vayiayia

The reason I opted for the band in the first place is because it was a reversible procedure. I never went above a 4cc fill. Can't imagine what a complete 11cc fill would have been like. I had the fill removed 1/4 - 1/2cc at a time to see if that would resolve the problems. I went 3 months with zero fill and nothing improved. I knew I would probably put some weight back on, but I just didn't care because I was so miserable with the band. When even I had a meal with friends, I spent more time in the bathroom that enjoying their company. I eat a healthy Mediterranean diet, small portions and no 2nd portions except for salad or veggies. I am doing my best to exercise 5 days a week. Not easy, but I don’t want another band or a doctor surgically changing my plumbing around (irreversible). After my band removal, I contracted MRSA, and was at deaths door. No more surgeries for me unless it's a life or death situation. Happy New Year and God bless!

Why couldn't your doc just remove the old and put in a new one while he was in there? I had mine removed in this past June. I lost a lot of weight with the band becasue I couldn't keep anything down. I also lost a lot of muscle mass and my bones always hurt from a lack of nutrition and Calcium. Had the band moved 8 months after it was placed because it was causing me misery where it was originally positioned. Had constant pain and discomfort, reflux, vomiting everytime I ate or drank. Always had mucus in the back of my throat. I was sick of the whole mess. Told my doctor to take the band out. I've put a few pounds back on, but at least I'm not standing over the toilet puking all the time, and I feel human again.

I was sick and tired of the GERD and vomiting. The band tore a hole in my esophegus. Had that repaired and the band moved. More reflux and vomiting. Had fill removed. More reflux and vomiting. Had all fill removed. More reflux and vomiting. Tired of not being able to eat, especially healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. Not getting enough protein, calcium or nutrients. My bones and muscles hurt all the time from mal-nutrition. I don't want to take mega doses of suppliments anymore. I can't even drink water without reflux. Had my band removed the first week of June. Contracted MRSA during the surgery in the port removal area. Nearly died from the MRSA. Spent several days in the hospital on mega doses of antibiotics fighting the MRSA. A week after release from the hospital, I had to have the portal area reopened to clean and drain. Spent several weeks with an open incision and inhome nursing care. Using wet bandage packing 2X daily. That's how I spent the first 4 weeks of my summer. I've gained back 7 lbs of my 87 lb loss, but I am so happy to not be miserable 24/7, and to be able to eat fresh fruits and salad. No regrets about removal!!!

