JustFluffy

I remember right after having my band in and port revision...I wanted ice chips...it has been so long I dont remember what I said...when I woke up from my conversion I asked for chicken broth...always thinking of "food" lol...even after wls...

Was the X-Ray done with a barium swallow? I too went for over a year without a fill - I was empty and had gotten to the point I couldn't eat anything without it coming back. I was forced to go to another doctor, other than my original surgeon, due to relocation (I moved two years after my surgery which was done in April 2008). My new doctor found my problems. My old doctor always told me that I was the problem. I wasn't "following plan" and it must be something I was doing. I've found out in the last year that my original surgeon is no practicing and at the time my surgery he had done over a thousand - I thought he was "the best" because that is what I was told. I ultimately found out it wasn't me. A second opinion never hurts.

Tamra, I believe you should go back to your doctor and have him do an upper G.I. and run tests on your band. It sounds like you have restriction, even with your band empty, especially with you "getting stuck". You may have an underlying problem with the install/position of your band. The only way to know that is to have your surgeon look at it. I had to have my band removed because I was having problems with swallowing. My esphagous ultimately quit working and the positioning of my band was off (which with reflux and erosion lead to my problems). I'm not trying to scare you, but wanted you get checked out. My husband is also banded and hasn't had any trouble at all. The band isn't for everyone and regardless of what some people believe it isn't always your fault if you are not successful. There can be underlying issues and EVERYONE is different. You are not a failure, but you do need to find out what is causing you to have issues. Could be as simple as a band slip. Please go and see your surgeon a request a full diagnosis.

The BEST way to align your scale with your doctors is to weigh yourself at the same time and wearing the same clothes you wore at the visit...either right before you go to the doctor or after you get home. Keep in mind clothes can weigh 2-3 pounds and you will "normally' weigh less in the morning because you are "empty"... Also try to remember that if you are exercising a lot, particularly with weights, that you may be getting smaller and the scale will not reflect that; "muscle weighs more than fat"... If you really want a good gauge to judge how you are doing begin measuring yourself now and re-measure the same time every week or month and keep a log. The scale can either be your best friend or worst enemy but it isn't the only tool you should use to measure your journey. Best of luck to you! (Oh and if you turn into a "scale *****" - which I have a on again off again relationship myself, make sure you have a good one)...

Chelly, keep in mind that you may not get restriction with your first fill, regardless of the amount. It can take more than one fill to get to your "happy place". Make sure you are getting in ALL of your water and required protein. The protein will help keep you from getting hungry. And, if you have picked up the bad habit of drinking soda - put it down and never drink another - the carbonization can open up your band and make what restriction you may have all but disappear.

Welcome to LBT...this is a great resource and can really help you stay motivated...

1 banana 1 tbs natural Peanut Butter 1 tbs honey Cut up banana into cubes (add a little lemon juice and mix if preparing overnight so banana doesn't brown), mix PB and honey and microwave 30 seconds to melt. Add to cut up bananas and mix. Enjoy. Its really good and high in Protein...

Hi, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve my band to RNY revision. They have approved my port revision (three months ago - which I had to wait on pre-existing condition clause) until now to have. I was banded April 11, 2008 by Dr. John Bagnato, Albany GA. Assessment day I was at 271, with a pre-op diet I went into Surgery at 259 pounds. By my first fill I was down about twenty pounds - or perhaps I should say attempt at a first fill - my port had flipped. So I had to schedule revision surgery, which I had in July. I think lost an average of 15 pounds a month. I found out right after my revision surgery my husband was having an affair - emotionally I was a wreck but I think it gave me a push. By November I was down to 214 (my lowest weight). I worked out, followed all the rules - strictly and even ran in a 5k. My marriage continued to deteriorate and by December I asked for a divorce. We separated in February. I ended up moving to my hometown in Florida (four hours away) in March. It never dawned on me the impact of moving to another state would have on my health due to my band. I ended up getting sick and had to get an unfill a few months after moving to Florida. I went back to Georgia for one fill which I had to have removed due to esophagous spasms. When my divorce was final in October 2009 I lost my benefits. I quit my job when I left and it took me four months to find a job (and it didn't offer benefits). But with two small children to feed I didn't feel I had much choice. So no doctor, no follow-up. I tried to find a doctor in Florida to see me, closer than four hours away. No one would take me. I tried everything. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that would see me. He was able to put in 1cc (I have a 10cc band) in November 2010. I went back in March for my second fill and he couldn't access my port. By the way my port is in my chest, stitched to my left breast muscle). He said it has to be moved. We filed the insurance and they denied me due to pre-existing condition (June 2010 is when my insurance took effect, so I had to wait until June 2011 for anything related to my band). In May I started having port pains and reflux issued - I had an upper GI done. I have mobility issues in my esophogus and some erosion...so I'm told that the band has to come out. I had an appointment Wednesday of this week with him. He confirmed it and we discussed alternatives. I had been reseraching the RNY for a few weeks (once he told me bye bye band)...so now I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm curious how many of us are out there? and if it is specific to the doctor or type of band? Is there a specific timeline when the failures/complications begins. For the longest time I blamed myself - thought I'd done something wrong. It appears after getting back on LBT (after a two year departure), I'm not the only one. I really hope this RNY site takes off...looking forward to talking to everyone...

