Sunta

Hi,

I totally relate to everything you're saying. I'm not banded yet and I am very scared. I am wary of having a foreign object in my body too and am very frightened about having to take tiny bites because I wolf my food down and take enormous bites. I'm afraid of a million things. Also, I am nearly 100% healthy with no major co-existing health issues, so for me, I keep thinking I'm going to mess up a really healthy (though fat) body and what a tradgedy that would be. But, on the flip side, I come to this board and I look at the before and after pictures. I read the poll that has 0% of people saying they would not do it again and over 80% of people saying they are thrilled with their decision to get the band. These things give me tremendous inspiration. I think about buying clothes in a regular store, fitting into an airplane or a movie theater seat comfortably, being able to climb stairs without being winded, being able to go on vacation and walk around without my feet hurting so bad I feel crippled. All of these things make it worth the calculated and well-researched risk to me. This board is great and you will find alot of things to inspire and inform you here.

If you hadn't said anything I would never have noticed anything wrong at all. In fact, I think you look fabulous! Very pretty. Great job on the weight loss!

You know, reading your further posts is making me even more upset and appalled! (Not at you; at the system!!!) I am floored about this. It's really making me think about my own phsych eval which will be coming up soon (I've already done the cardiologist, the pulmonologist, and the endoscopy. The endoscopy had bad results, with diagnosis of a hiatal hernia and some weird stomach bacteria that causes ulcers, so I am already very unhappy about the fact I have to be on antibiotics for two weeks to get rid of it!).

I am very worried that maybe I too will be denied. I have been depressed in the past, although I'm not now, and am currently on Wellbutrin. I have also had anxiety disorder and obsessive worry in the past. Through medication I am much, much, much better to the point where I would consider myself a happy person. I wonder though if my past will count against me like what if they say "well you have a history of depression and anxiety so it could happen again." What is wrong with these people?

Everyone I know has depression and/or anxiety or has had it in the past!!! It's just part of being human. I am so angry about the fact of how backwards and rediculous it is to be denied a life saving surgery because of depression. And a surgery that could make depression alot better, no less! Sometimes I really wonder what is wrong with our medical system, and with people. It's really scary.

Finally, I wanted to suggest holistic therapy for your depression. Maybe more natural medicines would work better for you. Also, accupuncture works wonders for many if you're willing to persue alternative methods of healing.

Again, I don't think you should give up. I know what you mean about feeling tired and not having the energy for it, but think about the wonderful ways in which your life would change if you get the surgery and let that be your motivator. There is a doctor out there that will do your surgery, I just know it. Maybe one that doesn't require a phsych eval?

Good luck!

Hi,

I was on Zoloft for situational depression resulting from a medical issue that the doctors couldn't figure out which was causing a tremendous amount of physical pain. While I was on it, I felt absolutely mentally wonderful. The sky was more blue, the birds sang more clearly, any and all obsessive worry or anxiety was totally gone. Even my physical pain was better. The big drawback? I gained 45 pounds in three months! I have to be honest, it's one of the reasons I am now considering getting the band, because I never could get the weight off again once I quit Zoloft. It doesn't make everyone gain weight though; it just depends on individual body chemistry. I am currently on Wellbutrin, which does not cause weight gain and which works on your brain chemistry differently than an SSRI. I like it alot, but then again, I can't tell if I feel happy because of the Wellbutrin or because I finally found a doctor who correctly diagnosed and treated my medical issue LOL. Both SSRI's and Wellbutrin have value in my opinion. The only one I would warn against is Effexor, which causes horrible, horrible withdrawl symptoms according to research I did online and anecdotal evidence from a few friends. Best of luck to you!

What?! I can't believe that! That therapist needs a therapist! Maybe weight contributes to depression??? Maybe if you lost weight it would lessen your depression?!?!? I am shocked and appalled! That is truly an outrage. Who is she to judge that you couldn't succeed? It seem rather difficult to fail on the band unless one would purposely try to drink tons of milkshakes and eat tons of chocolate on purpose! That lady is a screwball in my opinion. Please don't give up! Try to find a different physician or try to appeal the decision. That is absolutely rediculous!

I am so sorry to hear of your erosion. I have been an avid fan of your posts, which have really helped to inform me about the ups and downs of the band. I will continue to follow your progress. You seem like a very strong person who can get through this. Are you planning on getting another band down the road?

