lisacaron

I had a minor pouch dilation and I had my band unfilled for about 3 weeks. To help the stomach and esophagus return to normal size and to keep from regain I was on a liquid diet for 3 weeks while the band was unfilled and the dilation was able to reset. The trick is to allow the stomach and esophagus to relax and heal a soft easy digestible diet is what's needed. It was not horrible since we do that often when we have fills unfills. It was like being on a pre or post op diet. Listen to you Dr. and what they advise since I did not have a band slip...this could require more invasive intervention. I hope you feel better soon. Please let us know how you are doing.

Well my East Coast friends, it's freezing here on the East End of Long Island. The snow is already at about an inch 1/2. I am freezing even in my snow boots. We are pretty well prepared to hunker down for the next couple of days as they are calling for blizzard conditions. Already this morning the wackos are out getting gas and causing problems Snowpocalypse don't cha know! There are no boots to be found thank goodness we have them and we are pretty well set. Stay warm and safe my friends!!!

Yes!!!! I am!!!

@@christinabryan89 Thank you for sharing your experience! I agree with you 100% many of us let fear of being scolded or being considered a failure keep us from our Dr.'s office and seeking the help and support that we need. Keeping a good open and honest communication with our Dr.'s is paramount to good health and success. Way to go!!!

@@LipstickLady You know what?!!!!!!!! I just live my life, my way. (Do you hear Frank Sinatra singing?). I might be a WLS patient, a Mother, a Wife, a Daughter, a Woman, a Thinker, a Breather and million other adjectives.....but most of all I am ME!!!!

@@jennhatten I'm sorry to hear of all the troubles you have been experiencing, and happy for you that you are working your way back toward being healthy. It is good news that your band is in good order and ready to help you on your journey. The first thing I have to tell you is that you need to find another Dr. It is NOT normal for you throw up all the time. You should be able to eat anything and everything. Yes there are some people who experience food intolerance, but that is true for everyone not just WLS or banded patients. You will learn as you go what works and what doesn't and how to modify your life style around those things. The key to eating with the band is practicing good eating mechanics. That does not mean eating soft and mushy foods or living on shakes. Mashed potatoes are not doing anything for you. There is precious little nutrition to be found there. Another key to being healthy is eating healthy, and that includes fruits and vegetables. Now it's true sometimes these items are hard for banded patients to consume. They may have stringy or rough bits that can become trapped in the stoma and cause a bolus that blocks up the stoma stopping food from passing. So these items should be minimized to avoid this, but if you cook vegetables well and eat fruits that you chew well and avoid things that might be difficult to swallow like apple skins etc you will be just fine. Another way to add these nutrients to your diet is by blending them if you need them. The number one nutrient our bodies need is Protein. Protein is not stored in the body for any length of time, so you must replenish it daily. You can do that in the form of eggs, chicken, fish, beef and many other things like Protein Bars and shakes. Not consuming enough protein could be the reason for hair loss and weakness. So my advice.... Find a Dr. that is a band specialist, on that has a nutritionist on site and can help you learn good eating mechanics. For today...start from the very beginning. Go back to pre-band...were you on a pre-op diet? Follow that for a couple of days. Reset, and begin practicing good eating mechanics. Cutting things into tiny pencil eraser sized bites, chew chew chewing the food you eat, taking a minute between bites to allow that bite to pass the band before taking another bite. If you stack up one bite after another this could be the pain or stress you feel as your esophagus works harder to push the stacked up food past the band. Sit down and eat a meal, avoid distractions if possible. Plan your meals in advance and drink lots of Water. In no time you will be back on track and most importantly feeling better!!! Make an appointment with your regular Dr. for some blood work to find out if you are having any deficiency in vitamins/minerals or need any additional supplementation to start get a good chew able Multivitamin. Kick up your heels welcome back on the band wagon!!! Here we go!!!

@@GoCubbies79 I'm sorry that you have had to go through so much. The band just like any other surgical device needs to be constantly monitored by both the Dr. and the patient. Your health has you be your number 1 top priority at all times. This is your life my friend, so if you are having pain or not feeling right don't just take the answer of the receptionist or even the Dr.if you know it's not enough, no matter if it's your band, your hip or your head. Only you are living in your body and know how you are feeling. Many of us are shy of our Dr.'s thinking we are failures if we gain a pound or eat the wrong things but we are NOT. The only time we fail is when we fail to care for ourselves and seek help when we need it. The band could have eroded for many many reasons, NSAIDS, reflux, so many reasons. Best to not dwell on it now, but to get well and get strong and healthy again. Once you are well and healthy consult with a few Bariatric Dr.'s to find out if you are eligible or able to revise to the sleeve or bypass. If you are willing I would suggest seeking a therapist about your ordeal and your re-gain and the way you are feeling about it. Your weight big or small should not define who you are or how you treat yourself or allow others to treat you my friend. You are worthy of being healthy and happy and that is a goal to strive for. I wish you all the best and please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing!!

