LeeB1946

WheI get a stuck I can't usually get anything down. Last Saturday I wanted to reach in and take the damn thing out just to get something unstuck. It was probably the worst stuck I have had in 2.5 years of having this band. Wish I had the sleeve or bypass but alas too late.

I never had high blood pressure even at my top weight. Have now dropped into upper category of low blood pressure. Don't take any meds, but when I get out of bed I have to sit on the edge of the bed and wait for room to stop spinning and sometimes the same when I get out of a chair. If I stand too quickly I have been known to fall against something or someone, but docs all say "just stand slowly."

I too would probably go with sleeve, but at the time I had surgery my insurance did not cover sleeve. Less maintenance with the sleeve is about the only reason though.

Keep some of the larger clothes. I found out that with the weight loss and loss of fat and insulation when winter comes you have to layer a bit and I needed a size larger or two sizes larger if I have to wear the thermal underwear to keep warm. I clean out my closets two or three times in the process of getting rid of 95 pounds and then filled the closets with smaller sizes. Fortunatly, I was slow at getting rid of all the old 38 and 40 jeans so have a supply to get me though this winter.

Water and coffee, tea, etc go down fast. Carbonated drinks which I don't do often take some time as I have to sip and burp and sip and burp until I get tired of both.

Gay guy, last weigh in next week, hoping to have my surgery this month!

Did you get your surgery. Wishing you well.

Well, I had the same or similar pain for almost a year. Talked with PA and he felt around down there, and of course, just like the car mechanic, I did not have the pain nor could we find an issue. It still occurs now and again and I have figured out I might be eating a little too fast. I would ask your doctor or his PA or nurse about it though.

I go through periods of what seems like no restriction and then all of a sudden there it is. I was at a banquet with a friend who had by pass just before I had band and we split a banquet meal of chicken breast and mix veggies. I took three bites and said "Oh, damn!" She turned to me and asked, "Band working? I told her yes and she said her surgery was working too and we neither cleaned our plates. Love that surgery!

Seems like you got 7cc's at surgery. That seems like a lot when some doc's don't even give any. I got 2 cc's and 19 months later I have only 5.5 as 6 was too tight and I slimmed and coughed all the time (not a good thing to do in public).

liquids only 2 hours pre fill and 24 hours post fill. No issues. I even get out sometimes without the drink of Water test, but try to take bottle of water into office with me so I don't forget.

Did anyone have regrets? I keep reading how everyone is so happy! I want to be happy but I am in pain, starving, and not sleeping.....I had surgery on Wednesday...when did people start feeling good???

Hang in there kid you are just starting 19 months ago I was in pain. Today 95 pounds given away and I say I don't remember the pain. Best of luck and do what you medical staff tells you to do and all will be good.

It took me 19 months to have pizza. Had one of those small microwave ones. Over 500 calories so ate it all day. Well, that's over thank God!

After you get back on solid foods you will have to experiment to see what you can and can not eat. There is no food I can't eat. Yes, there are some I should not eat. Those being sugar, white flour, high carb sweets and junk food. Fast food was never an issue so don't go there. For me it is chocolate items such as cakes, pies, etc. Never meant a chocolate I didn't like. Yes, we can eat anything,b ut do you want this to work? work with dietitian and get a good food plan you can follow.

Don't get stuck on eggs, but stay away from potatoes due to high carb. When I do eat potatos I get less that 1/3 cup. I envy all of those who get 1/2 cup food. I get 1/3 cup 5 times per day and that includes carbs and veggies for a total of 1/3 cup. Went over a little yesterday so today back to the program.

Had same issue and was told to drink more Fluid. Maybe a few more ounces of Protein Shake and that worked for me. Now, I have a similar problem 18 months down the road and 95 pounds gone. I never had high blood pressure even when I was at my highest weight of 265. Always around 112/75. Now if I can get it up to 95/65 I am doing good. When i get out of bed I have to sit on the edge of the bed for a few seconds and the room stops spinning then I am ok to get up. PA said she has low blood pressure and gave me the suggestions of sitting upright before standing up. Just hate it when the bed spinns. Reminds me of my drinking days in the days of my misspent youth!

