K1Smiles

Well here I am, almost 1 year post and something unexpected occured. I have noticed over the last month that I have been extremely hungry and feel like I could eat the entire kitchen (although I could only get a cabinet)! Something didn't seem right. I thought I was due for a fill (last fill was 7 months ago). I wasn't gaining weight, in fact I was still losing, but only like .5-1lb a month. Not very exciting. So I went to my doctor yesterday and after numerous giant needle pokes and failed attempts at a fill, the doctor says "lets not panic just yet!" Really? How can you say that to someone when there is a needle sticking out of their stomach and you can't pull out ANY, not one drop of fluid from my band that I saw you put in 8.5cc's back in November! A second doctor walks in and tries it as well without success. So, I see the doctor again tomorrow to attempt it again and then go for a plan of action. Could be a leak, a broken port, broken tube and the band may have slipped since all the fluid is potentially missing. I had an upper GI done back in February to ensure everything was still in place (due to low blood pressure - everything checked out). Everything was perfect! Now this! I really don't want to put my body through another surgery. Lord knows I have had a lot in my 32 years. So what do I do if they want to just "replace the port" if its a faulty port? Part of me just wants to opt out altogether and say take it out. Go for the sleeve? My family was against me doing this anyway. However, I have had success with the band. I've had some hiccups here and there, but nothing that I couldn't pull through. I have been reading these blogs about the misery people have had with the testing they do to dertermine this. Sometimes takes months. I am just so lost. I know this is not something I have done. However, if the band has slipped due to losing all of the fluid, it will have to be repositioned which equals another surgery. So not looking forward to this! Love my band, saddened by this unexpected news! Cheers~

Anyone else struggle with bananas?????? I absolutely cannot eat bananas anymore. No matter how small or mushy I make them, they get stuck. I have tried a few different times. I have also been struggling with chicken. For some reason I vomit every time. Steak, now that is a tad challenging. I have to cut it in super small bites. I can eat celery. Bread however, does give me issues. I can do a super thin crust pizza, but I usually just eat the toppings. I love love love veggie pizza. I can make the crust as thin as I want. I do a lot of Soups and salads. The whole process is trial and error. You will learn quickly what you can and cannot eat. Some things you may not be able to eat now, you will be able to eat in the future. Listen to your body and your band!!!!

I am currently going through the same thing, however, I am passing out almost every time. I actually passed out at the doctors office and they found me on the bathroom floor. They took me to the ER, my BP was 89/58 and heart rate was in the 140's. They ran every test possible and everything came back okay. I wasn't dehydrated. I am very good about the water thing. They are telling me that the band could be hitting the vasovagal nerve which is causing the sudden drop in BP and elevated HR. I am due to see my surgeon this week so we will see what he says. I have never passed out before in my life until this. The important thing is, I can feel it coming on before it happens, so this is good. I get super light headed, dizzy and extremely nauseated. Then my body just gives out. Pretty scary stuff. I have never had issues with BP in the past, I have always been textbook 120/80. While sitting in the ER my heart rate would not get below 118 and was just sitting there, not doing anything. As long as your heart rate stays elevated with the low BP then thats better than the heart rate dropping. I am anxious to see what the doctor says though. My PCP said to increase my salt intake in the meantime. From what I am reading they may have to remove the band to see if it goes back up. This is frustrating to me becuase I am less than 2 months post op. However if I continue to pass out then this may be my only option. Hope everything checks out okay! Good luck!

Insurance declined mine the next day after I submitted the request. By the end of the week I had yet another letter from my physician and resubmitted. Then it took about 2 weeks for the approval to come back. So, just be patient. You can also call the insurance company yourself to get the status. Cheers and good luck!

I was banded on July 15th! Had some complications following surgery. Ended up with Pancreatitis. No fun! I have been feeling a lot better the last 2 days. I actually got around to putting on makeup and doing my hair. I am sure my boyfriend will be thrilled with this..lol. My surgery went okay, although when they got in to place the band they found I had a hiatal hernia. Apparently it was so bad the surgeon contimplated on putting the band in. Needless to say, I am banded! It's been a little rough this last week as there isn't a whole lot of food choices to work with. Sugar free pudding, jello and cream of wheat. Yummy! (sarcasm). Each day gets easier and have lost 11 lbs so far in a week. My clothes are starting to fit different already. I think this is my motivation right now. I was in the hospital for a few days after surgery. I had super low O2 sats and my blood pressure was way low. Anyone else have issues after surgery?

I am only 10 days post op. Not going to hold anything on this one. I had my first break down a couple of days ago asking myself if I made the right decision. Then the next day I got on the scales. I had lost 11 lbs in a week. So I quickly changed my attitude. So at this point, I have no regrets. But just know that I think we all hit that breakdown at some point after we have the surgery. Every day my clothes fit different and that just reminds me on why I did it! I have been getting more creative on food since I am still on the full liquid diet. Good luck to you!!!!!!

I currently going through this now. ER just sent me home with pancreatitis diagnosis. I was banded on Friday July 15th,2011. I am very concerned as this seems extremely dangerous!

I was banded 3 days ago and feel like I need to burp, but it just won't find its way out. It has a weird feeling, like this huge air bubble under my ribcage, somewhat painful, but subsides after a few seconds. I haven't been able to have a BM yet. I am still on clear liquids, so you would think something would be happening. The hospital sent me home without nausea med, so I was pretty miserable today. I ended up having to call the doc and get some called in. Once I took it, I was feeling better. Most of my gas pain is gone except for the occassional left shoulder pain. So far I am doing well. I ended up having a larger hiatal hernia repair at the same time, so recovery is going to take a tad bit longer. I had a 2 for the price of 1 surgery..lol. Hope everyone is doing well! Can't wait to begin my journey!