Tralynn222

11 minutes ago, Loriey said:

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my post. I appreciate all of your thoughts and advice.

I have decided to go with the MGB and I am booked for surgery on August 27th. I start my shakes tomorrow. I am so looking forward to this change. I have high hopes and high expectations on myself.

Once again, thank you for your help!

I don't think you'll be disappointed with your decision. I had the revision from the Band to MGB in Dec of last year and couldn't be happier. I had the band for 12 years and never lost any weight. Now, since having the MGB I've lost 83 lbs in 7 months. I always hated how the band felt when I ate, now I just feel full. It's not painful or aggravating like that band was. Good Luck to you!

I too am having issues like this. Every morning as soon as I have anything to eat or drink, it's straight to the bathroom for at least three to four visits. The gas is atrocious and very hard to control. I seriously hope it isn't like this the rest of my life.

Today is day 30 (postop) for me. I'm able to eat just about anything as long as I chew it up really well and wait at least 45 seconds between bites. I'm using patch Vitamins and I must say, they must be working because my nails have never been this strong.

I've lost 26 lbs and 20" overall. I've hit the dreaded stall and have been here for the past two weeks. The scale has not budged. I'm trying to keep the faith that it will begin moving again in the right direction.

I've been taking Tylenol for the headaches and it seems to work well.

Today is day 15 for me. I'm struggling with my energy level and I also feel like I either pulled a muscle in my ab or I have an incisional hernia. I get major pain when I engage that muscle. I'm praying it's just a strain.

I'm on soft solids and doing well. Trying to get in my Protein. To date I've lost 24 lbs but the scale hasn't moved in a few days. Hoping it's the three week stall everyone talks about.

On 1/4/2020 at 7:33 PM, Jenni L said:

My laparoscopic RYN surgery is scheduled for February and I’ve been thinking about what it will be like post surgery. I would love to hear your perspectives on the topics below:

Did you have a drainage tube or catheter in the hospital? - I did for two days and it was the worst part of the surgery. But once she took it out, immediate relief.

Did you have to go home with a drainage tube? - No

Were you able to sleep on your stomach when you came home? If no, how long was it until you could? - No. I'm 9 days post op and don't foresee being able to sleep on my stomach until the incisions are fully healed.

I’ve heard people recommend having a pillow for your stomach? Does that help if your surgery was laparoscopic? - I didn't need a pillow for my stomach, but I did use a heating pad for the gas pain in my shoulder. It worked great.

And last but not least...is there anything you wish you would have known about what you would experience after surgery. Not yet....I did a ton of research beforehand so I feel I was pretty prepared on what to expect.

I appreciate any feedback you can provide.

9 hours ago, KayLow42 said:

I am 2.5 weeks post RXH. i Had my first negative experience today. Last night I ate a piece of sharp white cheddar cheese. All was fine and no pouch issues. Went to sleep and woke up several times nauseous. Woke up this morning and all was fine. Drove into work eating a yogurt. About an hour after work I had the worst stomach pain and could not get off the toilet, although BM were solid. Had to come home from work to rest. I didn’t vomit or even feel like I would just horrid stomach ache and lots of BM’s. ALL OVER A PIECE OF CHEESE!!! Went back on Clear Liquids today and will try again tomorrow.

Sorry to hear! That sounds dreadful. If you don't mind me asking, what's RXH?

My doctor told me to take it for one month. 🤷‍♀️

Hello peeps,

I had my revision from Lap-Band to Mini-Gastric Bypass on Dec 29th in Mexico at Mexico Bariatric Center. Today I'm 9 days Post-op and I feel pretty good. Still on the Full liquid phase which is fine for me because I have zero hunger and have no desire to eat anything. Yesterday was the first day I actually had some dizziness and nausea after I showered but I think it's my body adjusting to my Vitamins. I'm using patch vitamins from PatchMD.

I went back to work yesterday (desk job) but only worked until noon due to the nausea. Took a zofran, slept all afternoon and when I woke up the nausea was gone. Today I feel much better.

4 hours ago, Mikeyy said:

Like people think we Australians live with crocodiles and kangaroos in the outback lol

Mikeyy, you mean you don't?? lol

I've had this PCP for years and she knows my struggle with weight loss. She knows that in order for me to lose the weight I need the surgery but she doesn't support my decision to have it in Mexico. She says that I need to have it here in the States where things are regulated and if I choose to still have it then she won't be my "go to" person if something happens and I need a doctor.

Does anyone have a similar experience? I could really use some advice.

I too am 4 yrs out and have had a similiar story to yours. I had to have a complete unfill in Oct 09'. Went through 2010 without any saline at all and gradually put back on 30 lbs. In Oct '10 I decided to put this "tool" back to work. At that time my doc gave me 4 cc's and I was able to eat anything I wanted but still watched what I ate and exercised. Today I went back for another fill and I had gained another five pounds since Oct. Talk about frustrating.

What I find for me (I'm 41) that during my TOM is when my band gets really tight. It could be the week before, the week during or even the week after, and sometimes all three. It's very unpredictable. Also, I think I'm pre-menopausal, so my hormones make it tight on a whim as well.

Now this may not be what's causing your tightness, but perhaps it is. It's just something to think about.

I highly recommend Dr. Erbella. He has been nothing but spectacular since I was banded. I have nothing negative to say about him and the people at his office.

I am just curious as to how many of you are experiencing something similiar. I believe that I'm pre-menopausal which is making my band so tight that somedays Water is hard to get down. I had to have my band completely unfilled back in January and my doc slowly put the saline back in. Before I was unfilled I had 7 cc's in a 14cc band but now I only have 5cc's and still I'm having more tight days than not. I'd really hate to go any lower in my band than that.

