kimlparker

Hello everyone; I'm new to posting but I've been on this site since my initial lap band surgery 12/12/07. I would like to ask some questions as it seems I'm a complete lap band failure and my surgeon is recommending revision to Gastric Bypass. I initially lost 36 lbs with the band during the spring of 2008 and maintained the weight until January 2009 when I gained 26 lbs back due to physical problems with my neck (three herniated discs). I was not exercising, and was eating basically a small amount of whatever I wanted, but still had restriction and would pb ocassionally. After my neck surgery that spring I had "the worst slip" my doctor had ever seen, and since the symptoms of the slip began 3 weeks after my neck surgery, regurgitation of the stomach during extubation was the given reason. I had an emergency lap band revision with placement of a new band (Realize, this time) on June 19, 2009. Immediately after getting the new band I lost the 26 lbs I had gained and felt good. This band, however, is larger than my former and has only been filled to 2cc's. Each time I went to have a fill, the fluid would come back up in the needle, showing how tightly the lap band already was. After the summer I starting gaining weight again, most likely because I was having PB problems with small meals, and no complications from grazing. In January 2010 I was shocked to find that I had gained 20 lbs. After a second neck surgery in February of this year, I began exercising five days a week on the treadmill, walking, then jogging. Despite this and eating the right foods and small portions, basically doing all I was supposed to do, I gained another ten pounds. Okay, I buy that some of that could have muscle, but ten pounds? It's been three months that I've been working out, have tried Weight Watchers tracking system, drink protein shakes every day, and I haven't budged. I now weigh just 6 lbs less than when I started in 2007! I am positively confounded by this and yesterday went to see my surgeon for a consult/fill. Since I am now frequently regurgitating after meals, my doctor recommended a revision to Gastric Bypass. I am so confused. I am fed up with the pbing and regurgitation and vomiting and pain from being stuck after eating as little as half a piece of salmon (and yes, I chew alot and eat slowly). Also I'm livid at my body for not cooperating with my efforts and exercise, and at this point I feel like my metabolism has slipped into nothingness. For all these reasons, I am considering this revision. Am I moving too fast? Has anyone ever had this happen to them? If I go through with the revision, howdo I know I won't still vomit frequently? I'm looking for some advice from people who have problems with the band and have considered/done this revision. I really appreciate all your help as I feel I am at a new crossroads in my weight loss journey. Thank you, Kim

:tongue_smilie:Hi, I've been offline for a while and am having possible chronic slip. I appreciate anyone who can help me. I was banded 12/07. Did well for a while, then due to life complications, just kep steady through last November, too embarrassed to go back for a check up. I had no problem eating, just slowly and few pb episodes. On April 30 2009 I had an Anterior Cervical Discectomy with fusion and for the next two weeks had pudding, ice cream etc. due to esophogeal swelling. When I started eating sold food again, I found I could only eat mabe 1/2 of what I could eat before. Then it became that I had pb issues with every meal, even one bite of chicken. Finally I pb'ed after 1 bite of salad and called the doc. My doctor told me I had symptoms of a slippage (oh-also had pain from port area across stomach), removed saline from band, and he sent me for upper gi. That was Friday. The radiologist didn't say anything, but I saw the photo and the pouch seemed prety enlarged. Since I was in pain, the GI guy sent me to the ER at my local hospital with a CD of my study. I called my bariatric doc on call and he talked to my doc. Then he told me that my er doc said the barium was barely moving through at all, and with this symptom, plus the pain, and my description he said it sounded like Chronic Slip and he would try to get my ER to transmit the gi results to him in Hartford so he could compare. Apparently Hippa prohibited this, so ER sent me home. Later that evening, the pain got intense and my whold abdomen got distendd and painful, like when you limp because of appendicitis pain. I was limping due to pain. My Bariatric on call doctor told me to immediately travel to Hartford so he could see the GI study and have me evaluated. They did a CT scan- surprise- it showed the barium from earlier in the day, so inconclusive. They never even looked a the CD. So on my cell, I called the on call doc again. He couldn't believe they didn't look at the disc and said he would have my bariatric surgeon call me asap Monday morning to discuss,. I was confused, wasn't the whole point of this getting the gi study to Hartford? ER docs gave me pain meds and sent me on my way. Also- the pain after I drank the ct constrast was like the worst stoppage I'd ever had. 2 hours lately It was gassy. I am still in stomach pain, like I've been throwing up or dry heaving for days and my abdomen is tender to the touch. Please help- I am so worried- has anyone else ever had this happen? Thanks, Kim Parker kimlparker@earthlink.net

