teachermommy832

I don't understand why everyone is told to crush their pills except me. Is my doctor a complete idiot? I take some HUGE pills, and he keeps telling me it is fine to take anything and everything whole. Including the metformin size and bigger

That is really strange! I have to crush my Metformin, and if I have to take Darvocet for my headaches, I have to crush those too. The only pills I don't have to crush are my Levoxyl and my BP meds.

My surgeon took my off of Metformin (for PCOS) and Spirnolactone the day of surgery, but when I went for my appt with my endo 3 months later, she put me back on my 1500 mg dosage. My testosterone levels had actually gone up instead of down, so I'm not free of the horse pills (which I have to crush) just yet.

Teachermommy, I hope you are feeling better! Do you think this would not have happened if you got the LAP-BAND®? Is there a difference between the Realize Band and LAP-BAND®? I am so confused. I am scheduled to have the Realize Band, but now I am wondering if I should go with the LAP-BAND®. If anyone can answer this question, I would greatly appreciate it. I have until Monday to make my decision! ACK!

PS I am originally from Houston, TX. I am a teacher and a mommy too!

Hi Lisa,

I've asked that same question myself. My doctor had just switched over to the Realize band when he did my surgery, so I definitely feel a little guinea-piggish right about now. I guess I'll have to see how this plays out over the next couple months.

So awesome to hear from another Houston teacher and mommy!

Hi BJean...I did have the scope procedure on 12/1, and the results were normal. No damage to my esophagus, no slippage, nothing. Thankfully, I've actually been able to get some soft foods down these past few days along with shakes--I almost cried when I was able to get down some macaroni and cheese for lunch yesterday without throwing up once. (This was even more special to me because I'd left my Breakfast and lunch shakes at home by accident, and the mac and cheese was my "emergency stash"!)

Dr. Davis told me at my appointment on Thursday that he was able to "stretch out" my band a little bit with the scope instrument, which explains the vast improvement. I can literally feel a difference--before he told me that, I noticed that I didn't feel nearly as tight, and the constant pressure in my chest had eased.

He is monitoring me for the next month, and if I do well with the shakes/soft foods diet, he'll hold off on removing the band until I get closer to my goal weight. I am cautiously optimistic, and feeling a LOT better. Thanks for checking on me!

I am experiencing the same thing. I am also from Houston and my surgeon was Dr. Robert Davis. I have lost 58 pounds since February. I am experiencing my second episode with vomiting and severe acid reflux. I have not slept in three days because of the reflux. I can not even keep waterdown. I am going to the Dr on Monday, but I have had to wait three weeks for this appointment. I am not a happy patient. I tried to go to another Dr, but they are all weird about insurance and I can not afford to pay $200 cash. It is only Thursday, I don't know if I can wait until Monday. I may go to the emergency room. I am doubting my decision to have LAP-BAND® and am considering removal.

How interesting...my surgeon is Dr. Garth Davis! I am sorry to hear that you are having a similar experience. I only received one fill, and from the moment I got that fill, the hell started. My surgery was June 12, and with the exception of vomiting that kept me in the hospital overnight, I was fine. The first month was great--I lost steadily and had no problems with eating. I started having problems keeping food down soon after my fill in July, which caused them to remove 2 of the 3 CCs they put in. I continued to get worse, so in September, they completely unfilled me. You would think that I would be able to eat, but instead, I developed severe reflux and vomiting. Most days, if I can get a half-cup of Soup down without vomiting, that's an achievement.

Dr. Garth wanted to put me in the hospital Thanksgiving Day, but I held him off by going on all Protein shakes until my scope procedure on Tuesday. He suspects that I am suffering from "band intolerance"--apparently my body isn't liking this band at all. He wants to revise to RNY, but that scares the crap outta me!

I keep trying to tell myself that this isn't my fault, but it's really hard to accept that the one method that has actually worked in my weight loss battle may be making me very sick.

I appreciate the feedback everyone, and I'm glad to know that I'm not alone, particularly in my saga with the Davis Clinic.

Hi Everyone,

I hope y'all can give me some insight, because I'm at my wits' end. I've had my Realize band for 5 months, and the last 4 have been hell. I vomit at least once a day, and have developed severe reflux. For the past 2 days, I have not been able to eat/hold down any food, not even soft foods or "liquids" such as grits.

I've lost 56 pounds, but I am absolutely miserable. I don't want my surgeon to remove my band, but I can't continue to live like this. I am terrified of gaining this weight back, because I couldn't get it off without the band before.

Has anyone else experienced this? Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

I too may have to have my band removed. I have had nausea, constant vomiting, and an inability to keep food down for 4 of the 5 months I've had this band. I am supposed to have a scope procedure on Dec. 1, but I may have to go to the ER today---not my idea of a happy Thanksgiving. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Hey Restless,

Thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately I had two bad vomiting episodes this week. That really scared me because even with the problems, I hadn't vomited since the night of the surgery. I went straight to the hospital from the clinic after getting sick at work. They did an upper GI study, and nothing had slipped, so that was a huge relief. My doc is still at a loss as to why I started throwing up AFTER the unfill, so I'm on liquids for 7 days.

I took your advice, especially on the Water intake and chewing, but the only thing I can get down easily is Soup and liquids. I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll ever eat normal food again. If you have anything else to share, I'd appreciate it.

