Martie

I just came across your post..I know you posted it awhile back. I was wondering if you had your band removed or replaced. I had my lap band surgery in Feb. 07 and had gone from 300lbs to 145lbs. in Sept. of 08. I started having problems and started throwing up blood.In Apr. 09 I had the band removed and replaced with the realize band (because thats all my doc would put in) I was 155 at the time of surgery and now its Sept. 10 and I am 195 lbs. I have had no weightloss with this realize band at all. I workout like crazy..I run and lift weights and I'm in great shape but I am so depressed about this realize band. I was just wondering what you eventually had done and how its going for you. I have a 9 cc band and I have 7 ccs in now. I am going to the dr. this month for another fill..I just hope I can get some restriction but I fear there is something wrong with it...I will be devasted. I would love to hear from ya...

I'm 19 months out with no problems what so ever. until last month. I started throwing up this brownish slimy stuff. I will feel very restricted and then get a slight heartburn feeling, then start salivating like crazy. I end up throwing up this brownish slime. its happened like 6 times in a 2 months. If anyone has any advice or experiences to share I would really appreciate it. I am down 153 lbs. banded Feb. 07

Hey Harleymom, I am glad to hear that you went to the dr. and are feeling better. I know what you mean about safe foods...and the pb & slimming and all. I did the same thing. But it takes its toll i believe. So glad to hear your feeling better...you want to stay healthy. You take care and keep in touch.

Sounds to me like youre what we call Pb'ing (productive burp) That happens when you eat too much. But I think that when you do this alot it can be harmful. Atleast it was for me. I would actually throw up tho. and it wasn't after I ate. IT would usually happen at night. I am doing better now..Yeah!! I havent thrown up or pb'ed since Sept. 11. Like I said in my previous posts, I am at 1cc right now and all is well. I hope this helps.

I just want to say that I wasnt throwing up the whole time I had problems. I would pb here and there. I think that my pouch got irritated and when I let it go I was like swollen shut. I couldn't get anything down for like 4 days. I was finally heaving pretty good before I ended up in the ER getting an emergency unfill. I don't exactly know why I was was throwing up or what because I couldn't get anything down.I will never let that happen again because when I was told I had to have my band removed because it more than likely slipped..I was devestated. Now that my Dr. wants to leave it in (after he looked at my band with the fluoro) I am not ever again going to let anything go. I am at a 1 cc fill right now..no restriction but I won't let myself over eat because I don't want anything to happen to my band. Please you guys..if you are pb'ing alot that isn't good for your band. If you can't keep anything down (I couldn't even keep my own saliva down) You are too tight and you need to see the Doc. Not to mention when I did finally did go to the ER after 4 days, I was severly dehydrated. I know how you fill about those "unfills" ...thats what kept me from going in sooner, But its better to be safe than sorry. I am 19 months out, down 150 lbs. and I can't even imagine being w/o my band. I haven't gained any weight as a result of being unfilled..(for 2weeks) and now at 1 cc. (for a total of 4 weeks) I can eat a little more but thats only about a cup of food total. so don't be afraid of getting a little taken out...like I said its better to be safe. Take care all!

Harleymom... sounds just like what I went through...I am not going to say that what happened to me will happen to you because everyone is different but if you feel that restricted don't put it off like I did. I put it off for a few months. Definetly get in to see the Doc. Better to have some fill removed than to cause further problems. Keep in touch and let me know how you're feeling. I know what you mean about the ice cream...I became very fond of vanilla but sherbert was the main culprit...LOL! But please let me know what happens, keep in touch!

MissBS...Thanks so much for your reply. put a smile on my face:) I am so glad that its working out for me too. I was so worried. I still am...but so far things are going good. I feel great. No restriction really but like I said before..I would rather be safe right now. Its been a journey I wouldn't trade for anything. I wish you good health and weightloss in your journey. I see your down 21 lbs. thats wonderful and its just the beginning. Keep in touch OK? Take care

Just wanted to let everyone know that I went back to the Dr. a couple times now and he said...after putting me through all this...that after looking at my fluoroscopy it doesn't look like a slip after all. I am just beside myself. I am happy that I don't have to have my band removed and replaced but man what a rollercoaster ride. I was devastated to hear that my band slipped. I had a terrible 2 weeks thinking about surgery. But I am so happy....I went in today, after having my band empty for 2 weeks and got a 1cc fill. we are going slow to make sure all is well. I have the 10cm band which holds 4cc's. I just wanted to update and say that so far I am feeling great, not much restriction but thats ok for now...atleast I am back on track. I'm sticking with soft foods for awhile tho...just to make sure. Thanks to everyone for listening. Take care all!

