Nanook

I know that's corny but I'm not a newbie getting "excited" about getting the band so as an oldbie I suppose I can be excited about getting rid of my band. It's amazing how long it seems we wait for approval and to get the surgery and then when it's time for removal it can take a matter of days! At least that's how it feels as mine is finally coming out on Friday the 3rd. Of course it's a mixed blessing as I went into banding with possibly not enough knowledge of what it would be like to be banded but still had the hope that it would work out at the same time and sadly it did not. So hopefully all you newbies read up as much as you can and make sure you have the right expectations of the band because it isn't for everyone as I well know, Nanook:smile:

Puffytwo, Mine were/are sharp pains that last for a second right in the center of my chest and were coming about every 2 minutes when I was in the hospital. I don't feel pressure. It should be ruled out with an upper GI and if not then, then I suppose they might have to do some other test, maybe an endoscopy or something. I've heard who people complain of hiatal hernias feeling like pressure in the chest. Mine were definitely sharp pains that came and went. What did your bariatric surgeon tell you it was? You've ruled out your heart so that's a good thing and hopefully an upper GI will help you figure out what it is. Nancy:smile:

I went through this about two weeks ago and they made me spend the night in the hospital to rule out the heart, which is fine. The PA at the hospital thought it might be my esophagus and reflux or a hiatal hernia. I called my surgeon's office and met with them and they had me get an upper GI. They saw reflux, I'm a year post-op too and I have no fill in my band and it was still happening. They put me on a medicine to help with the acid production. I forgot what it's called but I'm sure your doctor will probably put you on something similar. So far it's gotten better but even with no fill I'm still pretty restricted but because I never lost weight with the band and am now having this issue I'm having it removed soon. Don't worry that doesn't mean you need to, it's my choice. Hope you feel better soon, Nancy.:rolleyes2:

Have all of you who have had their bands removed, not replaced had it done laparoscopically and out-patient, thanks Nanook.:confused:

Turns out there is no hiatal hernia but reflux is going on and the band is completely open. I guess I have to wait and see if my insurance company approves it or not. Thanks Nancy

Indiogirl, My daughter had the RNY this past May and has lost 114lbs so far! I'm glad it's worked out for her, I'm kind of the guinea pig of the family! Take care Nancy.:embaressed_smile:

Indiogirl..., I'll tell you exactly what I thought by the information given to me. That the lap band was going to restrict the amount of food I ate but to be careful of what you drank that was calorie laden. I even have information from back in 2007 when I was trying to figure out why it wasn't working for me but was for others. And it tells you to eat only good food and stop eating when you feel full. Now at that time post- banding I did assume all solids were solids and would fill me up but I was wrong. The Protein would fill me up and the vegetables but the "junk aka sliders" went right through. If I had known this prior to banding I would never have been banded as that's where I got into trouble in the first place. So hopefully most people are getting that information now that I lacked prior to banding and prior to my research a couple years ago. Thanks Nancy.:thumbup:

Indiogirl, I wonder if Lap Band had your post in their information booklet if anyone would get banded! Lol. But you're right. There's got to be a better way to distinguish between which people will do well and which people won't so they don't make the mistake I did. Nancy.:thumbup:

I had a slight idea only because they tested my blood oxygen level first and it was low and I also didn't do well on the breathing test, don't know what it's called and they sent me to a pulmonologist who thought I probably had it after he examined me. Otherwise I felt really drained everyday and also had problems falling asleep at night, I also snored. Of course it was all confirmed by the sleep study. My daughter who had a different WLS also had one done and she as found to have disrupted sleep due to her snoring and that was it. Like the poster above I also had the headaches.

I would look into this a little more, I've never heard of them removing it that way and I'm going to be having mine removed soon. If it is an emergency maybe your insurance company can work with you a bit and if not some type of reputable surgeon in your area can work out something cheaper since you're uninsured basically and a payment plan. Wish you well, Nancy:smile:.

That's why I feel a runaround because you can't just give a flat amount $150,000, that could still buy a house in some areas and in California forgetaboutit... So will we ever know what the candidates will do for the economy, it worries me still. How do you know when a politician is lying? When his/her lips are moving:w00t:

I had a hard time myself with the "financial" definition. Only because our candidates make points that the middle class will get this and that but does anyone know if they fall into that category or not? I need specifics when someone tells me something and if they're specifically targeting the middle class don't we need know what defines it?

Have you been able to resolve the situation since the removal. I was the type of person who if I couldn't stick to a diet prior to banding I couldn't stick to one after banding. Some people are like that. But if I don't focus on dieting and try to eat "normally" and exercise it starts to come off anyway. Didn't know what your take was on it. Thanks Nancy.:crying:

Does anyone know what makes a person "middle class" when it comes to combine salary? Does it vary state to state?

Sounds like a good idea to me that you get counseling on your own. I've always found it more effective to work on oneself than as a group. Someone always ends up feeling attacked. And to be told not to think about the viagra is like being told "only think about the viagra"! Good luck and hope things get better for you! Nancy:smile:

Well it is God's country!

I saw something on youtube where a diner in Texas took bacon and put it in a batter like they use for chicken fried steak and fried it and then served it with white gravy and it was very popular there. My chest hurts:cry_smile:

Too bad you can't post it!!! It's really silly because I ended up being a person who did not do well with the lap band but I passed with flying colors!

This is all new to me, I've never heard of them making people take the psych evals over, how dumb! The thing is too these are not cheap, I know mine was not covered and had to pay out of pocket and to make you take it over again because they said you didn't answer correctly. They don't even know you, I'm assuming this was a hand picked person and not someone you've seen prior. Anyway the whole thing sounds "crazy" to me, Nancy.

I'm surprised no one has scanned a copy of a psych eval and posted it on here somewhere! I don't think being a little off is going to deny you and in my case the surgeon hand picked the therapist who gave the eval and in some cases people can use their own. I was never found to be an "emotional eater" or what you'd think they'd be looking for prior to surgery but they do seem to be concerned with people who are suicidal. I don't know if it's to keep surgeons from being sued or not. I'm sure the evaluation is to protect the patient as well as the surgeon in some respects. I wouldn't worry too much about it, it seems to be the thing that most people do worry about and the least of things they should worry about, Nancy:smile:.

I could be wrong but I think it's the same thing as an upper GI where you drink barium and they watch it on x-ray. I'm not a doctor but I had my upper GI done yesterday to see what was causing my chest pains. So maybe they can see if there's a leak in your band or something. A doctor is usually there to read it so hopefully you can find out soon so don't worry too much, Nancy.:thumbup:

Exactly what are Obama's plans to fix our economy?

Anyone have their bands removed due to esophageal reflux and hiatal herinia?

I see your point but my father is only in recovery now that he's up in heaven and I saw him drunk too many times to count. Trust me I loved him because he was my father but in his passing he and I are both at peace!

I've been having my pains just in my chest and not my throat so I didn't know what it was but after having an upper GI today it seems to be acid reflux. I also have burning in my stomach and pains there and they couldn't find the band for some reason on the x-ray. Good luck to you and maybe your surgeon will have some tests done to figure out your problem, Nancy.