Kelliebelly

Since I have lost weight my bulge has become more prominant. It doesnt bother me much, only when I knock it.

Hey, I have been banded 2 yrs and just wanted to chip in and say that for me it has now become second nature. I dont even look at foods I know I cant eat. I automatically only dish out small amounts for myself and I never shovel food in like I used to. Chew chew chewing is just second nature too. The only thing I slip up on now occasionally is letting myself get really thirsy and sculling my drink...that only happens every now and then tho.

Not exactly what youre looking for, but came across it in some of my research. What is a slipped Band, and what causes it? There are two types of slippage; anterior and posterior. This refers to whether the front or back side of the stomach slips. There is something else called concentric pouch dilation, but this is not the same as slippage. Slippage or prolapse is when the stomach slides up through the Band, making the pouch bigger. If this happens the Band usually becomes too tight, and patients experience symptoms of reflux (heartburn) as well as nausea and vomiting. This is because the amount of stomach being “squeezed” by the Band is increased, thereby obstructing the Band. There are several causes. Posterior slippage was more common when the Band was placed by the “perigastric” technique. With this technique the back side of the stomach was free to slide up through the Band. These days most surgeons use the “pars flaccida” technique, which was developed to prevent posterior slippage, and has more or less eliminated the incidence of this problem. Anterior slippage is when the front of the stomach slips up through the Band. We try to prevent this by suturing the stomach below the Band to the stomach above the Band, “locking” the Band in place in the right spot. In spite of this, slippage still occurs. It can happen because we haven't placed enough stitches, or they haven't been placed in the right place. Slippage can also occur if patients eat too much and vomit frequently. How is a slipped Band diagnosed? Fortunately, this is very easy. Often the diagnosis is made based on the history alone. A patient who has been going along fine, with no problems, and then suddenly develops reflux symptoms or symptoms of a too-tight Band will most likely have a slipped Band. The diagnosis is easily confirmed with an x-ray and barium swallow examination. Endoscopy is rarely necessary. How is a slipped Band fixed? A slipped Band needs to be fixed with an operation. The Band has to be dissected out, all the sutures removed, and the position of the stomach made right. Some surgeons remove the Band and place it back through a new tunnel. Others just straighten things out and re-suture the stomach over the Band. What happens if the Band slips again? That's a tough one. One could certainly try to fix the slip again, but my personal view is that, for whatever reason, the Band is just not working for that particular patient, and ought to be removed. What is a Band erosion? This is when the Band actually erodes into the stomach. It is a more serious problem, and generally requires removal of the Band. Band erosion is thought to be related to placing too many sutures (or too tight sutures) at the time of Band implantation. Surprisingly, Band erosion is often unnoticed. Occasionally the port will become infected if bacteria track along the catheter out to the port. Other times patients will stop losing weight. Diagnosis often requires an endoscopy. What is concentric pouch dilation? This is technically not the same as slippage. In this case the pouch just seems to be enlarged. Sometimes partial emptying of the Band may help with this. What is esophageal dilation? This is when the esophagus enlarges over time, and is probably related to either too tight a Band, or possibly improper placement of the Band around the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This requires loosening or removal of the Band. What happens if my Band has to be removed because of complications or failure to lose weight? One option, of course, is to give up on weight loss surgery. Another option is to convert to another procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This can be done at the same time the Band is removed, and is generally done laparoscopically.

I agree on the "tightness thing" down below now. The big O has never been like this I just wanted to let puddinpie know that if you want a TT before kids they do the skin only tuck which is a pannulectomy. They wont do the muscle repair which is the most painful part and the hardest to get over. Once you have your kids you can go have a revision and have your muscles done. Lipo on the abdomen is not recommended by itself for people that have lost alot of weight unless they are getting a TT with it. Your tummy will look worse with just lipo, it will hang more too unless the skin on your abdomen has alot of elasticity and doesnt hang at all. I am 10 mths out from my TT and I still swell occasionally. I had sex about 10 days PO and started exercising 4 - 6 weeks PO.

Ill definately give it a go. Apple cider vinegar was recommended to me as a sure fire way to get rid of swelling when I had a tt, but I never tried it. I remember someone mentioning something about it ruining your teeth though when you have it pure. I cant remember exactly or if it was even that but it was something like that. Thanks for the tip, Ill give it a try next time.

Hey Jess, I hope everything goes well for you mate, and Ill be thinking of you. Big Hugs

I think you would have stopped losing because you ar enot eating enough or you may have plateaued. From your post I honestly think it would be the "I can barely eat". Your body will go into starvation mode if it doesnt get enough nutrients to survive. It will hold onto everything for dear life. As for throwing up, everytime you do this, you are risking your band. It is not a healthy way to survive, barely eating and throwing up. What I suggest is an unfill and you will be able to eat more without throwing up. You will probably then start to lose weight again too because your body will be getting the calories it needs. Please dont let this go on, you will end up losing your band. Good Luck

I have had a problem with constipation for alot of years. After getting the band I was in heaven the first few week of liquids, it made me go about 4 or 5 times a day and it was easy if you know what I mean. Once I went back onto solids the constipation came back and has been worse really because at least before I ate alot of food and could pooh something out, now I eat such smaller amounts it just seems worse. There is only one thing I have tried that really works for me but it is a colon cleanse and not a regular thing...so if you find out anything that helps let me know. Good Luck with your surgery.

