Bandarella

@@2muchfun I've had at least 6 bariatric surgeons tell me that a band cannot move up. If it's high, it was placed there...just want to let people know that a slip is the STOMACH slipping up through the band.

@@lauriearnold
For the first year or so, things seemed fine. My first sign that things were not ok was chest pain that radiated to my neck, arm, back and jaw. It would happen only at night, waking me and last 30-60 sec and was relieved when I'd drink a little Water or change position. Turns out, it was esophageal spasms. Strangely, when my Fluid was removed, things got worse fast.

@@2muchfun
No, not suing. I have two options; sue and get tied up in litigation for years or let go of it and live my life. I choose the latter. Life is too short. My surgeon is well respected and has never had a malpractice complaint, so I see this as simply a mistake. The fact that the support team at the hospital/clinic hid the fact that it was mis placed is unconscionable.

@@2muchfun I've had at least 6 bariatric surgeons tell me that a band cannot move up. If it's high, it was placed there...just want to let people know that a slip is the STOMACH slipping up through the band.

@@2muchfun I've had at least 6 bariatric surgeons tell me that a band cannot move up. If it's high, it was placed there...just want to let people know that a slip is the STOMACH slipping up through the band.

Nancy, band misplacement happens a reported 3% of the time...3/100 surgeries. Your band is creating the sensation of "strangling" because it's probably on your esophagus (since your GI doc said it was placed high) and developing scar tissue. You need two things; a new bariatric surgeon and repositioned or removed ASAP. This is a surgeon error. Bands don't migrate upwards once placed. I had this and it caused massive problems.

Nancy, band misplacement happens a reported 3% of the time...3/100 surgeries. Your band is creating the sensation of "strangling" because it's probably on your esophagus (since your GI doc said it was placed high) and developing scar tissue. You need two things; a new bariatric surgeon and repositioned or removed ASAP. This is a surgeon error. Bands don't migrate upwards once placed. I had this and it caused massive problems.

To the skinny running around the track
You know nothing of how I came to this place
Of aching joints, embarrassment and self defeat
I'm trying to survive while you run your 6 minute mile
It's not about midnight Snacks, Cookies and cake
It's about a little girl who learned early
She was alone, unprotected, vulnerable
Blamed herself for the abuse she suffered
I'm not here for you to judge or make assumptions
About how I became a fatty, I don't need your approval
As you pass me, an encouraging word would be ok
Cause with every painful step I want to quit
So don't judge me at the track, grocery store or diner
Don't judge me at the gym, park or pool
Don judge me anywhere I go, skinny
You run your life, I'll run mine, one mile at a time

Sorry, but gastric banding isn't compatible with achalasia, in fact it has recently been linked to causing it...if you are serious about weight loss surgery, only RNY is compatible with your condition..
I'm assuming you've had testing to confirm the diagnoses.
Best of luck to you!

I'm several months out from Lapband removal surgery now and realizing that I've been grieving the loss of my tool. To see my history, just read some of my activity over the last few months on here.
1. Denial and Isolation: in the months leading up to my removal surgery I struggled between being ready to give up my tool because it was causing me so much pain, anxiety and fear and trying desperately to keep my tool because I was unwilling to risk regaining the weight I'd worked so hard to lose. I stayed away from surgery forums, for the most part...I couldn't read about others doing great, struggling, being overjoyed at approval without feeling like I'd just been a fool for thinking I'd ever attain a BMI under 30, my realistic goal. I was undergoing test after test trying to understand what was going on inside my body. I felt like crap at the lowest weight I'd seen in over 15 years. I felt cheated out of the chance to enjoy the smaller clothes, but I desperately wanted the doctors to tell me the band was ok, it was easy to fix whatever was wrong or that I could revise.
After removal, I was overjoyed at being able to eat again, not bring up absolutely everything that went down. In the first 3 months, I gained 3 lb, no biggie. I felt good, normal again. I was in denial about regain.
2. Anger and Depression: a few months ago, the regain started in earnest. I had always suffered from depression in the fall my entire adult life. Relocation to the northwest doesn't help that. With my band I didn't worry about my fall depression, it was still there, but with my tool, the eating was under control, I was in control. I used a blue light and it helped. This last fall, I felt like my emotional world was crashing down and the pounds were piling on...25 of them. I was totally pi**ed off! I've lost my tool, I can't revise, my surgeon f'd up my band by placing it too high...I felt angry, betrayed and miserable. I was so angry I'd allowed myself to become emotionally vulnerable and feel more normal. I coped with obesity by compartmentalizing my emotions...the self loathing, blaming, excusing had been gone. I'd allowed myself to let go of that part of my psyche, set it free...now it's back.
3. Bargaining: as Fall turned to Winter and Winter to spring, I devised different plans to deal with my regain. No carbs, low carbs, DASH diet, blood type diet, no diet, etc. I'm struggling in every sense of the word, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I'm so disappointed in myself, I feel stupid for not recognizing my symptoms for what they were earlier, despite my surgeon and PA telling me everything was fine. Every morning and night when I take my meds (8 total, 2 new) I tell myself I'm going to get control, lose what I regained and follow my wls eating plan. I've done great some days, most days...eating 1200-1400 calories, getting a bit of walking in (I'm disabled, so this is limited), logging my food, etc...still I gain. I'm out of options, but I keep thinking maybe I can still revise...my husband has been so supportive, but he's scared I will try to revise. My bargaining days are over...
Acceptance: I'm still struggling, but I'm becoming more resolved to find a long term solution for my problem. I've lost a lot of time on this endeavor. I've got to figure out how to make it meaningful, not a waste of time and resources. I'm going to see a naturopathic physician and I'm considering counseling too. I've got to get a handle on the situation, because in 6 months, it's going to be the dark season again...wish me luck!!

