STUPID f'n band! what is WRONG!!!

[shellyj. 0]

banded bandit- we must be twins,

i posted that last week and since then have been able to eat decently i havent had an unfill. but right now i am still working on my a.m. yogurt! *shrugs*

my appt is for tommorrow then my dr goes out of town. i will see what he has to say....i am hoping he can order the test for hiatel hernia. i know he just loves it when i come in with all these ideas from *people on the internet* hehehe

i dont know what i am gonna do but i know i do want to lose this last 50 lbs!

i also have a call in to my original band dr, who has been doing bands 4 yrs to see if they are having folks with similiar problems and if so what are they doing.

[Elisabethsew 50]

What you both seem to be experiencing sounds a lot like esophageal spasm. It's associated with horrible pain and an inability to swallow without pain. A GI specialist should be able to give you more answers and maybe even prescribe an anti-spasmotic drug.

[jigglypuff 0]

Wow! These posts are similiar to my experiences. Banded in 7/05, started having problems after my 2nd fill in Jan. 06, which was too tight-1.9cc. Then got an unfill, waited a month, got a smaller fill-1.4cc, fine for 2 months, then problems with liquids, blah, blah, blah. Now have an unfill again. The difference with the 2nd episode (from the 1st) is that I thought I had found my sweet spot before the problems--losing consistently, no vomiting at all, being careful with my food choices, ie. When I went in to see the doc I was told that I have a dynamic slip, which is only diagnosable by fluoro.

Basically, when I'm having problems and they do the fluoro, it looks like I have pouch dilation, a partial slip, stomach prolapse--they're all the same, I'm pretty sure. The docs are getting away from saying "slip" because it is such a freak out for the patients. Anyway, as soon as I get an unfill---poof! my band/pouch/swallowing looks totally normal on the fluoro, and I have no problems getting stuff through my band.

So, I basically have to see if I can try to lose with an unfilled band--don't know if this will work for me, I feel like I am slipping back into bad habits--eating too much after work, ie. But I will try. My doc said I could try an even smaller fill (.8cc), after I give my band a rest for a few weeks, but if I have any symptoms with the very small fill (or even any symptoms with my unfilled band--like difficulty swallowing, reflux, ie.) then I should have surgery to try to reposition the band or remove it. They can't promise to reposition the band because they have to see what things look like when they would get in there--how much scar tissue and stuff.

Maybe this is what you have? It might explain some of your symptoms. I was pretty bummed, but I need to stay positive and try to work my band, even if it is unfilled. I would like to lose 50 more lbs.--I don't want to gain, that's for sure. This site is a lifesaver--I don't know what I'd do without it. I've been to Mexico 4 times this year, and once to a doc in my home state for a 2nd opinion. I'm burned out. I think Mexico is out as far as going there for a vacation--too many memories of being stressed out. Sorry to digress...

Jigglypuff

[Banded Bandit 0]

I'm sorry to hear you are going through all this mess too. I too, have about 50 more pounds to lose. It's like...things were going great and then I reached this huge wall and all this stuff started happening -- now I feel like the "tool" I was given to help me has been taken away! If I could just lose the weight and keep it off I wouldn't have had to have the surgery in the first place! I do feel like I view food and eating in a different light now. A LOT of food to me is different than a LOT of food used to be -- portion size has definitely changed in my mind -- COMPLETELY! But yes, it gets easier to rely back on old habits -- especially when all you CAN get through the band is the 'junk' stuff. I actually got to the point where I lose MORE weight with NO Fluid than when I had Fluid in -- because I could make healthier choices....crazy as it sounds!!!

As far as I know --the slippage or prolapse or whatever they are calling it -- is what they looked for and said it didn't appear anything was wrong.

As for the esophageal spasms -- I seem to be o.k. now that I don't have any fluid in my band -- if I had spasms in my esophagus, would they be ALL the time, or would they be caused as a result of the band being tightened, etc...? Thanks for any input on this.

As for those of you in this boat with me -- atleast we aren't alone or crazy, right!!! Not that it makes it any better! I am questioning if I should have it removed if it isn't going to do anything for me...

[Alexandra 55]

BandedBandit, I just got another tiny fill after about five months of being totally unfilled. Now my fingers are crossed that things will stay cool.

When I went in this morning I was totally prepared to be told that I couldn't get any fill, and I would have gone on my merry way. The worst thing would have been being told that my band would have to come out! What I'm saying is...why would you remove your band completely even if you are unable to get a fill? You said your idea of a decent portion has changed, and so has mine. But would it STAY changed if the band were out of me entirely? I have no confidence that it would.

Even though I'm at least 40 pounds overweight by "normal" standards, I am no longer 150 lbs overweight and that to me is a HUGE victory. As long as I don't go back THERE I feel like it's all been worth it, and continues to be worth it.