I dont know if this helps but I went on Effexor about 5 yrs ago and piled on the weight consistently till I got the band. I have had my band for 18mths and I have only lost 80lbs. I am happy with that but it is so much slower than most others. I am pretty sure it is the Effexor. I have tried getting of it as my Dr said the time was right, but it is hell getting of the stuff.

I have a bit over 10 ccs in my 10cc band. My Dr assured me if need be we can go to 12 or 13ccs with no problems. A friend of mine sat on 12.5ccs for months. I dont think I will need another fill again unless I get the rest of my weight off, and maybe I may need a touch up or so later on. What I am trying to say is that even if you did have 5ccs in a 4cc band, it is nothing to panic about. Also with your band being the smaller one, small fills will get results, so maybe even .2 or so next time might push you over the edge to being too tight. It took me 10 fills to get to my sweet spot, we are all different, but most of us manage to get there...eventually.

Hey Diva, I am in Aus too, near Sydney actually. I was banded in April 2005 and have lost 40 or so kgs. Its coming off slowly, but thats ok. I am very happy with how far I have come. What part of Aus are you in? Talk soon

Good on ya!!! I truely love reading stories like that, it is so inspirational. I wish you all the very best. Hugs

I have done a colon cleanse twice now. I am someone who suffers from constipation terribly so I knew I was backed up. I did alot of research and found something I thought would work. It is absolutely awesome stuff, its true you get rid of things you havent eaten in months....not that I was examining it, but they did say to keep an eye on it:) Its called OXY powder...check it out and see if its what your looking for.

Heres how I feel. I was 28 when I was banded. I hated myself, yep, thought I was as fat as they come...ugly as a horses ass. I had no confidence and no self esteem. I couldnt play with my kids much or do alot with them. When I decided to look at WLS, I decided because I didnt want to be fat and ugly anymore. I didnt want people whispering about me anymore. I didnt want people snickering when I walked past anymore. I wanted to be able to wear nice clothes. I really dont think I can think of a time leading up to my surgery that I thought, I am doing this for my health. Am I wrong for thinking like that...no...because it is my opinion, and it is how I think. All my problems from being fat were psychological when I was banded so I really had nothing making me think I am going to have a heart attack/diabetes, get cancer etc. For me it was all about fitting in and being happy and for once in my life I kinda am.

Woooohoooooooooooo Annaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you. I was a little surprised at the pain from banding too, especially now I can compare it to a TT. It doesnt last for long, the gas pains are what got me. Just remember to sip sip sip!!!! Big Hugs and hope you are feeling better soon.

I had some tests done and recieved a letter from the Dr that I needed to see him. I went in today and it showed that I am severely anemic. He has ordered more tests because he wants to know exactly what is causing it but said I will most likely need injections each week for a couple of months. I just want to suggest that if you are feeling lethargic, no energy, generally unwell to get it checked out. As most of us cant eat red meat very often we have a higher chance of this happening. Along with me having very heavy periods has led to this. My Dr also said that would be why I was having headaches and not being able to shake this cold I have had. Just remember, we need to check on these things periodically so it doesnt get to this stage where we need injections etc. Big hugs

Goooooooooooo Annnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! I am thinking of you. See you in bandland. Hugs

Hey Jess, Thats great news!! Good Luck with it and enjoy your trip you lucky thing.

PS - I have not regained sensation yet 8 mths later, its not looking good for it coming back either. I dont mind the results far outweigh the minute sensation I had left after breastfeeding 4 babies

I had a breast uplift this year without implants. If you find a Dr that specialises in it, he can create a lift and perkiness without implants. Have a look around, it can save some money not needing the implants. I had the lollypop cut which cuts around the nipple and down the breast. I didnt need the cut under the breast. If you only need implants without a lift then you can have a small cut under the breast or in your armpit. With the uplift I never really felt pain, it was only discomfort. It feel exactly like when your milk comes in after having a baby. Good Luck

Hi I am on Effexor for depression and have been for about 6 yrs. I have been through alot in my life and I think I was going to be prone to depression anyway. I always thought losing weight would make me happy, everything would be perfect no more "down days". I was wrong, I still have my down days, I still have my down weeks. Dh is really supportive but at times has mentioned its like walking on eggshells with me. I dont know what brings my depressions on, it can be nothing or it could be something, all I know is I hate it. I love life when I am happy, nothing can bring me down. I look foward to things, I am excited and fun to be around. When I get depressed I find there is nothing to look foward too, nothing motivates me and I turn into an unhappy, almost unbearable wet mop. It is alot more under control than what it used to be, but it still happens. This really isnt the advice you were looking for, but hopefully support to show you are not alone, there is alot of us out here feeling the same way. Like someone said when youre down and things are hard, just take it one step at a time. I once read the best thing to do when you get up in the morning as soon as you rise is to shower, get dressed and put your shoes on. Its suppose to make you feel like doing something once you have done that. I dont know if it works or not because I am someone who wanders around in her jammies till 10am lol. Big Hugs

I have never heard of that but I do know after having a TT I wouldnt want to have had my band at the same time. I wasnt at goal when I had my TT but my belly had sagged that low it was effecting how much I could do. I decided when I was 30 or so lbs from goal I would go ahead with it. My Dr said that the final weight loss would not make a difference in the result only improvement. Sorry I cant be of more help.

I have 10.1cc in a 10cc band with really good restriction and I have no problems taking my effexor XR.

Jess, The conference is being held in 2007 so you havent missed it again Im up for whatever the majority can do, how many could make it to Sydney?

She is absolutely gorgeous. Congrats. I am feeling so clucky lately and looking at those pics didnt help Ps You looks absolutely wonderful in your pic.