Allie1234

Hi everyone! Does anyone else have pain while on liquids (i can have Protein shakes). I also had a hiatal hernia repair, so maybe that has something to do with it? Even with the smallest sip I have this chest pain that clears in a few seconds with a "gurgle." I thought it was because I was drinking too much so I slowed down but it literally happens with any amount. Anyone else deal with this/have suggestions? I'm worried

Hi all! Thanks for the advice, I am thankfully no longer feeling dizzy Can't wait for the next few months.

Hi everyone! I havent been super involved in this community yet, but was hoping to start. Thought it would be best to share my story. I apologize in advance if there seem to be details left out, just a long, long story. I got the sleeve in 2009, when I was still in high school. I was on the lower end for the band, at about 5'8 & 220 lbs. I had tried every diet imaginable (weight loss camps, etc). Unfortunately, the band never worked for me. From the first time I tried to get it adjusted, the nurses could not get the needle into the port (I actually did not have a great deal of abdominal fat, so they didnt even try to do it under fluoro the first time). They claimed that the band port was "malrotated," but it would cause no issues. I never, ever, felt "right" with the band. I never felt appropriately restricted, and in the same day I would be able to eat a sandwich then later not hold down food. I had horrible pelvic pain that no one could diagnose, went from doctor to doctor. After years of failure (and a ton of weight gain), I was so sick of the band. I thought that it might have something to do with my pelvic pain, but two different band docs denied it and gynecologists couldnt find any explanation. In 2012 (ish), I started having intermittent sharp pain, that felt like it moved from throughout my pelvis. It hurt so badly I could barely walk during those episodes. Again, no doctor could diagnose it. In December 2013, I went to the ER with a ton of pelvic pain that I thought was appendicitis. When I went for a CT the pain suddenly moved to my left side, so they thought it was a kidney stone. However, the CT came back negative for everything, and I was sent home yet again with no answer. Over the next few months I went to many docs, from gynecologists to urologists to urogynocologists. At last, I went to Dr. Iannace in NJ in June 2014 (took me almost 6 months to get two other bariatric surgeons to send my records over!). He pulled up my records from the ER that night, and found that the tubing of the band was broken!!! There is actually a part of the band half way between the port and the band itself that comes apart, and the broken tube was lying in my left pelvis. The radiologist read it on the report, but no doctor ever called/told me. I was incredibly upset/pissed but also relieved that I finally had an answer. For years doctors told me that I was "cheating the band," and that I was lying about being able to eat bread but threw up liquid. With the broken band, changes in pressure in my abdomen could explain the differences in restriction. Dr. Iannace took the band out in august 2013, and said that i had no adhesions (yay!), so that the sleeve is totally safe. I am getting sleeved tomorrow, and I cant wait. I am super excited, but nervous for the surgery. I really hope the recovery will be easier than the band removal (getting the port out really hurt for me!). I hope to share more about my journey in the future

so i just typed out this very long post then deleted it by mistake (whoops!!!) So very long story short, I got a band in 2009, and it never worked. After years of pelvic pain/different docs, a CT finally showed that the band broke. A new surgeon suggested the sleeve, and I was excited to start the process. Unfortunately, I now work 2 jobs, have classes for my masters, and I am interviewing for medical school. My doc agreed that there wouldnt be a "good" time to get the surgery, and that I just needed to make a week to get it done. I chose this past week, and everything went pretty smoothly. I needed a hiatal hernia repair, but all in all there was relatively little pain (except for the removal of the JP drain (OUCH!). Now that I am home, I am feeling SUPER dizzy. I know that i just need to give myself some time, but I just don't have it. I pushed exams/interviews until next week (which my doc okayed since I am young and should recover fairly quickly), and feel pretty stressed that I am not feeling well enough to study. I know- I am pushing myself too hard. I get it. If I was giving myself advice, it would be to slow down and let myself heal. And if the dizziness doesnt get better, I promise I will slow down. But is there any suggestions anyone has/what liquids worked best to feel less dizzy? I have been pretty good about drinking ~8 oz every 2 hours and using my spirometer. Also, I would LOVE to connect with a "mentor." I live in north jersey and work in NYC. Last,did anyone have bad pain with the hernia repair? I have no pain besides of the incision right below my sternum, and I am wondering when this goes away? I have to say, I really appreciate that I've had this experience. Many physicians never experience what patients do, and it is really eye opening to actually be the one in the hospital. With the band I never even stayed overnight, so this was new for me. I'll hopefully use it in the future to empathize with my patients. Thanks everyone! Allie

Hi everyone! thanks for the encouraging words. Everything went pretty well, came home last night. I unexpectedly needed a hiatal hernia repair, and that seems to be the only source of pain. I've been pretty dizzy, but no nausea for the last two days. Did you guys also feel dizzy right after the surgery? Best,

Thank you everyone! I will update you soon!

ah sorry I meant sleeve! Congrats! Wish I had heard that before the sleeve. Granted, I was young, so lap-band was less "scary."

thank you so much, I will try! Did you have your band earlier this month?

Hi! I'm back and forth between in bergen county NJ/NYC, and I'm getting my sleeve tomorrow! I'd love to be buddies! Allie