Karyn

I have been banded for almost 3 years. I have had several times were my pouch dilated and then went back to normal after week of liquids. Last week I thought the same thing was happening and the liquids didn't fix it. So I was nervous and really thought I had major slippage! Escpecially because I have complete unfill! I went to doctor and my band has NOT moved and pouch is good condition. The problem is scar tissue formed at the band site that is making its own restriction. It gives me an extremely small hole for fluids to pass....which causes reflux, pbing, tons of noises, and uncomfortableness. On Friday, My doctor wants to do an endoscopy and then ballon or stretch the hole opening. This procedure is all through my throat. Im really scared and he said there is only a 50% chance it will work! Has anyone heard or this or had it done? Please help!!! I'm really scared and don't know if I should just have removed!

Thanks Chrissi...I know I need to start facing the facts! Did you ever try doing liquids to correct the dililated pouch? I tried for a few days...but didn;t know if doing it longer would be a possible solution. I take it you are a cash pay person....have you tried getting your insurance to do the 2nd surgery. I saw someone say that sometimes because of a health problem, the insurance will cover.

ADF139 So are you not having corrective surgery? Are you ok to keep the overhang and not have the surgery, sonce you don;t have pain? That is were I'm at...I know I have overhang, I don;t have bad side effects, and I don't want unfill? I have been contemplating trying to get another fill, get off the weight (15lbs) and then get unfill if needed... or... get unfill and try to correct again on its own. I'm just scared of gaining more weight or him telling me I have to have surgery!! I know I would take a chance if I got a fill at this point, but I want to get another 15 lbs off!

I'm in the same boat as you guys...but my doctor hasn't actually said I need another surgery now. I had overhang and the dr put me on liquids for 3 days and unfilled...I felt like doing the liquids helped...returned to dr- it helped - got fill..... I was able to over eat again and went for a fill... overhang was back and dr put my on liquids for 5 days.... Now I know I still have the dililated pouch but I don't want him to unfill me again. I am scared to go back and him tell me I need surgery or a complete unfill!! I gained 15 lbs back in 2 weeks when he unfgilled me last time! Have any of you seen liquids to help?? I heard someone say liquids for 2 weeks will correct pouch dililation sometimes. I was thinking about trying that to see if it helps. I'm just scared to gain more back. It is hard for me to do the liquids for 5 days, I don;t know how I could do 2 weeks. I don't have extreme side effects. Any minimim effects I have are barable. I just try to make good food decisions, to not keep gaining.... Do you think I'm being stupid to continue on like I am?? I know I'm babbling...I just need some advice!

You situation seems alot like mine. I went for a fill because I gained and was able to eat huge amounts. I felt restrcition in the morning to mid day, but in the evenings, I could in everything and as much as I wanted! The dr unfilled me some and put me on liquids for 4-5 days, to shrink my pouch. Which by the way is killing me...I hate liquids!! How do you know when your pouch goes back down? Did you have to go back for xray, to know? I am still doing liquids, but I'm scared since he unfilled me, I will still be eating too much. Any words of wisdom...Thanks

JosieB- I was curious about the protein test tubes, you mentioned.... Where do you get them and how much grams are they? Thanks

HOw do you know that your band slipped?? PBing, lots? Every since, I got my fill. I have had problems keep some things down. I don;t think it is the food, because sometime I am fine eating it. I'm at a point where if I'm having pain with food going down, if I just think about pbing, then I will throw up!!! I feel like my stomach is weak and easily gets nausated...... more than ever before. Any words or wisdom?? I am scared I'm causing future complications!!

Roband- I agree with Dr Spiegel providing water. I had to walk down to the deli also. I thought it was silly that they didn't provide, sell at office, or just tell you to bring one! I have had some concerns with pb/sliming when eating solids since my fill. I am just now getting to the point of major frustration and scared something might happen to my band. I think I'm going to call office tomorrow. Are you still having problems? I can do liquids and some solids...but majority solids come back up!

BGB- Thanks for the info about the fills!! I really needed to hear it. Bikergirl- Hope to see you at Dr Spiegel's support group meeting 3/20 I haven't been online much lately. But I just caught on my reading of this thread for the last few hours!! LOL I'm glad to see the newbies that came on board. And glad to hear everyone is doing well! I had, what I thought was my first fill on 2/22/07. The Dr Spiegel told me that he actually gave me a fill and the time of my band (1.4cc). So he gave me another .6cc. Unlike, some of you....I've been struggling not to PB and slime. After I eat only about 2-3 bites, if I even think about sliming, I will have too! I'm trying to be patience and give my fill 2 weeks to loosen up or something. It isn't like I can't keep liquids or food down, I just have been PB more than before. I try to eat slow, chew well, and concentrate, but it just doesn't always work well. I was debating on get it unfilled, I just wanted to see if anyone had in input or similiar experiences with a fill. I have lost another 5 lbs since the fill...but....I feel like I am eating nothing- no calories!! Any encouraging words??? I need it!! I just have been feeling like it shouldn;t be this restricted! Thanks...

