Sunta

Hi Everyone, A quick question to you all: I was informed by my doc that I had a hiatal hernia that he would fix during the surgery. Well, after surgery he told me when he got in there, it was so small that to stitch it could cause it to rip, and it wasn't worth it. He said it was like the head of a pin. Well, my question is, this hernia was causing me pain upon swallowing before the surgery. Will the hernia cause me the same pain (or more) and more gas, more risk of slippage, etc??? I am kind of mad he didn't fix it. I guess this is more of a question to ask my doctor, but I'm just hoping maybe someone out there had the same thing (small hernia that was not repaired). On another note, it's one week after my surgery and although I still feel exhausted, gassy, and sore, I am finally feeling a bit better! Hugs to everyone.

Hi! Yes! I did feel this, in the hospital right after surgery. I could actually hear a "popping" noise right at that area. I called the nurse in and she listened to my stomach and told me it was gas. Since I've gotten home, I have heard something similar a few times, and assume it's gas. However, it does not sound like regular gas at all. I would advise though that if it doesn't go away soon, have your doc check you out.

Hi, I just posted on the general discussion about this. My hernia was "too small" for my doctor to fix when he finally did go in. He had previously told me he would fix it (when he found it on the endoscopy.) There were a few other hernia threads on the board I found a couple of weeks ago. If you do a search you could find them. There are several people on the board who had their hernias fixed and are doing fantastic, no slips. I bet it's one of those things that can increase your risk, but it doesn't nessecarily mean you will have a slip.

Hey everyone, a quick update: I am feeling a bit better. The gas is not as painful (more of a discomfort than pain really), and the area near my ribs is alot better. I can now bend halfway down, get up from a chair with minimal pain, and even get in and out of a regular bed! (although I am still sleeping in a recliner.) The lingering problem is the acidy gas that bubbles around my stomach, chest, and throat all the time. Despite that, I was able to drink TWO Ensures yesterday!!! Woo Hoo! Plus lots of water and tea! Who ever thought I would go from being a huge eater to celebrating being able to drink two Ensures? LOL! Well, I am really thirsty right now so am heading off to make some peppermint tea. Congratulations to all who have done so well and once again thank God for this board!!!

I think I'm doing worse than everyone. I'm astounded (and jealous!) of people banded recently eating noodles and potatoes! I was banded on 2/21, so I'm six days post-op, and I am totally struggling with even drinking juice! I have really horrible gas pains, pressure in my chest, burning, etc., plus I have terrible burning pain in one area of my abdomen when I move. I can't tolerate protien drinks at all! I tried some and became so sick with horrible gas that I almost threw up! So I've been doing clear liquids (plus very watery pea soup) for the past few days, and taking in about 200 calories a day! Everything I injest gives me gas! I am also extremely lethargic and exhausted, and today I developed a racing heart (probably from low blood sugar and lack of nutrition). I'm still sleeping in my recliner. Anyone out there feeling like me a week out???

Hi all, Ok, so I was banded on 2/21/06. The night in the hospital was horrible. The next day, I had to be re-tested for a few things and was sent home with lovanax injections (to prevent blood clots) and gall bladder medicine. I didn't get home till nighttime and feel right asleep. The first day (yesterday), I was getting down Slim-Fasts, powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protien drinks, Water and juice with no problems. I took Tylenol with codiene around the clock and that really helped out with pain. Today, I awoke with tremendous debilitating nausea and called my doctor. He called in a script for an anti-nasea med. I also have horrendous gas, bloating, and pain in my upper abdomen and shoulder. I've been chewing Gas-X and took Zantac also and the nausea is better. However, I can't even think of drinking any protien drinks, not even slowly. I just tried taking a sip of water and it sat in my esophogus, bubbling and gurgling for a few minutes before it went down. I am afraid to try anything but water. I keep walking and trying to burp but not alot is coming out. I keep feeling like there is something wrong with my band. When I do burp it hurts so bad. Could my band have slipped already??? Or is this just normal post op pains? I didn't vomit or do anything that would have made my band slip, I don't think. Is it just swollen and sore? I feel like I'm being a big baby. Thanks to all who responded to my other posts on the support forum about nausea. This board is the best!!!

Hi, We were banded on the same day. I too am having horrible nausea problems. I called my doctor today and he said stop the pain meds and switch to plain tylenol if I need something. He also called in a precription for an anti-nausea medicine. I think it's from all the meds I am taking. It's been difficult even getting Water down today. How are you feeling now?

