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Niki Spence

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by Niki Spence

  2. Posted

    My Fellow Albertans! If you are able, and need your band adjusted, I am organizing a Fill Day in Edmonton, AB on Thursday, October 10th and then in Calgary, AB on either Friday, October 11th or Saturday, October 12th. If you are interested, please contact me! If you can't make those dates, reach out to me anyways and we can talk about options. Hope I can help those Slimband / CIBO / Smartshape / other lapband bandsters that need support!

    Hugs,

    Niki

    razzcatt reacted to this

  4. Posted

    On 1/12/2019 at 9:53 PM, Stella84 said:

    Hello,

    I am seeking advice from anyone who converted from lapband to sleeve and especially if with a lower BMI. I scoured the forum but didn’t see any similar stories):

    Also looking for anyone who had band removed because of esophageal dysmotility.

    Here is my history, briefly(:

    I had lapband 12 years ago (self pay in Mexico) and was successful. I had reached my goal weight and 24 BMI! (with some ups and downs along the way).

    That was until three months ago when I had a severe food poisoning and the associated vomiting. I was very sick and violently vomited at least 20 times. This left my band very irritated and I was barely able to drink two weeks later. I thought the band was slipped. When I had a fluoroscopy/esophagram there was no slip, but it did reveal esophageal dysmotility. Apparently this is a common complication with long term use of lapband. Although I have no symptoms (typically reflux and/or difficulty swallowing) my doctor suggests removing the band. He also will not refill the band which I do agree with considering the risks.

    So, three months ago I had a total unfill. Yesterday I had another esophagram and I still have the esophageal dysmotility. Sadly, I have already gained from 137 to 165.

    I feel like a total failure and really wished I could maintain on my own. But now I am considering the sleeve. Twelve years ago I would have never considered a surgery to remove part of my stomach. But the descriptions of the way the sleeve works sounds like the way the band worked (when perfectly filled:)

    I have not checked into it but likely insurance will only pay for removal of band and I will have to self pay for sleeve. This seems extreme considering my current weight but I don’t want to wait until I weigh 232lbs again. But I did restart weight watchers today.

    So my questions are as follows:

    1) has anyone converted from LB to Sleeve with lower BMI. What were you experiences?

    2) Anyone with esophageal dysmotility? Did it improve after band removal?

    Thank you and apologies for the super long post!

    Stella

    Stella, I have a connection for people that have been banded, are at a lower BMI than what would normally qualify one for weight loss surgery, and want to convert from band to sleeve, DDS, or bypass. Message me if you want to talk!!! :)

  8. Posted

    On 9/22/2019 at 7:21 PM, elcee said:

    It could also be a leak, or the tubing may have come adrift - lots of possibilities.

    The usual way to check is probably with a barium swallow.

    I agree - leak, or latch of the band came undone, or a slip up to the top of the stomach.... an endoscopy would also help to see the placement of the band. A cat scan can also identify placement.

  11. Posted

    I have had my band for 11 years.... for the first year, I was toooooo tight - throwing up all the time - lost all my weight, but had the band replaced after a year because it slipped. Ten years later, I have kept all my weight off, but there is a leak in the tubing somewhere so the saline doesn't stay in the band. I can get a fill, feel a bit of restriction, and then it fades. The scar tissue and band itself provide some restriction - enough to keep my weight stable. I am at 143 lbs - about 10 pounds higher than where I used to be a few years ago - but better than being 265. I believe that each weight loss surgery serves a purpose - one isn't necessarily "better" than the other because each person is different: some of us are volume eaters with no off-switch, others are emotional eaters, some of us have certain health concerns that would make duodenal switch or bypass a better choice than the sleeve.... It doesn't matter which surgery that you and your surgeon decide to go with, it is a difficult life-changing decision. Feel confident in your decision and stick to the guidance that your advisor gives you.

    shanshan, ProudGrammy, jfc193 and 1 other reacted to this

  12. Posted

    I have had my Slimband for 11 years and I am trying to offer my support to those that have been feeling abandoned now that the company is no longer doing the surgeries and do not have the support that they once had or promised. I am not involved in pursuing any legal action against Slimband. But I can offer guidance if you need support, fills or defills, or need/want to have it removed and are considering getting the revision from band to sleeve, bypass or duodenal switch. DM me to talk. I should disclose that I am a former Slimband employee, and worked there for about six years, and left on my own free will in 2016.

  14. Posted

    I was banded by Slimband 11 years ago and still have my band. However, I have helped others have their band removed and have the band-to-sleeve or band-to-bypass revision surgery done and they are soooo happy. I can also help ones that just need to have their band adjusted to a proper level of restriction. DM me if you want to talk about getting fills/defills or about revision to a more effective weight loss surgery. :)

  19. Posted

    14 minutes ago, Julie norton said:

    My one cent: my band does swell on flights.... I have to Baby it with yogurt. Or string cheese.
    Stuck in the air is no bueno. I spent too much time uncomfortable or in the bathroom before I learned this.
    Almost 12 years for me, and still I need to keep certain restrictions at times
    ...flying is one of them
    (For long flights and trips, I do have a small amount removed.... not going to Italy on my dream vacation and fighting my band)

    Julie: so when you don't fly are you still rather restricted? In other words, do you think your band is too tight on a regular basis so that it requires loosening when you fly? or is it fine but as soon as you get in the air, it is like you've been given a 1.0cc fill? I'm curious.... What do you have: the 4cc LAPBAND? Thanks for sharing!

  23. Posted

    We are a medical travel company that is working with one of the top weight loss surgeons in Mexico. We are looking to help someone in dire need of weight loss surgery and are giving away a free weight loss surgery and an all-expense paid trip to Mexico which includes air fare and accommodations. This person has hundreds of pounds to lose and they need this to save their life. If you or someone you know needs this surgery and would be interested in getting more information, please send me a personal message here or visit our website at www.humanicare.ca/free-weight-loss-surgery.

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