JustFluffy

I've been there and it is scary. I ended up having a bariam swallow with the x-ray (Upper GI) and found my esphagous had erroded from my band. They were not able to determine if it was the placement of the band or if it had been too tight for too long. Either way, it had to come out. My esphagous had all but stopped working. I was in pain when I ate and food would come up for no reason, no foamies, just wouldn't go down.

I hope they will be able to determine where your pains are coming from with the X-Ray. Are they considering an Uper GI as well? May be a good idea...I waited several months taking antiacids and cutting back on my acidic content, even going back to liquids, before getting mine checked. Too late, too long. I wish you well and hope it is minor and something that can be repaired or treated quickly.

Opposite...Band April 2008, Bypass August 2011...due to band complications...down 75 lbs since revision and still slowly losing at a healthy rate. Gained all my weight lost (50 pounds) plus 30 pounds in two years after being banded. Regret neither surgery - banding isn't for everyone but neither is lapband. It is a personal choice and everyone is different. I wish you the best :-)

If you are struggling meeting your nutrition demands, they wouldn't be a bad idea. The B-12 injections are a supplement and nothing more. They help keep your energy up.

I now HAVE to take them now. I took B12 pills when I was banded and for me there is a big difference between the injections and the pills. I actually do my own injections (with a prescription from my doctor). The prescription only costs $5 a month. I can definately tell if I'm late or don't take mine when I should...my energy and mood drop (big time). My husband says I get "hormonal" - lol

I am posting this for your information so you know my history and what can happen if reflux is left without treatment. I ended up having my band removed due to my reflux developing into GERD, which ultimately resulted in esphagous erosion. After three years (banded on 2008), my esphagous all but stopped working. I had minor reflux prior to banding and I was told by my original surgeon that the band would fix it. In the next few years I relocated and changed surgeons (lost my insurance, went through a nasty divorce; took MONTHS to find a surgeon that would take me). I ended up going for almost a year without any follow-up (although the first two years I kept every appointment and followed my doctor's instructions to the T). I started having reflux after about a year and was told at times I was "too tight" and would have Fluid removed to help treat it. Was on and off nexium as well. My year without a doctor didn't help my situation. I'm sure the stress didn't either.

The upper GI test my new surgeon ran found the esophagous erosion and also that my band had eroded into my stomach. I was in constant pain, couldn't eat and could barely drink. I would wake up at night coughing uncontrollably and at times couldn't breathe (waking gasping for air). My new doctor told me that in my case the band actually aggrevated my reflux (albeit mild). My band has been removed now for a year and I opted to revise to RNY.

I am writing this to let you know the worst case scenario; not to scare you. Banding isn't for everyone. I have seen so many people that have been successful. Some that have had reflux that the band all but cured (my husband is actually one of them). I loved my band for two years and thought it was the best decision I'd ever made - I was the biggest band cheerleeder in the world. Now, my advice to those who are having problems or those who are looking into surgery is that it isn't for everyone. If you are having problems, it may not be your fault...don't get discouraged and don't let ANYONE tell you that you are a failure. There is not an easy fix to this disease (and yes I call it a disease), obeisity...it is hard work. Living being banded was hard work, but so is living with bypass. For now, watch what you eat, (keep the acidic foods/drinks to a minimum), if you drink carboninated drinks - stop now! and take your medications as your doctor directs. I hope you feel better soon! I'll get off the soap box now :-)

I am new to this forum and I have a question for those of you having a revision. My doctor wants to do a revision on my from my lap band to a possible sleeve, although we haven't decided which procedure we will do. I have had the band in since 3-2010 and the best weight loss I had is 30 lbs. I am almost the same weight I was when I had to band put on, and I throw up at almost every meal. they have taken liquid out of my band but I still vomit or food gets stuck. I have tricare prime, and I was wondering if anyone else has tricare. for the band they approved it within 24 hrs. I still have type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol,take meds for all those as well as anxiety and to sleep. any suggestions on how to get tricare to approve the revision since it hasn't been at least 2 years since the band placement? Oh and we are suppose to move at the 2 year mark making this even more difficult. I also do not see military doctors. any suggestions or guidance is appreciated

Lisa.

Lisa,

I have BCBS and my revision was covered due to complications I had with the band. I am not sure what Tricare's requirements are for revision, that is something though that your doctor's office should be able to help you with.

You may also want to post this in the LapBand Complications/Living After LapBand Removal or Insurance section of the forum. It may get better visibility for you there.

I wish you the best...

I was asking about the Protein and Water because I've found in that (banded or bypass) if I don't get in my water and protein in I don't lose weight, no matter what I do. I've been told we need to get in half our body weight in ounces for water.

It really sounds like to me you are at a plateau. Your body is adjusting to your new regimine and eventually it will catch up. You may want to change up what you are doing as well - your muscles have "memory" and if you do the same thing every day your body gets used to it and doesn't respond as well...throw in another workout or add an incline to your walk (if you use treadmill). Change your freeweights to kettleweights (if you have that option)...

I was banded for over three years (removed due to complications) and have had bypass now for a little over a year.

I do know how you feel. It gets depressing when you've gone through surgery and believe you are doing everything right and the weight loss slows to a crawl. You become depressed and just don't want to put in the effort. I'm there right now myself and should take my own advice. I've been stuck between 211-215 for four months - all my own fault. I'm also comfortable where I am. My body doesn't hurt any more, I'm out of plus clothes (huge goal for me) and have honestly become lazy. Got to put on my big girl panties and deal with it...and get moving..

Hi Dino...

Two questions...how much Protein are you getting in daily? and how much Water do you get in?

Oh sorry - one more...how long have you struggling to get below 218?

Chatty,

Good luck tomorrow! Let me know if you have any questions...I too had my band removed and revised to RNY (Bypass). For me, to no longer be in pain and to be able to keep food down again was so worth it.

Sorry, I've been in Weight Loss Surgery Lingo for too long ...RNY is Roux-en-y and involves reducting the size of your stomache and rerouting to a shorter section of the intestines, in shour gastric bypass.

I wish there were an easy answer too...My advice it to find a good baratric surgeon and go to a couple seminars maybe even schedule an appointment. Then, go to another surgeon and get another opinion. Get on the boards, read all you can, and attend a local support group....don't be scared to ask questions and be ready to get your feelings hurt. The uneducated world truly can be cruel...please let me know if you have any questions as well as those on this site. It is a great place to start.

You could have an infection around your port site. I know it sounds strange but it can show up weeks and even months post op. I had to have port revision after my "first fill", they couldn't access my port. However, it wasn't due to infection, my port had flipped. However, a friend of mine had port issues that sound very similar to yours and her doctor put her on antibiotics and it healed without issue. That COULD be your issue. You could also have a leak around your port area. There are other things it could be as well. Only your doctor can know for sure. I'd call your doctor's office and voice your concerns, again, prior to your appointment. I hope it gets better soon...

Ice chips, Popcicles, sugar-free Italian Ice, Ice Chips...They really do help with the "chewing urge" and will help you stay hydrated.

Oh I also wanted to note that from my research I wouldn't recommend RNY for anyone who is planning on having children. It is harder to get the required nutrients that you need; neverless supporting another life. However, I did want to share my side of two different weight loss surgeries.

For a person that was banded for three years and have had RNY (conversion from LapBand) for over a year now; I may can give you a perspective from someone that has had both surgeries.

For a year I loved my lapband. I honestly thought it was the best decision I had ever made. I'd lost about 60 pounds in the first six months and other than port revision (flipped right after surgery) I had zero issues. That changed for me after I was divorced. I lost my insurance, moved back to my hometown and lost my doctor. It took me months to find another doctor in the area, and the one I found was 100 miles away). By then I had to get an emergency unfill - I got to the point I couldn't eat or drink anything...and ended up gaining back all the 60 pounds I'd lost plus another 15 pounds. My new doctor ran an upper GI and discovered that my esophagus had quit working and my band had actually started growing into my stomach. Due to the damage and health risks we discussed removal and / or revision to another surgery. I had reflux prior to banding and the band aggrevated it and my band had to come out. I knew I had a food addiction and needed a tool to help me control it. I opted for RNY. I'm now down almost 80 pounds and am still slowly losing. It is not an easy fix...and for me has been much harder than the band. There are many more rules and life changes you have no choice but to follow. The recovery is truly hell on earth..and contrary to some beliefs there is follow-up that MUST be adhered to as well.

I can honestly tell you I wish my band had worked for me. My husband is also banded and has not had any issues. I am not anti-band nor am I judgemental of others for their decisions. This has not been an easy journey for me, but I have learned a lot about myself and forced to face my food demons (both banded and post RNY). Everyone truly is different. Some people are successful with the Band, others with the Sleeve and some still with RNY. Please do your research; listen to the good and the bad and make an educated decision. After all, it is your decision and your decision alone...I wish you the best...

Do me a favor...if there is one single thing you should never do, it is to pick up another "soda" - ever! Diet or not...no you will not make your pouch "explode", however it can sabotadge all you have worked for. It expands your pouch and "opens you up"...essentially killing your restriction.

Trust me, it is NOT WORTH IT!

I remember right after having my band in and port revision...I wanted ice chips...it has been so long I dont remember what I said...when I woke up from my conversion I asked for chicken broth...always thinking of "food" lol...even after wls...

Was the X-Ray done with a barium swallow? I too went for over a year without a fill - I was empty and had gotten to the point I couldn't eat anything without it coming back. I was forced to go to another doctor, other than my original surgeon, due to relocation (I moved two years after my surgery which was done in April 2008). My new doctor found my problems. My old doctor always told me that I was the problem. I wasn't "following plan" and it must be something I was doing. I've found out in the last year that my original surgeon is no practicing and at the time my surgery he had done over a thousand - I thought he was "the best" because that is what I was told. I ultimately found out it wasn't me. A second opinion never hurts.

Tamra,

I believe you should go back to your doctor and have him do an upper G.I. and run tests on your band. It sounds like you have restriction, even with your band empty, especially with you "getting stuck". You may have an underlying problem with the install/position of your band. The only way to know that is to have your surgeon look at it.

I had to have my band removed because I was having problems with swallowing. My esphagous ultimately quit working and the positioning of my band was off (which with reflux and erosion lead to my problems). I'm not trying to scare you, but wanted you get checked out. My husband is also banded and hasn't had any trouble at all. The band isn't for everyone and regardless of what some people believe it isn't always your fault if you are not successful. There can be underlying issues and EVERYONE is different. You are not a failure, but you do need to find out what is causing you to have issues. Could be as simple as a band slip. Please go and see your surgeon a request a full diagnosis.

The BEST way to align your scale with your doctors is to weigh yourself at the same time and wearing the same clothes you wore at the visit...either right before you go to the doctor or after you get home. Keep in mind clothes can weigh 2-3 pounds and you will "normally' weigh less in the morning because you are "empty"...

Also try to remember that if you are exercising a lot, particularly with weights, that you may be getting smaller and the scale will not reflect that; "muscle weighs more than fat"...

If you really want a good gauge to judge how you are doing begin measuring yourself now and re-measure the same time every week or month and keep a log. The scale can either be your best friend or worst enemy but it isn't the only tool you should use to measure your journey. Best of luck to you! (Oh and if you turn into a "scale *****" - which I have a on again off again relationship myself, make sure you have a good one)...

_{Chelly, keep in mind that you may not get restriction with your first fill, regardless of the amount. It can take more than one fill to get to your} "happy place". Make sure you are getting in ALL of your Water and required Protein. The protein will help keep you from getting hungry. And, if you have picked up the bad habit of drinking soda - put it down and never drink another - the carbonization can open up your band and make what restriction you may have all but disappear.

Welcome to LBT...this is a great resource and can really help you stay motivated...

I was supposed to go back toeay for my three month surgiversary follow-up appointment. However, I've had a crazy work week and haven't had time to do anything (HAVE to get to the post office - believe I owe a friend a box of clothes:-))...I will say I'm SO excited...

Down 55 pounds

Measurements: Waist: 51" to 36", Chest 50.5" to 45", Hips 54" to 48", Thigh 32" to 26", Arms 18" to 16" = 27.5" total lost since surgery :-)

So, how are you? Everything going okay?

Welcome...I'm a revision like 2bthinagn and hopefully soon Losing :-) Hope to hear from you all soon...

Still looking for the tortilla Soup crockpot recipe :-)

Did you get any of the flavor packs? I haven't seen them...though I haven't looked lately either...