Carrie

Apparently LapBandTalk is wondering where all of it's former members went and why us "old timers" no longer post. So far the first 4 pages, to my surprise have been "I'm doing great, lost my weight and enjoying my new body" type posts. I was the first bust thy bubble with complications. I figured those who had bands prior to VSG would at least enjoy the read if not want to share your story to prevent another poor soul from going through what we have. I did NOT go looking for this thread of LBT, they sent an email out asking where some of the "Old Timers" were and I figured perhaps some of you who used to post there may have changed your email address but would still LOVE the chance to be honest with what the band did to you and your body http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/126044-any-old-timers-still-around/page__st__60#entry1584321 is the link. Enjoy!

I figured that between the original surgery, having fil and unfills constantly and my port moving around in there for 5 years I would have issues with that area if I had issues with pain at all. So far today no pain. I will probably try some heat on it next time. Did you find any Miracle cure? Merry Christmas! -Carrie

I had a revision almost 4 months ago to the day (August 26, 2010). All is okay at this point, until today. Tonight I decided to finish my Christmas Shopping and was in the Toy Dept. at my local Target. Suddenly I began to experience pain in the same area where my port was located prior to my surgery. It feels like someone has a knife in my incision and twists it occasionally. I think it's just nerves growing back but don't recall having such a pain after having my two c-sections in fact almost 2 years post op from my last c-section most of my incision is still numb. So with all that, anyone have incision area pain 4 months post-op?

You will be joining me in ONDerland before we blink again. Isn't great to say goodbye to a number and know you will never see it again?

I'm on Nexium. Have you ever noticed how bad it smells? lol. I used to work for a group of Gastro docs. They pretty much said they were all the same. We had patients taking two of the OTC products or 1 of the RX. So you can go back and forth. I sometimes have to have a gulp of Mylicon even 4 months out!

I'm sorry to say both are common and it's hard to predict which side your body is going to pick prior to surgery. I do however promise that it does get better. I had surgery in August and I often forget I had surgery it just becomes your new way of eating and your new life. The liquid stools are very common when you are on a liquid diet. Trust me I had a bum Lap Band and was on liquids for almost a year! The constipation is also common due to the anesthesia they use during the surgery slowing things down and the pain meds post-op keeping Water from your intestines. The main thing is to do as your doctor says and move around as much as your body can handle at this point. Don't over due, listen to your body and do as you feel, but you must move to get your intestines to move around, expell gas and keep them happy. No matter how much time you spend on the toilet, or don't spend on the toilet (I went 8 days post-op and was scared to death that I was gonna have to call my Surgeon if it didn't happen soon!). Eventually you will find what is normal for you and feel better. I found it very hard to believe but trust me it happens. (((HUGS))) and best of luck to you both!!

Your story sounds like my life as a banded person. If I was to bet $$ your esophagus is weakened from having dead weight aka the band on it. That's what my problem was with the same symptoms you have. I had my sleeve done in August because I had zero Fluid in my band for 2 years and most of the time just drinking Water was a challenge. The best advice I can give you. Get all your medical records and find a doctor in your area who "specializes" in revision surgeries. Unless there is an erosion or something horrible there is no need for two surgeries, one doctor I went to wanted me to have 2 surgeries but he forgot to tell me he had not done a revision and he was hoping that my stomach would return to an unbanded state prior to the Sleeve surgery date. From what I was told this is a common problem with the band and if you do internet searches for Lap Band and Lawyer the lawsuits are starting. I predict that the Lap Band will be off the maerket in the next 2-3 years I sincerely wish you the best of luck!

All I can say is Thank You so much! I may have to run to the store the night before Thanksgiving in the snow of Washington to get meat and BBQ Sauce. Whenever I eat BBQ out I always have left overs and end up eating it over the next day or two. It's then after eating all that meat and Protein I'll lose 2-3 pounds. I love me some BBQ. My favorite thing is to get a slice of toast and put the meat on top and put the BBQ Sauce on top of that! YUM YUM!

I don't drink often at all. I usually get a (as in ONE) drink with dinner. We recently moved cross country and the last time I had my mom watch our kids so we could have dinner alone without the young ones I decided to have 2 fruity girly drinks. Needless to say, I have a new rule now. NO matter how I feel after ONE I will NEVER order a second one. I don't think I have EVER been that messed up in my 33 years on this planet. We went to TGIFridays and I got the something mojito. It has a bunch of fruit juice and booze. It's so smooth you taste the juice, it's awesome. I was finished with the first and the waiter asked if I wanted a second and I was like sure why not I'm not feeling it. Well I was completely in jello zone. We ended up having to get my food to go. Hubby and I spent the rest of "our date" trying to sober me up so that I didn't get into trouble with my mom or the kids! I ultimately had to admit to drinking and my mom (who views drinking as a sin) eventually understood that I didn't know the surgery would make me such a cheap and easy drunk. Luckily our oldest daughter fell asleep watching TV and I fed our baby her bottle in our bed so she had no idea either. But yes, no matter how you feel after one give it about 20 minutes before you consider having a second is my advice.

I don't have any experience with leaks, but I know there are several on here who have suffered with them and in the end they did beautifully. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this now. Please keep everyone on here posted. As I said several have BTDT and even those of us who haven't had leaks care and wish you the best. ((((HUGS)))) edited because I am under the influence of snowed in kids.