Whose "fault"?

[critterlady 3]

I'm just wondering about the true causes of band slippage, erosion, and pouch dilation. I understand that vomiting too much can lead to slippage, and eating too much can cause pouch dilation....and those seem to be "operator errors". I am also in the medical field and know that there are some incompetent docs out there, but they are probably in the minority. So let's skip them. As far as erosion is concerned, is that generally caused by having a too-small band for your anatomy or having it filled too tightly? Obviously all surgeries have the risk of complications; what I'm worried about right now is causing some complications because I've advanced my diet too quickly. Well, maybe not according to some, but my post op diet was liquids for 3 weeks, then soft foods for 3 weeks. I advanced to soft foods several days early (because I was sooooo hungry all the time), and during the soft phase I had well-cooked Pasta. I am also unfilled at this point and have trouble recognizing being "full" or "not hungry". When I start to eat, I feel absolutely and totally empty and I'm worried that I've stretched my pouch before I feel 'satisfied'? I'm not eating more than a cup of food at a time, but I still worry. I'm a worrier.

No vomiting or reflux yet, and no feelings of excessive fullness; I just worry. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[willowcat 93]

You probably feel "absolutely and totally empty" because you probably are. Most people don't have any saline in their bands at the time of surgery. Any early restriction is usally from the swelling from the surgery--that's why they have you on a liquids first and then mushies diet. They don't want you to vomit at all early on because the band may slip. You're probably ok (but as always--see/call your doctor if you are not sure).

[Jachut 487]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I think its mostly user error that leads to complications.

I think that people differ in how much work they can do with this thing, and I mean that not in a moralistic, judgemental sense but a simple observation of how sick they are when they get banded. Because obesity is definitely a disease.

I do not think everyone's body copes with a tight band. And the band was never designed to be tight, so that pb'ing, getting stuck and being able to eat certain foods is a daily reality. That's too tight. You need the band looser and you need to work hard WITH the band, and rely a lot on your own strength and determination, with the band simply there so that you can stick to small portions without being overly hungry. Complete absence of hunger is not the goal, nor is the band doing all the work.

Yet, that's what I reckon 90% of patients/doctors together are aiming for. People are not necessarily having dire trouble, and feeling awful side effects but they're too tight nonetheless and that maybe even includes myself! I'm no differnt to anyone else in that I just want my appetite to not be there.

Over time, this leads to erosion, slippage etc in some people.

I think that the aim should be a normal, varied diet including all food groups, and a much looser band, not this half cup at a time serving of mainly Protein, for which most people need to be pretty tight to cope with this type of regime.

Edited December 20, 2009 by Jachut

[greytz 4]

Read some of the posts on this forum and you will find your answer. No offense intended but you will read people say they eat everything and eat what they want and drink with their meals, etc, etc. and do a lot of things not intended with the band like carbonation and the list goes on and on and they have no problems. Also, I see a lot of posts where someone says they can't breath but they don't do anything about it for a long time. Then a year or less later, they can't figure out why the band slipped or eroded or whatever complications they may have and they blame everyone but themselves and their horrible condition and their treatment of themselves with the band. It is a real eye opener. I've had people on here pish-posh me because I say I do everything I can to ensure I don't mess up my band. I want a healthy life with a healthy band and will do everything in my power to keep it that way.