Search the Community

Hello all, I have been reading the threads for a few months now, but have finally decided to introduce myself. I have a surgery date of 11/14 in Chicago w/ Dr. Alexander Nagle. I currently weigh 251 w/ a BMI of 41. I just had my pre-op physical on 10/28 and discovered that my H.Pylori test was reactive, meaning I either have or recently had this bacteria in my stomach. Does anyone know if this will affect the surgery? I have started the antibiotic regimen for this, but honestly it makes my stomach hurt more. Other than that I am very excited, nervous and anxious. I am confident that this tool will help me finally acheive my goal weight of 150, but nervous that I will "eat around the band" as they say. Also, I was wondering, since I am both very picky and lactose intolerant, can someone recommend a better tasting, lactose free Protein drink? Thanks much for any and all advice you have for me :rolleyes2:

Hi, pretty Juli - Thanks for your response. I should know better than to make ambiguous, melodramatic statements like I did, as if everyone here knows my story. Let me explain a bit. I hope this doesn't come across as defensive or even more melodramatic! I moved home from FL eight years ago, which was 6 months after my Dad's heart attack. He had heart bypass surgery just a few months after I moved to Columbus. Since that time, I've witnessed my precious Dad be diagnosed with one obesity-related disease after another, and observe as he suffers through each day and is hospitalized about once per month. My Dad has heart disease, type-2 diabetes, inflammed/fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, and depression/anxiety. My Dad is only 61 years old. As for me, my body has already failed me once. I have (had?!) Graves Disease, which is autoimmune hyperthryoidism (dx Nov 2002.) I went through three years of roller-coaster riding on meds (cycling back and forth between hyper and hypo, with occassional moments of bliss in a 'euthyroid'/normal state.) When I started to experience the eye symptoms that often accompany Graves (e.g., they started to bug out of my head), I elected to have a total thyroidectomy. Well, it's a good thing I had the surgery because there were two little secret microcarcinomas that only God knew were there. I had thyroid cancer, but it was stage 1 and the thyroidectomy is the treatment for that. Thyroid disease has been a real strike against me in the weight management department. I've gained about 10# every year since I was first diagnosed with Graves. I can very clearly see my future in my Father's struggles. I have hypertension, anxiety/depression, high cholesterol, and a fatty liver already... and as of last week I have added obstructive sleep apnea to my resume'. I don't want to have to continue living with this burden... with this daily fear of what comes next for me health-wise. I am only 38 years old, and I long to be as active -- and as 'at peace' with my health -- as I was before Graves. (I ran a 5k race every weekend when I lived in Orlando!) I view the LB as the tool that will help me to regain my health and avoid 'the family curse.' I don't feel like I'm viewing it as 'the diet of the month,' but I'll talk to my LB program psychologist about that just in case. I know that life will always throw me curve balls, like you said. I long for the day when I can confront them without the added burden of being 'a sick person.' Thanks again for your response and for the opportunity to explain my melodramatic statements a little better. Y'all will probably be hearing a lot more from me in the weeks to come. I've failed my first month of the pre-op program miserably, but I'm renewing my focus now and 'using my resources' to stay focused. I really think/hope that starting to use the CPAP machine will help improve my frame of mind and this dark spiral of anxiety/depression that I've found myself in lately. :thumbup:

