imagine923

Hi everyone! Happy Holidays!! I am looking to start a topic with bandsters in the Grand Rapids area. My surgery is scheduled for Dec 30 with Dr Beane. I am starting my liquid diet this Thursday. I had to go through the 6 month diet with Dr Beane and I have lost 19 pounds since May 2010. I'm very excited to get to this point and can't wait to begin 2011 with a new me!! Check in and introduce yourself and say hello! Chris

so I've been having pain and nausea/reflux after I eat for about the last month. I go to the doctor, and they remove all the Fluid from my band to see if my stomach/band will settle down. 10 days later I'm still symptomatic so they order an Upper GI. During the upper GI the barium isn't flowing through my stomach like it should and I can see on their faces that something is "odd". After she is done she says that she thinks my stomach has flipped over. I ask if she means that my band slipped, and she said "no, your stomach is flipped up side down". She has the radioligist read the xray and he confirms it. WTH?! Has anyone ever heard of this?? I have NO idea what is to come. My doctor didn't call me and he is on his way out of town for a seminar this next week. So, it can't be emergent. WTH? Did I do something wrong? Why did this happened? There is no obstruction, so that is a really good thing. What will happen? Does it go back to how it's supposed to be? Do I need surgery? and most importantly WILL I HAVE TO HAVE MY BAND REMOVED?! :-(

Had my EGD done on monday and it showed everything just as the doctors thought. No blockage, but a definate "J" below my band. Food moving very slow through my stomach, that is why I am having pain and nausea. Dovtor wanted to start me on raglen, but due to other meds I tKe, that is not an option. May have to go for injections on my stomach to help food pass, or surgery to release the adhesions.

I am just very thankful that this forum is here for me to be able to talk to other people about things that my "unbanded" friends wouldn't understand. I don't want to scare anyone and discourage them from getting banded, but I think it's important for anyone considering the band to know everything about it and possible complications. I don't think anyone on here would not agree with that. I'm sure we all did a huge amount of research and soul searching when we made the decision to be banded. I never in a million years would have thought this would or could happen....I've never even heard of this before my UGI. I have learned so much in the last week. I am eating only mushie foods and Protein smoothies because I don't want anything to happen and end up with an obstruction before my doctor is back in town. I appreciate all the comments, and in my honest opinion I don't think anyone was curt. My take away from this is that people were concerned. Thank you for that.

I'm with you Tracey! Sometimes when people are going through "something" doesn't matter what, serious illness, breakup, death of a loved one, whatever....their friends just don't know how to act or what to do. Sometimes they won't even know what to say. This doesn't mean they don't love you. It just means we are all human and hurt others without even realizing what we are doing. Maybe your friends think they are supporting you by not tempting you to "blow it" by going out on the town for the night. Talk to them! Don't let silence keep you from getting support from the people you need it from the most. If they are truly your friends, they will be happy to include you, they just need to know HOW, and that you want to be included, even if you don't eat or drink, their company is what you want the most. Talk to them...don't put up a wall. This is too important of a step you are taking to go it alone.

Most fills are done with a 22 guage huber needle, so a bruise wouldn't be uncommon. I know you didn't mention if you were cleaning your belly button when you found the blood but If there is only a tiny bit of blood on the end of the q tip, and, if you were cleaning it with the q tip, you may have just irritated it a bit. However, if your belly button is in a moist area (mine is in a fold of excess skin) it could be a fungal infection. Make an appointment with your doctor to have it checked. Something fungal can be easily treated with a cream. Good Luck

one more thing...how long ago did you have surgery via your belly button?

Is the bruise from your fill, or from leaning over the bathtub? I have done this leaning against the island counter in the kitchen, and it hurts like a bugger! How long ago did you do this? Is your belly button still bleeding, or did it stop? Is there an odor coming from your belly button? Any pain or redness in or around your belly button?

