Headhunter

Hi, Michelle; I have NO experience or knowledge about the Dr you mentioned, but i am very familiar with St George (My mother lives there...) and I know that as a rule, they have rather exceptional medical care in that area. As I am sure you know, there is a beautiful new Regional medical Center there, and I think the reason the overall care is so good in the area is because a LOT of the population is elderly, has a lot of money, and the area has attracted good Drs. Having said that, I will advise you to do your research CAREFULLY and THOROUGHLY. Make sure that your Surgeon has done HUNDREDS of these operations (500 would be my low threshold) and make sure you speak to several of the people who had used the surgeon you select. I would think that there would be some good surgeons out there....I've been to the Chuck-a-Rama, and I can certify that there is no lack of potential clientele for WLS in that city! :thumbup: HH

Hi, FrenchVanilla! Glad to see you’re doin’ well! Hi, Ddem; Sorry you’ve experienced some difficulty with Cedars-Sinai, or “Cedars-Cyanide” as it’s come to be known in my family. I glad that (other than Ddem’s billing and insurance issues) you’ve both had good experiences at Cedars. I, on the other hand did NOT have a good experience with Cedars or, in particular, “Dr.” Kahlili. He performed (in my opinion) an absolute hack job on me, and when he was made aware of the problems, he pretty much refused to step up and deal with them until I started yelling “lawsuit”. THEN he responded, but did so very reluctantly, and with a nasty attitude. I have nothing but total contempt for him and the labyrinth that is the Cedars-Sinai organization. The experience cost me my health and several years of my life. I am aware that surgeons are human, and they can make a mistake. We all go into surgery being aware of that. But, you are able to see what a Doctor is really made of when he DOES make a mistake and how he deals with the results. In MY case, he acted like I didn’t exist, and when I forced a confrontation, he behaved like a two-year old. I wouldn’t trust a hangnail to that guy. Again, I’m glad you both had good surgical experiences with Kahlili, but you need to be EXTRA grateful that nothing went wrong…..you would have been left out in the cold. With regard to Ddem’s experience with the Cedars business offices, etc…..well, that, I found, is ALSO to be expected from them. They are a Monolith. They are entirely useless. They seem to live on this reputation of being the “Hospital of the Stars”, but if you reside on any social strata that is LESS than that of celebrity/film producer/etc, then you might as well go to County General for your needs. Just MY opinions……but I’m certain that anyone who has lived through what I have would feel the same about them. Bottom line, though, is that you both are doing great, and I am thrilled about that!:w00t: HH

What SHE said. :smile:

Hi, SouthernBelle; Sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with your Band and Weight Loss. You do bring up an important issue, one that needs to be addressed by EVERYONE that gets or plans to get the band. The whole issue of weight control, really, is that it is a MIND GAME - with or without the band. Sure, there are physical manifestations that make the process of losing weight uncomfortable, and that is the reason that most of us fail at dieting. But being able to achieve control over our desires/instincts is absolutely CRUCIAL in winning this game. The band can help up along in this process, BUT, the band can be defeated, so you do have to develop some self-control, and DEAL with most of the issues that drive you to eat in excess. I would heartily encourage you to seek out a psychotherapist with a PROVEN track record in helping people with eating disorders. Most Therapists will claim that they treat this kind of disorder, and most of them DO treat it...on OCCASION. But YOU need to locate someone whose PRIMARY practice is based around eating disorders, someone who is dealing with it on a daily basis. Personally, I think that ongoing therapy should be a REQUIRED component of the Lap-Band process, not just a 45-minute "evaluation" for the purpose of getting insurance approval. For some people (the great minority, I think...) the Lap Band by itself is enough. But for everyone else, Regular therapy sessions should be a part of the package. Aside from cases of true metabolic dysfunction and other fairly rare physical abnormalities, obesity is a byproduct of OVEREATING - eating too much of the wrong things, too frequently. You need to learn to control THAT element of your obesity - the part where YOU make a decision to indulge in a destructive action. The Lap Band can be an important part of helping you gain control, but the component that lies between your ears is equally, perhaps more, important. Do yourself a HUGE favor, and find a Therapist that Specializes in eating disorders (and as I said, make SURE that it is their PRIMARY PRACTICE FOCUS, and they have a LOT of experience), and make an appointment. DEAL with the underlying issues of your obesity, whether it be depression, anxiety, or whatever it might be in your special case. Once you have done that, you will be able to see your way clear to have your band refilled, and continue in this process to a greater state of health and a much happier life. best of luck to you....keep us posted, we're all here for you! "The Journey is the reward". HH