You aren't being a baby and I think it is general consensus that a colonoscopy is one of the more unpleasant procedures out there (as is anything that has to do with our bowels), but it really isn't that bad. Get the colonoscopy. You are so much better off to be proactive rather than reactive. I know you are worried because some pretty scary terms have been thrown at you, but it is always better to know what you are (or aren't) dealing with. Knowledge is power. Try to think about it this way - you are just ahead of some of your peers in getting the procedure, but then you will be an expert!!! Your specialist makes his bread and butter off doing this procedure, and he knows the benefit of early detection, so try to think of this a being a good, lucky thing that is happening. I kid you not - the preparation for the test is far worse than the test itself. When you get the test, they will give you a drug that will relax you and chances are you will sleep through the whole thing, or will remember very little of it. The drug (they use different ones) is administered by IV and also kind of works as a bit of an amnesiac. I remember the last time I had an endoscopy (camera down your throat rather than up your butt - hopefully a different camera - ha ha), I thought I was awake for the whole thing, but as time went on I became less and less sure of what actually happened. I will warn you that the preparation is really, really, really yucky. You have to drink this really awful stuff (recommendation: drink it with something really strongly flavored like cranberry juice - have the juice as cold as it can be), and then be prepared to stay really close to the bathroom for the next 8 hours. If I remember correctly they make you drink it again in the morning (I tried to block it out). Make sure you have some baby powder and really soft tissue available!! I can't remember for sure, but you also won't be able to eat solids for a day or two before the test. They need your bowel to be as clear as possible. During the procedure, they will have you lay on your side and they slip in a tube with the camera the length of your large intestine (colon), about 6 feet, they then draw it slowly out and can see everything on the way out. They can detect polyps, growths and other disease and can often treat at the same time. Once you are done, you have to stay for as long as it takes you to wake up. You will need a ride as you will be impaired by the drugs, but there really isn't significant pain afterwards. I know that this scary (terrifying really), but again, I firmly believe when you have the correct information, you can deal with the reality, whatever it is. Try not to get too stressed out over the rare possibilitites - easier said than done, I know. Right now you are in a position of worrying and wondering - in short the place where nightmares begin. Be good to yourself and make sure you have someone you can talk to to help you get through this. If you want to pm me - I would be more than happy to help in any way you think I can. Here is something to think about while waiting: In this strange world, who on earth grows up dreaming of looking up people's butts for a living? Can you imagine talking to people about their bowel movements all day every day? I mean did he like playing with poop as a child? When did intestines become fascinating and exotic? I always wanted to ask my colorectal sugeon what drew him to this specialty - I am not sure enough of myself (or his sense of humor) to do it though Maybe one day I will be brave enough...........(or maybe not) Jacquie

Happy Birthday, Tracy!!!!!!! :crying: Laura, I should send you a pair of earrings to try...you may not be allergic to it since I use .999 pure silver, not sterling. People who are allergic are generally sensitive to the nickel alloy that is added to make it stronger. Do you have pierced ears? Or should I send a bracelet? You can also put lacquer or even nail polish on ear wires to make them hypo-allergenic. Just FYI. Denise, that is ONE CUTE BABY!!!!! Makes me want to snuggle-n-sniff!! TracyK, going to Galveston must have been depressing as hell!! I wouldn't be able to take it! I can't even imagine what it must look like in person. Pamela must be bizzzee as a bee working on her Chapter 4! Go Pammy, Go!!!

OK, I have to defend Dr. K. He is NOT reactive, he is quite PROACTIVE. I went for my pre-op appt and had two scripts for ANTI-NAUSEA meds and pain meds. Those were filled before I left the hospital. It is clearly stated in his literature he provides well before surgery to help prevent nausea. It is listed in the orders as well. A patch was placed behind my ear and numerous stomach upset and nausea meds were pushed through my iv. This is Dr. K's protocol. The first two days post op were pure HELL for me. I don't do pain well and I was depressed with the realization that my love affair with food was pretty much over. Now, a couple days later, I feel a lot better and very positive. Everyone reacts differently - from what I read before the surgery, I thought this would be a piece of cake. Not true and quite a shock. But I'm different than the other people I read about. Dr. K was one of the most caring, gentle people I've ever met. And he was very, very proactive about nausea and vomiting. In fact he mentioned more than once how important it is NOT to vomit. Thanks - I just had to defend such a good man.

I was diagnosed about 4 years ago in my second year of law school. Anxiety attacks, low energy, ridiculously slow metabolism and quite a bit of weight gain in a short time. My endocronologist believes I was probably always a bit hypo, but we never thought to check that ... Turns out in my family, too. My mom was hypo as well (diagnosed around the same age), and had a partial thyroidectomy about 3 years ago. I take 100 mcg/day, and I'm told that my dose may need to be reduced as I shrink, but I'm pretty good about going and getting checked every few months. Just be glad they caught it!

