Short and Chunky

One week ago tonight, all hell broke loose with my band. I was in pain, vomiting blood, dehydrating and wondering what in the world was going on. Within 24 hours, I was in an ambulance, ER, admitted, taken to surgery and lapband removed. Wow, that was quick. I am now in recovering mode. I can eat once again. I am being very careful about what I eat and making sure I write everything down to remind myself what I ate. When I came home, I weighed and I was up 9 pounds - are you kidding me - 9 pounds - no food or water in over 48 hours and I GAINED 9 pounds - well yep!!!. Today, 7 of the 9 is gone and my weight is heading south fast. Amazing, when you are on liquids how fast you loose !! HAHA. I see the doctor for a followup next Thursday and I must say I am looking forward to the visit. My biggest question is "Now what?" I have plication but what happens with those little stitches start to pull loose, stomach leaks or scar tissue forms there? What are the symptoms that issues are starting there? I am really scared to see if the "other shoe" will fall next. I would feel more comfy if this was turned into a sleeve but I am not sure that is an option (I really don't weight enough for more WLS) and I don't know if my insurance will pay for it. One question leads to another and another. I am making my list for the doctor as they come to mind. My incisions are painful and my poor belly button YUCK - good thing I am too old for a bikini..LOL. This has been very painful but I am walking it out, resting and trying to put me first (which is something I don't do well). Take care, those of you who are dealing with slippage right now. This is no game. It will land you in surgery ASAP and the band will be history. Know the warning signs - I don't think I had any until it was too late. be good to yourselves. We took this journey together and took this big leap of faith for a reason - to better our health - live longer - and look better doing it...Having a "life event" like I just went through was not part of the deal. I will update again next week and let you know what the new doctor suggests from here. Keep the support coming - This is going to be rough ride and a whole new journey from here. But there is strength in numbers and the WLS community is huge and so supportive - Thank you to you all.. Melinda in Florida

Well what a difference 24 hours makes. As I wrote my last entry I was in pain and feeling bad..that night the pain got worse. The vomiting of blood began and that night was one of the longest I can remember. On Friday, I went to work, yep, I went to work. I carried a small trash can in the car and threw up all the way there. I know, I am an idiot..I knew what I had to get done, then take care of myself. I had called the doctor at 2am and he said to be at his Jax office at 6:30am. I was there. He did a flouroscope and said my band had slipped. He told me to come back at 3pm and let him look at it again. If the stomach went down and back through I would be OK, otherwise...well we would talk about it then. I drove back to work (only a couple of miles) and laid down on my office floor. One hour later, I knew I was in trouble. I drove back to his office (I still don't know how I did that). He took one look and off to the ER I went. Upon my arrival at the ER I proceeded to vomit blood on their floor and almost faint. They started an IV and told me that I was going to have to have emergency surgery but at their hospital on the other side of town. They called an ambulance and my family arrived - I was taken to St. Vincents Hospital Riverside. I was a direct admit. They took Xrays and a CT scan. I met the surgeon and gave his the photos from my doctor. He said he need to stablize me but surgery was going to happen. At 11pm, they wheeled me into surgery. Before I knew it, my 3 year buddy band was gone and I was back in my room. They were able to leave the plication but said that my band had slipped and scar tissue was bad. There was no saving it or putting in another one. He further explained that the scar tissue was so bad that I would feel like my band is still there for a long time and the plication was good and should be all I need to not only maintain what I have lost but to loose the other 30 pounds I want to loose. I sure hope he is right. As I write this, I am home (less than 24 hours in the hospital) and I am so sore..OMG, it didn't hurt like this the first time. I am on a liquids diet and some soft foods. Not really hungry but head hungry (you guys understand that). I am very nervous. I now have a new doctor (local) and someone who will take my journey from here. Gastric Plication is what they call my WLS now..Some say it is good, some not so much..I guess since it is all I have, it will have to do. I pray I don't find that size 22W again. Depression is trying to creep in just a bit but I am fighting that. The pain meds don't work and I feel like crap. But this too shall pass. My stomach is making sounds like "what the hell is going on" and I am sore all over. Fortunately, I am off work next week anyway, so I will have a chance to take care of myself and heal. I am supposed to walk and drink lots of water. What caused my slippage???who knows. The new doctor said that sometimes stuff like that happens but the scar tissue played a big part in it and it would not have healed on it's own. The vomiting of black blood, cramps and pain were the worst I have had since I gave birth to my kids....Please take care of yourselves and don't be foolish like me - get help right away. In retrospect, I should have gone to the hospital Thursday night (our anniversary) but I was stubborn..I could have died. My husband wanted me to go to the hospital that night, but where...when my doctor moved to WPB it upset my applecart and I did not feel secure from that point on. With a new doctor I will now have to build a new relationship but at least he is in Jacksonville. Will I have issues with the plication in the future? I don't know, I guess that is something the new doctor and I will discuss when I see him at his office in a couple of weeks. I do know that I will be going back to Weight Watchers for support as I feel like I am out on a limb all by myself. Take care my band friends and to my plication friends let me know how things are working out for you. I really appreciate this sight and all it has to offer, even if NO ONE reads my blog, I feel refreshed and glad I got it off my chest (so to speak). Have a wonderful Sunday and be good to yourselves. Melinda in Florida

