kcmomrn

Basically it was an emergent situation. I was completely unfilled and hadn't had food in 5 days, and barely able to drink for 3 days. I was given the option of trying to save the band if once they got in there they could do anything, but there were no guarantees and there would be no way I could afford a third surgery if things didn't work out. I was so dehydrated that the night before my surgery they got my IV going and gave me 2 liters of fluid and some IV glucose because my blood sugar was so low. Had I not already been completely unfilled I would have had more options. I was told I had scar tissue that was under the band. They called it a "psuedo band". Dr. Martinez had said I may have some restriction for a while from that after surgery, but I don't think I did. Kelly

I could get the band placed in the future, and they said probably the VG band. Since it is bigger if I had the same issues, there would be more room to work with. I would love to be rebanded but I think financially now it will be impossible to afford another surgery after paying for the band, fill trips, the removal, and my husband was also banded all in a 9 month time span. Maintaining has been difficult. I find myself eating things I wasn't able to so well with the band. I'm really trying to work on portion control now that there is no band telling me to stop. I need to continuously remind myself of everything I had been learning. Good luck to you. Kelly

2months after 1st fill suddenly got so tight unable to eat. I was unfilled and refilled 5 weeks later. For the next two months I was having issues with horrible reflux. I had two slight unfills, finally getting completely unfilled. After 2 months being unfilled still with reflux and no medication working to relieve it I knew something wasn't right. Went to TJ, had an endoscopy and barium test. Endo showed "possible" slip, but then barium test didn't show slip, but nothing was going through stoma. Not barium or water. No wonder I couldn't eat or drink. Still really don't know the reason, but scar tissue had formed under the band which may have been the cause. Band had to be removed because I was already unfilled and trying to do liquids and there were no other options. You really are in good hands and as I've already said, I would do it all over again if I could. Kelly

How many times have most of us said "I am starting my diet again" Then say it again, and again..... With the lap band, while we may at times make poor choices with food, we are really always on our diet. With good restiction you are not able to eat that appetizer, meal and dessert and then start the diet again on Monday. For 9 months I was able to follow the rules of the lapband. I was making much better food choices. I could easily share a meal and skip dessert and I never pb'd. I excercised regularly. I came withing 15 pounds of my goal. I lost my band 3 weeks ago and I want to cry everyday when I think about it. I truely miss it. All the bad habits are creeping their way back into my life. I am back to struggling with dieting. While I had to make my own choices with food, the lapband did not allow me to overeat. This is where the struggle is for most of us. If finacially I could, I would be rebanded in a heart beat. And of course it would be by Dr. Ortiz and his staff, as they are the best!! Kelly

to Teri and any others I have shared my difficulties with I now have a sad edding to my storry. Unfilled by Wendy April 25 after multiple addjustment and still never was right. Called Dr. Ortiz Friday and was told to come right in. Arriving here Monday I went for an endoscopy , then the usal barium test. Without a fill absolutely nothing is moving. The band appeared in correct position and there is no errosion, but I can't even get water through. We all watch at the water and baruim tries to go down the band only to come back up which we think was causing all my chest pain and reflux. No one could give may any answers on the cause, but Tuesday today, I needed to make a decision of loosing the band or allowing them to TRY to see what they MAY find and be able to fix. In the end the later offered NO guarentees. So, I am now bandless!!! Boo Hoo!!!!!!! I will miss this band more than anything right now. This is been such an up and down battle since January, being seen @ OCC and Wendy with fill centers in arizona. In the end I hightly recommend comming to OCC for any adjustment so that their information and histories are current and they are the ones helping you make the better decisions. This was such an unforseen problem that there is noone to blame. Wish me luck as I now try to use what I have learned over the last 9 months to keep me eating right, and excersing. With only 15lbs to goal this should be possible. RIGHT???? Kelly

Teri, I have been following your status as I too am having very similar issues. I was wondering how you are doing now since your last fill and it sounds like you will be going back to TJ. I just missed you April 25th with Wendy Hall as I was there to get completely unfilled just after you left. Everytime I get adjusted, filled or unfilled I am usually good about 2-3 weeks then get too tight to even drink water. Now, completely unfilled I have a hard time eating more than a few bites until dinnertime then I am able to eat with no restriction at all. Luckily I am not gaining, but also not losing. Getting a bit frustrated. Kelly

