Stress and the Band

[Sojourner 2,446]

Days like yesterday were not supposed to happen. I was supposed to travel with my husband to our new home several states north to help with the first part of our move. He had to follow through with plans with the moving company, and I had to return to the hospital for imaging studies to determine what was wrong with my band. Tonight he is at our other house, and I've completed another day of a full liquid diet.< /span>

I have been compliant with following a bandster lifestyle. I don't overeat, try everyday to get some exercise, make healthy food choices, and was very conservative with getting fills. After nearly 14 months, I had 4.5 cc in my 11 cc band.

Major life changes were in our plans as a couple. My husband's retirement and our move were long in the planning stages. We had a timeline and were on schedule. No problem...I had been anticipating these major life events, and was doing well with my level of restriction and stress.

Then one of our sons called to share his own major life event...and it was like falling off a cliff for me. I was emotionally upset, and within 3 days I was experiencing the type of reflux you read about with slipped bands. I began a controlled panic, as my worst fear with my band is experiencing complications which would necessitate it's removal. How could this be happening to me?

I had vowed from the beginning of my journey to never be one of the people who aggressively seek fills as a way to assist with weight loss, preferring instead to take more of the responsibility for my weight loss by managing my hunger. It was a plan which had worked well for me.

I could not believe the pain, similar to symptoms of a heart attack. I woke up choking several nights in a row. I resigned myself to sleeping in one of our recliners, and decided that my regular appointment with my surgeon in a week was close enough to wait it out.

The imaging study showed that my band was way too tight. I had previously realized that stress created by driving sometimes made sipping Water difficult for me, but I never believed that stress would cause the band to tighten so much that 1/3 of the Fluid needed to be removed before the contrast could pass through.

What I learned through this is that I was taking unnecessary risks with my health and band by delaying to call my surgeon at the first sign of severe reflux. I also learned that life stress can and sometimes does increase the tightness of the band. Sometimes so much so that a partial unfill is not an option but a necessity.

In 6 weeks, I plan on beginning to replace the fluid which took me 18 weeks to acquire. By then, 2 of the 3 major life events will have been accomplished. To deal with the third, I just might have to take up meditation. I need to learn how to relax...

Other's mileage may vary...

[donna12 742]

I'm so sorry this has happened and you will be in my prayers along with your family. Glad you got it resolved. I too went thru some really stressful I'd say 3 weeks a few weeks ago and had to have an unfill but I'm back at it again, like you I had the reflux at night. Good luck with your move and how exciting!!!

[Julie145 5]

Wow! Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that stress will change the tightness of the band. I have a high stress job and am a tightly wound person in general. This is something I definitely need to be aware of.

[zinhaa 363]

So sorry for your troubles. Our bands are mighty fickle.

You may want to try and get a nice large aromatherapy candle from bath and bodyworks. Some relaxing music and learn to breathe you know belly breathing. You need to do it at least daily. If you can't find music i have something i could send you and you can use it if you like it or throw it away if you don't. Good luck

Wendy

[kll724 3,055]

((((hugs)))) have peace! My advice is to follow Wendy's advice above! Sounds like you need it! Try to destress. Karen

[Baba Wawa 543]

So sorry you're having this! it should be a happy time for you, retiring, looking forward to your new home. Your story is way too familiar to mine. Unfortunately, my reflux didn't come on suddenly, but with just chest and epigastric pain during the night, coming on suddenly and radiating up to the left shoulder, arm, neck and jaw. It only lasted for a minute or so and subsided with a sip of Water and changing position. The severe reflux showed up after emptying the band, so keep alert if the symptoms don't subside, post unfill.

Sometimes our kids troubles are harder to bear than our own...hang in there. I hope your unfill gives you relief!

[sunflower26 9]

ya we all get stressed out

[jazzmattazz 2]

I feel like I put a lot if stress on my band. I got banded on April 12 and I'm still feeling pain around my sutures though. Is that normal? Also when I walk a feel pressure where the lap band is. Like I need to burp but its not coming. Like my band it going to come out of my mouth. Please tell me this is normal. I'm getting really worried.

[Lose100 178]

I feel like I put a lot if stress on my band. I got banded on April 12 and I'm still feeling pain around my sutures though. Is that normal? Also when I walk a feel pressure where the lap band is. Like I need to burp but its not coming. Like my band it going to come out of my mouth. Please tell me this is normal. I'm getting really worried.

Please call your surgeon ASAP!!!!!!!!!

[Lose100 178]

I feel like I put a lot if stress on my band. I got banded on April 12 and I'm still feeling pain around my sutures though. Is that normal? Also when I walk a feel pressure where the lap band is. Like I need to burp but its not coming. Like my band it going to come out of my mouth. Please tell me this is normal. I'm getting really worried.

Pain around your sutures does not really concern me. What is concerning me is the pressure you are feeling. We all can give you our advice on this forum. But the best advice that I can give is to call your surgeon ASAP!!!!! It is better to be safe than sorry.