Nychkole2

I am African American as well. And I know where you're coming from. I think this is probably the best decision I've made (to get the band out). I have no other foreign objects/materials in my body now!

OMG! I didn't know if anyone else had the same or even similar experience, but it was absolutely awful. It only gets worse. I learned to deal with the symptoms for a while until I noticed my hair fell out, and even the texture had changed. I went to several doctors and they implied that it was all in my head and that I was crazy. I went to a different hospital because I was getting to the point that I couldn't work any more because of the pain, fatigue, and insomnia. By the time I got to the new doctor (endocrinologist) I had been awake for four days straight and my resting heart rate was 170. That was so scary to me, and that was the beginning point of finding out that something was making my body attack itself...I think undoubtedly this was the best decision to get that lap band out of my body. I am not 100% yet since having it removed (because of all the damage that has been done already) but I feel so much better than before. My thyroid levels are basically back to normal and easier for my endocrinologist to control. I don't have pain everywhere like I did before. I just feel BETTER. That thing was poisoning me. My own mother told me that she thought I was dying before I had it removed because I was so bad off and so young...I urge you to think long and hard about getting it out of your body. Especially if you feel anything like what I've described.

I would participate in a lawsuit because I had many of the same complications as others, and then some. After having the band in for more than 10 years, I began having symptoms similar to lupus, and the doctors could not figure out why this was happening to me. I had a full blown autoimmune response where my body began attacking itself. It pushed me into Grave's disease and almost a thyroid storm. I had pain in my body all day, and it would wake me up out of my sleep at night. I was taking pain medication round the clock...and all of this ON TOP OF THE "USUAL" complications. I had the lap band removed, sleeve gastrectomy, and hiatal hernia repair on 8/5/14, and I haven't had to take my pain medication or sleeping pills since then. The sad part is, after surgery, my surgeon told me that it was a good thing they went in and did this surgery right when they did because everything was much worse than he anticipated. Those complications were NEVER explained to me, and frankly I am pissed that I went through so much with this. That was NOT what I signed up for. And yes I've done my homework, and I'm well versed in the medical field (I'm a nurse), so I knew my stuff before I got on the table the first time. What happened to me wasn't ever a disclaimer.

I have hunger pangs all the time. I wonder if it's normal or not. But my surgeon advanced my diet to soft-solid foods 1 week post op. I am 12 days post op now. I don't have any trouble getting anything "down" per se, my trouble is keeping it in. Anybody else having horrible stomach upset? Maybe they took me too fast through the stages????

I had mine on 8/5 too! And this no energy and upset stomach is really getting to me!!!! The crazy thing to me is that it seems like everybody stayed on the liquid diet so much longer than I did. I'm at the soft foods stage now. While the solid foods are ok, I'm having so much trouble with these protein shakes right now. I bought a different brand today without any lactose/gluten/ANYTHING....and I have the worse upset stomach ever! Every day it's the same cycle and I can't wait to feel better. I hate complaining and feeling frustrated like this.

@@Nychkole2 the above is very true all of us WLS have that engraved in our minds (i might have that put on my tomb stone!!! ) - not yet though liquids/water are more important than protein at your early stage if you temporarily are having trouble keeping shakes et al down........... push other fluids/water don't get dehydrated many of us have experienced that (me too ) <p><strong>fluids/water/popsicles are great for now if you are having other problems

I'm glad you can identify too! Thank you for the advice and positive encouragement as well. You guys have been through my stage already so I'm open to everything you're saying! I really appreciate it. Gonna get some more sugar few Popsicles TODAY!

Palomarules since we had practically the same surgery I have a direct question for you. Did you experience more pain than expected? I'm going to call the doctors office today and tell them about my continued pain (unrelieved by just plain Tylenol) and see what they say. I just don't want to come off like I'm drug seeking because that's not the case.

Thank you for your input you all! I think I'm going to back track a little and go back to the liquids and puréed diet. This is a new feeling, and maybe it's my body/stomach telling me it's not ready just like what ur saying. I am going to go find some different protein drinks today and experiment more. I know that protein is CRUCIAL!

Maybe a quick call in the morning just to make sure! I don't have a lot of advice for you as I'm only 10 days post op. But I wish I could get my fluids in like you! It's not that it's difficult for me getting them down, I think I could definitely drink more. It's just actually doing it that's difficult.

Thank you for your positive encouragement! Wow see my surgeon has advanced me to soft foods already and I think I'm not tolerating them. I never had a real clear liquid diet other than in the hospital for the first two day post op. How long did you feel cruddy???

Geeze this thread is so inspiring! I'm only a little over a week out soooo I don't have a huge loss report yet. About 9 pounds but you guys are doing GREAT!!!! Keep up the good work!

Are you still in the hospital? I would ask my surgeon if this is too much. That sounds like quite a bit. Are you able to drink that much gulping fluids down or just over one sitting?

Hello everyone! I just wanted to know if anyone else had the experience I'm having and looking for advice. I had my lap band removed, a huge hiatal hernia repair, and was sleeved on 8/5/14. Today at a week and a half out I feel horrible. I'm weak, still in pain, can't find a protein shake that likes me, and exhausted. My nutritionist advanced me to "soft" foods on Tuesday this week. But now that I've left the puréed food stage it seems like nothing agrees with me now. Might need to go back to the ER...any input is welcome.

I am so happy to see this thread! I am going to make a post about my experience as well. I was has the lap band to sleeve revision on 8/5/14, and I haven't had ANY issues since I started on clear liquids. My doctor has me on apple sauce consistency foods until my one week appointment (this coming Wednesday)...I too was worried that maybe something wasn't right! So glad you made this post!