Well, ladies, all I can say is, my band slipped too. I ate more, gained some weight (but not much) but then last Thursday, something did not feel right. I had pain in my diaphram and left shoulder, just uncomfortable. Thursday night began vomiting - not just vomiting but BLOOD. Black and lots of it. Ended up calling the doctor at 2am and I saw him in his office at 6:30am. He did a fluroscope, said it had slipped. He removed all the Fluid and said to come back later in the day for a recheck. I didn't make 3 hours - my office ended up calling rescue as I was still vomiting blood. At the ER, they checked to make sure all the fluid was gone. took Xrays and then 4 hours later a CT Scan. Still the stomach had not gone back down so by 10:30pm Friday night I was in surgery. My 2 1/2 yr old dearest friend - my band - was no longer a part of me. It had to be removed. It had formed scar tissue, was cutting into my stoma and my stomach was dying. YEP ! scary stuff right. I am recovering at home now with only my Plication left. I am so afraid I will gain my 124 lost pounds back. Getting another band is not an option, too much damage. What are my options, won't know until I go for my post-op check next week. Please follow your doctors instructions - to the letter !! If you even think something doesn't feel right, please go to an ER ASAP..I could have died. I still loved my band and I miss it so much, but wow,,,,,what an scare and eye opening event. Blessings to you all. Melinda in Florida

So glad I found you. I had lapband w/plication 7/11 and lost 124 pounds..Life was pretty good and I had about 30 pounds to go to reach my goal. Well, on Thursday of this week I began having horrible upper abdominal pain and very bad pains in my left shoulder. Thursday night the vomiting began - bad vomiting - projectile and it was black. I was throwing up blood..had a slight upset stomach. I called my doctor and he said to come in 1st thing on Friday. I was up all night - thought I was going to die. I was at the doctor at 6:30am. He deflated my band as he said he thought I had a band slippage. He told me to return by 3pm and let him look again. Well, crazy me went on to work. I stayed there about an hour or so and somehow drove myself back to the doctor's office. I couldn't even walk into his office without assistance. Vomiting blood still continued and the pain was awful. I ended up in the ER. I had a flouroscope, Xrays and CT scan. By 11pm, I was in surgery. My band had slipped and scar tissue was bad. My band was removed but my plication remained in place. I was sent home the next day (Saturday afternoon). It is now Sunday AM. I hurt like I have been beaten. No vomiting (thank you God) and no shoulder pain. I must say, I do miss my band - it was a crutch. But I do still have the plication and I will loose the other 30 pounds. I plan to join WW again to help me...I am just not strong enough to do this on my own - that is why I had weight loss surgery in the 1st place. Will I have to have any other surgery? I don't know..I just know I could have died the way things were going..I don't ever want to go through that experience again. I will be chatting with you guys now since I no longer have my band. If anyone else has gone through this, please let me know how you are doing now and if the plication is going to be my friend. Also, what dietary changes will need to be made. I followed the lapband diet well, I just don't know if plication alone has some other restrictions or something you have found is a problem. Thanks for all your help and for reading this. I was so scared... Melinda in Florida

