A whiner

[BethAnnB 0]

Hi everyone! My name is Beth and I had lap band surgery done this past Friday, October 1, 2010. I was supposed to have gastric bypass in order to get the maximum benefit for my diabetes but I guess this fat girl was too fat to do gastric bypass :thumbup: so now I'm the proud ? owner of a lapband. I think what I'm looking for right now is an it's going to be okay because so far it's been nothing I hoped for.

I left Arnott Ogden on Monday on oxygen. I kept desaturating so it was determined I need oxygen all the time. I know that's not the fault of the lapband but I did this to get healthy not go backwards. I got home Monday afternoon and put in a horrible night. First thing Tuesday morning I called my primary care physician and he saw me and put me back in the hospital. Again for my breathing difficulties....I have severe asthma that can be very stubborn. My breathing difficulties put my GI problems on the back burner but not for long.

Since the lapband.....I know a whopping five days does not a pro make but I feel sicker than I have in a very long time. I'm having trouble taking in anything and am still in the hospital on IV fluids and nausea medicines. I feel great for a little while and then wham it's wave of severe nausea and dry heaves. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms after lapband? I need to know there's light at the end of the tunnel because I'm feeling mightily discouraged right now.

Thanks for accepting me and not showing me the door. Nobody likes a whiner and right now that seems to be what I'm doing best.

Edited October 7, 2010 by BethAnnB

[mom1980s 0]

i had surgery yesterday and i was so sick because my band was way to tigh i was puking every time i stand up or 1 sip of Water so they had to go in and take out Fluid and i stop puking i feel better but i have neck pain and my stomach pain is killing me they says its normal but im really hurting i have chest pains when i breath it hurts to breath

[maxi2010 0]

Hi everyone! My name is Beth and I had LAP-BAND®®®® surgery done this past Friday, October 1, 2010. I was supposed to have gastric bypass in order to get the maximum benefit for my diabetes but I guess this fat girl was too fat to do gastric bypass :thumbup: so now I'm the proud ? owner of a LAP-BAND®®®®. I think what I'm looking for right now is an it's going to be okay because so far it's been nothing I hoped for.

I left Arnott Ogden on Monday on oxygen. I kept desaturating so it was determined I need oxygen all the time. I know that's not the fault of the LAP-BAND®®®® but I did this to get healthy not go backwards. I got home Monday afternoon and put in a horrible night. First thing Tuesday morning I called my primary care physician and he saw me and put me back in the hospital. Again for my breathing difficulties....I have severe asthma that can be very stubborn. My breathing difficulties put my GI problems on the back burner but not for long.

Since the LAP-BAND®®®®.....I know a whopping five days does not a pro make but I feel sicker than I have in a very long time. I'm having trouble taking in anything and am still in the hospital on IV fluids and nausea medicines. I feel great for a little while and then wham it's wave of severe nausea and dry heaves. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms after LAP-BAND®®®®? I need to know there's light at the end of the tunnel because I'm feeling mightily discouraged right now.

Thanks for accepting me and not showing me the door. Nobody likes a whiner and right now that seems to be what I'm doing best.

Hi BethAnn.

I'm truly sorry to hear all the problems you've been having since your LAP-BAND®®® surgery. Much of your issues have to do with having surgery and LAP-BAND®®® surgery is less invasive than gastric bypass so you cannot blame the LAP-BAND®®® surgery for all your issues.

I did have nausea and dry heaves during the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery. I also began to have a pain between my breasts and could not take a deep breathe. This WAS caused by the LAP-BAND®®®. I was told I had swelling and it was difficult for me to get down thicker liquids. I had tried to eat a Protein drink that backed up and made me have the symptoms I just described.

I had surgery on 9/17/10. My swelling is down. I no longer have problems eating with the LAP-BAND®®® although I have not had an adjustment yet. I lost 18 Lbs altogether, including weight I lost before my surgery. I'm very happy so far with the band.

BTW, my brother had RNY a few years ago, looks great but has had multiple serious problems due to that surgery. Although he has lost a lot of weight, I feel you can lose just as much weight with the LAP-BAND®®® as the RNY and not have the issues like my brother has (severe anemia, dumping syndrome and malabsorption of certain B Vitamins for which he has to self-inject every day).

You will begin to feel better with time and you should learn to adjust to the gastric band which is different from RNY and the sleeve. For me, I think it is the best of all worlds - a minimally invasive procedure that does not require cutting and rearranging your insides and that still allows you to lose weight as long as you follow the rules (eat slow, chew well, and choose your food wisely).

