Exude

I was banded on March 5th and everything was going fine... until I had some pain. Here is a post I made on my personal website, but figured I could share the story with my fellow bandsters. Keep in mind, I did not discuss my LAP-BAND surgery in it, nor did my band have anything to do with my problems. Nobody really knows about the band and I have been keeping it that way. But I've just been going through so much with the band surgery on the 5th, this emergency surgery on the 21st, and a potential breakup from the woman of my life of 4 years. Sigh... In these pictures, you can barely see my band scars. This is my new scar that will be there until I get my tummy tuck in a few years (I'm hopeful). By the way, I've lost 45 lbs. since January. Thanks for listening guys. -Jason

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!

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.

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

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

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

So the previous page showed my scars up to 9 days after my surgery. It was looking good until I had to go to the ER for a perforated colon. I had an emergency right hemicolectomy (removed part of my colon) and appendectomy (removed my appendix). I have an approximately 16" scar from an open abdominal surgery they performed. Thought you guys would like to see how that is coming. I posted the topic all about my surgery here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/survived-emergency-hemicolectomy-t32434.html?t=32434&highlight=hemicolectomy By the way, I'm down 50 lbs. since January. I was banded March 5th and went through this surgery on March 21st.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Both my band surgeon and the one that performed the emergency surgeries have concluded that it could not have been caused by the scopes. For one, it was in a different quadrant, but also the biopsy revealed that my stool went through my colon. I couldn't believe it! I was saying, "I've crapped for 23 years and all of a sudden it decides to perforate?!" Yeah, it sucks to have lightning hit twice. I'm in bed still, but hopefully will be getting back to school soon. I've already missed three weeks now and am supposed to graduate in exactly ONE month, ugh. -Jason

Sorry guys I have been away. I had an emergency hemicolectomy and appendectomy last week. Read my story here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/survived-emergency-hemicolectomy-t32434.html I'll get back into the groove soon enough to post again! Missing you guys... -Jason

UPDATE 2/13/07 - I will be getting the band and he will fix the hiatal hernia! March 5th is the big day! I posted this as a message, but figure I would put my update on the first post as well. Thanks for the posts guys! --------------------------------- So I am in a predicament. After going through a huge process to get approved (I was denied, then later approved), I was elated to get my surgery going. I am scheduled for March 5th to get a LAP-BAND. However, I did my upper GI diagnostic test and it revealed a hiatal hernia. I was so worried that I may not be able to get the band that I talked to the nurses and they talked with the Doctor. Apparently, if someone has a hiatal hernia, he usually just goes for the RNY... but may make exceptions if the patient is dead set on a band. So I have my appointment scheduled on Tuesday for him and I to discuss my options and decide if I can still do the LAP-BAND (he is getting sent the x-ray films), or if I have to do the RNY (and get the hernia repaired), which may be a safer bet. I am soooooooo scared to get a RNY if need be. I am only a 23 year old guy who is very active. I had lost 80 lbs., gained it back, and now cannot lose anything despite all my hard work. I figured the band would be the the tool that would push me that little bit further to actually see results. The RNY just seems so final... and scary (not in a safety way, but I feel I am too young for it). What do you guys think? I am struggling a lot with this. Thanks.

In the liquid diet recipes, they mentioned pickles for pre-op. Is this allowed post-op??? I LOVE pickles and am hating Soup. -Jason

I will find out Tuesday and report back. I believe its the 3rd or 4th week. -Jason

I appreciate the comment. I doubt it as well, but was curious since it was allowed in some pre-op diets. I think more than anything the doc is worried about solids moving my band. -Jason

EXACTLY! -Jason

Your surgeon is right. You should expect 1-2 lbs. a week after you get the band. And he doesn't fill it at the time of surgery, nor until 6 weeks later. Your body needs to heal with the band placement and a fill will prevent that from happening. You will also lose weight within that 6 weeks and the fill will help secure a better fit when you need it. I've lost 30 lbs. (7 lbs. post-op). As you can see, 23 lbs. was from PRE-op... for in a total of only about 1.5 months. This is coming from the guy who could not lose a lb. for the life of him, hence getting the surgery. I had lost 80 lbs. three years ago and gained it all back plus some... never able to lose it again. I couldn't believe that following the liquid diet and really focusing on the surgery (as well as scare tactics, I did not want to get the bypass!) could help me lose weight. So there ya go... follow the pre-op diet, make some dietary changes immediately, and before surgery, you should lose a lot of weight! -Jason

So I was handling my pain pretty well the first week. I took my Dilaudid pills a good amount each day, 2 pills per dose (4mg total) about 2-3 times a day. I started weaning off and using Tylenol which worked for days 7-8. But when I took off my steri-strips, the next two days (today is that second day) I've been suffering with a lot of port pain. I would rate it as a 6 right now. I still have some Dilaudid and took 3 (I developed a tolerance) and I am still suffering from it. It's VERY uncomfortable and the port site is the ONLY place I'm really suffering. I only have like 8 pills left out of my original 30... ugh. What do you guys do for your pain?? -Jason

I agree that time off would be nice. I did this over my Spring Break so I had the time there to recover, but in 7 days I was not ready to walk half a mile to class and sit in the same chair for five hours... it was hell. I went home and laid down the rest of the day! This weekend I have 12 hour days too! Let's hope we can both get through this quick. -Jason

The warmth is a good idea. I do not have an infection, but hydration may be an issue. I am struggling with nutrients. I was told to have two EAS advantedge shakes a day, and whatever else I can eat for nutrients (which has only been two Soups a day). I'm getting so little Calories and no interest in eating more... except for my cravings for solids. Ugh. Wish your son good luck for me! More men is good! -Jason

Dang nice that you could deal with it. Not nice you had to deal with chronic pain though! -Jason