duckydoom

Oh, wow. Best to you in your recovery. Can I ask how it's going so far? Even though I hugely doubt I'll do any sort of revision surgery, I'm still curious how it's going for you after having the band out. Is there any extra soreness where the port was? I have two friends who have had amazing results with the sleeve.

I'm at a little over 18 months banded. 14cc band, the max I was filled was 6.5 ccs, which proved to be too much (my doc aggressively fills). With 6.5 I was PBing daily. Went back down to 6ccs, and the PBing slowed to 3 or 4 times a week. I'd never know what would trigger my band. I'd always chew everything completely, avoid liquids with meals, etc. I tried really hard to be the model band patient. Some times salad would trigger it, other times it would be meat, lentils, Pasta. You name it, I've gotten stuck and sick on it. I went in and had an unfill down to 2 ccs, so that I could hopefully give my pouch time to calm itself down, and allow me to start over again. I got my unfill on 2/17. Did liquids for two weeks (I hate muscle milk now lol), and started slowly transitioning back to solids. I'm still having issues PBing and not knowing what is going to affect my band, although it's down to once a week instead of the 2-3x. I've been eating primarily yogurt and muscle milk with the occasional small amounts of Protein - meats, cheese, etc chewed very well, as well as vegan substitutes. Friday I had an ounce of salmon after successfully having salmon a few days before. lunch was at 11. Everything went down well, I chewed, felt fine. Midafternoon I started having seriously awful bloat. I took two gas pills to try to reduce it, and drank Water. Still not hungry, but I didn't feel stuck or have any indication that I was. By 9pm, I was even gassier and feeling miserable, so I went to bed. I woke up at about 1am in excruciating pain, my whole abdomen so swollen with gas that my belly was all tight, my port was sore, and it felt almost like it did right after surgery. I took some Tums at that point and tried to lay back down to see if it would help. I figured I'd give it 20 minutes, and if it weren't any better, I'd go to the ER (I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I was worried it was something in my organs gone awry as the pain was so bad, but since it was under the ribs on the left I didn't suspect the appendix or anything). The Tums ended up making me vomit, and I spent the next two hours throwing up all of the salmon that I had eaten over 12 hours before. It had been stuck, but I didn't even know - there was no indicator! I fell asleep finally at about three, and had to be up at five to go to work. It wasn't a fun day. I've been on liquids all weekend, and just attempting mushies today... but I'm so done. I know this is a tool so it's not fully the band's "fault" per se, but I felt that I've tried so hard to do everything right by it. I'm only down 13 lbs after 18 months, and I've just been miserable. I have an appointment next Monday to talk to my doc and see what my options are, but in all honesty, I'm in a 100% "eff it" attitude. I've been able to re-route my bad behaviors. Instead of eating when I'm stressed, I get on the treadmill or clean the house. Hubby and I have revamped our eating habits - more vegan sources of protein, less pastas and breads, very rarely any meat since we never know if I can keep it down or not. I chew chew chew chew chew, and don't mix liquids with my meals. I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall and getting nowhere. I'm not sure if I have any complications that will warrant my insurance taking the band out, but I'm definitely looking at all of my options. I don't want a revision surgery, I totally just want to be back to normal. The upside is that I haven't gone above my starting weight, but the downside is with the low amount of calories that I eat (1100-1600 max, and the latter only on days that I do an hour on the treadmill with weights) and all of the vomiting I do, I still haven't gone below the 200 mark. I just don't know anymore.

I'm commenting on this for a hopeful update... how did it all end up? I'm seriously considering removal as this point (same issue, PBing constantly, never sure of what is going to set my band off), and am hoping to get some advice. I hope all is well with you.

I'm at the point where I've asked for removal. I've had it 18 months, and have had nothing but issues, and I'm nowhere near my goal weight (which is frustrating since I'm throwing up all of the time...) They keep calling it a "fussy band." I have other words for it, but I think intolerance is a good way to describe it. It was so frustrating to have hope in this as a tool, only to have so much trouble with it. I know what you mean when you say you feel like a failure. You're not at all! But it still is so frustrating to not get anywhere when others have had such awesome stories to share. Can I ask how long your recovery was from the removal surgery? I'm really not looking forward to another abdominal surgery, and I don't plan on getting any sort of a revision to a sleeve or bypass. I just need to have an idea about how much time to save up for recovery.