I got a fill at the start of a cold and did fine for 1 1/2 weeks when the cold hit it's peak. Horrible chest cold with lots of coughing and congestion. I ended up not able to eat anything solid for 4 days and then couldn't even do water. I quickly got .3cc unfill and a steroid shot for the inflammation and was immediately better. I was told it was possible the cold caused all this. One month later I am really missing that .3cc. I hope things get better for you. Kelly

To all those in Arizona I want to share my experience with Wendy Hall. I was unable to eat or drink anything from Thursday evening thru to Monday. I emailed Dr. Ortiz Friday and without a response from him I knew I needed to do something and I couldn't afford a trip to TJ. So I called for an appt. with Wendy Hall on Tuesday. They fit me in and I drove almost 4 hours to Snowflake. She took great care of me and gave me a much needed .3cc unfill. I was so leary of having anything done with my band or port without flouro, but she was great. She was in the port and had pulled out my fill before I realized I had even been poked. I can drink normally now (been on liquids last two days) and can't wait to eat tomorrow. It's been a whole week since my last solid meal. I still agree that it's a great idea to have the first fill at OCC with flouro, but giving this a chance was worth it. I do thank all who have shared their experiences which allowed me to feel more comfortabe going to her. One thing I meant to ask about that I had read from someone was, what is the "thicker" saline. I'm not familiar with this. Kelly

In January I was having problems with my band. I emailed Dr. Ortiz late at night, had a response by morning and was at the OCC being checked out the next day. Over this last weeked I had more problems, emailed the Dr and have had no response yet. I did end up going to a fill center usa 4 hours away and had a bit of an unfill. I feel better now, but wonder why I have not received a reponse from my email. The first experience was great though. I hope you have gotten some answers and are feeling better. Lori is always a great help too. Kelly

Just checking to see if anyone is going for a fill Feb. 12. Looking for someone to share the transportation cost with.-Kelly

I will be going for a fill February 12 th. Anyone interested in sharing cost of transportation? Will be flying into San Diego around 8am. Kelly

I am also in Arizona and was going to try for a fill Friday February 16th. If anyone is wanting to go then, I would love to share the cost of transportation. --Kelly

I was just wondering if anyone has had any problems deducting the cost of surgery on taxes? My tax advisor told me that since the surgery was done in a foreign country it could not be deducted, but if there is a way I'de like to know. My husband and I both had surgery and it would be great if we could deduct the cost of 2 surgeries.

Peggy, We are actually flying in earlier as our appointment is for 10 am. We are almost immediatley leaving for our return flight? We may run into each other! Good luck! Kelly

My husband and I are going to be there for our fills on November 11. We are coming and going on the same day. Anyone else?

Hello all in Arizona, I am from Surprise, Az. I was banded 9/18. All has been going well since then. Preop diet went well after the 2nd day. So far the post op liquid diet has been fine. Very surprisingly broth turned out to be filling. I am finally able to have yogurt and soup. YEAH! My husband will be banded 10/6. Glad to see lots from Arizona. Who is planning on going back to TJ for fills? Has anyone found a doctor in Az that will do fills? I know my husband and I will be going to TJ for our first fills at least. Good luck to all upcoming surgeries! Kelly

I was just banded 9/18 and what a great experience it was. I am from Surprise, AZ. I will probably try getting a fill in November. Husband is getting banded 10/6 so I want to try to wait for him to also need a fill and we can go together.

Anyone else getting banded Sept 18th? This preop diet is hard especially when husband and kids are eating all the good stuff and I'm still cooking it. But all worth it in the end! Hope to hear from anyone else before we go. Kelly

My surgery is also Sept. 18th and I can't believe it's two weeks away. I too am nervous, but so excited. I am coming from Arizona. See you there!

I will be banded Sept. 18th also Arriving 17th, leaving 20th.