Fluffy RN

So I've recently posted my issues and I just found out today that I have a slippage and need my band out. They said in the future I could have it put back in, but right now, I don't think I want that. The past year and a half with my band has been hell on my physically. So, I'm excited to have it out and to be able to take a bite of food without severe pain and vomiting but I'm also scared. I know that sounds dysfunctional. I'm so used to vomiting food that I'm scared that I'm going to pack on the weight. I keep telling myself I will eat healthy and still workout with my personal trainer, but my body is so used to eating zilch that isn't it certain that I will put on weight once I start to eat normal? I'd hate to see my progress disappear. Was anybody else fearful for this reason?! Thanks

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement. My primary care doctor, the one who ordered my upper GI, said that the band has majorly slipped. He said sometimes they can replace them after the stomach heals, but at this point I just want it gone. I want to eat, healthy, without pain and vomiting. I'm glad it has been diagnosed because I was beginning to feel like I was crazy!!

I'm so glad that this folder exists here, since I don't want to make any of the happy bandsters mad. I'm at my wits end. I was banded June 09. The past 1 1/2 years has been hell. I have lost about 70 lbs. I have been unfilled for about a year now. I can't keep anything down. The minute I eat something, I get horrible pain and I vomit. This is NOT PB'ing. This is all vomit. No slime/undigested food. I live on yogert, soups, frozen yogert and eggs. I'm so sick of vomitting and abd pain. When I call my bariatric Dr they just tell me to "eat less" or "chew more". Seriously?!? You didn't think that I haven't tried that?!?! You can only chew yogert so many times!!! I'm on omeprazole, constantly eating tums. I'm worried about the damage to my esophagus. I had a melt down over Xmas when I was away on vacation. I would've killed to eat something at a good restaurant. But, I dont' cause I can only eat about 3 bites, I try to keep it down for as long as possible, but it ends up coming back up anyway. Since the band I've never been able to tolerate pizza, bread etc but that's fine!! I can live without those foods!! However, in the past year and a half I can not tolerate salad, vegetables (occasionally very limp broccoli), chicken, beef, ground turkey--you name it. I'm beyond frustrated. I feel like I'm doing my best, following rules, not drinking before/with/after meals etc. I've wanted this to work so bad but it's just not. A year ago, I had an upper GI/endoscopy but everything came back ok, and my Dr treated me like I was crazy. Well, that was a year ago and this experience has continued to rob me of who I am. I hate eating, just being in a situation where I have to eat gives me anxiety. I want to get pregnant soon, but know I can't if I'm puking everytime I eat. Over 2 months now, I've been having severe back pain. I'm a nurse, so I figured I hurt it at work and went to my regular primary care doctor. I even described it as back pain that is so deep that it felt like a sword was going to come out the front of me through my stomach. This Dr said "I bet it's your band". I've been going to physical therapy, pain pills, muscle relaxers and it doesn't help. Now I've noticed that when I eat, the back pain is immediate. So, I called the bariatric Dr to tell him I need to be seen. That was 6 weeks ago...and I'm FINALLY getting in this week. My regular doctor ordered me an upper GI in the mean time. I'm ready to tell them to take it out. It's been bad since day 1. But on the other hand: I'm scared to go without it. How dysfunctional is that?!! I'm done venting. Iguess I just wanted to see if anybody else has had severe food intolerances/pain/vomiting. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I was just wondering if anyone has taken a zumba class. I normally go to the gym and do the treadmill, elliptical and weight machines. Zumba looks so fun though! I'm just afraid I won't be able to keep up. If anyone has taken a zumba class, I'd love to hear about their experience....thanks!

I was wondering if anyone could answer this for me: My trainer told me to check with my Dr about extra protein since I'm training with him 3X a week now ( on top of my regular cardio at the gym). Do I need extra protein? My Dr (or nurses, staff etc) do not answer questions over the phone. I was just there last week for a fill, and honestly don't want to have to pay yet another expensive copay to go ask him this question. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks everyone!

Oh triscuits. I had quite the bad experience with them. My Mom bought some low fat ones for me to have at a party. I ate a couple, chewed well, not fast at all. It was the worst pain EVER.(and I've had many things stuck before). The worst thing was it wouldn't go away!! I PB'd for over an hour. It was horrible. I cringe when I see the yellow box smiling at me on grocer's shelves!!!

I just wanted to post because I'm finally back on the bandwagon. I was discouraged for the last few months, had some issues and have been completely unfilled for 2 months. Went to the Dr yesterday and he was happy that I still managed to lose 14lbs in that time. I'm still only down 50lbs (in almost 10 months:sad:) but I'm chugging along. I had a small fill and am feeling very motivated right now. I start with my personal trainer (3X a week!) on Monday. Am very nervous/scared but excited to really get off and running with my weight loss. I'm done being down in the dumps about my plateau so now I'm just gonna kick some butt!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and is enjoying this Spring weather!!

I didn't know Wendy's chili was so popular with others...but that is my go-to food too. I was on the way to work yesterday and realized I forgot to pack my dinner in my bag (only had my few bottles of water!) so I stopped and got a small chili. It's still pretty big, I ate half for dinner and plan to have the other half for lunch today. Yum! (it's cheap too!)

Hi TeacherMommy, I'm kind of going thru the same thing. i was also banded in June 09. Did great for a while. Had one over fill and an unfill and was doing great up until middle of November. It's been 4 weeks now and I vomit almost every day. (I've been unfilled for months now, so I know I'm not too tight). Contant reflux despite prescripton meds and tums. I also have horrible left sided abd pain. (my port is in my right side). Pain is when I eat and up to an hour or two after I eat. NOTHING helps it..heat, ice etc. I'm just happy to keep any food down. I'm eating little ( I stop due to pain or feel it regurging) I'm sick of vomiting and most of all this left sided pain. What makes me MAD is the fact that I called my bariatric dr after the first week of vomting/pain and was told to "eat less" and "chew better"....gee, I didn't already think of that one!! And don't know how you can eat less than 3 small bites but I did. Called back another week later to let them know that it was getting worse. They told me "do liquids for a week or so". So, I did with no relief. So, now after 3.5 weeks I went to my family dr. They did a CT abd/pelvis and said The band looked too high and got me right into bariatric office (at least THEY could get me in!!) The surgeon told me the band was fine and that my GP didn't know what they were talking about. Then they suggested a FILL!!!! Since I'm not losing a lot of weight (down 45). I told them they aren't touching me and I need relief from this issue before we mess around with fills. weight loss right now is not a priorty, living day to day with constant pain is my priority. Have never lived with this much abd pain/vomiting. I've never been treated so poorly by a medical team either. I try hard not to be "that patient" that calls with issues. Funny, that pre-op they said "Oh call anytime blahblahblah". Now that it's 5 months post op they won't even see me unless my GP is calling them demanding it!!! i can't live like this much longer. I told them I was ready to rip it out. I'm not afraid of gaining weight back. if anything, I'm more motivated to do it on my own and continue on with the gym. But, they said it wasn't medically necessary to remove so insurance won't cover it. Joy!! So, where I'm at is more testing to see what's going on. My GP scheduled me an upper GI for next week. I just want to know what is going on. So frustrated and upset. And with the holidays now, it's hard to get these tests done in a timely manner. Just so upset with this whole thing:frown:

Hi. I'm an ortho nurse and usually it takes a max assist of 2 nurses to get our patients out of bed and sometimes 3 to get them back in so I hear ya!! I took off 4 weeks, mainly cause it was the middle of the summer and I wanted to enjoy some time to myself as well. Looking back, I could've gone back after 3 and have been comfy enough to do everything. But my Dr said to stay out 3-4 because of the heavy lifting. I was just a little tired at first and a little sore but it didn't affect my shifts once I returned. Good luck!!

I was banded June 17th and I haven't had a period since. My weight loss is slowing down now. I was always a little irregular though so I'm not worried by it (although I am due to go to the gyn) And I know I'm not pregnant. I'll enjoy it while I can!!! (or before the Dr does something about it!!)

Damn all you rabbits!! 4, 10 days post op?? I was still miserable at that point. :thumbup: However, I am 10 weeks post op now and my port still is uncomfortable during sex. I've tried all positions and it doesn't help. It's not horrible, but definitely a distracting ache. So I have to focus on NOT showing the hubby it is bothering me. I'm sure it will get better. I try not to contract abdomen as much. Although I've only lost a little under 30lbs....it is noticeable in bed. Don't mean to give TMI...but I'm loving it:blush:

This sounds like what happened to me. I was fine for a little over a week (after my second fill) then it hit me. I couldn't keep anything down. I had resorted to yogerts, oatmeals but they caused EXTREME pain and didn't stay down. I too, could get tea down but that was about it. Oh my acid reflux was killer...on top of nexium I was going thru about 12 tums a day (not good) and it still was barely helping. My dr also told me to stay on sips of clears to see if it was something stuck. That didn't help, so they did a barium swallow which revealed no blockage so I just ended up getting an "unfill". My doc explained that I was a little more sensitive to fills and will do "micro" fills from now on. Now, I feel too loose...but I am in NO rush to live thru that again. (I didn't mention I passed out at work from dehydration/weakness) So, I'm just working out and trying to stop eating when I should for now. I might go back for a fill in 6 weeks or so. It was horrible to have to go thru 12 days of that (My docs couldn't see me sooner...) Good luck whatever you decide to do. I lost 10lbs in those 12 days but not how I wanted to!!

I'm not trying to be inappropriate here, but I really don't want to ask my surgeon this question!! I was banded almost 9 weeks ago. Has anybody else had port pain during sex? (My port is lower right abd) I think it is more when I contract my abd muscles. so I try not to do anything too strenuous. However the other night, I had to stop because my port site hurt and my husband felt really bad about it. Then last night, I guess I was kind of holding my abd for support (I thought inconspicuously)during it and he asked me if it hurt...and I lied and said I was fine. On a normal day, I might have a little soreness or none at all. It's just during sex. I'm hoping everything is ok and figured by week 9 I'd be fine. I'd hate to have to ask the Dr about this....Thanks for your help!

My husband just asked me today when my next period would be and I realized I haven't had one since before surgery! Surgery was June 17th and I had it the week before. I haven't had one since. I know I'm not pregnant, so just figured my body was out of whack from surgery and losing some weight. Hey-I'll take it while I can. It's made for a nice summer =)

I've had such a bad week. I had my second fill (1cc) last week (for a total of 5cc in a 10cc band). I could get the sip of water down in the Dr's office so I was sent on my way. The whole week has been miserable. I did my day of clears, followed by fulls. It's been a week and yogert, pudding, protein shakes still cause major pain. Nasty reflux that won't go away no matter what I do, and fluids just hurt going down as well. So, the Dr squeezed me in today. He was going to take out the cc. Well, he couldn't access the port. Stabbed me a few times and told me he couldn't get it. So, now I have to go to the hospital tomorrow for an upper GI series and an unfill under flouroscopy. Has anybody else had this? I'm very nervous. I was SO hoping he could just do the unfill in the office and this pain would be gone. So, I'm hopefuly tomorrow will do the trick. The only good news was I lost 7lbs in this past week. (not fun at all....but was the only good thing that came from this week of misery!!) The dr also mentioned "microfills." Has anybody else heard of this? Just wondering. Any info/encouragement would be great. Thanks:frown:

I'm almost 6 weeks out and I'm still sore at the port. Especially after a day at work, I'm very sore in that area. And when I laugh really hard...forget it!! It's not horrible, just very aching/sore. It will be nice when it's gone!!

Hi guys, I have two questions: I am going for my second fill on Tuesday. My first one really hurt and it took him a while to find the port. It felt like he had a sword through my abd poking around for a few mins until he found it. I read on somebody else's post that they asked for a shot of local anesthetic. I want to, but don't want to look like a baby. Maybe the Dr. doesn't use it on anybody. I was sore for a couple days after the last and I am just nervous because my fill is at 11:30am and I have to work that day at 3pm. Should I just try again without it and maybe it won't be as painful this time? I am also almost 6 weeks since banding. This past week, I've noticed how sore my abd is. Maybe it is because I went back to work which involves heavy lifting and using my abs a lot?? I'm feeling just as sore as I did a week or two out. Did anybody else experience this? I'll talk to the doc about it when I go on Tuesday...I was just wondering how long other people were sore. Not horrible pain~ just uncomfortable soreness. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks so much :thumbup:

HI April- I was banded on 6/17 too. I had my first fill of 2 cc. At the fill he told me there was already 3cc in there from surgery (surprise to me). So, after my first fill I'm at 5cc and feel nothing. Well,maybe a slight, and I mean, SLIGHT restriction. Looking forward to my second fill. I understand it takes multiple fills to get to our sweet spots but I wish it could come sooner than later!! I've only lost 12 lbs in these 4 weeks and looking forward to losing more. Actually, I just want to feel restriction!! I feel like I can eat anything as well!! I'm just beginning to exercise so we'll see.....Hang in there. I guess we all have to:rolleyes:

I don't know why this happens either. It happened to me for the first 2 weeks or so. I had diarrhea but REALLY painful and gassy after my skim milk. (I mixed my protein in). It was bad and no gas-x strips helped. I switched to light soy milk and was instantly better. Since then, (I'm week 4 now) I can handle frozen yogert as well as yogert and cheeses. I had a glass of skim milk as well and I'm ok with it now. Still, I'm afraid of getting that pain, nausea and diarrhea so I try to stick to soy still. I'm guessing maybe it's an immediate post-op response??

I was just wondering what everyone was told. I have given up soda, which wasn't hard, probably only had one or two diet sodas a day. I am 4 weeks post op and just this past week I started having coffee again. Just one cup a day. My friend told me that was a no-no. (She said it can dehydrate you and make you hungry) I honestly can't function without a cup first thing in the morning. I haven't noticed anything different-meaning it affects me just like it did before surgery, no more no less. Is anybody else having a cup of joe in the a.m? I guess I could give it up if I'm doing major harm but I'd rather not!!!

Thanks everyone. I feel better about it. I'm just going to continue to make smart decisons and exercising. I feel reassured now...I"ll be patient and look forward to subsequent fills. Good things are worth waiting for right?!

I'm confused and looking for some of your experiences. I was banded on 6/17. I got my first fill this past Friday, July 10th. The whole process wasn't bad (although I was looking forward to having a topical anesthetic that I didn't get). He said that I already had 3cc in--which surprised me because I thought they said they don't fill it at all during surgery. The Dr. added 1cc. So, I thought, wow, 4cc I should feel something. Nope, Nothing. I don't feel any different restriction wise. I asked and he told me I have a 10 cc band. Should I be concerned that I don't feel anything? I've read that it can take a week or two to feel it? Delayed reaction?? I'm hoping for that. Or anything! I go back July 28th for another fill. I'm just starting to get discouraged. I've only lost 10lbs and it's been 3.5 weeks. I'll stop complaining, I know it is a long process of lifestyle change. I was just hoping to feel a difference after my first fill.

Mine is on my right side too. Above waist line, below bra line. Doesn't bother me except for when I shave my legs too!!