I almost went to the ER Friday night... I was being really gentle with my band, liquids only while adjusting back to full capacity, and then Friday at lunch (11am for reference), I had an oz of salmon. Chewed well, had it on its own. Very filling. Had some liquids a couple of hours later (I do 80 oz of Water minimum a day). Soon after I started bloating horribly. My entire abdominal cavity felt like it had initially after surgery (that really awful full feeling where there's so much gas that the skin is tight and you can barely move). Took a gas pill - this was about 4pm. By 9pm, I was miserable. So full of gas that I was nauseated, visibly bloated, and near tears. I wasn't feeling full from food at this point, and I hadn't had anything since the salmon. I went to bed, and woke up at 1am in excruciating pain. I tried tums this time, and immediately got sick. Turns out all of the salmon that I ate hadn't gone down at all. I was throwing up until about 3am, got two hours of sleep, and then got up to work at 5 for an 8 hour shift. SO happy I work from home. I'm so close to giving up. I'm terrified to eat solid foods. I actually went as far as to buy a week's supply of Soylent, a new nutritional product that's coming out (fascinating premise, seems legit), just to have something different than my muscle milk and yogurt. I called and left a message for my nurse this morning. I want it out. Now I just have a hoarse voice from vomiting and my port site is sore, two days later. I have an appointment to go in next Monday, so I guess I'll see what she says then. I'm certainly not getting another fill. Not meaning to seem ranty, though I know I am. Thank you for reading and replying to my thread. I'm just so frustrated at this point. I figured with an unfill I'd have less fussiness - salmon wasn't a problem before when I had Fluid in my band!! I've been miserable almost constantly since having the band - I don't understand why it isn't working for me.

At what rate did your doc fill your band? You've done pretty spectacularly, it seems overall, even with the fussy band and starting over. I'm really hoping that it ends up positively for me. I found myself on a couple of the "lap band complication" boards and threw myself into a tizzy... but reading stories of people who have actually lost the weight (and I agree, I just want to keep losing even if it's only half a lb a week) and have had any success are bringing me back up. I have two friends who have the sleeve, and I know if it had been covered by my insurance I would have done that instead. I think the worry that I made a mistake in having surgery at all is what really gets me. I haven't gone past my highest weight, and for that I am thankful... but I want my health back, and that involves the scale moving down!

I definitely don't feel the signal when the pouch is full, and that's what gets me, I think. I used to be an emotional eater (may as well be 100% honest) and would gorge myself to the point of pain, and occasionally eat through said pain,so I'm not sure if that's part of it. Its something that I've definitely worked on, and now in my reaction to stress I run for the treadmill rather than the refrigerator, and working against boredom eating is something else I'm still struggling with. I always have to make a conscious effort to chew as well, since part of my emotional eating was basically gulping... but I get to the point where I feel like a cow just chewing on her cud. Portions are definitely smaller, but calorically I'm still at around 1200-1600 depending on if I've worked out that day or not. Thank you both for your kind responses. Seeing again that people HAVE actually made it with the band is definitely reinvigorating. I'm just hoping that I can make peace with my pouch and have my own success again.

I haven't been on the forums since I got my band... I'm bad at keeping up with stuff like this, but I'm needing resources at this point. History: Banded 8/21/12. Roughly 18 months. Was at 6.5 ccs in a 14cc band. Back down to 2.5 ccs so I can hopefully start over and get back to a positive place where I have restriction, but can actually get things down. The fullest I'd been was 7ccs, but was having trouble with sliming and getting stuck on a daily basis. With 6.5 I was still getting stuck weekly, having symptoms of inflammation, and generally being frustrated and feeling like a failure. Turning to sliders because they were easy. My highest weight was 233, I got down to 203, and now I'm back up in the 220-ish range. I've tried to work with the band, but my doc has convinced me that it's one of the finicky ones, and that we apparently just have to start over. I was ready to ask them to take it out, but I'm willing to start over again. Does anyone have any advice? Motivation? Suggestions? Anyone been through a similar situation and had a positive outcome? I got to the point where I never knew what would trigger my band. One evening I could have Pasta and still be starving with no feeling of restriction, and a few days later, wouldn't be able to eat a basic salad without getting sick. I hope to be better at keeping track on here... lord knows I need the motivation 98 days until my 5 year wedding anniversary cruise, and I want to be able to feel good, and lose some weight again so that I can keep up with hubby on the hiking trails we're scoping out. Thanks for reading!

