Hello everyone...I am being banded on April 10th. I am so excited! Seems like it's been forever to get to the countdown, but I think it'll be here before we know it!

Anyone else scheduled in April? We need to come up with a group name!

Carol

Thanks...

I'm so depressed over this. I have learned that the doctor that has agreed to take me on isn't pro-Band. I hope that he will fix it and let me continue. I am worried about losing it and of course I wouldn't qualify for a new one at this point. I'm not ready to be out on my own, ya know?

~C

I know this is so stressful and disheartening for you. I hate that you have to go through this!

Have you really talked to him about your concerns over losing the band? Is he the only surgeon that is avaiable?

Well I haven't even met him yet!! I was scheduled to have an appointment with him on Friday to meet him. Came highly recommended. Besides, apparently this is considered an 'emergency'. I won't have time to doctor shop. I will most certainly discuss my fears with him the moment I meet him though. I am nervous enough to leave my own hospital, and to see someone I don't know is worse!

~C

Carol:

I am so sorry to hear about your issues. It's a shame that we can't all just be happy bandsters, isn't it. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope they can fix you up quickly. Try to drink... dehydration is not good.

:bored:

Please let us know what happens. I'll say a special prayer for you Friday morning that all goes well!

Dear Leslie - I'm so glad you're taking control of your feelings and moving forward. Whatever the outcome, you'll come out stronger on the other side. You and your family are in my prayers. How is the pouch test going?

Dear Bea - How is the pouch test going for you?

Dear Mom - Were you able to get over your stagnant piece of time? Hopefully some of the yummy protein drinks have curbed your cravings. I ate cookies for about a week straight during the holidays. I got tired of them and wanted to quit, but my body seemed to crave the sugar. Finally after drinking some of the recommended protein shakes, my body was able to kick the cravings.

Dear Carol - I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'll be praying for you over the next few days. I'll be sending my positive energy to your doctor so he will make the right choice for you! Thank you for sharing the details of what you're going through. It will help all of us be on the look out in the future.

Dear Brandy - Just a few more days! Are you so excited you can hardly stand it? How is your mouth / jaw pain?

I've had a good week regarding exercise, but no weight loss yet. I'm staying positive, knew the weight loss would slow down as I get closer to my goal. I so wanted to be at my goal weight by my bandiversary. However, life happens when you make plans! I'm so thankful I made this decision and I'm okay if it takes me a few extra months to get to the healthiest weight in my life.

Thank you everyone for your support. I'm feeling anxious about all this. Today I had the Upper GI series and it's basically 'live flouro'. I got to see what is happening. It looks like a mushroom is sitting on top of my band. I have definitely slipped. It looks awful. I just can't believe this is happening. I am waiting for word about what the next step is.

I will keep you all posted as I hear.

~C

Oh no Carol! I can't imagine going through this and I know you have done really well and you live off of your soups. I'm here if you need to talk girl! ((((((hugs))))) I love you and miss you sis!

Dear Bea - How is the pouch test going for you?

It's going okay. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. This is day two. I'm starting to get tired of liquids. Protein shakes have a tendency to bother my stomach so having several a day is really bothering me. I didn't have any meds with me today at school and I felt so bloated after 6 hours of sitting. Ready for a little soft protein tomorrow. However, I do feel better already. I think I was retaining water and not getting enough fluids in, so this is certainly helping. How are you doing? I haven't been on a scale in weeks. I'm waiting until the end of next week. TOM is due any time and I always gain water weight. So I'm saving myself the anguish and waiting. :thumbup:

Carol - Good luck with the new doc tomorrow. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Update:

New doctor has decided I'm not an 'emergency' so I can wait to see him in his office on Tuesday afternoon!!!!!!!

I am so upset. This is what you get for not going to the ER. I did everything the right way, and now look what happened. It sounds like my band will be removed. Not much chance for repair. So apparently this is the end of my weight loss journey.

