Hi guys,
I'm new to this forum. I was banded in June 2008 and have had trouble with my band from about the 4 month mark onwards. I have lost 25kg, but most of this has been through my own determination and hard work rather than the band. I can't get to a good level of restriction, as anytime I get close it eventually turns into an overfill and I can't get any food or fluid in and I have to have all my fill removed. In October this happened and I experienced a lot of pain in my shoulder and stomach after the fill was removed and had to have a barium swallow, CT and endoscope but all this looked ok. Eventually the pain did subside. I have now just had this happen again. Overfill, fluid removed and now all the pain again. I've had enough. My parents are so worried about me and all the problems I've had. They weren't really fans of this all from the beginning. I have to see my surgeon on Thursday and I will be going down the path of swallow, CT and endoscope again, and possibly a laparoscopy as well as he is concerned it has happened again.
I guess I am here for some advice as I just don't know if I want to continue on this path with all these endless problems with my band, or if I would be better off getting it removed and looking at getting a sleeve. I am always having trouble eating, my partner is so sick of me eating a few mouthfulls of dinner and then spending the next half and hour in the toilet PBing and trying to relieve a blockage. It's crazy.
I live in Adelaide and have heard some really good things about Dr. France, can anyone give me some advice, let me know their experience with their sleeve. Has anyone had a bad experience with their sleeve? My mum is really against the thought of a sleeve, mainly because she thinks its really drastic to actually change the way your body is meant to be, she could handle the band because it wasn't actually physically changing your stomach, whereas the thought of the sleeve just blows her mind. She sees that I have changed my eating habits a lot, I'm a lot more active, I have a personal trainer, and she thinks if I have my band removed I will be fine and I can cope without it. But she doesn't realise that I have a lifelong problem with food that is not fixed. If I have my band removed I'm still going to have the same problem and I can also guarrantee I will put the weight back on. I hate it when I have to have my fill removed and the feeling of not having control it gives me.
Any advice would be fantastic. I started out on my banding day at 128.8kg and I am currently 103.8kg.
Cheers, Sarah :)

hey sarah,
unfortunatly u r not alone. i have heard so many of such a similar story that it is so common these days, my surgeon doesnt like the band (but still performs the surgery) he mentioned the complications to me and OH MY GOD there were alot compaired to the sleeve.....he mentioned that most of his surgeries related to the band these days are removing them. I would look into the sleeve and gather as much information as possible and then decide what you would like to do, have a look through some threads on this site, its is so helpful and so much information about different things u r looking for. I LOVE this site and i LOVE my sleeve, this site has been the best support ever, good luck girl and look forward to hearing about ur journey

xox manda

Hi Sarah!

Wow your story is like reading what happened to me! Same timeline, 4 months in with the band, I has very similar problems, tests, etc. I had two personal trainers, one of them was Adro from the biggest loser. I had my band removed, as my surgeon even agreed it just wasn't working or helping me. The weight I had lost was because I was on a strict diet, and was exercising heaps. I had the band removed, and after 12 weeks, still eating right, and exercising, my weight didn't move. My surgeon had mentioned the sleeve, so I went and spoke to him about it in more detail, and decided to go for it, as I didn't want to regain what I had already lost, and I knew I couldn't keep the amount of exercise I was doing to keep my weight the same. So I bit the bullet and did the sleeve. I have no regrets...actually I do have a regret, that I didn't get the sleeve done first! It is so much easier than the band, no fills, and playing around to find restriction, you have it straight away. No pain, I dont have to be scared to swallow food anything and getting it stuck. My weight came off so much easier, and consistently than with the band, because you have the constant restriction. I had a baby since being sleeved, and I am pregnant with my 2nd, and I can swear to you, there is no way Id be able to get pregnant, and carry the baby safety without having the sleeve done!

People get scared, and they should, they care about you, and this is a serious operation, and decision about your life, they worry because they love you. You know yourself, your willpower, and your body better than anyone though, so do what you feel is right for you, because in the end, it is all about you!

Bee xx

Yes, this site rocks! Its so helpful! I really definitley want to get the sleeve done. Probably going to be best for me to go to Dr. Durmush, at Liverpool! Can any one tell me what this doctor is like, what are the good things about this doctor? I read all the rave reviews that he is so so caring. And is strickt to how the nurses treat you after the op. I have inquired about a seminar, and to make a booking with him. My normal GP returns on the 18th, so I will get the referal then! I am so excited but my husband is saying that it would be a huge waste of money as I am always eating chocolate and drinking softdrink like there is no tomorrow! My excuse to that is it has to be all gone b4 the operation, but it isn't even booked. I don't even know if it would be suitable for me. I am just thinking that I won't feel like having these after the op if I have it anyway! Does anyone know how busy Dr Durmush is???