I'm 5 weeks post op and a couple of months into being full vegan, and I haven't had any issues getting my Protein at all! I make myself hemp protein/banana smoothies in the morning, I eat lots of lentils, hummus, other Beans... I can get down a bit of falafel, seitan actually isn't that hard to deal with, I make tofurkey wraps with seasoned tofu fillings (I sell Pampered Chef so I blend the tofu and add their spices), tempeh is the only thing I have had that has been close to giving me a stuck episode, even with plenty of chewing it's just something that makes me very aware of what I've eaten. TVP is fun to experiment with as well - if I'm running late for work I throw some in a tupperware with Water and PC spices (usually the spicy tangerine) and a diced tomato. Top with some Daiya cheese... nuke it when I get to work, and it's wonderful! Quinoa and rice work well, too. Here's some recipes I've been experimenting with: http://yourvegangirlfriend.com/2011/07/08/protein-packed-and-soy-free-diy-vegan-yogurt/ http://yourvegangirlfriend.com/2011/09/09/peruvian-black-olive-sun-dried-tomato-quinoa/ http://www.dailygarnish.com/2010/07/how-to-make-your-own-protein-powder-mix.html http://www.elanaspantry.com/soothing-chai/ http://www.vegancoach.com/how-to-make-seitan.html http://www.eatingrules.com/2011/10/how-to-make-seitan/ http://vegancrunk.blogspot.com/ http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/09/vegan-omelette-for-one.html I just bought the Vegan Crunk cookbook, and I am ridiculously excited to try out some of the recipes. food.com is a good source as well - I've found some recipies for things such as tofu tzatziki that are just to die for. Good luck!! Keep in touch if you'd want, I can be your guinea pig trying out recipes in advance lol.

Man oh man, still pushing myself a bit too much - last night we took a walk around the block and then I had to go directly to bed, lol. Unloaded/loaded the dishwasher this morning, and I've been sitting down ever since. I'll be glad when the fatigue goes away - I'm day 5 post op today, down 4 lbs since surgery, down 17.2 from my preop liquid diet Abs are even feeling a bit better, too. Don't know if I'm brave enough to venture out of the house yet though, haha. I hope everyone is feeling well today, and good luck to tomorrow's bandsters! :)

I figured I wouldn't say anything too incriminating just in case I have a lot of work folk on my personal fb page, and they're a bit too gossipy for me - I figured it'd be easier to just make a separate page so I can keep up on all of the pertinent lap band news without being "made" lol

I have been burping like a frat boy I have had to really work on forcing my fluids, but also monitoring how much I'm taking in at a time so I don't overdo it. I haven't had to slap my chest to get fluids down, but I have had to in order to get some burps out. I have a little tickle in the back of my throat that seems determined to ruin me - I had my husband go get me some cloraseptic (sp?) spray because every time I cough it just feels like uber torture. I don't have kids to chase after, but my dogs are definitely taking advantage of the fact that I'm not fully up to par - especially the younger one. He's having fun pushing my buttons and seeing how far he can go. My older one is more cuddly and trying to make sure that I'm okay, lol. Stinkers, I tell ya.

I hear ya, sister. Today was the first day that I wasn't cursing the day that I'd decided to get my lap band. I'm off the rx painkillers right now, and just taking the occasional swig of children's liquid tylenol. It's still a bit of a struggle getting in my Protein shake and liquids, but only because I'm used to chugging (I'm a fast eater/drinker by habit). So, that's been pretty frustrating. I know we shouldn't be weighing ourselves just yet, but I am (yeah, I know, I'm bad), but it's the scale that's keeping me motivated. I've also been watching quite a few youtube videos and reading the boards for inspiration (thinspiration? I hate that word, but I guess that's what it is). I figure it's only going to get better day by day, and it truly has. I've had a few projects to keep me occupied, but my days are mostly pacing around the back yard with the dogs and napping, to be honest. I know it sucks right now, but it improves so quickly... and just think of how awesome you're going to look when you get to your goal! Keep your eye on the prize, and it makes it so worth it.

