Dr said I am the problem

[extremlyfrustrated 0]

I was chosen to have the lap band surgery paid for under a piolt program for work. Recently widowed and ready for a new outlook and having been obese most of my life, I signed up for the band. Immediately after my outpatient suregery I was given a sprite zero on ice and with a straw. My friends and I both questioned the nurse and was assured this was the custom. My beginning weight was 260, about a week before surgery. After the liquid diet for a few days, because I had to have the suregery within a certain time frame to be covered, I was 254 the day of surgery. I lost close to 30 pounds by April. I was having some problems swallowing. I even went on the occassional liquid only for days at a time to combat the vomiting. I chewed slowly and carefully yet was still having problem getting foods and often liquids down. I had given up my diet drinks for over a month until even Water was making me vomit. Out of deperation, I reverted back to my diet drinks which did stay down better. There never seemed to be a rhym or reason to the vomiting, often daily even after only a couple of small bites. Out of despreation I reverted to icecream and chocolate which never made me sick. Yogurt even made me vomit. The doctor adjusted my fills several times but to no avail. I did the swallow test and was told placwement was fine. Finally he just said I was doing it wrong! I had my fill taken out and left. I went without a fill for many months...still choking and vomiting at times. I finally got insurance to agree to send me for a second opinion. After more expensive testing, I was told the placement was fine and was given a fill. As I have grown accustomed, I have days were nothing including water stays. Other days I eat endless and can never get full. On the days where I am sick, I still try to eat and drink because I am so hungry cause sometimes for days at a time, very little stays down. Trying to solve this has cost me a fortune...money that I didn't have. The original doctor said there is no medical necessity for it to be out therefore the insurance denies. I am extremely frustrated and depressed. I know people who have done the procedure since me who look wonderful. I feel like such a failure. I have taken diet pills on and off since the surgery just to try loose some weight. It is so embarrassing to have this surgery and I am currecntly at 240 lbs. My daughter graduates in May and I would love to have pictures taken with her and as for now as I have for many years...I avoid the camera. I would love a new start since I just survived the 3rd anniversary of my husband's death. The second year anniversary of my surgery is fast approaching. I cannot afford to continue doctor's visits to be told I am doing it wrong when my rarely makes it past my throat before I vomit. Even when I don't vomit, I spit up medium size jelly fish looking flim. Someone please help! I am getting to the point that I don't believe there is hope for me. I take Synthroid and have had the right side of my thyroid removed. I try to excersie...especially walking... when I have the energy to move. I had a wreck about a little over a year ago and I still have lots of neck and back pain. Miracle needed... believe me I am praying!!!

[healthychange 1]

Don't give up! Go back to basics. Eat tiny amounts of simple foods. For example, if your doc allows these foods, try this: a quarter or half of a hamburger patty, no bun, but into very tiny bites. Chew it really really well. After that is gone, eat a very small amount of broccoli that has been steamed so it is soft. No liquids before, during or after the meal. Then just wait and see what happens for a half hour or so.

[huntiesmom 0]

I so understand your issue. I was banded in April 2009. I lost 43 pounds. Starting last September I started having problems with food getting stuck and throwing up. I throw up one to 6 times per month. My doctor said that the food was stuck in near my band but it feels like its stuck in the back of my throat. I am sure it is because I can take a sip of very cold Water and feel it go down, stop, then release slowly in the back of my throat Sometimes I go a few weeks and things are well then all of a sudden I can not eat anything. Everything starts to get that stuck feeling. My doctor removed all Fluid form my band to see if the situation improved but it has not helped and without the restriction I have gained about 10 pounds back. Its weird some days I can eat chicken sometimes I can not. I have even had yogurt and banana get stuck. Today I had a couple bites of Cereal and two hours later I have thrown up twice- jelly fish blobs with some cereal. I can not get water down yet. I hope I will be luck enough to get some Soup or a shake in today. I was told to cut my food up like it was for a one year old starting to eat. Chew everything a million times - I follow instructions but I still have bad days. Sometime I feel like air is locked in my throat. My doc says I should have it out if I am this miserable he told me I did not fail but the band was just not right for me. Now I have to consider removing it and converting to bypass or not. To be honest surgery again scares the crumbs out of me. I am going for another opinion to weight my options. I wish you luck and understand the hell you are going through. You have not failed the band has failed you- its not a perfect solution for everyone. Good luck and keep us posted!

[conservachick 0]

WOW - I feel like someone is reading from my diary! I am having the exact issue.. my doctor even made me cry.. told me that I am the problem... It's amazing... would love to chat with you.... let me know if you wanna talk.. I'll give you my phone number.. HUGS.. and hang in there.. you're not alone.. many of us are going thru this and just don't wanna talk about it....

[Butterfly Queen 111 3]

Have you ever been checked for food alergies?Just a thought.I agree with the person who posted here about go back to basics and in addition to that choose only the most nutritious foods you can get and forgo the sodas/diet drinks-water only and see what happens.Also could you possibly have an allergy to the actual band?This is just another thought.Don't give up.We are all praying for you.:--)

[dramastarr 9]

It could be some of the foods your eating as well. I know that there are some days when I can't eat and eat. Then there are some when I say why bother. I know its because I still crave bread and potateos, at those times I give in. I may be able to eat some of those foods at night, but early in the day I can forget about it. If i do try to have those forbidden things early in the day then I notice that if I'm having complications with them I will be having issues with food going down for the rest of the day and sometimes until that next morning. This may be totally different for you , but I noticed thats how it goes with my band issues. Don't give up remember we have been use to eating one way and then all of a sudden we have to learn to do it another way.

[trish151 33]

Have you tried warm liquids? I like having my band tighter because it just makes me feel better but I can't eat anything solid until about 3 p.m. I get up and have coffee and it helps my band feel better. Then when I work out, it makes the band feel tighter. I get really hungry in the morning and will have a glass of milk or a Protein Shake and then by the after noon, I can usually eat normal food. If I eat mushy stuff, it seems to get stuck more easily than if I eat something solid. I guess it is because my band is tighter and the mushy stuff clings and gets clogged up easier than chicken or fish or any meat. I have just had to learn what I can eat and when. In the mornings, when I know I am tight, I may even just have a piece of sugar free candy for the flavor.I also know that i can usually have some of the Special K chip crackers. Something in the way they break down will let them go through the band when nothing else will. It keeps the hungar away and doesn't have a lot of calories.

[reverie 49]

You are not the problem here, most definitely not, so please don't think that. Your doctor's care seems to be subpar and what some of us don't stop to think is that well..maybe the band won't work for you, and again, it's not your fault.

Is there a Bariatric Center of Excellence near you, or something similar? I'm sorry but no amount of warm liquids or "returning to basics" is going to fix your problem. Is there some other doctor you could go to for a third opinion? When I come across stories like this I don't think people understand the severity of your problem. All of the vomiting you're doing is ruining your esophagus, seriously, and it's nothing to take lightly because you could end up with plenty of future problems.

If I were you I'd go to another doctor and request an EGD. Read this page and maybe you'll see some similarities which may explain what's going wrong. http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/esophageal-spasm.aspx