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Anyone Banded After Cancer?



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Hi everyone! I have been toying with the idea of a band for a few years now. I had started the process again in early March of this year then got diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. I've gone through surgery, radiation and now I'm on a hormone blocking pill for the next 10 years. My cancer was 100% estrogen positive and we all know that fat stores estrogen. Right now weightloss is my top priority. My MO, PCP and Bariatric Surgeon all agree.

I just wondered if anyone else has been in a situation similar to mine? I expect to be banded early October regardless of whether insurance covers it or not. A generous friend has offered to cover the cost for me. Weightloss can help prevent reoccurance and even with knowing this I still can't control my food on my own!

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I am not banded yet but have a similar background. Treated for ER+ breast cancer 5 years ago. Been on tamoxifen ever since. Have gained over 80 lbs since treatment. Been thinking of surgery for a few years but thought it was out of reach without insurance. Finally decided to self-pay and am on track to schedule surgery in a few weeks.

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I am really hoping my surgery will be in the next few weeks too! I'm gaining it seems like by the day!!! Good luck to you, I can't wait till the day I can say I'm 5 years out!

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I am really hoping my surgery will be in the next few weeks too! I'm gaining it seems like by the day!!! Good luck to you, I can't wait till the day I can say I'm 5 years out!

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"Weightloss can help prevent reoccurance and even with knowing this I still can't control my food on my own!"

Yep. Obesity is a disease. If knowing equated to fixing, none of us would be on these boards.

Good for you getting the surgery you need to live a long and healthy life. You deserve it and we are all here for support. Good luck!

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I just got banded on August 27, 2014. I had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, but I'm in complete remission.

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I have my EGD on Friday! Hoping for this surgery soon! I've got a grandbaby coming at the end of October so I'll be scheduled around that!

It's nice and reassuring to know there are others like me out there! I'm currently cancer free and hope to be that way for a very long time!

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I just got banded on August 27, 2014. I had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, but I'm in complete remission.

Wow that's great..could you tell me a little more about your situation? My husband has cll and want Lap band but is unsure if it will affect his condition. :)

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My Dad has CLL so I'm very familiar with both types. I didn't have any issues. My immune system is still not as strong as a normal persons despite being in Complete Remission for several years. I took antibiotics to prevent infection and other than that it was no different for me then it was for anyone else. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and was back at work the following Tuesday.

How are your husband's counts? That would be the main concern. Like any surgery there are always possibilities of infection, hemorrhage, respiratory depression etc.

My concern would be what is his H&H, Platelets, WBC. You wouldn't want him to have surgery if he is at a higher risk due to low counts on any of those.

As far as affecting his condition, it should not do that. I'm under the assumption that his appetite is good. My Dad has lost 50 to 60 lb as he doesn't have an appetite and I have to make him eat. :(

His oncologist would be his best bet to let you know how your husband stands medically wise to undergo an invasive procedure.

Good Luck and feel free to ask me anything :)

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Loggerswife: I got my date. It's 10/7. Are you still going to be banded early October?

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Me too. Can't wait!

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Why would you band? Look into the sleeve, it is auch healthier option and your body has already been through so much.

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My surgical oncologist recommended the band to me. I don't agree that getting most of my stomach removed is "healthier" than getting a band, but everyone needs to make the decision that's best for them. Let's respect that.

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My oncologist and other docs would only agree to the band. The oncologist didn't see losing most of my stomach as a "healthier" option. Since my immune system is still a bit compromised as I just completed treatment 3 months ago. I'm guessing the sleeve is great for some but, I've been shown way to much evidence that it's not for me.

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      · 0 replies
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      1. Selina333

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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