what makes you believe you're in the green zone? Satiety? Tightness? Inability to eat some foods or liquids? I just ask because some folks mistake a super tight band with the green zone and that's just not the case.

Great Job...and thanks for the walking video tip....I'm watching it now and think it's something I can do at work while on my lunch break...

The tip for me was the online walking videos...she said she worked two jobs and didn't have time to join a gym so she went to youtube and did the walking videos.....check them out they are pretty cool...

What's the tip??? Share share

I started running because I can't give up wine. So I run for Wine! LOL Seriously I started working out on my wii fit and go on tube and do walk away the pounds videos. I work two jobs so it's hard for me to go to the gym. So I found a system that works for me. Thank you so much for you comment.

Wow I can't believe it's been one year! I am so healthier now and I feel amazing! Enjoy my before and after pics.

Evidently "slider" food is not what I was thinking slider food was...lol

So I had my surgery December, 18th 2013. I have a 10 cc band and I have been into the doctor and have gotten 6 fills. I am currently only up to 3 cc in my band. now I guess that they are moving me to .33 fills which means ill have to go in 3 more times just to get up to 4 cc's in my band. I guess my point is that I am frustrated with how long I have been in the yellow zone. I was 387 at the beginning of my journey and now I am down to 332. I have lost weight and it has helped me not be as hungry. The worse thing I noticed is that I am hungry withen like an hour of me eating. What do you guys suggest I do to keep my mind off of being hungry all the time.

I had my 1st fill done 2 .75 cc in a 10cc band on April 2 nd , I have lost 4 pound sense that fill, I feel full for about 5 hours, this has been from the 1st few days after the fill, my N.P told me they like to wait 4 weeks to do a fill as that gives the stomach time to adjust, as many find around 3 weeks they feel the band restriction, well that was not my case at all and I am loving this, 20 pounds down in 6 weeks and 2 days... averages out close to 3 pounds a week!

I've had six small fills -- my surgeon goes fast but in small amounts. The last two took a while to "reveal" themselves (love that Paris Shel!). I'm not tight -- just right, I think. Band balks a little if I'm trying something it doesn't like, white meat chicken, for example, or ground meat I haven't cooked myself. I do everything with stock and cooked so there's no stringiness, etc. I could eat more but don't have to -- before I couldn't stop and say enough; now I can.