momyto2

Quick question... I was banded with 10cc band by Dr O in April 2007. I lost 115#.... I have regained 15# total from my lowest maintained weight over the last 2 years. Almost 2 years ago I started having severe acid reflux issues due to an overtight band. I had some removed, but acid reflux still stays with me. I had an endoscopy/colonoscopy (fun times!) in April of this year. It appears that my band has slipped 2" from the original banding sight. My dr wants me to see a surgeon to have this fixed. Problem... insurance doesn't cover band and can't afford another trip to Mexico (or surgery for that matter). I am still able to eat (still get stuck quite often) and have found a way to manage the acid reflux by not eating at night along with strong daily meds to help as well. I guess my biggest question is.... what can possibly happen from here??? Would it help to have some of my band emptied?? I'm pretty sure I still have approximately 8cc's in there. The band is NOT helping me lose weight at this time, but I am too afraid to challenge the idea that its not at least helping me NOT gain weight. I am so fearful of gaining the weight that I honestly would rather live with some of the consequences. Anyone else had this similar experience with some advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Is there anything I can do (without surgery or traveling) that will help with this situation?? Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!

Best decision ever.... My life has changed tremendously. Hard to believe it has been almost 2 years already. My friends and family can't believe how different I look. The OCC was great. This truly is a life investment in yourself! Good luck on your journey.....

Hi Roger... Out of curiosity... did they charge you to move it?? I think I may run into the same situation when all is said and done. I have read previous post's that some dr's will move it for free. I didn't know if that was the case for OCC as well. Could you send me a message and let me know if you get a chance?? Thanks!! Theresa (fellow Washingtonian) :-)

Really?? Exclusion and all and they still said there would be a reimbursement of some sort?? I'm so surprised!! So... you started the process with their online international form?? I'm thinking I may need to give it a shot too. Like Kristy said... it can't hurt to try I suppose. I guess I'm just shocked!! Please keep me posted. I am VERY interested to know what you find out!! Thanks so much!! Theresa

Judy.... I would love to hear if you find out anything. I also have Regence - Preferred (washington state). I knew about the exclusion and didn't even think about trying. It would be so great if I were able to recoup even a small fraction!!! Could you possibly email me if you do hear something?? I don't check the forum often. My email address is: momyto2@comcast.net Thanks so much!! Theresa

Not too quick at all. My best friend and I contacted OCC on 4/10/07 and were both banded on 4/23/07. In 5 months I've lost 70# (start wt 272#) and my best friend has lost 48#(start wt 290#). It has changed my life completely!! I've had 4 fills since the surgery (downside to a 10cc band). My band is nice and tight now. The weight has slowed a bit this last month, but I'm completely fine with that and enjoying my new body. My hubby says it's like seeing/being with a new person every day. The band has changed my life and I can't wait to see what the next few months bring as well. My goal was to lose 120# in one year. Only 50 more to go and 7 months to do it. Congrats on your decision. I truly hope it changes your life like it has mine!!

My best friend and I have our fill on the 9th as well, but we are flying in the night before. We have a family member that lives in San Diego so she is going to take us to the border on Saturday AM. Hopefully we'll see you in the waiting room. :-) Our appt's are at 11am and 11:30am.

HI Simply Fun... Congrats on your upcoming surgery. My best friend and I both live in Puyallup as well. We had our surgery on April 23rd. To date she and I have both lost 32# for a total of 64# between the two of us. It's an amazing experience. The three week liquid diet was a killer, but we got to start on solid food yesterday. YEAH!!! We are going to Tijuana on 6/9 for our first fill, but do hope to find somewhere closer for future fills. Arlington and Richland are so far away (but of course a lot closer than Tijuana). :-) Take Care~ Theresa :-)

I am three weeks post op yesterday... YEAH!!! I was a diet coke junkie prior to surgery (at least 3 Super Big Gulps a day). I am craving diet coke so badly and just want to take a couple of sips. Can I do major harm to my band if I do that?? I'm thinking (and hoping) that if I just take a couple sips and get it out of my system, that the "urge" will go away. I don't plan to drink more than a few sips. I will never be back to my "junkie" ways. HA!!! Thoughts??

Good News.... all of my pain is gone. YEAH!! My surgery was a week ago today and I feel great. I had absolutely no hunger pains until Saturday. Then the hunger kicked in and UGH.... I still have 2 more weeks of liquid. :-) I'm doing great on the liquid diet. I lost 7# on preop and have lost 11# this week on the liquid diet. I've come too far to stop now. Anywho.... just wanted to let everyone that the pains do go away!!!!!

Hello... Just got back this afternoon. Got banded on Monday. It was a great experience. Everything went like clockwork. My incision sites are a bit sore, but this pain in my upper body (assuming it's gas pain) is killing me. I've taken Gas X strips, I've walked and walked and walked, I tried the heat pad this afternoon, my hubby even tried massaging it. The only thing that helps are the little disolvable pain pills they gave on discharge. The problem is I only have one of those little pills left and I'm going back to work tomorrow. Please tell me this pain will go away soon. It is a sharp stabbing pain up in my shoulders. It feels like a knife is just sitting in there. Also... is there anything else I can take that will help?? I was thinking of trying to find some liquid tylenol, but thought I would seek your advise first. I'm completely happy with my surgery!!! I just need a little help with this post op pain. I didn't get any sleep last night at the Lucerna and am hoping to try and get some rest tonight since I'm home. Thanks for any thoughts or insight!! I really appreciate it..... ps. How long does this pain last?? What is "normal"??? Theresa :-)

Lisa... Thank you so much for posting that!! My best friend and I leave on Sunday to have our surgery on Monday. Your information has helped so much!! We can not wait!! :-) Good luck on your new life journey.... Take Care~ Theresa

thank you so much for sharing that!! my hubby and I just watched it. He got a little "weak" during the port hole procedure. LOL surgery is a week from tomorrow... YEAH!!! It's really interesting to see the actual procedure. Does Dr. Ortiz pretty much follow the same procedure as that dr.??? Does it take about an hour for the surgery?? Theresa :-)

When I had my gall bladder removed a few years ago, they gave me a small little pill that was supposed to help the air built up in your system from surgery. I was thinking it was something along the lines of an antacid. Does the surgery center have anything like that?? The pill was supposed to break up the air bubbles so they didn't hurt in your chest. Anyone else hear of that?? I might call our local hospital where our surgery was done and ask them as well. It would be nice to have something to take along..... Theresa :-)

Thank you so much.... I definitely believe "slow and steady" wins the race. I am just so amazed that you can go from say a 3000+ calorie a day intake down to 700 calories and not really lose A LOT. You're right... our bodies are amazing. This surgery is amazing. The life long prospects of this surgery are amazing. :-) Can you tell I'm amazed?? HA!!! Do you feel I'll be back to normal energy wise within a week of the surgery?? I have to leave for a work training seminar 6 days after the surgery. This was the only time I could get the surgery done. My hubby and I are adopting and are hoping to have our daughter home by mid May (saying lots of prayers) so I wanted to be well re-couped by that time as well. Thoughts?? Sorry for all the questions.... just trying to sort it all out in my mind ahead of time. :-) Thanks!! Theresa :-)