leslieloose100

I just found out today that my band has slipped and I have a hiatal hernia. I have to see my Dr. on Nov 5 to discuss my options but I am not happy since reading many of the comments on this subject. I have felt like I had food stuck in my throat since the beginning but thought it was normal so did not discuss it with my Dr. until I was getting sick of feeling like I was choking. I am very sad because I do not want more surgery or to give up my band or to feel lousy. It sounds like a loose/loose situation.

This is one of the biggest problems on deciding whether or not to get this surgery done or not... All The Negative Comments! I was just banned 8 days ago and have already lost 12 pounds. I read all the negative messages and experiences other people have had and thought that mine was going to be just like this. This in fact is completely wrong. I am doing GREAT! I could not be any happier. I am not hungry at all and I love it. Like most everyone overweight, I was so worried I was going to miss eating (in the larger portions), but for some reason I can go for 8 hours and not even think about food! I still eat and remember to get in all my Protein, but I would have never imagined it was ever going to be as good as it is. I just wish that people would keep there negative experiences more or less to themselves because it really makes others second guess their decisions when in fact it is the best decision (for me at least!)

Banded: 7-26-07

Starting: 227lbs

7-26-07: 221lbs

8-3-07: 215lbs

I am not saying it is a bad thing as I am happier than ever also just be prepared that after a fill, it will not be the same as it is now and you will have to follow all the rules to stay happy. Good Luck! I hope you do as well as I am.

Be prepared to spend A LOT of time over the toilet. Be prepared to constantly feel the "golf ball" in your esophagus after you eat. Be prepared NOT to be able to eat in front of people you havent told about the band. Be prepared to be afraid of eating ANYTHING non mushie in fear of throwing it up. Be prepared to teach yourself to eat VERY VERY slowly. Be prepared to kiss bread goodbye.

The first 6 weeks is easy, once you get your fill...thats when you will play the "get to know your band" game. Its very finicky. It loves liquids, hates bread. Forget about steak, even chicken has problems going through.

You will have that "stuck" feeling a lot, after the stuck feeling, you will salivate profusely and then everything you ate comes up.

The only thing I can eat now is soup...any kind of Soup, but most everything else I have tried I have thrown up.

I'm 2 weeks post 1st fill..and I know i'm not too tight, since I watched the whole thing on fluoroscopy.....this is just how life is with the band.

Any many other people that I know that have this band say the same thing. Things get stuck often..and are also afraid of trying new foods in public.

I am not complaining, I am happy with my decision to get it placed.. I mean, vanity is priority #1...but these above facts DO NOT get mentioned often in this forum....at least I really havent read about it.

I got my band on 5/7 and could eat anything I wanted in small amounts. After I got my first fill some of the things I could eat before I can't eat now but not most of them. I disagree with your statement and feel that if you follow the rules you will not suffer. I have had that stuck feeling 5 or 6 times (twice very severe). I believe it was my fault. If I ate too much, too fast or something was too dry it got stuck. I have mastered the very very small bites ( if steak or meat). I am still working on the speed. I was always the first one done. By following all the rules, except speed, if it does get stuck it is only for a minute and it passes. Try chewing a couple of "papaya enzymes" tablets (cheap at the pharmacy) because it helps with digestion and is cheap to buy. I believe you control your band,it does not control you. Hope this helps!

P.S. I have lost 55 lbs! I am half way there!

Hello!

I had my surgery on 5/7 and I just started "soft" food this week and you are right. I feel like I can eat quite a bit but I don't do it. I stay in the 1/4 - 1/2 cup per serving as perscribed. I have lost 26 pounds and I feel good.Talk to your dietician for some direction.I had a lot of questions and they are great.Good Luck to you!

OK. This may sound realy weird to some but I was just wondering how many have had their tubes tied and the lap band and how does the pain/soreness compare afterward? I have read so many posts on hear about not having pain and having pain that I was just wondering if anyone can compare the two for me. Thanks!!!

I can! I was just banded on Monday, May 7. I have also had my tubes tied. The pain was exactly equal for me! Hope this helps! Good Luck.

I'm kinda scared. I need lots of people to tell me it's no big deal. Does it hurt? How long does it take? Can you eat anything just not as much? I don't know anything at this point.

You need to go online and read a lot to find out all there is to know about the lap band system. Also, go to any informational seminars in your area. I was banded on Monday May 7 and had all my questions answered and made sure it was what I wanted before I went. No surprises! After you know the bottom line, the other banders are great for personal experiences and problems because what didn't happen to one would have happened to another and you hear it first hand. Good Luck!

Hello!

I am newly banded. My surgeon is Dr. Barba from Hartford,CT. My surgery was at The Hospital of Central Connecticut @ New Britain General. Everyone was very nice. I had my surgery at 11am and was home by 8pm. The first night was painful and now I think I should have stayed. I am feeling better everyday and have had no problems. I am not hungry which is a blessing in itself! I have already had my first episode of something not going down which is unheard of while on liquids (so I'm told) but it happened with jello! I walked around and it passed shortly after. Now I know what to expect if I am not careful.No steak for me!

What is it?

I will be banded in the next few weeks and just like to hear how everyone is doing. I know we are all different but it helps to hear the bad and good to be somewhat prepared.I hope you are doing well!