@@SkinnyLaRodgers15 don't beat yourself up pizza happens!!! The band takes time and it changes your habits along the way. We didn't get them over night and eventually we will find our way. @@amponder yes me too! I love the cheese or the very first bite off the tip (which is about all I can handle) but it makes hubby mad. (he's also banded so I don't know what his issue is! lol) Sometimes you just need to have that taste even if it's a lick!!

@@ivyh are you on any kind of medication that might be causing you to gain weight? That would be the first thing I would look into. The second thing is just to get back to band basics I know that works for me when I had to have my band emptied. Just as I was starting to get my fill back the holiday's rolled around!! I try to remember to eat my meals and portions and drink Water (which I am horrible at still!!) I have been doing a bit of research and it seems that when we YoYo we actually change the set point that out body "thinks" it requires for fat and calories. So..the only thing to do is to trick it back into burning again and for me high Protein carb restricted eating helps. Keep in touch and let me know how your doing!! We could all use some extra support getting back and staying on track!

You know I think we can have issues like any other surgery where we not only stretch out that pouch but also lose sensitivity to the nerves that the band sits on and initially tells us that we are not hungry. Some people have nerves so sensitive that just having the band is enough for them and they never need a fill. Then there are those who are like me, and need the max fill to know I have the band in there for it to work. There are some Dr.'s who just don't/can't understand how it feels if they are not banded. I understand though why they are conservative with their fills, it's for our own safety. I have had my band get too tight and it was not fun. Basically irritation to the stomach from medication caused the stoma to swell and nearly close. When I had all the Fluid removed I was on a liquid diet for 3 weeks, which was not easy..but I'd been through it before and I was happy not to lose the band and need more surgery. If your not happy with your Dr. you are allowed to visit another one, but you may find talking with your doctor a step to take first so your happy with your decision. My surgeon retired and I was forced to find another and I can see how different each place is and each Dr. is as well. Do some research to other doctors, maybe a consult or just a call to inquire as to their practice of fills etc. Let us know how it goes!!

@@JustWatchMe Thank you for sharing your story with us!! You are 100% right, making changes to our selves is never EVER easy or simple. Truth and honesty seem like such wonderful words don't they? Such great concepts...but you know those simple words are tantamount to untold feats of strength courage and conviction! Not many people can cope with being honest and truthful especially not to themselves. Most would rather live the lie then face the truth which can be very painful and yeah it can leave you raw. I will say this for truth and honesty when you start to live your life authentically you realize that there will never be any other way for you to be. I have oodles of compassion, empathy and admiration for you my friends. Life is not easy, but it's worth the effort and I thank you for sharing your journey with me!

@@gowalking Two steps forward one step back, step to the side cross one foot in front of the other and spin. Honey you are dancing!!! That's what life is all about my friend! Dancing with yourself, dancing around yourself and hearing that song in your heart and your head. food and body fat kept us from dancing, and making music. Now I toot so much more then I did before! Oh wait off topic. Liz you have got the Samba down, and your making many of us look like we have two left feet. Your doing great, and what's more your taking the time and perfecting your steps. Just don't forget to hum that happy tune every now again as you count the steps and soon you will hear nothing but the tune and your feet/body will just move in time.

@@gowalking Hey tuckster! you look great! No questions about it!! @@dylanmiles23 hope everything goes well for you!!! I have appointment with the trainer tonight at the gym...after the hour Saturday and Monday...not sure what body parts there are left to "work on" that don't already hurt!! Maybe my nose...one eye push ups? Cause that's about what I have open

@@Alex Brecher here are a couple of ideas: It would be cool to have a sample box kind of like the way birchbox operates if you were going to do an "autoship" type of thing. It might also be nice to be able to order supplies/supplements based on your surgery type. Not everyone needs everything or wants it and vs versa. Another way to group or select items might be by phase or stage of surgery. Pre-Op; Post- Op; Weight Loss; Maintenance I would include all kinds of things, not only "foods" but blender bottles, recipe books, other books, fitness gear things geared toward healthy living. scales, spoons, bento box lunch packs, freezer bags, portion control items. I personally use Melaluca products .http://www.melaleuca.com/ I love their Protein powders, sports nutrition products.

@@JustWatchMe I don't think we are trying to say he does/doesn't work his tail off. Just agreeing with him, and sharing our experience in stride. I wish I could make my band fully control and erase my emotional head hunger. @@Jim1967 you know my husband and I have the same exact experience! I struggle with making poor choices when stressed and emotional so much more often then hubby does! Of course when he points that out though I don't always like it much...even though he is right!

That's the ticket!! Try to portion out your meals I find that helps me to stay on point.

@@Julie norton Just love that photo!!! @@gowalking I'm sure you are looking spiffy as always!!! I'm gonna need a few inches added to my torso to be able to tuck things in and not look like my back swallowed my ass!!

@@twztdzsgrl I hope you are feeling OK, and I'm sorry to read about the added trouble you have going on. I am not expert, but let me first say the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a deep breath and keep on doing it any time the need arises. A good place to start might be to go back to those very band basics. Go back to some liquid nutrition. Schedule out the times you are going to eat and what you are going to eat. Stick to that rigid schedule for as long as you can and keep your nutrients high. Talk to your Dr. and see what they advise, maybe they could help you out with a medically supervised diet during this phase so you can get to the next phase for surgery. My best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery!! Please let us all know how you are doing!! We are here to help and support you!

@@B-52 I think you do have a point here. When you reach that green zone, or sweet spot or what have you with the band your right it does take the "thinking" out of it and gives you that sense of control and you eat only when hungry and you find that it's not as often or urgent as before. @@Jersrose43 and @@amponder also make good points and that is that the band itself won't stop you from eating things like ice cream, chocolate or chips. That is something we have to control the choices of what we put in our mouths. For some that's not always the easiest thing to do. I know for me it's not, I wish the band could go around my head sometimes because I have to consciously stop myself from sabotage when things get sideways around me.

@@SuperKen I can only echo all the comments above! You are doing amazing and of course I can relate to your feelings. I used to think I would have a heart attack walking from my office to my car at the end of the day. Then one day after a trip to the Dr. and new medication (which I took while at work) I had a major reaction that mimicked that feared heart attack!! I drove all the way home and then called an ambulance. Thank goodness it was just a reaction to the medication but it really was an eye opener and from that day I started looking at life in a new way and decided to make some much needed changes but it would still take me another 3 years to have WLS.

@@Band Aid mom so this is just me...I try to set a goal for myself every day that does not just involve the numbers on the scale. I try to make sure I make good choices, get in enough Water (this is a challenge for me always was even before surgery) make sure I move enough and exercise at least 3x a week and don't sit for more then 15 min at a time while at work. For weight goals I know that if I reach these daily weekly then my success is going to be reflected on the scale at the end of the week. For each 10 pounds I lose I reward myself with something that is non food related. I might buy a charm for my bracelet or go to a movie, or get a massage things like that. When I drop a size I will go get myself some new clothes maybe just one thing, maybe even something NOT size related like a scarf or gloves. Just keeping it positive daily is a BIG help, and when the end of the week comes if I have not been successful and just maintained I don't look at that as a failure. I look at is as a lesson learned and keep trying to improve upon my habits daily. To be an ultimate success for a life time that's what it's going to take for me. That total life style change one day at a time.

@@toothfairy86 take it easy till then so your not in any pain OK? Let me know how your doing after you see the doc on Monday!! I'm convinced carbs are the devil no matter what's going on with us they are always the easiest things to eat! I remember when I was little Mom would give me crackers and toast and stuff like that when I was sick. I'm sure it's because they stayed down when other foods just would not including chicken Soup.

you are right on track there!! Maybe you can get in to see the doctor sooner??? Sounds like your really uncomfortable every 2 hours of acid re-flux I am feeling for you friend!!

I would worry that you might be tight. Coughing at night, not sleeping, acid re flux and vomiting are not par for the course with the band. They are red flags. The fact that you are vomiting and have acid re flux can be worrisome for lots of reasons, so definitely see your Dr. as soon as you can you have 1/13 as your follow up but I assume that's a typo since today is the 15th?? In the mean time I would go back to basics liquids, & mushy foods. Try not to eat 3 hours before bed time to help reduce the night cough and reflex. If you have trouble with Water then you need to see the Dr. ASAP to take some fluid out. I waited out a fill, and had some other issues with medication irritation that cause a minor dilation of my pouch which resulted in having all the fluid removed from my band. I'm glad they did it in retrospect because I would hate to lose my band but it's been a rough road and a tough road back to the green. Good luck and let us know how you are doing!!

Ditto that!