My Endoscopy Results 12/22/05

[leatha_g 4]

:eek: Such terrible news. I'm really sorry to hear this, Lisa. You'll be in my prayers.

I had a barium swallow done on Wednesday, unofficially, the band is in place and there is no pouch dialation. My EGD is scheduled Jan 6th. I reckon that will tell the true story. God bless you.. God bless us all.

[DeLarla 22]

Okay, I'm normal because I woke up crying. I'm just tired, frustrated and exhausted from this entire process. I'm looking forward to a hospital bed and good drugs, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

I now personally know NINE girls from the same Tijuana cluster that have eroded: Donali, Heather, Karen, Penni, Michelle, Fracesca, Lisa, Diane (plus others who I don't know personally.) Granted, Diane was banded 4 years out, but I don't know how long she was eroded before having her removal. Some people go years without an endoscopy and never know they're eroded. I'm convinced there are more, and many who think an Upper GI (barium swallow) will answer their concerns. Both Penni and I had perfect Upper GI results within the last couple weeks though. Last night the surgeon kind of chuckled that everyone's getting Upper GIs since they often don't show anything, yet some people base their conclusions on good results.

I had to TRICK my primary into giving me the endoscopy, and it took me a few months to finally convince them. Insurance doesn't pay for "Having a feeling I'm eroded" or "Just feeling odd and squishy down there." I did vomit one day, so I told them, "Oh no, I'm vomiting!"

Fact is I took a gamble. I had to trudge through this because now I can finally go on to my true calling - a Hollywood celebrity after kicking Penni's ass on Big Loser! Or being banned from the show for all the conspiring we will surely plan if we get on. Where do I sign?

By the way, today I feel gross (physically.) I don't know if it's part of the erosion or the way I juice fasted 1.5 days then barely ate yesterday. To me, erosion feels a little like diarrhea gurgles, only up high. That's the best way I can describe the oddness I've felt. Not pain, just creepy kinda mild and rumbly baby gas? Definitely "off" but hard to pinpoint a description.

Leatha, good luck on you endo results, I’ve been accused of posting simply to scare the boards. If anything, I just hope people are scared enough to get regular scopes.

Bandster Bash 2006. That's a great idea. Thanks everyone for your endless love and support.

[rosemanl 0]

First i would like to say i am so sorry to the mx cluster and their band erosions. I think of you all often and wonder how you all are getting along. I just wanted to throw a thought out there that my band doctor (Dr. Pitt / Columbia, MO)mentioned to me in my discussion w/ him on erosion fears. He said something about the buckle placement of the band is different now. I don't remember anymore details than that but since he said that i just keep wondering if maybe you all were banded before the buckle placement procedure changed. I'm really sorry i can't provide anymore details, but if nothing else it can give you something to start looking into. I hope you all keep us posted on your journey w/ out the band. I have learned sooooo much from your experiences and appreciate your openess and willingness to share!!!

[gentlespirit 1]

Lisa~

I, too, am so sorry to hear your news. It really sucks bigtime. Having said that, I'm very appreciative of the fact that you are sharing your concerns with us, and I particularly like your comment about hoping we're scared enough to get regular scopes. We need to know the good and the bad about this...

Sending all my best wishes to you~

Emily

[Vera 7]

Lisa my heart hurts really badly for you. Let me know what I can do? Will you be coming into Calif? Try and push for emergency surgery. Make the doctor claim it’s a matter of life and death so you’re insurance will kick in.

I’m so pissed off. This is bull s***. This “ Cluster” is causing a lot of heartache, pain, suffering and money. Someone should be acountable for this.

I read that not only has the technique that some doctors use changed but I also read that Inamed changed their port design about a year ago. You all have had Inamed bands I don’t think we should walk away…someone has to pay. If it were I or 2 erosions, but not 5 and up in a few months time. I’m going to try doing more research.

I Love you guys

[paula 4]

Lisa, at this point, the only security I feel is by having my surgery done in the US.

And is that really a "security"??

((hugs)) to you my friend.

But Im with Vera - I think there is a legal matter getting formed here.

Know anyone that works for an attorney - to get some legal advice???

Im scared... for all of us.

[dylansmom 27]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope that they can get you scheduled for your surgery soon and get you healed up. You have been through hell and back with this whole band thing, and I wish only peace and happiness for you.

All my best to you.

[Road Queen 0]

Sorry to hear about this. Good luck getting surgery scheduled and getting well. Keep us updated. Celeste

[DeLarla 22]

I woke up feeling really weird - probably anesthesia hangover. My doc warned me to watch for severe abdominal cramping or fever for 24 hours following the endoscopy. An endo comes with a "preferation warning" even for those non-banded. I had to sign a disclaimer about it. So every time I feel the slightest gas or gurgle, I stop moving and hope it passes. So far, so good.

