Davyna

The office of my new dr told me carbonation can lead to pouch dilation.

I had reflux before my surgery three years ago. Being banded made it go away. However recently it has returned. Had to get completely unfilled, start Pepcid AC, wait a month and hope it goes away. Guess we'll see what happens.

Ditto I could have wrote this post too, except I'm three years out, and I didn't write this post when I was in the OP's shoes, I just kept spiraling further and further out of control. OP, you are on the right track. You are noticing things that are getting you side-tracked. That's the first step. I just ignored them. Make small steps to get back to where you were before. Usually it's a matter of this- we stop doing the things that were working. Why do we do this? I have no clue. My guess is, it's a lot of work. Maintenance sucks. In addition to going back to things that worked, you can also try something different, like a therapist or getting back in touch with your dr. I kind of wish I had called him when I was having problems instead of waiting two years and finding out he had moved to CA and now I can't get my medical records lol

Well I'm back. I was on the forum about two years ago, back when I was still trying to work with the band and "being good" most the time, but having a hard time with fills and with my patronizing doctor. After he over-filled me and then took half of it out in 3/08, I pretty much just stopped worrying about the band. I started drinking soda again when I found it didn't bother me. I ate and drank at the same time, constantly. Sometimes I would feel some restriction and PB and other times I could eat four slices of pizza. I lost faith in the band to do its job. And I didn't contact my doctor, whose after-care program consisted of nothing more than a nutritionist referral. I was "done" with him. Two years later, I am back up to my pre-surgery weight (maybe even 5-10 lbs over). Definitely the heaviest I have ever been. And recently I had been having reflux issues, and other weird sensations. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I started to worry about pouch dilation and slippage issues. I decided it was time to find a new doctor. I knew the search might be difficult because I had always been told, "once one dr touches you no other one will want to because of liability issues." Now I realize how naive it was to believe this. A LAP-BAND® is supposed to last a lifetime, and surgeons retire and such; certainly someone else will pick me up. I searched around and found a dr in this area who advertises on his website that he performs revision surgery. Figuring that he's not advertising that he simply fixes his OWN mistakes (lol) I emailed the office staff. They were very friendly and welcomed me to come in and get a fluro to find out what is going on. However they asked me to get as much medical information as I could from my old doctor before I came. Ugh. I was hoping never to have to talk to him or his office staff again. So I sucked it up and called his office number. Disconnected. Hmm. Did an internet search. Looks like he packed up shop and moved to California. Interesting. Couldn't find an accurate office number for him. Called the surgery center he is associated with in CA and they gave me his sister's number (they work together). Called her and left a message, and didn't hear jack crap back from her. Wow. Finally I called the surgery center where I had my surgery done here in Texas and they offered to send me what records they had, but it doesn't sound promising that I will ever get my complete medical record (with history of fills) from my former dr. Yesterday I went to my appointment with my new dr and saw his assistant. She did the fluro and agreed that I was having reflux issues. She said my esophagus was on the verge of dilation. She informed me that soda is bad to drink not only because it makes you feel uncomfortable but also because it can dilate your pouch! Who knew! She said, however, my pouch looks good and band position looks good. She said their office recommends all bandsters get an EGT every two years (think camera down the throat under sedation) to check for erosion since you can have an erosion without any symptoms. So, she completely unfilled me. She said I only had 1cc in my band. Huh? That's less than my original fill and I had 4 fills. Did the stuff leak out or something? Then we took another fluro picture. Barium went through nice and easy. That was encouraging at least. But now I'm in wait and see mode. She wants me to start taking Pepcid AC twice a day, thick liquids for a week, then wait a month, and hope the esophagus problem corrects itself. Or else I might end up having to get a removal. :smile2: Probably end up getting that EGT done in a month too. I asked why this happened and she said she couldn't really tell me. (I had been real honest with them about my poor behavior lately by the way.) I can't help thinking it's because I've been eating too much for the past two years. I guess it's guilt that makes me want to blame myself for whatever went wrong. She didn't say it was my fault, but why wouldn't it be. So I'm drinking thick liquids and Soups. I had two Protein shakes yesterday and then had horrible gas pains in the evening. There's a lot of air in shakes. I'm trying to figure out what to do about that problem now. So that's what's been up with me. :party:

Hi there, I posted on the forums for a while after I got banded almost a year ago. Then, in about July I suppose, I kinda fell off the bandwagon. Losing weight with the band got harder and harder. I could eat way more than I thought I'd be able to eat. Admittedly there were times I used that to my advantage. I rarely felt any real restriction, even with a third fill and my doctor insisting that my band was almost to the point of being "too restrictive." I lost a total of 20 pounds post-op before I plateaued. Now, almost a year later, I am 4 pounds over my surgery weight. Part of my problem is, I have concerns about my doctor's level of post-op attention. He quit working with the fill center he was contracted with and now he does his own fills without barium or xray. To be honest I don't even know what my fill level is (it is higher than the amount listed in my sig). Back in Sept when I saw him last, he wanted me to start writing everything I ate into a journal. Well I finally started doing that about 4 weeks ago. I still feel like I can eat too much in one sitting. Definitely more than the 1 cup I was told would make me feel full. I was hoping the band would make me unable to do this. It hasn't. And now I don't know if I should go back to my doc or if I should try and find another doc.I really liked the fill center before I stopped going there, but I'd have to change doctors to go there. I'm pretty embarrassed, to be quite honest.

I think you're right. The swallow showed I need a fill. Sigh.... I went to see the lap-band nutritionist today, and I'm glad I did. Since I'm going to have to get another fill it seems, she'll be able to give me a sensible post-fill diet.

Hi again Kat, Well the day after I wrote that last post I started having symptoms that I was overfilled (reflux, painful burping, not being able to eat much). My doc ended up having to take 1/2 of the fill out, and now I feel right back where I was: able to eat too much. It's funny how much a couple cc's can make a difference. Today I have my last free barium swallow from the surgery center. So we'll see how much restriction I really have now. Will probably end up getting another fill soon, I suspect. Will keep ya posted.

I'm curious. My doctor told me some of the saline used for the fill stays in the tubing. Isn't there some sort of valve at the end of the tube where it connects to the inflatable band around the stomach, to keep the Fluid from flowing out of the band back into the tubing? Otherwise it would be possible to self-deflate your band if you ate too much or took too big a bite, right? I hope I am making sense. I'm only asking because after a fill it seems like I have restriction for a few days and then it gradually seems to fade away, and I can eat too much again. Maybe it's just swelling.

I'm having a similar problem. I got my 4th fill yesterday. At first all seemed great. I was even able to eat 1 cup of thick Soup for dinner last nite. Today has been a different story. I feel a tickly feeling in my chest. I drank about 4 sips of a Protein shake this morning and felt that tickly feeling, kinda like I had something kinda stuck. I stopped drinking it and didn't even feel hungry for an hour or two. Later I had some yogurt.. like just dipping the spoon in and licking that off, not much really, maybe 1/4 c, and I felt that feeling again, and stopped eating. I feel kinda sick. I even started salivating so bad at one point I thought I was going to throw up. I had some hot tea when I got home and that went down really nice. So I tried a few bites of thick soup... same tickly feeling, kinda like gas pains. Don't want anymore.. feel kinda sick again.. Also, I've had the hiccups SIX times today. What's up with that!?

Hi again Kat, just keeping you posted. I had the barium swallow done today. It revealed exactly what I was thinking... despite what my doctor had said at my last visit in September, I had very little restriction. Other than that everything was fine, no pouch dilation or anything. So I went to my doctor's office after that and he gave me another fill. I didn't even bother to ask how much, I'm afraid. But... that afternoon I had some thick Soup and for the FIRST time ever... I couldn't finish it. I mean, I had just a few bites and I was unable to eat anymore. About three hours later, I was indeed hungry, and I ate about 1 cup of the thick soup. I felt as if I had eaten about 2 cups of a really dense food. I felt really really full!! :mad: I am hoping this is related to a newly achieved level of restriction for me, and not just post-fill swelling. We will see. Thanks for your support Kat.

I feel the same way Para. I was having problems with lack of restriction and then I just let it all go to heck during the holidays. I still can't believe I managed to gain almost 20 pounds back since last July. But I'm here again, continuing the fight. I do think if you put up a successful fight long enough, it does get easier. I've just never been able to keep up the battle that long.

Well I guess we'll see. I scheduled an appointment to see my doctor on Thursday (Valentine's Day no less). He sent me over to the fill center, where I will be sure to get an xray. So I will let you know. Thanks!

