hillmama

how are you b vitamin levels? In particular b-12? I have had alot of hair loss due to a deficiency.

Hey all! This is my first thread to actually start. I assume this is the correct forum for this to be under but I'm not sure. Let me give just a little background...I was banded in March of 2008. I started to rapidly lose my weight after about five months of having the band. My starting weight was 282 and by January of this year I was down to 160. After January, I started having complications from a concentric pouch dilitation and ended up weighing in at 128. Once this was diagnosed, my surgeon attempted to fix it non surgically for about five months. Fills and unfills and this test and that test...until finally a decision was made that I needed revisional surgery. By this point, I felt as though I was at the end of my rope. So on Nov 16th, just 3 weeks ago, I had the revisional surgery. I was MORE than ready for all this to be resolved. Throughout my entire experience over the past 18 months, I have been very mentally stable and what I thought was dealing with all these changes in a normal way, UNTIL I had this second surgery. It's like I've been hit with a freight train of unresolved emotions and feelings now that I have accomplished all the weight loss. I honestly don't feel like anyone understands what LAP-BAND® patients go through unless they have a band personally. I can't even describe how everything feels...I can't get the words. Anyone else like this? Another issue I am noticing and am curious if others feel the same way... My surgeon is amazing and such a nice man. All of his patients think very highly of him, I constantly refer him out, and he is praised my many other healthcare professionals. Point is - he's great at what he does! However, I've noticed, the more weight I lose, the more timid and anxious I am when I go in the office. It's like I can't find the right way to communicate, can't find the right words, etc. But more than anything I feel as though I'm hyper sensitive in the patient-provider relationship I have developed with him and his staff. I've pondered that maybe it's that this person has helped me achieve something so drastically amazing in my life and I see how much it's changed my life and he has ultimate control over this in my life forever. It's not that I worship him or anything like that - haha! I just don't understand why going in there makes me completely act like someone I am not. I am a very fun, bubbly, outgoing person and I just lock up lately and become timid. Last time I left the office, I got in my car and my hands were just shaking. It's so weird. They are very nice to me! Hopefully I will shake this off ASAP! It's so not me! Anyone else experiencing this???? Thanks for your input!

I must chime in here. I had a mirena IUD placed in 2006. I didn't have a period for awhile, but then I did. I had lap band surgery in March of 2008. In January 2009 (this year), I started having cramping. I never cramp so I called my OB/GYN. Everything looked normal but she couldn't find IUD. That was a HUGE problem to me. An ultrasound revealed NO MIRENA IUD. An abdominal x-ray showed the IUD perforated through my uterus and was in my intestines. My dr said this is very rare but it can happen. In most cases where they can't find them, they have fallen out but I was not that lucky. I am lucky I didn't end up pregnant and I am lucky that I didn't have to have some of my intestines removed or end up with a coly bag forever. Definitely check for it if you get one. The insertion of the IUD was very crampy but nothing unbearable. But as a bandster I would personally stay away from them. After that IUD removal, my band was never the same and I had to have a revision on my band in November of this year. I truly believe that IUD surgery was the cause. They do work really well for some people but I just wanted to share my experience.

I would definitely say my asthma is better. I rarely use medicine at all anymore!

I was banded March 25, 2008 Yes I have thrown up! I would throw up occasionally the first six months when I would try new foods or eat improperly - meaning not chewing each bite enough, eating too fast, etc or attempting a food I simply knew I couldn't consume. However, I developed a concentric pouch dilitation after another abdominal surgery almost a year post op. When that happened, I threw up daily, just about every meal, or anytime I put something in my mouth. It varied. I couldn't pinpoint exactly anything, it was very fickle and not normal or predictable. I thought it was normal for awhile, but it was not. throwing up like that is not normal. once the problem was identified, I went through months of trying to fix it nonsurgically with fills and unfills. Got sick alot. Finally had to have a revision. Hope this helps!

YAYAYAY!!! Congrats! Hope you feel better soon - you will :biggrin: and you will be so glad you are a fellow bandster :sad:

I would be very careful comparing your weight loss to that of others. Everyone is very different and you need to stay confident and motivated in your journey. There are people that lose really slow and people that lose really fast. I didn't lose much at all the first six months and then after that the weight started falling off. You are seven weeks post op, so give it some time and listen to your body. Best wishes

I would be thankful for gaining a cup size! that's awesome! I was a DD before surgery and now it's like I have nothing. yes, I know exactly what you mean about feeling bones you are not used to. My hip bones are the ones that have stuck out the most to me, as well as my ribs, even my wrists and knees. I do have some of the squishy, loose skin but I plan to have most of that removed. I started at 282 in March of 08 and was down to 130 by this summer. I'm in a fluctuating phase right now due to a revisional surgery but I still feel the bones

Honestly, I completely understand your fear of gaining any weight back, but I would let them let some fluid out. I had an abdominal surgery after I was banded - I had an IUD that perforated through my uterus and was in my intestines. After that surgery to remove the IUD, my band was never the same. I kept getting really sick and I truly feel as though that's when my complications started. That's just my personal opinion. I have now had surgery to have my band revised and have gained a few pounds, but I get to start having fluid back again tomorrow. Good luck and best wishes!

cat lady, even though I have endured my fair share of complications with my band I would without a doubt do it all over again!! That's what it all comes down to. I would in a heartbeat. I can not live without my band!

