Dawn_from_MN

I have had problems with my band for almost all of the three years I have had it. I started having unbearable pain and vomitting about 2 months after surgery. A little over a year and a half later it was determined to be my gall bladder which I had removed. I thought at that time all my problems were over. WRONG.........even after the gall bladder was removed I continued to throw up when I had fluid in my band. I have been banded since 10-04 and been throwing up since 12-04. Last January I changed clinics and doctors and I am attempting to have the band removed and have a different surgery. I have gained back 100% of everything I lost with the band and I am now even 30lbs heavier. I have a surgeon who agrees I need the band removed and agrees another surgery (DS) is a good option for me, but my insurance company is saying that I cannot have the band removed because I can't prove the band causes me to throw up. I have no idea how to go about proving the band makes me throw up. I also need to show that I followed the recomended diet. I am not sure how to prove that either since I have no fluid in my band so no restriction, but still throw up from time to time, and can't have fluid put in my band because it makes me throw-up all the time. I would love any advice anyone has for me. I am getting frustated and worried that I am going to end up with some very serious problems with my stomach because of all the throwing up. Thanks Dawn

I am going to the doctor tomorrow to have all the fluid removed from my band. I am also having another upper GI. I hope I can get to the bottom of this soon. Dawn

Renee, It sounds like the pain I had while waiting for someone to diagnosis my gall bladder problems. I had Surgery in May to remove it and the pain has gone away. Dawn

That sounds a lot like what is going on with my band too. I was just to the doctor yesterday and had a upper GI and endoscopy and the doctor said everything looked fine with my band. The problem is it's not. I throw up all the time and some days can't keep anything but garbage food down. I have also thrown up liquids. The doctor told me the next step was to remove all the fluid from my band to see if that helped. He said if that doesn't help he is concerned that something is wrong with my esophagus. I went to this doctor looking at a revision, but he won't do anything until he figures out why I can't keep food down. Not so sure I would do the band again knowing what I know now. Dawn

I am currently going to a new doctor because of my PB's. I can PB 2-4 times in one meal. I also PB more then once a day. The strange part is other times I feel like I have no restriction at all. Two nights ago one drink of milk had me running to the bathroom. I am tried of always having to be with in eye shot of a bathroom.

Thank you everyone for your messages. I am on Wellbutrin and have been for almost a year. It helps with the cravings and helps with the hand to mouth disease. My problem is my metabolism. The endo said it must slow to a snails pace. I don't think I am eating any more then I was a year ago, but gaining weight. Not sure what I am going to do. Hey Leatha it's great to see you too, it's been ages. The throwing up has been going on for almost the entire time I have been banded. I have had two swallow studies done and had the Fluid in my band removed. Nothing has helped. I am not sure I am going back to see the surgeon that did my band. He and I have a difference of opinion on a few subjects. Anyway I have a lot to decide about whether I want to have by pass or even attempt to take on the insurance company to have it done. I do know that I don't want to start smoking again and won't do it. Dawn PS: Leatha, I have not seen you around for ages, but wanted to let you know I met someone and he moved to MN this spring. We just got engaged on Labor Day. Not sure of a wedding date, but I am very happy. I hope things are going well in your life. Dawn

I have been trying to quit smoking for a year. I quit for two months and gain weight so right back to the cigs. I have again quit and I am determined to not start again. The problem I am having is weight gain. I was banded almost 2 years ago and lost 70lbs in a year. Since I started to work on the smoking I have gained about 30lbs back. I had an endo appointment yesterday and he said "maybe what you need is the full by-pass". I am pretty freaked out about it, but I am also scared that if I continue to gain weight I will start smoking again. I do not want to gain back everything I lost. My band is as tight as I dare get it. I currently throw up about 5-6 times a week and when it was tighter it was worse. I am not sure what I am going to do yet????? I could sure use some advise. Dawn

I have been having some problems with my band and not getting a lot of help from my doctor. Today I had all the fluid removed from my band. I had 2cc in a 4 cc band. I was having problems with throwing up everything I attempted to eat. I had an upper GI and there is nothing wrong with the band. The doctor and I disagreed on whether to remove the fluid from the band. I won that conversation. What I am trying to find out is if another doctor would take me on as a patient? I am having a hard time dealing with a doctor that didn't seem to care that I have been throwing up 75% of what I ate. Has anyone switched doctors?

I had a scope test done today to try figure what is wrong with my stomach. The doctor that did the test today said there is nothing wrong with my stomach, but he believes that my band has slipped. I can't get into see my band surgeon until April 4. The docto also said that my gall bladder has to come out. I am having a barium x-ray done on April 4th so hopefully I will know then if my band has slipped. Just wondering what it feels like when the band slips? I have been having problems since last July and not getting a lot of answers. Thanks for any answers you can give me from the doctors. I am getting frustrated. Dawn

I have had a similar problem with pain in my stomach. No one seems to know what is going on. I have been seeing doctors since February last year. I have been taking protonix for my stomach problems for 6 months. The one thing that seems to be very odd is that when I take the protonix and birth control pills together I don't have the pains. If I stop taking either the problems start again. The pain I have has lead to throwing up. I have ended up in the ER two times because I could not stop throwing up. My GP doctor wants to start doing some tests again. I see him in two weeks and if anything gets figured out I will post it.

I was banded in Oct of 05. I am about 50lbs lighter, but was 60. I quit smoking and that is what i am blaming my weight gain on??? I haven't eroded but I have had some problems. I get some incredible stomach pain, and have ended up in the ER two times for it. I throw up and don't stop until i get a shot of an anti-nausea medication. No one seems to know what is wrong. No one is willing to try figure out what is wrong. The only thing I have been told is to stop throwing up because it's bad for my band. I am currently taking protonix which is helping. I really wish someone would take the time to help me discover what is wrong before I end up having to have my band removed. Dawn

I think I can blame a number of different things. First I have a thyroid problem, but I know that alone doesn't cause all my problems. I also blame diets. I have always been heavy. I never obessed on food until I started to diet. I have to be thankful for this thread. I am trying to quit smoking. I have been gaining weight the entire time I haven't been smoking two months now without a cigarette. I think I was using non smoking as an excuse to eat badly. I think reading these posts made me see what I was doing to myself. I was banded on 10-21-04 240/192/130 was 180 two months ago

Welcome snow owl. Congrats on your surgery and I am glad you found this site too. I have currently lost 52 lbs, which the doctor says is to much to fast. The weight loss has slowed down a great deal but I am still losing so I am happy. I had a 1cc fill two months ago and I am doing great. Good luck and success. 10-21-04 245 today 193/192 Dawn PS can someone tell me where you got the measures.........they are really cute.

I was the first appeal in Minnesota with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The company that makes the band actually handled my appeal. I would find out why you were denied and talk with your Doctor about it. Maybe the company would help fight your appeal too. Dawn

Hi everyone. I am new to this group and just had the band surgery done on 10-21-04. I had my surgery done in Sioux Falls SD and had Dr. O'Brien. He and his staff are wonderful. The hospital was wonderful also. They were very resectful and helpful. So far I have lost 37 pounds and I am thrilled. I would go through the surgery again in a heart beat. I have been very luck and haven't had any problems at all. I still have not had a fill because I have not had problems with hunger. I hope to lose a total of 90-100 pounds.