I Want My Band Removed Now!!!!!

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Sue, and welcome to the forums. I am curious as to why, after only five weeks, you hate your band and are already ready to have it removed?

[SUEB55 0]

I have been miserable since day one. I can hardly swallow anything but liquid, I can't sleep, I have no energy, and I can't even begin to eat the amount of food that is recommended for week 5. No one I know has had my symptoms.

I just do not like the idea of this thing being in me - and I don't even recognize myself anymore. I don't want to go anywhere, see anyone, do anything. I force myself to walk each morning and night, but otherwise, I am miserable and unhappy. I have to force myself to eat and nothing tastes good at all!!! Before the banding, I was active, excercising regularly, feeling good. I just struggled to lose weight and thought that this would be a tool to help me with the weight control. However, it is not for me.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I have been miserable since day one. I can hardly swallow anything but liquid, I can't sleep, I have no energy, and I can't even begin to eat the amount of food that is recommended for week 5. No one I know has had my symptoms.

I just do not like the idea of this thing being in me - and I don't even recognize myself anymore. I don't want to go anywhere, see anyone, do anything. I force myself to walk each morning and night, but otherwise, I am miserable and unhappy. I have to force myself to eat and nothing tastes good at all!!! Before the banding, I was active, excercising regularly, feeling good. I just struggled to lose weight and thought that this would be a tool to help me with the weight control. However, it is not for me.

I had very similar problems, that's why I got a sleeve. Would you just give me a week and let me help you? We can chat via PM? Just a week. If things aren't better... remove the band. But just maybe I can help?

I've been where you are but for different reasons.

[dbinnc 0]

I have been miserable since day one. I can hardly swallow anything but liquid, I can't sleep, I have no energy, and I can't even begin to eat the amount of food that is recommended for week 5. No one I know has had my symptoms.

I just do not like the idea of this thing being in me - and I don't even recognize myself anymore. I don't want to go anywhere, see anyone, do anything. I force myself to walk each morning and night, but otherwise, I am miserable and unhappy. I have to force myself to eat and nothing tastes good at all!!! Before the banding, I was active, excercising regularly, feeling good. I just struggled to lose weight and thought that this would be a tool to help me with the weight control. However, it is not for me.

I feel almost the same way. Got my done about 9 days ago. I have stopped taking welbutrin cause I can't stand crushing them and no liquid form. I take my lexapro but only when cut in 1/4's. When I get a fill, I don't know if I will be able to do that. So my mood sucks even worse. I didn't know there would be stuff I couldn't eat anymore. Not that I have tried, but from what I have read, bread (so burgers, dogs etc.), fries, steak, chicken. I thought I would still be able to eat anything just in moderation. Now I am just scared to try and eat anything. Not that I can right now, but when the time comes. I am not myself. It hurts when I have gas and sometimes when drinking. I also might be moving soon and that means the insurance that paid for all this will be gone and I assume I will have to pay for my own fills etc., I can't afford that. I want to be "normal" again. My normal.

[Kalipso2 25]

i'm 1 year 3 months post surgery. i'm not going to lie... this has been the most difficult thing i've EVER done. there are some days i wish i had never had surgery... that i would almost give up my life just to be able to eat 2 pieces of pizza one more time. BUT i'm beginning to love my new body. i wouldn't have been able to lose weight on my own. if i could have i would have.

it's still hard knowing i'll never get to eat certain foods anymore... pizza being on of those foods but you learn to live with it!

i take a few medications in pill form.. 2 of them being capsules... and i've never had any problems. you should be fine after your fill.

don't give up just yet. it WILL get easier, i promise!!

[Nanook 2]

I feel almost the same way. Got my done about 9 days ago. I have stopped taking welbutrin cause I can't stand crushing them and no liquid form. I take my lexapro but only when cut in 1/4's. When I get a fill, I don't know if I will be able to do that. So my mood sucks even worse. I didn't know there would be stuff I couldn't eat anymore. Not that I have tried, but from what I have read, bread (so burgers, dogs etc.), fries, steak, chicken. I thought I would still be able to eat anything just in moderation. Now I am just scared to try and eat anything. Not that I can right now, but when the time comes. I am not myself. It hurts when I have gas and sometimes when drinking. I also might be moving soon and that means the insurance that paid for all this will be gone and I assume I will have to pay for my own fills etc., I can't afford that. I want to be "normal" again. My normal.

dbinnc,

I didn't have issues taking meds after I was banded but did for a while after having my gastric bypass but have no issues anymore and that's a whole different ballgame anyway as you have the malabsorption issue to deal with. You sound depressed and it's normal to be depressed after surgery and more difficult if you're not taking the meds that you should be. If I were you I'd get in touch with your therapist/doctor whoever prescribes these for you and tell them the issues you're having and why you're not taking your meds and what they suggest. My antidpressant is in capsule form so I could not cut it up even if I wanted to.

So talk to your doctor and hopefully you'll get back on the meds and feel much better for it. Take care, Nancy.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

dbinnc, I'm actually glad I didn't know about this website until a while after I had my surgery. I would have thought the same thing as you .... that I can't eat anything. Luckily, I just forged ahead and found out that I can eat all that stuff, except for soft bread. But LOTS of people can eat soft bread. I can eat pizza, but I prefer the thin crust so maybe that's why I don't have any problems with it. DRY meats can be a problem, so re-evaluate your cooking process. Crock pot cooking, marinating, "mopping" with liquids when grilling, lo-cal sauces like mustards, etc. I found something interesting in the store, too .... Arnold's Bread makes a "bun" that is very thin, 100 calories, whole grain and I love the taste. Now, I have burgers instead of a piece of meat.

As for your meds, the first week or two weeks, you will have swelling which will make you tighter than you will be later on. I don't take any meds on a regular basis anymore except for Calcium supplements and I can swallow those horsepills whole with no problem NOW but not at the very first.

At first I was very aware of all the changes but now, 5-1/2 months later, it's no biggie. The thing is to NOT ASSUME anything. Try your favorite foods. Always remember to take bites about the size of a nickel and chew it well. Don't take big gulps of any liquids and you should be fine. REALLY.

And, if you want to talk to me back channel, my email is parr0thd51@aol.com

[dbinnc 0]

I was told I could never take pills ever again. after reading some other posts I tried anyway. I took my regular time released welbutrin last night and it went down fine. took it again this morning along with my lexapro cut in half instead of quarters. all fine. So this should get me back on track.

My big problem is that I am not creative when it comes to the kitchen. So i get bored really easily. I am also very picky eater. I have seen lots of recipes and tried some and others don't appeal to me. I like having something to follow. A plan of what I should eat. Not, "just have 3 shakes a day". need to know how to "mix it up" so to speak so I don't get bored and frustrated. I have been eating lots of Tomato Soup cause i don't know what else to have for lunch. I put unflavored Protein in it.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

dbinnc, email me and I promise to help with meal suggestions. I think I can offer up some simple, tasty meals once I know a little more about what you like, etc.

parr0thd51@aol.com