We have to make peace with our bands if we want to keep them long term. If that means we reach a point beyond which it's no longer adjustable, then that's what it means. As long as it's in the right place and not causing me problems, I'll take whatever intake-limitation it can provide, for as long as I can get it.

[health1st 1]

Still a newbie here and this is just a thought, please don't flame me. I 55 and have had obese issues all my life.

My mother-in-law is 85, no meds, normal weight, eats healthy, walks everday.... said to me: "I always eat my big meal at noon, a small meal at night and I always to go to bed a little hungry!'" I smiled at her but inside I was like YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING@!! Go to bed a little hungry. That was like telling me to cut off a finger every night before I go to bed.

BUT I started to think about it and I don't like to be hungry, not even a little. Hence being obese and the band! I know it is "our" collective problem but maybe "I" need to adjust my attitude a little and get a little hungry once in a while, or maybe even real hungry, and know I can eat a little protien and IF I wait 15 minutes, the hunger goes away. (IT IS SO HARD TO DO THAT! but it works) Since being banded I have gotten to know what real hunger is vs head hunger. Mostly I am head hungry! Just a thought!

[Banded Bandit 0]

Oh, there's DEFINITELY something to be said about needing to figure out the difference between being mentally hungry and physically hungry! 100% agreed! That is a battle I will ALWAYS fight -- probably MOST of us will always fight. The band only controls the physical stuff. Sure, our mental attitudes change toward food as a result because it's all habit -- but having a band doesn't really make you STOP wanting to snack -- and believe me, this is something you HAVE to get in check early on....because you want to revert back to your 'old ways' more and more the longer out you are. We all have to have some self-control. I wish I had more of it sometimes.

Right now though, I am just at a fed-up point with my band. I can't completely decide to try to have it taken out - no -- because it has done wonderful things for me -- but it's also caused me tons of pain and days/weeks/months of worry that as far as I can see is no fault of my own. As I said previously, my MENTALITY about portion size has changed. My band does not restrict me AT ALL right now with no Fluid in it. My mind says, "that's enough" before I even start. I often wonder if it's served its purpose for me. If it isn't going to help me at this point -- which I really don't feel it PHYSICALLY is....why have a foreign body just sitting there inside me....ya know?!?! :noidea:

[health1st 1]

Bandit, The questions of just how much is the band and how much is me?? It makes total sense. Some people really do lose and keep weight off without a band, I was just NOT one of them.

And I can relate to my mind saying "that's enough" before I get started. It is always such a surprise to hear it. I wonder if deep down somewhere in my brain, that thought was there, I just NEVER could hear it! I was totally UNconscious when it came to food. The band makes me stay conscious. I can see how that consciousness would wear off over time, especially since I can eat anything.

I had serious complications with the band right out of the gate and I still wonder. The pain and 5 days in the hospital were horrible!! It was 7 weeks before I could do much of anything. It took a lot out of me. But right now the band is helping AND I don't want another surgery just yet. So I'll go with it. But there were days!!?? I sometimes wonder if I hadn't had the complications would I be MUCH more caviliar with what I eat??!! I'm afraid so. I love to break the rules.

BUT PLEASE keep me posted on your journey. I really want to understand your questions, your process, your years of experience and I am sure it will help to me at some point. It already has. I learn so much from everyone on this board.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for you honesty.

[PamRN 0]

have they looked into what they are filling your bands with, and the osmosis issues other bands have had? If your band is permeable at all, and they put saline (salt solution) in it, your body will push Fluid from your circulation into the saline in order to dilute the salt for balance, which can cause overfilling of your band.

I don't know that this is your issue, but the midband and it's fill solution had to be reformulated for exactly that reason. Now the midband fill solution is 50% Iopamidol, and 50% saline, so it's balanced and the band is less permeable... Just something to consider with the way a small fill gets tighter and tighter for you.

[Banded Bandit 0]

oops! I think I've hijacked ShellyJ's thread! Sorry that wasn't my intention!

Pam -- that is an interesting concept! I hadn't ever heard of that. I wonder how you know what kind of band you have. Obviously by asking the doc, huh?!? I will have to look into that as a possibility. All I know is there seems to be no rhyme or reason and I seem to be o.k. now that the solution has been removed.

health1st -- Please don't think I am trying to be negative about the whole experience. It HAS accomplished a LOT for me. I am so much happier even where I am now than I was when all of this started (and for so many years before that). I just haven't had the best experience with the band. It never restricted my eating the way I THOUGHT it would. Yes, it restricted me -- I think really I ate less because I was scared to stretch things out and I wanted to be the perfect patient -- but honestly-- 2 ounces of food NEVER filled me up. Something in my brain clicked somewhere along the way though. I am having awful problems now with gaining a bit of weight back and hating myself for it -- but I KNOW what I have to do to get it back off.....it's a matter of DOING it! I wish you so much success in what you're doing. This band has been a blessing for me in so many ways -- just not without some pain along the way!

