cort10

Dear forum members: It has been several months since I have checked back on this forum and I am embarressed to say I have not kept up. I am having problems and need advice. I was banded by Dr. Lee Grossbard in St. Pete Florida October, 26, 2004. I had some post-op problems for several weeks (unable to swallow liquids). Had to go back to hospital for hydration for over a week following surgery. Over the past months I have been following my eating ritual by eating small amounts, chewing my food and eating slowly. It is very rare for me to go a full day without throwing up a meal/"the gooey stuff". I can never eat anything solid until the afternoon and find I can eat best in the evening. Even that is an extremely small amount of food. A typical meal for meat at a restaurant would be a cup of Soup and 2-3 bites of meat from my wife's plate. I have resorted to eating ice cream, Cookies and sweets all of which fill me with no problems. I continue to lose weight at a fairly slow rate (I have been at 240 lbs for 60 days). My doctor tells me that the symptoms are typical - I need to eat slower, etc., etc. I have never had a fill or can see where I would ever need one. It is my belief that I was fit with a band that was too small and what most banders consider their lives to be normal after healing - I may never feel. I would like to hear your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Thank you.

Hello Friends I am at two weeks post op and am just now getting to feel back to normal for at least half the day. Still a bit light headed and some aching in the stomach. Keeping up with the Clear liquids. Wife made me real chicken broth yesterday. So much better. Kids still have holloween candy all over and I still have no desire to even think about cheating. Is it normal at 2 weeks to not be at 100%? What foods are coming after my clear liquids? How much excercise is normal at 2 weeks?

Gas X helped me to stop the hicups.

I made it. I am an official bander. Band was installed on 10/26/2004 however all was not smooth sailing for me. I was released from the hospital on the morning of the 27th even though I had vomited several times and was not holding my fluids. I was told the swelling around the band would subside and liquids will soon pass to the stomach. I made it until the afternoon of the 28th still vomiting and very discouraged. The doctors assured me all is ok and sent me to the ER for 2 litres of IV fluids. Afternoon of the 29th still vomiting very sore and doctors re admitted me to the hospital to keep me hydrated anfd perform a barium swallow X ray. The swelling finally went down and fluids started to pass on 11/03 one full week after the surgery. I was released on the 4th and am taking it slow at home for the rest of the week. I weighed in before surgery @ 297 and came home at 281. The doctors tell me every persons body reacts differant to the intrussion of the band. Have any of you had an expierience of a week of nausea and vomiting after surgery? I am thrilled that I have little or no desire to eat. I have trouble getting my dailey fluids in as I feel "tight" most of the time. My energy level is fair to medium. I am not trying to post a negative story but want to help others understand that the body reacts differant for all. Thanks for listening. The hardest part of all of this was the boredom of a 1 week hospital say. Oh yeah. One more thing. I would do it over in a heartbeat because I will soon be a normal size man. Scott 297/273/200 by March 7 2005

Im am going to the hospital in a few minutes i will recomend it! Robin

Thank you very much, we have tried almost everything! It is just time that has to come in right now! Hope fully in a few days he will be feeling like this! :banana

Hi - I'm scott's wife - replying for him. He is on IV fluids so he is safe. They have not done the barium swallow - do you think that they should? It is so discouraging for him and for his family. Thanks for your hugs! I'll send them along.

I had the lap band installed last Tuesday - 1 week ago. I have not been able to keep fluids down since that day. Went home for two days and was re-admitted to the hospital last Friday. Getting very discouraged and wondered if anyone had any ideas. Scott

I had the lapband installed on Oct. 26 on the West Coast of Florida. My operation took place on a Tuesday afternoon and I was released on Wed. morning even though I was suffering from nausea and was unable to hold fluids down. I spent Wed. and Thursday trying to open up the swelling between the 2 stomachs. Thursday night I was taken to the ER for fluids. I continued vomitting on Friday and was admitted Friday night to the hospital. I am still in the hospital and four days later and am continuing to vomit. This is now 8 days since surgery. I have been told by my surgeon that this is common in men and that time will bring the swelling down and the hole will open. I was fitted with a size 10 lapband and on the same day another lady was fitted with a size 10 lapband and she is considerably smaller than I. Could this make a difference. Need help! Any ideas from anyone! Scott.

Hello I am sceduled for banding on the 26th of October by Dr Lee Grossbard. Dr Grossbard has teamed up with Dr Ernest Rhenke to start the band program in St Petersburg FL. I have struggled all of my life with weight and am at an all time high of 309lb and I feel like I am dying a slow death. I am a 39 however I suffer from hypertension and high blood pressure. My reflux has been an ongoing problem. I am looking forward to this new life and being a part of this community. All words of encouragement are welcome.