Libralin

yep it was for you

I was banded in March 2004....I had the band removed in Feb.2008. So almost 4 years. I would say it might be swelling around the band area..but since May 9th...seems long. Did you go back to the dr and let them look at your band placement recently? Just like when you get a fill; they look at your band while you drink the contrast barium stuff.That would show if maybe there was slippage or its up to high..or whatever possibly could be the problem. Sometimes bending the wrong way can move it if they did not secure it. I know I was scared at first that mine had snapped because I felt pain in the port area..but it was a healing process. Sometimes the band just has to settle in place. Have you vomitted or had agita(acid reflux) You mentioned the lungs and breathing...do you know what size band they gave you? Sometimes the band is too small and you need the bigger one. Just guessing here..I would ask for a endoscopy.

Hi again. I had it removed in Feb. No overnite stay..same as when they put it in...Recovery a few hours and leave

:thumbup: Hi Geri I was really doing well the first year to a year and a half...I never even had a fill till 6 months. I lost 70lbs in total. I started to get the fills in Sept. and thats where the trouble began. My weight was at a stand still...but I was maintaining it...Then the you know what hit the fan...My mother passed away..menopause started and lots of other things. I tried to eat whatever I could that wouldnt get stuck including ice cream...Of course, all the weight returned...and if you gain any weight, just like a belt that band gets tighter..even with nothing in it. So there I am...back to square one..No matter what I ate (even a weight watchers meal) wouldnt stay down....barf...so I have been struggling over the past year trying to play trial and error on what to eat..I said..this is crazy cause Im not getting my veg or fruit req in....My dr. said after a few years the band just stops and my body would be used to me at one weight. I never reached my goal either! So, now Im trying again to either do Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers or something and increase my Water and exercise. Wish me luck!

I had mine removed in Feb...Only thing I feel differently is that I seem to be running to the bathroom more often; I dont know if that has anything to do with the band or not..My stomach feels ok..lots of burping...feels good..haha..I just keep forgetting that now I can drink with my meals...4 years of not drinking till an hour later...

What were you mentioning about H-pylori. I had it before surgery and they put me on a load of antibiotics. My dr. said you will always test positive for it. It never goes away. My parents both had ulcers. They say it comes from the drinking water...dont know...However, I had the band removed and they did the endoscopy while they were in there...I dont know if they still found it...Wont know till next week. They didnt put me on any antibiotics before my removal....hmm....

The band is reversable.....that was one of the good things about it.

I dont know why I cant remember this part...but after the surgery they tell you to take the dressings off in 3 days..for me it was this morning...There are dissolvible stitches. Am I supposed to put antibiotic cream on the incisions? or new bandaids? My stomach is still so swollen. I hope they dont get infected. They never told me what to do after I took the dressings off at the hospital. I was so out of it I forgot to ask... They also gave me the paper with the instructions and checked off eat normally! I know that isnt right! I got one of the nurses from my drs office after 2 days of calling...and she said oh youre on clear liquids right? I said...when I got out of the hospital I had some wonton soup(1 wonton in it). The next day I had a little cream of wheat...and more soup. She said Oh. youre on full liquids...didnt they give you the instructions at the hospital? Ha... My dr. isnt in till Wed and I dont see him till then; he is always at the hospital...so I still havent talked with him...! :confused:

I had it removed yesterday, and they put me out like a light..Only thing, when I awoke my blood pressure was 90 over 56. Quite low....They didnt have me walk around; just sit up in a chair. When I got home the fun started! I didnt get to speak with the dr after surgery. I am so swollen; especially in the port area...feels like a crator compared to the swelling around it. I have been walking around to get the gas out...but doesnt seem to be happening...This morning I felt pain in every inch of my body...I hope this improves. I am taking percoset..but only once a day...Throat hurts probably from the endoscopy tube. My left thigh feels numb. I did the ice thing...now Im sitting here with a heating pad...Geez, I hope I feel better soon!:smile2::ohmy:

Sounds good...I go for preadmit testing tomorrow...Im having it taken out on Tues. the 26th. For some reason Im not half as nervous as I was when I went in to have it put in. Thats strange. Thanks for all your responses!

Well, 2 weeks from today I am having it removed. I was told I just need new blood work and have to fast after midnite. The dr. also said the incisions might be a little bigger than when it was put in because they have to get the port out? Anyone have any additional info as to post removal? I guess Ill have to take off the rest of the week like I did when I had it put in. What did your stomach feel like after the band was removed. Any pains in the banded area:thumbup::biggrin: internally? How about the "runs" and swelling? Any info would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks! Linda

I have been seeing a therapist for 2 years and have been gaining weight since I started. Something is definitely wrong with the band although the position was supposed to be fine. I still can get certain things down others I cant...In the beginning I was able to eat broccoli, fruits, certain meats. Now, its not happening...I also have to eat one type of consistency at a time or the food gets stuck. Believe it or not; I can get a salad down....as long as there is dressing on it..So whatever I eat has to have something to slide down. If I eat soup and it has anything in it the soup pushes the solids down to quickly...I dunno...I cant go on like this.... I keep trying to go back to the reason I got the band in the first place. It was out of desperation to lose and be here for my kids and future grandchildren. I havent lost sight of that. But I am just going to have to try another way! Thanks for your support!

Hi.. I was banded in March 2004; By Sept.I wasnt losing anymore...so I asked for my first fill. From Sept-Dec. I was back and forth trying to get the right amount. I was filled one time right before my period. The next day I swelled like a balloon and was vomiting Water in the middle of the night through my mouth and my nose..I thought I was drowning..so unfill again...back and forth. I'm 5'2 and went from 232 to 161. My mother passed away the following April 2005. I started to become filled with sorrow. Started going to a therapist. Also started sabatoging my diet. Slowly started to regain weight. Went to the dr.to try and get the perfect adjustment. He told me I was probably not going to get below 161. My body was used to that. I tried to eat the right things but they would be rejected..dont know if thats a mental block or what. But how come I could eat salads with no problem..but broccoli or spinach(that I was able to eat in the beginning) would not go down. Fruits very difficult too.. Whatever I did; I screwed up..and gained all of my weight back..And Im still banded!!!! Only thing in the past 6 months I have been vomiting more frequently. Never happened in the first year and a half. Still going to Curves... Disgusted with myself... My left shoulder pain as been around on and off since day 1 of surgery. However, now they tell me I have rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder. In the past 6 months I have had 2 cortisone shots; physical therapy; a stress test, blood work, ultra sound of my rib areas, (pain when I bend over to far). The tech killed me when she did the ultrasound over my band!!! My drs nurse said I could have two pouches!? Maybe thats why my ribs were hurting when I bent over? The results of the GI said that my esophogaus is slightly dialated. I told her I was thinking of having the band removed. She said for me to go to a gastro dr. to do a scope(with the tv camera thing) and be put out..I also told her I was tested positive for the H-Pylori before I was banded. She said they might want to do a biopsy for that..They want me to do this before my drs.appt. If I want to get the band out; do I have to have this done...for what purpose? Just to check things out? Is it really necessary? I read somewhere in here that the shoulder pain could be from the port or something pushing on the nerve up to my shoulder because even if I get a hiccup it shoots right up to the left shoulder. Sorry if this is so long. I have just spent over an hour reading everyones stories. Alot of them sound like mine. Early success; but then problems later on down the line. Im glad Im not the only one. As for eating, I have been careful lately to not gain anymore; but the ice cream devil is always at my door. Im sure there are alot of psychological aspects of this whole episode. However, I dont care what they say; I want it OUT! Thanks for listening...Good luck to everyone! Any comments greatly appreciated!