kposer

I agree 100% with these posts about listening to your body. After being banded in May 07 and suffering constantly from complications that my doctor dismissed, I actually started to believe that maybe it "was all in my head". That maybe nothing was wrong with me, although I had the inability to eat or drink sometimes for days at a time while completely loosened. If you read my story, you will understand that you should NEVER let anyone try to convince you of something other then what you know you are feeling and experiencing. You know your body better then anyone else, regardless of a surgeons experience or PHD. Please do not take this lightly... I was originally banded in May 2007 and from the first day, expereinced problems with liquids (even Water or saliva). I tried to explain these troubles to my doctor for months, and was assured it was normal, just swelling and healing process. After 6+ months, I knew this could not be the case. I was throwing up more then 10 times a day, and was living off of high calorie foods because I was so starved and only some liquids or crackers would go down easily. I would also have good days, or nights, and bad days or weeks- there was no pattern or reason, some days I could eat a bit, others I could not even swallow water. I could not eat or drink in the morning, and would wait until well after noon to try drinking. I would never drink anything while working or driving incase I had to throw up. I never knew what was going to happen. I would burp contantly and wake up in the morning with air bubbles in my throat. I also had the constant feeling that something was choking me- didn't matter what I tried.My doctor said that I needed to chew my food better, eat more slowly, etc, etc. I was following the post op rules to a T and still something wasn't right. About 5 months in, I woke from a deep sleep with a terrible stabbing pain in my chest and back- had my family call me an ambulance, and was rushed to the hosptial and told they thought I was suffering from a heart attack. I am overweight, at 250 pounds and only 5'5" but am only 20 years old- a heart attack didn't seem likely. The doctors tested me for everything, my heart and everything else was fine. I knew it was the band. They gave me iv fluids and a heavy muscle relaxant. Turns out this saved my life more then once (I'll explain further). I went home after 24 hrs and the pain slowly subsided. I kept contacting my doctor who said there was nothing wrong. This hospital emergency-like attack of pain happened 5 more times over that year and a half since being banded, and no er surgeon could figure out what was happening, until the last one suggested it was my stomach going into convulsions. After over a year and a half of insisting I was sick to my lap band doctor, I finally had tests done. The barrium swallow and endoscope tests were coming back fine, I demanded he do something. In the meantime, my port had turned and they couldn't do any adjustments (I was .5 cc from being totally defilled) so I was told I would have a quick port surgery three days later. I agreed, and when I woke realized that much more then a port move had occured- as I had all five original incisions reopened and was in MUCH more pain then after the original banding. This was in October 2008. When I woke from the anesthetic, my doctor told me he decided to operate fully and found a hiatal hernia (very very large) and my stomach had been sliding up into the chest and slipping in and out of the band. The serious pain attacks that landed me in the emergency room so many times was the hernia (diaphragm) tearing open wider and my stomach squeezing and sliding upward through it. Turns out those muscle relaxants may have saved my life more then once, as the stomach was spasiming and could have ruptured. SO- Not only did I wake up from a surgery I did not consent to, but I was re-banded! I was upset that I had such a major surgery without my consent, and further that my surgeon would decide for me to have another band introduced without giving me an option. He explained that he thought it was the best decision (let me specify, he explained all this to me as I woke from the anesthetic and was on morphine for the pain, not when I was recovered and fully able to pay attention to what the details were). Although I was infuriated, I was happy that FINALLY we found the problem and fixed it. Now I knew for sure I wasn't crazy and that I was right all along. I was sent home same day and proceeded with the same guidelines post op. It seemed, for about 5-6 months that things were better than last time. I did not have any serious pain attacks anymore, but was still having trouble keeping foods and liquids, even my own saliva, down. This got worse as the weeks went on, and even though I told my doctor something was wrong, he said I was fine again. I demanded another barrium swallow xray, and he literally itched his head and said it appeared to be perfect. This was just two months ago, May 2009. It's unlikely, he explained, with all the scar tissue inside for the band to slip again. He suggested, after another 3 months of my constant complaints to remove the band and said maybe my body was rejecting it- although highly unlikely. I refused to allow this surgeon to operate on me, first of all not giving me a real diagnosis, and secondly, claiming it was so unlikely that it had slipped when all my symptoms were the same. He said he did not want to remove the last cc of Fluid from the band either, in fear that it could slip. As you can tell, this wasn't making much sense. All I knew was that I was not losing any weight for 2 years and suffering daily from pain and throwing up. I am quite literally surviving off of high calorie fluids like ice cream, frozen yogurt, yogurt, and Soups (homemade) when I can stomach them. Again, this means I eat once every few days, and obviously try to limit my portions despite how hungry I feel at that time. SO.. I started looking for another surgeon. I found one who would see me right away. He asked to have the operative reports sent to him from the original band surgery in May 07 and the revision in October 2008 as well. He also wanted to see the xray images, so I arranged to have them sent to him right away. I was not surprised to learn that the previous surgeon had simply printed out a generic form of the lap band procedure and penciled in "repair" of band in replacement of the word "introduced" the band. In other words, there was nothing in writing saying what had happened in my surgery from October, no mention of the band slip or the hernia, or the repair! The xrays did show, however, that something was definately wrong. The new doctor could see right away that nothing was able to pass through the band, that it appeared to be way too tight. He asked if there was any fluid in my band, and I told him one cc was left in fear that it could slip. He told me that should never be a reason to keep in fluid, and attempted to remove the 1 cc. To his surprise, it WAS completely empty already?!? This surgeon told me as well, that my port had shifted and was turned, and that it clearly was not stitched into place during the last procedure. He also said that the band, although it appeared to be in the correct position was clearly either too small, or in the wrong position for my body type (in other words it may vary between patients). He also said it is a possibility that the hernia is back or was not properly repaired, and that the stomach is slipping through the band once again (just that the xray in that moment showed it in a good place, does not guaruntee that it is always in that same position). He also informed me that the surgeon who placed my band originally does not stitch the band into place (that this could have caused the slippage issues). So, here I go again. I am scheduled for surgery next week on Friday. He is going to remove the existing band and repair any damage he sees in respect to another potential hernia. He also gave me the option to try another type of band, a better quality one, and would only introduce this IF my body using his judgement, was healthy enough for it. I decided I may as well give it one more try, but am obviously very nervous. I wanted this tool to work for me, and if its possible that all my complications were caused by a hernia or not stitching the band onto the stomach then perhaps 3 times a charm? Or, is this another risk I shouldn't be taking.. I guess I will see what happens next week. MORAL OF THE STORY- listen to your body, you know it best and be persistent with doctors. Also, seek a second opinion. This is your body, you only have one, and you need to make taking care of it a priority. Finally, no matter what any one tells you, pain swallowing fluids and very well chewed foods is not normal, constant throwing up is not normal, constant burping is not normal, pain in the rib/chest/back area that is persistent is not normal, the feeling that you are being choked is not normal! If you think these things are normal and that's what the band is all about you are wrong. This is a tool to help you make healthy choices in eating, not a tool to restrict you from eating or drinking at all.

