Puppypaws57

I think I might be slightly overfilled. I have a 10cc band and the Dr. put in 2cc's during the surgery. The nutrionist thought I might be overfilled. When I look at the red zone handout, it is true that the band stops me and I feel uncomfortable and swallowing is very unpredictable and difficult. I won't see another Dr. for a while. Mine left and the interim dr., has his own practice and isn't making it too easy to see him. This is my second band. The Doc didn't connect a tube first time around. Now he put in another, smaller band, and I live in fear that something will happen. This time around the band is so awesome. So my question is: If I am in the red zone and I have to wait so long to the new Dr., am I damaging my band. If it is true that the band loosens after a while, should I just leave well enough alone? I'm not losing too much weight, which is also an indicator of a too tight band.

Kinda. My Dr. left the Medical Clinic. They are looking for another surgeon, but his specialty my not be bariatrics. Until the Medical Center gets another surgeon (they have 3), we have to go see another Dr. He isn't too interested in helping us, since he will only be seeing the other Dr's patients on Monday after 4! Whatcha gonna do? It the bureaucracy at its finest!

Thanks for the info. Something I'm gonna have to try!

I also had to take the battery of tests and talk to the Dr. I had taken these tests before (I'm bipolar) so I knew what they were looking for and how to answer. If you have no mental illness, answer honestly and it will be easy/breezy.

Hi. I'm Bipolar. The reason that I chose the lapband was so I could continue to keep my mental health in check. The malabsorptive issues with the gastric bypass were too severe. Doc said he would have had to increase my meds to the level where FDA had no approved of them, so I chose the lap band. My moods have continued to be mostly level since surgery. I did have to get my Trileptal and Paxil in liquid form. Before I could get the liquid meds prescribed, I also cut them into 4 pieces, but that wasn't advised for my meds. Good luck to you!

And you can share those wonderful recipes with us!!

I get my pills in liquid form. Just took my first dose as a matter of fact. It looks promising.

Congrats on all the weight you have lost! Phenomenal! You are right, my body has to detox. I had never even thought of that! I still have some problems to work out with my dr. I appreciate so many of the helpful suggestions here.

Thanks Humming Bird! I hope this is what I am going thru. I look horrible too. actually "gaunt" in my face. I know that will even out, but I feel so bad.

Thanks, but I'm not hungry. That's not what I am saying. I had 2 weeks of liquids and 2 weeks of mushies, so that is about 4 weeks. It IS a long time when you can't function properly. I am sleeping too much, not working, etc., and I am having more symptoms than what I posted. I trust you because you have been successful, but I have still called my dr., and think perhaps I am experiencing something you might not have. Thanks!

I seriously need some advice. I'm going to call my dr., but I am not getting enough nutrition in during this mushy stage. I can't eat enough for that. I am, however, fine on getting my Protein in. I had my surgery December 13. I do take a daily supplement, but it doesn't seem enough. How are you handing your nutritional requirements? My skin is dry, I'm unnaturally cold and sleep all the time. It is great to lose weight, but I don't think this was intended - LOL! Please help me - thanks. Terry

Hi. I very much need a mentor. I was re-banded on 12/13. THEN my doctor leaves. The temporary doctor taking over his practice doesn't seem very interested in the patients he needs to oversee. There was a physical problem with my old band and I want to make sure I don't do anything wrong this time around. I sure need some help - like now! Please help me. I live in Moreno Valley, California. Am married, 54 years old and 2 much loved dogs. Terry

Had my lap band replaced on Dec 13. Boy is it working this time!!! Only bad thing is I can't take my meds. I'm between bariatric dr.'s right now. I called the office and they said to contact my primary. Only thing is he isn't the dr. that prescribed the meds. I don't see him until the 23rd. I see my primary tomorrow at 2:30. I have tried cutting my meds (which I'm not supposed to do) and they still go down hard. Anyone else having this problem? What solution did you come up with. Thanks!

Yes, I was afraid you were referring to my post. I know EXACTLY who you mean though. What a downer! I was the 2nd person my doctor ever did the lap band on and the tubing came undone. I never even felt as restricted as I do now and I was only banded 12/13. I am very happy with this band now. Unfortunately it took my husband to get the dr. to order an X-ray. Even though I had asked for one several times before. All I lost was a little time and some enthusiasm, but I had the surgery again and am feeling a difference already and am back on the weight loss track.

Gee... I hope you didn't think I was a negative bandster. I was just saying that now that I am banded properly I love my band!

I don't like the band bashers either. This is such a positive site - I love it. I have been to other sites where there were a lot of band bashers. My band didn't work the first time around. The tubing came undone. Now I have a working band and I love it! No band bashing from me!

This is happening to me too. Sorry bold is stuck on!

I gag very easily, like when I brush my teeth, etc. Just gagged on taking my meds. Will this affect my band like throwing up? Thanks - Terry

Hi. I'm bipolar and have never gone off my meds. Even in the hospital. That is the SOLE reason I decided on the lap band vx. the other surgeries. I have worked way to gosh darn hard and long to get my mental health in a good state and nothing to me is work jeopardizing that - even weight loss. My psych told me that if I had the other surgeries, he would have to increase my meds to a level that wasn't FDA approved. I'm happy with both decisions - to stay on my working meds and to have the lap band. So, in summation, I haven't changed any of my meds, but currently am having some trouble taking the big ones. Good luck to all of us Bi-Polars.

Oh - I didn't know we could crush pills!

I am taking medicine (pills) for a non-weight related illness. They hurt so BAD when I take them, even when I break them in 1/2, take small pills or capsules. I will call my Dr. to see if I can get any in liquid form, but I am sure I will still have to take some pills. It hurts so bad that I don't even want to take my meds. Does anyone else feel this way? Can anyone help me with suggestions? Thanks!

Knitting or crocheting may be a good substitute. It keeps our hands busy and our minds busy on what pattern/stitch we are on. It worked for me during one of the many times I lost weight on my own.

Good questions. It comes out white, but no odor. Time to call the Dr. eh?

My situation is a little different. I was banded in October 2009 and the buckle came undone. I was operated again on Dec. 13 and the dr. removed the old band and put in a new one. He removed a lot of scar tissue which is one reason I think I still hurt. BUT one of my incisions has gotten some pus in it the last 2 days. I have been squeezing the pus out and putting hydrogen peroxide on it. How would you treat this? Is what I am doing OK? Thanks!

Very funny! Maybe the Isopure liquid would work - I was reading something else and had to stop and read about the Isopure!!!