I went band and have had not problems. If I were to do it again I might go sleeve due to less maintenance. Maybe you should have hubby talk with the doctor at your next pre op appointment and talk about his concerns with your surgery. Having 2/3 of your stomach removed is a big step. The band can be removed but you can't get your stomach back once you have the surgery. Good luck to both you and Hubby.

Hang in there kid. Could be all the above and maybe you are like me and like to eat when you get anxious or depressed and you just can't do that right now. So, have a good cry. Get a note book and right out your feelings. If you are depressed look into it and write down what is going on. If you are happy do the same. If you are angry, do the same. I think you get the pic. If it last more than a few days or a week you might call the doctor.

Had small amount of diet coke about 3 months post op. Did not do me any justice. 18 months out and yesterday I did it again with no problem. Chewing gum: If you don't swallow the gum like I do you are ok, but gum can get stuck and require surgery to remove, so be careful with gum. I switch to tic tac and have no issue with them.

About 6 months after surgery I began to get these sharp pains, like a knife, in my abdomen. Very painful.

Freaked me out too, so spoke with my Dr. about it....

What he said was happening to me was this...the port was anchored to the abdominal muscle wall with sutures...as I lost weight, and was eating less on a daily basis, not to mention exercising, my stomach was shrinking and getting firmer....since the port was placed when I was fat, it was now stretching and tearing as my abdomen shrunk...

It eventually stopped, never to happen again.

BTW, with so many stories about flipped ports, I wonder if this is something my Dr. does and not many others...

My doctor does plication where he stitches the band with some of the stomach skin and then he adds a stitch or two for safety sake. No fuss, no muss, no slips. Know of one doctor who does not stitch and all of his patients I have meant have had slippage issues.

Listen to B52 he knows what he is talking about. Most important follow the instructions from dr and dietitians and all medical personnel in the office. Don't try to second guess them. They make a living from this business.

It has to do with the surgeon knowing what he or she is doing. Banded 18 months ago and 95 pounds missing. Never vomited, did my fills and followed instructions. My doctor has said that bands are sometimes not chosen over the gastric sleeve as the sleeve is a surgery that requires less maintenance. As for being forced bulimia that guy is nuts. I know more people with RNY by pass that vomit after each meal than bandsters that voimit.

I have never had an issue with bread. Don't eat before church and I bet the small amount of bread will be tolerated. Does priest put host on your tongue or place it in your hand? If it is placed in hand then you could break off a small piece and place it in your mouth.

I have been banded nearly 18 months and have given away 90 plus pounds. I find I think of food more now than in the beginning. The pink cloud period is over. We have done what we wanted to do and the weight is gone. Now, what do we do? I make sure I don't watch cooking shows, shopping net work, etc. Then when I do go shopping i go down the outside aisles around the store and stay out of the inside aisles where all my old foods are located, candy, popcorn, sugar, etc. Protein and and veggies and some frozen veggies and sugar free popsicles and cat food (God forbid I forget the cat food) and home I go. " I need to enjoy my food because I am eating today the way I will eat for the rest of my life."

Insurance companies usually don't pay unless there is a medical necessity. I have medicare and they will allow for a skin amputation of the front only due to a hernia repair that is needed because of a hernia caused by previous abdominal surgery.there is no Tummy Tuck involve. They just lopp of the skin and make room for the general surgeon to get in to do the repair work. No, bat wings, or anything else unless I want to pay for it.

This is not a diet it is a life style change. Look at it like another diet and it will be more difficult and may even fail. Work with a professional who deals in eating disorders or maybe Overeaters Anonymous would help too. I do both and have never felt like I was on a diet. Have I overeaten, yes? but I know what to look for and work at putting a stop to it. I get a kick out of see my PA and dietitian and go to my support groups regularly. They are there to help so use them!