I began to reply to this question with a simple one-word answer: yes. But that would be a little unfair. The question is simple. For some, though, the answer is not. On one level, I DEEPLY regret my decision to have the Lap Band installed. For me, it was a life-threatening, mind-numbingingly disgusting experience that consumed several years of my life, left me in poor health for a long period, left me with tons of hospital bills, kept me from working full-time for several years, and the experience almost killed me at least a couple of times..….the list goes on. However, it’s not as simple as just saying that I regret my Lap Band experience. I regret the Lap-band PORTION of my experience, but it was part of an overall experience that ultimately led me to a much higher level of health and fitness than I would otherwise have had. So, I have come to see it as an ugly side trip on an, overall, beneficial journey. Of course, the side trip was very, very ugly. The Lap band Port popped out of my stomach at one point, left a dripping, oozing hole that would not heal, parts of the band that SHOULD have been removed in a second surgery were not, and ultimately burrowed INSIDE of my colon, requiring more surgery. It was a long and nasty experience, and I won’t recount it all here. I recognize and acknowledge the fact that my experience with the Lap band was atypical. Most people have a pretty good experience with the Lap Band. It’s not always successful to the degree that people want it to be, but that can be a result of many factors. Many people do NOT follow the protocol laid out by the Surgeon. Some people try and eat the same way they did prior to having the Lap Band installed, and then wonder why the band isn’t working. Some people think that the band will be doing ALL the work – WRONG. Some Surgeon’s office teams don’t provide particularly good instructions. Some Surgeons are inexperienced and simply do a lousy job (mine). There are plenty of people who have the band installed, get one or two fills, and simply lose the weight they need to, with little or no problem. I am THRILLED for those people. I couldn’t be happier. You will see many of them posting on this board. BUT, some of them make it seem like it works that way for everyone. And it does NOT work that way for everyone. There ARE problems, for many, many people. Some people have died as a result of Lap Band complications. And for some, it just simply does NOT work, for a variety of reasons. The Surgeon who removed my Lap Band told me on several occasions that he felt that the band would be removed from the market within a few years because of increasing problems and complications. He should know, because he specializes in correcting problems with the band. Do I think it will be removed from the market? Probably not, because in spite of the problems that many people have, it has saved many lives, and improved the quality of many others. I do, however, think that some SURGEONS should be removed from the market. J. Also, the Lap Band (and other Weight Loss Surgeries) have become a HUGE business. It’s an INDUSTRY now, putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of members of the AMA, which is an enormously powerful lobby. No, there’s just too much money involved for it to go away. And, there has been so much benefit to many people. In my case, I had a hack surgeon: “Dr.” Theodore Kahlili at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I know that there are people on this board that have had success with “Dr.” Khalili, but that was NOT my experience. In my case, I believe he was incompetent….SEVERAL times. And when something goes wrong with your band, just watch him run. I would have been better off having the guy that cuts my Sushi install my Lap Band. He was also arrogant…VERY arrogant. I recognize that Surgeons are human, and they can make mistakes. But, they need to stand up and be accountable when they do. That is why when I make a post on this board I will almost ALWAYS make the strong suggestion that you choose your surgeon CAREFULLY….your life may depend on it. Of course, life is a series of experiences that combine to make us who we are. This means good experiences, bad experiences, wonderful relationships, bad relationships; it all adds up to create a total life experience. My Lap Band experience was one small element of my life that grew to become a very significant part of my life for several years. So, while the question itself is quite simple (“do you regret having your Lap Band”), the answer (for some) is not. We are all unique. Our physiology is different. Our mental states are all different. We are going to have DIFFERENT outcomes. When I reverse-engineer my entire lap-band experience, I see areas where I could have affected the outcome in a more positive manner. Like choosing a surgeon that was qualified to handle something more than a butter knife. There were other areas in which I made mistakes as well. But, I had never had a lap band before. And frankly, I was not told very much about it by my “Surgeon’s” office. And when I had my band installed, there were not the resources available online that there are today, such as this forum. So, yes, I regret the Lap Band, and I regret my choice of surgeon, but I do not regret the overall experience that I have had over the last several years. I have learned much about health, nutrition, our Medical system, Insurance companies, lawyers, Human nature, and MYSELF. I wish I did not have to have gone through what I went through, but something tells me that it was for a reason. There were things I needed to learn. And learn I did. “The Journey is the Reward”. HH