Hello Fellow April Bandsters, April 16th will be my 2 year Bandiversary. Since my initial LapBand appointment in December 2008, I have lost 90 pounds. Whenever I visit my surgeon, Dr. Wohlgemuth, which isn’t very often, he tells me how successful I have been with the LapBand. I am very happy with the weight loss, and wouldn’t mind losing another 10-12 pounds either. But honestly, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about having my band removed. I have zero fill right now. The most fill I've ever had was 4cc in an 11cc band. At 4cc’s, I couldn't live with the constant indigestion, reflux, hiccupping, burping, vomiting and food getting stuck. It was so bad 8 months after having my band placed that my gastro doc had me go back to my LapBand surgeon, who scheduled another surgery just before Christmas to repair what we all thought was a hiatal hernia. My surgeon emptied the entire fill, and once inside, he found a sizable hole in my esophageal tube, so he moved the band up higher and patched the hole. I have no doubt that the hole was caused by the band. I had a horrible Christmas and miserable recovery, as it was like being banded all over again, plus the recovery from the repair. The following month, January 2010, I went back for a post op and Dr W gave me a 2cc fill. I was great for 2 months, and then back to square one with all the pre-repair symptoms. I went back and had 1/2cc removed in March 2010. Although there was a little improvement for a few months, by the end of last summer, things had once again progressed to indigestion, reflux, hiccupping, burping, vomiting and food getting stuck. I toughed it out until last month. On March 11th, two weeks before my birthday, I had my whopping 1.5cc removed. I wanted to be able to eat and enjoy a meal; especially my birthday meal, without running to the toilet every other bite. I want to be able to eat vegetables, fruit and consume all the nutrients I need to stay healthy without having to take a handful of supplements everyday. During the appointment, I told the doctor several times that although I was thrilled with the weight loss, I was disgusted with the daily battle to eat real food (not sliders), and all of the indigestion, reflux, hiccupping, burping, vomiting and food getting stuck. I am seriously considering having the band removed, but in the meantime, I wanted the entire fill removed. Dr. W called next door to the hospital X-ray department to set me up for an emergency upper GI. I was in and out of X-ray in less than 45 minuted and back in the doctor's office. He viewed the film before coming back in the exam room, and when he came in he said, "you're really tight, which is weird since you have so little fill"; to which I responded, "My esophagus and stomach are probably inflamed and swollen from all the reflux and vomiting and thus swollen, so just extract the fill". He warned me that with no fill, I'd put on weight, and that if I have the ban removed, I'll probably put back all the weight. Well, I've been unfilled for 3 weeks and I've actually taken off a pound, even after celebrating my birthday with a nice dinner and cheesecake. I attribute the weight loss to consuming fewer calories. I can now actually eat a meal and be satisfied, as opposed to eating a pre and post surgery type diet, purging, eating more because I'm always famished, and thus losing track of calorie intake. I'm still having indigestion and reflux, which I'm taking meds to try to heal, but having food stuck and vomiting much less often. I will stick it out for as long as I can, but I am still seriously contemplating the band removal. I just turned 57. I have to honestly ask myself, do I want to be dealing with all of these symptoms in 10 -13 years? Would I want to have band removal surgery in a decade, close to the age of 70, as opposed to now? What if, as I get older, I become dependent on "others" to care for and provide food for me, and I'm having issues because I not getting LapBand friendly foods? I’ve ranted enough, but needed to let out my thoughts and feelings. I’d love to hear your input and opinions. Thanks all!

Hi All, I haven't posted in awhile. I had my LapBand surgery April 2009. I have lost 80 pounds with 1.5 cc fill. I have discovered an awesome nutritional powder made from fruits, vegetable and herbs that mixes with Water, juice or milk that has boosted my energy level and metabolism. Each serving contains the equivalent of more than 6 servings of vegatables and fruit. This is the best thing I have come across since my surgery and I know it is going to improve the lives of LapBand patients everywhere. Email me if you're interested in learning about the product and possibly want to get involved in the product's Incentive Referral Program/Retirement Program. Blessings!

I was banded on 4/16/09. To date I have lost 81 pounds. I attribute most of the weight loss to my inability to eat or drink normally because of reflux and trouble swallowing. The reflux was so bad I was vomiting in my sleep. I had surgery on 12/14/09 to repair a hiatal hernia/reflux, but during the surgery the surgeon discovered my hiatal tube had a hole in it and had to be patched. The doctor moved my band up higher during the surgery. Said hiatal hernia was not the problem. I had a very rough recovery and have had shoulder pain ever since. I thought my reflux and swollowing problems were solved until 3 weeks ago. I'm back to square one. I'm having an endoscopy on Monday with my gastro doc. I know he already thinks the band is causing all of my problems. He tells me he constantly see patients that present with the same problems post banding. My shoulder pain continues and is now developing into numbing tingle in my shoulder, arms, hands neck and my face. I'm pretty disgusted. I don't want to continue feeling like this and don't know if I want to have a second surgery to repair the issues I'm having because i had such a hard recovery and can't be sure another surgery will make things better. As it is, my insurance company has not paid the bill for the December surgery because they say the surgical notes documents an "equipment failure" and they think there is a third party liability. So right now I have an outstaning $15K of debt for the Dec procedure. If I have the band removed, I don't know if my insurance will pay for it, and I'm scared to death I'll gain the weight back. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I'm pissed!!!:smile2:

Hi All, I was bandd on 4/16/09. When I started the pre-op LapBand process last December I weighed 232. On the day of surgery I was 206. I am now 177, so I've lost 55 pound total, but only 30 since the surgery. I expected to lose more than I have post-op. It's been a rough ride. My doc said he started me out with a 2cc at surgery. I've had only one 1cc fill, which was on May 29th. Since the surgery and my fill, I vomit up more than I keep down. It not a particular food, but seems to be a day by day thing, but I'd say 5 out of 7 days, I have issues. I didn't go back to my LapBand doc until the end of Sept. because I didn't think I was ready for another fill. The week before I saw my band surgeon, I went to an ENT doc because I always have phlegm in my throat. I thought it was a throat/nose issue. The ENT numbed me up and put a camera up my nose and down into my throat. He said my esophagus was swollen due to reflux and told me to stop Nexium and prescribed Kapidex. Personally, I think the swelling is from all of my vomiting. Having a swollen esophagus doesn't help with the food going down. So when I relayed all of this to my Band doc, her refused to give me a fill and sent me for an upper GI. Turns out I have a hiatal hernia. The LapBand surgical report stated no hiatal hernia at the time of my banding. So, I have been taking the Kapidex and am still having problems. I reun to my Band surgeon in two weeks. Don't know if he'll give me a fill under these circumstances. I will probably have the ENT scope me again as it seems simpler that having an endoscopy. So here I am at a weight loss plateau and not knowing what the next step will be. Anyone else have any of these issues? Thanks!

Hi All, I was bandd on 4/16/09. When I started the pre-op LapBand process last December I weighed 232. On the day of surgery I was 206. I am now 177, so I've lost 55 pound total, but only 30 since the surgery. I expected to lose more than I have post-op. It's been a rough ride. My doc said he started me out with a 2cc at surgery. I've had only one 1cc fill, which was on May 29th. Since the surgery and my fill, I vomit up more than I keep down. It not a particular food, but seems to be a day by day thing, but I'd say 5 out of 7 days, I have issues. I didn't go back to my LapBand doc until the end of Sept. because I didn't think I was ready for another fill. The week before I saw my band surgeon, I went to an ENT doc because I always have phlegm in my throat. I thought it was a throat/nose issue. The ENT numbed me up and put a camera up my nose and down into my throat. He said my esophagus was swollen due to reflux and told me to stop Nexium and prescribed Kapidex. Personally, I think the swelling is from all of my vomiting. Having a swollen esophagus doesn't help with the food going down. So when I relayed all of this to my Band doc, her refused to give me a fill and sent me for an upper GI. Turns out I have a hiatal hernia. The LapBand surgical report stated no hiatal hernia at the time of my banding. So, I have been taking the Kapidex and am still having problems. I reun to my Band surgeon in two weeks. Don't know if he'll give me a fill under these circumstances. I will probably have the ENT scope me again as it seems simpler that having an endoscopy. So here I am at a weight loss plateau and not knowing what the next step will be. Anyone else have any of these issues? Thanks!

Hello, It's been months since I checked in on LapBandTalk. I was banded this year on April 16th. Since the start of my LapBand journey in December 2008, I have lost 50 pounds. I feel great, but I've hit a weight loss plateau. My doc said he put 2 cc's in my band during the surgery. I had my first and only 1cc post-op fill in late May. I was gagging and sliming for weeks and was actually considering having the 1cc removed because I was miserable. I am still having some problem days with eating. It seems to be a day by day problem and not related to any specific food. A few times a week something gets stuck in my throat and I have to vomit to get it out. Sick isn't it!!! I have an check in/fill appt at the end of this month. Since I seem to have hit a plateau, I'm thinking about another fill, but I dread the sliming experience again. I was constantly either running to the restroom to spit up slime, or a I'd have to pull the car over, or run to the nearest public trash can. I ended up carrying a roll of paper towels everywhere I went "just in case". Now a question: Has anyone ever had their lower extremities go numb during that stuck, gagging, I have to vomit feeling? I know it related to the band because I never had that happen until after the band. My doc said he never heard of that happening to anyone. When I feel stuck and stand up to go get unstuck, it feels like my extremities have fallen asleep and my legs are going to give out. It's scary. Any insight fellow banders? Thanks for letting me rant a little. Any and all input is appreciated. Blessings to all!

Hi, I want to delete/remove and replace tickers and glitter text in my personal signiture. Anyone know how?

Hello, I had my surgery 4/16/09 and started out with a 2cc fill. At this point I was already PBing and sliming during the first 6 weeks of banding. It felt like anything I ate was stuck in my throat, yet I was also always hungry. I had a doctor appt on 5/26. I told my doc what was going on, but that I was also hungry all the time. He decided to give me a 1cc fill. I now find myself PBing several times a meal with every meal. I am so tired of going into the bathroom to either slime or vomit, especially when out to dinner with family and friends. It's obvious to everyone that I'm puking. I'm pretty much in the position of having to enviously watch everyone else enjoy their meal and wishing I was able to eat even just a few bites of whatever is on my plate. Keeping a cup of food down without sliming, PBing or vomiting would be an unspeakable joy!!! No doubt everyone (including me) is wondering what in hell have I done to myself with this surgery. Sure I love the weight loss, but I am also keenly aware that I am probably on the verge of serious malnutrition. This isn't what I signed up for!!!

I was banded on 4/16 and had my first 1cc fill last Thursday 5/28. Before my fill, it always felt like whatever I ate was stuck in my throat and I had to burp alot, sometimes bringing up whatever I ate. Now, anything solid gets stuck in my throat/esophagus, and not only do I burp, but there is a production of what I call slime. I'm not sure if this is bile or what. I'm actually thinking of getting an unfil. Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

I was banded on 4/16 and had my first 1cc fill last Thursday 5/28. Before my fill, it always felt like whatevcr I ate was stuck in my throat and I had to burp alot, sometimes bringing up whatever I ate. Now, anything solid gets stuck in my throat/esophagus, and not only do I burp, but there is a production of what I call slime. I'm not sure if this is bile or what. I'm actually thinking of getting an unfil. Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

Thank you! That worked.

I agree, talk with your surgeon. My doctor said no submerging in water for 4 weeks to avoid infection of healing incisions. No baths, no hot tubs, no swimming. Just showers. You have to make the personal decision about your ability and willingness to stick with the eating plan while on vacation. Just remember, there will always be vacations, holidays, birthday parties, BBQs, etc. The band isn't an eating cure, it's a tool that helps you say no and make healthier and smaller food choices. Until you have a fill or two, choices plus dieting (so to speak) will be required. I know my trigger foods, so I avoid those because one or two is never enough. We are food addicts, which is why we are over-weight. If I do allow myself an occasional treat, which doesn't mean everyday or several times a week, I have a small "human portion", not my old "I want a big piece and then come back for seconds". Yes, we must learn self and portion control; otherwise we go through the banding process for nothing. I have a good friend that was banded in November with three fills and has lost nothing; she may have even gained a few because she has just continued on with the SAME EATING HABITS. She never says "no or no thanks" or limits her portions. She can't even figure out what a healthy meal is, nor does she want to. I guess she expects the band and continuous fills to do all of the work. She eats junk food daily and pushes it in my direction, too. My advice is, talk to your doctor; make sure you are completely educated about banding; be sure you are ready to make the commitment and make lifestyle eating changes and improvements before you get banded. The world around us will always pose temptations and bad food choices. My husband can (and does right in my face) eat 4,000 calories worth of anything and everything a day without gaining a pound. I cannot! We need to retrain our thinking and eating habits, and learn when to say no and when to say enough. The band isn't a magic bullet. If you know you will not be able to stay on course during your vacation, you may want to wait until after you return to get banded. By next vacation, you'll have more experience and relearned eating habits under your belt. Best wishes!

Buy discount Protein, Vitamins, sports supplements at NutraBio.com. I buy the 5lb unflavored, which lasts a long time. What I like best is that this is the only company that was able to assure me that their whey protein isolate was made in United States from American cow milk. Protein ISOLATE is the best quality and most absorbable form of protein. The unflavored whey protein does have a powdered milk tasted (kind of like coffee creamer), but I like it. I add it to a cup of skim milk with half a banana or 1/2 cup berries and whirr it in the blender. I also make a Protein shake by adding it to the no sugar added Instant Breakfast with my blender. Whey isolate can also be added to cream Soups, your morning coffee, mixed with milk and poured over Cereal, added to scrambled eggs. What I do now, 5 weeks post-op, is wait until after dinner. If I didn't get my 60grms of protein, I'll use the Protein Powder to supplement my day's intake, which also curbs before bed hunger. When I'm rushed for time and can't eat breakfast, then I begin the day with an Instant Breakfast protein shake. Hope this helps!

Hi All! I'm 4 weeks post op today and have lost 10 pounds since surgery. Not as quickly as I would like, but 10 pounds is 10 pounds. Without the band, I would have lost ZERO, and maybe gained some. At this rate, I should reach my goal weight by Thanksgiving, which is really good both medically and physiologically. Unfortunately, in my head, I was hoping to be a size 4 by now, which is exactly why diets never worked for me. I wanted immediate results for a long term problem. When I didn't lose 10 pounds a week (or a day), I became discouraged and gave up. I haven't had a fill yet, which may speed up the weight loss progress. I'm having problems keeping food down. I haven't been very good about the mushies. chicken gets stuck in my throat, as with a lean, bunless burger last night. I think the beef was too lean and dry. Mother's day I had Japanese and it went down with no problem. Food seems to be a day by day problem more so that an particular food problem. I just hope all the PB's haven't caused any band problems.

My doc's office didn't submit for my Tricare approval until I completed all of the surgical prerecs. Once submitted, Tricare approval was given within a week. Go to myTRICARE.com and create an account. You can then check the site every evening to see if you have been approved under "view authorizations and referrals" found on the left side of the web page after you sign in. Blessings!

This is why we are given post-op directions. Just stick with your doctor's plan and measure and eat what is on your post-op list and you will be fine. Stay with the plan!!!

Wow! 3cc!!! I seem my doctor in 2 weeks, I hope I don't get a piddly .5cc's. I'n on three weeks post op. My weiht loss is slow. Maybe 2 pouynd a week. Guess it's time to pull out the big guns and "START MOVING MY BODY (BUTT)". I refuse to eat less food, I'm only eating 800 - 1,000 a day. It is now time to begin using the bow flex I purchase 6 years ago and haven't used once. Guess I'll have to get tough with my doctor and tell him I refuse anything less than a 3cc fill.

Quite normal reaction. I was banded on 4/16, and up to the point when my doctor left my bedside (pre-surgery) I was nervous. I remember my doctor asking, "ready kiddo"? and I said "no", yes, no, yes, I'm not sure, yeah I'm ready". You've made this decision because your are disgusted with life/weight as it is, and nothing else has worked, right? Go for it, girl. Within the first week of post-op, you'll never look back. Go to U-tube and look at all the success stories. Just do a lapband search on the site. Beat wishes!!!!!

I did everything as instructed, but still had the headache from hell for three days straight. It's the combination of "fasting" and less Protein. Very common according to my doctor. Keep well hydrated! This too shall pass!!! Blessings

Hello, If the pain is above your navel and below your solar plexus, it's probably the band. Blessings!

Hello All! I buy Whey prptein Isolate from NutraBio. Protein Isolate is the highest quality and most absorbable protein available. Buy discount protein, Vitamins, sports supplements at NutraBio.com. It comes in 15 flavors including flavorless. I buy it in 5lb jugs ($40, lasts for months). It has 25grms of protein per scoop. I like the flavorless because I can add it to ANYTHING, and I can control the amount of protein I injest using 1/2, 1 whole scoop or even more depending on my need. Try not to get all of your protein from drinks. Eat protein rich food. At the end of the day, if you haven't gotten all of your protein, add some Protein powder to slim fast or no sugar added instant Breakfast. I begin my day with an instant breakfast with 1/2 scoop of whey isolate (26grms protein). At the end of the day, I have another shake adding the protein necessary to reach 60grms for the day. Hope this helps someone.

I’m on day 6 with my LapBand. I can’t wait until I can have an egg or a piece of chicken. Dang, even peas would be a welcomed change from liquids, pudding, plain yogurt, and CREAMED Soups. I see my doc for my post-op on Friday, so maybe I’ll progress to the mushy Proteins & veggies. I have a question. Did any of you ever get air pockets in your throat? It doesn’t matter what I or how slowly eat, I get these annoying air pockets/bubbles in my throat. Then I have to make myself burp to break up the pockets, which seems to take a good 15 - 30 minutes. I look forward to your response. vayiayia