I was diagnosed about four years ago. I've been on synthroid ever since. It takes a couple of weeks to get into your system - and you'll need to get your bloodwork checked every month or so until they get you to where you need to be. Mine was triggered after giving birth to my eldest daughter - whom is now 8. My hormones didn't return to normal and my thyroid slowed tremendously. Your thryoid controls your metabolism - which in turn affects your entire body. hair, skin, nails, mental capacity (I got really forgetful), weight, attitude (I turned into a bi***). Seriously I thought I was bi-polar for a while. Your body can produce too much and you'll be hyper or not enough hypo. I was feeling really strange last week - had bad swelling in my ankles and felt light headed/dizzy. I went back to my doctor and they re-tested me. My level was too high. I hadn't had my blood tested in a few years (since it was regulated). Now that I'm 65 pounds down from my original testing - I didn't think of getting it rechecked. They had to lower my medication to get me regulated again. Once you are regulated - don't forget to get that checked yearly (with your physical) - it can change.

I have obstructive sleep apnea and have been using the CPAP machine for the past 10 years. I use it every night right through my sleep. I also have diabetes (take insulin injections twice a day), hyper-tension, hypo-thyroidism, and a disposition to gout attacks. I am 250lb and have been in/around that number for most of the past 10-12 years. Therefore I have decided to opt for Lap-band procedure in mid-Oct-2008. I'd like to ask the forum members for any experiences - good and bad - from those who have been using CPAP and have undergone Lap-band procedure. I have heard about bad experiences of chronic productive burping, acid reflux problems, vomitting at night and choking. These worry me a lot since these can potentially get complicated for those who use CPAP and can actually worsen cardio-pulmonary tension. Please comment.

Hi, I found the perfect thread here! You speak my language girl. I was banded last September, lost about 20 lbs, and have been at a dead standstill. I have been trying to check back in here to lapbandtalk for some reactivation of motivation. Life just gets crazy, and I always put my eating stuff last. But I have been so much less happy by not paying attention to it. I put up a few signs around the house a couple days ago "Think about more than just this moment", so that when I am reaching for dumb foods, I think about how it is not getting me where I want to go. I have a serious problem with food allergies, and, I have been "clean" for three days now of dairy! Thats huge for me, cause I love cheese and dairyqueen. Two BIG no-nos. Next week I will be going off wheat. Thats huge too. When I first came back to lapbandtalk about a month ago, I wasn't ready for the change, but I wanted it. And today, I have 3 clean days under my belt, so hang in there! Your motivation will come, just keep reading peoples comments and give your brain time to process!