Wow...
As someone who almost gave up on my marriage years ago, went to counseling and 18 years later is happily married to the same guy, I just gotta say, slow down!
Things might not be as you think.
Time for a conversation, an honest one to figure out what's going on.
Hope things work out for you.

Wow...
As someone who almost gave up on my marriage years ago, went to counseling and 18 years later is happily married to the same guy, I just gotta say, slow down!
Things might not be as you think.
Time for a conversation, an honest one to figure out what's going on.
Hope things work out for you.

@@2muchfun, I agree with your suggestion. However, the lack of satiety is the key word I responded to...it's a hallmark of a misplaced band, too tight at times + no satiety...

Feeling no restriction with that much Fluid could mean many things...a leak in your tubing, band or port, a misplaced band any number of things. The fact that your surgeon isn't concerned with your lack of restriction and failure to lose is a giant red flag. If you live in an area with several bariatric surgeons, it might be time for a change.

Ppi = proton pump inhibitor, drugs like Crestor, prilosec, omeprazole to reduce acid production.

To the skinny running around the track
You know nothing of how I came to this place
Of aching joints, embarrassment and self defeat
I'm trying to survive while you run your 6 minute mile
It's not about midnight Snacks, Cookies and cake
It's about a little girl who learned early
She was alone, unprotected, vulnerable
Blamed herself for the abuse she suffered
I'm not here for you to judge or make assumptions
About how I became a fatty, I don't need your approval
As you pass me, an encouraging word would be ok
Cause with every painful step I want to quit
So don't judge me at the track, grocery store or diner
Don't judge me at the gym, park or pool
Don judge me anywhere I go, skinny
You run your life, I'll run mine, one mile at a time

@shananignz. I can't throw up anything...I've had 3 bouts of violent vomiting since my band and nothing ever came up....very painful. I haven't had a virus since removal, thankfully, but will be interesting to see when it does inevitably happen. With my band removal, the surgeon performed a modified Heller Myotomy to loosen the circumferential rind of scar tissue that formed under my band on my esophagus. A Heller procedure is often used to treat achalasia in the non bariatric population.
I do still regurgitate food that gets stuck in my esophagus...that is very different than vomiting (no bile or acid). IMHO, many banded peeps think they are vomiting, when in fact, they are regurgitating...

