Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Would Appreciate Some Advice



Recommended Posts

Hi all. I'm 3 years in with the lapband. I've lost about 70 pounds. I wasted about 1.5 years during the process as Kaiser suddenly stopped letting me see the surgeon for any more follow-ups (Kaiser approved my lapband surgery and follow-on visits for about a year but once they got a bariatric Dr, they no longer allowed me to see my original surgeon outside Kaiser). The Kaiser Dr was never there and I always saw a physician assistant who was terrible in doing fills. Anyway, after months of no progress losing, I got fed up and decided to go back to the original surgeon and self-pay and, since then, I'm back in losing mode. I went for a fill in July but felt as though I couldn't swallow saliva and with a plane trip and vacation in the next few days, I sort of went into panic mode that something bad would happen while I was on the trip. So, I went back to the Dr the day after the fill to have a slight unfill. The Dr thought that had I not had a trip coming up, things might settle down in a day or two but seeing as I was going on a trip, he did remove a bit and told me to come back when I returned if I felt I needed more added. That's exactly what I did. So, two months later now and I feel as though I could use a slight fill. So, last Friday I went in and got some Fluid added. I weighed exactly the same as I had two months prior. No loss, no gain. Since Friday, I'm getting some fluids down and was able to eat some yogurt yesterday. On occasion this past weekend, I have had to to bring up some fluid (nice way of saying I made myself vomit) because it felt like it was sitting in the pouch and not going down. Saturday I only did fluids, to include Water, Protein Shake, Tomato Soup. Sunday I added yogurt. I hesitate to run back to get an unfill. But something has started happening that ever hasn't happened before. I go to sleep just fine but find myself waking up a few times a night sort of doing like a belch or something where I can taste something acidic. I go to bed feeling as though nothing is stuck yet it seems overnight, something is going on. Could my own saliva be collecting in the pouch? I have not ever had issues with this band other than trying to get to the right fill level. No issues at all. No heartburn or anything else. Just this nighttime thing is making me concerned. Hopefully, it dies down in the next several days. I want to stick this out and not run back where surely too much would be removed and I'd be in the same boat again. I know this is a rambling post so sorry about that. But, does this weird night thing happen to any of you while you're sleeping? The first night, I did get up and made myself bring it up and it was the Tomato Soup I'd had earlier that I thought had gone down just fine. It didn't happen Saturday night but last night, same thing happened. I woke myself up with a sort of belch type of thing and had an acidic taste in my mouth. I made myself vomit but there wasn't much of anything that came up. I've just never had an issue while sleeping. Do any of you know what I'm talking about?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You're describing reflux or GERD, nothing that you want. Acids aren't supposed to back up and, if left unchecked, may conceivably do some damage over time.

You're also describing what sounds like a too-tight band in general. If it were I, I'd make an appointment to have a little saline taken out. I've never felt as though food or liquid was stuck in the pouch, but I know the discomfort of being stuck in the esophagus. Again, nothing you want and nothing that's good.

In a perfect world you're able to eat and drink comfortably and get a signal when you've reached satiety. It's well short of feeling stuffed or even full.

If you no longer have the band manufacturer's "owner's manual" that you should have been given around surgery time, ask for it at your practice. Reread to reacquaint yourself with what it means for a band to be a good, working partner.

Edited by WLSResources/ClothingExch

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply. I never thought of GERD/reflux. Also, I'm thinking when I said I felt as though something was stuck in the pouch, it probably was my esophagus. It's hard to tell exactly where it is stuck. It's just so hard to get the right amount of saline down. I know if I go back, probably too much will be removed. Eventually, I'll get back in the right zone. I'm going to see if the same thing happens tonight and if so, I'll head back in tomorrow for the slight unfill. Thanks for taking the time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@LapbandKAB I had my band done Nov 2009 and the last few week i have been having the same thing... but it got much worse so today.... i went see dr... (who is also a close friend thank God) He took out 8cc.... Of course he fussed the hell out of me for waiting.... but i don't have insurance (he didn't charge me a dime) and hated to ask him to do that..... but he took it out and said when i feel better to go back and he would put some in for me....

i lost another 15lbs in the past few months and thought if anything the band would get loser.... but nope. he said this happens a lot.

So my advice.... take care of it now... don't wait like i did and make your self miserable

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks. I'm also a self-pay and I called the office today to see if I could get in but my Dr was in surgery. I asked if any other Dr could do it and they said they like to stick with the same Dr for their patients. She asked if I could go to an ER. I reminded her I'm a self-pay and that a visit to the ER would likely cost me thousands instead of the $100 my Dr charges me for adjustments. The first I could get in is Wednesday afternoon. I went to buy some Pepcid 75 I believe it's called and I hope that gets me through to Wed. I'm also hoping maybe things will settle down by then and I'll be fine. It's so crazy to take some out and then there's not enough in there. In hindsight, I wish I'd have gone with the sleeve but I'm going to keep this going as best I can! Glad you're feeling better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 2.5 years post surgery maintaining a 75 lb loss. I have 20 more to go but was having terrible reflux. After the esophogram showed the band in the right place but very little of the barium was trickling through, he totally emptied the band. I still can eat very little solid food and have reflux. What comes next?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every since being filled a month ago to 7.5cc's in my 10cc Allergan I've lost 13lbs but the night coughs progressed as the weeks went on

I went in today (bc I just cldnt take puking my lunch out at 3am in the morning anymore) & had .7 removed he explained that the shallow breathing while sleeping & lying flat allows the contents in your stomach to rise back up thru your esophagus, & into your mouth & cld even come out your nose

Even if I had not eaten a single thing that day I'd cough up a brown/black Fluid

I just want a descent meal now & a good solid 8hrs sleep!

Is that too much to ask?!?!?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have experienced the reflux during sleeping...it is not very pleasant.

I have learned not to eat anything near bedtime.

In my own rules, I'm done eating for the day by 7:00pm.

Decent meal???

That is very subjective.

The band has forced me to change what I eat, When I eat, and How Much I eat.

It has changed my life(style)...my old lifestyle was the cause of me being Obese and slowly killing me.

This new lifestyle has made me slim and fit, with near perfect health.

My Decent meals are nowhere's near what other's may call Decent.

Occasionally everyone from my office will go out for dinner and drinks.

I'm fine just having an appetizer, maybe along with a cup of Soup.

Everyone else will question this, but I am in better shape and health than any of them, and I am twice the age of many of them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@B-52

I'd get 6oz of my favorite vegetable Soup down successfully around 1pm (lunch) nothing after that and in the middle of the night the heavy coughing would bring it back up. This went on for a month straight

I probably could've dealt with it longer but I was scaring the kiddo and freaking out the dog w/the gagging & vomiting

All meats were getting stuck and coming back up right away

So a slight unfill was the only answer

I didn't cough last night since the .7 was taken out yday. I'll test today on mash potatoes or oatmeal today to see if it still feels like swallowing a bag of nickels

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@hypband

With your empty band you still can not tolerate solid food? ?

The opening where your food passes sounds irritated & swollen shut this has happened to me during a cold or I've passed a heavy meal thru my band like dry chicken breast or forced a hamburger or French fry down on such a small opening

Has this swelling/irritation subsided by now? I see that your post was over a month ago, back on Oct8th

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×