Does anyone have advise for me? I am considering rebanding after my band was removed April 2006. I have gained 27 lbs. ,and each week another 2 lbs. jumps on board. I stayed in the hospital ,and , according to surgeon, almost died because the band hand completly cut off the blood flow to my stomach. I can't stand what's happening to me(weight gain); but I am scared, too. My rebanding cannot be done laproscopically. Advise, anyone!

DDee

I am miserable! My band slipped about 7 or 8 months ago and Dr Billy took all the fill out. I have MINOR restriction and the weight is returning with record speed!!!! I am so depressed about the weight gain. I had gotten to the point where I felt so good about my body. I wore a bikini and looked good.

Dr Lopez did my original surgery (I know this comes as no surprise to anyone) and when I tried to contact him.....guess what???? He won't return my calls. I finally got an email from his assistant saying that they could revise my surgery for an additional $4,000.00.

So here I am....

1. No insurance.

2. NO MONEY!

3. Dr Lopez won't fix his mistake (although I realized this going into it)

4. A non working band

5. A fat body that depresses me.

If it weren't for the amazing Dr. billy....I would have jumped off the Ventura Pier long ago. Dr Billy wants to help me but without insurance, what's a girl to do?

P.S I was an excellent bandster and I followed all the rules. I would take it extremely personally if someone tried to blame my silp on me.

Christine

Hi, CJBD. I had the band put in Dec. 8, 2006. So far I've had one fill of 4cc in a 10 cc band. I am 53. Why did your first band have to be replaced? Mine had "slipped."

Hello, Ddee. My band was in from May 16, 2005 until it had to be taken

out the end of June 06. It hadn't slipped, but I had a lot of esophogeal

swelling and erosion. The surgeon removed my beloved band and did not

replace it, sadly. He took out my gall bladder though, which is a good

thing... I've put on a lot of weight since my band was taken out, and I

am struggling the same way I was before having lapband surgery in the

first place. The assistant surgeon told me, on the phone, that I had

"lost a tool." He just doesn't "get it." To have bariatric surgery of any

kind is a last resort after all else has failed, so to say I had "lost a tool"

was, to me, a disparaging remark showing no compassion. I'm thinking

seriously about trying to have a gastric bypass, or evenb another band

put in if a surgeon will be able to do so in such a way as it can stay in

there for good! My main concern now is if I'll be disqualified due to my

age (66) since I had the first operation a couple of months before I turned 65. Your progress looks wonderful, and I'm so happy for you!

Maybe you could e-mail me directly? gran2trisnbg@ntelos.net... CJBD

CJBD, I feel so fortunate to have a new band and, of course, count each day as a blessing. The band is much more than a "tool." I eat only a portion of what I would without the band. My appetite was insatiable before the band. I would have done gastric bypass or whatever necessary to be out of the misery of guilt-ridden eating. It's wonderful to once again eat and be satisfied without the guilt. As for the expense, I am a MS schoolteacher, so you know that I don't have money. My car's transmission is about to go out, but I researched credit card and bank interest rates until finding the best interest rate. I will do without a car, clothes, vacations, food...you get the picture, to be thin. This is the only way for me. I borrowed the money and haven't regretted the decision. I make a credit card payment just like I would a car payment. When my surgery is paid off, I should be thin again. No car, clothing, house, or food can give me the satisfaction that being healthy and feeling good about myself does. My e-mail is dianneroberson@yahoo.com if you wish to e-mail me.

Dianne