fruty77

I was banded at the OCC on September 4th, 2007. I was extremely eager to lose weight and embark on a whole new lifestyle of healthy eating with this the help of this new tool that I had. Unfortunately, my story did not go quite like that. I was introduced to the OCC through my primary care physician while I was living in Fl. Although I was somewhat apprehensive of having surgery in Mexico, she spoke very highly of the OCC and Dr. Ortiz and had patients who already had the surgery and were successful. I did much research and decided to go through with the surgery. I lost about 18 lbs pre-surgery as directed by the OCC. The condition of the facility and the staff met my expectations and beyond. Everyone was very friendly and encouraging and Dr. Ortiz was very supportive while I was there. Traveling after the surgery wasn't super fun, but I got through it. I continued a liquid diet for about 4 weeks as recommended and slowly started to take on soft solids again. I started to feel what others had mentioned in their own experiences.. a tightness when I didn't chew the food well enough, an extreme full feeling if I over-ate. During some occasions food would come back up, but not very often. I felt like I was on track because I was going through what everyone else seemed to go through. I went to my Dr. in Fl and received about 3 fills over the course of a year and half. During that time, I did not lose any weight. However, I was happy that I hadn't gained any way so I was OK with that. About 2 years after I was banded, I moved to Massachusetts and that is when I started to realize that the band was not going to work for me. The Fill Center USA seems to be a great tool for those of us who were banded at the OCC because most Dr.'s are not willing to provide fills to us if they didn't do the surgery themselves or were not familiar with the Dr. that did the surgery. Unfortunately, the closest location that Fill Center USA could offer to me was New Jersey which is over a 5 hour car ride. That was 2 years ago... and still to this day that is the closest location for a fill. On the bright side, while I was living in MA, I was able to visit family in FL and fit in a fill on my visit. That worked for the 1st year of living in MA and then it was getting more difficult for me to travel financially. So here I am, about 3 years out, I've had several fills, the only weight that I've lost was my pre-op weight and every time I eat (except dinner on occasion) I feel pain in my esophagus, a fullness on top while I'm starving in the lower portion of my stomach. For months I thought that maybe I was crazy for feeling full and hunger at the same time. But now I realize that was exactly what I was feeling. Fast forward to about 3 months ago. I'm still living in MA, I feel hopeless because I went through a surgery, spent a ton of money, changed my eating habits and continue to endure discomfort at just about every meal and I still weigh exactly what I weighed the minute before I went into surgery. I felt like I had no where to turn to and no options. I'd called several Dr's to see if they would fill me but was denied. I assumed that my current insurance company would not be willing to pay for the removal of the band and that I probably wouldn't be able to find a surgeon that was willing to remove it for me. I did some research and found a Center for Weight loss at a reputable hospital. I met with a surgeon there who told me that they no longer do the band operations because they have not seen much success from them. He assured me that he could remove my band and that my insurance would cover it. I explained how embarrassed I was and how I felt like such a failure for not losing any weight. In his opinion, if I had access to a local support group and had better access to a fill location, I would have been successful at this. But still, I couldn't help but feel like I failed somewhere in this situation. I have no problem taking responsibility for my actions. I didn't always eat perfectly but I did make lifestyle changes and I did seem to eat less but still no weight change. Here I am, Sept 25th, 2011, a little over 4 years since my band was placed. I'm on day 4 post-op from getting my band removed. When the surgeon came in to see me before I left the hospital, he told me that the surgery went great, however he noticed that the band was placed too high up, almost onto my esophagus and not on the fundus of the stomach where it should have been. He said that this explains why I wasn't successful in losing weight and also why I felt discomfort in my esophagus as well as a full feeling up top while I was starving below. I'm going in for an upper GI this Friday to make sure there was no damage to my esophagus. I feel some relief in that this was not all my doing and because I'm able to shed the shame of not being able to lose this weight after all that I put myself and my partner through over the years, I am hopeful that I can work on this weight loss with motivation. I'm not writing this to badmouth anyone, I had a good surgical experience at the OCC and I've read many success stories so I know that it is possible to use the Lap Band as a weight loss tool. I'm writing this to share my own experience and to make suggestions to those who are considering the band. If I knew that I couldn't get fills if I moved out of state, I would have NOT had the surgery. If I knew that I was the type of person that needs support groups that meet in person, I would NOT have had the surgery. But I did not find these things out until after the fact. The placement of the band was out of my control and I can't take responsibility for that, I can only offer up my experience and knowledge to others. I hope that my story can at least educate those of you looking to get banded to do more research on Fill locations and determine what works best for you when it comes to support. I think out of all of this, support was the biggest thing that I did not get. Good luck to those of you who are considering the lap band. Christina

