Banded081109

You are not alone.... i was banded Aug 2009 and everything went great until about a year ago when suddenly I started experiencing reflux. What was odd was at times I could eat anything and at other times I could eat nothing without it coming up. It just kept getting worst until the point I could not sleep properly as I would wake up choking with a mouth full of whatever I last ate. The kicker was the port was also starting to bother me and would become really painful at times. I had lost most of the weight I wanted to and had not had an adjustment in over 5 years. I become more concerned as time went on and brought it up with my general doctor at my last physical in late May. He referred me to the bariatics department and I met with a doctor who arranged for a fluoroscope immediately. The results were not good and it showed a deviated esophagus... while trying to swallow a gulp of barium- noting was getting through for 15 minutes. i was immediately referred to one of the surgeons who met with me the next day and arranged for surgery to remove the band entirely. At that same time he removed all he fluid from the band, nearly 6cc, which provided immediate relief. I had the band removed 3 weeks ago tomorrow and have my life back. I forgot what it is like to not have the reflux and ongoing issues. The larger incision where the port was has finally fully healed and there is no longer any pain there. After all these years of eating small portions I will be able to continue to eat properly and monitor my weight.

Like you I've been banded since 2009 and have not had an adjustment since 2011. All was fine up until about a year ago when I started having the same issues as you. It got to the point where I had the ability to force whatever I had eaten back up. The worst of it was sleeping at night where 5 out of 7 nights I would wake up with a mouth full of awfulness that had me coughing and choking. It was miserable and the only remedy was to have the band drained several weeks ago whereafter there was little issue. I met with a surgeon, had several tests, and finally decided to have the band removed - which was done this past Monday. Even after only a few days I am a new man. No more reflux, no more stuck issues, no more throwing up. This was my only solution and I no longer worry about what was happening inside me and the ongoing fear that I was causing irreversible damage to myself.

Have you asked your Doctor to measure the fill amount already in your band? My clinic has different Doctors that do fills... there was a question of just how much fill I had so my Doctor measured it by using an empty needle to pull everything out into the syringe - getting the proper measurement and then going from there. It strikes me that this would be a good way to ensure you have what you think you do in your fill.

Several months ago I had my 4th fill of 1 cc which brought me to 6.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Like you I was able to swallow the Water at my doctor's office... but then a bit later it was difficult to sallow water without the constant hicuping... This was on a Tuesday and I toughed it out drinking Protein shakes until Friday night when I tried to eat some Soup that got stuck... It was pretty awful and I managed to bring it back up... which made it even tighter. I called my doctor at 8am on the Saturday morning and was in his office by 11am where he took out 2 cc. I was disappointed that he wanted to remove 2 cc's but he insisted and told me to return in a month. I did and they put back 1 cc and then a few weeks ago they put in .5 cc which has me at 6 now and I have great restriction. Your body will tell you... but if you cannot swallow simple liquids within 2 days then you probably need an unfill.

I've tried a bunch of different shakes and find that unjury has one of the best chocolate flavors available. Very tasty and quite enjoyable. AND you get 20gm of protien per shake. They offer several different types and are easily available from their own website. And there is no sugar in any of them. My favorite way to prep the shake is using a bullet blender that comes with several cups that you can mix directly in... fill the cup half full with ice, add 8 ounces of skim milk, add 1 scoop of protien powder and blend it for about a minute. It comes out thick and chocolately and satisfies me for upto 4 hours. If you are recenly banded you can use less ice to make it thinner and easier to swallow. Ron

I was banded Aug 11. Last night for the very first time while eating dinner I started to feel terrible pain at the bottom of my throat. I stopped eating and hoped it would go away - but this time the pain / tightness felt much different than anything in the past. It got to the point when it was even more painful every time I swallowed saliva. It just kept getting tighter and tighter to the point where I was spitting out my saliva rather than swallow. That did not help because just the air I was swallowing was making it tighter. Finally after a while (10 minutes) I felt like I was going to throw-up and did... but not much other than what looked like sticky saliva came up. I felt much better for about 5 minutes when it started to get tight again. After another few minuted I started to cough at which point I threw up a bit... was not painful and immediately felt better. My question is this... I was chewing everything as I have always in the past. I've never experienced what many here refer to as PB'ing. Was this an issue of being stuck? I know this is a bit gross... but any feedback or others experiences would be most appreciated. I NEVER want this to happen again - it was pretty ugly. Thanks, Ron

This was one of the questions I asked my surgeon PRIOR to surgery. What if??? He advised that should I be throwing up because of the flu or food poisoning... to call immediately and go in for an unfill. I can't imagine... and really hope it never happens. Ron

Self pay... no additional fee for adjustments... ever. Ron

I went out and purchased one of those Magic Bullet mixers. It comes with four individual larger cups that you mix in directly. I pour in 8 oz of non fat milk, 1 scoop of chocolate unjury and then fill it to the top with ice cubes. Screw on the blade base and press it into the power base for about a minute. The result is a smooth thick chocolate milkshake that is delicious and very filling. And the bonus is that you drink it out of the cup you use to make it in. Easy cleanup. Like you I was so tired of the shakes and the taste until I started making them like this. Anyone else try this? Ron

Getting the flu or food poisioning was a pre surgery question of mine. My surgeon advised that should either happen I should make an immediate appointment to have a complete unfill.

It does get better...... I was banded on 8/11 and went through the same things you describe. However, you are probably experiencing more discomfort due to the additional hernia repair. I had a hernia repair 2 years ago and remember that as being the worst pain I've ever experienced. The headaches are probably due to lack of Water. Try taking a few small sips every 15 minutes and if at all possible try walking around as much as you can - it really will help. Hang in there... it will get better and then you'll be thrilled that the worst is behind you.

BRAVO!!! Easch morning I wake up and find that I am feeling better and better. I am carefully selecting what I eat and find that I am winning the battle...