Pamela218

I called my DR to schedule the EGD that he requires at the 1 year mark. I found out that my band has prolapsed. They removed all the fluid (2.4 cc) and put me on liquids for a week and mushies for a week. Then I'll have to do another berium swallow. If gravity and this diet works then I can start fills over again. If not they'll have to fix it. Has this happened to anyone else? I would like to hear from ya!!

Has anyone heard of a prolapse? I don't know if that's the same as slipping or not. I've had all the Fluid from my band removed. One week of liquids and one week of mushies. Then they will recheck me. Has anyone had theirs fix itself? Just wanting to know what to expect.

Hey there! I wanted to add my two-cents worth. For the past month or so, I'd PB a lot. If Breakfast came up, everything else -ALL day- would come up. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I was out of town and I PB'd after almost everymeal. Tuesday after M-day, there was a little blood w/lots of acid in the PM. I called my Dr. Wed. and went in for a berium swallow (yum!) and discovered my stomach has prolapsed. Because of PBing a lot I suppose, part of the stomach has come above the band. Well, long story short... All the Fluid was removed -- I'm on liquids for a week and mushies for a week. They say it fixes itself most of the time. Cross your fingers and say a prayer. I don't want to go through surgery again. Lesson learned -- Eat slower, smaller bites, chew & chew & chew!!! Don't try to keep eating the things I know will most likely make me PB. Hopefully, I won't have to go through this again. Take care and God Bless.

I was getting a fill one day and a girl before me had her port flip. They were able to get it back during her fill visit. She said it was just uncomfortable pressure.

Hey, when I moved to Frisco 8 years ago, my family (30 miles south of Dallas) asked if I was cheering for the Sooners now......very funny grandpa.

How do most of you deal with the mental hunger? There are times of the day that I just want to eat. I'm not really sure if it's eating that I want or just a taste or texture thing. I've been chewing gum a lot at these times, but it doesn't really seem to help. I try to drink Water or juice instead of eating. I need some advice. I've already had one fill and will have the 2nd one on 8/22. I've not really noticed much restriction (which I expected) but now the mental stuggle of food hard for me to deal with.

Thank you all so much for your advice. I know part of my problem is that I've not been keeping healthy Snacks at home. So then the thought of what I "can't" have starts to get to me. When I have good stuff at home, I'm better. Also, I'm in a job transition right now (hoping to substitute full time) and working sporatically at my job I'm leaving. Just lots of personal stuff going on too. Again thanks for all the info. I'll give it a try.

The list of recommended foods (for the mushies stage) that I got from my doctor includes crackers and toast. I'm at 3 weeks post surgery and I've not had a problem with anything I've eaten so far. My family and I are going to an amusement tomorrow. I need your advice on the cracker thing. Has anyone had problems with crackers or toast during their mushies stage? Please advise!!

Thanks for the advice. I'll try & I'll make sure I chew and chew. I too was surprised because I didn't think I'd be able to eat bread, chips, crackers and such anymore. I thought it would clog the band opening. Please let me know what's been your experience with those as well.

Good luck to you! I was banded on 6/23 and feel absolutely wonderful. The first couple of days were rough but now almost 3 weeks later -- wow! what a difference. Welcome to the "band"wagon.

I too hate to exercise. Here in TX it's HOT HOT HOT!!! The other night I was exhausted and my husband asked if I was going to walk. At first I said no, but then I went and put on my walking shoes and went for 30 minutes. Tonight we took our kids to our community pool. While they played, I swam some and just did some excercises that I remember from Water aerobics. I know I'll be sore tomorrow more so than just a walk. The key is find what you enjoy and do it. Start slowly and then add to it. You can do it. You did the surgery for you. Now you need to make TIME for you!

Liquid Mylanta didn't do that much for me. I found that lying proped up on the couch with a heating pad behind my shoulders helped move out the gas. I thought I was going to die on day 3 & 4 after surgery but now I feel fantastic. I too told my husband that I've never belched and farted so much in my life and have never been more happy to do so either!

My friends felt guilty for eating in front of me on the 4th of July. I told them not to because this was a choice I made and that one day I will get to enjoy those foods again. So, I just sat there, drinking my Protein shake, pretending that it was corn on the cob. It didn't really work, but mind over matter eh? You know I told my husband the other day that before surgery I would look at all the restaurant signs and think to myself "well, I won't be able to eat there again". Then after surgery I would notice all the signs of places that I could go shopping and get me new skinny clothes. I thought that was odd (for me) because I too have an addiction to food. I realize now that I will be able to eat again, just not as much.

