lap band hell

[G3068 0]

Hi all,

Was just banded Monday 12/27. I have never been so miserable as I have the last 3 days.The nausea is unrelenting and I am wishing I had never had the surgery now.I vomited in the PACU, in the car on way home,3 more times that day and then 2 times on post-op day1. I just got back from the local ER and had to have 2 liters of IV Fluid for the severe dehydration. The band feels like it is stuck and if I threw up hard enough that it will come flying out of my throat. Please....has ANYONE had this much trouble and if so, what do you advise?

[Linnielady 4]

Did you have anything for nausea before you had surgery? The first time I had surgery I threw up for 12 hours afterward. You shouldn't be vomiting like this. Have you contacted your surgeon? He can prescribe something for your nausea that should stop all that vomiting. You need to call him immediately. You can made that band slip if you continue this way. Take care and get the help you need now. You will be in my prayers. Hope things get fixed right away.

[Bethinsoon 0]

Hi, I was banded on Sept 14, 2010. I can tell you I was nauseated and vomitted immediately after surgery and felt nauseated and dizzy for several days after. My port site hurt and the gas pain was bad. All did settle down after a few days. My doctor (in mexico) never added any fill at the time of surgery, i needed to wait until just 2 weeks ago for my 1st fill. Because i had a previous hernia repair, my doctor wanted me to wait longer so the band could have more time to heal. Did you surgeon give you a fill at the time of surgery, if so, you may need an unfill and give yourself time to heal.

Hi all,

Was just banded Monday 12/27. I have never been so miserable as I have the last 3 days.The nausea is unrelenting and I am wishing I had never had the surgery now.I vomited in the PACU, in the car on way home,3 more times that day and then 2 times on post-op day1. I just got back from the local ER and had to have 2 liters of IV Fluid for the severe dehydration. The band feels like it is stuck and if I threw up hard enough that it will come flying out of my throat. Please....has ANYONE had this much trouble and if so, what do you advise?

[Strike Up the Band 0]

Hi all,

Was just banded Monday 12/27. I have never been so miserable as I have the last 3 days.The nausea is unrelenting and I am wishing I had never had the surgery now.I vomited in the PACU, in the car on way home,3 more times that day and then 2 times on post-op day1. I just got back from the local ER and had to have 2 liters of IV Fluid for the severe dehydration. The band feels like it is stuck and if I threw up hard enough that it will come flying out of my throat. Please....has ANYONE had this much trouble and if so, what do you advise?

Hi! Sorry to hear about your trouble. I was banded yesterday and didn't have any nausea to speak of yesterday or today. I had lots of antinausea medication put in my IV so that I wouldn't vomit. Maybe it's intolerance to anesthesia. I have been experiencing such a headache today though. Don't know why. Good luck!~

[SWEETGRACE 1]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your nausea. I was banded 29Dec10 and I have not experienced any nausea, plenty of gas, but no nausea. I doctor gave me two anti-nausea medications prior to surgery and then also prescribed promethazine suppositories for nausea as well. If you are still experiencing nausea you should definitely contact your surgeon that is not normal. As a pharmacist I can tell you there are no great OTC medications to combat nausea you really need a prescription.

[G3068 0]

Thanks to everyone that replied. it was a few very difficult days especially since it occured over the holidays. It would seem that some people just are not good surgical candidates and have bad reactions to general anesthesia. I apparently fall into that category.Eventually had to go to the local ER for IV fluids and then just rest and walk,rest and walk,etc.I did not even plan on missing work and was hoping nobody would ever even know I had the surgery..well....the jig is up and I found that 2 weeks off may not even be enough. I am having a lot of trouble finding a good "daily routine" with all the Vitamins, Calcium, protein requirements,etc. Is it just "do it until it works"? Any suggestions? Again..thank you to all who were praying and thinking about my dilemma.It was very appreciated!

[EquusEMS 0]

Thanks to everyone that replied. it was a few very difficult days especially since it occured over the holidays. It would seem that some people just are not good surgical candidates and have bad reactions to general anesthesia. I apparently fall into that category.Eventually had to go to the local ER for IV fluids and then just rest and walk,rest and walk,etc.I did not even plan on missing work and was hoping nobody would ever even know I had the surgery..well....the jig is up and I found that 2 weeks off may not even be enough. I am having a lot of trouble finding a good "daily routine" with all the Vitamins,calcium,protein requirements,etc. Is it just "do it until it works"? Any suggestions? Again..thank you to all who were praying and thinking about my dilemma.It was very appreciated!

G3 - I too get awful nausea with anesthesia. I was retching, vomiting, and peed myself in the hospital bed, while crying to the nurse, that 'I made a mistake, I made a mistake'... and I was terrified that the retching would make my band slip. She calmed me down, and assured me it would get better.

