Holabbie

My surgery was January 29, 2009. I have lost 42 pounds so far. I am doing a slow but sure journey. The weight didn't come on overnight and it won't go off overnight either. I don't want a dramatically fast loss anyway. I want it to be gradual. I planned for a year to reach my goal and that is what my surgeon likes to have people do also. I don't want to need surgery for saggy skin that happens so often with fast weight loss. I have 28 pounds to go and I do believe I will be there by the end of January 2010.:biggrin:

I had Dr. Bettendorf as my surgeon for my lap band surgery in January 2009. Prior to my surgery he was thoughtful, caring and concerned for my welfare. This attitude has not changed a bit since surgery. He is an excellent surgeon and did a great job. I went home from the hospital the same day I had the surgery because I was feeling so good. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. Everyone at his office has been kind, caring and knowledgable. I have been very happy with my outcome and with the level of care that I have received during both my pre and post operative phases.

If I were not able to have my caffeine...Oh boy, that is just too scary to contemplate. If I could, I would start the day with an I.V. in my arm just to get my fanny out of bed! :crying: I have a full pot in me by the time I get to my desk and I brew another pot right away. Then I switch to cold caffeine for lunch. My surgeon has no problems with it at all. He just says "Make sure it's diet when you drink soda". I use sugar free creamer and a sweetener in my coffee so it's a treat. Yes, my coffee and I are inseperable!!

Hello everyone! I actually started this topic and I am so glad to have all the opinions and contributions. Thank you for posting the link to the downward dog position!! I could not quite get my head around what I was supposed to do but seeing someone in the position really helped. I had been advised NOT to drink anything when experiencing something being stuck but I decided to find out for myself if the Water flush worked or not. Sure enough! Worked just fine and dandy...thank you very much. I think that unless someone has experienced these things, they really cannot give advice. Except of course, my surgeon. I will and do listen to him. However, as far as those who don't have a band and have not experienced the terror of knowing you have something stuck and there is no way in hell to wait it out because you have a meeting or you absolutely MUST be able to speak without throwing up within the next five minutes, well, they really should not be giving advice. Until they walk in my shoes, they have no clue. So a huge thanks to all of you who replied with helpful hints and information. Keep the good ideas coming!

Don't forget that when you lose weight, the amount of fatty tissue shrinks. This is the main reason that fills are needed. Your internal size is changing right along with your external size. There will come a point when there is little to no fatty tissue around the band area but until then, fills are needed to maintain restriction.

I am sorry to say I can guarantee that it can come back up. It takes longer to get everything out though. However, it's not much different than pre-port.

Congratulations. You are doing so well and it's apparent you know your body and what to do to make it happen. Keep up the great work!

I was banded on January 27, 2009. I had one fill in March and a second fill this past Tuesday for a total of 6 1/2 cc's. I was not able to keep food down after the fill on Tuesday so I went in to have a slight unfill done. When my doctor was accessing the port, he almost had to climb up onto the exam table with me and stand on the needle/tubing to get it to go in. He said I am developing scar tissue around my port area. Has anyone else had this issue? What is the future impact of this situation? Will it affect my ability to have fills done? Any information will be appreciated.

Another potential problem would be a hiatial hernia. I had the same problem at night and when I had a swallow study done, they discovered a hiatial hernia at the bottom of my esophagus. I was already scheduled for the band and my surgeon fixed the hernia during the surgery. Two for the price of one! I would suggest a swallow study be done if the situation continues. They are very easy and you have immediate results.

I have tried this a few times since I read about it in a post last week. However, for me it doesn't get the stuck food through the band, but rather it helps me bring it up. I have had more food get stuck in the past two weeks than has made it through. I would swear I am cutting my food into bits and chewing enough but obviously I am doing something wrong.

I too can attest to this working. I was doing really well on Friday, sitting at my desk, eating my lunch. I was taking my time and focusing on chewing thoroughly and slowly. But all of a sudden I realized that much more time had passed than I had thought. I gulped that last bite and Darn it!!! That last piece was super stuck. I leaned over and put my hands on the lowest edge of a bookshelf. Within a couple of minutes, up came lunch. That wasn't the perfect result but it alleviated having to sit there in agony waiting for it to digest enough to pass through. I went and brushed my teeth and carried on with my day. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks Rebecca - I have tried the Milk of Mag pills but it sounds like I should give the liquid a try. At this point, I am willing to try anything? Have you found any foods that help rather than pills?

Hello everyone - I am sure you can guess my issue from the title of my thread. Having one heck of a time finding something to "help things go easier" for me. I have tried laxatives, stool softeners in pill form as well as the powder Miralax with no effect. I am looking for advice, options, suggestions, etc. from you all. FYI, my surgery date was January 27, 2009. Thanks much!