For those who wanted to know about my doctor follow up

[Cleo's Mom 257]

For HeatherO and the poster who gave me that great list what being too restricted causes and the bulleted list of reflux symptoms (thank you):

He didn't want to do an unfill because he said the second fill should not cause liquid to come up in my throat at 5:30 AM -that all food/liquid should be in the stomach,not the pouch. So he is ordering an endoscopy. He knows I don't want to mess with esophageal problems. My beloved husband died 3 years ago from esophageal cancer after a lifetime of heartburn/reflux. Esophageal cancer is deadly. You don't survive it.

He said if I want to be successful I have to learn that food can't be that important and to just eat the Protein food and I might not get to veggies or fruit. And as soon as I feel pain (often after a few bites) to stop. I said I am still hungry - and he said I shouldn't be since that means the pouch is full. Well, that pain lasts from 5-10 minutes which means the pouch is no longer full so why shouldn't I be hungry then? Basically he just wants me to keep eating less and less until I lose another 30 pounds (I am 181 and have lost 65 pounds - most of it from pre and post band dieting - maybe 5 from the band). I told him I am not willing to eat less or do more than I am now. I feel I have been so compliant with everything, done everything that was asked of me, now I am done. The band is either going to work for me or it isn't. It has never, ever reduced my hunger. And I know the difference between hunger, thirst and satiety.:thumbup:

[Jachut 487]

Oh dear, I think I'd be seeking a second opinion.

Yes the food should be in your stomach at 5.30 am, not in your pouch. But it patently isnt, which is why you have a problem.

And you're already there, in his office, what time, cost or effort does it take to unfill a bit and see if it helps? For goodness sake, its the easiest, cheapest and safest first route to try. I'd have done my nana over that I'm afraid. Its YOUR body and if you want an unfill its YOUR right.

Also, just Protein? No fruit and veg? And that doesnt worry him? I'd be out of there and to another doctor. That's idiotic.

A lapband is intended to help you manage a new lifestyle not survive forever on some miserable diet that will make you ill.

I'm sorry you've been going through all this stuff, its just not fair.

[kiz 1]

CM. thank you for giving us an update.

I'm flabbergasted, as well, that your doctor didn't give you a slight unfill. You know your body and what you're feeling, and a simple, uncomplicated tiny unfill may have helped. It certainly couldn't hurt at this point. Telling you to live on Protein alone is nonsense, imo. How on earth are you suppose to stay healthy leaving out every other food group?? I remember that you said in your earlier post that you had successfully lost a good amount weight pre-band. You obviously do not make food all important, or you wouldn't have been successful in your pre-band diet, but still, food is a necessity, and it cannot be healthy to deny yourself everything but protein.

I hope you have some luck in discovering why you're having these problems with the endoscopy.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Thanks, guys, for your input. After this endoscopy I am going to make a decision about seeing another doctor for a second opinion. I don't think it is healthy to eliminate entire food groups. He said I could get those nutrients in my Multi-Vitamin. I do think it is important to eat a variety of foods for nutrition as well as to not get bored. I already eat pretty much the same things over and over. But I do like salads and I eat the sugar free canned fruit (applesauce, peaches and mandarin oranges) - these were things on the list I was given. Now they might now fit in because I have pain when I eat - so just eliminate them? I don't eat any fresh fruits (except 1/2 banana) or fresh veggies (for fear of getting stuck) - I got stuck last week on baked fish and salad. I love salads so that is a deal breaker for me. All of you have provided me with such great insights that I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel like I am battling this alone but all of you help me with that. BTY - Jachut - what is "done my nana" - I never heard that one.

[Jachut 487]

Nana as in banana. I dont know what it means really, lol, like what is doing your banana? But its just something we say here. Chucked a mental? Thrown a spaz? Bust a kafoofoo valve?

Anyway, I think seeing another doctor is a good idea. You may be right, the band may just not work for you but you have to get it at least more comfortable, you cant be living with symptoms like you've been having. Nobody has a right to deny you that, you need medical support to achieve that at the very least. And good care might mean that you can get some benefit from having your band.

Edited February 18, 2009 by Jachut

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Thanks, Jachut, for clearing that up. We say having a meltdown or going nuclear. I think I did both with my visit two weeks ago when everything came to a head - my cancer, my husband's death from cancer and this band not working like I thought it would. I don't think he likes seeing me coming - his other patients are probably giddy with their big weight losses and make him feel like a king. Thanks again.

[jack&kota 0]

Do not settle for less than what you deserve. I had a third fill on 2/4 and it was too tight, I too had trouble eating. I had 5cc previously and got filled up to 5.6cc. I went Monday and the dr took out .3cc and now I have 5.3cc. It made all the difference in the world.

Most doctors have the poster in their office and it says that you need an unfill if you have pain eating, weightloss is not occuring, your making bad food choices.

This is you from what you have described. Don't give up on your band, make it work for you. My first fill did nothing for me and my second was almost right but I lost restriction after 6 weeks. Then my 3rd fill was too tight and now I think I am at my sweetspot. For the first time I am not obsessed with my next meal and I am staying around 1000 calories a day. Before I was lucky to keep between 1280 and 1500. A little tweak can be encouraging. Good luck.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Thanks. My surgeon is a general surgeon who had only done 22 bandings before mine. He sees patients only on Tuesdays and in another doctor's (a pain specialist) so there are no charts or anything on the wall. Other than the nutrtional guidelines, nothing is given. When I asked him what to do when stuck. he said don't get stuck. I cannot get in touch with him outside of office hours unless I go to the ER. He's not like many of the bariatric doctors who many of the posters have.

Having said all that, I don't want to give up on the band. I got it for one reason. It was advertised as controlling hunger. It hasn't for me. And I will not accept a "blame the victim" response. I am doing what I was told to do. I have lost a few pounds since my second fill because it hurts to eat. I told him that's a helluva way to lose weight - because it hurts to eat. So, he just wants me to stop when it hurts. I would love not to be obsessed about my next meal and be satisfied with 1000 calories. But I don't think the way to get there is to eliminate whole food groups. We'll see what the endoscopy shows. Thanks for your help. Take care.

[jms462001 9]

Oh my, I had my second fill and woke after a few hrs. and started throwing up liquids when I tried a sip of Water. I know I had Fluid sitting there. My Dr insisted on doing an unfill. I would find another Dr. fast.

[avanderhoof 0]

Oh my, I had my second fill and woke after a few hrs. and started throwing up liquids when I tried a sip of Water. I know I had Fluid sitting there. My Dr insisted on doing an unfill. I would find another Dr. fast.

I haven't had a fill yet, as I am newly banded, but you don't get get put under for fills do you? I thought there may or may not be a number and then the fill was done in the office.

That freaks me out, someone please calm my fear here.

[jms462001 9]

I haven't had a fill yet, as I am newly banded, but you don't get get put under for fills do you? I thought there may or may not be a number and then the fill was done in the office.

That freaks me out, someone please calm my fear here.

Sorry for the confusion!! She had me feeling great empathy for her as I had such a time just a bit over a week ago. No, they do not put you under for a fill!! I had my second fill and Water went down fine. I drank Water and Protein shakes the remainder of the day, took my meds and all was ok. I was up until about 3:30 a.m. I slept until 8, woke up and took a few sips of water. It all came back up. I then tried a hot drink as I had read that Hot drinks loosen a tight band in the morning. After a few sips of that. I started throwing up every 10 mins for an hour or more. That is when I called the Dr. and was told that I must return for an emergency unfill. They had put in 1.5 cc and removed .5 of it.

Edited February 20, 2009 by jms462001
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