Dody

The nurse in me says "hot feeling tummy" is not a good sign. I would immediately call my dr. about it.

I feel for you. We take so long in researching the band, and then it must be the pits to end up with a dr. and an office staff that don't care. As stated, if this is the treatment you are getting now, it will be the same after you are banded. What on earth would happen if you had an emergency or needed support of any type from that office. It is going to be their loss to lose you to another dr. but you deserve much better treatment and I would certainly look at other options. In fact...I would have been long gone from there, but I don't have the kind of patience you are displaying with rude people giving me the runaround either. I have met all of the office staff and I know if I have a problem to ask for Brenda and she will immediately contact the dr. The entire staff takes their job and their patients seriously, and like I said they take time out of their day to see how I'm coping with this ulcer and the postponing of surgery, and they don't really have to do this. I feel like I have joined another family in my doctor's office. Everyone is so kind and caring, that it really ticks me off you are getting this kind of treatment by anyone, let alone a professional and his staff. You have probably put a lot of time into research, and chances are if you find another dr. you may just have to attend another seminar, but big deal, be careful and make sure he is kind and you like him and the staff. It makes al the difference in the world. Me...I am anxious to get that trip to Applebee's, although I hope as a bandster I'll have learned a whole different way of eating. I'll just be eyeing the ribs

I'm not banded yet, but have been researching the band for over a year. I decided it was for me and started going about getting all the info I could. I made an appt. with no trouble whatsoever (after attending the seminar which was the first requirement). I was scheduled for surgery within the next mo. but found out the other day I have a large peptic ulcer and surgery has to be postponed a few mo. I would be so depressed, except the people that work for the surgeon that is doing the lap banding keep in close touch with me and give me a lot of support that the band is coming in the future. I feel they go out of their way to contact me because they know I'm depressed over having to put the surgery off after all the research and then coming to the decision; finishing the required items; and thinking I would be banded in a mo. It appears the doctor's office you are dealing with makes all the difference. My dr's. office tells me that at 6 weeks post banding the dr. takes the patients out to Applebee's to Celebrate and see how well they order from the menu. That's what I call a doctor's office going all out. I think someone here should be sharing the fact they are very happy with their dr. and it might make up from some that are being strung along unmercifully. My dr's. name is Dr. McAlexander and he is in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He has done many, many lap bands and I'm so impressed with him both as a surgeon and a person. OK, that's it for me. Good luck to all of you facing problems.

I think 1800-Lapband provides help in financing. Hope that is the right phone #. Not sure of how it is done, as my insurance is going to cover mine. BTW I don't know of many independently wealthly people on here. I'm certainly not one of them. Good luck in your Quest for the belt.

I'm glad I will be so informed before I get the band. Everything on here is so educational and informative, especially the encouragement the people who have been banded longer have to give. I'm taking notes on all of it and hopefully it will help when I have my surgery. First though is clearing up a big ulcer and then hopefully I will be ready. Thanks again for all the info. You guys are great.

If someone is PB'ing (I finally found out the definition), and they are chewing and food is getting stuck, how would they be able to swallow a Prilosec capsule without the same effect? I would think a capsule would be more likely to lodge. What is aloe vera juice? I've seen hand creams but never a juice. Where do you buy it? Thanks.

Although I'm not yet banded Nyquil comes to mind as being safe with or without the band. It would be my first choice.

Just so I can jot it down. My hair is already thin and I'm not banded yet.

I'm jumping through all the hoops and not minding it. Today I found out I have a peptic ulcer the size of a 50 cent piece which was treated with silver nitrate and I will be on Nexium for a couple months, which is going to delay my surgery. It is well worth it to me. I thought I might have an ulcer, but if I had gone to Mexico and got banded I would have been looking at major problems down the road. For me the endoscopy has just saved me a lot of grief. I have had a lot of tests done and lots to go. I hope the board doesn't mind if I hang out and keep reading here, as I'm learning a lot, although I won't get banded for 2-3 mo. because of the ulcer. I'm really glad I decided on a dr. in the states. I could have gotten banded in Mexico with no questions asked unfortunately. I took care in selecting my dr. and checked him out good. He has done a lot of lap band surgery and is also an expert in the field.

Next time make sure it's nice and moist and flavored inside out and get a Butterball. You might have better luck. I'm not banded yet, but I also love turkey, but only the white meat. I hope I will be able to eat it when I'm banded, because I'm sure I'll be trying it again and again. I'm just that stubborn.

