Dressagerider

I'm 7 weeks post op and am totally miserable. I've had a barium swallow, all looks fine. Was told I was swollen from being "stuck" and do Clear liquids for 3 days, then mushies, etc. The ER surgeon thought my band was too tight and needed an unfill. When I told him I had no fill, he said then perhaps my band was too tight/small. Confered with my surgeon who said my band was 'NOT TOO SMALL OR TIGHT". It's been 2 weeks since my ER visit and can only keep down clear liquids and some egg drop Soup. Absolutely nothing in the morning, not even Water. I've been pb'ing, vomiting. Nights are just awful. My esophagus is not right, had a "congested cough" (lungs are clear) for over a week. Saw my reg Dr. and she gave me cough medicine with expectorant. I'm so weak I can't do anything. No energy. I've lost 35 lbs and am thrilled with that, but I cannot enjoy my weight loss at all because I feel sick ALL THE TIME. I only felt "good" or somewhat "normal" for one week out of the 7. Has anyone else gone through this and stayed banded? What entails having the band removed? I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow.

I feel so much better already. I'm sad that it didn't work for me, but the wt. loss I've had with the band has given me a great head start. I can't answer questions about the cost as it was covered by insurance. My surgeon performed an endoscopy to see what could possibly cause my problems. My band was in place, no erosion, no signs of any problem with the band. My body just wasn't handling it well. Came out of the surgery feeling the same way as when the band was put in. You know, that sore, disoriented feeling. Had some problems with sleeping as had lots of saliva (slime) I kept coughing, waking up and had the ole spitoon by my bed. It was so nice to wake up this morning and not feel sick, just sore, and the drugs are taking care of that. I'm to stay on liquids for 24 hrs. then on to soft foods for the next two days, then on to my new eating habits. I have a follow up visit with the surgeon in 2 weeks......... So, band removal is not too bad. If you can keep your band and not have the problems I had, then keep it! It is a little scarey that I don't have it to control my eating, but....... Going through all this pain and suffering is the impetus to keep going. I'm working on a "plan of action" today. I am a member of My food Diary :: Online Calorie Counter w/ Diet Journal & Exercise Log and used it as a food journal during the few days that I could eat food while being banded. I'm sticking with that as it also has exercise/activities (loads of them listed, even horseback riding in detail, which is what I do) and calorie burn. Good luck everyone! And thank you so much for your kind words. This is a great place full of wonderful people.

My situation is unusual. The surgeon said I was the 2nd patient who had difficulties like this, and he's done hundreds of bands. I think my body is the type that doesn't accept foreign "matter" or implants. Not to get too personal, but...... about 25 years ago I had an IUD put in and couldn't stand it and had it removed within a week. I was told "you won't even know it's there". I did know it was there. I just can't wait to feel better and stop the vomiting. I am taking Flintstones Chewable Vitamins and that's helping me feel better. I was able to get down 1 qt. of Water and a cup of peppermint tea yesterday.

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. Just came back from surgeon's visit. I'm scheduled to have the band removed on Monday. He wasn't happy that I waited so long before seeing him....... Seems my body might possibly be rejecting the band. He'll do an endoscopy while I'm under for the band removal. In any case, I shouldn't have been this miserable this long. I'm so relieved. I hope the surgery goes well.......