Hi Sarah,
I to have the same story as you and Bee..
Banded for 2 years, had all the tests all came back fine,but still no luck..
Had the band removed in September and getting sleeved in February woo hoo
The weight is slowly comming back,bugger..
All I can say is, if you have it removed dont wait to long to get the sleeve,normally 3 to 4 months.
All the best in what you do,
Sharon

Hi,
I can't tell you anything about the band BUT I can tell you about the sleeve and the absolutely fabulous Michael France.
I have met loads of people that have been to Michael and honestly not one complaint. I had mine 4 months ago yesterday. Have not vomited or anything yuck like that. I was in hospital for 2 nights and because I am me I was back at work in 6 days LOL

Now I am not saying get the sleeve or not but I know from my experience with the sleeve that it was the best thing that I have ever done and I can highly recommend Michael he is honestly just one of the nicest people and lastly if you want to see him or are even thinking of seeing him ring and make an appointment straight away. He is very booked up you can always cancel if you change your mind.

Good luck with the decision and pm me any time you want to have a chat.

Cheers Gail

Hi Sarah and welcome.
I had the band put in about 6 years and although I didn't have any 'problems' such as the band erroding or the port flipping like some of the people on here, it just wasn't right. I learnt how to cheat it very early on and just stopped getting fills. I found you couldn't eat healthy food with the band.
If you decide to go with the sleeve you will probably have to wait a minimum of 3 months after your band removal to the sleeve surgery.
I have lost more weight with the sleeve over the last 14 weeks than I did with the band during the 6 years I had it.
I don't think anyone can really understand the ongoing fight overwieght people have unless they are overweight, or have been overweight, themsleves so don't be too hard on your mum. Good luck with your decision making.

Thanks to everyone for your messages.
Bee - that is exactly how I am feeling, that the band just isn't working for me. It's almost like any time I get to a point of good restriction my stomach says "hang on, I don't like this" and goes crazy on me. Almost like its rejecting the band being there. The main problem I have is that I don't think my doctor does the sleeve. I see Dr Bessell in Adelaide, and I'm pretty sure he is just into banding. So it's going to be hard for me to broach this subject with him, as I think he will be against it. But in the end, I'm not going to continue with something that is causing me pain all the time and making me take time off of work and have hospital visits etc. This is now the second time in only 8 weeks. I think over the time I have had my band if I have had perhaps 30 adjustments. And that is not an exaggeration. In fact that might be being kind. I feel like I'm always going in there and I never go in saying 'it's all good'...there is always something wrong. And I'm so so so sick of getting food stuck!!!!
Sharon - I have read a few times that they like a 3 month waiting period between debanding and sleeving, and I understand why. I would be scared about putting back on the weight that I had worked so hard to get off...
Gail - it's nice to hear from someone who has had Dr France as their surgeon. I had heard really good things about him, so I'm glad to hear from someone that has had a sleeve done by him. I think I will make an appointment to go and see him, and that way I can get all the information I want first hand, and then make the decision from there. I think I might even take my mum and my partner, so they can ask whatever questions they want to as well!! I think this would make my mum feel more comfortable. Can I ask Gail, what sort of gap is there for a sleeve with Dr France? Just curious.
Libby - I totally agree that you can't eat healthily with a band!! I always have to add sauces or gravies to my food, which is just adding calories! So many things that are hard to eat that I really want to eat but can't because they get stuck! Some nights I sit there and think, I just want to sit and eat a nice piece of meat and some vegies, and I would be the happiest person in the world! That's how bad I get sometimes. I'm not hard on my mum, I understand why she is worried, and its hard for her to see me going through pain etc. She is actually an overweight person too...pretty much my whole family is, so she does understand what I'm going through, I just think she doesn't understand how I could cope with having 2/3rds of my stomach removed, and what this would mean for the future. I read somewhere that someone said, the only thing your stomach is good for is to hold food - so if you wanted this reversed then the only reason why would be because you wanted to eat more, and why would you want to do that and put on weight??!! I think thats a good explanation! And also it's not like people have trouble eating certain types of food, or getting food stuck or anything like that, so it's not something that you would grow to hate or get sick of and would want it reversed like the band.
I guess thats a big question for everyone - does having a sleeve impact the way you eat in any way, other than the portion size? Do you need to chew everything very carefully, are there any foods you can't eat?
Thanks again for all of your support and advice!!
Cheers, Sarah :)

In the early days you have to chew, chew, chew your food very well. I'm only 3.5 months out and am still chewing a lot. If you don't chew you just don't have as much room in your new tiny tummy. I am still struggling with the amount of food I can eat. Its a head thing. You also can't automatically eat 1 cup of food after surgery your stomach needs to settle into it's new size. You start off with 4 or 5 teaspoons then slowly work your way up.

I think it would be a great idea to take your mum and partner to your first appointment with the Dr. That way they could both ask questions as well.

Take care.

Hi Sarah

I had Dr France also, I was sleeved in September 2009 & have lost 23 kgs so far. I had never been banded, but was given invaluable advice by Sally, Dr France's receptionist when I rang up to enquire about the band & am forever grateful to her for her help.
Dr France & his team are brilliant. I am 3 & a half months out & can eat anything I want but in small portions & have found over Xmas I can still have a few glasses of bubbly also. I can eat enough now not to draw any attention to myself & have found it quite easy to make the changes I needed to my diet. I was a complete chocoholic & since the operation no longer crave chocolate or sweet foods very often at all & prefer to eat salads etc. According to Dr France this is quite common post sleeving.
I can highly recommend the sleeve & other than a couple of months of inconvenience in the initial stages, life has returned to normal for me with the exception of being able to lose weight easily & exercise & start to live a healthier happier life.

Ask lots of questions & Good luck with your decision.

Sue

Hi Subee,
I am a new patient of Dr France, I had my first band some 5 years ago and it last 2 years before eroding, then I was scheduled to have it reapplied but when Dr went in to do the surgery discovered I had severe adhesions and my liver was enlarged so she would not to the procedure. I then waited 6 months, 20 kgs later went in for gastric bypass, on awaking in recovery found out the surgeon went ahead an put the a band back on as my liver was back to normal. I have struggled to loose anymore than a few kgs the past 2 years since being reapplied. I then heard of dr France and made an appt to meet with him, I was very impressed and then decided to go ahead to have the sleeving. A month ago I thought my band had eroded once again, after an endoscopy Dr France advised all was good and the removal of the band is scheduled for Jan 14. As he is a Dr who is very cautious I may not not be having sleeving and instead will most likely have gastric bypass as he feels it is a safer and better option for me due to the previous erosion and the weakended wall in my stomach. So the major op is scheduled for April 7, both surgeries are going to be open procedures, so a longer recvoery but I am up for it. All I can say is my previous Dr I have not been to her in the past 12 months she took away from me the past 2 years of doing a procedure of which I didnt not agree too or sign a consent for. Thank you Dr France for taking me on as a patient, 2010 is going to be my year.

thats real sad and may i put ILLEGAL for her to do a procedure u gave no authorisation for. i would be suing her for the problems that have been caused.

I was cut open like a gutted fish, was in hospital for a week, even had a near death experience from a bad reaction to the Cetamine Infusion, and then off work for 6 weeks.
Yeah was not happy and finding Dr France is a new start for me.
When I had the Endoscopy a few weeks ago for suspected erosion again, if it has eroded we would be sueing her, but lucky for her it is all okay.

damn helen i would be so cranky... u poor thing
at least things are being sorted now and ur in good hands with a dr who knows what he is doing!!! cant wait to read ur journey and see how things go.
good luck girl xox

Thanks so much Manda, my husband is happy that I am no longer being treated by a careless surgeon, and in the wonderful hands of Dr France.

Wishing you all best for your upcomming surgery, Dr Michael France is brilliant and you are in the hands of a wonderful surgeon, I was sleeved 28/09/09 by Dr France and am very happy with it all, Good Luck.

Hi, Good luck with your post band surgeries.

After reading so many of your posts and researching a bit more, I have taken the plunge and booked my appt to change from band to sleeve. My first band went in in April 2000 and the second, Dec 08 and now I am currently sitting at me pre-2000 weight, 140kgish (scales only go to 136kg!).

I am seeing my surgeon on 12th Feb so by Christams THIS year I hope to be as happy as all of you are. Thanks for all of your honest, frank and at times funny (constipation!!) advice. It has empowered me to take action and not just blame my weak willed, overeating self for two band failures!!