I was banded on 6/23 (two weeks ago tomorrow!!!) and I feel fantastic. I went swimming with my kids yesterday and we all went for a 45 minute walk tonight. I was tired afterward, but not dead to the world tired. I felt bad for about 4 days, mostly from the gas. The incisions never hurt only swollen pressure from surgery. I never thought of a "foreign object" inside me. I didn't go the RNY route because I couldn't stand the thought of "dumping". YUCK! My mother had a RNY about 3 years ago and her recovery time was a lot longer than 4 days. She didn't feel better (normal)for about 3 months. Hope this helps with your decision. Good luck in whatever you decide.

WOW! What pain! The incisions don't hurt as much as passing the gas. And everytime I burp something tends to come with it. Gaviscon helps some and the suppositories help with the nausea. My advice to anyone who has not had it done yet is to drink lots of Water the day before. I was at the surgery center an extra 2 to 3 hours because I couldn't urinate. I don't want to scare anyone. I just don't think that there is anyway to totally prepare for this. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had this done in the last 1-2 weeks and who can assure me that this will get better! The good news is that I dropped 12 pounds just on the pre-op diet. So I'm 12# closer to my goal.

Okay -- It's been a week and what a difference a week makes! Two days after surgery I thought I was going to die, but now I feel wonderful. Being in TX the only thing that is really bothersome for me is the heat. If I'm out very long, I'm really drained. Also, I ran some errands with my hubby and the car ride did me in. I guess all the motion just put pressure on the incisions (the port one). I got home and slept for 2 hours. Today is a new day. I feel great! The gas is controllable which was my hardest battle. Take care and God Bless.

Chantal, I guess we all have mothers that are unbearable. I was banded on 6/23 (the same day as your post). NONE of my family knew what I was considering or planning for. About 3 1/2 years ago, my mother had the Gastric ByPass. She was looking great. Then she went back to her old ways of eating and has gained all of her weight back. Yes it can be done. I guess I didn't tell my family because I didn't want them to think I was just taking the easy way out. Honestly, this was a very difficult decision for me to make. Well, the day after my surgery, my sister found out from a friend, accidentally. Now, she's not talking to me. It's not that I wanted them out of my business, I just knew I'd get flack instead of support. Hang in there girl!! You've done great so far. You know how you feel and what your reasons were for having the surgery. I think some people (like my mom) have a hard time seeing other people genuinely HAPPY with themselves. God Bless.

A colleague of my husband's in TN was banded a couple of years ago. She gave him this advice for me: "Nothing tastes as good as Thin feels." Everytime I see something that looks good I say that to myself. Give it a try. It may help you too!!

Congratulations to you too Soonergirl. I'll post a reply to you a couple of days after surgery. I think it will take that long to get a clear head.

Hello everyone. I've been reading the board for a while and have gotten a lot of encouragement from it and thought I'd share too. I went for my pre-op visit on June 9th and am scheduled for surgery on June 23! YIPPEE!! I'm excited but also scared. This is my first surgery (sedation), I've had 2 kids but was awake the whole time. Going under kind of scares me. I've read about the different size bands. My doctor didn't say anything about different sizes. Should I ask or will I know after surgery? Pam 224/??/130 Dr. Powell, Dallas, TX

Well tomorrow is the big day!! I am scheduled for 8:30 am. I'm very excited and not as scared as I once was. Thank you all for your kind words and support. Since I started the pre-op diet I've lost 10# or so. (My scale never shows the same as the doctor's office.) The pre-op diet hasn't been too unbearable. I guess if you are a lot like me, then you've probably done almost every diet in the book. The shakes aren't too bad with fruit in them. I'm more concerned with emotional well being after I get to start eating real "food" again.

I'm a new comer from Frisco too! My surgery is scheduled for June 23 with Dr. Powell in Dallas.

Stay on Cigna. I had my first visit with MD on March 17 and spent 2 months collecting paperwork on medical history and any weight loss programs I did. I also included a spreadsheet on what I did, the dates and the approximate cost involved for each one. After it was all said and done, I sent Cigna about a 5 pound package of paperwork. They approved me the first time around, but I called them every week (if not twice) starting in May. I had my pre-op visit June 9 and am scheduled for June 23. Good luck to you!! Pam 224/??/130 Dr. Powell, Dallas, TX