I just got my first fill today and doing liquids for 3 days. I was curious if anyone out there has done more than liquids the 3 days after a fill. I have a girls weekend and we are going to do Mexican food tomorrow night...I know that it is going to KILL me to not be able to eat chips and salsa!! I know I should stick to the liquids, just curious if anyone cheated!!

Shutuplena, when you got your fills did you do liquids for few days, then thicker liquids, etc...??? I just got fill today and dr told me 3 days of liquids. But I am going on a girls trip this weekend and really want to do a few chips and salsa, but I'm so scared to even try!! Anything input would be great...Thanks

I was lapbanded by Dr Spiegel on 12/11/06. I felt that his seminar and consultation was very informative and supportive of my problems. He answered every question and concern. I felt comfortable with him and his staff from day one. The day of my surgery Dr. Spiegel came in before my surgery to touch base and see if I had concerns. He returned after my surgery to follow-up. Today, I had my first fill since surgery with Dr Spiegel. He now does the fills at his office. He had several people there to get fills which I enjoyed!!! Dr Speigel met with all of us and answered cocners/questions as a group and also individually in patient room. I was very nervous for my fill and once there, I didn't feel alone. Everyone was going through it with me. We shared experiences and concerns together. Dr Spiegel met with me again after filling my band, making sure my water intake was doing well. He was very patience and informative. Dr Spiegel does do a large number of lapbands, so he does stay busy.....But I know that I asked tons of questions and researched him...and they all said he was the best. Appointments with him are be short and sweet or as long as you have questions, he will answer. I have never felt that he doesn't have the time to answer something. If you like Dr Spiegel and feel comfortable with him, I say JUST DO IT!!!!

You have done great on your weight loss....you need to tell us what to eat and not eat!! I say if you have lost 90 lbs, from not chewing gum and eating pizza, then you shouldn't! I excited for you!!

Chrispy- I say go to the game too!! One, it is free...Two, there is always hot guys at basketball games...Three, you can always slide out and take a cab home or call a friend to pick you up!!! Have FUN!!

I'm struggling with what is too much?? I haven't ever had a fill. I was banded 12/11/06. Everyone told me that I wouldn't be able to eat a whole sandwhich or a whole piece of pizza. Which I can do both!! I haven't been gaining weight...but I do question whether or not I 'm eating too much. I'm just still getting use to eating to little. I feel like I don't eat anything, but then I feel like I'm eating I alot more than others. How do I know if I need a fill?

Hi Single Bandsters, I'm also single and banded 12/11/07. I just meet a guy about a month ago at the gym. We have been hanging out pretty often. I'm totally scared about the initmate thing. I haven't told him about the band and don't plan too! We got a little close one night and jumped about 20 feet feet when he touched my stomach. I'm scared that he will feel my port and think I'm an alien or something!! I know it sound crazy....but hey...call me crazy. I have been eating more lately and think it is time for a fill. I haven't had a fill yet. I'm nervous about eating any less than I'm eating now. I feel like I should get filled, so I can keep losing early on. Any encouraging words??

I agree with the Gas X strips. They weren't that bad and no risk....I was really scared to take pills at first, so I loved the strips! Good Luck!!

The sliming issue is not fun either....I agree with being between throw up and cat ball. Sliming occurs when you take that one extra bite! It is like that one bite comes back up in a ball on spit. It is amazing to me, because the pain that comes when you take that one extra bite feels so big. But after that little ball of slime comes back up, I feel like a new woman. After experiencing it a few times, I now know to realize when I'm satisfied or I WILL slime! Sliming is not fun!!

Congradulations!! Dr Spiegel banded me 12/11/06. He was great and fast. University General was great and very helpful. The hospital has a really good support group the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Hope to see you there! Good Luck

Thanks for the info.. I was wondering the same thing about sushi. I have only been eating sushi a little while before band. glad to see there is still a way.

Yes, I want to do the South Beach challenge. I'm not to familiar with the SB diet. But I can read about it so I can join the group. I seem to be at a slow point...And I don't want to get a fill because I really don't want to eat any less than I'm eating.

Hi I'm a lower BMI bandster too!! I was banded 12/11/06, started at 223lbs and now at 195lbs. I feel good about the weight I've lost, but I guess I thought it would be faster too. I have been bad about exercise and I know that will speed things up. Oh yeah and if I eat better foods too!

The most difficult habit for me to break is not to drink while I eat. It is very difficult for me to drink or sip while I eat. I just can't do it. I get pains in my chest, which usually ends my meal earlier than I want. Sometimes I think it is because I don't chew my food good enough or something. I find it easier to not have a drink around me when I eat. Those are usually my best meals!