jadeesmjk

Thanks for your kind words! I had 4.5 ccs removed from my band, don't know what the capacity was but I am feeling 1000% better. Can finally sleep flat and NO GERD or heartburn. I go back on July 10th for an EGD to make sure there is no Barrett's esophagus. If all goes well I can start over with the new surgeon and slowly start getting fills again......praying that this is the case. Now to just not gain weight before then. Not going to go crazy and just eat EVERYTHING just because I can..... Lol

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh, and capsules go down much easier than tablets for me. Unless the tablets are small. You might also be able to get a liquid for of your meds at a compounding pharmacy.

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi there, I have been banded since 2008 and have to take daily pills, including antidepressant. I do so while sipping hot coffee or tea. Seems to go down MUCH easier than with any cold drinks. Hope it helps! Good luck.

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

I just went to the doc for this today! Got a complete unfill, waiting to see if symptoms resolve. I'm hoping so because Ido not want to do another surgery..... [emoji44]

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

Aug 12, 2008 banded. Lost 95 lbs initially but over the last few years and I gained back 17. Now at 222 as of today. Went to see a new surgeon as the original one no longer takes my insurance and is over an hour and a half away now. Had to get a complete unfill because of really bad GERD and vomiting and most things getting stuck. Went in to see about revision to rny but would have to go through 6 months of supervised diet and all the other hoops for my insurance to cover the revision. Well, so far so good, drank a Protein Shake and will have some Soup soon. No problems yet. I'm hoping that I just needed the unfill and let my stomach calm down and find the sweet spot again. Maybe I can get back on track with the band, slowly. Keep your toes crossed for me. I Really do not want to have another surgery if I can help it......I would love to keep in touch with you 2008 Bandsters!!! [emoji171]

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks!

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm having trouble finding that post.....can you give me a little more direction to find it? Thanks!

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you! I will read it. I'm happy that you are doing well. [emoji4]

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am praying that I can get the band removed and the bypass done in the same surgery......I don't want to go under twice..... [emoji37]

Sent from my XT1565 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had terrible GERD and like you I would wake up coughing and as if I aspirated some. My doctor's visit, he removed the 4cc out of my band the highest I have ever had was 7ccs (banded in 2009) and now I am able to sleep without any waking up coughing and with one pillow not 2 or 3 for a wedge. Just waiting on approval to have lapband removed and revision to RNY. Many prayers for you!

I had terrible GERD and like you I would wake up coughing and as if I aspirated some. My doctor's visit, he removed the 4cc out of my band the highest I have ever had was 7ccs (banded in 2009) and now I am able to sleep without any waking up coughing and with one pillow not 2 or 3 for a wedge. Just waiting on approval to have lapband removed and revision to RNY. Many prayers for you!

as far as nutritional deficiencies, they're usually not a problem as long as you keep on top of your Vitamins. There are some people who don't absorb oral Iron well and have to go in for occasional infusions, but that's not all that common. Most of us do fine on oral Iron supplements. As for the other Vitamins, again, deficiencies are really rare as long as you take your vitamins.

Hair loss - I didn't have any. That can be an issue with any surgery, from what I understand - not just RNY and not just weight loss surgery in general. It's due to the anesthesia, supposedly. I'm guessing you see it more in weight loss surgeries than other types of surgeries because we're taking in so few calories those first few weeks and months, but I've heard of people losing hair from other surgeries - or from giving birth, too. Whatever, not everyone loses their hair, and for the majority who do, you're really the only one who notices it. It's kind of rare for it to come out in huge, noticeable clumps. If you didn't lose hair with your lapband surgery, maybe you'll be OK.
Loose skin - again, you're likely the only one who'll notice. I had mine removed three years after surgery because I didn't like looking at it anymore, but it was easy enough to hide from the world. I had most of it on my abdomen (I was, and still am, apple-shaped). I'd just tuck it in my jeans or "tummy-control" leggings and wore slightly-oversized, long-ish tops to cover any lumps. Here's a picture of me before plastic surgery. I had *a lot* of loose skin on my abdomen. It's not even noticeable in these clothes:

I do and it is terrible......would love to sleep laying down again! I am concerned about really loose skin and nutritional deficiencies, and hair loss.....ugh. How has it been for you?

