Vanhos

Holly: I had the band put on in Apr of 05. I lost 50 lb, had a nightmare hour and half 2nd filll that I still can't shake remembering. They just kept stabbing and stabbing me in belly but couldn't hit the port. I swore I would never go back and I haven't. Like you, I can't eat the "good stuff" like veges and meat but I tell people, if it melts on my tougue, I can get it down. eg crackers, ice creeam, cookies...It is a shame and I haven't lost a pound since the initial 50. I am sorry I ever did it. I tell everyone my story in hopes I can save other people from the same fate. All the "bypass" people at work are skinny and they look at me with such pity as I am stilly a fatty. It hurts. I understand you if anyone does. vanhos

It has been almost a year since my lapband. I went to doctor to have bypass but because of too many hernia surgeys in lower abdomen, they wouldn't do it. That was the reason I wanted the bypass, to lose the weight to stop hernias from happening. They did lapband instead and it has been a huge frustration and only about 50 lbs. lost in a year. All of the bypass surgery people at the place I work (and there are many) look at me like I am a big loser and not in the right way. They have all lost 100s of lbs. Also, I have a horrible gas probelm since the day I woke up from the band being put on. Nothing seems to work and so it keeps me from eating properly. I feel like my food gets stuck in esophagus and it is scary. The gas starts everyday at 3:00 pm and lasts until 10-11 pm. It is very uncomfortable to say the least and pushes up in the little stomach and keeps food out. I am sitting here wondering why I let them do this to me. I feel like a total failure and more frustrated than I have ever been in my whole life!!!:cry Because of the huge frustration, I eat stuff I shouldn't when I can get it down. Stuff that made me fat in the first place like cookies!! I know it's dumb but food was my last vice and it would probably be easier to cut off my head! Anybody else out there can can relate or give me some good advice???:think Miserable in Michigan....

Thnks for the advice. I had a scope a month ago and doc says all looks well but bottom stomach is not emptying as it should, therefore the gas. He gave me some meds to increase modility but they made me fell horrible(worse than the gas). My family doc said to tell him to give me Zelnorm for that same reaeson and maybe it will help. It has been a year now of horrible gas and I think about having the band taken off a lot lately. Not for everybody I guess.

Thanks for the info. I had him do a scope a couple of weeks ago. My next appt. is to unfil back to when I could eat real food. Yeah, this is just not working right for me. Thanks for the input:) Have a great day!!

I am a Supply Systems Analysts for Dept of Defense. Have been employed by them for 35 yrs. Someday, when I grow up, I hope to retire and do something more rewarding. For now....the pay is great!!

Anwyn and Photo Nut: Thanks to you both for your response and advice. I am working with doctor and he did scope 2 wks ago and said all was fine. He gave me drugs to make stomach work better as he said food is sitting in "big" stomach too long and building up gas in "little" stomach". Drugs made me feel horrible as I suffered many side effects from the drugs, like confustion and constipation and leg cramps so I just quit them. Guess I need to start journal food again faithfully and try to get back on track and tell doc what drugs did to me. It is just so hard to stay positive so I guess I will start hanging out here a lapband.com with all of you girls who have it together. Thanks again:)

You asked about a lapband specialist in Michigan. Dr. Baker at MMPC in Grand Rapids just did my lpaband surgery and is an expert at gastric surgery in general. I am doing wonderful so far. Dr Baker is highly respected in his field. You might give him a call. Good luck.....