kimaly, I think that you were just being "reactive" as it was my post and it was a post about me and my band issues. I have no problem with people not agreeing with me as that's what the world of forums are for but as you've been banded for a month and I've been banded for just over a year now I think I know a bit more about my body than you might. Plus feel free to add all you know to the "Life After Lap-Band Removal" forum as I'm sure you're an expert. As you were not in my situation you cannot relate or obviously understand what impact being under-filled was for the first three month was like as I trusted my tech to be a professional. I know now to question all professionals. She also was the same tech that did not read how much fill I had a third time and put in an extra cc in that sent me to an emergency visit with an on-call surgeon after midnight and also blew off my daughter who had been vomiting for days after 3 months post-op RNY and was then that night in the ER getting IV fluids and then the following day admitted to the hospital for an endoscopy and a dilation of her stoma. So though you think I'm not taking credit for my "failure" of the band I think I have the right to vent a bit about a tech who has made four mistakes so far and the one that was made on my daughter ranks to be the worse in my book anyway. We now avoid her at all costs! I think anyone would. Basically I was responding to a poster who asked me why I had problems with the band and was trying to give her information without "bashing" the band as that was not my intent. I do not know the statistics of those who do not do well on the band and as one can see who does not just "react" to my posts but actually reads them and understands them people who have issues with the band are individuals with circumstances that add to their failures, it's normally not as simple as just doing A or B. Although I have read posts of people who just freak out that they have a foreign object in their body and want it removed fairly soon post-surgery, that would be a different situation. I had to analyze why I was eating the wrong foods while banded and why it wasn't working for me, doesn't mean to say that I've never taken credit for my part to me that's obvious. I had the intention in the beginning like everyone else here does and did the five week liquid diet and was able to lose the 25 pounds that they expected but it just wasn't working out as I had expected it to. As someone who has been dieting since they were young, also knows what it's like to drop 100 pounds twice only to gain it back again I know a bit about losing weight and it got tougher and tougher as I got older and also while on my antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. I don't know if you have a difficult time understanding that part of the picture or maybe you do but once off those meds I can lose weight but I tent do have a major breakdown during that time which is not worth it to me. I really thought the band would over-ride some of these stumbling blocks for me which it did not. It wasn't something that I would have known prior to banding, it was trial and error and after a year of trial and error and also working with my endocrinologist to get my meds right again I'm hoping to now get to a healthier me. You don't have to feel sorry for me and I don't see where I'm "giving" up on the band, to me that's just silly! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell me that the band was not the right solution for me. It maybe the right solution for 99% of all people but I'm that one lone 1%. I'm being generous with this percentage as I have no idea of the actual one. Anyway being straight forward can be a wonderful way to communicate at times and in the right situation but not always taken in the "spirit" as it was intended. I know there is a group out there that believes in "tough love" and that their posts are only there to inspire and help those of us who are not in touch with reality but they need to really think about how they come across as it is not really that helpful and they end up looking pompous. Oh and I accept your apology, thanks Nancy.

People that don't take their medicine drive me crazy! I don't see how she can function when she isn't on meds. I've been on Synthroid (hypo) since 1992. I went w/o meds for one week years ago. I was dragging so badly that I could barely function; it was awful. Additionally, my dingbat uncle has very high BP. He would take his meds for a while, get to feeling better, and then stop. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? His BP was so high that it's amazing he didn't have a stroke. Ig-nernt. Jaime - pls pop your friend in the back of the head for me. Think how low her metabolism is w/o meds, sigh.

What kind of problems? People generally don't get long-term complications from sleeves. It's not like RnY where people get reactive hypoglycemia and have to have part of their pancreas removed to fix it or get ulcers from the surgery that have to be treated. It's even very unlikely that the sleeve would stretch enough to require a fix. If you mean, what if I don't lose all the weight, it would depend on how little I had lost. If I was 10-20 lb more than I wanted to be, I'd lump it. If it was a significant amount, I would get some kind of intestinal bypass, either RnY or DS. I don't know which one because I haven't looked into the nitty gritty details of either. I'd probably go for a DS but I'm not sure I could eat enough fat to make it work. (I don't like greasy food.) I doubt I would put a band over it because the odds are just too high that I'd have to have yet another surgery to remove it some day and be right back where I started. Plus, the only thing a band would fix is if the sleeve had somehow stretched and was too big and you can fix that by having it tightened instead. Not to mention it rarely happens -- you really have to abuse the thing to get it to stretch. I don't know where you heard that people are putting bands over VSG. I don't know anyone who has done that -- it really hasn't been around long enough to know a lot of people who had revisions. Most VSGers will get a DS if they have inadequate weight loss because they figure they need the malabsorption after all. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

