just wondering....

tellie · August 30, 2004

Ok, this is what wont let me sleep lately and I hope someone can help me with this.

As I posted last week my band apparently moved and the doc shrugged and said " what do you want to do about it?" if you can eat with some restriction and drink, then it doesnt matter" ( gave me medicine for the acid reflux that happened after the band -maybe-moved).

So I have been having waking nightmares now about my band, attached to my stomach/esophagus just floating around inside me! ( i think i can actually feel it shifting sides when I do same in bed!) and when I eat I feel the pull of the weight of the food on the back of my throat, like the skin on the palate stretching.

Is this possible? Am I delusional? paranoid? losing the plot? ( I have convinced myself that my tonsils have actually moved back, but then again.....how can I be sure if this is even possible, sounds so ridiculous, even to me )

Anatomically speaking, is the banded stomach attached to some tissue to keep things in place? or is the weight of the band negligible and its just lose inside and i just hadn't noticed it before? My feeling of restriction "migrated" at least 10 cms south.... so I think it got unstuck from wherever it was?

Thank you oh wise ones.....

tellie

leatha_g · August 30, 2004

I'm certainly not the wise one, but I really think you're worrying yourself over nothing. Is their pain involved? Do you feel that your band is in danger? Would your doc write you an order for an upper GI just to be sure?

I feel my port on occasion. I even have thought it has moved in the past. They should be stitched to stay in place, but on occasion one gets pulled loose and flips, but that's a relatively easy fix. As far as your band. I think it would pretty hard to move it, but on occasion some do slip.

If you feel that seeing it on film would make you feel better. I'd ask for an Upper GI.

It's 2am. Am I way offbase here?

Good luck! I hope they can help put your mind at ease.

Leatha

La_madam · August 30, 2004

I would be more concerned with your doctors attitude as you stated "he shrugged and asked what you wanted to do about it"

He is the doctor and trained professional. Shouldnt he be making that decision or reccomendation as to what to do? Let him know of all of your concersn and worries and maybe he can put your mind at ease.

Good Luck to you

tellie · August 31, 2004

sorry

Have had a few bad weeks, but I wont make excuses. I did lose the plot. I am getting used to whatever it is that happened inside me. And yes, I have restriction, and can eat and drink, so the rest musn't be so important.

The Australian system in general (medical as well) is not service oriented. Doctors here ( Gp's even, specialists even more) don't really feel the need to waste time explaining things to the patients who, after all, are probably not capable of understanding anyway. Very frustrating when you like to know exactly what goes on with your body....

I am sorry I was hysterical yesterday. Thank you for your replies.

tellie

leatha_g · August 31, 2004

Originally posted by tellie
Doctors here ( Gp's even, specialists even more) don't really feel the need to waste time explaining things to the patients who, after all, are probably not capable of understanding anyway. Very frustrating when you like to know exactly what goes on with your body....

I am sorry I was hysterical yesterday. Thank you for your replies.

tellie

You are more than welcome! I understand your need to know. I always feel better if I can just understand what and why. Interestingly, with the band, the patient becomes more educated on how it really works and what's going on inside than even most of the surgeons. They are the mechanics, but they are definitely not the drivers. We are - so we need to know how and what is going on and what to be concerned with or not.

Keep us posted!

New Hope · August 31, 2004

Unfortunately, we have many of those kind of drs. in the US. I've always referred to it as the "God syndrome". You'd think they'd figure out that an informed patient is going to be a happier, healthier, and better patient - in any health circumstance!

claraluz · August 31, 2004

It's OK to come here with your fears and concerns. You don't need to worry about sounding hysterical. I'm just glad that you are feeling better.

Nancy

tellie · September 1, 2004

Hi again,

I agree Leatha, that doctors can't really know whats going on inside the patient once they stitch us up! I just wonder why aren't they more curious to learn, by listening to what we have to say.

Maybe it is a disease that affects doctors everywhere? I like that you have a name for it NH. I hate to be treated like im stupid or something. I always blamed it on socialised medicine though (not my stupidity, mind you). I guess its just a doctor thing.

Thank you Nancy, I have been coming here, hysterically mostly, for almost a year now, and have never been dissappointed. Everyone is so friendly, caring and reassuring. It's a wonderful site.

cheers,

Tellie

ps, still weird inside but eating and drinking