From what I've read there was a girl named Michelle on here that only had her band a couple years and lost 105 lbs. and wears an 8-10. Her's got infected and she had to have it removed. God Bless Her she went through a lot, but she certainly is an inspiration to everyone here. Yes I think people reach their goal weights long before 5 years is uf. I was told initially they don't lost as fast as GB patients but in the end they catch up. Let's here from you guys that are really gaining up on that goal weight after a yr. or so. I know you are here.

Can't wait to hear how you make out after banding. I think every surgeon has his own set of pre-op rules. I, myself, have to see a nutricianist for 5 weeks. It's OK I might just learn a lot, and it gives me longer to come here and read things and put it in perspective if this is truly the best step for me. So far I think it is. The pros far outweigh the cons. I was also told that because I have a small liver I don't have to really fast before surgery. I can be on Soups and healthy stuff, but I don't have to drink like Slim-Fast. I guess that's one thing going in my favor. So anxious to hear how you feel after your surgery. Please let us know. It seems like people here learn through trial and error with their bands what agrees with them and what doesn't and everyone appears to be different. I wish you all the success in the world and please keep us posted. Dody

As I retired nurse I have heard a lot about duodenal switch being done in European countries for years before it was done here. It is much, much safer as it doesn't mess with the intestinies, but still is major surgery. Sue, if you had the choice at the beginning would you have chose DS over the band. I can see that the DS revision is not going to require the constant and unending fills and work that the band does, so in your honest opinion what would you have chosen, and did your esophageal problems exsist before banding or did it come along with the banding and continue to get worse. I've heart this to be true with lots of people. They never had esophageal problems before. I'm so glad you switched over and are doing well. I think Gastric Bypass will become a thing of the past with DS on the horizon. Best of everything to you. Sounds like you have been through a lot. Hugs Dody

5 years with the band, and you weren't at goal weight yet. That concerns me, but certainly not overlooking the horrible time you had with the band. As I'm researching and getting ready to get banded I read every post, good, bab or indifferent, because I know there are a lot of variants in the band and people's reaction. There are those doing great; those that seek support; I've seen stories like yours of being having to be unbanded; but still it is the safest almost non-evasive surgery there is. I really feel so horribly sorry for what you have gone through. I wonder if you continue eating like a bandster after that length of time if you still may feel just like one from the built up scar tissue. Please let us know and try and stay positive and focused on yourself and your wonderful family. Hugs to U Dody

I read your last post and felt for you, even though I'm not banded yet. You really, really must want that dark meat of the turkey to put yourself through that. I hope you have learned your lesson. Maybe by next Thanksgiving turkey will be back on your menu. One step at a time...........

It is nice to hear after all the things you hear about erosion that your band was not eroded. Can I ask you how long you had been banded?

I hope this DS is just what you needed. I've heard of many successes with it. Good luck to you on your new journey. You should be able to eat fine now I hope. Best wishes, Dody

I was born and raised in upstate NY and I hear they are getting lots of snow in my old home town of Syracuse. Are you anyplace near there? I miss NY a lot but don't miss those wild winters.

That was an hysterical post from someone only 4 days post-op. It sounds like that bowel movement was all you needed to start feeling good again. Why did you have the band taken out and a revision done if the band wasn't eroded and you don't mind my asking. Chalk it up to not knowing this board very well. Again congrats on your remarkable recovery.

Those two fills seemed awfully close together. Am I mistaken?

I'm not banded yet. I have weeks of nutrition classes to attend unfortunately and have to prove I can lose weight before the surgery. (If it was that easy I wouldn't be needing the band would I). My dr. discussed with me PB's and the importance of NOT drinking anything if you ever feel anything somewhat stuck. He said it makes it much worse. He said just wait it out. I haven't been there yet, and it sounds scary, but he insists that drinking something only makes it worse and will make you throw-up.

I guess I mis-read the post from Jax. Apparently she is in Italy. Jax, any chance you are military and stationed at Aviano. Just a shot in the dark, because I think they would send you to an Italian hospital for banding. I don't think they have facilities or knowledgeable docs in lap banding on that small base.

Congrats to you on getting banded in December. The idea of a buffet before you go on all liquids sounds awesome, but then buffets sound awesome anytime.

Take aspirin the meantime until you get the prescription fills to prevent the deep venous thrombosis. That should do the trick. I don't think not taking it for a day or so is going to make any difference. I hope if you flew to Italy from the states and back that you got up on that long flight and tried to walk a few steps. That is the important thing, not to sit too long in any one spot. I'm sure you will be fine. Best wishes on your new band.

Although I am one of The Oak Ridge Boys biggest fans and always will be I don't know any of them personally. A long time ago I saw them in concert though. They were awesome. I still love to hear their music played today.