duyesaka

Hi there, I am finally getting an unfill on monday. I have needed it for a long time and have been recovering from major back surgery.:cry I started choking during the night if I had too much to eat a couple of hours before bedtime. I could not get over the feeling. I have always been tight in the morning and have had my band a little more than 18 months. It took a year to be at the right spot but I think I went a little over and just worked with it. I do know I want a little removed, I may have to go into radiation for another problem in my back, I have a nerve tumor.:help: If so I may get sick and really might have to get unfilled. For now I plan to get .5 cc out, I believe I am at 3cc. I have a warm protein drink in the am always, this gets the band to open from the night. Suring the day I have no trouble at all, it also might be the night meds that I take that dry out my system. I do drink a lot of water. So you are right to get the unfill. That choking is bad and I also found that I would wake up coughing too. Not good during a deep sleep. I still have 25 lbs to go, been on a plateau for almost 10 months. It saved me during the last surgery, I would have gained as I did with 7 knee replacement revision surgeries. One of the reasons I got the band. I maintained the weight which is heaven!:clap2: Debra

thanks, I had reflux before my band, this is very different. I am also on Nexium fot having to take Celebrex for my back. I even had a hernia which was repaired at the time of my band. It clearly happens with certain foods and sometimes I eat something right before I go to sleep, this is really bad, I forget then wake up in trouble. I am willing to get an unfill, sad for I have been on a plateu for almost a year with 25 more lbs to go. I am not unhappy at this weight but would love to be able to at some point lose again and get beck on that road. Thanks for your reply. Debra

Hi there, here is my story and I am very open to ideas: I am back at 1 1/2 yrs out. lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly Protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm Protein Drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... It does not happen if I am very aware of dinner and lots of Water, but I would love to hear if anyone has had this... ??? Info would be great. Debra

I am back at 1 1/2 yrs out.Banded Nov 05, hope I count...lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm protein drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... Anyone hear??? Info would be great. Debra

Hey there, I have a question....I am also back at 1 1/2 yrs out. lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking, not sick though, for I can get water down easy. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm protein drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... Anyone hear??? Info would be great. Debra

I actually do not feel sick,or get sick, I just wake from a deep sleep choking or coughing like everything did not go through. I drink a ton of water, and it just seems like forever to go down. I drink and it does not come up. I feel the band swells in the night??? I am open for an unfill of a littleljust not to have to worry. It does not happen if I am real careful. Thanks for the reply, I just have not read of any having this...Although I was been gone awhile too.

Hey Julie, I am also back at 1 1/2 yrs out. lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm protein drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... Anyone hear??? Info would be great. Debra

Well Your post gave me a push to get in the game again. Been gone over a year and probably been on a plateau about that long... Ended up with a major back surgery at the end of January, so thankful for the band, would have gained, 23rd surgery for me. Had 7 knee replacement revision etc for 5 years and gained 40-60 lbs each time. Band saved me this time! I have maintained over 40 lb loss but now need to kick it is gear to get the rest off. Still in PT for back, knee acting up and can't go to the gym yet until another month of PT, so need to quit eating the ice cream when I am down. I plan to get into the Dr's office and say hello and get weighed and tell him my plan. Support groups are a drive, so I will commit to them. Almost 1 1/2 years for me, amazing how time flies! Back to the forum is the first step,especially since there are still so few people who even know what a Lap Band is!!!! I have stayed pretty tight with my fill, determined to eat correctly. Most of the time I am really good. Was in pilates with a trainer twice a week before the back surgery, so I will look forward to going back, but for now I can walk. Looking forward to doing a lot of reading here again. Debra

Dear Linda, The process with the band is individual and it takes a lot of patience and know how. The eating, from the different stages and fills takes time. Some get restriciton from the swelling in the beginning after the surgery. After 6 weeks or so, some get fills and then depending on their Dr. get more fills some slowly(me) and then finally restriction. I was banded in Nov. after 5th fill finally really feel it. I have been told it takes 1 yr. -18 months to really not realize you have a band. You are so conditioned to eating different foods and amounts and chewing. You are at the very early stage. I was told to stay with the foods, lots of the protein( it satisfies you)...chew 20-25 minutes( I hate to ) you will know what it feels like when you go by the rules and be patient. I do food records and have had to stay at 1000 cals. I exercise 3-5 days a week. Your fills are yet to come and you and only you will know when it is right. Your Dr. will guide you and this forum can really help with others and their experiences. Good luck, you just got through the first psrt, and ask your Dr. what band, it does not matter, we are just "banded". You will be a pro after time. But time is what we must be ready for, it took us a long time to get where we are at. Believe me I am the worst..... Debra