Does anyone know of a fill dr in or around the Boston area? Currently I live in Florida with the option of going to 2 different Fill USA locations however, there is no Fill USA doctors in the entire state of Ma and I may be moving into that area within 3 months. If anyone can make a suggestion, it would be most grateful. I'm getting a bit scared of the thought of going to a new place and not even having a fill dr nearby. Thanks everyone! Christina

Hi Everyone, Thanks to all that posted words of encouragement. I have to admit that I did actually breakdown last night and had a little cry and I sat down to talk with my partner and explain how difficult this time really is for me. She too is overweight so she understands my weaknesses but I don't think anyone can fully understand what we go through post-op on this liquid phase. Because I've put on such a strong front, she didnt realize how much I was struggling until I broke it down for her. After that she felt horrible about even having the company over. After the tears and slight meltdown, I picked myself up, sat down for a yummy bowl of soup and sat in with the crowd of others while they ate their snacks. In between, I did some schoolwork to keep occupied but all in all, I stayed strong like all of you suggested and today I feel really proud of myself. I know I can get through this... actually, I have no choice but to get through this. And I really appreciate all of the support and experience on this forum. I'm so very grateful to have a place to come and be heard and understood by others who have been there or who are at the same place as me. Last night felt like the end of the world for me and today I feel like it was no big thing and I could do it again if I had to. I guess its all about perspective! Thanks again everyone for being there for me and understanding me!

Hi everyone, I felt compelled to write because I am near the point of tears.... I'm on day 12 of my post-op liquid diet. I'll be glad to never see a can of campbells soup again!!! Its not so bad if I avoid restaurants/bars or other social settings. But tonight, my significant other has invited some friends over to watch a baseball game and I know there is going to be munchies around. It's not that I don't like soup, because I really do enjoy it, I think whats bothering me most is feeling like I can't be in a social setting because most social settings are based on food. And I can't stand the thought of being deprived of what others around me are having. It was my choice to get the band and to go through this process so I don't regret it one minute. I was doing really well for the first week but its starting to weigh on me. I really can't wait to be able eat solids again. I would love to just avoid the entire situation tonight, but doing that would be rude. However, I did tell my partner that if I cant take it, I'm going out for a drive to get away from it. Part of me feels like we shouldn't be having company right now until I'm past this stage and the other part of me feels that this was my choice and others around me shouldn't have to suffer. Wish me luck tonight, because I'll need it!

Arlene, I'm so glad that you listened to your body and called the OCC about what was going on. It great that you were able to get this taken care of before anything bad could have happened. I'm also glad because I got the chance to meet you last week while I was there for my surgery. I just want to say thank you for all of your support and wisdom while I was there. My partner Colleen also appreciates you being there... I think she was really uncertain about the whole thing and you really put her at ease. It was great to meet you and I wish you luck in your continued weight loss!! I'm on day six now and doing really well. I just went back to work today. Thanks again for everything, it was great to meet you! Say hi to Ray for me!!

Hi everyone, Thanks for the positive vibes! I'm home now from TJ and was very very happy to be able to take a nap in my own bed. Its the little things at times like these!Anyways, I'm doing well, progressing from the initial day of surgery and the gas pain is getting less each day. (Heidi, sorry to hear that it was rough for you). I think that I didn't realize how much my body would really go through with having the surgery. Everyone on here has been so helpful and informative about their own experiences that I think that I thought it would just be a breeze for me. Don't get me wrong, its not horrible. I've had surgery before and been in much worse shape. But I think that while we are healing its important to really take it easy. I was hoping to get up and run laps... ok well maybe not "run" but be able to do more and I really wasn't. And thats ok.. the moral of the story is that we all heal differently and experience things differently. I just want to thank you all again for all of the info that is posted on here. It is so very helpful!