Best of luck. I hope you feel better soon.

Maxi

[btrieger 21]

Nobody likes a whiner and right now that seems to be what I'm doing best.

Honey, you aren't whining. You have legitimate concerns. Hopefully some of those that are whining will read your post and realize how lucky they actually are.

I'm not a doctor but I do play one on Halloween. Any surgery is traumatic to your body. It has to pull together everything it has for the healing process. That sometimes means borrowing from other places. This can exaggerate or make visible pre-existing issues. Such as asthma.

With time and bed rest, you will feel much better.

Just take it one day at a time.

[BethAnnB 0]

i had surgery yesterday and i was so sick because my band was way to tigh i was puking every time i stand up or 1 sip of Water so they had to go in and take out Fluid and i stop puking i feel better but i have neck pain and my stomach pain is killing me they says its normal but im really hurting i have chest pains when i breath it hurts to breath

I am so sorry you are going through this. I've had scans done and everything points to the band being fine so it's all me. I'll still feel better after I see my surgeon. I hope they're able to resolve your pain quickly. No-one's ever told me it's normal for breathing to hurt. I have gas pressure/pain that has showed me why burping babies really is a big deal but not breathing pain.

[sassy k's mommy 1]

First of all this is the way many people learn. I really don't think that you are whining. Your questions and the best way to learn is by asking questions to people who might have or will share the same experience.

I haven't been banded. I am hoping that I am able to be banded this year.

I am sorry that you are having problems. However, you really should talk to you doctor about any problems you are having..

[Tess2352 0]

Hi - I hope your symptoms get better soon. I haven't been banded yet...mine is scheduled for October 15, 2010...but I did have my tubes tied laproscopically. I remember the severe shoulder pains I had from that. It is due to the gas they put in your stomach to move your other organs out of the way. Since this gas has no way to escape, except by seeping out of your skin you will experience pain...sometimes extreme. Its kind of like having the "bends", except you weren't submerged in deep Water. These pains will go away as the oxygen leaves your body. Unfortunately, you can't expell it the ordinary way (lol).

However, I would let you doctor know about it....just in case it isn't the bends. Good Luck!

[stateofzen 46]

My nausea and dry heaves were due to the liquid pain killer-- I switched to a cut up pill form and that went away. It was awful while it lasted though, so you have my deepest sympathy.

Don't feel bad for being underwhelmed by the band so far-- it sounds like you've had a really rough go of it! But it will get better! You should save a copy of this post now so you can look at it again in 6 months and see just how good it's gotten!

[BethAnnB 0]

Hi BethAnn.

I'm truly sorry to hear all the problems you've been having since your LAP-BAND®®®® surgery. Much of your issues have to do with having surgery and LAP-BAND®®®® surgery is less invasive than gastric bypass so you cannot blame the LAP-BAND®®®® surgery for all your issues.

I did have nausea and dry heaves during the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery. I also began to have a pain between my breasts and could not take a deep breathe. This WAS caused by the LAP-BAND®®®®. I was told I had swelling and it was difficult for me to get down thicker liquids. I had tried to eat a Protein drink that backed up and made me have the symptoms I just described.

I had surgery on 9/17/10. My swelling is down. I no longer have problems eating with the LAP-BAND®®®® although I have not had an adjustment yet. I lost 18 Lbs altogether, including weight I lost before my surgery. I'm very happy so far with the band.

BTW, my brother had RNY a few years ago, looks great but has had multiple serious problems due to that surgery. Although he has lost a lot of weight, I feel you can lose just as much weight with the LAP-BAND®®®® as the RNY and not have the issues like my brother has (severe anemia, dumping syndrome and malabsorption of certain B Vitamins for which he has to self-inject every day).

You will begin to feel better with time and you should learn to adjust to the gastric band which is different from RNY and the sleeve. For me, I think it is the best of all worlds - a minimally invasive procedure that does not require cutting and rearranging your insides and that still allows you to lose weight as long as you follow the rules (eat slow, chew well, and choose your food wisely).

Best of luck. I hope you feel better soon.

Maxi

Thank you and sometimes the best comfort is simply hearing another say...yup btdt and this too shall pass. I usually handle health challenges a bit less wimply than I've handled this so far but I think my brain is still trying to catch up with what actually happened to my body. I had expected a lot more pain and lot less....this constant tummy virus feeling but alas....this too shall pass. Again, thank you.

[BethAnnB 0]

Honey, you aren't whining. You have legitimate concerns. Hopefully some of those that are whining will read your post and realize how lucky they actually are.

I'm not a doctor but I do play one on Halloween. Any surgery is traumatic to your body. It has to pull together everything it has for the healing process. That sometimes means borrowing from other places. This can exaggerate or make visible pre-existing issues. Such as asthma.

With time and bed rest, you will feel much better.

Just take it one day at a time.

A doctor on Halloween? That gave me my first genuine smile in days....thank you. Everything you said is absolutely 100% correct. I'm out of the hospital today and it's my hope that a few days of getting stronger at home, while meeting some of the demands of home instead of playing patient in the hospital will give me the kick in the rump I need to grow a slightly more flexible but stronger back bone. I did speak with the nutritionist today and I was told I can do full liquids but that didn't work so it's keep trying and frozen SF popsicles have proven to be my best friend. They seem to stay down the best and I have noticed the more hydrated I am the better I do feel. I've also had to give in and get a pill to take for nausea...I like mind of over matter but in this case the matter is louder than the little mind I have left. :thumbup: Thank you for your response and for sharing your delightful sense of humor.

[BethAnnB 0]

First of all this is the way many people learn. I really don't think that you are whining. Your questions and the best way to learn is by asking questions to people who might have or will share the same experience.

I haven't been banded. I am hoping that I am able to be banded this year.

I am sorry that you are having problems. However, you really should talk to you doctor about any problems you are having..

Thank you and good luck to you. As I explained earlier I had planned on having gastric bypass....for other health issues...primarily my diabetes....so, part of my adventure is to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. Dang I can tell you all about dumping syndrome but I didn't realize my band isn't even tightened yet. Some of this is catch up....I think most of us do better when we know what to expect...and adjustment. My challenge of being a steroid dependent diabetic is still going to be my number one health challenge. Alas, any help with that will be welcome and I've read some promising statistics with diabetes and lapband. Knowledge really is power so keep doing what you're doing and learn...learn...learn. Again thank you and I wish all the luck in the world.

[BethAnnB 0]

Hi - I hope your symptoms get better soon. I haven't been banded yet...mine is scheduled for October 15, 2010...but I did have my tubes tied laproscopically. I remember the severe shoulder pains I had from that. It is due to the gas they put in your stomach to move your other organs out of the way. Since this gas has no way to escape, except by seeping out of your skin you will experience pain...sometimes extreme. Its kind of like having the "bends", except you weren't submerged in deep Water. These pains will go away as the oxygen leaves your body. Unfortunately, you can't expell it the ordinary way (lol).

However, I would let you doctor know about it....just in case it isn't the bends. Good Luck!

First of all good luck to you...it's getting close. I clearly remember my week count down to the day of my surgery, in some ways it was the longest week of my life and in some ways the shortest. I'm glad it's behind me...despite the challenges....I'm glad the surgery part is over with but it didn't hurt as I feared it would.

I was told about the trapped air and shoulder pain and I haven't really experienced the shoulder part of it. I have bilateral encapsulated shoulder issues going on so I might be having some of that pain and attributing it to my shoulder issues. I do wonder if some of the pain I'm experiencing above my breastbone isn't that trapped air issue. This is my first abdominal surgery and I'm a little surprised to find the "internal farts" so much more distressing than the incisional pain. This is the longest I've been able to sit up and type in one setting so things must be on the right track. Good luck with your surgery and I'll be watching for your update. :thumbup:

[BethAnnB 0]

My nausea and dry heaves were due to the liquid pain killer-- I switched to a cut up pill form and that went away. It was awful while it lasted though, so you have my deepest sympathy.

Don't feel bad for being underwhelmed by the band so far-- it sounds like you've had a really rough go of it! But it will get better! You should save a copy of this post now so you can look at it again in 6 months and see just how good it's gotten!

Thank you and I will indeed keep a copy of my journey and look back on it from time to time. It is amazing how much life can change in a week or two weeks so it will be interesting to look back and track progress...the emotional with the physical. I can say I'm seeing some of the positives in the lapband...now that I'm learning about it. My Doctor tried to prepare me for this possibility my I was hellbent that it was going to go the way I wanted. Live and learn...a little humility at least. Thanks again.

[Angeleyes716 0]

I am sched. surgery this monday...and I am a diabetic as well who was originally going for gastric bypass....but totally chickened out do to the complications and decided a week ago to switch to the band. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope you feel better soon. i am happy to have found a site where I can find others to relate to.

I am most nervous about my blood sugars and insulin. I am type one and currently on lower insulin but i am also on a liquid diet. I just want to be healthy and have a family.

Good luck to you, and to all of you who responded I am glad to see so many kind and concerned ppl:)