hiddnstar

Thank you for your encouraging words, Carolinagirl! Wow, you look great! What an accomplishment! I love your quote at the bottom. Team work! ~hiddn

Thank you Christie! It's good to hear your experience in terms of minimal pain and when you could go back to work. I was figuring taking a week off. Hopefully that is enough. Im so sorry to hear you were not able to revise at the same time. Have you healed enough to do that,now? I will not revise to anything else. I want my old clunker back! I have learned so much thru this whole process and ordeal. I learned to not be afraid to be hungry! I've learned a lot about nutrition and about how my own body responds. I've also learned I am fully capable of independence and I don't have to swallow whatever a doctor says hook, line, an sinker. I've had to fight to be heard about these symptoms and persevere no matter what. So, that feels good too. Im sorry you woke up from your surgery with such disappointment. Can you feel your body healing itself? I am worried that my stomach will never be the same and I want to be very gentle with it so that it will heal. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with me. I am very grateful. Take good care! ~hiddn

Thank you Go Walking! Sooner or later I will find relief and feel better! I have a lot of confidence in my new surgeon. Thank you for responding to my post! ~hiddn

Thank you Carol! I agree, my system really needs a break. I hope just getting the band out will help a LOT -- but Im glad they know how to fix the valve and hernia if need be. Right now Im just waiting to see the surgeon (was able to move my appt up to the 21st) then schedule the surgery. I feel worse than ever. Thank you for your encouragement! ~hiddn

Thank you Lellow! I really appreciate your response. I had so many mystery symptoms that it confounded the doctors I saw. Surgeon, Ear, Nose, and Throat, Gastro-enterologist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, Primary Care doc... Taking the band out makes the most sense. I am still losing weight even though there is no fluid in my band, which gives me hope that I am capable of completing my weight loss. I've learned a whole lot during this whole process! And you are completely right about the quality of life being of utmost importance. Thats the whole goal right there. Thank you for your supportive response! ~hiddn

Hi Missy Just recently I had a barium swallow which showed NO fluid in my band, so there is most likely a leak somewhere. I also have a weak stomach valve that is open, when it should be closed. It is allowing stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. My symptoms for the first year were mostly discomfort under my ribs that would not be relieved unless I layed down. At 2 years I had a sudden influx of symptoms: sensation of golf ball in my throat, pins and needles up my neck and face, double vision, diarhea...and more ( I don't remember all the details now). My surgeon sent me to the ER to make sure I was not having a stroke. I am now also lactose and gluten intolerant. The last time I saw my surgeon he pretty much washed his hands of the whole thing and told me to not bother to come back unless I would write down everything I am eating and stay at 1200 calories----which was completely missing the point that I was having complications that needed investigating. I believe my body is rejecting the band plus it is malfunctioning (most likely because of a leak somewhere). My NEW surgeon did the investigating and found the two problems - the evidence of a leak and the non-functioning stomach valve. He is recommending band removal (which is what i wanted, anyway ---yay!) and then follow up surgery to fix the valve. Hope this wasnt too wordy! Im glad there are so many people who have used the band and have had incredible weight loss success. I love having lost as much weight as I have, though I have another 40 to go. So I salute and encourage all Bandsters to keep on having that success! And I also voice to listen to your body and insist on medical investigation if something does not seem right to you. Go all the way! ~hiddn

Hello everyone! I was banded back in July of 2010. I had discomfort all the time and felt better when I layed down or at least layed back. Almost 1 year after I was banded, I had some complications. I had some bizarre symptoms, especially with my throat, and many tests. Nothing apparent was wrong. I was given meds for acid reflux. The meds made me sick so they were stopped. What felt best to my throat was bread and butter! And oatmeal with pecans. I slowly gained 25 pounds. For the last 1 1/2 years I have been getting acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and massage and can finally say I feel pretty good! I found that changing my diet to no sugar (or sugar substitutes), no gluten, and no dairy (except butter) has contributed to my healing. I don't know what caused the symptoms, just that I did not have them when I did not have the band. Since going off sugar 4 weeks ago, I have lost 15 pounds! I am back on track and working with my band. I have some restriction but can eat anything I want (with the exception of the above listed food groups). I enjoyed salads very much for a few weeks and then found that my body was not digesting them very well. So I no longer eat them. I mostly eat protein. Im loving the ripe naval oranges in season right now! I thought this would be a good place to track my current progess and check in with everyone. Has anyone found that they are now lactose intolerent and/or gluten intolerent? I wish everyone success in whatever way they need to go. hiddn

