Okay, I'm going to try and not write a book... but I have some questions that I thought other banders might be able to at least shed some light on.
I was banded many moons ago (2001 I think - although oddly I can't really remember). I did okay at first, lost about oh 70 lbs. Then I fell down the stairs and the tubbing broke away from the port and wrapped around my spleen and diaphram. I had emergency surgery to have it fixed. They moved my port location... and when I was healed enough to have it filled, I did so. It was a horrible experience getting it filled though... and I have to admit that I've been VERY gun-shy about seeing the Dr. about my band for any reason since. It has been several years now... Shame on me, but its the truth and I know I've been neglectful.
I pretty much have gotten sick when I eat from day one. I don't get that "full" feeling. I just suddenly have to run to the toliet and the food just comes back up. Which of course leaves me feeling hungry still... bad cycle. In any case, I've gradually gained most of my weight back.
Now, for the past year or so... I've been having night issues where I suddenly wake up feeling like I'm choking... I end up coughing and that sends me to the toilet to get sick. Sometimes it looks like mucas or what I would consider sinus stuff (yes, gross... sorry) and sometimes its clear and foamy. It has gotten worse and occurs every night now... sometimes 3-4 times. It only occurs when I'm laying down for awhile... about 20 mins after I lay down (any time of the day or night) and I'm choking and getting sick. I've been told that it is acid reflux. But man... it doesn't seem like it to me. It doesn't have that "acid" feel to it.... It doesn't burn, it doesn't irratate my throat or anything.
So... to make matters worse (the book is forming, sorry), a week ago my sweetie was goofing around and placed his elbow on the area where my port is (not knowing of course) and the phone rang or something so when he shifted his weight to get up... I felt an amazing pain in the spot where my port is. Since that time, my whole stomach has felt all wrong. I don't know how else to explain it. I'm not in a lot of pain, but I'm extremely uncomfortable... can't lay on my side, can't really bend over, feel VERY bloated... and there is a dull ache like I've been leaning against a railing for hours with my stomach, and back.
I went to the Dr. and they did the floroscopy (sp?) to see if the band slipped or the port had broken away from the tubbing... and they said everything looked fine - with the exception that the port may have flipped and that I'm apparently too tight (which means I've been too tight for about 4 years now since I last had it last filled - yikes).
But that doesn't explain to me why I'm having such an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach area. So much so that I can barely sleep... and I can barely think about anything else.
I'm so frustrated... so far this band hasn't done me much good and has only caused me discomfort. I feel incredible guilt though, because I know my own actions (or lack of) is the reason... and I feel that I've failed myself. But now I'm almost to the point that I just want it removed *whimper*.
I was just curious if anyone else has had similar problems?