[Vera 7]

We have to make peace with our bands if we want to keep them long term. If that means we reach a point beyond which it's no longer adjustable, then that's what it means. As long as it's in the right place and not causing me problems, I'll take whatever intake-limitation it can provide, for as long as I can get it.

How I agree with this, I now am 3 years out like most of you and just want to keep my band for life.

I’m just reading all of this for the first time, Ladies I’m feeling for all of you, Leatha makes sense, and you all do. I take prevacid almost daily due to heartburn and I’m not very restricted at all, 1.3 in the 9.75 band. I’ve only have had 1 fill with this band and don’t want any more. The only way I see maintaining my weight is watching what I eat.

Hoping the best for all of you!

[kebabish 0]

could some body tell me how do the docs know how much to fill i went for my first fill 3 weeks ago i am going back next week for my second fill my first they put 1,5ml i seem to be eating more for dinner tonight i had jacket pot topped with tune sweetcorn mayo and baked Beans with 2 slices of corned beef and i ate it all do you think thats alot in one meal and do you think its to soon for another fill

[shellyj. 0]

i would say the docs do a good 'educated guess' as to what their fill increments are. if they are doing the fill under flouro (Xray) then you can see how much restriction you are having. when you get your next fill be sure to tell your dr the amounts and textures of the food you are eating...that will help him judge weather you need a small fill or larger one.

blind faith i guess!

[NancySmiles 2]

. .1 and 1/2 but definitally NOT .2. (my dr said a .1 fill is so small its hard to give one that tiny so it was a smidge more than .1 but not more than .2.) so i go home things are great. eating solids no PB's this goes on for a few days. i do notice that my meals are getting smaller and smaller. yesterday my caloric intake consisted of: HOW can a .1 - .1 1/2 fill SEAL ME OFF???? if i cant EVER get restriction again how can i be successfull with the band? in november it will be 2 YEARS that i have gone WITHOUT restriction.

I Have been going through EXACTLY the same thing!!! I now have 1.25cc in and when I had been filled with 1.50 cc it was too tight. When I had 1.5 cc it was too tight. I have restriction...but only for certain things ...just as you do!

All of a sudden....today....I have been able to eat way more than I used to. Not sure if something got jiggled around or what happened....but I am ready for a fill now!!! My wight is at a standstill and has been for almost a year!!

Someone had mentioned that if they got MORE than they were used to and that worked. So I should be asking for MORE than 1.25 cc at a time and see what happens???

Nancy

[shellyj. 0]

I Have been going through EXACTLY the same thing!!! I now have 1.25cc in and when I had been filled with 1.50 cc it was too tight. When I had 1.5 cc it was too tight. I have restriction...but only for certain things ...just as you do!

All of a sudden....today....I have been able to eat way more than I used to. Not sure if something got jiggled around or what happened....but I am ready for a fill now!!! My wight is at a standstill and has been for almost a year!!

Someone had mentioned that if they got MORE than they were used to and that worked. So I should be asking for MORE than 1.25 cc at a time and see what happens???

Nancy

when you go see your dr i would,

remind him that at 1.5cc you were to tight

tell him the kinds of foods you are eating NOW at 1.25cc where you are to loose.

*to me* if you were to tight at 1.5 then i would get a SMALL FILL around .1 that would bring you from 1.25 up to 1.35cc. when you are close (feeling some restriction but not quite enough) then the smallest amount can make ALL the difference.

what kinds of foods are you eating? when the band is restricted *perfectly* its SOLIDS that fill you up. if you are eating things that are mushy or to saucey then you can eat unlimited amounts. it is very easy to eat around the band. you can be doing it without even knowing it. sometimes foods that are technically a solid, if cooked properly is really a mushy. or you would think of them as a solid but once you have chewed the heck out of it it goes down fine.

yesterday my mil made 'chicken and gravy': chicken cooked on the bone, add a can of cream of mushroom then add 1/2 and 1/2 to make 'gravy'. we had fresh green Beans with bacon, bread for dippen your gravy in and a piece of peach pie for desert.

this WHOLE meal is a mushy. the chicken was so tender that even without flooding your plate in gravy- it was a mushy. it was covered and cooked in the sauce. the green Beans were fresh and the peaches we picked before dinner!

i had:

1 small chicken thigh 1/2 spoon full of gravy

.5 cup green beans with bacon pieces

1 slice of bread

1 smaller piece of peach pie with whip cream.

since this food was mushy i ate quite a bit without even knowing, i finished only a few bites behind everyone. no drinking. this was at 3:00 in the afternoon so its not like i was open from it being 'night'.

if i had been at home and ate solids it would have been more like todays:

Breakfast - slimfast

lunch (at 3:00)- 4 oz piece of Breakfast quiche (size of deck of cards). i eat this cold and i do consider it a 'solid' food because it will take me an hour to eat since it has no 'sauce'. if i heated it up warm and gooey- it would be mushy for sure and if i started slowly i could eat a big ole piece.