Nope, not Bandiversary - the real thing - my hubby and I have been married 43 years today. It seems like only yesterday that I was 19 yrs old and a size 5 walking down the aisle of our church. Ha Ha..OK, so you aren't buying that !!! Yep, 43 years of having 2 kids, gaining weight and ballooning up to a whopping 22W. Well, almost 3 yrs ago, I got my band and it has changed my life and my husbands. He gets less food now. He gets healthier choices now. He is loosing a few pounds (and he needed too). He comes home to a happier wife. But, I am changed too...no longer a walking blimp at 268 pounds on a 5'3" frame. 124 pounds gone, no more prescriptions to lower BP or sugar or nerves. I walk, swim and am enjoying life. My husband asked me the other day how I could work the long hours I do, in a high stress job and still have energy..My secret is my weight loss...I feel so much younger and energized. Sure, I fall off the bandwagon and go back to eating junk. Anyone that says they don't - well...they are much stronger than me that is for sure. My diets in the past allowed me to loose weight and I did great..then gradually..here came the pounds again. Well, not this time. the band says NO WAY Charlie !!!! As I sit here writing this I do have a problem. My band is probably too tight. No refux, no PB, but real pain in my left shoulder and upper stomach area. I hate to tell my Doctor as he already thinks he wants to do a endoscopy to check for erosion. I cannot loose this band. It is all that stands between me and "whaledom" again. My doctor has moved his practice 300+ mile away so I would have to change doctors to have the proceedure done locally or drive to WPB. Neither one is a good option for me and I am scared. If anyone has had this problem before, please let me know what you did and what the outcome was. I have lapband w/plication which is supposed to keep erosion from happening. If he removes the band I would want revision right away but to what? Would my insurance allow it? I weigh in the 140's not exactly overweight anymore. I know I can't endure this shoulder pain much longer and I understand how dangerous erosion is but as scarey as that is..gaining my weight back is worse. I know you understand..you wouldn't be here if you didn't. Have a great weekend and enjoy this lovely Springtime weather. Regards and best wishes from..... Melinda in Florida

I am being called "skinny" now..NEVER has my name and skinny been used in the same sentence. I love it. Has it been easy - Heck NO..Would I do this again - Absolutely... So, enjoy the moment, enjoy being called Skinny and keep up the good work. Melinda in Florida

Well, I am sitting at work, just finished my tuna fish stuffed tomato for lunch and waiting the agreed upon 30+ minutes before I can drink some water to wash the tuna out of my teeth! Yummy, snack! It has been a rainy day here in North Florida and that means I have been tempted to munch on junk, lucky for me that I removed the bad stuff from my office so I have nothing to munch on! I reflect back that it has been almost 3 years since I joined the bandwagon. 124 pounds, countless miles walking, some NSVs and some disappointments...all in all..I would do this again in a minute. There are entire GROWN people who weigh 124 pounds and I lost that much weight. I can't pick up 124 pounds but my poor legs and feet were carrying that. Being 3 years out, you don't loose weight fast any more..Shoot, in the beginning if I didn't loose 4-5 pounds in a week, something was really wrong, then 4-5 pounds a month - still not bad...now 4-5 pounds a quarter would be acceptable but hey, I am not gaining..oh sure, I have put on a few pounds here and there, but it came back off. You know I have lost the same 10 pounds far too many times. I get within spittin' distance of my goal and then the "snack devil" inside me comes out to play and poof...10-15 pounds from goal again...One thing I have learned is that even if the weight loss stops right where I am, that is going to OK with me. I am not the 6 I wanted to be - ok - I am an 8..big deal. At least I am not a 22W anymore. I like me, I like what I have accomplished and I feel good about myself. I hope you have a wonderful week and will sit down, reflect and feel good about yourself today too. Melinda in Florida

Sofi_sunshine..you bet I ate the whole thing...now, what is the "whole thing" 1/4 cup of tuna salad (homemade) and 3 thin slices of tomato, chopped up on the plate. I looked pretty and I used a saucer so it "filled the plate". It was so yummy, I ate it two days in a row. Congrats on your sleeve. I wish you the best. You are going to have those days when you get discouraged..hang in there..the end results are soooooo worth it. contact me anytime..we all need a boost or a kick in the butt time to time. Melinda in Florida

I love shrimp and I love salad and both give me problems from time to time and I have had my band almost 3 years. Try fish, hamburger or something a bit easier to go down before the unfill. I have had 2ccs at one time before and that is a bit aggressive but I am sure your doctor is monitoring you just fine. You have to help him too. Sounds like you are listening to you band very well..keep up the good work, but don't fall in the trap of enjoying the weightloss so much you don't eat properly, that is not why you got the band. Take care and good luck. Melinda in Florida