Today is day 4 post op, feeling substantially better, not so gassy, just a sore back from sleeping on my danged wedge pillow, and my abs are still tender. I'm finding that I want real foods now, though I'm having problems with taking all of my liquids in - I'm amazed at how full I actually have been feeling. It's good, but my head hunger is trying to force it's way in... argh! Good luck to all of you with surgeries coming up in the next week - and to those of you who are newly banded - congrats I also made a facebook page for my wls journey if any body is interested, as well as my youtube channel that I've had going for awhile. May provide some laughs (though it still hurts to laugh at this point, lol) http://www.youtube.com/user/duckeedoom http://www.facebook.com/bandnewducky

Anybody have any tips for someone recently banded (8/21) and looking to move towards a vegan diet? My husband is on the "bandwagon" with me towards a healthier diet, and wants to start living a vegan lifestyle. The Eat to Live diet seems pretty extreme for me, since my stomach capacity is going to be so reduced, but it'll work gangbusters for him. Any suggestions as to what folks use for supplementation for the Proteins? I would love not to get burned out on one particular kind (ie soy). Thanks, everyone!

Boy, am I glad to hear it THe more I move around the better I feel, but I'm still only like 25% of what I'm usually able to be - I have to admit that's frustrating because I am so used to being the one in charge, lol. My husband is keeping the house clean for me, so that's pretty awesome How was your 3rd day out? I hear that's the worst?

Went well yesterday, only complication was I had an allergic rea tion to the glue. Home now and sore as all get out. Walking lots as I can though. Can't wait for discomfort to go so I can feel positive about my choice again!!

On my way to check in to the hospital now!

Oh... man. I'm kinda worried, guys! I'm to be banded on Tuesday at 730 - I'm super excited about that of course - first surgery of the day and I have an awesome team... but I was drying my hair this morning and pulled a muscle in my back on the right side. No idea how, I guess I'm just talented like that. Does anybody know if somehow it isn't resolved, will this interfere with surgery? It's been spasming pretty bad off and on, but I've had had this happen before and the only thing the docs do is have me "take it easy" until it calms down. So, I've been laying in bed and sleeping off and on simply out of nothing to do. I guess it's just one of my last little worries... I hope everything is going well with everyone who's been banded in the past few weeks and everyone who is going to be banded in the next few. I have two weeks off of work, so I'm looking forward to catching up on movies and whatnot

Good luck everyone! Sorry I haven't been on as much as usual - I can't access the boards from work anymore. Best of luck to you in your surgeries and recovery! I have 10 days left... so excited to be so close!

August 21st.... 2 weeks from today!! :) I can't wait!

Good luck to both of you today (and to you upcoming banders, too! I'm so excited... I have 2 weeks!)

I'd planned to be secretive about it, just to avoid judgement, but inevitably it seems to have slipped out into the open in mine and my husband's families (we're a talkative bunch, I guess). I've experienced the judgement for sure, along the lines of "Why can't you just do it yourself? Isn't this drastic?" And my response is - I've tried to do it myself for the last 8 years, and it may seem drastic, but it's a tool that I haven't tried yet that seems to be effective. My relationship with food is pretty dysfunctional, and I've been working on that, but I still need this extra ally on my side. I plan on telling folks at work that I'm taking 2 weeks FMLA for the oh so elusive "female problems," but if someone asks me later after I have lost weight, I may share. So far the only person who knows is a woman who had bypass, and she figured it out on her own. I've warned her under pain of office friend exile not to tell anyone else, but we'll see how that goes.

Welcome And good luck in your journey. It goes faster than you'd expect. I feel like I just started, and my surgery is in 2 weeks! I'm still a newbie, but if you need support or just want to talk, feel free to message me!

I've always been chubby, but transitioned to heavy when I hit 20... so for the last near decade, I've been considered obese. I'm extremely excited for my opportunity to transition back to chubby, and eventually skinny'healthy, but I'm nervous as well... looks are very important in my family, and so being heavier has definitely been a struggle for me. My husband is hot and cut (lol), so all of our family portraits have been focused on him - while I can't wait to be in pictures again, I know it'll be a struggle after being camera shy for so long... This will be a side benefit of course - being able to keep up with said husband and our dogs, and work towards health so I can get pregnant is my main focus