Introducing ME and my not-so-typical-lap-band-story

[mamapierce 0]

September 2009, I had the lapband surgery at a military Air Force Base in Ohio. I did the fluids thing and while I was waiting through the 6 weeks before my first fill, we moved to Florida. I couldn't get in to see a doctor before January 2010. The first doctor I met with tried to give me a fill in his office. He must have stuck that needle in me about 20 times before concluding that I needed a fill under fluoroscopy. I went to the hospital, they gave me about 2ccs. I went back later and they gave me 2 ccs more. I never felt any restriction. For some reason, that doctor suddenly leaves the state of Florida. (!!!) My insurance sends me to another lapband doctor who is 2 1/2 hours away. I visit him and he states that he can't give me a fill under fluoro. (Great, so glad I wasted my whole day to see you). Finally, in September of 2010, I get a referral to see Dr D who is 45 minutes away. He's wonderful and compassionate. He realizes my frustration of having had the lapband for a whole year and not only had I not lost ANYTHING, I'd gained weight just waiting to have my adjustment. (The whole "last hurrah" theory of eating whatever/how much I wanted because I was facing a lifestyle change, etc.). So, he gave me 1 cc under fluoro - which put me at 5 ccs. I felt restriction for 3 days. I starting feeling good and could see myself already slimming down. Then I didn't feel restriction. Dr D is a very sought after doctor, so the time between appointments was always a few weeks. He gave me another fill of 1 1/2ccs - putting me at 6 1/2ccs. I didn't feel any restriction. We started talking about taking the lapband out and pursuing another weight loss surgery. My husband and I prayed about it and felt we should continue with the lap band. So, this past friday, Dr D gave me another 1 1/2 ccs - putting me at 8ccs. I did the whole fluids thing for 2 days - that right there is tough for me - and now I don't know what's wrong. I don't feel comfortable. I think it may be acid reflux? The nurse is calling in Carafate for me. Anyone else tried that? Did it help? Anyhow, that's my story. I'm ready for some success, lapband! And I'm ready to make some friends who are in this journey like me. I feel alone in this process. I am afraid of failure and I'm also afraid to give up food which is my comfort. I have a blog, too: http://jillthewarrior.blogspot.com/

[Mimi11 2]

Don't give up, you can do it this is just a road block. This site is more support than you can stand, although I haven't been banded yet. I look forward to take journey with all of you guys. Keep me posted:)

[happygirl65 5]

Well, I have not been banded yet but am moved by your situation. I have read a LOT about people having struggle with fills. The thing is though that you just have to get the right amount. Not too much, not too little. It is also possible that some of the fills you have had "missed" the port while they were trying to fill. Apparently that can happen a lot. Sometimes it helps to have them remove all of the Fluid, measuring it in the syringe, just to make sure how much you really have in there. Also the material the "balloon" is made out of can absorb a small amount of the Fluid, and some can remain in the line to the port....so all of that may not actually be in the band and therefore has not quite been enough for you this far. I would hang in there and keep working with the doc you have. Tell him you are not ready to think about another surgery option at this point because in all reality until you found him you really werent under any consistant care at all. Couple that with all the stress of moving and daily life ...suffice it to say you have waited such a terribly long time but it sounds like you are finally making some progress and will finally have to go through that leanring curve in finding what makes you uncomfortable, eating slower, and finding what you can and can't do with your new level of restriction. Don't be afraid to have a very small amount removed if you are continuing to be uncomfortable. Too much fill can be just as bad for weight loss as not enough fill.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you find the green zone in the very near future.

[KristinaAshley 5]

Don't give up!! Did they do an ultrasound or other type of diagnostic to make sure its in the right place and what not?

[ElfiePoo 109]

I didn't feel any restriction. We started talking about taking the lapband out and pursuing another weight loss surgery. My husband and I prayed about it and felt we should continue with the lap band. So, this past friday, Dr D gave me another 1 1/2 ccs - putting me at 8ccs. I did the whole fluids thing for 2 days - that right there is tough for me - and now I don't know what's wrong. I don't feel comfortable. I think it may be acid reflux? The nurse is calling in Carafate for me. Anyone else tried that? Did it help? Anyhow, that's my story. I'm ready for some success, lapband! And I'm ready to make some friends who are in this journey like me. I feel alone in this process. I am afraid of failure and I'm also afraid to give up food which is my comfort. I have a blog, too: http://jillthewarrior.blogspot.com/

You're not alone. A lot of us struggle with the band and some of it is because we were misled about what restriction means. I am 14 months postop and for 9 months of that I was under the impression that restriction meant I would be physically limited on how much I could eat. Now I understand that restriction means 'cessation of hunger' after a reasonable meal. Unfortunately, most people don't 'get this' and end up getting fills until they're at a point where many foods are off their list because they get stuck and sliming and stuck episodes become the norm. I can eat anything I want. I just don't 'want' as much now that I'm not always hungry.

If you had a fill last Friday, it's possible that you're still dealing with a bit of swelling...but it's also possible that at 8cc's you're overfilled. You might have them take you now 1/2 cc...or even 1 cc and then wait a week or two for the swelling to go down and for your body to react to the fill. When I get a fill I have absolutely no reaction for 2 weeks and then all of a sudden I'm tight for a couple days. In any case, when you're asking yourself whether you have restriction, look for a cessation of hunger after a reasonable meal...1/2 cup is not reasonable by the way and it's no wonder so many people get overfilled because they're still dealing with hunger. Toddlers eat 1/2 cup or more. We're adults.

Anyway...my .02. YMMV.

.

[ravendays 2]

Aw you poor thing to get your lil band friend and to have to move and then have the dr bail, sounds like it was for the best if in the end you got a dr you seem to feel a bond with. I hope all is good and you find your sweet spot. Im not banded yet so I dont know much but I agree with the previous post that asked if doc looked to make sure placement is correct as well. Hate for them to take it out if in the end all you need as a few more fills and your sweet spot is nailed...that sweet spot sounds pretty amazing and I pray you find yours soon so you can spell your joy over these forums with "yay me's"

[loserbob 11]

September 2009, I had the lapband surgery at a military Air Force Base in Ohio. I did the fluids thing and while I was waiting through the 6 weeks before my first fill, we moved to Florida. I couldn't get in to see a doctor before January 2010. The first doctor I met with tried to give me a fill in his office. He must have stuck that needle in me about 20 times before concluding that I needed a fill under fluoroscopy. I went to the hospital, they gave me about 2ccs. I went back later and they gave me 2 ccs more. I never felt any restriction. For some reason, that doctor suddenly leaves the state of Florida. (!!!) My insurance sends me to another lapband doctor who is 2 1/2 hours away. I visit him and he states that he can't give me a fill under fluoro. (Great, so glad I wasted my whole day to see you). Finally, in September of 2010, I get a referral to see Dr D who is 45 minutes away. He's wonderful and compassionate. He realizes my frustration of having had the lapband for a whole year and not only had I not lost ANYTHING, I'd gained weight just waiting to have my adjustment. (The whole "last hurrah" theory of eating whatever/how much I wanted because I was facing a lifestyle change, etc.). So, he gave me 1 cc under fluoro - which put me at 5 ccs. I felt restriction for 3 days. I starting feeling good and could see myself already slimming down. Then I didn't feel restriction. Dr D is a very sought after doctor, so the time between appointments was always a few weeks. He gave me another fill of 1 1/2ccs - putting me at 6 1/2ccs. I didn't feel any restriction. We started talking about taking the lapband out and pursuing another weight loss surgery. My husband and I prayed about it and felt we should continue with the lap band. So, this past friday, Dr D gave me another 1 1/2 ccs - putting me at 8ccs. I did the whole fluids thing for 2 days - that right there is tough for me - and now I don't know what's wrong. I don't feel comfortable. I think it may be acid reflux? The nurse is calling in Carafate for me. Anyone else tried that? Did it help? Anyhow, that's my story. I'm ready for some success, lapband! And I'm ready to make some friends who are in this journey like me. I feel alone in this process. I am afraid of failure and I'm also afraid to give up food which is my comfort. I have a blog, too: http://jillthewarrior.blogspot.com/

Im sure your dr thought of this but is it possible he gave you too much during the last fill? I am at 6.5cc and I feel a little rest. every now and then. My dr told me he wants to go slowly because when you get close to restriction it becomes more sensitive(not sure if Im explaining correctly), He was more aggressive in the begining and as we go along the fills become less, he gives me .5cc everytime now until we get to proper rest. because the band becomes more sensitive the fuller it gets, another words a .5cc might be too much next time. It sounds like symptoms of being overfilled now with the reflux, discomfort and not able to get food down.

I would stick with the band, you will probably get there soon. You cant go by what amount gives others rest. because everyone is different, band size, fill amounts etc.