After a year and a half (since May 07) I have been suffering non stop complications from the lap band. With no answers from several doctors, I was beginning to lose hope. About 3 weeks ago, my doctor decided to move my port because it had slipped. He assured me it was a short, simple surgery. He thought maybe because it had flipped that an excess of saline was in the band, in other words, perhaps too tight (even though they removed all the saline). I agreed to go forward with this and woke up in much more pain then anticipated. Turns out that when he went to operate, he realized my stomach was not where it should be. I had a large hernia which had caused my stomach to travel up into my chest. This was what was causing the pain for me the past year and a half. This was compromising my breathing (not the asthma I was diagnosed with last year). This was why I could barely keep food or liquids down. I am so happy! Although frustrated that it has taken so long, I am so happy that my troubles have been fixed. Since the surgery three weeks ago, I have lost 20 lbs and have no pain while eating or drinking!!! I am so happy, this finally feels like people have described it's supposed to. I am happy and excited to see success in my weight loss journey from today forward. My advice to anyone with complications is to be persistent. Although I had several tests, x rays, barrium swallows ..etc done over the past year and a half, they all appeared normal. My doctor said this was because my stomach was probably slipping in and out of the chest daily. The band during the surgery was also slipped, around the lower stomach. My doctor also said my stomach was probably slipping through the band constantly. I am cured and so excited! I have not felt so good in over a year... I am so relieved.

After being banded in May 07, I have had non stop problems with the band. I began at 260, and have only lost 30 lbs in the past year and a half. I have been in and out of the hospital several times, and tested for various things, all yielding no results. I have barely been able to keep foods and liquids down. I have literally been living off milkshakes, yogurt, soups...etc and on the average day am only able to have one meal (if I'm lucky). I have had my band adjusted several times, all with no help. Eventually my doctor removed all the saline and thought it was perhaps and infection (put me on steroids). This did not help. An ER doctor diagnosed me with stomach spasms, and prescribed me another medication. This did not help. Another ER surgeon though my stomach was on the brink of bursting, so suggested any time I was in serious pain lasting more then an hour to go to the ER right away. With ivs, pain meds, and muscle relaxants, even this did not help. I was giving up hope. The doctors, myself, and my family were all confused, frustrated, and wondering why if I could barely eat, why I did not lose any more weight? About a month ago, my doctor noticed that my port had turned. He wanted to move it and thought that in moving it he could drain any saline that may have been caught inside (he thought perhaps my band was still simply too tight). I agreed to under go this surgery as a last result before removing it. Turns out this minor procedure ended up a 6 hour + operation. My stomach was found in my chest cavity, this was due to a very large hernia above where the stomach should sit. The doctor said the "spasms" pain I had was probably the tearing of my chest hernia (ouch). The reason I had not lost the weight was because my immune system was simply trying to store every last bit of food that was able to stay down. The foods and liquids would literally sit in my throat and come up again because my stomach was so high (beside where the throat ended) so it had no where to go but back up. My band had also slipped and ended up around the very lower stomach, beginning of the intestines. I am upset that I had such serious complications, not only with eating, lack of weight loss, but so called "asthma" (turns out my lung capacity was compromised from the stomach being so high in the chest), and constant pain I suffered BUT I am so happy that an answer has finally been found. My doctor decided to fix me all up, and put a new band in. I have literally started my lap band journey over again and I am very happy with the results so far. I have already lost 20 lbs in just 2 and a half weeks, I have no pain while eating and drinking, and I do feel some restriction! I am relieved that this was discovered before something more serious went wrong. The nurses literally said I am so lucky that my body did not react worse to this complication. I have felt sick for a year and a half and am finally starting to feel like myself again. It's about time! My advice to anyone with persistent complications, be persistent with your doctors. Ask for second opinions. If you know your body like I did, you are probably right when you think something is seriously wrong. I am glad I was so persistent. I could have had a collapsed lung, digestive problems, ...etc and I am very lucky that my body dealt with this complication so well. Well, here I go again. I should have been at my goal weight by now trying on bikini's but I guess it will all be worth it in the end. I am determined to have the band work for me this time.

I had a hernia repair surgery, and I thought my recovery was more delayed and the pain worse then the original surgery BUT WELL WORTH IT! I had been struggling for a year and a half with a "mystery" complication.. no doctor could find anything wrong until they decided to fix my port (it flipped) and realized my stomach had travelled up into my chest cavity due to a very large hernia. I have had unbearable pain over the past year and a half, and now that I have had this surgery I feel amazing. It's been 3 weeks, I have already lost 20 pounds, and was at a stand still for over a year and 5 months. I would have it repaired if I were you because I have heard the complications can be much worse if the hernia gets bigger. In my case it was ripping larger and larger and my stomach was compromising my lungs which is not only why I had trouble breathing, but could barely eat or drink. My band had slipped down to the lower stomach, top of intestines. None of this showed up with x rays, barrium swallows...etc. I had non stop pain and sharp pains when inhaling, I would vomit almost everything that went down my throat and was in and out of the hospital for dehydration because I could barely even drink water... this was the worst year and a half of my life, and I AM FINALLY FIXED! I was re banded, the port moved, and the hernia repaired. I took about 2 weeks to feel energetic again and am so happy that the band is finally working for me. I suggest you get it fixed asap because the band is a wonderful tool when it's working correctly!

After a year and a half (since May 07) I have been suffering non stop complications from the lap band. With no answers from several doctors, I was beginning to lose hope. About 3 weeks ago, my doctor decided to move my port because it had slipped. He assured me it was a short, simple surgery. He thought maybe because it had flipped that an excess of saline was in the band, in other words, perhaps too tight (even though they removed all the saline). I agreed to go forward with this and woke up in much more pain then anticipated. Turns out that when he went to operate, he realized my stomach was not where it should be. I had a large hernia which had caused my stomach to travel up into my chest. This was what was causing the pain for me the past year and a half. This was compromising my breathing (not the asthma I was diagnosed with last year). This was why I could barely keep food or liquids down. I am so happy! Although frustrated that it has taken so long, I am so happy that my troubles have been fixed. Since the surgery three weeks ago, I have lost 20 lbs and have no pain while eating or drinking!!! I am so happy, this finally feels like people have described it's supposed to. I am happy and excited to see success in my weight loss journey from today forward. My advice to anyone with complications is to be persistent. Although I had several tests, x rays, barrium swallows ..etc done over the past year and a half, they all appeared normal. My doctor said this was because my stomach was probably slipping in and out of the chest daily. The band during the surgery was also slipped, around the lower stomach. My doctor also said my stomach was probably slipping through the band constantly. I am cured and so excited! I have not felt so good in over a year... I am so relieved.

I had the lap band put in over a year ago (May 07) and have had nothing but problems. Not only have I not lost much weight, (only 30 pounds pre-surgery from my yogurt-only diet over a year ago) but I am in constant pain. I have been hospitalized three times now, and emergency doctors have diagnosed me with stomach "spasms" or convulsions. After putting me on muscle relaxants, and anti-spasmatic drugs, pain killers, and flushing me with iv's for dehydration I am sent home to deal with the next episode. On an average weekly basis, I can only eat a few bites of food (sometimes more if I'm lucky) about twice a week. I frequently go more then three days with no food or liquid staying down. I have days where even swallowing my saliva come back up and causes me pain. When I am able to eat, I have little to no feeling of restriction, but after swallowing I am in pain- I get a panic type feeling that someone is strangling me. After fighting this sensation for long enough, sometimes I am able to keep the food down, other times (most times) it comes back up. When I am able to keep foods down I always get a stomach ache, a bloated feeling as though I had just ate three plates of Christmas dinner (when in reality it was maybe half a cup of food tops!). This is following my stinging sensations in my stomach when I breathe in and out. With barely eating for over a year, I have not lost the weight, and obviously questioned this. At 5' 4", 19 years old, and 230 pounds and BARELY EATING FOR A YEAR, you would think I should be starved and skinny by now! The doctors have explained I am suffering from malnutrition due to poor eating habits, in other words my body is in constant starvation mode so when I do get anything to stay down my body stores it instead of burning it. I have been told not to exercise because I am not eating enough to burn fat, only muscle tissue. My eating patterns have no pattern, I have tried for months keeping a food diary and trying to pin point if certain things are causing this pain in hopes that eliminating them will solve my problems but nothing seems to make sense- It's like my stomach has a mind of its own. I was banded in Ontario, Canada and have gone to see the surgeon several times with these problems and concerns. Each time I was adjusted, either filled or defiled according to what they thought necessary- each time followed by these same problems. Finally I insisted on getting the barium swallow x ray done, and according to the surgeon everything appeared to be fine, and he even tightened my band! Nothing but the same problems since. Since then I was hospitalized three times, the "spasms" are causing severe pain and swelling to not only my stomach but surrounding organs- the emergency doctors have said there is a threat of an organ bursting or "rupturing". Now every serious stomach ache lasting more than an hour requires me to take anti-spasmatic drugs, and if no result within an hour proceed to the emergency room ASAP. Yesterday I sent a very frustrated email to my surgeon who has finally agreed to do a scope of my stomach, wants to completely remove all the fluid in my band, and start me on steroids before considering removing the band completely. I am worried, sick of the pain and constant throwing up of fluids and food and very worried about all the possible complications that the emergency doctors have warned me about. Never did I realize that my poor eating habits could be causing my lower stomach to eat away at the walls (due to a lack of food and liquid absorbing stomach acids), serious throat problems from the regurgitation, slippage of my band, rupturing of my stomach or surrounding organs, anemia, malnutrition, dehydration, constipation and digestive problems...etc!!! Has anyone had a similar experience to mine? I just want some answers, I am young and frustrated to know that it has taken a year to get some serious actions taken from my band surgeon. I'm also very worried about these results... not to mention hesitant to start taking oral steroids now!! I don’t want to give up on this but I can’t suffer any more. We’ll see what the prognosis is later this week…

Thank you so much for letting me know about your problems.. I will mention your experience to my doctor Thursday and see what they say. My only worry is how would we know that this IBS is the cause of the spasms? Well I guess I have to wait and see! I do hope that my band is alright and that there is an explanation for all of this because after more then a year at stand still and feeling pain all the time I am ready to start seeing this band work for me.

I can completely relate to the feeling you're describing. What's weird with me is that even at my biggest when I used to look in the mirror I would think, well I don't look THAT bad.. or THAT big.. then I would see a picture of me beside someone who was at a healthy, thinner weight then me and it would hit me like a brick wall, just how obese I really was. As I am losing the weight this continues, but I think its because when we are big and know we are, we subconsciously try to make ourselves feel better by blocking out the reality of how we look, and how unhappy we are. As we continue on the path with weight loss and healthy habits we are being forced to acknowledge and to concentrate on our lifestyle a lot more, and therefore we think about our weight- perhaps even obsess about it- more then we did when we were bigger. Hang in there, you will come to the point when one day you look in the mirror, or see a picture of yourself that simply shocks you- then you will realize how paranoid you seemed before and accept your health and happiness! Good luck with your journey!

I am new to this site. Have been banded for over a year (since May 07) and have had nothing but complications. I am worried, and wondering if removing it is the answer for me. It's taken me over a year to get my surgeon to take my complications seriously and I have been hospitalized three times in the past few months for stomach spasms. I wanted to join this site to read about other peoples experiences and share my own. I am very disappointed and tired of being in constant fear and pain. I don't want to give up on this method or technology but I can not physically or mentally afford to keep suffering in this way. I'm waiting on some tests (scope and starting me on steriods) to see if this helps- if not removing it may be the only option. Just wanted to put my experience out there because in all the research I have done about the lap band I have not read about anyone having a similar experience to mine in terms of spasms and such. Glad a site like this one is out here, hope it will help the next person make an educated decision about the band and inspire others to keep working with it. Kt

Has anyone ever been perscribed steroids for the lap band? I have had non stop complications for over a year and my doctor now wants to start me on oral steroids (not sure what type, or why yet!) before removing it if they don't help. If anyone knows what they are supposed to do exactly, and any side affects with taking them please let me know! Thanks Kt

Has anyone ever been perscribed steroids for the lap band? I have had non stop complications for over a year and my doctor now wants to start me on oral steroids (not sure what type, or why yet!) before removing it if they don't help. If anyone knows what they are supposed to do exactly, and any side affects with taking them please let me know! Thanks Kt

Thank you everyone for your support! I unfortunately don't know too many details about these spasms I have been getting. I know this started about a month into having the band, but my difficulties keeping even liquids down started into the second week post op. I have been hosptialized for it because when they happen, the pain is so intense I am close to passing out- I literally cannot sit, stand, lay or find any comfortable position to be in. The pain worsens for more then 8 hours until I take the anti spasmatic drugs whcih do calm it down, with iv in a few minutes, and by pill form about half an hour. They keep me there because the pain I experience also describes things like appendix problems, kidney problems, and gull bladder as well- so they test me for everything under the sun! Turns out, all three times, the reason I have pain all over my stomach and even into my back is because the "spasms" are so intense that my stomach is expanding and putting pressure on these other surrounding organs. This, as they explained, is a sign that my stomach could very well rupture because there is nowhere for the pressure to go. The xrays all three times I was hosptialized showed the emerg docs that my band is (to them) in the correct place. The only reason I am hesitant to trust these doctors are because only one of the three had ever heard of the lap band! The others had to do research as I was being tested. My doctor in Toronto (not to give names because I am not trying to bash them) until yesterday did not seem to take seriously my difficulties and pain, though I have been to them several times with these problems. Although I am sure some people are truly exaggerating or perhaps just making excuses for poor eating habits and no weight loss, this is not the case with me- I think the doctor honestly assumed that I was one of those people but that does not excuse me going for over a year with no help! I am not sure what else to say about the spasms, I am going to see my doctor this week (Thursday) so he can see the emerg reports from those three doctors, and he says he wants to remove the final 3 cc's left in my band (which previously they would not let me because they said it would cause slippage). Apparently he will schedule a scope (perhaps on thursday, I am not sure) and also start me on steroids. I have to ask about why steroids, and what this will do.. I am hesitant to take yet another drug! I don't like the idea of filling myself up with medication since this band but I do want it to succeed. Hope this helps! And if anyone out there reads this and has had similar experiences please let me know- I am eager to learn about them! Kt

When I had my surgery over a year ago I had the same shoulder pain. My doctor said it is normal for most patients, and that it is from the anesthetic working its way out.. he suggested nothing but trying to walk around when it acts up and having someone lightly massage your shoulders. It faded over a few weeks and by week three it was gone! I know the feeling just hang in there!

Not that I'm an expert but hitting a plateau is not always a bad thing. If you are following the rules properly, not cheating with junk!, and excersising then it will pass on its own. Just keep up the hard work. Remeber the band is no quick fix, you shouldn't expect to drop the weight instantly.. If it took years to put the weight on, its gona take time for it to come off.. our bodies are only capable of handling it so fast. If you don't keep losing in the next month or two then consider getting a fill, perhaps you are too loose and eating too much still. I would also, if you aren't eating much and still not losing, consider talking to your doctor about it. My complications have personally caused me severe pain while eating and constantly vomiting what I eat.. so on average I eat very little every few days and I have not been able to lose weight in over a year.. If this is the case or turns out to be with you then talk to your doc!

I also went home same day as surgery. Everything went fine and I was actually more comfortable on my own couch! I even did a three hour drive to get home.. (wasn't driving mind you but where I had the lap band done they only keep you there over night if you have a complication!). So, don't worry about it and good luck.

I had the lap band put in over a year ago (May 07) and have had nothing but problems. Not only have I not lost much weight, (only 30 pounds pre-surgery from my yogurt-only diet over a year ago) but I am in constant pain. I have been hospitalized three times now, and emergency doctors have diagnosed me with stomach "spasms" or convulsions. After putting me on muscle relaxants, and anti-spasmatic drugs, pain killers, and flushing me with iv's for dehydration I am sent home to deal with the next episode. On an average weekly basis, I can only eat a few bites of food (sometimes more if I'm lucky) about twice a week. I frequently go more then three days with no food or liquid staying down. I have days where even swallowing my saliva come back up and causes me pain. When I am able to eat, I have little to no feeling of restriction, but after swallowing I am in pain- I get a panic type feeling that someone is strangling me. After fighting this sensation for long enough, sometimes I am able to keep the food down, other times (most times) it comes back up. When I am able to keep foods down I always get a stomach ache, a bloated feeling as though I had just ate three plates of Christmas dinner (when in reality it was maybe half a cup of food tops!). This is following my stinging sensations in my stomach when I breathe in and out. With barely eating for over a year, I have not lost the weight, and obviously questioned this. At 5' 4", 19 years old, and 230 pounds and BARELY EATING FOR A YEAR, you would think I should be starved and skinny by now! The doctors have explained I am suffering from malnutrition due to poor eating habits, in other words my body is in constant starvation mode so when I do get anything to stay down my body stores it instead of burning it. I have been told not to exercise because I am not eating enough to burn fat, only muscle tissue. My eating patterns have no pattern, I have tried for months keeping a food diary and trying to pin point if certain things are causing this pain in hopes that eliminating them will solve my problems but nothing seems to make sense- It's like my stomach has a mind of its own. I was banded in Ontario, Canada and have gone to see the surgeon several times with these problems and concerns. Each time I was adjusted, either filled or defiled according to what they thought necessary- each time followed by these same problems. Finally I insisted on getting the barium swallow x ray done, and according to the surgeon everything appeared to be fine, and he even tightened my band! Nothing but the same problems since. Since then I was hospitalized three times, the "spasms" are causing severe pain and swelling to not only my stomach but surrounding organs- the emergency doctors have said there is a threat of an organ bursting or "rupturing". Now every serious stomach ache lasting more than an hour requires me to take anti-spasmatic drugs, and if no result within an hour proceed to the emergency room ASAP. Yesterday I sent a very frustrated email to my surgeon who has finally agreed to do a scope of my stomach, wants to completely remove all the fluid in my band, and start me on steroids before considering removing the band completely. I am worried, sick of the pain and constant throwing up of fluids and food and very worried about all the possible complications that the emergency doctors have warned me about. Never did I realize that my poor eating habits could be causing my lower stomach to eat away at the walls (due to a lack of food and liquid absorbing stomach acids), serious throat problems from the regurgitation, slippage of my band, rupturing of my stomach or surrounding organs, anemia, malnutrition, dehydration, constipation and digestive problems...etc!!! Has anyone had a similar experience to mine? I just want some answers, I am young and frustrated to know that it has taken a year to get some serious actions taken from my band surgeon. I'm also very worried about these results... not to mention hesitant to start taking oral steroids now!! I don’t want to give up on this but I can’t suffer any more. We’ll see what the prognosis is later this week…

I have had a similar experience as you in terms of problems with anemia and dehydration. I had the lap band put in over a year ago (May 07) and have had nothing but problems. Not only have I not lost much weight, (only 30 pounds pre-surgery from my yougurt-only diet over a year ago) but I am in constant pain. I have been hospitalized three times now, and emergency doctors have diagnosed me with stomach "spasms" or convulsions. After putting me on muscle relaxants, and anti-spasmatic drugs, pain killers, and flushing me with iv's for dehydration I am sent home to deal with the next episode. On an average weekly basis, I can only eat a few bites of food (sometimes more if I'm lucky) about twice a week. I frequently go more then three days with no food or liquid staying down. I have days where even swallowing my saliva come back up and causes me pain. When I am able to eat, I have little to no feeling of restriction, but after swallowing I am in pain- I get a panic type feeling that someone is strangling me. After fighting this sensation for long enough, sometimes I am able to keep the food down, other times (most times) it comes back up. When I am able to keep foods down I always get a stomach ache, a bloated feeling as though I had just ate three plates of Christmas dinner (when in reality it was maybe half a cup of food tops!). This is following my stinging sensations in my stomach when I breathe in and out. With barely eating for over a year, I have not lost the weight, and oboviously questioned this. At 5' 4", 19 years old, and 230 pounds and BARELY EATING FOR A YEAR, you would think I should be starved and skinny by now! The doctors have expalined I am suffering from malnutrition due to poor eating habbits, in other words my body is in constant starvation mode so when I do get anything to stay down my body stores it instead of burning it. I have been told not to excersize because I am not eating enough to burn fat, only muscle tissue. My eating patterns have no pattern, I have tried for months keeping a food diary and trying to pin point if certain things are causing this pain in hopes that eliminating them will solve my problems but nothing seems to make sense- It's like my stomach has a mind of its own. I was banded in Ontario, Canada and have gone to see the surgeon several times with these problems and concerns. Each time I was adjusted, either filled or defilled according to what they thought necessary- each time followed by these same problems. Finally I insisted on getting the barrium swallow x ray done, and according to the surgeon everything appeared to be fine, and he even tightened my band! Nothing but the same problems since. Since then I was hospitalized three times, the "spasms" are causing severe pain and swelling to not only my stomach but surrounding organs- the emergency doctors have said there is a threat of an organ bursting or "rupturing". Now every serious stomach ache lasting more than an hour requires me to take anti-spasmatic drugs, and if no result within an hour proceed to the emergency room asap. Yesterday I sent a very frustrated email to my surgeon who has finally agreed to do a scope of my stomach, wants to completely remove all the fluid in my band, and start me on steriods before considering removing the band completely. I am worried, sick of the pain and constant throwing up of fluids and food and very worried about all the possible complications that the emergency doctors have warned me about. Never did I realise that my poor eating habbits could be causing my lower stomach to eat away at the walls (due to a lack of food and liquid absorbing stomach acids), serious throat problems from the regergetation, slippage of my band, rupturing of my stomach or surrounding organs, anemia, malnutrition, dehydration, constipation and digestive problems...etc!!! Has anyone had a similar experience to mine? I just want some answers, I am young and frustrated to know that it has taken a year to get some serious actions taken from my band surgeon. I'm also very worried about these restults... not to mention hesitant to start taking oral steriods now!!