I have been on Phentermine off and on for the past few months. My doctor gave it to me to kick start me in the healthy eating and eating less. It has helped me bunches. I was banded 2 1/2 years ago. The pill entered my life within the last year. It helps me. That being said, I am 62 yrs old, no blood pressure issues, no diabetes, take no medication for anything (except my vitamins). So I am very healthy, I just can't put the fork down and if there is sweets on carbs on that fork - well, you guys know the rest - I eat it !! My doctor put me on it to let me see the scale move and to give me back the will-power that I seem to loose. He will only give me 3 months worth..the last month is taken at 1/2 tablet. Then off for awhile, then if necessary back on for a month or so. I have had no issues with them. I don't know if I would recommend them to anyone, but I have not had any problems. Melinda in Florida

I'm in Florida so I can't walk with you but I have been doing 5ks and I love them. I walk slow/fast/ trott whatever...I just want to finish (and not be last - I do have some pride !). It has become my #1 exercise. I get fresh air, meet people and loose some weight along the way. My favorites are the Gate River Run and the Donna Breast Cancer events - both have well over 15,000 participants. I feel like a marathoner because I participate and when you finish you get a medal which I proudly hang in my office at work. Good luck and way to go !!!!!! Melinda in Florida

Doglover I am so sorry to hear about your struggles..I understand so completely. I have had my band almost 3 years lost 124 pounds and have recently lost my will power, had some band issues and had to have most of my Fluid removed and fell in love with food all over again. Now, 10 pounds gained, my cute little size 8 pants are getting snug and I feel like a BLIMP. I am so angry with myself, so much so, I eat more crap food..By the way, Erin, put down the bagel!!! Anyway, my doc is a hard nose case. He really thinks you should tough it up baby and follow the rules. When I saw him last week, he actually was kind, gentle and understanding (I really thought it wasn't him there for a minute). He added to fluid to my band, gave me some soft encouragement and said he would see me in 3 weeks and hopefully down a bit. Well, not down any yet, because I haven't put the crap down yet. I know what I have to do and I know somewhere deep down inside I can find the will power back but only one person can do that and that person is ME. I really need this board to help me. I can vent and confess and still hold my head up. Hey, guys, this bad girl boat has a lot of seats in it..we just need to hang in there together and get over the rough spots and back to the person we were when we got our bands in the first place. I would love to find that person again. She had such willpower and courage. Take care and have a "good girl" weekend. Melinda in Florida

Welcome CCCV4...I had my band done almost 3 years ago and had some of your same feelings as I began my journey. I am not at the end yet (thanks to some set backs) but this site is great and very helpful. There always seems to be someone here to encourage you and get you feeling better. Good luck with the 2 week liquid diet - YUCK..this is far worse than you band will ever be. Just keep your eyes focused forward. Keep posting and hanging in there. Melinda in Florida

Nancy, so sorry to hear about the pain and the luncheon gone bad. I have sad news to report...this will happen again..so don't beat yourself up too bad. I am almost 3 years out from my surgery and I fall off the wagon and do dumb stuff from time to time. Sweets are my downfall so the desert sounded fantastic to me. My doc said we are addicted to sweets and carbs and just like smokers and alcoholics have problems with these items, we have problems with sweets/carbs. You have done great. You had the surgery, you do your homework and you know you were a bad girl. That is half the battle. The yummy desert is gone and the luncheon is history. Move on, take a walk and pat yourself on the back. You did this ONCE..not all week..not all month..Be proud of yourself and keep moving forward. You can do this - we all have been in the boat with you and I for one, understand.. Melinda in Florida