Hi everyone Im just posting a follow-up that the pain and discomfort I was having since being banded now seems to be resolved! I was banded in July of 2010 and have written about being able to feel the band, having a lot of discomfort under both ribs, having to lay down during my 3 breaks at work-- and right away after getting home from work. Just this past tuesday, I was talking with a friend and suddenly something inside me kind of squiggled and turned, some really odd sensation. But not enough to stop our conversation. The next morning I woke up feeling great! I have not had the discomfort or pain return. I can still feel a sensation of the band, but it is not unpleasant -- just a small pressure under my ribs when I am sitting. If I am standing I feel nothing!!!! Im in heaven! Just hope it continues. I happened to have a ascheduled appt with my surgeon the very next day and told him what had happened. His eyes got real big and he got his pen and pad out immediately to write an order for an Xray -- which I had the next evening. Dont have the results yet. Thank you for reading the posts and just being here for support! ~hiddn

HI! I've thought a little bit about that. But it doesnt seem to be in that spot, unless it is referred pain. This is more of a pressure in the bottom or hollow of the throat (or hollow of the neck?) And the pressure seems to be coming from the direction of under my ribs. I also feel tingling sensations in my face sometimes. I am hoping it is the hernia my surgeon didn't fix. He put the lapband over it, which apparently fixes it for most people. Im wondering if the band has shifted a little bit as I lost weight, and now maybe the hernia is popping out? Did you have these symptoms and was it your thyroid? Im just waiting for tuesday when i get the results of the Ct Scan. I'll just lay down a lot this weekend. Do you happen to know anyone who converted from band to sleeve? Im interested in that. Im thinking it would be a good idea to have my band unfilled and let everything rest. See if that releases the pressure. Thank you for asking about the thyroid. ~hiddn

Thank you to those who responded so quickly! I agree with everything said. I dread opening my eyes each day. I havent had a fill since december of last year, which makes it all the more puzzling. I was thinking if the stitches have given way, then maybe over time this allowed things to shift and now they have migrated to a place that they dont fit, which in turn is causing pressure and the sensation in my throat. All totally made up in my mind to explain the problem! The thing Im wondering about, is could it simply be the hernia I had that he placed the band over instead of actually repairing? Apparently, this works for most people, but maybe mine shifted and popped out. I miss those days of feeling so good! I just need to get thru to tuesday when i can see the surgeon again and get the results of the ct scan and a plan. I called the office 3 times yesterday because i felt worse and knowing he would be out of the office starting today---but did not get a call back. thank you so much for your heartfelt responses. It really made a difference for me here. Ive been scared and sad and felt pretty alone ---- so it brought tears to my eyes to come here this morning and see such caring responses from those who wrote. It meant a lot. love, hiddn

I am posting again here in July 2011. I am not feeling well at all. Can anyone relate to these symptoms? I have what feels like a soft golf ball in my lower throat. I feel better when I lay down. I often have pain or tightness under both ribs. I get tingly feelings in my face. Until recently I could eat just about anything I wanted. Now I can eat less and less. I am seriously considering having the band taken out. My quality of life sucks. I go to work, barely make it thru the day, then come home and lay down. I lay down most of the weekend. My doctor ordered a CT scan and I will get the results next week. Has anyone had these symptoms and had them resolved some how without removing the band? I am also considering converting to the sleeve. Im just so tired. Everyone tells me I look great...but I feel like hell Thank you for any response you care to make. I could really use some help and support. Im scared. ~hiddn ps: I am wondering if the release in February may have been stitching that kept the port in place and maybe things have shifted around, causing all this pain and pressure.