I'm glad to see that you are researching your Surgeon. A lot of people don't. make sure that he has done HUNDREDS of lap bands before he lays his hands on you. My threshold of comfort would be 800 or 900, or higher. Check him/her out thoroughly, and don't be afraid to ask the hard questions, like how many patients he/she has "lost", and any thing else that you might be concerned about. It any Doctor hesitates to give you any information about themselves, then don't walk away....RUN away! It's your only body, and you want to have somebody working on you that knows what they are doing. HH

You must have been that lightning bolt i saw rushing through Fallbrook buying every piece of clothing in sight... :thumbdown:

Mandi, I have had the "revision". I had a lap band, and now I am the "owner" of a bypass! I find it hard to think of it as a "revision"....to me, revision sounds like an alteration of the original....but it's not. The RNY is a whole different thing. Sometimes the band is NOT right for people, for a lot of reasons. The feeling of a foreign object in your body is problematic for many people. In answer to your basic questions, the overall feeling IS more "natural" when you get full. Your stomach IS much smaller, and the feeling of fullness is real. Some Drs advise to NOT have soda after a GB. Others say it's ok in small quantities. I found that if I had a little soda, it made me burp a lot easier than before the GB. Some of the rules are the same. I have had a couple of complications with my GB, ....an ulcer, and a stricture. So, my "rules" have been a bit different. If the band has NOt worked for you, you may find that a GB will. It certainly has for me. I am at a perfectly normal weight for my height/build for the first time in nearly 25 years. It wasn't easy, because there were some pretty serious complications that I experienced because of the damage that was caused as a result of the Lap Band being present. So, my recovery was much longer, and I have had the aforementioned complications, but in the end, I do believe that it was the right choice for me at this time. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask......but remember, there is no ONE CORRECT method for everyone....we are all individuals, and we all respond differently to different procedures. You have not done well with the band, perhaps the RNY will be what you need. HH

Hi, Jennifer; The band is not for everyone. It doesn't work for everyone, and there are very often problems associated with it. Some times the right thing to do is to move to another method. Gastric Bypass MAY be the right thing for you. There are several processes available to you, and at this juncture in your experience, it might be a wise thing to do to look at ALL your options. I had a very bad experience with the Lap band. I ended up having a Gastric Bypass, and I am presently at a perfect weight for my height/build. It took less than a year. I had a more difficult recovery than most due to the injuries I suffered as a result of having the lap band, but I DID recover, I HAVE lost all the weight I need to lose. So, it may end up being the right decision for me. But, take your time and look at all the options. For people who can afford to have whatever procedure they want, Gastric Bypass seems to be the preferred method, but it really, really depends on the individual and their needs. How much you have to lose, specific health problems, and many other factors can influence your decision. I would also seriously consider giving the classic diet/exercise combination another shot. Losing the weight that way is the safest, healthiest method, but it is also the slowest and most difficult. Many cannot do it that way, and for them (us) WLS is the answer. But, it needs to be considered as an option. I think that it is important that you take your time in deciding, and in picking your surgeon. It is only MY opinion, but I think you should consider having your next procedure done near where you live, rather than in Mexico or in some location distant from your home. There are those here on this board who would disagree with that, and I would advise you to seek out their opinions as well, but I think that it's important that you you live within a very reasonable driving distance of your surgeon, PARTICULARLY as you have had difficulty with your original surgery. As said, I have been through both surgeries, so if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help in any way I can. Best of Luck, and keep us posted on your progress!:smile2: HH