Well, Guys, Short and Chunky reporting in. It has been a long road with this concussion/whiplash thing. Almost 2 years of restricted physical activity, headaches, seizures and pain. I am glad to report that this has all finally getting better and I have returned to "working the streets"...yep, I am doing 5Ks again. I have just completed by second one in a month - I am a bit of an over-achiever!!!! My first one I completed in 50:07 min and my second 46:35 min. I am so proud of myself. I have actually signed up for 2 more. I have this theory, I sign up for a race, pay for the race...I will DO THE RACE. I don't want to waste the $$.. New problem has surfaced though. After having my band w/plication for almost 3 years, I now have reflux. WHAT ??? Reflux..are you kidding me? Anyway, Dr. C removed to fluid, it got better, it put the fluid back and all was OK...BUT..he did a flouroscope and said my stoma had a funky shape and he didn't like the looks of that so he removed all the fluid in my band....Yes, I said ALL THE FLUID. Are you joking? After my fall and the fluid going in and out and my struggles to keep the weight from going up and now this? I weigh the same today that I weighed a year ago..POO...Dr. C said that is a victory because it sure could have gone the other way. I want to loose 20 more pounds but with no fluid...well, you all know what that meant. SWEETS, CANDY, open season on eating. I didn't start out that way, it just snuck up on me. I gained 8 pounds. RATS. Saw Dr. C on Friday and 3cc were put back in so I am on the liquid, soft routine for now. Hope to be a good girl and get back in the saddle. Short and Chunky does not wish to be Chunky again. I am enjoying being a size 8. Although I must admit, when I look in the mirror I still see CHUNKY. Hoping to be a good girl and not to damage "my Precious pouch". It has become my friend and has helped me achieve that which I could not do on my own..get skinnier. Take care my friends and please let me hear from you. Your stories and words of encouragement help more than you know. Sometimes this can feel like a lonely road to travel as I don't know anyone who has this alien in their stomachs except on this site. Short and Not so Chunky out for now....

Congratulations on your new family member and new walking parnter. We all need a good partner to walk with and he looks like he will be great. Glad he has found such a special family to be a part of...Melinda in Florida

If you want to "save" calories - use extracts..Chocolate Protein powder with coconut extract (Almond Joy). Vanilla powder with orange zest (creamcycle). I also use vanilla extract in my vanilla powder to get a stronger vanilla taste. Sometimes I use ice, sometimes, Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk or Unsweetened Coconut Milk with my powder. Not bad, different texture. My doc does not allow fruit so I have to get my "taste" from different places. Give it a try... Melinda in Florida

Well, hello and so glad to hear someone else is a stress eater. OMG, if I could remove the stress..ha ha. Like that is going to happen..not. I have been lucky in the fact that I have not regained but 3 pounds..I have hit the streets walking - more exercise and trying like crazy to leave the "Crap food" alone but wow, that is so hard. I love sweets. I can do without bread, Pasta, fruit and all that other stuff my doc won't let me have, but sweets call my name everytime I feel stress - which is daily. I am so glad someone stepped up and is talking about this. Please stay in touch. I a weak and I need the support. I like my size 8 pants - I don't want to buy size 22W again. we need each other to get through this. Thanks guys ! Melinda in Florida

The lapband and plication is your stomach surgery not your brain. Unfortunately, if you are looking for the magic bullet to make you skinny and not "want" sweets or carbs..the band is not it. Nothing is...This is a joint decision between you, your brain and your stomach. It is not easy and anyone who says it is has never been down this road. Yep, you will fall off the wagon, but you get back on, you go for a walk, you forgive yourself and move on. I have had my band 2 years and I have stopped counting how many times I have restarted..but it has been worth it. I am glad I did this and would do it again in a minute. Good luck with your journey and whatever you decide to do. Melinda in Florida

I'm feeling pretty good. I have had some issues, but nothing that required surgery or revision. All and all I would say, I am one happy camper. I am doing a 5K on Saturday and looking forward to doing this with friends. Hope all other 2yr folks are well and still loosing weight. Melinda in Florida

Stuck...Well, good luck. I would say you can't prepare for it to happen. It will happen at home and it will happen while you are out on the town. Stuck is an equal opportunity issue. It is bad. Chest pains like a heart attack. DON"T DRINK..it only makes matters worse. I walk and twist and use a heating pad, but mostly - throw up will be the only way to actually get relief. The slim is gross and sometimes you throw up so much you can't catch your breath. Like others have said, you should not eat once this passes and you won't want to anyway. It usually happens to me when I allow myself to get too hungry. Then I eat too fast, too much and too big..Don't get too hungry even it you have to suck on a piece of hard candy until you can eat the way you are suppose to eat. I will go months with no problem then POW ! I do something stupid and I get stuck. Take care and use your brain...it will be fine. You will get stuck and you will survive so hang in there and enjoy the weight loss.....

Congratulations to you. I am sure you are feeling so much better...keep up the good work. and keep smiling..