Hi! Those of us who were banded last July have now come to our 6 month mark. How is everyone doing? I have lost half the weight my doctor wants me to lose and I'm excited about that. However, I have been reading posts here about how for lots of people the first 6 months is when the weight comes off the fastest. I guess we, as a group, will now see for ourselves. My weight was stalled for 3 weeks in Dec. until I got a fill. Then I lost a pound a day for 5 days. Now it is stable. Hopefully I will be losing 2 pounds a week again. My physical therapist told me it is important to do different kinds of physical activitity. So I have added riding an exercise bike to my walking. I really need to add some weight lifting for my arms... Is everyone staying motivated? Or maybe going in and out of being motivated to finish this journey?? I was thinking maybe if we all pull together, since we were banded around the same time, we can get each other thru the rough times. I would love to hear how much people have lost or how much closer to goal and what has been the most helpful to them. Anything at all!!! support, recipes, types of protein, favorite foods, jokes. I've been stuck on a craving for tapioca pudding! I never even knew I liked tapioca pudding...and now I can't seem to get enough of it. What the heck is tapioca, anyway? My doctor wants me to lose 120 pounds and I have lost 62 of those so far. My own goal is to lose 130 - 140 pounds. And I have lost 62 of those so far I am not a good cook, so I have found that buying food at organic restaurants is a way for me to get yummy, good quality food. I eat so little compared to before being banded, that one restaurant meal lasts several days. Luckily I'm not picky about eating the same thing over and over I also have a 20 oz washable glass water bottle at work. I drink 3 of those every day while at work. (I was told to drink at least 64oz of water a day). My problem is getting enough water on the weekends. That's all I have to share for now. I hope everyone is hanging in there no matter what. Never, never, never give up. Lets all get this show on the road for 2011!!!! Yahoooooooooooooo!!!! ~hiddn

Hi I saw my surgeon on Friday and he changed my final weight goal from 160 to 180. I was surprized. My own goal was to weigh 150, which I still think is too much. I am 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall and am a pear shape. I do not want to stop at 180. He said if I lose too much I will be tiny on top and still large on the bottom. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do? And if you had surgery to remove skin from your belly and thighs, can you please tell me how severe the pain was, recovery time, time off work, or anything at all you are willing to share about that experience? I cannot afford that surgery on my own and have been told by others that it is good to wait a full year after my goal because some of the excess will reabsorb on it's own. I am 55 yrs old now, so I'm not sure how much will reabsorb. Thank you for anything you can share! ~hiddn

Hi I am still experiencing quite a bit of fatigue though I was banded last July. I eat mostly chicken, so I believe I am getting enough protein. I also drink a high level protein shake each day. I take vitamins and minerals. I sleep 7 hours a night, sometimes more on the weekend. After working 10 hours, I just want to lay down when I get home. My shoulders and upper back get achey if I have to stand in line more than a few minutes. Ive lost 70 pounds, my blood work is perfect, my blood pressure is also perfect ---the doctor sees nothing wrong. Any ideas or thoughts about this? How is your energy level? I have so much to do today, but all I want to do is hang out in bed and read a book with my cat Thank you for any feedback! ~hiddn

Thank you for sharing your experience at the risk of being misinterpreted I appreciate your response and have several friends with FMS and CFS. I could have it -- or not. I think I will try increasing my exercise to more often and regular -- as part of my day, and see if my body responds. I'll write again about this when I'm feeling better! ~hiddn

Hi Thank you for replying to my original post! I take sublingual Vit. B-12. I also take a Vit. D-3 spray. It does seem that I am lacking something, but I don't know what. I take extra calcium with D-3 and magnesium. And a few other things. I don't exercise much because of an injured knee -- but sometimes I walk, sometimes I ride a stationary bike. Has anyone found that increasing exercise helped with fatigue? Ive never been anemic and rarely get sick. I don't think Im depressed. Just puzzled. Thank you very much for responding. It's nice to be in touch. ~hiddn

Hi I was 54 when I was banded last year. I am not in Texas, but I am from Texas! I lived in Lake Jackson until I was 4. And was born in Freeport at the Dow Hospital! All near you I had no problem getting clearance for the surgery. I had a lot of tests, but did not see an actual cardiologist. I did well with the surgery and with weight loss since. My main symptom right now, though, is ongoing fatigue. I do not regret getting the band and it has drastically improved my health -- avoided diabetes,etc., and I can now walk up stairs and continue on without thinking I'm about to die Is there anything else you wanted to know about? I'm glad you are going after approval for the band. Such a caring thing to do for yourself - a real intervention that only you can do. Go for it! ~hiddn

I've heard of people becoming alcoholics. But it makes sense that any kind of addiction could take the place of a food addiction. For me, I started spending money. Buying things on the internet and eagerly awaiting their arrival in the mail!! I agree with the comments about awareness being key. Also, not everyone's weight issue is an addiction issue. It sounds like your mom loves you and is concerned for you, which is a beauty of it's own. Since you are already taking action by asking about this particular possible problem on here, I think you will be fine ---- keep up your support system and be aware of anything "pulling" you if that occurs. And keep asking questions! ~hiddn

I have a dog tag with my name and doctor's name and phone number on one side...and the word LapBand on the other. It is made of surgical grade stainless steel from stickyJ jewelry online. I love the quality. I also have a bracelet with a personal message to myself on the top, with a small red medical sign ...and on the underside it just says LapBand. I mostly wear the dog tag, but when it doesnt go with what Im wearing I just wear the bracelet. I love the anklet idea!! And I've been to Laurens Hope website. Nice quality things there. For me, wearing the dog tag helped me psychologically in accepting the band. Cant really explain it, but it helped. I took the necklace with me to the hospital and just before I went back home, the nurse helped me put it on for the first time! I had been waiting for months to wear it ~hiddn

I like the Oh Yeah bars but I have them only as a treat. Like if i go to the movies, I'll take one. They are like a Baby Ruth candy bar, but I believe they have 30 grams of protein. Taste really good to me. I would not eat them as my regular bar, though. I like the Zone bars. ~hiddn

Hi I havent had the problems you mention, so I don't think I can be of help there. I hope you can talk with your doctor and nutrition person. Are you planning to let your body heal and then get another fill at some point in the future? Someone familiar with what causes heart burn might be helpful to you -- to teach you about which foods to eat that would not contribute to heartburn. I don't know about what causes left side pain under the rib. I don't really know what to say that might help. I just wanted to at least respond that I read your post and hoping you find the right combination of medical care that will get you back on track and losing weight again. Keep asking your questions and voicing your concerns....and never, never, never give up. ~hiddn

I have. Before being banded, I was either warm or comfy when others wore coats. After being banded I am cold a lot. I have heard from other people that it is common as you lose serious weight (not because of the band). I now wear thermals under my clothes. Two other medical comments (which you may want to bring up with your doctor): low thyroid can cause your temperature to be lower than "normal". And there is a condition (my sister has it) where your hands and feet get painfully cold. Im trying to remember the name...might be Renards? But my guess is, especially if you were not cold before starting to lose weight -- is that it is simply a result of the weight loss process. I dont know why it is, but it seems to be true for me. My friend told me once he lost weight and was stabilized, he was no longer cold. Hope this helps. ~hiddn

Me too. I also can't see my weightloss in pictures. I have my before picture and my now picture---and they pretty much look the same. People tell me I look amazing---they can see the weightloss. I can see it in my face. But the rest -- I just look fat to me ~hiddn ps: I feel SO much better physically and love that Ive lost the weight. Going all the way!

I wore a Playtex 48-C and am now wearing a 40-B. I love how they look and feel. Im no longer young, but they are not droopy either. Dont even think about augmenation surgeries until you've lost what you want ~hiddn