Alexandra

Congratulations on your rebanding! As far as gas pain goes, the usual advice is to walk it off. For me, all that helped was time. This too shall pass.

When I have fills under fluoro, they usually ask me to take two or three big swallows of barium overall. So two medicine cups sounds about right; they don't need much to see how things are moving along. I'm sorry you're so conflicted. You've been faced with extraordinary challenges, band-wise, and have survived them marvelously. Not having a local doctor must be incredibly frustrating--not to mention dangerous considering how many issues you've had with healing and infection over the last two years. Ever think of moving?

I'm starting to think that a total unfill may be a good idea for bandsters who are 2 or so years out, you know? I hear time and time again the people hit a point where they a) are eating more because they CAN, and are experiencing reflux or other negative symptoms, partly because of a). I think we reach a point where the bottom part of our esophagus starts to relax due to the constantly increased pressure, which allows us to eat more without feeling the stop signals, but which also causes heartburn and reflux. Taking out the fill gives the lower esophagus a chance to relax, heal, and rest. And really--if you have a little faith that some of what you have learned about eating differently while being banded will STICK, it WILL. During my total unfill this summer I put on 7 lbs, but that was while I was on vacation with my family and over Labor Day, I expected at least that much. When I got back to basics the pounds came right back off. Look at this time as a healing phase, and it can only be good for you. I also often hear that after an unfill it takes only a tiny little added saline to produce the same restriction as was felt before. Don't worry! Everything will work out, especially now that you have that all-important clean bill of band health.

Oh, Jen, I'm so sorry!! Maybe it will resolve without any more surgery, but the really good news is that it's been caught and it can be FIXED. The complications bandsters face are headaches, but relatively minor ones in the grand scheme of things. Your note just reminded me that in 20 minutes the Bertha/Abkin support group is going to be meeting. OOPS!! Guess who won't be there? I hope we can connect at the next one (which I hope they will reschedule owing to the holiday craziness). Be good to yourself in the next week--all of those doctors have a way of putting a little too-realistic spin on things; it may turn out to be less serious than they thought. Just be very gentle and try to be optomistic!

Thanks so much for the update, Dave. Please share our deepest wishes for quick and complete healing with Francesca. We're sending lots of healthy vibes!!

Thank you so much for coming and letting us know how you're doing. I hope you heal quickly and completely--you deserve an easier ride of it! Was the stitch that caused the erosion one from your original banding surgery? Does this mean that every person who had the same surgeon (who presumably does banding in the same way in most patients) is going to end up eroded? Or was this something specific to your anatomy or medical situation? Sorry for all the questions, but as you say it's going to save future bandsters some heartache (and stomach ache!) So glad you're back and on the mend. Take good care of yourself, sweetie--everyone needs you around!!

Never, anymore. There was a period after each fill where I'd PB maybe twice, but then my behavior modified and I could avoid those situations. Don't worry about it! Behavior modifidation is an important part of weight loss, we all know that. And this is the way it works. It always can be avoided with enough care.

Jennifer, I was told the exact same thing by both Dr. Bertha and Dr. Abkin, twice. Last year Dr. Bertha was so sure he'd find a slip that he asked me how I'd feel having surgery over Christmas vacation. (Yikes!) Both times the fluoroscope showed no slippage, no problems, everything in perfect position. I had persistent reflux for several weeks this past summer which was pretty bad at times, so I was very worried myself. But an unfill totally and immediately resolved the situation, and now months later the reflux has never returned. (Though I must say I'm a lot more careful than I used to be.) My point is that these doctors have to keep us prepared to hear the bad news, but it doesn't necessarily mean there WILL be bad news. I know EXACTLY how you feel, I've been there myself. Try not to worry because stress can make things worse. Tomorrow morning, for better or worse, at least you'll have an answer. I know the prospect of an unfill may be unpleasant, but it's a whole lot better than any other option so DON'T be afraid to let them take out some saline. It will probably fix your reflux, and if you do have a slip it may even fix that. Try not to worry! And please come back and let us know how it went. (And say HI to Dr. Bertha for me! )

YAAAAAAAHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!! Jonathan, that is absolutely the BEST news I've had all day. What a fantastic development! I'm thrilled for you, and am reminded all over again what a great thing the band is. Movin' ON!!!

Molynn, this sounds like a classic case of being overfilled. The fluid-out-the-nose thing I can relate to; it's what happens when reflux gets really, really bad. That's why it's SO important to find a good fill doctor and stay with him--the relative amount of fill is more important than the actual amount of fluid. Even my surgeon himself pulled what he thought was "all" my fill out and came up with only .8; later on it turned out there was more in there after all. This is actually the definition of a slip. It's true that if it were very bad you might not be able to eat anything, but it's much more common for there to be a small slip, where the band moves out of position and too much of the stomach migrates up through the band. And repositioning surgery is actually not that "difficult" (or so I've heard). But even if your doc is using different terminology, the treatment is a complete unfill and see how it goes. It may resolve if the band is loose enough to allow things to resettle--did they take out whatever remained of your fill?