Hi everyone. I'm going through a real tough time right now and could use some new information. I did search but most of the info in a couple years old. Anyhow, I was doing just fine week 2 and 3 post op and then it happened. I had some cream of Asparagus Soup and got terrible gas pains at work (I bartend a couple hours a nite). liquid Tylenol has helped with some pain so I took some of that. Then when closing the bar I had a sip of vodka. After closing I go to teach a riding lesson and it was freezing cold and I got so cold I was chilled to the bone and had a rough nite (shivering uncontrollably) because of that. Two days later doing okay and made an omelette with some finely chopped hot dog (I know, sounds gross, but I love hot dogs and eggs). I believe I got stock and vomited up 99% of the omelette. Next few days not feeling any better. Having PB and sliming and bubbly stuff come up. Can't even keep Water down. Did some searches here about "getting stuck". I drank some pineapple juice and felt better but not back to where I was...... Then purchased some Papaya enzymes and did the max amount for one day. Got worse. Called my Dr. and he ordered a Barium Swallow for last Thursday. Went through that with IV fluids. All looks okay, band is in place, barium went through..... Stay on liquids for 48 hrs (which I could barely do) then start back on Phase two which is Protein shake and creamy Soups. No can do. It is now Sunday nite and I can barely keep down some chicken broth. I'm sipping so slowly and sipping water so slowly. My energy is gone, I feel miserable. How long can it take for the swelling to go down????? I don't think I can stand this much longer. I've had great weight loss so far. An average of 5 lbs. week.

I've developed this "congested" cough throughout this whole setback. At first I thought it was from me choking while sleeping, waking up with fluid in my mouth and possibly breathing it in, therefore getting fluid in my lungs. Went to my regular Dr. yesterday and my esophogus is inflamed from all the upchucking! She put me on a cough suppressant/expectorant and I'm feeling better already. Able to eat more soup and liquids!

Bubble, you're "words of wisdom" regarding the vicious cycle has helped me. I'm concentrating on taking it extremely slow and trying my best not to vomit. Before, when it got too uncomfortable for me i.e. spasms, I'd just lean over the toilet and upchuck. Since yesterday and being mindful of your words I was able to keep down a cup of Protein shake (took 2 hrs.) and some egg drop soup. I'm feeling better already. Again, thank you!:shades_smile:

Thanks, Bubble. That makes sense, now. I'm startingout with a little green tea.........

Thanks for that advice. I've been going through a patch of PB not sure how to handle it. I'm finding it hard to keep down any foods. So I'll do the liquid thing and also a heating pad might help, I think.

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I had the same thoughts as well! When I was hooked up to the IV and the surgeon was coming in to say "Hi"....... I said to him "I can't believe that I have to do this to lose weight. That I have no control over myself". I was pretty disgusted with myself at that point.....he was taken aback a little bit and said "You'll be happy you did this once it's over.....see you in the Operating Room". By that point, I was in la la land and the last thing I remember was them asking me to get on the table. I'm down 10 lbs in 9 days and am looking forward to the next 10 lbs gone! </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I've never had a blog before, although I felt like I had one in my chest the first few days post op. I'm really excited about the future. I'm down 11 lbs. as of yesterday and threw away my first pair of "fat jeans" that are now too big for me. I intend on throwing away my "fat clothes" as they become too big, as I will not be that size again, EVER. :thumbup:

I've never had a blog before, although I felt like I had one in my chest the first few days post op. I'm really excited about the future. I'm down 11 lbs. as of yesterday and threw away my first pair of "fat jeans" that are now too big for me. I intend on throwing away my "fat clothes" as they become too big, as I will not be that size again, EVER.

Hi, I'm brand new here, this is my first post. I am 7 days post op and have BCBS. And BCBS covered my surgery. My GP first suggested this surgery back in June. I have high BP, high cholesterol, suffer from joint pain and depression........all due to my weight. Also was backed up by my Cardiologist at my first visit with him. He documented (in Oct. 07) that he agrees this surgery would of great benefit. I, too, was only (funny, huh.....) at 37 BMI. My surgery was scheduled from Feb 7th. I had all my ducks in a row when BCBS decided to change their requirements, first to medically supervised 6 month's weight loss, then to a supervised wt. loss program. I contacted my state's Banking and Insurance organization and started a claim that BCBS changed their requirement mid stream and with no notice. In the meantime, I did supply receipts for food purchased from Nutri System and had letters from both my GP and Cariologist. My GP's office did a summary of my weight battle for 8 years. I was approved the day before the surgery was scheduled. Don't give up! Don't leave any stone unturned!