Well I am pleased to be able to post that I finally have restriction. It took a lot of patience, record keeping and reporting that I had not been satisfied ever. I was getting .25 fills monthly and last week I got .50. That did it. I am at 2.5 in a 4cc band. Nov 22, 2005 surg. I finally found out what restriction really was. I have found that in the morning I am very tight. I like a warm protein drink, I work out at 8am and I need something in my stomach. Other days I have two turkey sausage patties and two scrambled eggs. Today I had a very new experience. I had eaten a small entree for lunch and grabbed a protein bar, got into the car to go to the post office. After getting home ten minutes later I felt I was going to get sick. I stood in the bathroom for 20 minutes and waited for the pain to subside. The bar was peanut butter, and it really did get stuck somewhere in the pouch. Big lesson, for the rest of this day I shall only do liquids. I feel it is irritable, even with water. I waited every time for the fill to feel "right" and I feel for now it is what I should be feeling. I have to really watch it when I eat something and forget it needs to be slow, not the "old way". Finally feeling restriction, always wondering what is next. Debra

Well I was getting really frustrated after the second fill. I felt great for 1 day, realized what everyone who has restriction was feeling. But then it was gone. I went about 10 days and called the dr's office. He had told me not to get stressed. I had had that one day and I wanted more. So I got the "speach" again and he put in .25. I have been working so hard and I actually now think I have some kind of a restriction. I think I am about 2.cc. I don't want to be going in every two weeks, so I am really going to step up the workouts and stay away from any sweets. I get addicted immediatly, just with a bite. I am going to make an appt for 1 month revisit, hopefully I won;t be getting ting drops all the time. Patience is a virtue!!! Lost my ticker, will redo after my dinner out for sons b-day. He is 25!!! I am having shrimp and miso soup... That's my update.....:clap2: down 22 lbs!!!!!!

Hi there,<br /> The company who makes the band in about a mile from my home. Inamed. they have a site and to be honest the forum here has so much. If you look at the top where it says "search" put in anything and you will get so much information. there may be a lot of opinions or individual stories, but you could read all day and everyday and ask and you shall receive. In any stage with any issue, it has probably been asked or discussed. I have had surgery on Nov 22, and I have met some very informative and experienced folks here. I am a retired surgical nurse and even though with my background and 22 major surgeries to date, knee replacements ect, I have had a wealth of information full of help here. <br /> <br /> You made a start and now hold on, for you can have what you need. I am also here for you, I have had my experience and have asked for support and have kept in contact with some across the country. We are together in this, it is a life change and it takes some learning. <br /> Welcome,<br /> Debra P.S. Also Obesity .com So many people here have also referrals to sites in there posts, again "search" You want to have a Dr. who has done lots of them also. I went to two Dr's and was told by the first that he had done a lot more than he had. He did three... this was after a lot of prep work so that I could do it in my area. Then after reading the forum, and finding someone in my area, did I learn the real truths and I interviewed with him. I am very happy with what I did. With obesity .com, when you post, you might receive information from Dr's offering there service. This is individual and in a way it was nice for I received lots of mail and info, but when I had already chosen a Dr. I still received more. More is better, looks like you have been around awhile here, you've already been fortunate to locate great sorces for information. Hope this helps a bit, I do not know if I have answered you question directly, my best to you.

I paid 15,000.00 the week of surgery, 250. for psych, my insurance got billed anyway and paid for the upper GI, and my fills are free. I will have to pay for the first Dr. visit. So it is over 15, I had gallbladder removed and graft for hiatel hernia. No COE, Blue Cross (center of expertise) near Santa Barbara, CA. was not going to go to San Fransisco. I forgot, my insurance paid all pre-op for I had it done by my wellness Dr. that really helped.....

