Not a Success Story

lynnlynn · 09-07-2008, 03:59 PM

Hi Nancy i am sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. and sorry to hear about your dad. That had to be a terriable thing to go though. Keep me posted maybe the leak has keep you from losing all this time. I was banded July 21 08 i went back for my check up but he did not do a fill . I go back oct 15 guess we will see if he does a fill then. Good luck Dottie

Jachut · 09-07-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duchess1

Please DO NOT have Gastric Bypass, I was told I would die on the table if I had that done.

I just do not trust these bariatric surgeons after my bad experience and the manner in which I was treated. .

I dont blame you! How can a surgeon say "you will die on the table". Sheesh, I get the strong feeling from things people say on here that some of them need lapbands on their egos.

Without doubt, a lot of these sad non success stories come with a strong undercurrent of medical negligence or mistreatment. I dont understand how you can vomit enough to ruin your teeth for a whole YEAR without something being done for example! Or how you can not have something like lupus picked up beforehand, what on earth is all the bloodwork you have done FOR? Its ridiculous. Then you hear people who say they were overfilled with huge fills first go, or that they were overfilled and then underfilled and had to wait months to go back becuase of the cost of the fills or their doctor simply wouldnt listen to them, etc. Lots of these sad stories simply come down to mismanagement of the band. Now I'm someone who would have been at the surgeon's door yelling my head off about it,but many wont take that path.

I think the band would work for more people than it does if there werent so many doctors out there on the bandwagon so to speak for the money, who obviously dont really care much about the plight of the obese, and certainly dont want to put inthe personal effort to treat the mind as welll as the body. They want it to run to a formula, you put in THIS much fill at THIS date, you follow THIS diet, it works or I scrub you off my records. There's no care to counsel (oh, just refer you off to someone else, when its your DOCTOR you need the relationship with) or to guide!

We have to remember a lot of these guys are surgeons, plain and simple and the surgery is the only bit they're interested in.

Michee · 09-07-2008, 05:49 PM

Thanks to everyone with the "good and bad".

The LAP-BAND® is not a quick fix. It is surgery and like all surgery it carries risks.

I hope all the people who are "investigating" lapbands, read all the good and bad, and make an informed decision, that they feel is right for them.

SLIM SLY · 09-07-2008, 06:31 PM

She said "Not a Success Story," not Success Story. I understand her fustration, don't come down on her to hard. I had surgery 7/23/08 and has lost only 20lbs, i'm not complaining its 20lbs less than I was before, but not what I excepted. I reached the process read every thing I could get my hands on but I expected a little more control over my eatting but I found out even with the band it is up to me to do the work. So i'm pushing forward and hoping for the best.

Nanook · 09-09-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duchess1

Please DO NOT have Gastric Bypass, I was told I would die on the table if I had that done. I also found out in June 2007 that I suffer from systemic lupus - an auto-immune disease, and therefore cannot even have my non-working LAP-BAND® removed due to the fact that I risk getting a staph infection. I cannot have any surgery unless it is for a "life-threatening" reason. Try NutriSystem, that is what I am currently doing, even though their food is not as "tasty" as they say, they do have a good program and I am considering going off their program using their foods, but staying on the same "meal plan". But please do not even consider gastric bypass - it is highly dangerous! I just do not trust these bariatric surgeons after my bad experience and the manner in which I was treated. My head surgeon was even on the team that helped to finally get LAP-BAND® approved by the FDA! So go figure! Good luck and think about NutriSystem or something besides another surgery. You have nothing to lose by at least trying an alternative to surgery, and it does not cost nearly as much.