I have had off a MONTH almost, I'm so bored!

My daily routine, I get up in the morning, have my liquid Calcium 500mg. I drink tea about an hour later, I have some scrambled eggs. In your case, soon after surgery, have a small Protein shake. Around lunch time, take your liquid Multivitamin. Then around 'dinner time' take your 2nd dose of 500 mg of Calcium. Sip fluids continuously, even when you dont feel like it.

Youll get through this rough period, and get stronger. You did NOT make a mistake! Itll be worth it. Hugs and Strength!

B

[EquusEMS 0]

I warned the docs and anesthesiologist that I was sensitive to anesthesia, I had a scopalamine patch, preloaded Zofran, and dexamethasone, I STILL was sick for a whole day retching.

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

Just wanted to let anyone with nausea know that you should ask your doctor for a prescription for anti-nausea suppositories. It's called prochlorperazine - rectal, also known as compazine. When you're throwing up it's hard to keep the medicine down if you swallow it. Suppositories sound gross, but if you're throwing up or having dry heaves for a while because of nausea they're like a blessing. It stopped my nausea within a half hour last time I had to use it.

Take care.

Sue

[cheryl2586 3,053]

I had dry heaves for three days couldnt even leave the hospital it was the diladid that did me in once I stopped taking it and went on liquid vicodin I was fine a year later and 70lbs gone so Im happy. Listen if you think once that stops there wont be anymore bad days Im here to tell you and I think anyone who has been banded can tell you there are bad days. When food gets stuck, when you get a fill and it sucks royally. Dont be so discouraged its too new you will find a lot of days you will want to rip it out especially when you have an intolerance for foods you want but cant eat because they will tear up your stomach. It will get better but there will always be bad days at one time or another.

[Dream on child 1]

I haven't had my surgery yet and am now fearful of the short-term side-effects from the anesthesia. I guess it's good to know to ask for anti-nausia medication before the surgery. This is why I joined to forum...to get tips like this. I'm glad I did and thanks for all your shares.

[2girlsMom 0]

I'm new to the forum too. Surgery Jan 14. Preop diet is making me nauseated so I'm concerned about being sick with the lap band. I also get sick when I go under general anesthesia. Good tips here.

[goldngrll 9]

seriously...if you are vomiting at all, contact your surgeon.....this is not normal, and can turn into an emergency. when you vomit, your stomach is contracting, and can cause your band to slip or erode. Neither of these is a good thing.

that being said....that is not the normal case for the surgery. everyone is different. I've been banded since July, and have lost about 100 lbs. This is by far the best decision I have made for myself, and I'd do it again in a second. Banded living is not perfect, mind you, some times, well, its a royal PIA, but it is by far the safest of the bariatric surgeries, and it does work. if you work it.

if your surgeon hasnt given you nutritional guidelines, you should see a nutritionist if you dont know how you should be eating. Basically you need to live a low carb, high Protein lifestyle. Since you've just been banded though, you need to stick to that post op liquid diet, and let your body heal...you will not be in this place forever!

[goldngrll 9]

I haven't had my surgery yet and am now fearful of the short-term side-effects from the anesthesia. I guess it's good to know to ask for anti-nausia medication before the surgery. This is why I joined to forum...to get tips like this. I'm glad I did and thanks for all your shares.

your surgeon should load you up automatically with anti nausea meds...I had no nausea, and really not much pain at all...to be honest, the surgery was no big deal....but since you are going through all of this, make sure you take care of your band!! keep in touch with your surgeons, go to support, stick to your post op diet....if you at all feel like you are too tight, or are vomiting, do not wait!! a good lap band surgeon should be available to see you first before even an er in the event of an emergency.....

[cheryl2586 3,053]

They can put a patch behind your ear so you wont wake up sick. Its like a dramamine patch it works well. Also I just want to say this. I have been banded for 13 months with good success but there are bad roads traveled all the time. When things get stuck, when you cant tolerate certain foods, constant gas, fills, nose running from being too full, shoulder pain from eating too much, hiccups from being too full, it is still a daily struggle. Some days its not fun one bit. You have to realize you have done something to your stomach that isnt supposed to be there so there will always be some issue. However it is worth the sometimes aggravation of it all. Its still a diet you can not eat what you want when you want. There will be times when you wont be as restricted and eat like hell. Its all part of this decision the only thing I can tell you is you have to bear with it because the outcome is far better than being obese. Its not easy and if anyone says it is then they are not realistic. It is still a diet. If you go back to eating things that go down easy like ice cream, chocolate, and any other goodies you can swallow it wont work. Its healthy food all the way. Chins up and dont fret you wil get used to all the crazy crap that goes with this wonderful world of banding.