My faith is restored

[Alexandra 55]

I had nothing but good news at my appointment today, I'm happy to say!!

For those who have been following my saga, and whoever else may care, the word from the doctor is that my band is in great position, my esophagus still works, and my pouch is not enlarged to any great degree. Whew!! :banana :banana

I wasn't really worried about a slip, but it's very unnerving to have a doctor tell you that's what your symptoms indicate. Since my recent unfill resolved my symptoms so completely, it seemed very unlikely that anything real was wrong. But still, having the doctor see immediately on the fluoro that everything was cool was SO reassuring, I almost wept.

Dr. Bertha told me today that when "all" my fill was removed recently and only .8 cc came out, it very likely wasn't actually ALL my fill. Measuring the amount of fill just isn't an exact science, he said, and it's almost impossible to be precise about totals. Then he put an additional 1.1 in, leaving me with -- well, I don't know how much total but with what felt like a bit more restriction than I had going in. And that's what counts.

So it seems that all my problems were likely my own fault, and I probably should have done a three-weeks-of-liquid regimen when I first started having symptoms. That's what I'll do the next time, if there ever is a next time. For now, I'm happy to have a clean bill of health for my band and a good level of restriction, and I promise I'll be a good little bandster-camper from here on out. (I PROMISE!) :D

[ReneBean 3]

Yayyyy Alex! So glad you are feeling better and everything is Hunky Dory.

:]

[La_madam 20]

I'm happy for you Alex

That is such great news. Thanks for sharing it with us

[Parvathi 2]

and I promise I'll be a good little bandster-camper from here on out. (I PROMISE!) :D

Fantastic news, Alex!! But no making promises that no one can keep LOL - we all have our days Important thing is that we keep our eye on the goal and remember to get back on the wagon when we occasionally fall off hehe.

[giveyouthemoon 4]

Whew!!! So glad to hear it!! Now, go forth and be a good little bandster girl!

[Alexandra 55]

Thanks, ladies. Parvathi, by "good" I didn't mean that I'd never fall off the bandster wagon, calorie-wise. What I was referring to is OVER-eating, and the behavior that leads to gastric or esophageal irritation. Hell, I'm still an ice cream addict, and proud of it. The goal I'm looking at is a long life with my band in place, and happy.

[nickie456 0]

Thats great Alex

[paula 4]

Know the ole' cliche, "better safe then sorry"?

You get a thumbs up for doing the right thing!

I sure wish Id get your motivation to become a good bandster... Im in great need of a swift kick in the arse!

[vinesqueen 2]

Yay! what wonderful news Alex! Terrific, and I'm so glad it's all resolved!

[banded_for_life 2]

I am so happy for you!!!!

[Jammin & Losin 1]

Alex~ I haven't been on LBT as much latley so I'm coming in on your story later than I should have. But I wanted to say I'm so happy that you and your band are fine! I hope you will continue to get better and that your fills will continue to be successful without any more problems! (((Hugs))) for the great news!!!

[the best me 6]

So happy for your good news...now you can rest your mind and move on!!!

That's interesting about your fill. When I went for my unfill, 5 days after my first fill of 2cc, the doc got the needle into the port and drew out some, but not much, saline. Here's the odd part, he then had me do a crunch on the table. You know, like a small sit-up where you tighten your stomach muscles. Nothing, then I sat up and as he drew on the needle, I crunched, and the saline started flowing into the needle. I suppose it makes sense that you could contract your stomach muscles and force saline out of the band and into the tubing...but only because he was drawing out the syringe at the same time. Did you "crunch" at your unfill? Hmmm. I hadn't read anything about that technique on LBT, but it sure worked.

Anyhow, so glad your band is happy in there and your symptoms are better. Take good care of that little friend of yours!!!

[sandie1958 0]

alex, so glad you feel better. sandie

[kellymoos 4]

Hey Bandsister!! I knew everything was fine; but reassurance is awesome!

[StartingOver 6]

Alex, I am so very happy for you. Congratulations on the good news. Best wishes to you for continued success with your band.