Hi there everyone, I am getting so excited for my first fill on fri the 6th.Banded Nov 22. My port has been showing up closer and closer to the surface as time goes on. First with the swelling I wasen't sure where it was, now I think if this goes on I may have later on have to get a smaller one. I live down the street from Inamed and went to a meeting there, they stated we had the option if it stuck out it, we could have another smaller one put in later. I have read and read, and am so looking forward to possibly finally feeling full. I know it may not happen the first time, but I can consume more than I want to. Learning to chew and eat without drinking has been a challange. I actually am looking forward to liquids after the fill for a day or so, I have so many still around. I really had trouble at Christmas dinner. I kept finding mashed potatoes too easy, there were too many choices and finally I put all the cookies and candy down the disposal!!! I was not ready for all the new and bad food in the house. I had unexpected house guests and ended up having a formal dinner, which has not been the case in years. I am so glad it is over. I feel better the last couple of days and am gearing up for Friday and my Fill. Question...Exercise..I have a pilates machine. I am going to go over it with the Doc at my visit, but I am scared to stretch with the new parts, i also had my gallbladder removed and a graft over a hernia. 2nd question. First thing in the morning I have such a hard time with consumption. I imagine it just takes time for things to soften up. Any suggestions. Since I went off coffee, bummer, I have tried tea but I am so lazy first thing to make it. My husband used to bring me coffee every morning for 10 years. I am going out to dinner tomorrow night for new years, rare, and I am hoping there wil be soup. I am going to call ahead and see what is on the menu. Italian, yum. Debra

Dear Makena, How did your fill go. I am at the same weight and do not have an appt until 1st week in Jan, had band Nov 22. I also do not have any problem with consumption, do not feel full. I am hovering at 187, and aren't budging. Checking on how the fill went and if you are doing well. Debra

Dear Tizag, Thank you so much for your story. You are so heroic to have gone through so much. and yes two gifts from above. I am 12 days with a new band, and I will make a promise to myself to watch my intake. I had a hernia graft with my band, did not know it was so bad, so I realize I had better be very careful not to overwork my esophagus, GERD was really bad for me for years. Nothing even remote to your experience. You were tenacious in your battles, but clearly you could have lost your life. Infection, especially for such a long time is so dangerous. Your little ones need you banded or not. I am going to copy your post and refer to it when I need some wisdom and reality. Thank you for all the words. You truly are a fighter and don't forget how hard you tried, for you have that strength to continue on with a healthy life for yourself, and for your little ones to be an example and "alive"! Debra

Well 11 days post op. Finally went out on my own today. Felt kind of good. Went to a grocery store, so strange, but exciting to find the mushies I am starting slow with. Learned yesterday about eating to fast, and too much at a time. Scary, but kept it down. Following surgery(thanksgiving)I had horrible water flushing diarrhea for 4 long days post op.(non-stop!)- Finally, after on call Dr. told me to use acidulphis( no relief) had 1/4 cup very liquid potatoe flakes, stopped right away. It was not normal...even though the nurse told me it was and it could have lasted 2 weeks!!! she should have had it, I am a nurse and it was not any kind of fluid I have ever had before every ten minutes for 4 days. No sleep. I am going to tell her to advise the next patients to get depends!!! Anyway after my intestines had a break I took it very easy and stayed away from the whey protein, seemed to give me more of a problem. i can clearly say as of today, except for the port soreness, I now am ready to be back here with you all and looking forward to the next stage. Will not see the Dr. until first week in Jan for fill. 11lbs down, just know life is different. Debra

Bruce, You and only you know the struggles you have had. You have a right to stop that. this is discpline, but it is a chance to stop the yo yo stuff. I have been pretty healthy, but going to 200 at 5.2, I could not live with any more to depress me nor alter the way I wanted to live my life. (my daughter got married in July, I went from 145-200 following knee surgery and now I have to look at fat mother of the bride pictures for the rest of my life!) this was my pattern for years, surgeries and other trama's. I opted for self pay, even though I have had 7 knee surgeries, total replacement, revisions, etc. The weight had to come off, mostly for my poor knee, but I ended up finding out right before surgery I had gallstones,so that came out, and a hiatal hernis, which took a bit to graft while in surgery for the band. I believe if I had wanted to wait for a COE, (Center of Expertise) hospital,( not in Santa Barbara area) mine would have been covered. Still even with people saying "why?" there will always be those and they do not live in your body. I wish you the chance to change your life, I am thrilled, still on the healing phase, learning how different my intake is now, but the more I read and experience my banded stomach I am excited to learn better habits. I support you doing what you know is best. Debra

Thank you, I was fine until last night again. I stayed off everything but very clear liquids. I have been able to get the diarrhea to subside again this mrning, taking the acidophilus, but the rumbling in my intestines is very heavy. I have emailed the Dr. at his email address, but I am hesitant that I shall get a response. My husband is playing golf with my general physician today and will have a copy of my email to see if there is something he can do even if he can call my Bariatric Dr. The fact that i do noit have a fever, nor do I feel "sick", maybe I can go until tomorrow as I have doing, with little intake of anything heavier than water consistancy.

I just got off the phone with the Dr on call, I have been having diarrhea for 48 hours with no change with imodium, correct liquids. I am told to take acidolophis, and if not better to go in for infection test on Monday. this concerns me. I had a hernis repair, gallbladder removed and was banded on Tues. I am wondering if this is something I should be more concerned about. I do have a total knee replacement, so when I hear possible infection this is scary. Anything that had to wait if it may not be going well, I question.I have had watery diarrhea constantly since the first time my bowels started working thursday afternoon. My lapband wa done on Tues morning. The Dr. had said not to go the ER unless I spoke with him first , while I was baing discharged. I was not put through to him, the on call Dr. spoke to me. I shall try the acidolophis (sp) and hope it corrects this, otherwise, if I have to go until Monday, I am leary of problems. any help would be appreciated. Debra

Possible success.......I took the acidolpilus and have not had any productivity of anything but ,,,GAS! This is brand new...What a concept! I knew I needed to get that out, so I may be on the way to being mended. Tha last couple of hours have been rumbling but no running to the toilet at all. So for now i am going to say that was the culprit and go on as if all is okay! Thanks so much for your support and I'll be around.. Debra

Hi there, I am frustrated , day 4, and still no relief from diarrhea. I am on clear liquids,imodium finally last night, only helps so it is not every 10 minutes, but all Water. I know what goes in makes sense, but I don't see much written about constant and what I am wondering until Dec 6 when mushy comes in. Any comments, if this is how it is to be, (diapers !?) I am on Protein drinks, water,some soup,Jello, popsicles, plenty of water too. I have had broth, but nothing heavy enough to help the gush...Sorry but it is the truth. Not feeling bad except for this. rumble all the time. Left message at office and no answer, now they are gone until Mon. I have heard from some that this is normal, but I don't hear any more. I even thiught everyone has this and it is just accepted. If so I can, but I wondered what you thought and your experioence has been. Waiting paitently,Debra Update, Just got of phone with on call Dr. said to get acidolphlis , and if not better check on Monday for infection. so I guess it is not normal. Hoping for some relief with acidol(sp?)...they shall test on Monday, bad to have to wait until then, but nothing that can be done.

Notices still haveing problem with html code for tickerfactory. haev you filled out your profile, here yet. Look all around and in the place where you add info for your surgery date, dr. etc, is where you paste what was copied on the tickerfactory site. You are so good with amounts of intake. 4 oz of protein. I gulp the whole 12 oz. I need to drink slower, I esoecially know that when foods come it. hope to be feeling beter this weekend. Debra

Hello to all, Had surgery on tues morning and returned home last evening home. I started experiencing severe diarrhea this morning and it has gotten so bad I need to change something or take something. I was taking Gas X and stopped. I took Benydral for I had severe itching with pain meds, Only took once today. I have been on protein drinks, just liquids, and cannot stop the pouring. I decided to stop the soy protein drinks, just to see if anything helped. It may still be take a while to see any difference.i do not have any imodium, but thought i'd put this out there for any information you all might have or a suggestion. I am getting plenty of water, I got some gatoraid, and tried broth. I am not sick, nor that uncomfortable but just for the constant every 10 minutes of being on the toilet with rushing diarrhea. And I am getting very sore... If this is par for the course at this time, I shall endure, but I am wondering if I should take something to stop it or slowit down. I am able to get enough fluids back in withiut a problem. help would be appreciated. Debra

Dear Deena, Do you remember how long you had this? I have been getting more than 60 grams of protein, at this time they want me to get at least 40, but I have been above for awhile even before surgery. I did not see the aspirin,( I never take Pepto, but not good. At least only two doses, now I am taking the imodium. Thanks for the sharing. I also went for the iron , knowing the effect too. So I am hoping , since I have until the 6th for the mushy stuff, I do not have this that long. So you are about 1 month ahead of me..how are you doing? I am interested in your progress, all helps, Debra