Mert

:confused:I researched and decided the band was for me b/c it was the less intrusive. I thought my doc was pushing the gbypass b/c that was his expertise. Well 27 months later I have not lost weight with the band. He told me today that the 10cc VG band was defective and he no longer uses them. :whatchutalkingaboutSo, I am back to square one and this time I choose a revision to remove the band and do gastric bp.:laugh:

I use Steven Petak, M.D. at 7400 Fannin #850 (713)791-1874. He is very smart and no nonsense. Does a hormone assay and seems to be up on the latest. He looked for a Vitamin D deficiency and found that I was deficient years ago. Thankfully he put me on a big monthly dosage. Vit D deficiency is dangerous.

I am looking into band removal and an additional surgery. I have had the band now for two years and have only lost about 5-10 lbs. I was asked to consider the gastric bypass from the beginning but I wanted the less invasive. Now I know they were right. I should have had the bypass. I throw up a lot, so I know I don't need a fill. I have a 10ccVG band. Sweets are my nemisis. If I could avoid them I would not be in the fix I am in still today. My BMI is about 50 and I have sleep apnea. I have not asked the insurance company I have now b/c they do not cover bariatric.

I like that.

What a bummer that must have been to have to reschedule at the last minute. Better safe than sorry, though. I had a stress test. It was no fun, but then what medical test is fun!!?? Let me know what the latest is.:confused:

Today, 8/2/07, is your BAND DAY! Wow be sure and let me know how you feel after the surgery and how you are adjusting to the band. :clap2::clap2::clap2:

right. it seems to be OK for people to blaim the obese person for some kind of character flaw. maybe one day in the future it will be politically incorrect to blame an obese person for his/her condition, but for now...:straight

My doctors do fills. However, there was a problem with locating the port for the first three or four fills. Thats why I say go with a doctor with lots of experience. I get my fills under floroscope only now, and they are effective. I went to the first OA meeting in Angleton and it was very helpful for me. I guess you have their literature? I've had a bad experience with every weight loss program I tried (including OA a few hundred years ago:rolleyes). It is somewhat easier to get my compulsive eating under control since I got the band. I've got to cut way down on the sugar and flour. However, the old saying that the band is only a tool is very true. And living one day at a time.

Hey Nana Renan, sounds like you are having a tough time. I am still trying to get mine filled enough for continuous constriction one year after surgery. go with a doctor with lots of experience. I found an OA group here in Angelton that meets on Tues and Thurs evenings. I have not attended yet, but have corresponded with two members (one of which has the band). do you think you would be interested in the OA meetings or online only? It is so much harder for me to go to a meeting than to talk online, but I want to meet some people in the area who can impart some wisdom from experience. so much of mine is emotional

Dr. Robert Davis was my surgeon and Garth is my fill doctor. I was only Dr. Robert's third lap band. Garth is more experienced since it is the newer surgery. Dr. Robert advocates gastric bypass and tried to talk me into it. I was afraid however. It has been very difficult so far getting the fills I need in this 10cc VG band to meet with success. I like the show. Those guys really are kind and compassionate. I was really impressed that Garth came to all the support meetings and answered any and all questions. That was before the film crew started coming. I guess the really big people are more interesting and thats why they show people with very high BMI's. The psychologist, Mary Jo, is coming off like an itch-bay on the show. She is really a nice lady but she doesn't mince words. Yes, she is very thin and a real sharp dresser and beautiful. She specializes in addictions. She is cool even tho she is a skinny person. I like the show but sometimes it is too painful to watch.

Carol, Your sister sounds like a gem, er, could you send her over to my house? You sound like you are doing so well. good for you. I am still trying to get started on weight loss. I am having difficulty! But I'm inspired by your phenomenal success...