NeenBand

Decarla, I'm sorry to hear about the Barett's. I have really bad GERD and am so afriad of developing that. Lately I have had some throat irritation and pain in the esophagus. Did you have acid reflux too? And if so, before or after your surgery?

I'm a little worried too. I have Fibromyalgia nd chronic fatigue syndrome, so my immune system can be weak at times.

Oh my gosh..I took a look at your pictures...you poor thing! :-( Has your doctor said why this happened to you??

I have the the same problem, but my surgeon is going to fix it when he bands me. But he also said what your doc said and it does increase the chance of slippage. I would hate to have to undergo anestesia twice though. I am also looking forward to getting it fixed, it causes me pain and GERD.

I'm gearing up for my surgery and bought some Protein drink mixes to try. They are both whey and they really do a number on my stomach. Really bad. So, I was wondering if anyone out there would like to trade some of their soy protien (no whey!) powder mix for: 7 packets of Myoplex Light in chocolate and a can of BioChem Ultimate Lo Carb Whey Powder in chocolate? If so, email me! :-) It looks like half a can, but it must have settled because I only used the Biochem three times. This way I can see if the soy is easier on my tummy.

LOL You sound just like me after I had my gallbladder out in August, and yes that is my biggest fear getting this surgery done. That's how nervous I was then too, but I think I'll be even more nervous now because I know when I wake up, my life is changed.

Jacqui, I'm doing the same thing. I am about ready to set a surgery date and I am having the same fears and doubts as you are. But I'm not healthy, I'm also 42. SO take a look at my thread here called "Scared after taking a Walk". You don't want to wait until your as bad off as I am. In any case, even so, like you I cancelled appointments too. I totally understand. Thank God we have support where people can hold our hand, even if it is over the Internet.

Yes, I would like to know what he says too. Seems a shame that the sweeling and everything could not be healed.

Okay, I need a little help here. I have decided to be banded by Dr. ABkin and started walking again to strengthen by body. After I went for a walk today on a flat road (and I had a tough time doing so, took a lot out of me, big effort and just felt unwell). Afterwards, my blood sugar dipped so badly I broke out into a cold sweat and had to drink a thing of OJ to get myself back to normal. This happened yesterday too. It's scaring me. I was walking fine just last month. 1/2 hour on trails almost every day. I also popped into the Complications Forum and it scared the hell out of me. " 25% will experience complications leading to removal"?! And the posts about esophagus problems that create pain until removal, but it could be a permanent condition then?? Ladies (and gents) I really feel sick, like I'm going to die if I don't do this soon. And I hope I'm healthy enough to make it through the surgery. But reading this stuff scared me! :-(

Awesome Vinesqueen! :-) I use mine 2 times a day now. And Serena, that is a good suggestion. I'm a vegetarian, so that couldn't hurt to try..

Thanks Leatha. It's a scary feeling. I know most on the board will understand when I say I feel trapped inside a dying body. This really is a disease, because we don't want it, yet in part it is being done by our own actions, but actions we can't seem to control. I'm going to do it anyway, for the reasons you stated. I'm going to be leaning heavily on you folks for support and prayer before (and probably after) my surgery. I used to be so healthy. I ran 10 miles a day, always active even when heavy. So this is a scary feeling for me. I have chronic fatigue, Fibromyalgia and PCOS and went from chunky but active certified massage therapist to a disabled and obese and sedentary person. There is a documentary video out about CFS called "I Remember Me". Kind of fitting. The title says it all.

And just so you know, ice skating burns about 500-600 calories an hour. (More if you weigh more than average, of course).

Amanda, this is frightening! I think this probably is my biggest fear with banding. I read in someone else's post today that that complication may not go away???!

Oh my gosh, Mary, what an ordeal you went through. Your husband must have been frantic with worry. Did the doctor say why this happened to you? Many people as heavy and with previous surgeries have gone through this and not had such a bad experience. So I wonder why? Glad your feeling better!!!

Jeebus, that is NOT good odds! "Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function) occurred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown." :-o

Hey all, I went to see Dr. Abkin in NJ. I liked his office staff, the place seemed like a well oiled machine that is really set up for after care. I was also scheduled to see the nutritionist and psch eval after, but postponed it. I am not feeling well today (Fibromyalgia) and I also became anxious and overwhelmed about seeing them, as this would commit me to this surgery and the doctor. Not to mention, paying the nutritionist and psch doc would emopty my bank account, so there was anxiety there about that too. Then, driving home I wish I had just seen them. When I got home, I made the appointments for the blood tests and barium swallow I have to have done. SO obviously, I'm leaning to have this surgeon do the surgery. I was considering also checking out Dr. Fielding in NYC (NYU) but the drive to today's surgeon only took me 40 minutes, which is important as well. Because of Fibromyalgia, going into the city by train and not knowing where I'm going is very intimidating for me. Dr. Abkin told me from my gastro there is an indication I have a small hiatial hernia, which will have to be repaired and would also increase the chance of slippage. Anyone have a hernia repaired while being banded?? Is the pain and recovery much harder? Thanks

Excellent advice Paula. Yes, I know Dr. Fielding is supposed to be "the best", but this other doctor, who comes highly recommended is much more accessable.

Congrats Alex! By the way, I told Dr. Abkin you sent me and he laughed and said you were a nice woman. :-)

Don't be bummed, you will be healthier in the long run. We must not only think about how fast the weight is lost, but of nutrition and going easy on our bodies (it's been through enough!) Just remember the malnourishment issues they have. Alos, my doctor said a lot of bypass people gain their weight back!

I have GERD(acid refulx disease) and am NOT banded, but I go through similar symptoms, so please ask your doctor about it. I am on Protonix and Pepcid for it. By the way what is aspiration pneumonia? I have been having bad GERD lately and also have had to use my inhaler for asthma much more often.

Getting really bad GERD after the band, so much so the band really isn't useful is a scary thought! :-(

Hi all, I have an appointment Thursday with Dr. Abkin in Morristown NJ, who comes highly recommended and he is sympathetic to my limited income. I also am seeing Dr. Fielding in NYU, New York next Thursday. AN information seminar only. They say he is the best and has done over a thousand bands and is baned himself. But the thing I don't like is I don't get to talk with him until I've jumped through the other hoops first (psych doc, tests etc)which I have to pay about $600 for. WHo would you choose? ALso,Just got off the phone with a woman at the NYU office named Veronica. I was asking what would be out of pocket for me. She said since the doctors are in network, they take what Medicare pays them. But she could not tell me about the hospital bill or how much the surgery costs. I wonder how long would it take with Fielding to get into surgery? Some doctor's have a wait of 6 months. Thanks

I would defo need to can a big jar of powdered something (without whey), because those little pre-made cans are just not cost effective for me.

I am not banded, but a surgeon I "interviewed" said he actually suggests drinking a little wine to relax everything. AS for the caffiene, I do have gastritis and it's the caffiene and some foods that set it off. I just hope they will band me with gastritis.

That's probably the biggest problem for me. I'm not banded yet and I only see relatively new banders stories. The longer term people here seem to be the ones with erosion, etc. all of which is scaring the hell out of me. I wish the 5-10 year people would give their experiences.:phanvan