happyhuc

I was banded on December 7, 2004. I had not had the 'throw-up' flu in well over 20 years... so I didn't think I'd ever have to worry about it after banding. WRONG! I got the flu big time on January 17th.... I don't remember vomiting so fierce, it was awful. I was scared to death that something was going to happen to my band. I called my surgeon ASAP as soon as a started vomiting (actually right before when I knew it was going to be inevitable). He told me that since I did not have any fill in my band yet and he thought I was far enough post-op, that I would be fine. His concern was that if I continously vomited or if I hadn't gotten rid of the bug within 12 hours, that I needed to go to my local hospital and get something for the vomiting and for hydration. It wasn't much more than 12 hours and I felt better. And I had six 'epidodes' of vomiting within that time frame. (I'm a HUGE baby when it comes to throwing up and I thought I was going to die each and every 'episode.') The vomiting didn't 'hurt' me while it was happening. However, the following day the center of my chest was very sore and I'm sure that was from my stomach being swollen around the band and from all of those muscles being pulled. So it wasn't a terrible experience... one I don't want to go through for another 20 years though! if I had any fill in my band, I think I probably would have had to make a trip to get all the Fluid taken out of it. My surgeon's office was great.. they called me every day for three days just to check on me and make sure I was okay.

all the time, not just when I eat. Has anyone else experienced this? Would this mean that my esophagus is inflammed or my band has slipped? I had the flu back on January 16th in which time I vomited probably six times over a 17 hour period. I had kept in touch with my surgeon, and he said everything was probably okay.... I don't have a fill yet and it had been almost six weeks since surgery. I can eat and drink just fine... no pb'ing or vomiting. But this 'lump' at the bottom of my throat is ALWAYS there now and it does get worse when I eat. It feels like I swallowed a whole apple and it's lodged at the base of my throat. Any suggestions?

Brighteyes, My doctor has explained it as saying that right now (before the first fill), the band is basically just lying around the top part of the stomach and the goal is for everything to heal... it it not 'tightened' around the stomach yet to give you any real restriction to speak of (some people have real restriction from the start.. they are luckY). So basically, the liquids you are eating quickly go from the small pouch to the remaining larger stomach and that's why you aren't feeling full. As long as you are eating (drinking) low calorie foods and trying to be conscientious and following through with the suggested amount, you will lose weight... Trust me, I had the same exact fear that you did for the same reason. As long as you are buring off more than you are putting in, you'll do great. Once you get to the mushies, I can almost guarantee you will feel SOME restriction. I personally can still eat quite a bit, but I have a little restriction and am unable to eat the portions I was used to pre-band. I don't think our bands really start turning into "tools" until after the first fill when we can really feel them assisting us in portion control by telling us "STOP!" And for some people it takes two, three or four fills.

I am not sure about the hiccup but I had severe hiccupS almost burp-like that after a few minutes would start making me nauseated. This began about a week after surgery. I was very worried because they seemed continuous and I thought they might hurt my band, so I called my surgeon. He said he had only had a few people complain of this and told me it was because my stomach was still swollen and pressing on/irritating my diaphram. he prescribed Compazine to help with the nausea and aid in spasms and after a couple of days I was fine. He said the hiccups wouldn't hurt my band... but the nausea might if it led to vomiting.

Tammy, I would say definitely yes!! I was banded on December 7th, and within about a week I was able to lie on my side (left or right) and soon after that, I could lie on my stomach. I can't imagine that you would not be able to lie on your stomach... regardless of where your surgeon places your port. Good luck with your surgery..... the recovery won't be bad at all!

Jonathon, I must agree with the others, you are definitely on the right track to getting it off and KEEPING it off now. Many of us can totally emphasize with you having lost a bunch of weight only to gain it back and more, it's so distressing, disheartening and frustrating! It takes A LOT to get back on track and go through it all again because we feel like failures and it was a lot of work. But THIS TIME with the band, it'll stay off! I must also agree that you are definitely a great looking guy!! That's so awesome that you have those pictures of when you were really buff..... what a wonderful motivator. I can't remember what I looked like when I was fit, and it's difficult for me to really envision it right now. But you've given me inspiration to dig through all my family photos to see if I can find just one that might inspire me to become the person I used to be!

Brighteyes, I can totally relate to EVERYTHING you said. I too was banded at Port Huron (but by Dr. Bhesania) on December 7th. Both Boutt and Bhesania follow the exact same protocol though, and I had the same questions you have. But every single post to your thread is EXCELLENT advice. And, Rebeccalee is exactly right. The Port Huron protocol is very conservative.... they do have us on liquids (clear and then full) for a bit loonger than some you'll see, and that is only to allow the stomach more time to heal. The also will not do a fill before 8 weeks... this is also to allow more time for the stomach to heal. When I had my surgery a month ago, between the two doctors, they had performed more than 990 surgeries. So I'm sure it's over 1,000 now and Tammy (the R.N.) told me at my first post-op appointment that they have not seen once case of erosion yet amonst their bandsters. I honestly think that a lot of that can be credited towards their conservativeness. I think some of the different things you see regarding post-op diet and living has to do with the same type of thing that you would see if you went to Weight Watcher vs. LA Weight Loss or Jenny Craig. The doctors are going to tell you what type of diet and foods you will have the great success with. So, my opinion is to follow the ten bandster rules and what Port Huron tells us to and we'll do great! I know four people (I have met them through my research) that have been banded by Dr. Boutt, that live in my area (Saginaw, MI). They cannot say enough about the man and how wonderful he is. I haven't heard one negative thing about him! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions regarding Port Huron! And goodluck on the 11th..... you are going to be fine, I promise!

I really appreciate this thread. I just entered the 'soft food' stage and I REALLY REALLY need some sample menu ideas because right now I'm quickly regaining the 15 pounds I've lost since surgery. Right now for a while, I just need to be told exactly what to eat.... at least until I get this head hunger under control and tame all of these bad eating habits that I've been living with for the past seven years. The first four weeks I was very good and I faithfully stuck with my Clear liquids and full liquids, but once I started eating REAL food again I was so surprised to realize just how well I felt and how much I can eat right now without a fill. I'VE REALLY GOT TO GET MYSELF UNDER CONTROL!!! So again, I sincerely appreciate this thread and the ideas I've seen so far.... it's really going to help me get back on track. Thank you Nancy and everyone!

Goodluck to you! I will be thinking of you. I'm confident you will do fine I was banded last Tuesday and it went really well. I have absolutely no regrets yet (even as I head into my second week of clear liquids). I already feel a wonderful difference in my attitude and my energy level and I'm really excited about this journey...It'll be nice to have another person to share it with!! Debbie 251/238/130 Dr. Zubin Bhesania December 7, 2004

Hello Fellow Bandsters, I just found this website yesterday and I'm already finding it very helpful. I should certainly know what PBing is (I'm assuming it is like vomiting?), but I'm not 100% sure when I see it what it means. I do know what sliming is, just not sure of PBing, could someone please explain? I was just banded in Port Huron, MI this past Tuesday (December 7th). I THINK I'm doing okay. Believe it or not, until today, my biggest complaint was my lungs... I couldn't get a deep breath without a lot of pain in my chest, but I'm sure it was just the pressure of that gas used in surgery. I'm finally able to take a deep breath, but now I do feel it in my stomach area and my port area when I take a deep breath. Today I'm in more pain with my stomach and port area also. My stomach seems to be really swollen/bloated. I sure hope this goes away..... do you ever get to a point where you don't feel the band and forget that you even have it? Or are you physically aware of it constantly? Thanks, I look forward to sharing this journey with the people on this board, you sure seem like a friendly bunch! Debbie