OMG, this is totally me! I have been banded since 2008 and I have lost 95 lbs but gained 17 again. I cannot sleep flat anymore and I vomit up food almost every time I eat. Sick of having to carry barf bags with me everywhere and not being able to eat properly. I have an appt next week to see a surgeon and talk about revision to sleeve or bypass. I also take omeprazole daily plus zantac when needed. I do not want to go back to weighing 300 lbs again! I am too old for that and I want to teach for a really long time. I am also worried about the loose skin and nutritional problems that come with GBP......any words of advice or insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Hi all,

I have an appointment to see a surgeon about either bypass or sleeve revision from the LapBand. I have done a lot of research but am not sure which one I should do. My insurance covers both but I have been on GERD meds for several years. I think it is because of the LAPBAND, did not have trouble with it before.......wonder if it will go away with the sleeve or if I should just go to the bypass surgery. UGH! So sick of the vomiting and the GERD and not being able to sleep laying flat because whatever I drank would come shooting out my nose and mouth.......I lost 95 lbs initially after my Band but gained back 17 lbs. So I am still at 220 lbs and at 5'3" and 52 yrs old I need to do something now to be healthy for a long rest of my life. I teach 4th grade and I want to be able to do so for as long as possible, comfortably! Any words of advice or insight would be appreciated!

Hi there,

I am in AZ but I sure have alot in common with you. I also have young children, a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old. I have arthritis in my low back and also my hip (had hip replacement in 2007, THANK GOD!) and have had a bad bout of plantar fasciitis in my foot. I had trouble keeping up with my kid and couldnt concieve due to my weight. We adopted our 2 yr old last year. I was banded August 12, 2008 and have been losing slowly, a steady 6 lbs a month. Not very fast but ok considering I have not been able to exercise. I do not have any support groups near me either and really would love to buddy up with you. Send me a PM and we can exchange emails and keep each other motivated. Hope to hear from you soon.

Judie

Hi there,

Down 1 lb this week: 256 lbs

Averaging 6 lbs a month......slow and steady. :tongue:)

Hang in there everyone!

Judie :biggrin:

Hi there,

just a quick note to let you know that my fill today was painless. this time the doc got it on the first try........we dont know what the heck happened last time. Thanks for your responses.

Judie

Im right there with you krtork!

OMG - I have my 4th fill tomorrow.....as you know from my first post here, my previous fill was really painful. I am really hoping that it goes better this time. I will let you know. :biggrin:)

Good luck krtork and anyone else having a fill soon!

Judie

jandamom and Jason R,

Hope you guys are doing better also.

Take it easy,

Judie

Wow GreatlyBlessed,

You got anesthetic?!?! It wasnt even an option for me, it would have been nice. I also started bleeding from the needle holes. It was sore and bruised up for several days. They only got 1 cc in me this time, it feels NO different than before. I am calling tomorrow to get in ASAP for another fill. Hope the next one goes better.

Hope you are doing better soon!

Hugs,

Judie

I was wondering if anyone else had this problem......I had my 3rd fill this past thursday and the nurse couldnt get the needle in my port, but was digging around with the needle in my belly and I finally had to tell her to stop, she was hurting me....then the Doc came in and even he had a really hard time finding the center of the port and I ended up bleeding and had 3 needle holes in my belly. It was so gross, I could hear the needle scraping the hard plastic outside of the port but not getting in the middle to do a fill. It was QUITE painful and I am still bruised up from it. I dont know why it happened, the first 2 fills were totally painless. I wish I knew what changed. The Doc said it was not unusual and that this happens some times.......I am NOT looking forward to the next fill.......hope it goes better. :thumbup:

Anyone else have this problem? What did your doc tell you was the reason?

Thanks,

Judie

I sent you a PM......talk to you soon.

Judie

Hi arizonagirl,

Good to hear from you. Glad you are doing well and have recovered successfully.

I am not so good, emotionally......I feel like I should be still losing weight when I know that this is the healing stage. I am scared that my cravings will get the best of me. I have my first fill on 9/18/08 and CANNOT wait! When is your fill date?

I am totally able to eat almost as much as I did before surgery. I definitely DO NOT eat as much as before, but I know I could......nothing bothers me or gets stuck. I am ALWAYS hungry and have absolutely ZERO restriction.......I guess I am in what everyone calls "Bandster Hell"......UGH! I am trying desperately NOT to gain any more weight, I was down to 272 lbs during liquids - post surgery, I am up 3 lbs now. I am trying NOT to stress too much about it and remember that this is a healing stage, not a weight loss stage. It took ALOT to lose that weight, I DO NOT WANT IT BACK! I am actually experiencing alot of cravings.......chocolate mostly........I normally do not eat chocolate. Never really liked it much, my big thing was breads and cakey type things. Eeeeeek, I hope this doesnt last long. I wonder if i can get in for a fill sooner.......

I have not been to the support groups, it is just too dificult for me to get out there with my husband's schedule. I wish there was one closer to me.....it would be much easier to attend and really benefit from others' experiences.

Keep in touch.

Hugs,

J

OMG! Thank you, thank you for this post.......I thought I was the only one that was feeling like this. I am hungry alot now (banded 8/12/08) and I was thinking that I was failing somehow and that I was doing something wrong. I have had no problems eating anything really, I havent been gorging myself but since getting on regular food, I have regained 3 lbs. I am scheduled for my first fill on 9/18/08, I hope I do not gain anymore by then!!! Thanks for the affirmation.

Hugs,

Judie