Roxyrannem

While I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem, I truly am sad to see your stories! I was banded January 2010 and even though I struggled at times (I had several times where I had to have fluid out of my 12cc band, weeks after a fill, or during a particularly stressful time at work) I was happy with the progress I was making. In December, I had a fill under fluroscopy and drank barium (sp?), just to make sure everything was how it should be and it was. About two months ago, I started having major stomach acid, reflux and vomiting. (I blamed work - I tend to internalize stress!) I had a small unfill and at this time, I only had less than 4ccs total in my band; have never had more than 6cc. The vomiting continued, even after Aciphex and anti-anxiety meds, until I couldn't even keep water in me. Went back to my wonderful surgical nurse and she took EVERYTHING out (3ccs). This helped me keep fluid down, but no food. Two days later, I vomited blood and got myself to the hospital. My band surgeon met me there, and I drank barium under flouro...that's when I heard the dreaded "s" word - my band had slipped. He said I needed surgery immediately, where they would either re-position the band or remove it. I told him that I wanted to keep it if possible and he said it depended on the state of the tissue once they got in there. They were able to re-position the band and also fixed a hiatal hernia, and now I'm back to re-learning how to eat after banding surgery. I'm scared that this will happen again and I'm in a lot of pain - my throat is just raw and my tummy area is extremely tender. Thanks for sharing your stories - it helps to know I'm not alone!

I hadn't had a fill for six weeks, but two weeks ago, I started throwing up nearly every time I tried to eat or drink. The only difference was in my life - my work stress had increased hugely, and it increased my restriction so much that I couldn't keep even fluids down. I finally called the doctor last week and they confirmed that stress has a remarkable impact on the band, so they took out 1 cc (now I'm down to 3.8cc/12cc). The relief was immediate and I plan to return for a fill after this stressful period in my life eases. How does stress impact your band? I will be trying to find more stress-relieving techniques, for certain! At least now I know it might make my band tighter so I'll recognize it and get adjusted earlier.

How long after a fill do you feel any difference? I seem to get more restriction about three weeks after a fill - does this happen to anyone else? Right after a fill, everything feels the same, and sometimes I can eat even more than usual. But about three weeks after, my band starts getting "finicky". Some days I don't feel restricted at all and the very next day I can get stuck and PB. I love that my band is adjustable and know that everyone is different so I just wondered if anyone else experiences this. (I've had three fills and one slight unfill.)

*Update* I went in on Monday (after four days of barely keeping Fluid down) and she removed half of what my fill had been on the previous Thursday. (removed .5 cc, leaving me at 4 cc now) It's AMAZING what a huge difference that little bit of saline makes! I stayed on liquid for 24 hours and have been back to normal since then. Unfortunately, I don't feel as restricted as I did prior to my fill. I know it changes for me so I'm going to be patient to see what the next few weeks bring. So I'm learning about the "adjustability" part of the band, and even though those four days were awful, I still love my band BECAUSE it IS adjustable! Have a good weekend, all!

Thanks for the responses! Yesterday I kept fluid down and the same today. But I have to take tiny sips with several minutes between sips. I'm pretty sure I'm not dehydrated, but I think I'll still try to get some fluid taken out tomorrow. I guess this is just part of being adjustable but sometimes it's tough! I must've been closer to my green zone/sweet spot than I realized and this was just too much. Any advice on how long I should stay on fluids?

The only chewable I'm using is the multivitamin - my surgeon said that I shouldn't have trouble with any pills. BUT...at this point, I am going to look for chewable or liquid options for anything I take. This is miserable!

I apologize in advance for another post asking if I am too tight but I need some advice and some technical explanation, if possible. I was banded January 25 and had my third fill two days ago. Before I left the appointment I realized I was too tight (from drinking water) so the nurse took .5 cc out, leaving me with 4.5 ccs in a 12 cc band. That night I drank a Protein shake and took all my Vitamins with no problems. The next morning, I think a Vitamin got stuck because I threw up some of them almost immediately after the second swallow. Got to work, tried some coffee (usual routine) and if felt stuck before coming back up. This continued all day long, with every liquid I tried. Third day has been the same. Any advice? I don't understand why this is happening - if it was a case of swelling and irritation around my stomach, the stoma wouldn't be closed, right? So why does it feel like these liquids are sitting in my throat? I can't even keep liquid Motrin down. I plan to go in Monday for a slight unfill but I need some suggestions for getting through the next day and a half! Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can give! (Tracker is wrong but don't know how to update it!)

As far as banding being less popular than bypass - just recently I read that for the first time, in 2009, there were more lapband procedures than bypass! Additionally, FDA is looking at approving the band for younger patients - it's being presented as a great option for overweight teenagers to prevent lifelong health issues associated with obesity. Keep up the good work and keep the faith! Just like many things - the band works when you work the band rules!

I had surgery on January 25, 2010 and had my first fill last Friday (March 12). The nurse practioner filled my band completely, had me sit up and drink some water until I felt it get "stuck". At that point, she started removing fluid until I could feel the water go down. I ended up with 2.5 cc in a 12 cc band. Anyone else have it done like this? I'm just afraid that I won't be a good judge of when the water really goes down - I couldn't feel it that well - and end up with smaller fills than I need. Thoughts? (No restriction)

I just got my first fill two days ago, and feel no difference. However, my nurse practitioner said that the first fill gets you to the neighborhood, the second gets you to your street, and the third-fourth should get you home. I'm trying to be patient also - everyone is different and there's no "set" amount of fluid or number of fills that works for everyone. Hang in there! We can do this!!

Great idea! I've been tearing out pages from magazines too, but haven't put them all together for display. My plan is to buy myself a gift card at a clothing store each time I lose ten pounds so then I'll have some money to buy new clothes when I can buy smaller sizes!

Hi all! I'm almost a week post-op and am starting to think about lifelong eating habits. I know everyone is different, but wanted to get first-hand advice. I've read that white bread, white Pasta and white rice are troublesome for many - is true for you? Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

Hi everyone! I was banded January 25! Looking forward to sharing this journey and learning from all of you!