Oh Carol, I am so sorry to hear this! But PLEASE don't give up! You said that the Dr didn't say it was an emergency and that's a good thing! Maybe once he gets in there, all can be fixed. I will be praying for you!!! You have come so far....XOXOXOXOXOXLots of Hugs and KissessXOXOXOXOXOX

On another note, I hope someone can help me....I went to the Dr for a fill today and we were all completely suprised by what we saw...my band was so tight that not even a trickle of the Barium was moving through. The Dr looked at me with complete bewilderment and couldn't believe that I wasn't throwing up or atleast PBing right there! He then made me drink some water and that made things move a little but not much. He said my pouch was a little big but not so big that I should be eating all I'm eating with no trouble.

So, now I go on all liquids for atleast a week. More if I can take it. Then he'll see me back in a month to see if there have been any changes...

Has anyone gone through this? I knew I was going to go on liquids with the fill but this was a complete suprise? I really don't want to know my pouch has expanded to the point that I have to get things fixed. Any insight will be appreciated!

Just wanted to let you know that www.GNC.com has GREAT pricing on Muscle Milk light (as well as other items on special)! I was able to get 24 of the small size for $8!!! It's perfect to stick in my bag for quick snacks!

Started liquids today...not too happy as you guys can imagine but I am going to do this! I think reporting to you guys will keep me in check. I hope you don't get sick of hearing from me!

Dear Mom - Thanks for the heads up regarding GNC. I ordered two cases of protein shakes. I do much better grabbing a ready made shake out of the fridge than leaving enough time in the morning to prepare one. Good luck regarding your liquid week. I know you'll do great. Hopefully it will help take care of your restriction problem. I haven't heard of that before. Please keep us posted as to what's going on with it.

Dear Carol - You're weight loss journey isn't over, you're just going down a different path for this piece of time. Please don't feel like you have to do what the new doctor says. You are still in control of what happens to you. I understand you don't have a lot of choices regarding physcians in your area. Perhaps you can phone your surgecial doctor and ask him to recommend somebody. Or, ask him to phone the new doctor and make sure that removal is the only way to go. I'm sure the surgeon will agree that you need to keep the band if possible, because of the success you've had. Since you've been down graded from "Emergency Situation" it gives you a bit more time to research and make sure the doctor takes care of you, and doesn't just take the easy way out for himself.

Good job Bea regarding the pouch test. I'm doing well. I've added a few walks to my exercise plan. That seems to help motivate me to eat and drink like I'm supposed to.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend!

Edited January 30, 200917 yr by Cubs Girl 17

Hi everyone...here is an update:

I was just beside myself Thursday night, so I called a friend who was able to get me touch with a different doctor on Friday. He was concerned and saw me right a way (and didn't even have office hours yesterday!!!). They wanted to know why no one had unfilled me. No kidding! I kept asking for that, but the other doctor said it wouldn't make a difference. Turns out, many slips can be corrected when unfilled!!!!!!!! After they unfilled me, they walked me personally down to radiology, did a live flouro Upper GI series again to see if unfilling made a difference. IT DID!!!! It helped a lot, but unfortunately, the slip is so bad, that I still have to have surgery. This doctor says it should be able to be fixed, either by tacking this one back up, or putting a different one in. He said worst case scenario, I would lose this one for a month or two and then would be able to get another one after I heal. He also talked about the Gastric Sleeve as an option for me. At this time, we are focused on getting me well, and surgery is Wednesday. I am feeling much better about things, and this doctor was so wonderful! He really eased my fears and said that I am "remarkably successful with the band"! That made me feel good. He couldn't believe I'd only had it for 9-10 months.

So for now, I have to stay on liquids and wait until Wednesday for surgery. At least I slept better last night, and I don't feel as much pressure in my stomach. He said the slip probably happened from being too tight for too long. You know, that is tough to know. How are we really supposed to know? I thought I was doing just fine.

Anyway, the other doctor that couldn't be bothered to see me won't be getting my money and I certainly will discourage anyone I know from seeing him. I'm glad I kept looking!

Thank you all so much for all your support. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I don't know yet what I will come out of surgery with--band or no band, but at least I will be taken care of.

~C