What kind of problems? People generally don't get long-term complications from sleeves. It's not like RnY where people get reactive hypoglycemia and have to have part of their pancreas removed to fix it or get ulcers from the surgery that have to be treated. It's even very unlikely that the sleeve would stretch enough to require a fix. If you mean, what if I don't lose all the weight, it would depend on how little I had lost. If I was 10-20 lb more than I wanted to be, I'd lump it. If it was a significant amount, I would get some kind of intestinal bypass, either RnY or DS. I don't know which one because I haven't looked into the nitty gritty details of either. I'd probably go for a DS but I'm not sure I could eat enough fat to make it work. (I don't like greasy food.) I doubt I would put a band over it because the odds are just too high that I'd have to have yet another surgery to remove it some day and be right back where I started. Plus, the only thing a band would fix is if the sleeve had somehow stretched and was too big and you can fix that by having it tightened instead. Not to mention it rarely happens -- you really have to abuse the thing to get it to stretch. I don't know where you heard that people are putting bands over VSG. I don't know anyone who has done that -- it really hasn't been around long enough to know a lot of people who had revisions. Most VSGers will get a DS if they have inadequate weight loss because they figure they need the malabsorption after all.

I'm due to go for my initial consultation in Derby next Monday (18th August) & I am hoping my concerns will be addressed there, but I thought I'd ask here too beforehand. I've had type II diabetes for the last 4 years (at least), managed by insulin (novomix 30 twice a day) & metformin (1000mg twice a day) since my heart attack 2 years ago. I've got on with the insulin very well so they kept me on it beyond the initially planned 6 months. Naturally I am hoping that eventually my weight will end up low enough for me come come off all diabetes medications, however my concern at the moment is eating so little post-op & knowing how much insulin to take. I've never had a hypo (luckily) so I have no experience of what it actually feels like & I live alone too so the thought of it happening is scaring me quite a lot. I'd love to hear the experiences of anyone else in the same position.

Yes I am also hypo. Have been since they did iodine when I was young. Went from hyper to hypo and been heavy ever since. I just got banded, but it seems to me it can be slower but stillpossible. Also depends what your eating habits or hangups are. Mine seem to be about portion control, so seems to be dropping pretty quick. We will see what the months bring

That seems to vary from person to person. I was told to NEVER have carbonated beverages. Reason being, the air gets in the band, expands, and can stretch the upper pouch. If you can burp, it's probably not a big deal for you. I've never been able to get out 1 single burp since my surgery so I know it would never work for me. Just like food, it's a guessing game and you just have to find what works for you. I sure wouldn't suggest trying carbonated beverages though a week after surgery. That's really pushing it. Your stomach is very touchy and reactive to the new band around it, healing, forming scar tissue from the sutures, etc. The added stress of caffeine, carbonation probably isn't in your best interest yet.

I too have underactive thyroid. My TSH is wacky right now and we are trying to regulate it. My cholesteral is also high but my FD said that there is a relationship between the two. :thumbup: I have been hypo for 20 yrs and on meds all that time. I like to think that I am pretty in tune with my conditions and body but I have never read, heard or knew the link between chol and thyroid. Anyone else know this?

I have never seen a true "foreing body reaction" to drains. This is because the drains are veny inert and are designed not to be reactive. Also, they are in for too short a time (1-3 weeks) to really cause a problem. Sometimes people have a reacion at the skin, where the drain exits. This may become very sensitive and may bleed easily - but this gets better almost immediately after the drain is removed. The more likely cause of an internal FB reaction is the sutures - especially permanent sutures. This may be cause hard lumps and tenderness over the sutures.

Make sure that whatever doctor you go to, you monitor your heart disease risk... you have to ask for a few tests that are not typical, but these are a few tests for the some of the biggest indicators of heart disease... make sure you ask for C-Reactive Protein levels and fibrinogen levels.... also, many overweight/obese people have thyroid disorder and it goes undiagnosed in many people for years.... the range levels are set too high... although recently I know they have been lowered. Your TSH should be under 2.0 to be under control, but also your other T4 and T3 levels are very important in your thyroid profile. I post this on here because I have learned the hard way that my traditional medicine doctors never tested me for any of this and when they did do thyroid screens per my several requests, they all said they were in the NORMAL RANGE, but for years it was way too sluggish and I should have been treated. I now to a naturalpath and thyroid is tightly controlled and I have a baseline for my C-Reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. Don't know if this is helpful to anyone, but I have rampid heart disease in my immediate and extended family and wish I knew this info earlier! Kammi in Everett, WA DOB 5/27/08 335/302/180 Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