Thanks for responding Kat. I looked over the 5 day pouch test and I am uncertain as to how doing that for 5 days would ensure to me that my pouch is still working. It would be nice to know it is working for sure. I have indeed wondered if maybe I have dilated my pouch. I figured, however, that if I had done that, there would be some type of discomfort that would lead me back to my doctor. Is this not the case? Could I have dilated my pouch and not even known it? About a month ago I started going back to Weight Watchers. So I am currently on a diet program. Down about 8 pounds actually. But thanks for the idea. I know I should go back to a doctor, even if it's a new one.

Also in the DFW area here, see sig for info, been having great results...

Same here, I can drink right up until meal time, but nothing during, and nothing after for 30 minutes. It's the "nothing after" part that's really killing me. I have to set a timer sometimes lol.... So I guess it just depends on the doctor.

Hi tj, I've felt a lot like you do. (Oh and we are the same age and height by the way lol.) I am almost two months post op now and doing very well. I have no regrets.. so far.. about my decision. I do know that some people experience complications but they are in the minority. Mostly if you follow the lapband rules you will lose weight. I'm not a medical professional but if I were you I would definitely get a second opinion right away. Best of luck in your decision!

Gin is nothing without tonic.

For me, I tend to snack after 8:30 pm, when I'm home on my computer after my son goes to bed. I try to eat small Snacks, but I know I probably shouldn't be eating them. Kinda funny, last nite I was craving snacks so I tried to eat 5 cheese cubes. They turned out to be bad. Then I tried to eat a small bowl of Cereal but the milk was bad too. I tried to eat another type of cheese which turned out to be bitter before I just gave up completely and had some Crystal Light

Well, i just had my first fill so I can't say for sure, but I was told to eat not much more than 3/4 c at meals. And I'm jealous you can eat rice lol I haven't had the nerve to try it, but i miss it bad!

A true sociopath would not have a hard time faking his way through a psychological examination in order to purchase a gun.

I just wanted to say that PBing, sliming, and reflux are not a "lifestyle" at all. They are the consequences of not eating correctly, or signs that the band is not working properly for a certain person. Most people do NOT endure these symptoms on a regular basis. As far as reflux goes, I had really bad reflux before being banded. Since surgery, I have had ZERO, even when I eat something I know will cause it, like meatloaf or something. My surgeon told me reflux rates go down after surgery.

I am more curious about what led up to this event and why the shooter felt this was the only option available to him. (Yes I realize I may be focusing on the wrong issue in your opinion, but I am a social worker and the workings of the human mind have always fascinated me). I wonder about his upbringing, his childhood, his parents, his obvious lack of self-control and hatred of women and the "rich," and his generalized feelings of anger. Where did it all come from? He had been referred to the school's counseling office. People were starting to see the kid had some real issues. It might surprise you to hear me use the word "kid;" I realize at 23 he was a grown adult but, mentally and emotionally, he did not appear capable of acting like one, and let's face it, us "older people" know how naive one can really be at age 23.... Perhaps exploring these issues may help us humanize this person. No I am not trying to justify what he did. Just trying to figure out why on earth he would do it, why anyone would do it, and what we can do to recognize signs in people that they are capable of such horrific acts, in an attempt to prevent them.

I had my first fill today. It was not as bad as I had imagined it. I'm sorry to hear your first fill experience wasn't ideal! Glad to hear the second one went better. I too have a 4 cc band and they put 1.2 cc in it. I ate 3/4 cup of mushy food for dinner like they said and here I am three hours later starting to feel kinda hungry. I'm just drinking Water and trying not to think about it since it's 10:00 pm lol......

I don't see why they had to drag religion into this situation at all. They could have easily created a hostage situation that had nothing to do with religion.

I had surgery about 5 weeks ago and my incisions are all healed up. I'm noticing lately that my port feels like it is directly under my skin. Isn't it supposed to be under the fat, attached to the abdomen wall? Don't the layers go skin, fat, abdomen wall? Or is the fat under the abdomen wall? Whenever I bend over all the way, or when I'm laying down and my husband (who is a big guy, granted) gets on top of me, it hurts pretty bad. Seems like significant pressure on the port area is causing a lot of pain for me right now. Ideas? Could the port have come unattached, or flipped or something?