StartingOver, You've got my respect! You are doing EXACTLY the right thing. DO go on Weight Watchers and give it %100. WLS is only one way to lose weight. Many, many people are able to deal with the weight issues without WLS. For most of us here, it was simply too much, and WLS was the only option left. Give WW a solid try while you are waiting on the Insurance, and perhaps it may work for you to some degree this time. If not, there is always WLS. In my own case, after my band failed me, I found a way of eating that allowed to lose about 70 pounds, but then I had some complications with the "failed" Lap band, some additional surgeries, and I ended up having a Gastric Bypass. It's kind of a long and complex story, but the bottom line for me is that I do believe that when you find your own particlular method eating that works, you CAN do it. Many people never find their "way", so WLS is the result. So, give it a shot while you're waiting for the insurance to deal with the WLS. Keep us posted! HH

Yes, listen to WASaBubbleButt. Smart Cookie. Don't be sad about losing your band. The band is NOT the right solution for everyone....no single WLS process is. There are plenty of other options out there now, and one of them WILL work. Keep your chin up, and simply move forward to whatever's next. Give yourself some time to heal, relax, and give dieting another chance while you're in between WLS's. The band was DEVASTATING for me, I had an awful experience. I had a GB, and I still encountered some problems, but I am now at a PERFECT weight, and quite healthy. Your ture WILL come. WLS is not an "event", it is a PROCESS, and some of that process will often include using multiple methods....meaning multiple surgeries. But once you DO find what will work for you, you will be amazed. So, for now, just realize that you are a step closer to your ultimate goal. You have had to take a bit of a detour, but understand that it's ok....you'll be fine. Keep us posted on how you are doing, and what you ultimately decide to do. HH <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_1184178", true); </SCRIPT>

If your Dr is willing to do it for free, that's AWESOME! BUT....... Make SURE that he has done HUNDREDS of them SUCCESSFULLY on other people before he does one on YOU!. You do NOT want to be a guinea pig for ANY Dr. Let them get their practice elsewhere. Perhaps he has done many of them, and if that's the case, go for it. HH

Hi, Sarah; Welcome to the Forum. You need to check with WasabubbleButt here on the forum. She has had both the band and the sleeve, and she is also a nurse and an AWESOME source of information. Nice chick, too.. She'll tell you everything you need to know! Best of luck, you've come to the right place! HH

I would at least CALL your doctor and make him/her aware of it. Probably nothing to be concerned about, but you should at least tell you doctor about it..... HH

Hi, Vicky; Welcome to the Forum! You'll get some widely differeing opinions here when discussing the option of going to Mexico for surgery. I am one of those that oppose the idea of going ANY significant distance from your home when having a Lap band installed. There CAN be significant complications with ANY surgery, and I simply feel that you need to be fairly close to home in the event that you do experience any difficulties. I do oppose the idea of going to mexico for surgery, even though many people have had great success in doing so. Many Doctors in the U.S. will NOT treat a patient who had surgery in mexico, so you need to find a local Physician who WILL take care of you here, if problems develop and when you need a fill. Also, with the problems of escalating drug violence in mexico, I would certainly not be traveling there at this point in time. There are lots of other reasons I would avoid mexico for surgery, OR any other place that is too far from your residence to be able to have easy access to YOUR surgeon. Now, having said that, I would refer you to one of our more esteemed members here on the forum, WasaBubblebutt. She is a staunch advocate of going to mexico for surgery, she has been there/done that, and she can articulate the reasons for doing so very well. I have a high regard for her, we just happen to disagree on this issue. I wish you the best of luck in this process, and I would advise you to pick an EXPERIENCED and LOCAL Surgeon! HH