You're right, that is quite a PAIN!!! I would be really upset about that too!! When you when you went to the new surgeon, did your insurance accept the 6 months of supervised diet with Bagan's office?

Congrats on the 58 lbs though!

I do have a question for you, how long were you in pain after the surgery? I'm a week out and I'm still in a bit of pain, it's MUCH better than it was for sure, but there's still a bit of discomfort.

Hi,

Well, the 6 mos supervised diet wasn't with Dr. Bagan's office, it was with my PCP, so yes...they just took everything I had and submitted to my insurance to which they had NO problem getting paid for it.

Don't worry, you should start to feel better and better everyday. If you get gas pains, (which most do) make sure you get up and walk around. Also, GAS-X was my salvation in the beginning.

I had my surgery on Wednesday and was back to work the following Monday. I was a little weak when I returned but not a lot of pain or discomfort.

Thanks for the quick response! I don't know about the insurance issues because I am a self-pay. My insurance has a no weight loss coverage clause, so I didn't even try, but honestly, it's fine for me, because I didn't want to jump through the 6 months of hoops that the insurance companies make you go through.

Thanks again! Good luck to you as well! :thumbup:

Well, there you go. Had I been a self-pay, I too wouldn't have had any issues with them. But, even after I had the six month diet down and documented, Sandy still had me going through hoop after hoop trying to prove that my insurance would pay it, even after my insurance rep told them over the phone that no pre-authorization was even required. It took me a year and half, a lot of tears, and then she just got plain tired of my phone calls that she told me that she was throwing away my file and that they could no longer help me.

I met with Dr. Bunch the next day and he had me scheduled for surgery 10 days later. He told me that all my documentation was in order and that Dr. Bagan's office had no clue what they were doing. What an amazing feeling that was to finally be there. I'm one day away from my bandiversary, down 58 lbs but I can't help but be bitter that I would be two and half years down..yanno? Anyhow....stay strong, let me know if you have any questions, I would certainly be glad to help.

I'm curious what issues you had with Dr. Bagan's staff?

I had no issue with Dr. Bagan himself, I've never met the man so no worries there. As I stated, it was his staff, namely S*ndy. I'm not going to go into how highly inept they are (she is) when it comes to dealing with insurance, but a year ago, she had no clue. Perhaps now that it's been a year, she's learned a thing or two. I hope things went much better for you and glad to see that your surgery was a success. Good Luck!!

Hey Everyone! I'm still here "lurking" around. I've been struggling with losing so slowly but averaging about a pound a week, which my doc is happy with (wish I was) so I just keep plugging along.

Congrats to everyone's successes so far!

Hey there. I was banded back in Nov and to date have only lost 29lbs. I know that it's 29lbs that are gone forever, but it's hard to see other people that have been banded at the same time as me have lost double so far.

I kept waiting for restriction to come before I even started to eat right and exercise, so I know that it's my fault. Since I finally reached my "sweet spot" I have definitely been losing but not as fast as I'd like (of course). I just lurk around these boards for support and tell myself that inch by inch, it'll come off, if I continue to work hard and use this band in the manner in which it was designed.

My doctor and his team have been so supportive and non-judgemental since I began this journey. He keeps telling me it'll happen and slowly I'm starting to believe him. :smile2:

Thanks for the reply. I will call them on Monday, and also asked my doctor in Italy to call. I think they may have trained with him. If so, maybe they will be more open to taking me on. Do you know how much they charge for a fill and do they do the fluroscopy each time as well.

Thanks for you help,

Island Girl

Islandgirl:

I don't know how much they charge for a fill because my insurance covers them. They charge my ins $180 per fill but it may be different for paying customers. They do the fill in office - no fluoroscopy. If the port is hard to locate they use an ultrasound to mark the spot.

FYI - I had the surgery on a Wed and was back to work the following Monday. :wink2:

I have no idea if they would do fills on someone who lives out of the country. You would have to call them and find out. Sorry...and good luck!!

Hey there! I live in North Port, FL. I was banded by Dr. Gary Bunch & Dr. Erbella at the Bradenton Surgical Group. I HIGHLY recommend them.

I had issues with Dr. Bagan's office staff which is why I switched to BSG. I would suggest talking with Kris with BSG regarding your insurance. Why pay for the surgery if you can get it covered?

If you have any questions, please let me know!!

Anyone use them or going to use them? I love Dr Bunch & his assistant Kris. I would love to know if you went to them, how did it go? Any info you can give me would be great. My date is 4/11/08 so its getting close!

Hey Lynne!! I was banded by Dr. Bunch and I love the whole crew over there. Dr. Erbella does my fills and he is the best!

By now you should be banded...would love to know how it all went for you.

Becky,

You are my new hero!! Thanks for the huge inspiration. I will think of you often when I feel I can't do this.... now I know that I CAN!!

I'm living proof that even people that start out needing to lose a massive amount of weight can and will do it! My goal was 300 pounds by my 3rd bandiversary but I'm just a bit shy of that goal. When I first started considering the Lap Band, I had some people tell me I was too fat for it work...well, I can be a bit stubborn so my attitude was...stand back and just watch me! Hang in there and yes, it most certainly can be done!

Wow Becky that is so awesome! As an inspiration to so many of us, could you share a little bit about your success? Aside from using the band as a tool, it is still hard work losing that much weight, I'd love to hear your story.