Hi, My surgeon requires tons of pre-testing before getting the band. One of these tests, the endoscopy, revealed a hiatal hernia. He said he would fix it during the band surgery and it would be fine. But, he also did a stomach biopsy and today I got a letter in the mail stating that I have helicobacter pylori which is a bacteria that can cause ulcers. He wants me to go on two weeks of antibiotics to eliminate this bacteria and enclosed a prescription with the letter. Here is my problem: I just finished a course of antibiotics for a sinus infection, and I have chronic yeast infections. In fact, I am on an anti-yeast protocal for six months of Diflucan to try and eliminate my chronic yeast. Last week, I saw my yeast doctor and he took a culture. His office called me three times earlier in the week and I have been trying to get back in touch with them to no avail. I am assuming they are going to tell me that they found some non-albicans strain on my culture (due to the course of antibiotics I took; Diflucan kills Candida Albicans but leaves the body vulnerable to other strains of candida and antibiotics greatly increases incidences of non-albicans infections) and that I have to go on yet another anti-fungal to combat whatever strain they found. If I take this two-week course of antibiotics to elimate the ulcer-causing bacteria, I know for 100% certain that I will greatly grow the non-candida strain and get a really bad infection. Since both of doctors offices are closed for an entire week, and my yeast doctor never called back, I am freaking out. I really don't want to go on this antibiotic, period. Does anyone know what would happen if I just never did go on the antibiotic? I don't have ulcers now so why do I have to go on an antibiotic to eliminate the bacteria? And also, it's so annoying how doctors don't communicate with each other. In fact, on the letter they sent me (which also contains a prescription for the antibiotics) it said "please check with your primary care physician or pharmacist to make sure this medication is ok to take with your other medications" (!!!) doesn't that seem like something THEY should know??? And, doesn't it seem that since they already know I am on six months of Diflucan for chronic yeast infections, that prescribing a two-week course of antibiotics would be a problem??? And I can't get through to either office. It's soooo frustraing... Any advice?

I don't believe in digital scales at all. I find much, much better results on the old fashioned kind. I have a digital scale from Weight Watchers and that thing is totally unreliable. It can give a seven-pound variation from one minute to the next! On the other hand, my old fashioned scale is always, always the same unless I've lost or gained. If I step on it and shows a loss, I can step on it again and again and it will show the same number, until the next time I gain or lose. Throw out the digital scale and get an old fashioned one!

Hi,

So, before I made the decision to go with Christiana Hospital in Delaware for my surgery, I had checked out Barix clinics and asked them to send me a packet. I received the packet and a few phone calls from their "patient coordinator" who seemed alot more like a saleperson than a medical professional. She kept calling me at work asking me to sign up for their free informational seminar. I did sign up but then didn't go, and she called me asking me why. I told her that I was busy and would call her back IF I was interested. After that I researched the one surgeon who would have been doing my LAP Band surgery there and found out some lawsuits have been filed against him for alleged "botched" gastric bypasses. That information really turned me off and I decided to go with the other place I was reasearching, which is Christiana Hospital. Well, today I receive yet another phone call from this woman from Barix asking me yet again was I going to sign up for their seminar. So finally I told her I had decided to go in a different direction. She paused for quite a few seconds and seemed really taken aback, and then said in a very cool tone "Oh really? What direction is that?" I said I'd decided on another facility. She asked me why I had made that decision and I told her I had found some things online about the surgeon at Barix that I found unflattering regarding lawsuits. She snapped "First of all, that's not true. Second of all, we have three surgeons here. And third of all, we have a much, much, much lower mortality rate than the hospital you chose. But... good luck!" CLICK. She hung up on me!

I was shocked and taken aback to say the least. It really sounded like she was saying they have a "high" death rate. So of course I'm freaking out about that. Does anyone know a reliable way to find out a surgeon's track record?

I think she was very unprofessional, but what if she's right? It really threw me for a loop! I can't decide if she was just trying a last ditch "hard sell" (like a used car salesperson!) or if she's on to something! Ugh! Now I'm obsessing...

Delarla, thank you for your candor. Can you tell about the person who had the colostomy bag? What exactly happened? Is there a thread that tells what happened I could look at? I am at the last stage of getting surgical approval having seen the cardiologist, pulminologist, and having a endoscopy. I just have to sign up for nutrition classes and then I will be getting a surgery date. Needless to say, I am very very nevous. I am 100% healthy in every other way except that I'm overweight. My heart is "perfect" according to the cardiologist, I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, joint pain, or any of the accompanying problems that can happen from being overweight. I would hate to think I would go in totally healthy and then come out having really messed myself up.