:help:Hi, There seem to be great discrepancies in what we all are able to (from the band) eat. Some can eat red meat, some can eat anything, some can't even get scrambled eggs down. I seem to be able to eat a small amount of anything- I just finished a two egg omelet and even a few days ago when, after 9 hours overnight into morning in the ER with my daughter, blew it on an egg/sausage/cheese on an english muffin, I ate it just fine. (Everything else has been okay in the mushie stage; I go on solids in two days) For those who have greater capacity or ease, does this mean the band may have slipped? I'm worried- I will not be eating that sandwich again! Does anyone know if there are any true signs as to whether the band has slipped? This is obviously a worst fear scenario! Yikes! kimlparker http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wy1eo2y/blk-weight.png[/image] [/link] I may be thick but how do I get his ticker to show?:faint:

I think we are supposed to be in the 1,000 calories per day range.:scared:

I feel the same way! I was banded 12/12 and I'm really getting hungry- frustrated with the mushies and thinking about eating again. I don't want to gain back any of the weight I lost; 10 pounds in the last three weeks and twenty before that... I really felt like I was cruising right along and now, just feel stagnant and hungry. But I know this will take time and I am not a patient person and like results, although I am trying to be patient! None of the mushies "turn me on" either. I am looking forward to my fill on January 24! Until then, maybe it'll get better when I go to solids on January 8! I know how to diet on solids; it's these mushies that confound me! Thanks for the support everyone! kp 246/224/217/140

Thanks! I'm okay without the soda, but the coffee is quite another issue. Of course the wierd thing is that I can cup my port under the lump in my abdomen! Feels really wierd!

Hi! Maybe some of you can help me. I got the lap band on 12/12 and have been off coffee for a while. My doc said I could have coffee after four weeks. I'm just curious- what are the rest of you doing about this? I'm dragging in the a.m. I also really enjoyed my morning coffee- not to excess but just in a.m. Any help out there? I noticed we all have different post op instructions... Thanks so much!:whoo: Oh- also, can anyone else feel their port still in their stomach? Mine is still swollen (that area of the abdomen) and feels like there will be a lump there forever? Will I be misshapen all my life now? Banded 12/12/07 246/216/140 BMI 40 38 y.o. School Counselor

Hi! I had surgery on the 12th and just started mushies yesterday. Strangely enough, I'm finding myself nervous to eat food again; I think the liquid is easier (protein drinks) at times b/c don't have to worry about the calories... And I don't like the idea of pureeing chicken and eating scrambled eggs every morning for 2 weeks! I guess I'm just having a tough time wrapping myself around this mushy phase since I know how fattening scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes are! Wish I had my fill soon!

I'm having surgery on December 12 and currently on all liquid diet pre-op. I'm so hungry! I can't believe how close I am already! I'm excited/nervous....:omg: 5'4" and started at 246 lbs- down to 226 now, BMI was 40 but now it's 39.2

Hello, I'm new to this website and was referred by my father, who had a gastric bypass 4 years ago. My lap band surgery is scheduled for 12/13 and I wasn't nervous until today. I realized I have to go on the liquid pre-op diet on Wednesday! Will I be miserable? Can anyone give me tips to stay strong before the surgery? I feel likeit's my final meal tomorrow night and I'm completely confused about what to have. Also about being at work on this liquid diet. Anyone who can tell me what recovery is like or the liquid diet/their surgery insight would be a great help! Thanks!:hungry: