KayleighsMommy

She is quite right, they are very accomodating there. They are always willing to puree some soup for us.

Thanks Nora. The 4th works for me!!! Dan ---- Maybe you can make it post op?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Heard from Mim. She says she can probably make Dec 3 or 4. I'm open any day, so we'll just have to see who can make it when and let majority rule. Kinda excited. Most likely going to get my bypass surgery date next Thursday!!! It's been a long painful year and I am soooo happy to finally be moving forward!!! :bananajump:

Congrats on the surgery date. I can't speak for anyone else, but I had the same fears going in. I suspect this is normal. I really miss my band, I know you will love it... it really changed my life, I'm sure it will yours, too. Dr Chae is a good surgeon, he removed my band, so you are in good hands. If we have a Red Robin meeting before your surgery (which is coming up soon... lucky you!) You are welcome to come join us. Sometimes it is easier to talk to people face to face aboout your fears and excitement. Check out snowgators earlier post and let us know if there is a date that suits you.

Sorry Nora, I haven't been watching the boards. I am up for RR any of those days. We usually go to MI for Thanksgiving , but not his year. Kaiser finally came through and I should be having my bypass early next year!!!! (In the 6 week class right now) The bad news is there is a 30% co-pay... so it is going to cost me 7-10K/. This really hurts, since the band was close to 10K. Anyway... just let me know when tou (and anyone else) would like to get together and I will be there!!!! julie

I was banded in June 2008. I did quite well (113 pounds) until tragedy (for me, at the time) struck. My band eroded. I will be having RNY most likely the beginning of the year. I am a bit angry, because I had to self pay cash for my band (9K+). Now I have to pay (through Kaiser, a completely different insurance company) 30 % of this surgery. This is going to be between 7-10K. For that I could have self payed for a bypass and not had to deal with all this BS the last almost 4 years. I am happy, nonetheless that I am moving on and able to have my bypass I have to do a 6 week class, this is starting at 4PM Halloween evening (great timing, huh?) Also have to see a psychologist this coming Tuesday, and went today for a nicotine check. Onwards and upwards.. or downwards with my weight, I guess I should say. Looking forward to getting to know everyone. I also was a frequent contributor to LBT, so I am looking forward to making this my new obsession Banded 06/26/08 Band removed due to erosion 02/08/11 Put on waiting list for bypass mid March 11 psych evaluation 10/25/11 first 6 week class 10/31/11 surgery date TBD

Hey, long time no talk. How the heck are ya doing?? He (or rather his NP, Alison......who is absolutely wonderful) does not use ultrasound or anything. She is very good at doing fills. I NEVER had any problems with her, or the Dr for that matter.

My erosion caused something called gastroparesis, Basically my stomach is not emptying well, most likely caused by the erosion injuring my vagus nerve. This is how they found my erosion. Chest pain and pressure, belching etc. I don't want another band, and because of the gastroparesis I am unable to get a sleeve. The only thing that may cure the g.p is a bypass, which I am waiting for through my insurance (I have Kaiser, and it takes 9-10 months to get to the top of their list for surgery.... even though I am in pain every single day.) As for being filled with barium... as far as I know, most surgeons don't. do it that way.... I have been to 3 different surgical practices (my first surgeon left the state soon after my surgery, He had another surgeon take over his patients, then this surgeon left the practice he was at) and I was never filled with barium. I'm sorry your surgeon is such a jerk. That makes things tough.

Guess I need to be counted out too. Heading home to MI on the 10th for a couple weeks

I would push for an endoscopy. I had 3 barium swallows when this happened, and other than the fact that my stomach was not working properly I was told my band was fine. "No slips or anything" Going down into the stomach itself with the endoscope was the only way they saw my erosion. Best of luck, and I am hoping you do not have an erosion.

Actually, they said they would pay for it. IF I was positive for apnea. How screwed up is that??????

I was told that it did not. Of course, I was also told a sleep study was a cosmetic procedure . And they wonder why people HATE insurance companies......... Best of luck with your BC/BS IL fight.

Yayyyyy. Congrats to you on your new life.

My care was taken over by Dr Metz when the person who maimed me..... Er, my surgeon was chased out of the state by the medical board (sorry... feeling a bit out of sorts and bitter today!!! ) Anyway, Dr Metz is a very nice guy. I had complete confidence in him (even though he looks like he is about 15). His fills are basicallly done by his P.A. Allison. She is just great!!! She is good, efficient and a really nice person. You guys will all like her. One other thing that I liked was that it was never a long wait to get in for a fill. I'm not sure if this will change, since he is taking on other doctors patients, as well as doing work with Kaiser. I am hoping that I will be assigned to him when I finally colme up on the list for bypass.

I did not lose any restriction. I had terrible gassy type pain filling my entire chest. I had a couple of barium swallows and was told my band was fine (so they are not nessecarily proof of an erosion) Even after a complete unfil I still had restriction. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis from the band possibly pinching the vagus nerve. After 3 months of this terrible pain saw an gastroenterologist (new insurance and wait time for appointment) She did an upper endoscopy and found my band was sitting inside my stomach!!!

Yes, losing the band is really quite scary. A lot of people told me "Oh, you'll be OK, you;ve learned alot" I may have learned the right things to do, but my addiction was stronger than me I went right back to my old ways. I am actually happy I haven't gained more. My friend who also lost her band to an eroson (same doc, around the same time) has said the same thing. I wish I had been more proactive and I wouldn't be where I am now.

Nora, Guess I've been taking too many pain killers. I kept looking at the calendar and thinking the 11th was Friday, too bad I was looking at the 9th every time, Duh, my bad. The 11th works fine for me,,, now that I am looking at the right day on the calendar .

Well, lets see... an update on me: I have gained about 30 pounds since my band removal . I hate that this has happened, but I guess thems the breaks. Just had my knee replaced 3 weeks ago today. Doing OK, but still in a lot of pain... though I am starting to get around a bit better. Can't wait til I can walk again, I want to get exercising and hopefully not gain any more. Nora, are you sure of that date in Sept? I would love to get together when you have some time.

Got a letter from my insurance company today. They have authorized my surgery!!!! :Banane20: I have Kaiser and they usually require 6 weeks of classes. The letter didn't say anyhting about this, it just said to call the surgeon to make an appointment. I think this is because the request was put in under a medical neccessity. Can't wait to get a date set.

Works for me!!!!

Good luck, I'm sure you will do fine. Please post when you are up to it, letting us know how you are doing.

Still waiting for word from my insurance, I saw the surgeon last week, He told me he was going to send a letter to them with a request for surgery sooner than the nearly year I would have to wait normally . Not sure when I will hear back, getting kind of anxious, since I have a knee replacement scheduled for the 7th of July (I would much rather have the bypass first, and wait 6 months for the knee)

If you have had surgery from Dr Mel I would appreciate if you PM me. I have some questions about how you are doing.

Best of luck. Looking forward to hearing all about it!!!