I understand the risk of getting a staph infection and the harm that could cause you but they can't leave that band in you like that for the rest of your life, that part confuses me. Hope you're doing better, Nancy

chiqui · 09-11-2008, 12:58 PM

hi.. i share that with you... i had my surgery almost a year and all i lost was 16 pounds!!!!!! i dont feel that restricted.... i feel your sadness... i think often about the bypass also....kepp your head up

BayCityBandster · 09-13-2008, 08:19 PM

Geez, Kat, she posted in the "struggling" category. Give her and US a break. Good for you, it is working for you...why don't you post in all the other threads where everyone is doing just great and leave us to this one. You have no idea how frustrating it is to go through all of this and not have it work. Seriously, have a heart.

Nanook · 09-13-2008, 09:31 PM

Baycitybandster,

I can understand your passion and frustration as I am and have been struggling with my LAP-BAND® since I was banded over a year ago but to be fair Kat... posted her comment when the original post was in the "successful stories" section and then someone had it moved to the struggling lap bandsters section but as far as I know there was not a "remark" made about that "move" so how would you or anyone know right? Take care Nancy.

BayCityBandster · 09-13-2008, 11:16 PM

Nancy, you are right. I did not realize it was originally posted elsewhere, and I apologize for my mistake.

Still, I wish people who are doing so well with it would appreciate how hard it is for those who aren't. I read all the stories, positive and negative, and I thought I would be one of the success stories. Maybe I will be some day.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

**Kat817** · 09-14-2008, 12:41 AM

The points I was trying to make were that so many of her problems are otherwise related than band related. As has been mentioned this originally was posted in a success area......which unfortunately this has not been for her.
Newbies need to read all aspects, I fully believe that.....but also felt it needed to be pointed out to them that if they do not have these other health issues, that this post might not pertain to them.

I have worked hard to be successful, and I believe others work just as hard and do not get the results, and I wish I had the answers.

I am sorry my answer offended you----I try very hard to be a supportive LBT'er....but you simply cannot please all of the people all of the time.

Several issues remained that she did need to get checked out----and I hope things turn around for her as well as those struggling.

I am on the verge of losing my band quite suddenly. I got a fairly severe stomach virus, and have been totally swollen off for 3 days now. Spent the evening in urgent care getting IV fluids. None of us know when these things might happen. Learning good habits can help when these things hit. I stand behind everything I said, but I do apologize that it offended you.

Kat

9pdmnm5 · 09-14-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duchess1

To all the "success stories", I applaud you. But I am one of those that insurance did NOT cover, and my father paid out around $20,000+ for my surgery and adjustments afterwards. In my first year after surgery, I DID lose 100 lbs, but was vomiting daily and always went into an "emergency" situation each and every time they did an adjustment on me. I threw up so much that it literally ate all the enamel off the backs of my teeth, and I am now having so many problems with my teeth that I am going to end up with dentures. Thanks alot! I also had to resort to eating baby food in order to keep anything down. At one point my surgeon told me I needed my gall bladder removed, and almost took it out, but after tests - he decided to tell me to see a gastroenterologist immediately that something was very wrong. I saw a gastro specialist, he did a scope on me and found that my esophageous was really messed up from all the vomiting, etc. and that I really needed the band removed. In the meantime, I was sick all the time for unexplained reasons and was finally diagnosed with systemic lupus and fobromyalgia. Had the surgeons checked me for lupus (as they should have prior to surgery), they would NOT have been able to perform this costly surgery that has literally ruined my life.
Yes, the surgeon did say that he would remove the band and do a "mini-bypass" in the same surgery, but with me having lupus, I cannot have that done. So I am stuck with this device inside my body and it is wide open and still causes me problems at times.
I am now very ill and have numerous other problems and have had to be removed from the workforce and forced into medical disability.
Sorry, but I have NOTHING good to say about LAP-BAND® surgery, and most of the people that I know have had similar experiences and wish they had never done it either.
I am very frustrated and have a very bad taste in my mouth about the way I was treated by my surgeon and his entire staff and would NEVER advise anyone to have this surgery done - NOT EVER!
If I could get back my money and my life that this surgery destroyed, I would.
I never received the appropriate aftercare they promised and they always told me that I was not following the plan correctly. They were wrong! I did everything I was told. I also woke up twice during my surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I had never done this surgery and wish that I could do something to warn people about the things they do not tell you, that can happen to people like me.

