Exude

Thank you for the replies everyone. In response to the dehydration issue, I feel that this is one of my triggers, but does not happen much as I always carry Water with me. I have found that drinking alcohol (duh), working back-to-back night shifts, and lack of sleep as being other major triggers. As an RN, it is tough to get on a regular schedule that includes getting enough sleep. Just look at me right now... it's 2:30 A.M. and I'm forcing myself to stay awake since I have to work the next few night shifts. Drinking has become very infrequent since college (which is when I got the band), but I've never been so intolerable to it since banding. When I drink now, only a moderate amount will give me horrible side effects, compared to triple the amount I would have in college with similar effects. I appreciate the validation with some of your stories/experiences. Melody, you bring up a great point to see an eye doctor. I'll honestly say I've never had my eyes checked except for my routine physicals back in high school years ago. I may have to do this, though I opted out of eye insurance citing my "perfect," yet un-evaluated eyes (a bit of a contradiction isn't it?). We shall see. I'm interested in hearing other stories too.

Greetings everyone! I haven't posted for a while, but am continuing with my successful weight loss. Since first starting going to the bariatric center, I've lost 90 lbs. I'm doing well after initial complications I had three weeks after banding... if you're interested, you can read about it pills post-surgery helped. I eventually moved to Tylenol, but quickly increased dosages to up to 2,000mg without any relief. I first tried alternative remedies such as massage therapy, chiropractors, and relaxation therapy. In addition, I was taking Excedrin and Ibuprofen in small doses with Tylenol just to optimize my pain medications. I spoke with my bariatric surgeon/staff and was sort of jumped on for taking them as aspirin and ibuprofen are strictly restricted for us banded folk. During this time, my primary care physician (PCP) prescribed some triptans like Imitrex in case my symptoms may have been more "migraine-like." However, my reaction to these medications was severe nausea with an almost vomiting effect that I haven't experienced since drinking too much in college! I continued with alternative therapies, especially when things got rough/extremely stressful at my bedside nursing job. The day/night rotations just seemed to exacerbate things. After I moved to my new location close to my job, my new PCP referred to me to a local neurologist. This MD has been really understanding of my situation. I tried a few months with Topamax, a prevenative headache medicine which didn't seem to do much. For breakthrough pain, I took Vicodin. I stopped the Topamax recently due to these crazy eletrical bolt feelings. I did lose more weight on it though. At the point now, I'm taking Vicodin and Oxycodone for break-thru pain as I consistently get headaches still at least twice a week. I am curious if the cause could be related any way to my band? It all started after my two surgeries in March '07, got worse when I started my nursing job in August '07, and is still continuing through this August of '08. My routine now has been a combination of Vicodin and Oxycodone which works well to control break-thru pain, but I am unsure how long I should be doing this. I've reduced the tylenol dosages to save my liver and I've been very responsible taking my pills, however, I do go through them pretty fast which worries me. So what are people's thoughts? Sorry for the long story!

Well, we decided NOT to get the fill. But he also informed me that the VG band is one of the "newer" bands that are "bigger" then previous generation ones. So hypothetically, my restriction may not even be there directly as a result of the band... but I still feel that it does. I have another appointment next month. Depending on my weight loss (cuz I'll finally start working out soon!) will determine if I want to get a fill or not. -Jason

I go see the doctor tomorrow. I am leaning toward NOT having the fill, but will make sure he knows what I am thinking. Question: Each day, I sometimes have some pain in my left abdominal side. Like 30 minutes ago, I had some BAAAAD pain (3 hours after my last meal). I laid on my right side in the fetal position and it eventually went away. I am cheating slightly... eating pretty much whatever foods, but I only eat SLIGHT amounts compared to what I used to. I chew very well, but don't limit myself much. I definitely try and focus on Protein and healthy foods of course... but I have eaten no-no things. I just wonder if those pains are a result of me eating too much or what not because I have a band. I do have about a plate of food (unlike 2-3 plates before)... Any ideas? -Jason

Yeah, I don't know what band I have. But I feel the restriction it gives me already is enough and not sure if I even neeeed a fill. -Jason

I have been thinking about this a lot since getting the band. I was banded March 5th and went through an emergency right hemicolectomy and appendectomy on March 21st. I've gone through a lot the past couple months! In January, I weighed 324, the day of banding I was 303, now 2 months later I am 266. This is with NO fills at all. I went in for my first fill two weeks ago (6 weeks post-op) and my doc said I've been losing my weight quickly that I wouldn't need a fill yet. Now I have an appt. for this friday the 18th for my first fill. My dilemma is... do I need a fill? I do eat a lot, but a lot is the same as any normal "band-less" person. I can eat the same amount as my girlfriend and I feel content! Before the surgery, I would eat at least double her. I am only supposed to have about a cup or so of food, but I can have a typical plate of food without any problems... and thats of ANY type of food. I am verrrry content with having 0 cc as I feel the band itself is causing a satisfactory amount of restriction. I have been losing a lot of weight and I haven't even exercised yet! Before all this, I was very active with working out etc, but was so frustrated because I could not lose weight... most likely related to the amount of food I ate. But I feel that by eating like a normal person and adding my working out, I think I can really lose weight myself again. What do you guys think? Do I need a fill because maybe my band is loose from losing fat around my stomach? The typical first fill is 4cc, should I maybe suggest 2cc? Or just see how much I can do on my own with 0cc and start working out. Thanks for the help! -Jason

Hey everyone, I went for my first fill and because I was losing about a lb. a day, my Dr. said it was not necessary. He rescheduled my first fill to be in 2 weeks now (making the first fill at the 9 week mark, not the 6 week one). I am worried now because I have not lost a lb. since the Dr.'s last week AND I can eat almost as much as did PRE-BAND! What is going on?! I am not gaining weight, not losing weight, and eating almost the same as before the band. Like I can actually eat a slice of pizza (regular crust), yesterday I ate an entire omelet and part of a pancake, umm I had half a chinese plate, etc. I eat a tiny bit less than I used to, but it feels as if I can eat about the same, FRUSTRATING! Who else is experience this? Should we worry about slippage or what? I figured slippage comes from the band being toooooo tight, which for me seems to be too loose (lost 35 lbs. since banded). Grr.. -Jason

I blame beer for sure. I'm down almost 60 lbs. since January and I was banded just 6 weeks ago. What is the rule about alcohol after banding? I know no beer, but what about liquor (without pop of course). I have weddings to go too!!!! -Jason

My difficulty is like Kyera's. I'm curious if I'm maybe eating TOO LITTLE. I try to get three small meals in a day, but I really am not ever hungry. It could be a result of my LAP-BAND, or the emergency hemicolectomy/appendectomy (which is another story in itself), but I've been losing approximately a pound a day. Since my banding, I've went from 303 (day of surgery on March 5th) to today, 273. That's 30 lbs. in ONE month, or a pound a day. Since January, I've lost 50 lbs. I'm very inactive right now since I'm recovering from the emergency surgery (which takes up to 6 weeks since it is an open procedure). Soooo yeah... any advice for me? I want to guess I'm getting about 500-700 Calories a day. I am also on soft solids, or pretty much anything if I just chew it well. -Jason