Support YOURSELF!
I read several WLS boards daily and I'm truly amazed at the helplessness and lack of power some of us have. I've been there myself, having dealt with seasonal depression, early childhood abuse and growing up with a mom who had Borderline Personality Disorder. In my 20s depression reared it's ugly head in a big way and the weight gain started. I'd weighed around 150 and at 5'5" that was close to ideal. I finished my 3rd decade weighing about 225, despite getting psychological support.
In my 40s after getting up to 260, I sought counseling to deal with unresolved issues with my mom, who had passed away 10 years before.
This helped me deal with relationship issues I had on many levels with pretty much everyone in my life, and I dieted my way down to 190. I felt in control and powerful. That was a great feeling.
Today I read a post laying out strategies for success in losing weight. It listed a few good ideas and some that were a bit impractical, but the point I got out of it was in order to succeed, we must support ourselves; get the trigger foods out of sight, etc, but I think it missed a key point. It's not about hiding bad foods...it's about keeping healthy foods available in the moment we are being tempted and taking back our power over temptation. This is where I've been missing the boat recently, a technique I know works, but in my blue mood, had forgotten.
The strategy I've used is positive affirmation. You visualize how you'll feel, look, walk 20, 30, 40 lb lighter and create an inner dialog of positive statements:
I'm enjoying shopping for clothing one size smaller.
It feels great to take a walk without my knees hurting so much.
This chicken Greek salad tastes so fresh and it's providing my body with nutrients and Protein to support my healthy lifestyle.
You create a positive environment within your mind to support your goal of being healthier. You replace the negative inner dialog, you KNOW what I'm talking about, with positive self talk. It's a habit you develop over time, usually about 6 weeks. It's a known fact that thinking positive thoughts while developing a new habit helps in establishing the desired behavior. You focus on the new behaviors, not on overcoming the old behavior. If you find yourself berating, chastising or otherwise having a negative inner dialog, you stop, breathe and replace that dialog with a positive affirmation: I am worthy, I am powerful, I am in control and move on.
I did this throughout my band journey, including the 3 month supervised term and especially during the year I was struggling with the complications. In the last few months, I'd let the negative self talk sneak in...the fear of regain, feeling vulnerable, powerless and depressed. I forgot the mantra "If you believe it, you'll see it" and I did...30 lb of regain since September.
So go ahead and hide the Cookies, better yet, leave them at the store, but don't forget to visualize yourself 1, 2 or 3 sizes smaller, congratulate yourself for every accomplishment and forgive a misstep. You are worthy, you are powerful, you are in control.
Bandarella????

A band placed "high" doesn't create a pouch...slips are unlikely. Your band should have been repositioned when your surgeon realized it was placed high, since this us surgeon error. The band is supposed to be 2-3 cm below the gastro esophageal junction...that's only 3/4 to about 1 1/4 inches so there's very little room for error. Time for a frank discussion with your surgeon. Leaving the band high just means more problems later.

A band placed "high" doesn't create a pouch...slips are unlikely. Your band should have been repositioned when your surgeon realized it was placed high, since this us surgeon error. The band is supposed to be 2-3 cm below the gastro esophageal junction...that's only 3/4 to about 1 1/4 inches so there's very little room for error. Time for a frank discussion with your surgeon. Leaving the band high just means more problems later.

@@2muchfun, I agree with your suggestion. However, the lack of satiety is the key word I responded to...it's a hallmark of a misplaced band, too tight at times + no satiety...

That is awesome! Love it!
How about "Hey judgemental bitch, I hate to tell you this, but I used to be you. So pat yourself on the back for being so cool as to praise my fat ass for working out, but remember you are one car accident, one fall, one major trauma away from being me.
The sad thing is I can lose the weight but you will probably always be an as$."

To the skinny running around the track
You know nothing of how I came to this place
Of aching joints, embarrassment and self defeat
I'm trying to survive while you run your 6 minute mile
It's not about midnight Snacks, Cookies and cake
It's about a little girl who learned early
She was alone, unprotected, vulnerable
Blamed herself for the abuse she suffered
I'm not here for you to judge or make assumptions
About how I became a fatty, I don't need your approval
As you pass me, an encouraging word would be ok
Cause with every painful step I want to quit
So don't judge me at the track, grocery store or diner
Don't judge me at the gym, park or pool
Don judge me anywhere I go, skinny
You run your life, I'll run mine, one mile at a time

To the skinny running around the track
You know nothing of how I came to this place
Of aching joints, embarrassment and self defeat
I'm trying to survive while you run your 6 minute mile
It's not about midnight Snacks, Cookies and cake
It's about a little girl who learned early
She was alone, unprotected, vulnerable
Blamed herself for the abuse she suffered
I'm not here for you to judge or make assumptions
About how I became a fatty, I don't need your approval
As you pass me, an encouraging word would be ok
Cause with every painful step I want to quit
So don't judge me at the track, grocery store or diner
Don't judge me at the gym, park or pool
Don judge me anywhere I go, skinny
You run your life, I'll run mine, one mile at a time

Most refined carbs are "sliders", and as part of your banded lifestyle are to be avoided fir the reason you mentioned. Avoid them, they are the very foods that contributed to our obesity.