Cheers

Hi all,
Well I've continued to have my band problems investigated, and after a CT scan and a barium swallow, surprise surprsie everything is "normal". Gee I hate that word. Obviously its not otherwise I wouldn't be in all this trouble!!!! I have come to the conclusion that I am going to make an appointment with Dr France, as I've heard there can be a long waiting list to get in to see him, and then see how I go in the mean time with this stupid band and hopefully by the time my appoinment comes around I will know how it is going and have more of an idea of what to do. I just so badly want to get to my goal weight!!! I've had enough of this yo-yoing with this band, I just want it to either work, or I need to move on to something that is going to make my life easier as at the moment this band is effecting my life in so many ways - and none of them are good!
I spoke to my mum a little further about her feelings regarding further surgery and she ended up in a pile of tears! It's not going to be easy I don't think. She is really against any further, more invasive surgery. This is making my decision even harder! I just don't know what to do! On the other hand my partner is very supportive and he agrees that my band is having such a bad effect on my life. He is very open to me doing whatever it takes to IMPROVE my life, as at the moment I think I am just a great big sooky grumpy miserable thing, and that is really not fair on him at all.
Dr France's office isn't open again until Monday, so I shall wait and ring then.
Sarah.

Hi Soz_mcdoz13, wow sounds like me, have you had an endoscopy to just rule out the slippage or erosion.
I hope your not a patient of a surgeon who's first name starts with a L and Surname starts with a K.
She has the worse bedside and office manner and no care factor.
Well this time next week my band is gone...yah and only 3 months today until I have my big op, either sleeving or bypass.
dr France has been on 3 weeks leave back Monday when you call the office and speak to sally his PA when making your appt ask if there is any cancellations or you would be happy to be contacted if they can get you in any sooner, I was so lucky I called after there was a cancellation and got in within a week.
My family and friends are very supportive and living with a band is not living.
Even though your Mum is upset, just remember its your happiness and your body.
good luck :)

Sarah I was told the same thing for over a year... they even tried to convince me i was crazy it was all in my head and I was imagining it.... that I just needed a holiday to destress... so I ventured over to Europe for 3 months, got emergency exited from the sahara dessert on a dune buggy by a guy that looked like he was straight from star wars, saw a south african doctor that actually had a clue... came back to Australia and had my eroded band (that nothing was wrong with, you know apart from being severly eroded) removed... and a whole heap of complications arising from that. Still vomit every day. If you leave it too long, and my friend is going through the same thing, even life post band wont be living either. They missdiagnose the beginings of erosion often.

The horrible symptoms of an eroded band is severe bloating of the tummy, eat something tiny and then suffer severely, abdo pain, and worse is when they remove it and you end up in the ICU due to the development of Peritonitis caused by a abdominal cavity full of stomach contents which leaked in when the hole was there , oh yes the joy of that, not to mention that if you have any further procedures you are considered high risk if they are prepared to take you on as a patient because of the damaged caused to your insides due to a unprofessional and careless surgeon...okay I have complained enough, moving on this time next week life begins again.

Helen if you wern't in Adelaide i'd think we had the same surgeon!!!

Sorry Sarah,
But I'm going to be really honest with you...
GET THAT BAND OUT...
What are you waiting for Iss,Helen and myself have all had the same problems as you and many many more..
Please just get it out before something really does go wrong...
I'm not telling you to get the sleeve either,but I know what you are going through,and it is not living.I put up with your symptoms for 14 months,I too just wanted it to work ,it just did'nt.Don't put up with it ,you have heaps of choices.


(I had to be honest)
Sharon

Hi guys, thanks for your support. You are so right Issi, I feel like my surgeon is starting to think I'm a bit loopy cos they can never find a problem but yet I keep on telling them of the problems I'm having. Thats sounds like a terrible ordeal you went through Issi. Why is it that you still vomit every day - because of the damage done to your stomach from the erosion? Have you had your sleeve done yet?
Helen, no my surgeon isn't that person. I actually really like my doctor, he is lovely, I'm just not getting any answers from him. You also have been through a terrible ordeal. I was reading your story and I agreed with what someone else wrote, I would be suing the butt off of that doctor!! Doing a procedure you have not consented to, that is just unheard of!!! I'm so glad you are getting your band out next week and then mentally you will know you are on the right track now. I have had an endoscopy in October which was normal. He offered me another now, and a laparoscopy to have a look, but in the same breath said 'i doubt we will find anything' and left the decision up to me regarding both. Well of course now he's said that I don't want to seem like an idiot, and don't want to have to go through recovery from lap surgery for nothing!! I think if it came to me choosing that it would be to get it out!!
Kayleigh, I appreciate your honesty. Thats what I'm here for!! I think my decision is becoming much clearer, I'm going to make my appointment to see Dr France ASAP.
On another note, my gosh have I spent a FORTUNE on going to see my doctor & having fills!! It has cost me an arm & leg!!! Can anyone tell me the gap payment for a sleeve with Dr France?? Helen, do you have to pay for your band removal with Dr France also, or is it all included? So many things to think about!!
Thanks again for all of your help and support!!
Cheers, Sarah :)

Good luck with whatever you decide.. I had a band in July 08 and had the same as you 4 months in started having problems.. I had lost 26 kilos... I too put up with it and a dr who kept saying " I dont know" after a endiscopy with no problems found, I gave up and went to a different surgeon to have my band removed.. ( didnt cost me anything, covered by medicare and HBF)..
Im now booked in to have the sleeve surgery on wednesday and cant wait.. I should have done the sleeve the first time but had only heard about it 2 weeks before my band surgery and thought Id give the band a go.. I feel like I have wasted 18 months for nothing.. Im now back at my pre banding weight and feel like crap..
If you havent made your mind up to have the band out I would still make the appointments needed as it can take time to get in and see the dr you need...

Good luck ...

Jo :)

Hi Soz_mcdoz, Yes I do have a Gap payment to make, when I first saw Dr France June last year he quoted me $2200 for removal of band and follow up surgery either sleeving or bypass. The anaethetist for the band removal gap is $495 and I am sure it wil be around the same for the big op.
But with as you mention band refills, my suregon used to charge $155 up front each time and you would get $90 back from medicare. Originally my band cost $700 and the 2nd one and all the other surgeries and endoscopies done from that surgeon she never charged me any gaps.
But as Dr France says once you have had your surgery and you are all healed that you will raely need to see him if at all.
And as my husband and I are hopefully moving to Alaska in the next 5 years it makes me hapy I am not going to be leaving the country with something thats going to need ongoing care and maintenance.

Do you live south or north of the city.
They have get togethers the sleevers and pre sleevers here every few months it would be nice to meet u and come along so we could al share stories and experiences.

Hey Jo, was there a reason why you have had to wait 4 months between removal and sleeving or was this your decision. Was it done as an open or closed procedure,
I wish you well on Wednesday, my band comes on on Thursday and will most likely done as a open procedure due to adhesions and scar tissue, so will be in for a few days I guess.

Hi soz_mcdoz13, can you tell me is a ultrasound and xray enough to show erosion in a band?

My grandson flopped across my abdoman, right on top of my band a couple of months ago, I have been having abdo pain ever since, not daily but on average weekly, it took me awhile to to make the conection and then I started to notice that it was often after eating, I was in Denham/Monkey Mia for xmas and had two very severe episodes that lasted all day, causing me to feel the need to breath through the pain (felt like i was in labour). As there is no hospital or Dr there we cut our holiday short and came back to perth, My Dr sent me for the test which came back "no action required". I am booked in to have the band out on 2 feb (3 weeks), but now I'm concerned it may be too late and more damage may occur.

Hi Nimue,
What sort of x-ray did you have? A barium swallow, or just a plain abdomen x-ray? To see erosion, I think you actually really need a endoscopy, but they can see evidence of it on a CT scan if it has created fluid and inflammation around your band. A barium swallow can see if your band has slipped, or you have a pouch, and also if there is any leak. I'm not really sure why you had the ultrasound for a band problem, unless they were trying to rule out that your abdominal pain was not band related but something else.
I guess the main thing is, you are getting y our band removed in 3 weeks. if there was a problem that was really severe that needed immediate attention, I'm sure something would've shown up on the tests you have had done. Probably any other small problem will be fine to leave until your scheduled surgery. That said, how is your pain now? If you are still experiencing a lot of pain, I would probably go back to see your doctor and see if you require further tests now.
I feel for you, I know how scary it can be having strange pain that you know shouldn't be there and yet they can't find any answers for! My theory is its just that the band is a foreign device that our bodies don't like! I know my body doesn't like my band at all, and hence the reason I'm now looking into sleeving/bypass.
Good luck, and let me know how you get on!
Cheers, Sarah :)

Hello all,
Well i have some positive news. I have been so worried all this time about bringing up with my surgeon that I want to have my band removed. I really like him, and I didn't want to offend him or make him think that I was unhappy with his care, because it is completely the opposite, I actually really trust him and know that he has done all he can to help try and solve my problems, I guess I've come to the realisation that my problem with my band is just not something he can fix. I think it is my body rejecting the band rather than an inherent problem. So I was thinking about payments for band removal and then further surgery etc, and thought it really would be best to speak to my surgeon about my thoughts for band removal and then further surgery, so I sent him and email last night. Well this morning I got a very prompt reply, and it was a really positive reply also. My surgeon only does the bypass and not the sleeve, mainly because this is his preference. So i raised the subject of having my band removed, and asked him about the bypass and what the benefit is of it over a sleeve. I also asked if a bypass could be done at the same time as a band removal and also if it could be reversed if ever necessary. He wrote back telling me that he had been thinking about my case a lot, and was glad I had emailed him, as I had raised questions with him that he had been wanting to discuss with me. He said that he would want to discuss the pros/cons of bypass surgery with me in person ASAP, as he could be writing an etensive email otherwise. But he did say that he could remove my band and do the bypass in the same surgery, which i was SO happy about, and also that the bypass is able to be reversed if ever necessary as they do not remove any part of you, as they do with the sleeve. To be honest, this will mainly please my mother!! She can not deal with the thought of having part of my stomach removed for no reason. He also went on to say that if I wanted to seriously consider the sleeve rather than the bypass that he was more than happy to arrange fro me to see Dr France to discuss this with him. To be 100% honest, I am not overly fussed between the 2 procedures. My main reservation with the bypass is that I want to get information about risks involved with malabsorption of nutrients etc which I will discuss with my doctor. Although I said that the fact the bypass doesn't remove any part of you, and can be reversed will please my mother, I guess this has been one thing in the back of my mind with the sleeve. I know many people have had this done and are doign fabulously, but it is a mind over matter thing!! I guess it sits there at the back of your mind.
So...after all my stressing, it has actually turned out to be so much more positive than I first thought! I really like my doctor, and although I know Dr France is fantastic, I felt like I was being a little disloyal to my surgeon if I didn't at least raise this with him for discussion, when I do really trust him.
So I guess I will now go back to see him and discuss this further. I can't help but be a little excited now as I feel like things may fall into place for me a little sooner than I was expecting.

If I decide to go ahead with a bypass, I would really like to get onto it sooner rather than later as I have already wasted so much time trying to get this band to work for me. I guess now I have to try and prepare my mum (and dad) for the possibility of further surgery, which I know is probably going to be the hardest part of my whole journey! On a good note, my partner is so supportive of me and is being really positive about this all!
I can't thank everyone enough for all of your support!

Cheers, Sarah :)

Sarah that is fantastic news. It's good to hear that your surgeon has been thinking about your case as well.
You need to go with whatever suits you. I suppose the only thing that I personnally would worry about with the bypass is having to take tablets everyday so I would get in the correct number of vitamins and minerals and that if I did want to indulge in something 'naughty' that my body would go through the 'dumping syndrome'. But like I said, these are MY personal concerns.
But I understand your loyalty to your surgeon. That is the reason I stayed with mine for my band removal and sleeve.
I hope you get an appointment to see him real soon.

Hi Libby,
I was surprised, pleasantly so, and also glad to read that he had been thinking about my case. I think I have puzzled him somewhat. I had heard about 'dumping' and also they are some of the questions I will need to ask regarding vitamins etc as I obviously haven't looked into all the nitty gritty details yet. So some more research for me to do.
It's funny, when you say about loyalty, I will always remember something he said to me before I was wheeled into theatre for my band surgery. I was quite emotional and had gotten a bit teary, and he patted me on the hand and said to me 'you have nothing to worry about Sarah, I am here to look after you, and I promise I will', and I guess I have always felt a bit like I do have a lot of trust in him, and that he will do the right thing by me and look after me, and in that way I want to thank him by being loyal to him.
I can usually get in to see him within a few weeks, so that shouldn't be difficult. At the very latest I have an appointment mid February to see him anyway.
Cheers, Sarah :)

Hi Helen64, my dr advised waiting 3 months between the two as he has found that the sleeve works better if you let the stomach heal after taking the band out.. He said he had 2 dvds of the recoveries after band removal, one with sleeve done straight away and the other done 3 months later... The 3 month later one had better weight loss and better healing.. But I also ended up with a staph infection after my band removal so Im glad I didnt have the sleeve done at the same time... Mine was done as a closed op( laproscopy)...Only 4 little and one large ( port and where I got the infection)one...

Jo :) 3 days and counting...

HI Sarah, well done on the email to your doctor... Im so glad he has put your mind at ease... He sounds like a great doctor... My band doctor was a pain .. All he could say about my problems with my band was " I dont know" but then would saw see how you go and ill see you in 3 months... That wasnt good enough for me .. I had had enough.... So went to my wonderful dr now who explained everything to me ... In the end my body had started to reject my band .. My stomach was starting to get inflamed .. So glad I had it out...

Good luck when you have your next appointment...

Jo :)

Hi Sarah, Im glad to hear everythings falling into place for you, I like you am sooo over this band. It was an everyday xray, and I think the ultra sound was to make sure there was nothing else going on in there, he wanted to make sure the band hadn't slipped or anything.

I was concerned about the three week gap between now and my removal op, and that it wasn't checked for erosion!! but I will ring my surgeon tommorrow (he was sent copies of the tests) and check with him, if I should be concerned. 21 days to go, wooh hoo!!! Terri

Hi all,
Well I couldn't get in to see my doctor until Feb 2nd, so I have another 3 weeks to wait. Oh well, just have to be patient. Lol. Its funny when you get something in your head, you want to act on it straight away. Almost like that little light bulb goes on above your head and 'ding' - you're away!
I talked to my sister more, and she seems to have calmed down a bit. I showed her this forum on yahoo where a lot of people have been talking about the bypass, so that gave her a bit of a perspective from a 'real' view. My mum is another story - still thinks I should be able to just 'choose' to eat the right things! Hmm....if only it was so easy.
Anyway, she is coming down from the country on Friday, my sister, my mum and I are going to see Cats, the musical, so hopefully I can have some time to have some chats to them both.
I have written down a list of questions to ask my doctor too - have written down everything I could possibly think of, no matter how small - so I can make a really well informed decision!
Anyway, I hope you are all well. Terri - I hope your surgeon was able to put your mind at rest!
Cheers, Sarah :)

Sarah I've told everyone what I'm doing and the only one not convinced is my daughter, apparently all I need to do is "stick to a diet and exercise and I'll loose the weight, people today gorge them selves on junk and then look for an easy out". I have given her all my notes and this web address but she's not interested in reading it, so my response was " you need to read the literature and this web page, so you can have an informed opinion, it's my life, my choice". It would be nice to have her encourage me even if its not for her, but life's not like that, and I have plenty of support from the wonderful people here and my other family and friends. She says she would like to see me loose the weight but she's skepitical, I think its important for me to realise that her feelings and attitude, about this option, are not personal but to do with her own issues and beliefs. I think this may be the case for a lot of people who aren't supportive of our choice. From my experience being a mum, I can say that we wish the best for our kids, but we fear the choices they make, you can only give her as much information as possible and hope she can accept it, if not don't take it too personally.

btw. my band has slipped and I'm booked in for an endocoscopy today at 3.30, Mr T will then either remove it early or leave it till 2 Feb. either way its comming out........ Terri

Hi all,
Just thought I'd pop by to say hello and share some exciting news that my appointment to see my surgeon has been moved forward to tomorrow!! So excited...I think now that I've made my decision that i want to go ahead with the bypass, I just want to get it done NOW!!! I don't want to wait anymore! So keep your fingers crossed for me...I have my pages of questions ready to go and bombard him with and hopefully move this journey along! I just can't wait! I'll come by tomorrow and let you know what I find out!
Cheers, Sarah :)

who is your dr you are seeing tomorrow, I am seeing Dr France tomorrow morning as having some problems since my open band removal 2 weeks ago.

Hi everyone,
Well its been 2 weeks since my band removal op now what I realise could have been potentially life saving surgery after spending 9 days in Ashford Hospital.
What started out as my chance for a new start and excitement for the future turned out to be lifesaving but also very depressing and painful.
I went to theatre at 1.30pm and woke up in recovery at 6.30pm. Dr France advised I was in surgery for over 3 hours. When the dr put in the scopes etc to remove the lapband he found a complete disaster zone / mess. The lapband tubing was strangulating my bowel, and I had severe adhesions. Dr said that I was lucky to have my surgery when I did as my bowel was in such a mess with being strangulated that my bowel was at risk of dying and going gangrene in that area and loosing part of my bowel and ending up with a colostomy or worse off dead. He said the tubing was close to eroding also through my bowel. The adhesions were wrapped all around my organs which took some doing to remove as best he could.
I am no longer able to have any surgery at all unless life saving only.
So yes that does include bypass and sleeving.
I have a 10 inch incision and 5 stab spots also.
I spent 4 days in the high dependency unit on ice chips and pca, then moved into the step down ward for the remaining 5 days. PCA was taken down on day 7 and now on 4 hourly endone and buscopan for abdomninal spasms. Started on fluids after day 4 and then day 8 started on a light diet.
Nursing care at ashford was excellent, especially RN Gemma who is an angel.
Dr France was wonderful and caring and understanding my grief and has helped me to cope with this all.
I want to thank you all for your kind messages and thoughts.
I am now going to take this time to recovery and then start the process of gathering evidence and possibly seeking legal advice to investigate the wrong doings of my previous surgeon who 2.5 years ago after I signed a consent form for gastric bypass took it upon herself to put another band off which was I was actually a timebomb in my body.
I guess I thank god that I decided to seek another surgeon for further options otherwise who knows what could have happened in the future.
The issues I have had with my stomach all this time were actually symptions of things going wrong with the band.

