Lap Band is out... Lost part of my liver

[Amey]

Thank you @Larra and @DianaCox and everyone for your support. I really do believe things happen for a reason. I knew I had to get the band out now and not wait.... And we didn't even know anything about the liver issues until surgery. I am so glad I followed my gut instinct.

Dr Medvetz is a very good bariatric surgeon and I'm hearing really good things and researching Dr Bonnani and haven't found any bad reviews or negative personal experiences. I know I will be in good hands as one of at least 6 DS patients that week.

I am kind of disappointed that it will be in January for 2 reasons... 1-pre-op diet possibly at Christmas would suck! And 2-just because I have met my ins out of pocket max this year and if I could get approval it wouldn't cost me anything.... But like I said I'm ready to go private pay if I have to.... However I'm going to fight like hell before I do that.

And I'm thankful I have the time to heal and get my vitamin levels up to par, especially my PTH. I'm going to make an appt for the end of this month with my PCP to have labs and see what that looks like after 3 months of vites so I can tweak anything before January. I'm starting Vit C this month and Iron 2 wks after that. I'm trying go slow adding new vites so I don't overload my healing liver with too much all at once. I don't know if that's possible...but it makes sense to me.

Thanks again for all your support and reassurance. This is definitely a journey!

 

[DSRIGGS]

@Larra - I meant Amey's post - she clearly said that Bonnani would be assisting Medvetz. Sorry for the confusion.

I was replying from my phone and I did miss the Bonnani assisting/overseeing part. Having a good DS surgeon scrubbed in certainly makes a difference. I will admit I am not familiar with him but obviously he has a good reputation if larra and you endorse him.

Larra and I have discussed the need for more good DS surgeons as the demand is greater than the supply at this point and isn't letting up soon. So under controlled "apprenticeship " I think this is much needed.

 

[DSRIGGS]

@Amey - My apologies for missing the bonnani assisting part and my subsequent reply. Sounds like you will be in good hands with him there to instruct and help out if need be with this other good surgeon learning the DS. That makes me feel better for you because you have certainly been through the ringer and don't need anymore problems.

Regarding your liver is there any special medicine or therapy required or will it heal in its own? I assume the longer thst can heal before your DS the better because you certainly want to go into your surgery strong. The waiting sucks I know but it will probably help you to be in good shape for surgery.

Best wishes for your approval to save you some money (it infuriates me that our healthcare system works this way) and on good healing and a successful DS.

 

[Clematis]

pre-op diet possibly at Christmas would suck

Keep it in perspective: It's just one holiday in a lifetime of holidays. YOU CAN DO IT. (I will be doing pre-op liquids at Thanksgiving and still at post-op liquids at Christmas and my birthday.)

 

[southernlady]

I'm hearing really good things and researching Dr Bonnani and haven't found any bad reviews or negative personal experiences. I know I will be in good hands as one of at least 6 DS patients that week.

The ONLY bad I've heard is he prefers DS patients with a 50 or greater BMI, except for diabetics. At least that's how it was almost 5 years ago. That stance may have changed tho.

 

[DianaCox]

As for the new deductible - you'd have it in January anyway, and even with surgery in December, you're going to have a lot of medical expenses in 2016.

 

[Munchkin]

And they sell those crapbands to people as being less invasive.

It's not a bad plan with Bonanni assisting. We need new DS docs and this is the only way to get them!

 

[Larra]

@Amey I understand about the additional expenses from waiting til the next calendar year, but I bet there was lots of inflammation inside, and your next surgery will be safer with allowing time for the inflammation to subside.

 

[Amey]

Thanks everyone. I'm not on any special medication or diet for my liver.... I will just heal on its own I guess. A friend pointed out that I only have a $1000 per year out of pocket max that I will surely meet worth the surgery in January so my medical will be paid 100% for the rest of the year.... Sounds like a good deal to me when I look at it that way.

As far as needing a 50 BMI.... I'm only 17 pounds away from it. And the way I'm gaining weight that's not going to be a problem. I'm not really eating anything more than I was... Or maybe I am. I didn't realize I had any restriction worth my band but I guess I did because I'm always hungry even an hour after I eat. I'm trying to keep it under control.... But if 17 pounds is what going to be the difference between getting the surgery or not then worthy the holidays In not seeing that as a big challenge. I hate that I'm thinking that way.... But it's a double edged sword. I'm just going to try my best that's all I can do.

 

[Amey]

Please excuse my typo errors... I'm posting from my phone and auto correct had a mind of its own.

 

[Jbandmmomma]

Very sorry to hear about your issues. That is crazy.

Now I have to say, are you seriously even considering a revision with a surgeon who has never done a DS and paying her $19K? Sorry, but no way in the world would I allow somebody who has never performed a DS operate on me no matter how nice or well intentioned they are. Would you let a person who never cooked say Indian food cater a wedding for dear Indian friends? I think not, so why in the world would you let somebody who has never performed a DS carry out such a complicated surgery as a revision on you and pay her $19K out of pocket. Dr K is about the same amount of money or Esquerra in mexicali is $11K. Dr K has done over 2,000 DS procedures and 500 revisions. 2,000 vs 0. It is your life hon and I know you want this, but please think long and hard before making this decision.

respectfully, maybe everyone doesn't have the option to go to Dr. K. I was my surgeon's SECOND DS at his home hospital, the first one completed minutes before mine began. He proctored with Dr. Boyce, who was in the room for our procedures. If we DS'ers want more qualified providers, someone has to be the first, second, ... ninth, ... fortieth DS the well-trained surgeon performs. I am a very educated person who thoroughly researched the DS, my surgeon, his qualifications, his training, and his proctor's track record. I, for one, am thrilled that Dr. Bonnani is helping train another DS surgeon.

 

[Amey]

Thank you @Jbandmmomma.... I know I will be in good hands. Dr Medvetz will be the only surgeon doing the DS between Washington and Utah.... This area... And Idaho in general needs a good DS surgeon. I'm just happy that for people around here wanting / needing WLS there will be more options available.

 

[BebeZed]

OMG @Amey!!! I am so sorry that it was that bad but I am SO glad that you went ahead and got that evil thing out! And hooray for being able to eat!! I am truly going to look forward to that when the time comes (just started full liquids here. Oh joy. LOL)

My incisions itch like crazy too. The smaller ones are more or less healed but the big one where the drain was is still icky and all I want to do is scratch, but I somehow manage to control myself. The itching is probably a good sign that everything is starting to heal up.

So, step one of the process is completed. Congrats!

 

[DSRIGGS]

OMG @Amey!!! I am so sorry that it was that bad but I am SO glad that you went ahead and got that evil thing out! And hooray for being able to eat!! I am truly going to look forward to that when the time comes (just started full liquids here. Oh joy. LOL)

My incisions itch like crazy too. The smaller ones are more or less healed but the big one where the drain was is still icky and all I want to do is scratch, but I somehow manage to control myself. The itching is probably a good sign that everything is starting to heal up.

So, step one of the process is completed. Congrats!

I have always heard that a wound itching is good because it is healing. Who knows if true or not.