This is my first post. I was banded last year by Dr. Speigal and got the 'usual' band (forgot what size/kind).
I have a particularly weak esophagus. AFter initial surgery, I couldn't keep anything down. Not even liquid. In five days I was dangerously dehydrated and didn't even know it. A friend came by and took me back to the hospital. Dr. Speigal had me looked at by a Dr he met in the parking lot that day (can you drop by and see a paitient of mine?). I really don't mind that he asked a Dr in the parking lot. This is not totally unusual but not exactly professional either. Had Xray and barium swallow while both (Dr. Speigal and the other Dr) watched me for a couple of days while I was on IV fluids. I could not keep liquid down. Then Dr. Speigal did surgery to put in a larger band. The size I got was also the size they put on a 400lb man I met in pre-surgical room.
With the new larger band, I have had two fills since Feb 2006. After the second fill I decided to not have any more fills. I am having difficulty keeping food down. There are also a lot of foods or food additives that I react badly with. I don't know why. These bad reactions include being seriously and painfully bloated, burping a lot, and throwing up. My weak esophagus together with the band is a very very challenging combination. I have spent nearly every night the last year throwing up and being in pain. I quit going out and quit spending time with friends unless they visited me.
Whew, thats enough for now. It is really good to get this off my brain.
If anyone has similar situation, I'm here to chat.
Lost 25lbs with at least 50 to go.