Hi Elcee My surgeon verified with me that it is not a slip. I was very worried about this and he said that everything up to my band is fine. My pouch is fine and normal size. I have a very minimal "angle" to my band but he said it is not unusual since I've been banded a year and a half. I got a copy of the UGI study on CD today, and you can watch the barium as I swallow, see it pass through my band and go back "up" into my stomach that is flipped up. My surgeon and I had quite a long talk last evening, and I've googled gastric vulvulos and read some interesting articles about it. He told me that it's most likely caused by adhesions and is not common but happens mostly to women that have a significant weight loss and are "older". (gee thanks Doc!) LOL When I eat, the food goes into my pouch, and through the band like it's supposed to. Once it goes through my band it just sits there because gravity is not doing it's job in helping with the normal digestive process. As I continue to eat, the food is pushed up into my stomach, but my stomach is most likely not emptying as it should, causing the nausea and pain. He said it can happen if you are banded or not. Sometimes this flip resolves on it's own, sometimes surgery is needed to clean up the adhesions and put the stomach back in place. I do think that my port has moved, it seems to be up higher. If I had a slip my pouch would be either be enlarged or have stomach up through the band. I am very thankful that it is not a slip. No danger of losing my band at this point. I go on monday for an EGD so Dr Beane can see whats going on from the inside, and we can come up with a plan of action. I have no obstruction at this time, but that's not to say something couldn't happen that would turn this into an emergency. I am praying that my body behaves until my surgeon returns from the Lapband conference in California. I trust him with my life, and don't want anyone else messing with my band or stomach. I am now on soft mushies until he comes back. Hey Julez....sorry to hear that you went through so much to get a diagnosis. I have never thrown up, just had a lot of nausea and reflux after eating along with pain. Good luck with your surgery.

Just talked to my surgeons PA and she and my surgeon looked at my films again and confirmed that The radiologist was correct. My stomach is flipped. He said that everything up to and including my band is ok and looks good. Everything below my band is "flipped up" toward my band (like a taco shell). I get sick after eating and have reflux because the food does'nt know where to go. He said this can happen from adhesions and this happens to people that are not banded. So, its nothing that I did (thank God) The adhesions are like spider webs and lift and move things around. I have been having slight pain most of the day today but if I start running a fever or chills, severe pain or vomiting, I am to get to the ER immediately. I have to be on liquids until they can meet and discuss my pain issue, so at least until tomorrow.

Oops "right now"

I have a call into my surgeons office. They are at a conference tight now and she is going to call me in a little bit. Was your slip fixed? How bad was it?

Drink Metamucil in the evening when your band is not as tight. For immediate relief you can't beat mineral oil and phillips milk of mag. And, the taste isn't really that bad.

Denise, I do the same thing! LOL if I can't chew it enough, I spit it out. I have a LOT of trouble with chicken, doesn't matter how it's cooked. Roast beef is another "sticker" for me. I haven't tried pork chops yet, but I know they are dry and I'll probably have trouble with them. I tried popcorn a couple times, but not the entire kernel. If I can't chew it to liquid, I don't eat it. I was banded 1 year ago today, on Dec 30, 2010. No looking back...I'm loving being thin!

Today (12/30/11) is my 1 year Bandaversary!! I can't believe how fast the year has gone! I've lost around 79 lbs and I am thrilled! It is easier to move around, my ankles don't hurt anymore, and it always amazes me when I can just "stand up" from a sitting position without holding on to anything, or grunting on the way up. Buying clothes off the rack without going to the Plus size section, is pretty cool too. I can cross my legs again, fit, with room to spare in a movie seat, and ride rollercoasters with my grandkids again. I am often asked if I would do the band again. My answer is ABSOLUTELY!! It hasn't always been easy, but keep your eye on the prize and realize that the band doesn't DO the magic, YOU do the magic. You have to work the band, and follow the rules. The most amazing part for me is the food choices that I make now. I used to go into a restaurant and choose off the menu whatever I thought would "for sure" fill me up and how much can I get for my money. Now I look at a menu and think, gosh..I'll never eat all of that. Never in my life thought I would order a cup of soup at a restaurant or eat 2 to 3 pieces of popcorn chicken and feel full. Sure, there are times I have my own little pity party about not eating things that aren't healthy for me, like bread, pizza, and popcorn! But then I think to myself that eating those things are what got me to 254 lbs! I am at 175 now, and I feel great! Keep your eye on the prize and instead of thinking "I can't eat this" change it to "this isn't healthy for me". "can't eat this" is a negative. keep your thoughts positive and celebrate yourself everyday! Best wishes to you all.

The Kardashians?? Wow! Dr to the stars....omg I would crack up too! LOL Our group isn't anything like WW. I didn't like WW meetings and all the corny "rewards", and only feeling shame if you didn't lose that week. We only share what we want to share, if you want. Usually I find out that what I'm struggling with that week is something that others struggle with and how they dealt with it. Someone might say something that sticks with me and motivates me. We usually have a topic that we focus on. Like how to handle stress eating, journaling, what motivates us, etc. Last time the topic was using food to celebrate. I saw a really cute inspirational saying on Pinterest today. It said, "you are not a dog, stop rewarding yourself with food". How true. Going to keep this in the front of my mind for awhile. I tend to get into the thought that if I go to the gym and work out....I can eat _ _ _ _because I worked hard. It's SO mind over matter. Whatever you choose to do, you are right when you talked about all the effort and money. Keep going. We can do this!