Hi all, I'm sitting in my bed here in this nice room at the OCC. I had my surgery a little over an hour ago. Already went for a short walk and have had 2 popsicles, yum!!! so far so good!!! The gas is the only discomfort that I have at the moment... oh and I couldn't wait to get those damn paper thongs off!!!! Everything has gone as planned and just waiting ot meet with Dr Ortiz. I was the first surgery of the day so I didn't get to talk to him, however I did talk to Dr Martinez. Great guy!! Well, thats all for now, i'm ready for a nap!!! Hope all is well and I just wanted to say thanks to all of those who post their wisdom and experience here. I haven't said much lately and that's because I didn't feel that I could really add to all of the excellent info already given. But I'm sure I'll have a lot to say later on down the road. I appreciate you all for being so open and for explaining your journeys, it is so very helpful!!! Talk to you soon!

Hey Heidi, Glad to hear that your surgery went well!! Just got my band about an hour ago.. although I think i've lost track of time! I'm in room 328 and we will be there until Saturday morning, hopefully we will cross paths!

Have a safe trip Heidi!!!! I'll be thinking about you on Wed as I make my way to the OCC and I'm sure I will see you at some point on Wed/Thursday before my own surgery!! Good Luck!!

Heidi, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Stress, anxiety and frustration are a few of the major reasons why I tend to over eat or make extremely bad choices about what foods I put in my body. I know you are going through a lot right now, but try to focus on your immediate goal which is to lose your pre-op weight. You are doing this for YOU and you have all of us here that understand what you are going through when you say that you are having doubts. Maybe your husband will never understand what its like for you, but you are doing the right thing by reaching out to all of us that DO understand. Remember, one day at a time. We all have addictions whether they are food, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, drama.... but its up to you to decide when enough is enough. You are very vulnerable right now being on this diet and feeling like you are deprived and you are having emotions that are causing you to want to eat. My advice would be to take care of you first and then do what you can to help others around you. This "change" that we are making is not only about food, its about taking care of ourselves and avoiding situations that may cause us to "relapse". I hope that your brother will get the help that he needs and that his girlfriend will stop enabling him. Alcoholism is rampant in my family so I completely understand what you are dealing with. Hang in there and stay strong! We've only got less then 2 weeks until the big day!

LOL You might have to be more specific... it IS the Obesity Control Center we'll be at so it might be a little hard to pick you out of the crowd!

Hi Doinitagann, I'll be there on the 3rd for Pre-op stuff and then surgery on the 4th. Maybe we'll see each other!! Hang in there, and think positive. There is so much wonderful feedback from the vets on this forum. I too have failed at every diet and have been successful a few times at loosing weight but just gain it all back and then some. I finally hit bottom and decided I needed more help then my own will power and so here I am. This forum is so supportive and it seems that many people on here get their motivation from others in the same boat, I know I do!! Good Luck on your surgery!!

Hi Jessica, Julie's post for the items to bring to TJ is in the Doctors Corner under "Questions". Hope this helps! Christina

I am scheduled for my surgery on September 4th, I'll be flying in on the 3rd for the Pre-op tests. If anyone will be there during that time, feel free to contact me. I joined this forum a few weeks ago and I read through the posts every day, everyone has been so helpful with all of their stories and the tips they have shared. I actually am not very nervous at all because I feel like I know what to expect now that I've heard so many positive stories. Thanks to all! Christina

Hi Kim, I have the Wii console with the sports games: tennis, golf, boxing, baseball and bowling. Its definitely a good way to get yourself moving. I purchased mine on Ebay for approximately $300. Another place to look is Craigslist http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html where you can do a search in your local area. You might be able to find someone local who is willing to sell it a bit cheaper and you won't have to worry about shipping costs. I'd love to get the Wii Fit but right now, anyone who has one to sell has jacked up the prices almost double what the stores have the price at. Maybe someday, when the cost comes down I'll be able to get the Wii Fit. Good Luck It’s a great investment! Christina