Dody

Jonathan, I heard someone say on here that they got to keep the band. They had been banded in Mexico. Are the laws different there do you think?

I had a heart attack 5 years ago. They tell me my sleep apnea could have played a large part in it and the fact I let it go untreated for so long. I also smoked....haven't touched them in 5 years. There is nothing like heart surgery to make you get your mind off cigarettes, but what a hard way to learn a valuable lesson. I wasn't heavy and had sleep apnea. I knew I was waking up gasping for breath, but had no idea what the problem was. I finally had the sleep study done (better late than never) and found out I had severe sleep apnea. I too love my C-pap machine (but my dog hates it. He thinks it's a muzzle and wouldn't come near me for 2 weeks). It makes no noise and the fact that I wake up so rested makes it so worthwhile. It may not be pretty, but it saves lives. I would definitely have a sleep study done also.

An upper GI should be a requirement for all good lap band surgeons. I'm certainly glad it was required in my case, as they found a good sized ulcer that would have caused major problems had I been banded. I've had to wait 3 mo. to get the band and to clear the ulcer up, but I'm so very glad they found it. I'm also glad they required a sleep apnea test, because I had it and am now on C-Pap and feeling so much better. What you think is unnecessary can sometimes be lifesaving in the end.

This guy is one of the best, but he is located in Greensville. I don't think we are supposed to put phone numbers on here, but his name is Ken MacDonald and he specializes in lap banding. Why not shoot him off an e.mail at macdonald@ecu.edu and ask some questions. You might also check out the N. Carolina thread on here to get some more input.

Absolutely no complaints about my C-pap. Took to it like a duck to water. Only complaint-it messes up my hair do and every day is a bad hair day.

You aren't too far from me in Knoxville. I'm having my surgery by Dr. Colquist in Marysville. I wish you a lot of luck. Dr. DeAlexander did almost all the lap banding in that area for a very long time, but he has left the area to move to Memphis because his son is very ill and he needs to be near a certain hospital there where he is receiving treatment. Dr. Colquist took over a lot of his patients and perhaps your dr. did too. I know my dr. has done a lot of lap bands, but primarily does gastric bypass. He is open to each and lets the patient decide. He doesn't push gastric bypass at all, and in fact prefers the lapbanding proceedure. I wish you lots of luck.

I had the sleep study done and once they found out I had sleep apnea they told me I would be on it for the surgery? I thought everyone that had it was operated on wearing the nose mask. It's sure going to make me feel better knowing I'm going under and on C-pap.

I have to think the quiet little "whish" of the C-pap machine is better than the snoring, mostly because if you have sleep apnea (and you seem to have the symptoms) it means you stop breathing when you are sleeping. No one wants to be on C-Pap, but I assure you I feel 100 times better than before I went on it. I see a lot of people come off it with the weight loss, so I wouldn't think of it as a "forever" type thing. You know I actually find the sound calming, especially if you have a ramp on it and are usually asleep before it starts "whishing" a little louder. I bet given the choice your husband would prefer you on C-Pap and alive then going through what you are. I would certainly talk to my dr. about getting a sleep study done. You know C-pap has changed my life. I now awake rested and refreshed and feel like I've actually slept 8 hours every night. It's worth the little bit of discomfort of the slight noise (which I'm used to already). I took to the machine like a duck to water and have never experienced any leaks of any kind. I have a nose piece that is fitted with a gel base and it is excellent, although I agree certainly not the prettiest thing in the world. Hubby and you might enjoy a good night's sleep though, and look at it as more encouragement to get the weight off and get off it.:think I'll say a little (prayer) for you.

The happy drug given in varying amounts is Versed, almost always used for calming. It is used for "conscious sedation" and lasts for from 3-6 hours. The real name is much more complex and is midazalam hydrochloride. I've seen grown men brought to their knees by this drug after telling me "you can't calm me down" .:)

I think because your EKG is fine there aren't any further tests required. I wish I had the same luck. I had a heart attack some years ago and I've had about 3 EKG's and an echo so they can validate I can have the surgery. Just Thank God it is OK and have a happy journey to Bandland.

Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine were. I had a sleep apnea test and sure enough I have it. It was causing me to wake up feeling like I haden't slept at all. I'm now on C-Pap and the difference is so noticeable. Did your dr. require a sleep study before your surgey? It really sounds like you could be suffering from this.

I have a whole lot of requirements before getting the band from sleep study to psych eval to in my case echo. I have to have an upper GI, but that is not the same thing as endoscopy. Did you actually have to have the tube placed down your throat before surgery. This seems unusual. They are normally just looking for ulcers before they band you.

I don't even have the band yet, but I am missing my gallbladder and taquitos or anything the least bit spicy make my stomach cramp up. I think it's probably just your tummy saying "hey this isn't for me". Chin up!!

It is so great to hear of these success stories from the lap banding. There have been times when I felt discouraged about getting it thinking perhaps I couldn't lose on it, but you have certainly proven to me that it works. I'm going to work as hard as possible with mine and can't wait until I get it and join the ranks so to speak.

I checked out your weight before the band, and wow your weight loss is truly amazing. It sounds like you are at the perfect weight for your height right now. You are a great big success story, and reading your post was so inspirational. There are a couple insurance companies that allow one plastic surgery, one is TriCare and I can't think of the other. This may be a cost you will have to have done on your own (that's the pits isn't it), but it will be well worth the money. God Bless You on your journey. You sound like one little miracle that has added years and years to their life. You lost far more than a whole person. :confused:

Sounds like the traditional hot cross buns at our house. They have always been a tradition around Easter and Lent. They have bacon flavored water now for dogs, so who knows this may come in flavored water too :confused:

Good Luck and best wishes on a speedy recovery. Please keep everyone posted on how you are doing.

Check out colon cleansers on the net. Not to use on an everyday basis but occasionally. If you don't mind Metamucil mixed with orange juice it sure would help you to drink some every day. I honestly don't mind the orange flavored in the least and just gulp it right down. Once a mo. or so a colon cleanser is a good thing...also can help you lose weight. Good luck.

It is great for so many rashes, and especially yeast rashes that often occur when skin touches skin. This can become extremely itcy and Lamisil can work wonders. I hope that you gave this a try. Of course you don't want to put it right on your incision, but simply on the rash spreading around it. I think you are going to find great relief. I make sure I always have a tube of it in the house. I can't think of a single rash that it doesn't give some relief too. Hope you are feeling lots better.

I am so happy when I read of great weight losses like this. It is inspiring and shows me what commitment and hard work can do. Congrats to you on your acchievement. I hope I can accomplish the same type of goal.

I think you mean prednisone which is a steroid and will clear it up. I suggested to you before to try Lamisil, which is very effective for these type of rashes and can be purchased over the counter. Xanax is an anxiety reliever, but isn't going to help the itch. Please think about some Lamisil while you are waiting to get the prednisone filled. Good Luck.

Good for you, you've done your research, and it is true that US surgeons are now banding differently. Let's hope it leads to far less complaints of erosions. I guess only time will tell. I like someone that does their homework :eek::faint:

I'm looking at late April or early May for my banding, so please let me know how everything goes for you. God Bless and I'll be thinking about you and wishing you well on your new journey.

I'm going to Tennessee for my surgery and have made sure to request an aisle seat. I had thoughts even before booking about being stuck on the inside and not being able to get out and move around. Good Luck to you on your upcoming wedding. The aisle seat isn't as important on the trip down, but will be on the trip back, even though I plan on staying a few mo.

I'm so glad you have chosen the path of lap banding. I'm not banded yet, but I too have done all the diet drugs. Unfortunately I had a heart attack because of them, so thank God that didn't happen to you. Everyone here is very supportive. I'm going to be banded in mid-April or early May I think, so I can't give you much info on being banded, except for the most part people seem happy with their bands. Here's to a better lifestyle for you, and welcome aboard.