Anthony

Has anyone else experienced long enduring back pain with the band? If so, please describe your symptoms. A short history. A short (attempted) treatment list. (Please stay on topic in this thread) Within a week of getting my band put in, I developed a severe upper/middle back pain on the same side as my port (left side). Initially I was told that this was from the surgical gasses used, then i was told that it was gas pains. 2 months later, I developed gallstones and had my gallbladder removed. "Ahhhh, gallstone pain gone, but back pain persists!" Then my diagnoses was kidney stones, my surgeon slaps me with a 2 month supply of vicoden. It helps a little. It is suggested that I see a back surgeon. I'm told that I have muscle spasms of unknown origin, I am given muscle relaxants, they help much more than vicoden. I am also given a list of back and abdominal exercises and stretches. I continue these for approximately 1.5 years, no relief. I see another back surgeon, same diagnosis. He tries to give me the same routine, but I tell him of my diligence in exercises/stretches, so he starts giving me several scripts for different muscle relaxants, they help a little. One month later a chiropractor who works with the first back surgeon for rehabilitation. He is puzzled as to what causes this problem, yet, he does relieve some of my other back pain, which seems to be caused by the muscle spasm. All while the above is happening, I go from 315 pounds down to 230, but at the level of restriction that is required to maintain that weight, I notice my health slipping. I start eating a diet that consists mostly of Protein shakes, Fiber drinks, and junk food; as most wholesome foods make me vomit. Also, the extreme gas that comes from not being able to burp is becoming extremely limiting to life in modern society. It is IMPOSSIBLE to sit for more than 45 minutes without having a large volume of flatulence, something that simply cannot be had in the college classroom. I am then unfilled to the point of zero fill. 6 months go by, I gain 40 pounds back, I have gas, but not obscene levels. I can now go as long as two hours without rupturing my pants. But the inital backpain still persists, and I am now seeking out a surgeon for removal.

I'm now almost 4 months out from having a LapBand to VG conversion and I would like to summarize my experience. Positives 1. "Caught food", Sliming, etc is almost a non issue. I have had it happen ONCE off of overcooked eggs, and one other time off of chicken was not chewed up well enough, both times I tried to drink Water afterword. This is in contrast to the same issue that would happen several times per week, sometimes several times per day with the band. I can now eat chicken (even white meat!) , pork, beef, bread, raw vegetables, citrus, etc, (All of these would get caught with my band during proper restriction) without worying where the nearest bathroom is. I do stay away from overcooked eggs (mostly scrambled) though. 2. Back pain is completely gone! My surgeon concurs with my belief that either the port or band was setting off a few nerves which would cause referral pain to my back. 3. Very little hunger. What hunger does exist is taken care of nearly IMMEDIATELY after eating. 4. Alcohol makes me DRUNK very fast and with very little of it, but I hardly drink anyway. 5. NO food RESTRICTIONS (after a while). The first 10 weeks I had some pretty undesirable dumping effects from fats and sugars, even from basic Protein shakes. Most of these effects have disappeared. I still dump from very high sugar content foods (maybe more than 25grams of sugar), but this can vary. For instance, I have eaten a Drumstick brand sundae cone and haven't dumped, even though it contains quite a bit of sugar. I can also eat approximately 4 oreos without dumping, yet if I were to immediately "chase" it with liquid, thus "washing it through", I would most likely dump, at least if it were early in the day. For some reason, dumping is worse in the morning. Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year. On a related note, I get tired of many artificially processed type foods such as oreos, snack foods, etc. For some reason, my senses of taste have changed and have become extremely turned off by artificial flavorings. Many such products will make me queesy, but they will not make me dump. Also, if I eat and then "Wash through" the food, I am not hungry again like I was with the LapBand. As far as I can tell, it is next to impossible to "Wash through" any solid protein source or fruit/vegetable... I have yet to do it, the water simply goes through around the food. 6. I CAN BURP!!! No more "stuck air" that has to take the long way out. I have virtually no gas now, unless of course, I eat a gassy food like bell peppers. Negatives: 1. Acid reflux. I ABSOLUTELY MUST take a proton pump inhibitor daily, otherwise I will have moderate heartburn. This effect is supposed to fade over 6-12 months as the pouch stretches, but I have had little to no stretching as of yet, and am becoming annoyed with this side effect. 2. Initial dumping. As I stated earlier, this effect is mostly gone, but it can sneak up if I eat junky/processed/fast food. Or items with alot of sugar and then "chase them down" with water or such. Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year. 3. It can be difficult to drink fluids. One must CONSTANTLY remember to drink enough Fluid, BEFORE eating, otherwise you may subject yourself to dumping induced by washthrough, or worse, the water may come back up. 4. You may be fatigued for up to the first year after surgery, this comes from the severe caloric restriction and weight loss. My first 10 weeks were hellishly draining. I no longer have energy problems as long as I get my 150grams of whey protein per day and FORCE myself to eat enough each day. OVERALL I am totally satisfied. I am currently at 223, the slimmest I've ever been and am still losing weight. Mind you, the lowest weight I ever attained via LapBand was 238, and that was with a constant "I'm starving" sensation. That physical sensation is now gone. While it was VERY easy to "out eat" the band, it is fairly difficult to outeat my VG, sure it may be possible with carb laden foods that compress down to nothing when chewed, but overall, the physical desire eat, AKA hunger pangs, have simply been removed. Related to this last point, I should reiterate the fact that I must FORCE MYSELF to eat enough protein to keep up with my active lifestyle (surgeon is recommending 150g-250g per day total). When I say FORCE myself to eat, I don't really know how to explainit, other than the fact that once I consume a certain amount of calories, I no longer have the desire to eat. I could fill up my calories with relatively empty carbohydrates which will leave me tired the next day, or I can eat all of my protein first and then consume carbohydrates if I feel like it. In other words, I could physically eat more at the end of the day, but after a certain quantity of calories, I simply cannot mentally stomach another bite of food. For lack of a better explanantion, it's almost as if the "eat food" circuit in my brain shuts off at this point.