Sweetpea, So glad to hear that you went to the Dr. and are feeling better. Take Care!

Sweatpea, You should really do the liquids after a fill. I try to go 3 days at least. if liquids are good I go to mushies and work my way up to solid. If you have a hard time with liquids and mushies after a few days..I would definetly call the doc. especially if you start in on the saliva and spitting. But never put it off if you think something is wrong. Take care you!

Hey Monnie, DId you have your surgery? I have been banded since feb.07 and have lost 152 lbs. I will be going in in Oct. to have my band removed and replaced with the realize band. ( due to slippage) I now have a 4cc. band and my Dr. said this one will hold 10cc's I think he said. Good Job on your weightloss george..I am happy for you. Feels great huh? keep up the amazing work. Heather, did you have surgery? post how your doing.

well I went to the Dr. last friday and I did have slippage. I am scheduled for band removal and replacement at the same time. My surgery will be in oct. I think this happened because I was too filled. I was at a 2.50 in a 4 cc. band. I was pb-ing and let it go too long. The band has worked for me and I am sooo glad to be getting it replaced. I thank you all for your replys and advice.

Just wanted to add...I went to the Dr. last friday and I did slip. He could tell by a fluoroscopy. I will have band removal and replacement in Oct. I am bummed but I am glad I am getting a replacement. I don't know how to be without my band. My band is empty now and I am hungry..so I can't imagine not having it..but I am eating right and trying to stay with soft foods. So kate get in and get things checked out. Let us know how youre doing.

HeatherO, That is pretty much what happened to me. I felt immed. relief when I was getting "unfilled". I hope that I didn't have slippage and a scope will show that I was just swollen from throwing up. I have been empty for 4 days and feel fine. I have to wait until Friday to find anything out and the wait is just killing me.

From MY experience I would say you might be over filled. I also had that happen to me. I was only filled to a 2.75 in a 10 cc band so I thought I couldn't be over filled. But I let it go for too long. sometimes I couldn't keep down my own saliva. I started to throw up brownish slim. It happened once in july and again in aug. Then last week I did it for 4 days straight. It hurt real bad right at my breast bone and I couldn't hold down anything...I mean anything. When I went to the Dr. (9/11) after a fluoroscopy my Dr. says I have band slippaged. I go in this Friday to see what my options are. NOW...I'm not saying at all that this will happen to you. I have had slippage and those were my symptoms. But just don't let it go. You don't want to keep throwing up because it can harm your pouch. I can't say for sure what caused my slippage...I am 19months out and have had no problems with my band up until now. I love my band...I will want a rebanding if this one has to come out. I hope my experience doesn't scare you....Thats not my intent at all. I just know that throwing up isn't good and if you are get it checked out.

band surgeon made prognosis by looking only at the fluoroscope. I go back next friday for a preop but will demand a esophegeal scope to actually see what is happening. They are jumping to remove it without actually looking at it. I feel fine now that the liquid has been removed. no restriction, no discomfort, i feel like they are jumping the gun on removal.

Well, ended up taking a trip to the ER. They emptied the band witch gave instant relief. Unfortunately, now they say that I had a partial prolapse, I think it is a result of the heaves I had prior to ER trip. Now they just want to remove the band. they haven't scoped me or anything, they say this band is done and needs to be removed. I want to request a scope to show a more specific reason why the band is done. Although I have gone from 298lb to 140lb I don't think I can keep the weight off without the band and am scared to death. Has anyone else had anything like this happen? Has anyone had their band replaced? Or removed and still able to maintain loss? Please help, any advice would be wonderful. Thanks Martie.

Hi All, I am getting banded on Feb.12...2 days. I am nervous but excited more. I must admit that when I got my date the doubts set in. But thats comes with the new and not knowing. Thats why its nice to have a place like this to come for great advice and wonderful stories from all who have been there. I will definately be taking advantage of all the support. Good Luck to us ALL!! Martie banding on feb.12:clap2:

Hi Everyone, :nervous I have been "lurking" for about a week now. I have found this forum to be very informational and see lots of great advice and support. Thought it was time to introduce myself. My name is Martie. i'm 39/female and I live in Virginia. I am having my surgery this Monday (feb.12) and I am getting very excited. A little scared as well. I'm on my 3rd out of 5 days of protein shakes. It hasn't been easy. I must admit. :hungry: But I am so ready for my journey to really begin. If anyone has any advice, checklists, or would like to share any info, please do. I love to hear it all. Martie banding on Feb.12,07 5'5/298