Ow Helen, you will get there one day (reaching your goal weight)!!
My very bestest wishes for you :)

XOX

Yools

Thanks Yools, I know it s going to be a tough battle doing this alone now, without the help of any surgical intervention, heck I have struggled all my life like this, just need to get focused.

I believe you can do it Helen!! You're one tough lady :)
If you ever need support you know where to get it!!
Heck even I who has just been sleeved, were given so many temptations as to what to eat... I am still on liquid diet, and guess what I have to sit there be a good girl while my mom was having, korean bbq pork, seafood noodle, and Malaysian Mee Siam!! HUGE temptation I must say, but I guess you just have to be strong willed! I know you are!!

XOX

Yools

Helen, what an ordeal you have been through. Thank goodness for Dr France. I just can't believe how much of a mess your bowel was in as a result of the band...it just makes me think that your previous surgeon had no idea what she was doing.
Please, take your time to heal and get over your surgery and then worry about all the rest, but I think legal advice would definitely be recommended, as I think a lot of us have said to you, we simply can't believe that she went ahead with an operation you did not consent to.
My doctor is Dr Bessell, who is at Wakefield Clinic. He is absolutely lovely and I trust all that he does. I'm so glad that Dr France has been able to help you Helen, and that you sought help sooner rather than later. I wish you well for a speedy recovery and pop in and let us know how you're getting on.
Cheers, Sarah.

Thanks sarah, good luck tomorrow for your appt, are you going along to the adelaide get together on the 6th Feb, if so would love to catch up with you.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!

I am doing a million happy dances!!!!
I'm booked in for my bypass on 4th March!!! 5 weeks!! I can't believe how quickly this is all going to happen and i am so so stoked about it!!!
On an even better note, I called my mum after the appointment to talk this over with her, and she has finally come around! Even my dad was being really supportive too so I am so so happy that they have finally given me their blessings. I just felt really uneasy before with them being so against it.

(Helen I am really sorry to be so excited after your bad news.) I will see about coming to the Adelaide get together. Does anyone go who has a bypass or is it all sleevers? I feel a bit bad being on here, not being a sleever, I hope it is ok!
Anyway I must be off,
Cheers, Sarah :)

Sarah, congrats thats awesome news, i am really happy for you, you must come to the get together, they have sleevers, bypass, band and non people just also getting info and friendship. So definately come along, just get Libby know.
I saw my surgeon Dr France today about the issues I have had since being home, he thinks my gall bladder is playing up, I do have a large stone that has been there for many years of which my other surgeon should have removed but never did.
And also maybe with my abdo pain is from either its a bit paralysed from the surgery, or just still settling down since the extensive surgery, so he sent me off for a abdo xray today and I see him again next Friday.
I took my daughter and she was very impressed with him , she is now considering having her band removed and have sleeving done once she saves up the money.
He also asked if I have started the ball rolling in regards to seeking legal action with my previous surgeon and yes I have signed a release and paid the fee for the medical records to be released and then now to find a lawyer.
He said he looked at my casenotes and found the sign consent form from me to have gastric bypass 2 and half years ago and he said I have an iron clad case.
No money in the world will make things different but I want that surgeon to be made accountable for that persons actions.

Helen that is great news that Michael thinks you have a good case against that other so called Doctor. Hope you get some good news on Friday from your xray.

Sarah what fantastic news. I bet yours still doing the happy dance. Im so glad your family has come around as well. That takes a lot of stress off you. OMG 5 weeks. Hardly even enough time to get nervous.

I hope you do come to the catch up, it's always good to see new faces. Like Helen said there are alsorts at the meetup.

Thanks Libby, yeah am coming to terms now with everything, and today my daughter took me grocery shopping and stocked up on all the good healthy foods, to help me eat right, I am really looking forward to seeing everyone on the 6th, its a pity Adam cannot make it over.

Hi Sarah,
We accept everybody at our get togethers, so looking forward to it. I love them !!!

Hugs Gail