Thank you KTKaya. I'm feeling better. It's just been a long journey :thumbup: Barble - I think that's all part of it. I went through a phase where I withdrew, but never with my kids. Everyone else though I did withdraw from. Relationships change and you feel different. There is so much to this whole experience that is mental and I think that the mental aspect isn't given the amount of attention that is needed by practitioners. Definitely talk to your PCP. I've read alot about depression being very common with WLS patients. It would make sense - think about all the nutritional changes and what the body goes through. It would make sense to me that it would create imbalances. I think mine has been brought to the surface by vitamin deficiencies and the complications I've experienced. Hang in there and keep us updated.

You are not alone in feeling like this. The emotional part of your whole journey will hit you at different phases than others, but post op depression is pretty common. I really didn't have much of that going on that I was aware of until I had this last revisional surgery and I've been a mess. I'm four weeks post op. Hang in there and lean on those who understand what you're going through.

I know, I totally understand that. Surgery by choice creates much more anxiety and fear, especially being a mom. It took me three years to decide I would do the surgery because I have children! The risk of complications is what scared me the most. I talked to my surgeon about that and he reassured me that the risk was very low.... Think about the positives of this surgery and how it will change the example you set for them! You will be okay. When you get to the hospital, express to them your nerves are haywire and that you need an IV 'margarita!'. STAT! I have had several surgeries and I have never had anything for my nerves in pre-op. I just had a lap band revisional surgery four weeks ago. the anesthesiologist gave me a shot of versed or what he called a "maragarita" in the pre-op waiting room. I was so looped up when my surgeon came that I did not care! You just need to be able to relax. Hang in there and let us know how you feel afterward!

It took me until about the 5-6 month post op mark before I got to an optimal level of restriction and really started dropping the weight. It takes a while to get to the right level of restriction. If you go from zero to full restriction rapidly, it will not work. You would be really sick. My dr would let me come every 3-4 weeks, or based upon my need for restriction after some time. I could go every week or other week if I felt the need. I think this depends upon surgeons. You might just call and discuss your concerns and see when they might let you fill again. Hang in there! It's very common for you to feel this way at first!

Just try to relax. Everything will be fine. I remember feeling like I was going through withdrawals on the liquid diet. I'm sure the lack of all the nutrients your body is used to consuming is making the nerves worse. Have you ever had surgery before? What is making you the most nervous? It's perfectly natural to be nervous before any kind of surgical procedure. Just know you are not alone in that and you can do this! I remember almost chickening out the day of my surgery and just making myself go through with it. I am so glad I did! I have had two other surgeries since then. I honestly feel like it's a different kind of nerves to deal with when the surgery is an optional procedure. When you have to have surgery for absolute medical necessity, you just know you have to do it and get through it. Sort of like having a baby too! But when you choose to do it, it's just different. Anyway, it will be ok! Just try to relax...

Thank you so much flychica! I was banded on March 25, 2008. I had the revision on Nov 16, 2009. I lost the majority of my weight September 2008 - February 2009. I'm fluctuating right now but will be stable again soon - I hope :willy_nilly: You will get to your point! Don't stress about that. I'm here to support you if you need anything!

Hi Susan! I live West, but work Central and can pretty much meet you anywhere. I'll send you a private message with my email address. Do you work? If so, what's your work schedule? I have not been a regular member of support groups but that's something I will start in the new year. I can explain to you more about that in person. I have been banded since March of 2008, so I can share LOTS with you about the whole experience from a bandster perspective, good and bad. Hope all is going well. Hillary

Restless Native, who is your doctor? We should all get together! We all have alot in common and could support each other. Susan - Dr Fass is my surgeon. He's an excellent surgeon. I have been very successful with the band, so it was the right choice for me. I would be happy to talk with you... What part of Austin are you both in?

Thank you all so much :thumbup:

I am definitely much colder in general now where I was always hot natured before. I will shiver and shake in room with an air conditioner going on high in the middle of the summer. When I really started dropping the weight I would get chilled with intense body aching, almost like I was trying to come down with a flu, on a regular basis. From personal experience, if it becomes worrisome and you experience other symptoms, I would have your Vitamin levels checked and your thyroid checked.

I posted this thread in another topic area...

If it is something that makes you uncomfortable discussing, I would casually say that's a good question.... I haven't stepped on the scale in a long time. And leave it at that. And say that every time someone asks you. Others reaction to your weight loss is something you really have to be careful with. I lost all my weight within a year - 140 pounds - and each time I saw someone I knew their jaws would drop literally. I would get positive comments and people would tell me how awesome I looked, wanted to know how much weight I had lost, etc...It was great, until I hit my goal and stabilized. Everyone got used to the new me which was a blessing, but now that the hype is over in seeing dramatic change in me it's a little depressing. It makes me feel like something isn't right. Then I developed a lap band complication and had to have all Fluid let out and a revisional surgery. not fun! i've gained a little and it has made me pretty self-conscious. I'm working through all that! based upon my experience, I would take the comments, opinions, and questions from 'outsiders' (those not living with a band) with a grain of salt! Best wishes!

You are definitely not alone on this! I really struggle with the body image. I'm down to a size 4. I've never been a size 4 in my life and I still think of myself as big. I still see the imperfections when I look in the mirror. Some of us struggle with this more than others. I have another friend who was banded as well and tells me I'm just obsessed. However, I had a complication with my band, had to have a revisional surgery. With all this I have no fluid and I have gained about 15 pounds. I can still wear my clothes but this has made the image part worsen. I'm working on it! but you are definitely in good company when it comes to this!

Hey all! I'm 29 and in Austin...Amber, who is doing your surgery?

Welcome!! being in your 20's and being banded rocks!! Best wishes :scared2: