vic2007

Don't worry, I know it's hard to hear when your hungry but hang in there. You may want to try making your own shakes. I use milk, fruit and vanilla yogurt and wow is it good. You can add powder slim fast as well and get some nutrients that way. The V8 idea is good also, especially if it's cold. Maybe get some popsicles to get you through or some soft mashed potatoes. I hope this helps!!!!!

I can only speak for myself, but it feels as though it does loosen up. I haven't had a fill since November 2007 and I do notice a difference. Make sure you eat slowly, chew until you can't chew anymore and then make sure you don't drink water for a while after. Right now I do the same thing. I'm always in a hurry and tend to eat too fast. I haven't had it come up but I do get some pain near the band as well as the chest area. Then I'm kicking myself in the behind for not eating slowly. After a few of those moments you kinda learn your lesson. Hope this helps!!!

Well I missed a fill this week due to the flu, which was very scary as I know it is not good for the stomach when one gets sick (if you konw what I mean). I have only been filled three times since my surgery in 4/2007. I have lost approx. 60 pounds but what has been frustrating is that I have to go under fluroscopy because the port entry has stayed facing inward even after a second surgery to correct this. Very frustruating. I havent had a fill since November 2007. To be honest, I'm kind of glad I got the flu because I am so scared of hearing that I would have to have another surgery again. I have to travel over 400 miles to my doctor/radiologist for every appt. due to my insurance. The cost has been a hardship. I don't know anyone who has had this done other than someone that has had a gastric bypass. We can't really understand what the other is going through because they are totally two different things. I have a lot of pain when sleep on my side and can't even sleep on my stomach anymore. Does anyone out there have similar issues???? Good luck to all of you..... Vic

This is the first time I have talked to anyone about my procedure that has been through the surgery. I had the procedure done last year (April 2007) and I seriously regret having the procedure done (well 99% regret) I have lost 60 lbs. but my experience has been horrible. I heard people talk about the procedure prior to my surgery at my doctor's office and they made it sound so wonderful, and maybe it was. When I awoke from my surgery I was in the worst pain I had ever felt. I was not given medication until for almost an hour because they had an emergency that the nurses were tending to. I made every effort to follow rules and did. I never saw my doctor after surgery because he had a family emergency and had to leave out of the country. I was released two days after my surgery and was over 600 miles from home. I had to sleep in a chair for two weeks because the pain was horrible. Then when it was time for the initial fill (June 2007), they could not get to the port. I was scheduled for a fluroscopy and the port was facing inward. I had to have surgery again in July 2007. The port ended up turning again, however the radiologist found a way to get to the port by having me lay in different positions. Since then they have only been able to fill it three times in the past year and 1 month. During this time I have had pain on my upper abdomen as though something is pushing against my ribs. I cannot lay on my stomach and many activities are painful. I kept calling the doctor as well as my husband and I complained when they messed up on scheduling, the doctor yelled at me and told me that I was basically on my own. (Awesome surgeon with terrible bedside manners). I had heard him treat his staff badly but I didn't think he would do the same to his patient. The whole time I was complaining it was in a polite way and was never rude. I called my insurance company crying once we walked out the door and they took a report. Since then he has been better but I don't feel as though I can talk to him without possibly being yelled at. I was sooo depressed for many months and my poor husband had to put up with my constant crying. I have to go for a fill on Wednesday and I am sooo dreading that the procedure won't work and I will have to have surgery again. I've missed sooo much work and have spent soo much money. I'm sooo heartbroken. It wasn't about my personal appearance that I had this surgery, although it is a perk. I just wanted to feel healthy again. I feel so bad that I'm constantly unable to do so many things. it has affected my marriage and I feel very alone. Sometimes I think that maybe it's just me..... I followed the rules to a T and here I am a year later wishing I never had this done. As you can tell I am venting so I hope whoever reads this does not mind. I was not expecting rapid weight loss but I was expecting that I wouldn't still be hurting.