I went to Dr. John Feng, who was then at LapSF, he is now at his own firm called Crystal Springs ( www.gastricbypasssanfrancisco.com ) I highly recommend him.

Did I mention that my biggest problem these days is keeping weight on? I never thought I'd ever be in this situation, it's just beyond weird!

Hello all! I'm doing very well. My biggest problem is my inability to eat enough maintain long durations of physical activity. I'm lucky if I canbreak 1800 calories per day, which isnt nearly enough for my work/school/ average recreation. I've actually had to cut back on hiking severely due to this. I recently had surgery on a direct inguinal hernia which was work related, and boy, do I wish I could eat more. It would have made recovery much easier. I also continue to take Nexium when I take NSAIDs, but I don't need it for the most part anymore. I think I've slimed/thrown up from food about 5 times now, it is ALWAYS connected with raw vegetables, particularly carrots or other difficult to digest products like pineapple. Not bad, considering that is over an 18 month period. When I had the band I would slime and vomit up to twice per day. Back pain is still gone. Anthony,

I had far more pain with the lap-band, but I bounced back within a week. It seems that most people take a week or so to recover from VG, but it took me nearly a month. More than likely, this was due to the extensive surgery that had to be done to undo the contortions which were created by the lap-band.

Time to create a new thread.

Time to create a new thread.

No physical hunger still.

203 now. My medical goal is 200. My personal goal is 180, or 200+ with 12% body fat. Pictures coming soon!

Drink water, or get your band removed.

I have had this my entire life also. Weight loss greatly magnifies this effect for me. I have tried every known sleep inducing agent that has a short half life, yet they always leave me with the "hangover" or they simply stop working altogother. My solution? Low dose lithium, we're talking 75mg, 150mg, maybe a max of 300mg (as opposed to the 900mg-1200mg range which is for bipolar). It can even be used every other day. It doesn't work instantly, I allow about 2 weeks for the effects to become noticable. At these doses it will not sedate you, but it will keep you asleep without feeling drugged. Also, the effects at this dosage are drastically different than those attained at high doses (lack of weight gain, etc). And I don't have bipolar, nor does it run in my family, I just happen to have a history of long enduring insomnia.

Just an update. Currently 208. For the first time since 7th grade I can wear LARGE Shirts (Without an X in front of the size!). My size 36 jeans are almost too big, which is also the sam esize that I wore in 7th grade. Endurance and energy levels are way up. A 6 mile hike feels the same as a 2 mile hike used to feel before I had surgery. Hopefully I'll be running within the next year.

My insurance didn't cover either procedure.

Simply put, lack of calories=lack of energy. More specifically, I think low intake of "real foods" (rather than Protein shakes)equals lower energy levels. According to LapSF, it can take up to 2 years for people to adjust to WLS level calorie intake, regardless of the surgery type. I experienced the same effect for about the first 3 months of having the band.

Just an update. Last week I weighed in at 213. I am now regaining enough energy to exercise regularly and maintain my previously physical intensive hiking and gym schedule. Dumping is next to non existent. I am 13 pounds from my original set goal of 200, but I may be able to lose down to 180 with some serious training. Once this hellish SoCal heat dies down, I'm sure I'll be at my goal in no time. P.S. This lack of physical hunger is amazing!

I'm looking for hiking partners in SoCal. I am looking for people who would like to do anything from short 3 mile hikes to 20 mile daytrips. All experience levels welcome. I am in Riverside.

I too used to experience this with the band, now it is COMPLETELY GONE! :eek:

Actually, I believe that dumping is a result of concentrated/undigested food reaching the intestines too quickly. Example: I can experience dumping with my Vertical [sleeve] Gastrectomy, yet I have no malabsorptive component.

It costs about $16,000 in the US. I'd imagine that you could have it done in other countries.

All of the surgeons at LapSF in San Francisco are very skilled as well.

I gave up sodas with my band by switching to carbonated Water for about a year, then i tapered to plain water. I find that elimination of both artificial sweeteners and caffeine from my diet significantly decreases my sugar cravings. ...Remember that Cola nut extract has been a longstanding appetite stimulant that was in use much before sodas were even invented.

I had reflux before my band was put in. Within a week of having it installed, my reflux was COMPLETELY gone.

And rapid weight loss is a common cause of gallstones. Try not to lose any more weight!

In my experience, consuming NSAIDS or antibiotics caused something very similar to what you are describing.