All the more reason not to discuss other people's medical situations unless they are here to discuss them first-hand. I have no idea what happened, except what I read here. Forget everything I said. :rolleyes

I've been thinking about this thread and wanted to point out that stress can induce symptoms, all by itself. So that chill pill is important in more ways than one. Lisa, you're right that we don't shy away from the truth here. But it's also important to recognize the proportions here are very skewed. This is a self-selected population of people who are by definition more likely to be talking about issues they are aware of or have encountered. Considering the numbers, there are precious few purely content long-term bandsters hanging around on support boards. And didn't Diane Beck's problem occur because of surgical error? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that it could just as easily have been some other type of surgery.

Wow, lady, you look great!! That's what I need, some new workout clothes. Ohhhh, Saaaantaaaaa!! Seriously, it really does help. You are so right!! I'm getting an MP3 player in a few days and I'm hoping that will spur me to get my butt back to the gym. I'm in holiday mode and there's ALWAYS a reason to go somewhere else after work. Bad, bad, bad.

My thoughts are with you and your son, too. What a hard thing you have done, but so brave!! I hope it proves to be a HUGE improvement, the way it was for me when I did the same thing 13 years ago. Good luck!!

Your pain is palpable, Lisa. I'm so sorry for your loss. (This is why I resist my daughters' pleas for a pet. I couldn't face the inevitable pain.)

Jax, I'm so sorry to hear about your slip! But you have a great attitude and I know you'll sail through once again. Congratulations on your weight loss and best wishes for an uneventful surgery and healing.

Finally, an insurance question I can answer!! Lisa, by state mandate Horizon MUST get back to you within 30 days. You should call them midweek this week to make sure they have ALL the documentation they need, because that 30-day clock doesn't start ticking until they do. In my experience, it doesn't take 30 days for approvals OR denials, but that is the absolute longest they can take by law. Good luck!!

My sentiments exactly. Great, great post, Vines!!!

This is me. I'd give it a year or two to see how I do bandless, and then if it's not working out I'd explore rebanding. I completely sympathize with you!! I'm still feeling Thanksgiving leftovers from Saturday. :rolleyes Stay on liquids or mushies for another day to two, and I'll bet all will resolve. We have to remember that these rough meals take a toll that really has to be allowed to resolve; just because we're feeling OK at the next meal is NOT a license to do it again.

I too can't understand why anyone would choose a non-adjustable band over an adjustable one. There are just too many variables in the human body for a static band to be effective for everyone, so there's bound to be a higher incidence of complications. As for drinking 4 ozs of Water at a time, that's not an instruction with lap-banding once you're healed. Of course, at different times chugging water may be difficult or impossible to do, but once a swallow has gone down there's no reason not to take another one right away. (I'd think that would be true with a static band, too, though; I'm mystified why anyone would be told only 4 ozs. in an hour. It should only take a few minutes at most for water to pass through the stoma.)

Lots of bandsters have this problem occasionally. This past summer I had a really had case of it, so I had a big unfill in August. That immediately resolved my symptoms and I was able to have a re-fill a few weeks later. Don't let it go. Try sticking to liquids only for a few days or a week and see if that has any effect. And of course there's all the other advice about avoiding trigger foods, or not eating after 5 or 6 at night. If you ignore it you may be setting yourself up for worse problems down the road, whereas now it may be easier to treat. Good luck!!

My thoughts are with you both as well; Crystal, thanks for saying it for us. sleep well, ladies.

Hi Kimberly, Here in the U.S. we're hampered by the fact that there are no long-term bandsters. And even in other countries there wouldn't be anyone who has had the band for more than 10 or so years, since the band was only invented in the early 90s. I looked at it like any other medical implant, though. New ones are coming out all the time, improving on old models and old techniques. If I needed an artificial knee or hip, or a heart valve or something to stay healthy and stay alive, I'd do it! Even if it meant that the implant would need maintaining or replacing years down the line. The improvement in my health and quality of life has been and will continue to be so substantial and it's worth investing time, money, and effort in this little piece of plastic to help me stay the course. If I had been ten years younger, 50 punds lighter, or had no children I may very well not have made the same decision, though. Obviously every person has their own calculus to make.

Kellyhutch, usually two other health issues ("co-morbidities") will allow a carrier to classify bariatric surgery as medically necessary for those with a BMI of between 35 and 40. Joint or back pain is definitely one of them, especially if it seriuosly curtails your activity. Hypercholestemia (high cholesterol) is another, and if there is any family history of high blood pressure or diabetes that would be considered yet another. Your doctor can help in putting this all together. Good luck!

I don't have any words of wisdom to add to what's already on this thread. But I wanted to thank everyone for posting. This has been very valuable for this long-term bandster who is just as shaken by new reports of trouble as everyone else!!