I too am having trouble controlling my depression. I went to my family doc who changed my Celexa to Cymbalta. I also have Reactive arthritis which causes pain daily, so the Cymbalta helps with that too. I have been working (full time) with pain and dealing with the relatively new Lap Band. So I don't know if it's the combo of it all or the Lap Band. Although, the books do mention depression after bariatric surgery. Sue

SuzyB Banded April 23, 2008 Lost 25 lbs before surgery from liquid diet Nothing lost yet, just getting started Just got my 2nd fill today, which was a big one, now I think Ill have restriction. I have been rather depressed. I thought I would have lost quite a bit by now, but haven't. I also have Reactive Arthritis and have been having alot of foot pain. But my family doc changed a med for me which seems to be helping both with depression and pain. So....Im doing better and am optimistic. :biggrin2:

Hi: I had a thyroid/diabetic specialist well respected in his field and was written up in the papers and also lectured around the country and overseas. He has since retired. He diagnosed my Graves disease (hyperthyroid). After treatment, I became Hypo and was put on synthroid and remember his words. The blood tests show a range that doctors consider normal, but because of my weight he wanted me at the top of the range. He felt overweight people have a slower BMR than most. I don't lose weight quickly but I do lose weight steadily. Perhaps you should ask your doctor to consider putting you on synthroid. The drug takes up to six weeks to take affect. No harm in asking?

Thank you armywife and others. I called my new doctor and asked what I should be eating since I will be a patient. My husband is 100% supportive and was in Mexico with me and I nor he never ever saw any one about what I should eat or not or was given any written instructions. I am a reactive person, I knew I needed the band. Went and got one with out ever seeing this site. I was having complications all day when I received my band the evening before and was released at 4:15 am. Yes I knew that I shouldn't have eaten what I ate because of this board and a book that I bought. I have taken such good advice and have been doing well eating what I should. I have lost 12 lbs. with out any more waffles, ceral or "The BIG MAC." I am learning a lot from this board but as I said I am too soft hearted. Most people can blow off other people's comments but I seem not to be able to do so. So with this in mind I am not going to read any more threads from this post. I am so sorry that it has turned out this way but it is best for me until I can figure out how to let people that I don't know not to effect me. Even when they were being harsh and had done some things they shouldn't have done, made others upset and stop posting on other threads, I should be able not to let it upset me. I should have maybe looked at her post a different way and chuckled and learned. I thank the people who stuck up for me and the people who gave me support.

I went to doc today and finally - after a year - got an answer to why my port was so painful. :eek: Come to find out, I have a high waist, so - every time I bend over - it causes brusing and swelling in the port area:eek::eek:. To clarify, my port is right in the place my waist naturally bends, therefore, it causes the muscle and stuff to rub against the port causing brusing and swelling. I am so happy to find out about this. I am going to have to have the port lowered to relieve the pain, but knowing that I was not going crazy or being a hypo made me feel better. :smile: Point of the post is this: If you are having pain with your port - this is not normal - don't wait a year like I did - make your doctor LISTEN - to you - I did not do that - once I got the attention of the nurse that does the fills, she looked at me an understood the cause of my pain. I don't look forward to the possibility of another surgury - but I am so relieved to know it was not all in my head!!!!:smile: Hope this has been helpful - anyone with this difficulty - feel free to email me and I will try to give you as much info as I can. :lol::lol::redface::drool::smile2::drool::thumbup::lol::lol::ohmy::drool::eek::drool::drool:

If the doc doesn't call you back you REALLY need to consider going to an ER or urgent care. Really. Syncope can be a sign of many things, none of them should be ignored. There is a good possibility that your labs are off and you could be hypo/hyper on many levels. Be careful!!!!!!