Wow! Sorry to hear you've had all these complications. I am 2 wks. out from having my LAP-BAND® surgery and definitely hate hearing stuff like this. But everyone is different and perhaps you may have had a different experience with RNY, who knows if that even would've gone smoothe. My mom had RNY about 4 yrs. ago and looks amazing after losing 150lbs. I'm choosing to have the LAP-BAND® done for a lot of different reasons. Of course weight, but I want to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy, my "dumping" from after my gallbladder removal and I too have fibromyalgia that "flares" up. I feel like the band is the only thing at this point that can truly help me with a life style change.

It sounds to me like the surgeon/staff were the problem. If I was you, I think I would try to find a new Dr. and start anew. Unless you are planning on having the band removed for medical reasons.

As far as the erosion on the teeth. Dentures sounds a little dramatic for me. Make sure you have a good dentist. Yes, this happens with excessive vomiting but usually takes awhile. I am not a DDS but a dental hygienist and can answer any questions you may have if you would like to PM me.

Also wanted to know what happened with the gallbladder. I have had nothing but trouble after having my gallbladder removed and wouldn't recommend it to anyone! Again, probably a bad surgeon but wish I still had mine.

I wish you the best on whatever decision you make!

Nanook · 09-14-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat817

The points I was trying to make were that so many of her problems are otherwise related than band related. As has been mentioned this originally was posted in a success area......which unfortunately this has not been for her.
Newbies need to read all aspects, I fully believe that.....but also felt it needed to be pointed out to them that if they do not have these other health issues, that this post might not pertain to them.

I have worked hard to be successful, and I believe others work just as hard and do not get the results, and I wish I had the answers.

I am sorry my answer offended you----I try very hard to be a supportive LBT'er....but you simply cannot please all of the people all of the time.

Several issues remained that she did need to get checked out----and I hope things turn around for her as well as those struggling.

I am on the verge of losing my band quite suddenly. I got a fairly severe stomach virus, and have been totally swollen off for 3 days now. Spent the evening in urgent care getting IV fluids. None of us know when these things might happen. Learning good habits can help when these things hit. I stand behind everything I said, but I do apologize that it offended you.

Kat

Sorry to hear about your health issues Kat, hope you're doing better, Nancy.

laurigee · 10-13-2008, 08:50 PM

Did anyone else have to see a shrink before? I had to. I was also presented with the different options that I had. I was told upfront that lap-band® was not a quick fix and that it would take alot of discipline as far as diet and exercise. I don't think that even with the band it is a fair assumption to think you will never feel hunger. I can't say that the band has been perfect for me. I have 3.8cc in a 4cc band and I have never really felt restricted. If I want to eat a steak and potato I am able to. I just make different choices and I do feel that I eat less than I use to. The reality is that 3500 calories equal 1 pound. That is the same for everyone. If you were to add just 350 calories to your diet for 10 days (piece of cake, milk shake, candy bar) you will gain 1lb in 10 days! Every little sip, taste, spoonful counts. I wish the people that are having bad experiences the best in the future but I think to tell people not to have the surgery is hasty. I think that with some of the anger issues Iv'e read that maybe they need to see a therapist. Being that angry isn't good for anyone and can be very self distructive. BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE.

sschell1 · 10-20-2008, 02:10 PM

I'm so sorry to hear all the problems you have had.

imsamiam · 11-11-2008, 07:51 PM

Kat - it was incredibly disrespectful and insensitive of you to post in this thread. What's the matter? Can't shine bright enough in the threads where everyone else is doing well too??? Seems a bit desperate to me. The decision to get the band was a huge one and I researched it as well as anyone and it has sucked from day one. Its hard enough without people like you adding their two cents. Your trying to be a supportive bandster feels like a back-handed compliment.

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