Hi Heather So glad to hear that your insurance is straightened out and you ready to get back on track. You were an inspiration to a lot of us last year....and you know what to do, you have 41 pounds gone forever! YOU CAN DO THIS! If you kept a journal, read it, if you kept track of meals, review what you ate. Look for a group in your area and go if you find one. I am very fortunate in that the doctor that I had surgery with has a licensed addiction therapist that leads our group. I HAVE to go to group, it keeps me away from the "slippery slope" and once I go there it takes me awhile to refocus. I can rationalize anything when I'm sliding. My goal for the New Year is to lose the last 25 pounds, and fall in love with exercise. Refocus on the "reasons" you had the surgery in the first place. Find your reason. Best wishes! We are all here for you rooting you on!!

Jess....You look INCREDIBLE!! Congratulations on your weigh loss!!!

I looked at a couple sites online today, and from what I can tell a full body lift will be approx 12,000 and up!! YIKES!!

Congratulations on the weight loss! Great job! I know what you are saying, my thighs are really giggly too. I don't seem to have the elasticity in my skin and it's looking krinkly. Not liking that too much, but not sure what I can do about it either. My insurance is an ***, and I found out today that I have to have documentation for xx amount of time regarding skin issues and need to lose 100 lbs, or have physical limitations and issues. 25 pounds to go, then I'll really get serious about looking into skin romoval. It was a year ago today, that I started the liquid pre op diet. I only dreamed about being thinner. Lapband is my lifesaver! I feel so much better.

Kinda a weird question here, hope it's not TMI for anyone, My apologies if it is. Here goes...I have a good amount of loose skin in my stomach area and noticed a new "roll" that is right over my belly button area. Needless to say, there isn't a lot of air circulation and I've had some issues with a very sore, and inflamed belly button. I went to the doctor who gave me some prescription strength hydrocortisone cream which cleared it up after a few days, but I'm sure it's going to return. I'm wondering about skin removal surgery. Has anyone checked into that yet? And, if so, what are your insurance requirements. My one year bandiversary is on 12/30 and I cannot believe it's been a year and how much easier it is to get around! I don't hardly grunt and groan at all anymore. :-)

Joan I am so sorry to hear that you had to have your band removed. Use what you've learned from having a lapband, and don't let yourself fall back into old habits. Eat right....walk everyday and believe in yourself that you can do this without the band too. Keep your head up....you're still a bandster girl!

Hi everyone, there is so much that I can relate to in every one of the previous posts. I haven't been going to support groups, so my head isn't "really" in the game. I'm finding that I'm eating larger portions just because they taste good, not because I'm hungry. (slippery slope) I've had first bite syndrome and sometimes it's with food that I don't usually have a problem with. I let myself wait too long in between meals and take the first couple bites because I'm starving. I usually eat one decent sized meal a day. I can't eat in the mornings, get stuck so I usually just drink my EAS carb control drink, eat greek yogurt with granola and tuna for lunch, and a regular meal in the evening with my husband. Portion control with the evening meal is the big thing I'm dealing with. I occasionally have port pain, but that is something I've had since about my 50 lb. weight loss mark. My PA and I have talked about a port revision with a low profile port, but I'm not sure if I want to go through the healing incision thing again. So, with the holidays started I want to recommit to myself "why" I had the surgery. I'm going to start journaling again, and read my journal to get my head back in the game like I was in the beginning. I've seen so many people come back to support group and they gained back most of their weight, or had prolapse and they all say it's because they "didn't follow the rules". I'm going to commit to work the band and follow the rules. So very thankful that this support forum is here and I can always count on you all.

Just checking in here.... Been a long time since I posted and things are going ok. I am doing really well. I am within 25 pounds of my goal weight and the weight loss has REALLY slowed down. But, I am getting there. I've been hanging around the 175 - 180 range for a couple months, and sometimes I wonder if this is where my body wants to be at. I feel really good, and I will never regret the decision to have this surgery. I got real lazy about going to support group on Thursday nights and I need to get back to going. It makes a huge difference with the mind games. The group keeps me grounded and focused on my weight loss. The holidays are coming, and I got to get my head on straight before then.