Wow!!  OK..I'm going to do this. I was coming to this website, religiously for a very long time prior to my surgery in 2003.I had an earlier(1 1/2yrs) surgery date with a different surgeon and 2 days before the surgery, he tried to extort $5000 from me. He played on my emotions and said that ins co didn't pay enough to cover his costs/expenses, so if I really, really wanted it done, I'd come up with the cash the next day. I stormed out of his office, went home and reported him to my insurance company, the state dept of insurance and the state medical board, then I started calling people from the list of names, addresses and phone numbers that he handed out to prospective pts without the permission of the folks on the list. I called every name on that list and got hung up on by 50% ust for mentioning his name. Others were so angry that I had their personal info that they called his office and called me back. He was "retired" within 60 days, I swear to God.
     I immediately got back here to do more research to find a new surgeon and of course their were plenty to choose from, not as many as there are now, but word got around that there was money to be made from all us miserable fat folks and you can't swing a cat and not hit 50 bariatric surgeons in your county.
     I found one and made an appt and myhusband and I went. This guy was good...A real car salesman. And no, I will not divulge his name and location, and ust so you know, I was living in another state at the time, but that's another chapter in my nightmare. I have a story to tell, and for 5 + years I couldn't tell it because there was no forum for anyone who didn't worship their surgeon, and think him a god among mortals. I haven't been here in years because I was pretty much attacked if I voiced any complaints or had anything that was in any way a negative remark about the surgery or the process. I SWEAR. I had just about every complication for the first 1-1 1/2. I'm 5'11" and was 351 the day of surgery. Space here is limited and I'm about to run out. I'm new and my commen has to be apprved. That's perfectly understandable. But I need to say what I need to say. I will not cuss, or theaten or do anything wrong, And like I said, I will not give my surgeons name, I'd probably vomit if I uttered it.His primary concerned during all my postop problems was his name and reputation. He was so worried about getting his numbers up and building his empire. AARGGHH!! I hope this message is approved so I can tell my story. I'd hate to think that this living hell that I've been through was all in vain. I need to help others be educated and know what to ask and what NOT to do. It's a certainty that my life will end prematurely and it is also a certainty that it's all traceable back to my lap RNY in 2003. I take full responsibility and this is not about blame, it's about saving innocent people from making bad decisions that can potentially devastate their life and their families. This has truly been a harrowing experience that I would do darn near anything to take back. I'm too sick and too far gone to even contemplate a reversal. I'd die on the table. Please approve this and let me do my part to get the word out that people need to think about this with their whole mind and not just their emotions. this is serious stuff. Thank you for allowing a less than popular subect to be published. I promise to tell the whole truth, as I am able to, if allowed. But I will not tolerate any spankings because this happenned to me, I did nothing wrong. Do not attack me.

I have a very small sleeve, less then 10% of my stomach and no reservoir. Its more of a "green bean" than a banana. I have major issues with GERD, and reflux ( regurge). My regurge is so bad that I am currently going through my fifth aspiration pneumonia.

That being said. . .I am just over 18 months post-op and at goal(down 178+ pounds), my type II diabetes was resolved within a month of surgery, my severe sleep apnea is resolved. . .

Long story short, the issues I have been left with pale significantly in the light of the co-morbities that have been resolved. I would select these over this anytime.

In other words. . .NO REGRETS here!!

If it's Dr. Wade Barker, I strangely enough met a man at dinner last night who had the RNY with that Doctor.   He's doing very well and liked the doctor.

I have no idea on how he is with banding and band support.

You might get more information from joining the DFWBandsters support group and inquiring there.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWBandsters


edited:  whoops.. I didn't read your original post well enough...   DFWBandsters might or might not be a good resource for you.   There is a nurse on that list who works with many of the Dallas bariatric surgeons.. she might be a good one ask.  

My apologies for not reading thoroughly before replying.  :(

Edited again:  I see now this is an old post.   Must be past my bedtime.  sheesh...  

Is it possible your band is "unbuckled" or that it has a leak?  Is your doctor checking with every fill that the right amount is still in the band?   You shouldn't have to "diet" you should feel full much faster.  Have they done floroscopy to see if there is any restriction at all when you swallow? Something is wrong and its highly unlikely that its YOU.   Can you see another lap band doctor?

So I decided I would rename my blog to a title that is more reflective to where I am in my own journey of recovery. So I changed the title of my blog for Healing From Obesity: A Blog for All to Eat, Write, Move, Cook: How I recovered from Obesity. Please check it out and sign up to follow me if you like.

I will be offering book reviews on useful books I read during my recovery. Recpies and cooking tips. Talking about how to keep moving for fitness and sharing some of my writing.

Hope you will stop by!

Andrea