There are many, many reasons why you may have hit a "plateau" in your weight-loss efforts. Don't give up on it, though. You should still try and make proper eating habits and exercise your method for losing weight. Make surgery your LAST option. Millions of people are successful with their weight loss efforts WITHOUT resorting to surgery. Many are NOT successful, and that is why the Lap band and other forms of WLS are available. But surgery needs to be your FINAL option, not the first step as many of the "WLS Surgery mills" would like us to think. Make sure that you are doing the RIGHT kind of exercise at the RIGHT intensity. Consider investing in a Personal Trainer whos KNOWS what they are doing, and can teach you about the various types of exercise, specific to your needs.. Also, with regard to dieting, make sure that you are eating HEALTHILY, and not just reducing calories. Many people think that if they simply reduce the amount of crap they eat, that they will lose weight. But, MUCH of the secret to losing weight is in WHAT you eat. I highly recommend that you read the "PH Miracle" by Dr. Robert O. Young. It's a book that was life-changing for me. Most importantly, you need to change your focus; Don't think in terms of simply "losing weight". Think in terms of becoming HEALTHY. If you become healthy, REALLY healthy, then a natural by-product of pure health IS being at a correct body weight. If you work hard at becoming healthy, and not just at losing weight, your body will ultimately arrive at it's correct weight on it's own. It's a simple concept, but very powerful. I wish I had understood it many years ago before I went through all the stuff I had to go through. So, don't give up on the diet and exercise.....if you can accomplish it, it really is the best way to lose what you want, and become healthy in the process.

I LOVE coffee! If I could, I'd fill a swimming pool with Gavina vanilla Nut, and LIVE in it. I love coffee THAT much. BUT.... I don't drink it anymore. Seriously. It's acidic, VERY acidic, and it doesn't make or keep you healthy. It's bad for you....so, I gave it up as part of my overall committment to good health. There ARE substitutes that are very, very good, that are NOT acidic. A product called Teecino is a very good substitute. There are some very BAD substitutes out there, but there are good ones as well. Coffee won't kill ya.....but I will tell you from experience that NOTHING TASTES as good as I FEEL when I'm healthy. Give it some thought..... :w00t: HH

Yes, it's good that you contacted your Dr....I'm glad it's not serious.. But..... I'm thinking that you really need to re-think what you intend to be eating from here on out. I love corn-dogs as much as the next guy or gal, but there is NOTHING in either the corn OR the dog that is of much nutrional benefit to anyone, so I simply won't eat them anymore. It was probably THAT kind of food that got you into the position of having to have the Lap band put in in the first place. The Lap band restricts us from eating TOO much food, but with some exceptions, it doesn't restrict us from eating any particular KIND of food. THAT kind of restriction comes from YOU....your MIND. You've gone through the WLS process, and for it to be a COMPLETE success, you've got to change WHAT you eat as well as how much you eat. I am often amazed when I see someone who has gone through the sometimes difficult, painful, and expensive process of WLS, and then continues to try and eat what made them obese to begin with. High calorie, fatty, sugary foods just WON'T make you healthy! You really need to change your state of mind. Losing weight is only part of the battle....what you want to do is not simply be slender, you want to get HEALTHY. And, being at the proper weight for your height/build is a by-product of being healthy. So, I would suggest that you start moving away from foods like corn dogs. More veggies, fish, fruit, and less of the garbage that made you fat. :w00t: HH

I would request the overnight stay if your insurance allows it. I would also NOT be having surgery by a doctor that did NOT want to keep me overnight. Just a personal preference. It is a foreign object, going inside your body, being sewn to an organ. Just to be safe, stay overnight....hey, the food is AWESOME! :party:

Hi, M! I thought you might chime in on this one! I DO understand that many, many people have had great success with their surgery in MX, and that often the price is the deciding factor as to whether or not they are able to HAVE the surgery at all. I guess it just comes down to one's comfort level. And, I guess one factor that should be a consideration when choosing your surgeon in MX is whether or not you can find a LOCAL provider that will assist you if there is an emergency. Some local Drs won't touch you if your surgery was done elswhere, so I would have to suggest that as a PART of the process of finding a surgeon in MX, you should locate and get a committment from a LOCAL provider that they will service both your fills, and will treat you if a problem comes up. Other elements to the MX question would be the dramatically increasing drug violence (particularly along the borders) and what seems to be the increasing number of kidnappings of Americans, who are then held for ransom. Just all things to at least CONSIDER when choosing a surgeon. My thoughts also apply to those who travel large distances within our own borders to have surgery.....I think it's simply a BETTER idea to have your surgery close to home....if at all possible.

I'm in COMPLETE agrreement with Cleo's Mom....AND her cats! Go after Inamed. Push very, very hard. Don't back down. They certainly do NOT want their name sullied on the Internet, but sometimes that's what ya gotta do to make them stand behind their "product". When I began having big problems with my band, my surgeon didn't have the time to see me. I had to threaten him, and the hospital, with a lawsuit until they were able to "make time". So, go after them. Actually, I think it would be nice to have a site or a forum that would "name and shame" hack Doctors (like my first one) and companies like Inamed that won't back their products and services. Keep us posted on your course of action, and what the results are!

What Jodi said! Seriously, you really don't need "special foods". Fresh, unprocessed foods are really what your body needs. Also, I would highly recommend reading "The PH Miracle for Weight Loss" By Dr. Robert O. Young, or his original book, the "Ph Miracle". His ideas on eating are incredible, and should be given some serious consideration. HH

I am so sorry that you had to go through this. I also had a very bad experience with my band, and it was removed last year. This kind of thing DOES happen, and my feeling is that it happens more than we are aware...a LOT more. Last year, my Surgeon told me that it is his feeling that the band will be taken off the market in the next few years because of increasing incidents like this. He is known as a specialist in the area of problems with the Lap band, and that is why I went to him. I am not opposed to the band, even though, like the OP, my experience with the band almost killed me....a couple of times, in fact. The band has changed the lives of many people, MOSTLY for the better. But, there is a dark side to the Band that is often glossed over. Problems like this is one of the main reason why I continually emphasize the importance of selecting a VERY EXPERIENCED surgeon....experienced in the LAP BAND, not just a general surgeon. I also encourage people to have their Surgery close to home, if possible, so that when problems like this arise, you will have easy access to the doctor that installed it. I know that there are a lot of people who have had successful surgeries in Mexico, but when I hear stories like this one, I have to wonder what people are thinking when they go outside of the country (or even outside of their own state) simply to save some money. The band can work wonders for most people; But for others, the cost is just way too high....and I'm not talking about the money.

So sorry that you had to experience that....that is a LONG time in the hospital. I hope that you are on the mend, and that life can get back to normal for you. Problems with the Lap band DO happen, and some of them can be very, very serious. I also had a bad experience, so my Heart goes out to you. There are lots of reasons why the problems occur; bad doctors, bad instructions, NO instructions, bad aftercare, patient not following instructions.....the list is long. Keep us posted on your progress toward health, it sounds like they have corrected the problem and that you are beginning the healing. best of Luck! HH

If you want to find out about a way of eating that is amost entirely vegetarian, Grab a copy of the "The PH Miracle for Weight Loss", or the original version of the book, which simply the "PH Miracle", by Dr. Robert O. Young. This book is not about Vegetarianism per se, but the principles it teaches in terms of eating make it a book in that category. It's about "eating alkaline", and I will tell you that this book changed my life, and my entire outlook on food and Water. HH