cat lady

I was banded in 2011. Did okay with weight loss but over the years I put half back but that's still okay because without the lapband I would be 25 lbs higher. I did 2 years ago begin to experience AFIB which is an irregular heartbeat. I need meds to control it as well as a blood thinner. Just wondering if this could be related to the lapband. I know the lapband is near the vagus nerve in the stomach and think it might be interfering with the rhythm of my heart. Has anyone else experienced AFIB after lapband surgery?

I too would not have chosen lapband if I new the consequences of AFIB. On meds for life I guess. Keeps it under control for the most part.....so far. Not too many episodes. It is nerving to live with....I agree. So you feel that even if I removed the lapband completely....the AFIB could still occur? A bummer. I also am holding off on ablation for now.

I was banded in 2011 and developed afib...a heart rhyhm problem. Wondering if this is related to digestion and the vagus nerve being affected. Anyone else had afib after bing banded

Hi....so sorry for your troubles. I have had the lapband since 2011 and have experienced two episodes of Afib. The first one was last June 2014 and recently May 2015. Both times went to ER with very rapid skipping pulse beat. Pulse 125-140....scary feeling. Both times got back to a normal rhythm with meds given....beta blocker & Cardizem which I think is a calcium channel blocker. Never thought it could be the band affecting me in this way...until my daughter questioned it. Does anyone have medical information showing a correlation of Afib and the lapband. Some mention the vegus nerve being the problem. Would like to know more. Any help would be appreciated. Looking into an ablation specialist and seeing a cardiologist presently. Thank you and God Bless. Chris

Hi I am experiencing Afib and have had the band since July 2011. My first episode with Afib was June 2014 when my heart rate went to a racing 145 with skipping beats. Went to ER and they restored my heart rate to normal with drugs and I am taking a Beta Blocker & Cartizem to keep beat steady. I just had another episode the other night May14, 2015 and went again to ER where they converted beat with meds. Hate to live this way....so frightening. Happened both times lying down in bed watching TV....no stress related. My daughter mentioned that I should see if its band related...never thought it could be. Now I question that. Don't know where to go from hear. Not ready to go for ablation...afraid of the risks. Does anyone have any proof that it could be the band pressing on the vegus nerve?? Help please. Chris

Has anyone after being denied had any success with a grievance against BCBS. I really want to do the surgery but they have denied me b'cause my blood pressure is under control with 2 meds.

Hi Ramona: I have been banded 2 years and never had a fill. Lately I have gained about 10 lbs. and need help before it gets too late.... Every time I ask for a fill they tell me "no" I don't need it just make better choices. I got the band to assist me with my choices. Just concerned about pushing for a fill....don't want to create more problems with myself.....What is a GBI? Did your dilation of the band every get resolved? Chris

Banded 2 years ago and always have a problem with scrambled eggs. Got stuck with them bad....don't understand why. Must be super careful with eggs.

Hi all: havn't been on this site in a long while either. Seems to have changed but maybe its just me changing my ways. Banded in July 2011....coming up on two years. I am happy with the band...although I am beginning to put on some weight now and its getting me concerned. Was 223 initially and lost 50 lbs to go to 173. I felt great and looked great at that weight...being 5' 6" tall. Not looking to be a skinny person especially at 65 years old. Now a few lbs. have been creeping up on me. I'm at 180 and getting concerned. Must go back to dr. and see if they will give me an adjustment...by the way I never had one yet. The band itself gave me some restriction to lose the 50 lbs. so they would not even consider it. I think now its time. What do you ladies think?? Does the fill really help you with the weight loss and control of the appetite. My Dr. was against it because I did have a few stuck episodes w/o getting a fill. Now I haven't had a stuck incident in over 6 months and can eat almost everything....maybe too much. Comments please....need some advice! Thanks, Chris

Banded since July 2011....a year and a half. Never had a fill. Lost 50 lbs. which was okay by me. I do get full faster than before banding and stay longer between meals. I am beginning to snack at night which is dangerous.....so I must control that. Dr. will not give me a fill....says to eat more protein & veggies....which I am trying to do. Happy with the weight loss and happy with no fill. Do feel restriction so there must be something in the band or just the placement is causing the restriction. Whatever it is....it is working for me.

Ms. Maui: I agree...but my nutritionist and PA at drs office said I should be able to eat everything. They want to tamper with the band....but I say leave well enough alone. I aM happy with the weight loss and afraid to adjust it. Don't really think it is a big problem that I use sauces and condiments....they say I should not. Will leave it alone for now....and hope I have no problems. thanks for your honest reply. CAT

Ms Maui: Hi thanks for your reply. Only thing is I NEVER got a fill yet. Could there me that much in the band with the initial surgery. I am satisfied with what I am able to eat....but cannot eat everything I used to. I think that is a good thing bcause I probably would not be able to maintain the weight loss if I could eat everything. Am I correct in my thinking. Question: After a fill are you able to eat all kinds of foods without any problems?

Im 65 years old and was banded 1 1/2 years ago. Lost 50 lbs. and am so happy for that. I NEVER had a fill and still have problems digesting certain meats/pasta, etc. My nutritionist at drs office wants me to be able to eat everything and wants to possibly go in and readjust the band. I am afraid to do this bcause I know I will gain start gaining. At least I am being restricted from eating everything I like. I am okay with my diet the way it is now. Why do they want to tamper with it? I think there must be some fluid in the band just from the original surgery. Am I correct? Has anyone else had this problem. The nut says I should not have to use sauces with meats to help them go down. That is how I eat.....but happy with it. What do you think???

That seems outrageous to me! My doctor charges only the copay which is $30 for a fill. I would guess she does not have any insurance to cover the fill.....but still seems very high.

I am confused also. Had my band put in last July 25th. Doing good with the weight loss....down 53 lbs today! That for me is a blessing. Never had a fill. Undecided if I should get one. Still have restriction from the very beginning cannot handle certain things. I guess that is restriction...? Cannot eat as much as I used to....so that is a good thing. Think I will just stay as I am for now. Can always get one if things change. Still losing....but at a much slower rate now. Maybe 2-3 lbs a month.

Okay so today by accident I swallowed a piece of chewing gum. Got nervous when it happened and could taste the peppermint flavor in my throat. Drank water and it went down okay. Ate some food and it went down okay. Does this mean the chewing gum passed thru the band and into my stomach. Hope its okay.....I don't feel anything and I have had stuck episodes before this. I definately knew when I was stuck. Has anyone else swallowed gum with the band??

I felt pretty good ten days out. The hardest problem will be what you can eat. Follow doctors orders and eat soft tolerable foods. Soups and salads seem to work for me. If anyone asks just tell them you are trying a new low carb diet. Its basically true....eat protein shakes, soups and mushies. If you are traveling far by car....get out and walk to prevent blood clots. I did have a scare one month out.....took some blood thinners and all went well. Remember it is surgery and you must take care of yourself. If you think it will be too much can you consider going for part of the ten days.....and come home and rest. Just a suggestion.

great job.....100 lbs lost is teriffic. I was banded july 2011 and am down 50 lbs. it is a great feeling wearing smaller sizes and feeling good about yourself. Just had some blood tests done and everything is perfect. I really think the weight loss helped my numbers go down in all areas. Keep up the good work. Right now I am at 173 lbs. and it feels great. Onderland is teriffic.....you will be there soon if not already. CAT

Going thru security not a problem....but did get a stuck episode after flying. you must be careful and listen to your body...everyone reacts differently. i am very cautious now when flying.

i am 9 months out and have had significant hair loss. Always had alot of hair but suddenly after about the 4-5 months after being banded.....i noticed i was losing alot of hair especially when shampooing. Talked to dr. about this and started taking Biotin. It seems to have slowed down alot and not losing as much. But I still think my hair is much thinner than it was and don't have much body at all.

Hi all: Banded last July and have not had a fill yet. Lost pretty steadily until now at a standstill. Thinking its probably time for a fill, however when I went to my last dr.s visit the PA told me.....since I had a few episodes of not being able to tolerate certain foods such as meats and pasta.....she wanted to remove whatever was in my band since surgery. I protested since overall I have done very well and feel that it is normal to not be able to tolerate everything at this point. Am i correct in my thinking or is she correct? Don't want to remove everything because then I will have no restriction at all.....at least now i do have restriction. I am not missing the foods I cannot tolerate and its keeping me on track. i am eating about 1,000 cal.- 1200 cal a day. i try to get in as much protein as possible. Lost 50 lbs since July.....but at a standstill right now. Do you think its time for a small fill??????

I agree B-52.....I think i will ask for a small fill 1/2 cc.....im comfortable with where I am but afraid of the cravings that are coming back. Good luck you have done great!

i'VE had wraps with no problem. Tuna on a wrap is great and i actually eat the tuna with a fork and part of the wrap. i find crispy bread like, flats, toast , etc. are easier than the soft doughy breads.

I am getting hungry in about 3 hours....PA said b'cause of not enough protein. i am trying to add protein but still feel my appetite is growing. Even after I get done eating I am looking for the sweets....which has not happened in the past. Also starting to think about what I am eating for my next meal.....this did not happen in the past. So, with all this said i think I will venture to get my first fill. Going to the Dr. last week in April. Will be ready for it for sure. Thanks for your in put.....it helped. CHRIS

Hi just wondering if its time for a fill. Banded last july and lost weight consistently till now. Told the PA in my docs office that I still have trouble with certain foods and she said....oh no you actually need an unfill???? i told her I never got a fill but she wanted to remove whatever was in the band from surgery. I refused. I was feeling good....eating and got stuck a few times. I think this a pretty normal with the band but she said I should be able to eat everything in smalleor quantities. Still can't handle steak or pasta or dry meats. now i stopped losing any weight and think I might need a fill. What do you think?