Vera, thanks for all you're doing... honestly. I won't be doing any research because I'm holding my breath and just "getting by" till the icky thing is out. And Rose & anyone else offering even the smallest clue is appreciated. Maybe one day they'll have the procedure figured out.

The Band is an amazing tool. Will I be re-banded in the future? No way, way too expensive. But if my insurance started covering it, then probably more like hell yeah.

[Bensmum1109 0]

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your erosion! My heart is breaking for you.

[molynn 0]

I'm sitting here not knowing what to say to you Lisa...and everyone going through this erosion nightmare. I am so so sorry. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I agree with you Lisa that everyone should have an edoscopy. I had an endoscopy 2 months ago. Unfortunately it was done by a moron. He told my doctor everything was fine and dandy.

I have a new band doctor now and he said the endoscopy report was a waste of his time. My pouch is very dilated (not in the report). The GI doctor is not a fan of being banded.

I do not have erosion but my band has slipped. They are going to give it some time and see if it moves back in the right spot, otherwise I will have surgery in the spring to reposition it. Everybody should listen to Lisa and if you already have the band, make sure you get an endoscopy. I had to ask for my endoscopy. We should not have to beg our doctors to order this test.

These MX doctors need to be held accountable for all the pain and suffering they are causing. It is not like it is an isolated case.

What has INAMED said about all this. Are they doing anything. They need to have answers for us.

[Cheri 0]

Hello dear Delarla!

My, your insides sure are pretty and pink! I am really sorry about your erosion - that is not a very good way to continue this weight loss journey, ya know? Oh, and I can't believe you haven't even uttered a single "I told you so"!!! I am sure you wished you were wrong about this, but I am glad you found out instead of letting it go! Please take care of yourself, and try to take it soo easy until after you are healed.

Love

~cheri

[shellyj. 0]

ohhhh man...i dont know what to say. lisa, i am very sorry about your erosion, i hope your next 24 is uneventful and you get your removal scheduled by a band dr.

we need a band dr to go though the shots one by one. is the 3rd photo from the outside or inside of your stomach? no 4 definitally looks like it was taken from the outside in? whats the green stuff?

if you and penni go on the biggest loser i will be there EVERY week to see ya'll shake things up!

take care, get your rest, update us when you can.

[Sunta 4]

I am so sorry to hear of your erosion. I have been an avid fan of your posts, which have really helped to inform me about the ups and downs of the band. I will continue to follow your progress. You seem like a very strong person who can get through this. Are you planning on getting another band down the road?

[DeLarla 22]

I'm getting lots of little questions, PMs, e-mails, etc... anyone that wants to talk is MORE than welcome to call me. I'm leaving work now, and I told them I won't be here next week. I'm not sure of any solid plans yet, but I certainly can't focus here. Send me a PM if you want my number.

As always, thank you all so much for your loving arms. I'm on some really weird emotional roller coaster that I hope is just from not sleeping off yesterday's anesthesia.

I didn't even tell you guys the nightmare endo! Yesterday my appt was 11:45, but they called and asked if I could come sooner due to cancellations. HECK YEAH, I wanted it over with! So I rushed down there just to sit all afternoon an hour beyond my normal appt. I was pissed and stated so, I told them they shouldn't treat people that way, blah blah.

Then my ride showed up an hour late, as I sat groggy and freezing wanting to go home and lay in bed with my furry people. But she said I looked bad and needed Soup. She drove me around the corner, where we ate Soup. Then finally she went to take me home but her car wouldn't start. We had to walk several blocks to my vehicle (I drove and parked it) to try jumping her car to no avail. Then a cute guy hits on her, tries to help, tool boxes, cables... all I wanted was bed. Finally she gave in and I had to drive her home, naturally on the other side of town.

So my 10:00 endo got me home at 5:00 p.m., and I couldn't sleep. Today I feel WEIRD. I mean weird, like on drugs or like I need drugs.

I can't wait for it to be over with. I AVOIDED the goody table today with the exception of two crackers with dip. Not one morsel of candy, thanks to my coaching by the lovely LaMadame last night.

I have no problems making long distance calls to people who are serious about their eating plans. I need to surround myself with healthy eaters. I want to be thin... I'll have to liquid fast during and after the band removal process, and there's actually a chance that I'll be BELOW my lowest banded weight if I can stick to it. Right now I'm 249, which is 6 pounds higher than my lowest.

I'm rambling cause I'm leaving work for a week now... it's been a weird day filled with gifts and a surprise call directly to me from my favorite celebrity, right out of the blue (Chloe's uncle called for those of you who know the story, and my head's been spinning since.)

Love to all, and more thanks than I can ever ever express. You are my family.