Hi Everyone,

The last month hasn't been a cakewalk to say the least. When I got my first fill in July, my dr put in 3 cc. The first few days were cool, and I lost another 7 pounds. Unfortunately, things went south from that point. I began to have daily stuck episodes, particularly with my first meal of the day. It got so bad that even Soups with noodles or vegetables got stuck. Two weeks ago, I went in for what was supposed to be my 2nd fill, by they wound up taking out 0.3 cc plus air after I described my symptoms. Apparently, daily stuck episodes aren't normal. They had me to come back in two weeks which was this past Thursday (Aug. 27). I'd had no change in the stuck episodes, and no weight loss. He did a complete unfill this time. Doc thinks that my esophagus is spasming, which could cause the stuck episodes. When I got on the scale this morning, I'd actually gained 2 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I don't want to undo my progress, but I'd like to eat without being in excruciating pain!! Losing more weight would be great too, especially since I'm nearly three months into this journey!!!

Hi everyone! I'm 2 weeks post-op, and I wanted to share a few of my before/during pics.

The 1st one is from about a month before surgery; the 2nd one is 1 week post-op.

I think HELL isn't a strong enough word to describe his staff LOL. I almost switched doctors at the last minute because of the BS they put me through. I definitely agree that they are not fans of the band, but they will do it if they feel the patient can handle it. Did I mention that their staff sucks? (ha ha)

Dr. Garth Davis of Big Medicine is my surgeon (I'm 2 wks post-op), and he was reluctant at first to do the band due to my high BMI. I wasn't too thrilled after the 1st consultation, because it seemed like he was pushing his preferred surgery--gastic bypass. However, after my husband and I made it perfectly clear that the gastric bypass was not an option and explained that we had done a lot of research, he changed his mind. At my pre-op visit, he actually told me that he was impressed with my effort and felt that I would be be motivated enough to "work the band." While I can understand why he wanted the bypass (quicker/more weight loss), I felt the band was a better choice for me. He did a good job of explaining the pros and cons, including slower weight loss. The weight loss with the band is slower--I've lost 30 lbs from the pre-op liquid diet to now--, but I still feel it's going to even out in the end.

Teacher Mommy,

Surgery Date: 6/12/09 (Realize Band) by Dr. Garth Davis, Houston Isnt that the doc from BIG MEDICINE? He is wonderful, I love that show! Good luck!

I don't know if wonderful is the word I'd use to describe him, but I will say he is talented at what he does. Thanks for the well wishes, and same to you!

I'm right there with ya darlin'. I am day 4 post-op, and the last few days have been hell. I could only take crushed Darvocet because my allergy to codeine pretty much ruled out every other pain med. The Darvocet didn't work, so I was essentially without pain meds for 3 days straight. Last night and today have been the turning point for me---I feel human again! Things will get better and you will get stronger. I wish you a speedy recovery, and I'm pulling for you.:wink:

Houston, TX--proud native Texan!

Hey

My surgery date is june 12th to. I would love to chat more so get back to me if you can. My name is Jenna and I live in CT.

Thanks

J

Hey Jenna,

I'd love to chat as well. I try to check the boards at least once a day, so feel free to send me a message. Look forward to chatting with you...

Tiffany

Thanks a lot! I start my pre-op diet Monday, but this all feels so surreal. It's like I'm excited but ambivalent at the same time. I will keep updating as the days get closer--I appreciate the encouraging words!

After 7 months of the "insurance diet", 2 months of wrangling with both Cigna and my doctor's office, and 7 long years of waiting, I FINALLY HAVE A SURGERY DATE!! I am scheduled for June 12, and while I'm beyond excited, I also feel nervous and somewhat numb. I start my pre-op liquid diet on June 1st, and I have no idea what to expect. Any ideas or thoughts?

congrats, wish I had ins to cover it. Mine only pays up to 5,000.00 with a 2500.00 ded. I too am just starting my 6 months. Good luck to ya

Thanks for the support! My ins does cover it, but I do have to pay 3,000 out of pocket with a $500 deductible. (The hospital is going to try to bill it though.) Methodist is putting me on a pymt plan for the $3000, so it won't kill me. I'm nervous about my appt coming up on the 14th, but I'm ready. Fast food doesn't even taste right to me anymore---it's kinda weird, like my body is prepping for change. I'll be sure to post once I come from my appt. Best of luck to you, and keep me posted on your progress.

Hi Ladies,

I was diagnosed with PCOS (or the bane of my existence as I call it) in January 2003, and I have struggled with my weight for over 7 years.

I could write pages upon pages chronicling my frustrations with this disorder, but instead I will focus on FINALLY getting this show on the road. I start my 6 month diet program next week, and I will be banded by Dr. Garth Davis in either late January or early February 2009.

Now don't get me wrong---this is a true rollercoaster ride, and I suspect there will be days when I wanna get off, but I'm looking forward to getting to know others who truly understand what I go through.

With thanks,

Tiffany

Not sure how close you are, but I see Dr. Hope Shipman with Village Family Practice. She and her staff are amazing, and I've made some progress with my treatment. She is located off of the Katy Freeway and Campbell Rd. Hope that helps!

Hello everyone...I'm new to the forum and I am FINALLY able to continue my Lap Band journey. I am 26, married, and the mommy to the most awesome 18-month old ever, Dean. I am also a Houston native, but I have family in NC and Louisiana.

I have been on my Quest for the past three years, and I have dealt with numerous insurance denials, doctor changes...you name it, I've dealt with it. My new job as a teacher has finally afforded me benefits that will cover the surgery, and after completing my 6 month diet requirement, I will have my surgery performed my Dr. Garth Davis (of Big Medicine fame).

I am excited, scared, and nervous, but I can't wait to begin my journey to good health.