JoyceB
***There are 2 parts to this "story". Part 1 will tell you about my first surgery with LAPBAND. Part 2 is the more IMPORTANT info for those considering the band and will tell you about what is happening now regarding complications, removal and revision.
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PART 1 - LAPBAND
Surgeon Review Info (from my old blog) -
LAPBAND surgery performed by Dr. Santiago Horgan on 2/13/04
This opinion is based purely on my experience!!!
Dr. Horgan is very committed and concerned for his patients and their future quality of life and health. He's very skilled and experienced (FDA trial surgeon). He does have some rules that he insists you adhere to, but it is for the best.
The surgical staff, nurses, anesthesia, nutritionist, etc. were wonderful! I don't have one complaint. The surgical center was very comfortable too and the surgical experience was above expectations.
His office staff (at 900 N. Michigan Surgical Center - outpatient) is ok. They were slow at returning phone calls and providing some information (especially when fighting with insurance) but they are nice. I think the problem is that he needs more staff.
As for billing (I was self-pay)...I have had mostly negative experiences. The woman who does the billing for the surgical center has been unfriendly, unhelpful and rude (stressful for a post-op patient). The people who bill for anesthesia are great and good luck trying to get in touch with the people who do the billing for the dr. since you have to contact UIC hospital. Itemized receipts should be given at time of payment rather than trying to get them post-op.
2/10/04 - I'm on day 8 of my 10 day pre-op liquid diet. Pre-liquid diet weight = 292. BMI = 43.1. Friday is the big day. I have to be at the surgery center at 5:30 am for my 7 am surgery. I won't need anesthesia...I'll still be asleep!!!
OLD Blog -
2/13/04 - I did it! The band is in!!! Pre-op weight 277.5
3/5/04 - Little restriction if any at all, but have managed to lose 10 lbs in 3 weeks. (267.8 BMI is just under 40!!!!!) Able to eat much more than I think I should. Can't wait for 1st fill. NO complications to report.
3/27/04 - 6 weeks post op. Had first fill yesterday of 2 cc. No complications. (264.4 lbs BMI=38.2)
4/10/04 - 8 weeks post op. After a bout with food poisoing, ER visit, IVs pain meds, vomitting (that had no where to go except back in my stomach...no passing that band!), etc. I managed to gain 5 lbs. over last weekend (they say it's the IVs fault). But I managed to lose it by the end of the week plus more. (259.4 lbs. BMI=38)
4/23/04 - 10 weeks post op. 255 lbs. BMI=37.7
5/22/04 - 14 weeks post op. 2nd fill yesterday to 2.8 cc's. 248.4 lbs. BMI=36.6 No complications...happy happy!!!
6/14/04 - 17 weeks post-op. 241 lbs. BMI = 35.6 Thats a loss of 51 lbs!!!
6/25/04 - 3rd fill today...another .7cc (total fills = 3.5 cc) I got a fill because I was frustrated at gaining and losing the same 3 lbs. for the past 3 weeks and I was able to eat way too much. Today's weight 243.8
6/30/04 - The fill worked, back down to 241! I feel close to my "sweet spot."
8/6/04 - 6 weeks since my last fill and I have lost NADA! Actually I gained a few. So I went in for my 4th fill today. I have 4.5 in my band (yes I watched and saw 4.5cc go in to a 4cc band) and I think I'm finally at a sweet spot! The restriction is perfect.
8/13/04 - 236 lbs. BMI 34.9 (now I'm just obese, not morbidly obese) It's -9 since my fill one week ago!!! This is a sweet spot for me for sure!!!
11/12/05 - Back to my pre-surgery weight. (At least I kept the liquid diet weight off). This past year has been a struggle. Dr. Horgan's office is no help...in fact I get the feeling they don't want to hear from me since I am not a positive statistic for them. They won't fill me and have told me to "go on a diet." What the heck?!?!? Wasn't his surgery supposed to put an end to that??? Why don't I have restriction 95% of the time when I am supposedly almost at max fills? Pouch is not stretched - confirmed under fluroscope. Is my hypothyroidism the cause??? I attend weight watchers now...the life I was living before surgery...diets diets and more diets. I don't have much good to say about the dr. the office, the lack of post-op support or programs. The surgery works for some, but clearly not for all. And clearly not for me. If you'd like more info...feel free to email me...
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PART 2 - REMOVAL and REVISION
7/17/08 296.6 lbs. I have been having problems with nausea, vomitting (of course it is all blocked from coming out), severe bloating, lack of restriction, gaining all my weight back and general depression from my failure with the band. I was willing to live with the weight gain and just get on with my life until the nausea and vomitting started. Now I can't stand it. I saw Dr. F. today who is afraid I have erosion. I am scheduled for an Upper GI and EDG (endoscope) in the next 2 weeks to see if this is the case. Either way, Dr. F will be removing the band for me. He is recommending RNY if I decide I want to continue the weight loss surgery journey, but he understands my hesitation and disenchantment. I have to say the band was a waste of money which makes it all the worse since I was self-pay. Hopefully my new insurance (United Healthcare) won't fight me like BC/BS did.
9/18/08 Approved for revision to RNY. I am scheduled for 9/22 at St. Francis in Evanston. Who said surgery was the easy way out??? Why I oughta..........!
My life after RNY will be found under the BLOG section.