Hi,

I was just reading your post and thinking maybe you should try upping your calories for a while, then cutting down again. Upping your calories alot will jolt your metabolism into action. I would try upping them to maybe 1,500 or so for like two days, then dropping down again. Milkshakes, ice cream, or even those weight gaining powders will do. It sounds like your metabolism is shut down and isn't burning anything. I remember that my doctor gave me this advice and it would work wonders. I would always lose when I would up my calories for just a day or two. In fact, he recommended a diet where you eat 1,000 for three days, 1,200 for two days, 1,800 for two days, then repeat the whole cylce. When I could stick to it it worked the best. Your metabolism needs a jolt. Also, have you tried sustained exercise where you get your heart rate up to your target range and then sustain that range for 30 minutes every day? I bet if you try regular intensive exercise and upping your calories for two days then drop back down, you will see that scale move.

Hi,

I just wanted to thank everyone for their honesty. I agree this thread has helped me alot. It's important to know all of the issues and to be well-informed. I come to the board every day and while I've only posted twice, reading the board has given me a great wealth of information. I too am thinking about the people in surgery and hoping all goes well. And believe it or not, I'm really looking forward to getting my band as soon as possible. I think with any procedure or anything we do in life, there is risk involved, but I still think that the benefits outweigh the risks a great deal. I look and see people who have lost so much weight and think "that will be me"! I remember that this board will have a much higher proportion of folks who have side-effects or problems; if they didn't, they probably wouldn't be here. I think that's true of any support board online. I remember when I had a medical problem and went to a support board, but as soon as my problem cleared up, I left the board because I just wasn't thinking about my problem any more. I guess I'm saying this mostly because I am waiting to get my band and rather than let this dissuade me, I see it as a way to be well-informed, and I hope other people waiting to get their band can see it the same way. Thanks again everyone for the sharing of information in an honest way.

Hi,

I am still pretty new here, have only posted twice. Anyway... I am not banded yet, but I have met with the surgeon and have set up both the cardiologist and the pulmonologist appointments. Well, today the surgeon called me and asked me at which of his facilities I want to have my surgery done, and I got this weird horrible feeling like "OMG! It might really happen! What am I thinking??? I can't do this!"

I'm mostly afraid, terrified actually, of having issues like horrible acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, PB'ing, not being able to stick the four week post-op liquid diet and thus messing somehing up, scared about my esophagus, not being able to eat foods like rice (I love sushi) and bread. Just alot of anxiety I guess. I am very suggestible and if I even start thinking about throat problems, then I immediately feel a lump in my throat. If I think about acid reflux, I feel a burning in my chest. I know, I should probably be on Zoloft for obsessibe worry, but then again, I gained 45 pounds when I was in it and that's why I had to quit! LOL.

Anyway, it would help alot if I could hear from some of you that yes, you have the band, and it does what it's supposed to do and you're not in constant discomfort all the time and if you didn't know you had it, and you weren't eating food, you wouldn't even know you had it, get my drift? I need reassurance that I will still feel like healthy, happy me, with no constant reminder that the band is there like acid reflux or difficulty swallowing. That if you're not eating, you can't feel it and don't think about it, you know?

I know there's no promise I won't have side effects, but if I could hear that it's possible, I would feel better. I want to be able to lie down in bed at night and just relax and be happy and not think about the band at all because I feel no physical symptoms from it. Does that make sense?

I know I'm neurotic but hearing from some of you who don't have any problems would help me out a lot.

Thanks!

Hi,

I am new to the board having just introduced myself in the introductions section, and I have been searching for information about the side effects involving the esophogus. I am having my first consultation with the surgeon this Thursday and have already completed a required seminar on the surgery. I am planning to get banded as soon as I am approved but don't know if my surgery will be this year or next as they seem to think it will take about three months from first consult to actual banding.

Anyway, my question is: with regard to "esophogial dilation" and "esophogial dysmotility"... are they reversible? In other words, if I were to suffer this side effect of esophogial failure, would it heal after the band was removed? Or do some people have to go through the rest of their lives with no working esophogus?

I have searched for information on the long-term implications of this and have not been able to find information on it. Would the esophogus eventually start working again?

Also, I would love to hear about people who have had this in for ten years or more and how they're doing and if they've had any complications.

Thank you very much.

Hi,

I have been reading this board for a month now, and finally decided to join. I have already attended a required seminar and I have my consultation with the surgeon scheduled for this Thursday. I guess after that I will start the process of getting approved by my insurance company and then a series of classes, meetings with the nutritionist, tests, etc.

I am very excited but also very nervous. I do have a question about long-term side effects but don't know if I should post it here or in the general discusion.

Thank you,

Becky