This is a really good recipe if you are wanting something sweet (can substitute the fruit for what you like) 1/4 cup strawberries (thawed or fresh) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 medium banana, sliced 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract 1/2 teaspoon sugar subsitute (I like splenda) 1/4 teaspoon rum extract 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese Combined all ingredients (except cottage cheese), pour over cottage cheese once mixed - or mix together... Yield: 1 serving (1 cup) Per serving: Calories 170, Fat 3g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium (370mg), Carbs 21g, Protein 14g, Sugar 13g

Hello all - anyone else having surgery in August ? I'm a revision from the Lap-Band. Well my surgery has been moved to August 1st...have pre-op tomorrow :-)

I was supposed to go back toeay for my three month surgiversary follow-up appointment. However, I've had a crazy work week and haven't had time to do anything (HAVE to get to the post office - believe I owe a friend a box of clothes:-))...I will say I'm SO excited... Down 55 pounds Measurements: Waist: 51" to 36", Chest 50.5" to 45", Hips 54" to 48", Thigh 32" to 26", Arms 18" to 16" = 27.5" total lost since surgery :-) So, how are you? Everything going okay?

Welcome...I'm a revision like 2bthinagn and hopefully soon Losing :-) Hope to hear from you all soon...

Still looking for the tortilla soup crockpot recipe :-)

Did you get any of the flavor packs? I haven't seen them...though I haven't looked lately either...

Where's the other pics? Come on don't be shy! (I'm now 3 months post op and look the same) so no updates this month :-)

Hi Leanne, welcome to RNYTalk! I hope you hear something soon and can get your date set. I had WLS (LapBand) three years ago and revision to RNY back in August. I will be honest, I hope you stick with RNY - for a choice I personally wish I would have chosen RNY to begin with. Please let me know if you have any questions! 19 lbs lost is awesome!!!!! on preop... :-)

Hey girl...i Still can't see anything on this thread but wanted to check and see how you are doing? Been a while since we've chatted. I hope others choose to join us :-)

I developed heartburn so bad that it developed into GERD. It HURT to swallow water at times. When I had my upper GI done they told my that my esophagus was no longer working...so liquids would go down but solids would get stuck in my throat. I was in tears constantly and at times would have sworn my throat was on fire. I was on nexium for it (which helped) and took it for about a month post-op. However, I took myself off after about a month, partially because I didn't think I needed it anymore and the other finances (3 weeks without pay hurt a lot - after surgery)...I was having a lot of food tollerances and couldn't drink anything up to two hours after eating - the liquid and the food would come back on me. I went back to my surgeon for my two month appt a few weeks back and told the nurses and doctor. Needless to say I got my ass chewed for not taking it. They gave me a 30 day supply and told me next time call them and they would work out the money. I had to have it. Lesson learned. Since being back on the nexium I have had ZERO food tollerances nor drinking. I can now drink about 30 minutes after eating. It was horrible waiting two hours afterward...I was having dehydration issues... To answer about improved heartburn, yes RNY really helped. Mine was so severe though that I still need it as a "newbie" rny patient...my tummy is still tender and they want to keep the acid down - makes sense...

I have some 18W-24W Clothes that need a new home...jeans, dress pants, short sleeve and long sleeve shirts...If you are interested, let me know in the next few days...I have a girl at work that may want them as well...wanted to give someone on here an opportunity first.

Send me a personnal message...with your address, we will work out the details that way :-)

The dumping is horrible...I did it about a month out when I tried to have a little Peanut Butter (too soon for my belly)...You get really cold (like the flu), shakes, horrible belly aches then eventually the food comes up or out...My doc said I'd probably never dump - I did once in the beginning and then again last night. I had some chicken from a hibachi place with the yum yum sauce (the white yummy sauce) - I don't think my body liked the yum yum sauce - too fattening. Got really sick last night - went to be early. The good news, once your body gets rid of it you feel better. I can eat peanut butter now (I do the natural) - and have about 1 tsp a day with a small glass of milk. Is my "treat"... As for "getting sick"...I have had some intollerances with food - stringly meats especially (kinda of like with the band)...but I don't get the flu like symptoms - it just won't go down and makes me feel "too full"...but thank god there is no pain like the elephant!