Hi Everyone, Thank you all again for your words of support before I went into the hospital. There is no way I would have gone through with it if I didn't have your posts to think about on the way in to the prep room! I've had a pretty rough time with pain and gas. One of the worst things that happened was that when I did my barium swallow, the doctor thought he saw a LEAK in my stomach!!! I was devastated. I did the barium swallow again and he said I don't have a leak, it was just that the barium had disappeared into some stomach folds because my stomach has shrunk down alot and has some folds in it. When I did the second swallow, he said he could see everything clearly and it looks fine. But, of course, because I am paranoid, I keep thinking "what if he's wrong and I DO have a leak?" Did this happen to anyone else? Also, I have to give myself an INJECTION in my stomach every day for a month of a blood thinner! Does anyone else have to do this? I also have to take gall bladder preventative medicine. I don't remember seeing any of these things posted in people's experiences so if anyone out there experienced anything similar I would love to hear from you! Otherwise, I am sacked out on my recliner watching tv and dosing with tylenol/codiene every four hours, and chewing that Gas-X. I feel better today than I did yesterday, so I'm just hoping for a speedy recovery. Thanks again everyone!

Hi can someone help, I woke up this morning with bad nausea. I am terrified of vomiting. Is this normal and what can I take to ease it? I was not given anything for nausea... thank you all for being there.

Thank you all very much. I'm having horrendous gas pain. My husband can hear my stomach from across the room! Is that normal? Sometimes some comes out, but not enough! Now it's starting to hurt in my lower abdomen too. Is this normal? I am still freaked out about the "possible leak" and keep thinking something is wrong. I guess I am just freaked out in general. I know on the second barium swallow they said all was fine, but I'm just nervous and hoping all this gas pain is normal. It's like, temendous bloating and rumbling and it's sooo loud. I've tried Gas-X and sitting in different positions, nothing seems to help. I just want to know it's normal to have this much gas. Thank you all again, you are all the best!!!

Help! I am so scared. My surgery is tomorrow morning. I have to be at the hospital at 7:00am and my surgery will be sometime between 7:00am and noon. That means that if all goes well, I will be banded in fewer than 24 hours. I have been having alot of nightmares and have been crying on and off all day because I am so terrified. I even considered backing out! I have been going through the process for five months now and was all set, and now, I'm having major second thoughts. I am scared of surgery, scared of the pain after surgery, scared that they'll go in and my liver will too big and I won't be able to get the band. I was supposed to do only clear liquids for two days, but I have been so dizzy that I've been having Slim-Fast. Does that mean that my liver won't shrink? I'm totally freaking out. I'm almost starting to cry as I write this. I came into work this morning and my co-worker (and friend) had left me a homemade card on my desk saying she'll be thinking of me tomorrow and that she's going to come over and make me a martini after surgery LOL. It was so touching, I started crying at work! Right now my eyes are filling up and my nose is starting to run, so I'm going to stop writing. Any and all support greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you all sooooo much. I tried going to sleep (yeah right!) at midnight. I slept 30 minutes and woke up. Laid in bed a few hours, and here I am at 2:00am, wide awake, starving (been on liquids for two days!) thirsty as anything, with a headache and not able to take anything as per pre-op instructions, etc. Then to come on and see all these wonderful, thoughtful responses... it helps sooooo so much. Thank you all so much. I love hearing how happy people are with their bands, how they were scared too but it all worked out, etc. It's so wonderful to have such support. I honestly think that if it weren't for this board, I might have backed out by now! As I lay in bed, my mind goes to all the possibilities, even stupid ones like not being able to pee after the anesthesea and having to have a catheter (that's like such a huge fear of mine) and having friends coming to visit (two of my best friends, along with my mom and husband are coming) and seeing this pee bag attached to me. Or fears about the surgeon doing something accidental that wrecks my life (I have such an amazing life) or not being able to get a nurse to help me if I need help, just so many things. Reading these replies has helped alot though, it really has. I think I'm just going to be anxious until I do it. But I am so greatful for these responses. Thanks again.

Hey everyone, to those who've had surgery: congratulations! To those going in tomorrow, including myself: We can do it!!! To those with later surgery dates: I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks to this wonderful board! I honestly don't think I could have gotten to this point without you all!

Hey Marcelle, I have my surgery tomorrow morning. I am sooo terrified. Just knowing you came through it ok has calmed me and made me so happy. I'm glad you're doing well.

Hi, My pre-op stuff took about five months "door to door". I started in September and am having surgery this Tuesday. It's a looong wait, but trust me, the last few weeks fly by at lightening speed. I can't believe my surgery is in three days!!! It is long, but hopefully, it will be worth the wait.

You should 100% spray the pizza!!!

I read a post on here, a long time ago (a few months maybe) that said a remedy to get rid of the stuck item was take some meat tenderizer and mix it with water and drink it. I guess the theory is the tenderizor would dissolve the offending object. I can't remember the amounts though, and don't know if it's "safe" for the band. It seems like a good idea if it works though...

