outside*looking*in

Hi - I am just wanting to hear from people who have developed an ulcer AFTER being banded. I have been put on dexilant by my PCP and he is sending me to a Gastro but he suspects it is an ulcer. I DID go to my surgeon's BEFORE my PCP, twice, they told me to take pepcid and come back in a month if it is still bothersome. Well, I could not take it, as the pepcid did nothing to ease the burning. It was bad enough that I considered going to the ER and probably would have if I had someone to come and sit with the kiddo's. So - would anyone care to share your ulcer experience. Symptoms, Discovery, Treatment, how well treatment worked, ect? Thanks.

So here is my story. When I decided to have the surgery (2/2010) I also decided to only tell my immediate family on my side. I never told my husbands side. I have lost about 75lbs so when I do see them (couple times a year) they notice. The reason I decided to not tell them is mainly because my MIL is a nervous and sometimes negative person. I knew I would hear every reason NOT to have the surgery before she would ever research about it. I also know that she likes gossip. One of those "don't tell anyone I told you but......" . I don't need EVERYONE knowing my business. Before you know it, it would be all over Face Book!. I am not ashamed of having the surgery and want to tell them and let them know that I don't want it spread around. However, last month I went through some problems with bile and it caused horrible stomach issues. If I had told them then, they would have thought it was all the bands fault and I made the most stupid mistake ever! (I was even worried it was the band at first but it was not and I needed time to figure it out.) Anyhow, how do I tell them. While they are all here for Thanksgiving? "I had WLS- please pass a turkey leg" . Any advice on how to tell them about it but also let them know that I don't want the gossip and negative comments. The other reason, I should mention, is that I know from the moment I tell them, they will be waiting for me to fail. Or treat me like a cheater! (MIL also has weight problems) Thanks for any and all advice.

I hope this is not going to be the case from now on. I have been having bile reflux. I went to my band docs twice to make sure there were no problems with my band. Now, the GI has done an endoscopy and said all she found was extra bile (I had Gall bladder out in July and 3wks later the problems started). She gave me meds which help a bit but not enough where I can eat. Let me just say that before my endo I had my band doc take out all 8cc's and my band is empty. I still can not eat! Not because it won't go down or comes back up but because in about 10 minutes after eating, my stomach starts burning and gurgling! So I went back to the GI today and she starts by saying "well, I am confused and I think it must be the band"......UH NO! IT IS NOT! :angry:I have NO symptoms that are anyway related to the band. It reminds me of how every time I went to the docs I was told it was my weight and if I would just lose weight I would be magically cured! :huh2: Now she is sending me for an upper GI to see how things move through my system. THIS SUX! YES I am VENTING!

JUST AN UPDATE! I figured out MYSELF that the problem I was experiencing with the bile reflux was caused by a medication I was put on over a month ago. Once I discontinued the med's my symptoms that plagued me for over a month were gone by the end of the week. Still ticks my off that they wanted to blame the band.

Here is the experience I have been having. I recently had an endoscopy for stomach pain (not band related) so I had my band doc's remove all of my fluid. I had 8cc in a 9cc band. Although I thought that I did not have that "sweet spot" even at 8cc I am REALLY able to tell the difference with the fluid out! I eat faster, more, and bigger bites. My 2nd big bite is in my mouth before my first bite has been chewed a few times! Before I would measure out my 5oz's of food and be satisfied with that amount. Now, even though I have not been able to eat until the last week, I feel out of control. Especially with CANDY in the house. It has got to go! I get hungrier quicker and even though I may not have noticed it as much before, I DID not get as hungry between meals before but never to the point to where I forgot to eat. THANK GOODNESS I go this Thursday to have them start putting the fluid back in! It does make a difference. I will have to use will power (something I am obviously not good at) until I get back on track with the band.

:thumbdown:I hope it has not flipped and he was having a bad day like you said. I think 7lbs is great for a month! I guess when you say more "chunkies" that is to mean less "sliders"? My doc's office encourages yogurt almost daily! Hang in there. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.:thumbup:

Yes. I had an overnight stay. That is one of the reasons I choose his practice. It made me feel more comfortable. No catheter. (I asked the same question before my surgery) My first fill was at 4wks. It was 3.5cc then I believe it was 1.5, then 1cc each time until you get close to 7cc then it is .5cc. I went back every 4-6wks for fills. I believe they stitch the stomach around the band but not staple. Currently I had to have a complete unfill due to some bile reflux (not band related as far as I know but I think Gall bladder relatd). I am seeing a GI about that now. Being unfilled does not bother me since I think my esophagus is swollen and I am not hungry. I am actually still losing weight because I can barely eat:thumbdown:.

I noticed that it was SOOOOO much easier to shave my legs in the tub! Also that there ARE bones in my butt that hurt now when I sit on a wooden chair. My wedding rings and clothes no longer fit. My legs hurt a little when I lay on my side at night because there is not as much padding to protect the bones from hitting each other:lol:!

Oh yes!!! The last meal.......to be honest, now I can't even remember what it was. I kept getting a low grade fever(due to sinuses allergies weeks before) and went off my pre-op diet because I thought they would not do my surgery. :ohmy:I then got another letter from my PCP saying I was fine. So I was back to the pre-op diet. Although, there were no amount of pounds that I was required to lose. You have a great attitude. I am sure you will be fine and reach your goal. :blushing:

okay here I go 1. Participating at my daughters school events without fear of being ridiculed by the kids or worse, her being ridiculed because of me. 2. Renting a Kayak and going down the salt marshes. 3. Maybe be my youngest daughters softball coach (she has a few years yet) 4. Finally being noticed for something other than being the biggest woman in the room. (Not that I want to give someone else that title) 5. Maybe one day I could actually LIKE exercising:blink:

Hi Cheryl, my starting BMI was about 50. I was banded in Feb of this year and I am down about 65lbs from my surgery date but a total of 108lbs from my highest. Congrats on you 11lbs. :thumbup:This is a great place to come and see progress, concerns and have some guidance. Good luck on this journey and take it one day at a time.

I have been able to pin point through tracking my food, weight and cycle that there is a day or two in the month where I feel like I could eat anything and everything! It usually happens mid-cycle for me. Now, I really try to recognize that time of the month and learn to stop myself. Just like when I start craving chocolate a week before my cycle. Once you pin point these problems and can recognize a pattern, it is much easier to deal with. Of course, it may be just me.:wink2:

I posted a few days ago about "sour stomach" and it did not trigger very many responses. Here is the situation. One month ago I had my Gallbladder removed. Two weeks after I started noticing a little acid/upset stomach. It was infrequent though. Thursday I had a small fill. Friday I had HORRIBLE acid indigestion! It lasted all day and night and I had a sensitive stomach all weekend! I cut out anything acidic that would bother my stomach. The thing is I am able to tolerate food and portions fine. I have not had PB's or slimming or anything like that. I called and spoke to the nurse this morning and she said she never heard of anyone having problems with reflux after GB removal and her thought is that I am too tight. She said if it happens again, go in to the office for an unfill.???? I wish she would run it past the docs though because bile reflux is a REAL symptom! Has anyone had experience with this and what was the outcome? Thanks

Just an update in case anyone does a search on this subject in the future. I had an endoscopy yesterday after going to my surgeons twice and they were unable to help me. I went to my PCP and he referred me to a GI doc. She did an endoscopy and guess what?, I HAVE BILE REFLUX! This is different than ACID REFLUX, although it can have some of the same symptoms. I did not have heartburn or acid coming up my throat. I had a horrible burning sensation in my stomach, lots of gurgling and just felt bad. It came on slowly happening once in a while and then progressed to the point of it never going away. The first time it started it was 3 weeks after I had my Gall Bladder removed. For the last 3 weeks I basically could not eat anything because that would trigger bile to release and then the burning would start. I am now on Carafate Liquid 4x a day to help get rid of the extra bile. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works. Hope no one has to go through this and I am happy that it had nothing to do with my band.

Quick question.......I had to have all the fluid removed from my band today to have an endoscopy. I just looked at my little band aid (hours later) that the doc put over the injection site and it is FAR BELOW where he normally gives me fills????? I know this because he ALWAYS goes above my port scar and this time it is below??? He managed to get out 7cc when I should have 8cc but he said it does not always come out. Could he have gone into the tubing instead?? I am going to call tomorrow but I am wondering if, as we lose weight, the port can situate itself lower? Anybody know???

You need to call your ins company or go to Aetna.com and log in to look at your benefits. I have Aetna and the surgery was not covered, however, it was written in as an exclusion by the company my husband works for, not Aetna. It all depends on what is in your policy.

I have not read through all of the replies to this post but thought I would throw this out there. I recently have had to see a Gastro Doc for what turned out to be bile issues. While on my first consultation visit she and I were discussing my Gastric band and she said to me, "I am so glad you got the band and not the other surgery like the RNy, I see so many complications with those surgeries." Now, to be fair, she probably only see pt's when they have a problem and not all of the ones that do not. If you have the chance to speak to other doctors like a Gastroenterologist, see what kind of complications they come across that maybe you have not been informed of. On the other hand, when I went for an endoscopy yesterday, the pre-op nurse said to me, "You know, EVERYONE with the lap-band gets reflux." Um.....I do not have acid reflux associated with the band. It turns out I have Bile Reflux associated with having my Gall Bladder removed. In the end you have to go with what YOU think YOU can handle.

thanks BetsyB...I am hoping that is it and I will ask him about it when I go back in. I am always in the same position for fills/unfills so that will not be the difference. Thanks

My doc said to me "if you would just get up at 5am and jog everyday you could lose the weight". I felt like telling him to get up and jog with two 60lb sacks strapped on his back and front and see how long he keeps up the jogging. The good news is I went through with it anyways and I am down almost 70lbs since FEB. Of course, now he is all okay with my weight loss. You have to do what you think is right for you.

To be boo'd is when a bag of candy and note mysteriously shows up at your front door (dropped off by a neighbor kid who sneaks up, knocks and then run away like their pants are on fire before you get to the door). Along with the bag of candy is a note explaining that you have been "boo'd" and you need to in turn "boo" three other friends. There is also a picture of a ghost to hang on your door to let other kids know that you have already been "boo'd". :smile2:

Welcome both and congrats! It may suck but stick to your doc's eating plan for you. Give your body and band time to heal.:smile2: Before you know it you'll be saying, "I remember when I went through that." Best of luck.

Wouldn't you know my kids just got "boo'd" so now there is candy in the house plus I have to go buy candy so she can boo three other kids:mellow:

pookie - I have never heard about not laying down after eating. I will have to keep that in mind but I usually don't do it. Also, I have to wait 60min after eating to drink but I was told that drinking while eating just makes the food empty your pouch quicker. They never said anything to me about it stretching your pouch??? News to know....:smile2:

I am with you all! I can't bring it into the house. I found some of those plastic spider rings that come 50 to a bag and that is what I plan on giving out. My 12y/o said we are gonna get egg'd! So I will buy some candy that I hate the day before to add to it. It is not just the candy - it is the parties with cupcakes and goodies that are for everyone. I LOVE LOVe LOVE cupcakes. I will have one........but I will prepare for it.:smile2: