Hello!

I am so glad I found this place. It seems pretty difficult to find banding info across the Net. Everything I find seems to be mostly about gastric bypass.

Anyway I finally decided on a doctor myself, here near the Seattle area. I am going with The Wish Center in Renton, Wa. and surgery will probably be in July sometime. They have a lot of requirements and make you jump through hoops to get the surgery, even self-paid.

I know most, if not all of us, have some co-morbidities. I have several, including diabetes II, hypertension and worst of all, kidney failure. I am not on dialysis *yet*. I am too obese for a biopsy so they are treating me with diuretics to keep the Water weight off and hoping weight reduction might stabilize my kidney loss.

It's a complex situation but I was hospitalized last summer and they took 128 lb of water off me in 2 weeks. I retain A LOT at an given time. Right now I probably have about 50 lb of water. It's hard to tell where the fat stops and the water begins. lol

Anyway, I'm on Fluid restriction daily, 2 Liters a day. I'm concerned about the liquid diet in the initial phase of banding, and my doctors are a little concerned about the saline IV during surgery even.

Anyone have a condition similar to mine that has been banded?

I am hoping the ends will justify the means. If my kidneys worsen a bit because of the surgery and liquid diet, the weight loss will stabilize them before they fail completely. It's all a crapshoot.

Anyway I'm glad you have a place like this, I think I'm going to need a lot of support in the future!

Thanks!

Tina

Hi Tina!

:welcomeB: :welcomeB: :welcomeB: :welcomeB:

you found the right place- welcome! The people here on this board have a wealth of knowledge and can help you with a lot of questions. Glad you are here!

Tina,

You are so young to be going through so much!! I'm sure if your surgeon works w/ your primary and nephrologist they can calculate what to give you in saline during the surgery! You will have to be watched VERY closely post-op as well....for imbalances, etc. Ultimately they are right the wt loss would help...it would help us all!! :eekB: You are definitely a "case" that will put them to the test in each phase!! I wasn't even able to drink 2 cups each day the first few days....just not up for it....but others have hunger and thirst quickly!! They will have to calculate and be so specific w/ you....but caring surgeons and doctors will put forth the effort and help you I"m sure!!!

Will be praying for you!!!

GOd Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Welcome, Tina. The surgery lasts an average of 1.5 hours. In your case, it would be wise for the surgeon to consult with your doctors to determine the best intra-operative and post-operative treatment plan for you. I have a friend who had type II diabetes and sleep apnea. He had the surgery last July, is down 100 pounds+ and did not need any diabetic medications 4 months from the date of the surgery.

Heya Tina !!! Welcome... You came to the right place this site has great info... good luck

I really appreciate the encouraging words. I feel like I might be surrounded by people who finally get what I'm going through. It's been difficult to explain anything to my family and friends.

I actually had a "friend" say to me the other day that she didn't want me to take offense, but that I should be able to lose weight without surgery, and be a size 4 like her, if I wasn't lazy.

Like Dr. Phil says, lets operate in the real world here. The reality is, I haven't lost weight and banding gives me the best and safest chance to get it done.

Nice to meet you all!

Tina