I relate sooooo so so much to your post, I can't even tell you... I too have these exact same thoughts. I want the surgery to be over so badly so I can stop worrying about it. I have this great, fantastic, amazing, incredible life, and I am so scared that it could all just end because of a bad decision I made. To combat these thoughts, I focus on the fact that if I don't do it, my life is not going to be so great in the future being so heavy. I will have an enormous host of health problems and probably be shortening my life a great deal if I don't lose this weight. Keep us posted!

Congratulations! That is an inspiring weight loss!

How inspiring. My surgery is Tuesday and I'm praying to be one of the "lucky ones" who doesn't need a fill. Good for you!

Going back to the original post, about not keeping "bad" foods in the house; I don't keep "bad" foods in the house, mostly because I'm not really attracted or drawn to junk foods. Sure, I enjoy a few chips (not alot, but a handful) with a sandwich, and I enjoy cake from time to time, but I don't go and binge on these foods. Now, I'm planning on still eating chips and cake in extreme moderation after I get the band. I'm hoping the band will help me to eat smaller portions of things (I tend to take large portions because I'm hungry alot). I can currently put a handful of chips on my plate and eat them with a sandwich, and then eat no more, without having a problem. I can also eat one piece of cake with no problem. When I do eat fast food, it's a child's meal. The foods I tend to over-eat are healthy, normal foods: whole-grain cereal, lean proteins like chicken breast, beans, etc. The reason I overeat is because my stomach seems to have a limitless capacity and I am hungry frequently. So for me, I do plan on eating "bad" foods in moderation after the band. However, I don't consider myself to have an eating disorder. Now, for those that do feel they have an eating disorder (binging, inability to stop eating a "bad" food once they start, etc), I will share with you a sign I saw posted in my doctor's office just two days ago. It had tips for getting weight loss back on track like increase your water, etc. Now, one of the tips was (I'm paraphrasing here) "Go Cold Turkey: some studies have shown that completely elimating a certain "trigger food" can be better than having small tastes of it. By completely eliminating a certain food, you will eventually lose your taste for that food." So, that would definitely support Dawg's opinion. I think it's really all so individual. What works for one person might not work for another and vice versa. People should decide what's best for them and then stick to that plan. It's just like medicines; what works for one person might not work for another, so we have to stick with what works for us as individuals.

I always find it extraordinarily frightening, depressing, and disturbing when doctors give that speech (I've only had it happen once so far, knock wood!). The time it happened to me, it was because the doctor (really she was a nurse practitioner) had absolutely no idea what she was doing, and after a year a half, decided to give up instead of learning something and figuring out what was going on. I subsequently went to a different doctor who took one look at me, diagnosed me within a minute, and prescribed medicine which got me 95% better with three months, as opposed to getting NO better under the care of the NP who gave me the "end of the road" speech. Personally, I do not believe that anyone ever really comes to the "end of the road", because medical science is rapidly evolving every day. Therefor, there is no "end of the road" for any patient. Rather, the "real" definition of "end of the road" is that the doctor is lazy, unenthused, ignorant, and/or unqualified. No doctor should ever give up on or abandon a patient. The very idea is really scary. Why can't doctors just do a little bit of research, or consult with their colleagues, or look up things online? It's not that difficult! I know doctors are short on time, but damn it, we patients are worth it! I know the end of the road speech is a horrible, horrible thing to hear. But when it comes, it really just means it's time to find a different doctor. There is a doctor out there who knows what he/she is doing and can help you. It might take some searching, but there is someone out there who can solve your issues. It's so disheartening, I know, but start looking and you can find someone better. Keep us posted.

I was following this post very closely the whole time, waiting for news. I am so relieved it's good news! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Hi, I'm not banded yet, but I too have alot of problems with waking up in the middle of the night feeling panicky and scared about the band. It's almost like I can't think straight. Sometimes I stay awake for a few hours and have to take an herbal sleeping pill to get back to sleep! Then, during the day, I can rationalize everything and I feel alot better. This also happened to me during other times in my life when I had to make a big life decision. Those middle of the night hours really get to me. I try to ignore it as much as possible because during the day, I'm mostly fine. I think during sleep, our brain processes anxieties and fears and it's a way of "cleansing" ourselves of these anxieties. So I just chalk it up to my brain actually working in a healthy way and try to focus on how I feel when I'm awake.

Not in order: Rushmore Fame hair Breakfast Club Fast Times at Ridegmont High Hope and Glory The Big Chill Harold and Maude Pecker Polyester (and pretty much all John Waters movies) Did I mention I'm a child of the 80's????