Banded 2004; Removal..soon I hope

Libralin · January 25, 2008

Hi..

I was banded in March 2004; By Sept.I wasnt losing anymore...so I asked for my first fill. From Sept-Dec. I was back and forth trying to get the right amount. I was filled one time right before my period. The next day I swelled like a balloon and was vomiting Water in the middle of the night through my mouth and my nose..I thought I was drowning..so unfill again...back and forth. I'm 5'2 and went from 232 to 161. My mother passed away the following April 2005. I started to become filled with sorrow. Started going to a therapist. Also started sabatoging my diet. Slowly started to regain weight. Went to the dr.to try and get the perfect adjustment. He told me I was probably not going to get below 161. My body was used to that. I tried to eat the right things but they would be rejected..dont know if thats a mental block or what. But how come I could eat salads with no problem..but broccoli or spinach(that I was able to eat in the beginning) would not go down. Fruits very difficult too..

Whatever I did; I screwed up..and gained all of my weight back..And Im still banded!!!! Only thing in the past 6 months I have been vomiting more frequently. Never happened in the first year and a half.

Still going to Curves...

Disgusted with myself...

My left shoulder pain as been around on and off since day 1 of surgery. However, now they tell me I have rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder.

In the past 6 months I have had 2 cortisone shots; physical therapy; a stress test, blood work, ultra sound of my rib areas, (pain when I bend over to far). The tech killed me when she did the ultrasound over my band!!! My drs nurse said I could have two pouches!? Maybe thats why my ribs were hurting when I bent over?

The results of the GI said that my esophogaus is slightly dialated. I told her I was thinking of having the band removed. She said for me to go to a gastro dr. to do a scope(with the tv camera thing) and be put out..I also told her I was tested positive for the H-Pylori before I was banded. She said they might want to do a biopsy for that..They want me to do this before my drs.appt. If I want to get the band out; do I have to have this done...for what purpose? Just to check things out? Is it really necessary?

I read somewhere in here that the shoulder pain could be from the port or something pushing on the nerve up to my shoulder because even if I get a hiccup it shoots right up to the left shoulder.

Sorry if this is so long. I have just spent over an hour reading everyones stories. Alot of them sound like mine.

Early success; but then problems later on down the line.

Im glad Im not the only one.

As for eating, I have been careful lately to not gain anymore; but the ice cream devil is always at my door. Im sure there are alot of psychological aspects of this whole episode. However, I dont care what they say; I want it OUT!

Thanks for listening...Good luck to everyone!

Any comments greatly appreciated!

TracyinKS · February 1, 2008

Good luck! Are you dead set against keeping your band...... why don't you just turn it off while you work with your therepist on the head and emotional issues and then when you are ready work on your weight again.

What ever you decide.. GOOD LUCK

Libralin · February 1, 2008

I have been seeing a therapist for 2 years and have been gaining weight since I started. Something is definitely wrong with the band although the position was supposed to be fine. I still can get certain things down others I cant...In the beginning I was able to eat broccoli, fruits, certain meats. Now, its not happening...I also have to eat one type of consistency at a time or the food gets stuck. Believe it or not; I can get a salad down....as long as there is dressing on it..So whatever I eat has to have something to slide down. If I eat Soup and it has anything in it the soup pushes the solids down to quickly...I dunno...I cant go on like this....

I keep trying to go back to the reason I got the band in the first place. It was out of desperation to lose and be here for my kids and future grandchildren. I havent lost sight of that. But I am just going to have to try another way!

Thanks for your support!