Theresa1511

It's 3.20am local time and I'm sat up, with horrid pain in my chest. I ate ages ago and everything went down fine. Went to bed then woke up with this horrid pain. I tried gently sipping hot Water but that came up as slime a few minutes later. I tried again and this time I retched and retched - just bringing up more slime but no food. If there's something stuck why doesn't it come up? I daren't swallow anything now. Feeling miserable and feeling sick and nauseous. Any ideas? I've had a band for 2.5 years and not experienced anything like this before. Theresa

Thanks for your suggestions. I got back to sleep eventually though still in pain. When I awoke the chest pain had gone though I still feel weak and feeble after all that retching. I'm going to take your advice and stick to fluids for a couple of days and let any inflammation settle.

Gas? So how come I can't drink water without bringing it back up again?

I was banded in mid-November and have since experienced very minor, occasional niggles from my port area. I've read some of the posts on here and it seems that this is not unusual. However, today I tried some Pilates for the first time and got some quite unpleasant pain around my port area. It only occurred when I lay on my left side (the side my port is on) and had to raise my right leg up. It was really quite sore so I stopped this move and didn't attempt it again. We later had to do the same move on the other side - and there was no port pain this time. Has anyone else experienced port pain several months after surgery? Or has anyone experience of Pilates or other similar exercise - have you had port pain? I've been doing loads of walking and recently started swimming again - and not had any problems with either. Any thoughts appreciated. Theresa

I did it 100% for health reasons. In fact I rejected any providers who marketed themselves as cosmetic surgeons. I had surgery with a surgeon who states openly that gastric banding is a medical procedure, done primarily for health reasons. I am approaching my mid-forties and started to wonder what my life would be like in the future as an obese person. I pictured myself stuck in an old people's home, unable to walk because of damaged knees and back, and reliant on pills to deal with diabetes and heart problems. Of course, there are all sorts of added benefits to losing weight - getting fit, feeling great, being able to wear better clothes, airplane seats and so on - but there's no way I would have volunteered myself for surgery for any of those reasons alone. Theresa

After being banded in November last year, I have had three fills (5ml, 1.5ml and 1ml) and one aspiration (0.5ml) giving 7ml in a 10ml band. I had to have the aspiration because I was getting really bad indigestion, slime (!) and pain. Since having 0.5ml taken out I can't tell whether I have restriction or not. What does it feel like? How do I know when I'm full? I eat three small meals a day off a 7-inch side plate. I eat slowly, chew everything, eat very healthy food and don't mix drinks with meal times. I can eat all sorts of 'difficult' foods including white bread (though slowly). After I have finished a meal I feel as though I can 'last' (i.e. survive) until my next meal, just, but I wouldn't describe it as 'full' or even 'satisified'. I don't know if it's that I don't yet have enough restriction, or whether I am ignoring the 'full' signal. How can I tell? Do I need to get another fill? I am worried that if I get another small fill I'll end up where I was a few weeks ago with awful pain, indigestion etc. Can anybody advise me? Thanks, Theresa

Hi again Irene, Thank you so much for your lengthy and really encouraging reply. I am going to take your advice and not get so hung up about snacking. I have most difficulty at work so I'm going to take a selection of fruit, yoghurt and similar with me next week. I had never heard of the thing about eating Proteins first, veggies second and carbs last. I'll try it. I think you are right about getting into the groove with our bands - it's like getting used to having a new arm or something! A new part of our bodies that we have to learn to live with and get along with. I guess I just need to be more patient! You are also right about being too tight leading to bad side effects - I have already experienced that and had to have a small aspiration a few weeks ago. Thank you so much for your helpful advice - it's so great to know there are people like you willing to encourage those with less experience and it's great to have a forum like this where we can share experiences with people who understand. Theresa

Thanks Irene. I understand what you are saying, but I wouldn't say I am satisifed until the next meal, I'm just surviving - in fact I get quite hungry in between meals and sometimes end up snacking. It's really getting me down. I'm getting disillusioned with the band because I thought it was there to reduce the hunger pangs and keep you feeling satisfied/full till the next meal?

My husband just told me that he's renewed our annual travel insurance. He told them that I have a gastric band and the lady went away to ask someone about it. She came back and told him that they will renew our insurance but I won't be covered in the event that anything happens relating to my band. Now, I read something somewhere about the gastric band being treated by some companies as a 'pre-existing condition' but I am still not clear on what the position is. I wonder if they treat women with breast implants in the same way????!! Do any of you bandits have experience of getting travel insurance post-band? Did you declare it? Were you still covered? Did you have to pay more? Did any of encounter Enlightened companies who reduced your premium because you are now healthier.... (the last question is a bit tongue in cheek you might have guessed!)? Thanks, Theresa

I think what you have is a fungal infection called intertrigo. I had it really bad under my tummy about four years ago and after several unsuccessful treatments, here's what I did to cure it: 1. Use a hair dryer on 'cold' setting to completely dry the area after showering 2. Apply Canesten antifungal cream (very thin layer, rub it all in) 3. Apply plenty of Canesten powder (if you use a different brand, make sure the powder is not talc-based as this feeds fungi!) 4. Continue with this treatment long after the redness and soreness/itching has gone. 5. Be aware that fungal infections are contagious so don't share towels/flannels etc and don't dry other vulnerable areas (eg groin, under breasts, under arms) after drying your tummy (do them first). Personally, I still lightly cream and powder my tummy every morning, even though I got rid of the intertrigo four years ago! I hope that helps, Theresa

Hi fellow bandsters (we call them bandits in the UK!). I was banded on 15th November 2008 at Healthier Weight Clinic in Manchester, UK, under surgeons Dr Favretti and Dr David Ashton. I have been keeping a daily blog (see address in signature) since 9th November of my experiences during the pre-op diet, surgery and now post-op. I started off weighing about 19 stone 7 pounds and am now 18 stone - a lot of weight loss in just three weeks but I know most of this is 'fluids' and related to a dramatic reduction in calories. I've only just found this forum and it looks fantastic - I have added it to my blog's list of useful 'web links'. I can't wait to start reading and contributing to some of the threads - at present I'm particularly interested in what sorts of foods I should be starting to eat now I am progressing into the 'puree phase'. I'm looking forward to getting to know you - good luck out there. :cursing: Theresa.

Hi fellow bandits. I've been keeping a daily blog since starting the pre-op diet on 9th November. It's called Theresa's Gastric Band Blog (original eh?!) and can be found at http://gastricbandblog-theresa.blogspot.com/ Please feel free to post a comment. Good luck out there, Theresa :thumbup:.

Hi fellow bandits. I've been keeping a daily blog since starting the pre-op diet on 9th November. It's called Theresa's Gastric Band Blog (original eh?!) and can be found at http://gastricbandblog-theresa.blogspot.com/ Please feel free to post a comment. Good luck out there, Theresa :thumbup:.