jigglypuff

Hi. I was banded in 7/05. It looks like I have early auto-immune disease--probably rheumatoid arthritis. I am on Prednisone and Plaquenil. I did not have any symptoms until I was about 1 year post-op. What I'm wondering is if it would be wise to get my band removed--would it help my RA symptoms? I currently am unfilled and have a little restriction. THe band does not seem to be causing me any reflux, heartburn, ie. The restriction I have does help me maintain the weight I lost with the band, although I'm not really losing anymore. I am happy to maintain, though. At least until I get my RA under better control. But if getting the band removed would help my RA--it's gone! Anyone had/have a similar situation? Thanks--Jigglypuff:help:

Hi Dr. C., I have had my Lapband since 7-05. I have been told that I have a "dynamic slip"---I've been unfilled twice, and it appears on flouro that my pouch is normal when unfilled. I can get a fill after waiting a few weeks, then without warning or any vomitting, I have reflux, trouble with liquids, i.e. Anyway, since 7-06, I have been unfilled. I still have some restriction, so I have not wanted to get a fill and tempt fate. I recently had a cat scan-2nd to abd. pain. Everything looks OK, EXCEPT that I have some ovarian cysts, AND the cat scan also noted "moderate gastric dilation". "The stomach is moderately dilated." I'm assuming this means the part of my stomach that is above the band. I have some restriction. I don't think I've lost weight since my unfill in 7-06, but I don't think I've gained, either. Is this gastric dilation something to be concerned about--is this bad for long term? Should I get my band removed? I don't want long term esophagus problems. My GI doc who ordered the cat scan does not know much about the band. FYI--I also had an endoscopy which was normal, last month. Your advice, please. Thank you--Jigglypuff:help:

Hi-- I just had an endoscopy on Thursday. I was nervous, but it wasn't bad. You are sedated via an IV, and I also had the back of my throat swabbed with some lidocaine. One of the meds they usually give, Versed, makes you forget. I have only a faint memory of briefly feeling something in my throat, but I wasn't panicked due to the meds. Then I woke up in the recovery room. My appt was at 9:30 am, I was home by 11:15 am, and then I slept for a good 2 hrs. I was told not to drive that whole day. I did go and drive later in the afternoon--about 4 pm. But it wasn't until then that I felt I could. I did feel kind of tired the whole day. I had no sore throat or anything. I've had more overall discomfort from getting a facial peel. Try to get an am appt, if possible, because you cannot eat or drink before the appt. Good luck!

You basically get stabbed several times in your abdomen--of course while you're anesthetized, but still--think about it. Then you have to heal while not really getting a whole lot of nutrition for at least a week. Of course you're going to have pain. Things take a little while. You can walk around almost immediately post-op. Drive fairly soon. I went back to my sedentary job 1 week after. It took me 3 weeks until I could sleep on my stomach again. Before that I could sleep on my side, but my belly kind of hurt "hanging" there unless I supported it with a pillow. Your endurance will improve every day. Lap band surgery was not nearly as bad as having a C-section, but 4 days out is pretty fresh. I've had pimples that bothered me for longer than that. Please don't get worried at this point about still having pain or discomfort. Take care--Jigglypuff

That seems too soon to go back to work, especially if you have a job where you must be on your feet all day. I have a sedentary job, and I went back exactly 1 week post-op. I maybe could have gone back 5 days post-op, but not any earlier. You will likely feel weak. You may still have discomfort, and if you are like me, unless you are getting some protein in by way of yogurt or a protein shake, you may be having to run to the bathroom A LOT. I hope your job is flexible. Good luck on your journey! Jigglypuff

I too had diarrhea and felt weak the first week post-op. Honestly, if all you're taking in is broth, juice, water, i.e., that's just simple carbs with no protein. I started yogurt a few days early--just smooth yogurt with no chunks in it, and only 2-4 ounces no more than twice a day. It was amazing how much better I felt. I suggest trying that. Good luck! Jigglypuff

Wow! These posts are similiar to my experiences. Banded in 7/05, started having problems after my 2nd fill in Jan. 06, which was too tight-1.9cc. Then got an unfill, waited a month, got a smaller fill-1.4cc, fine for 2 months, then problems with liquids, blah, blah, blah. Now have an unfill again. The difference with the 2nd episode (from the 1st) is that I thought I had found my sweet spot before the problems--losing consistently, no vomiting at all, being careful with my food choices, ie. When I went in to see the doc I was told that I have a dynamic slip, which is only diagnosable by fluoro. Basically, when I'm having problems and they do the fluoro, it looks like I have pouch dilation, a partial slip, stomach prolapse--they're all the same, I'm pretty sure. The docs are getting away from saying "slip" because it is such a freak out for the patients. Anyway, as soon as I get an unfill---poof! my band/pouch/swallowing looks totally normal on the fluoro, and I have no problems getting stuff through my band. So, I basically have to see if I can try to lose with an unfilled band--don't know if this will work for me, I feel like I am slipping back into bad habits--eating too much after work, ie. But I will try. My doc said I could try an even smaller fill (.8cc), after I give my band a rest for a few weeks, but if I have any symptoms with the very small fill (or even any symptoms with my unfilled band--like difficulty swallowing, reflux, ie.) then I should have surgery to try to reposition the band or remove it. They can't promise to reposition the band because they have to see what things look like when they would get in there--how much scar tissue and stuff. Maybe this is what you have? It might explain some of your symptoms. I was pretty bummed, but I need to stay positive and try to work my band, even if it is unfilled. I would like to lose 50 more lbs.--I don't want to gain, that's for sure. This site is a lifesaver--I don't know what I'd do without it. I've been to Mexico 4 times this year, and once to a doc in my home state for a 2nd opinion. I'm burned out. I think Mexico is out as far as going there for a vacation--too many memories of being stressed out. Sorry to digress... Jigglypuff

Hi Everyone, I just had my 1 year bandiversary on 7/27/06. 45 lbs down in a year. I'm happy about that, considering I've had a couple of bumps in the road--reflux, unfilled for a month, ie, and also I haven't really worked out very much. Unfortunately, I had to fly down to TJ on my anniversary to get an unfill (2nd one) and I was told I have a dynamic slip. (A few months ago, I had to get an unfill for a "partial slip" that fixed itself with the unfill. Then I had a small (1.4cc) fill put in. That fill worked great for 2 months, then I had increased restriction, trouble with liquids, a little reflux, and abdominal pain, hence, I went down to TJ again on 7/27.) I was told that I need to be unfilled for at least 3 weeks, then if I want a fill, it will be no more than .8cc. IF I have anymore symptoms though, I will need band re-positioning surgery, possibly band removal surgery. Feel great with the unfill, but not sure I can lose any weight without a fill in the band. I gained 3 lbs in a month when I was unfilled before, so I'm concerned. Want to lose 30-50 more lbs, so still need my band. Has this happened to anyone? Dr. C., could you comment--what are my odds of keeping the band, with a small fill or even unfilled? Thank you so much!:help: Jigglypuff

Leenerbups! Chin up, please! I love your posts, and your cool cowbell/ Spock stuff in your postings. You are beautiful and deserving--take the time to get a dress that you feel good in. (E-bay could save you some bucks on a dress) Spend time on your make-up/hair--ask friends or family for help if you can; they will be flattered to help you. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are beautiful. Go to the wedding and smile! If you are half as cool in person as you come across here, people will flock to you. Have a great time! Jigglypuff

Hi All,I was banded 7/27/05. Have had a few bumps in the road over the past year--including being overfilled, reflux/heartburn, an unfill for a month, then a conservative 1.4cc put into my 4cc band. I have some pouch dilation, that's why I am only at 1.4cc, since April. (First fill was at 1.6cc, 2nd fill put me at 1.9cc, then I had the problems with the reflux/over-restriction; hence, unfill, i.e.) I have been doing OK with the 1.4cc--and losing alright. I have always noticed variability with my restriction, especially related to my menstrual cycle, although the timing of that has varied, too. In the last month or so, besides the usual state of being unable to eat in the am, then a shake, soup or chili at lunch, then hopefully a meal at dinnertime, I have noticed that almost anytime I eat or drink something (including a warm beverage) I feel like there are little air bubbles or burps (with no noise) inside of me. They do not hurt or cause discomfort, and I have no reflux or heartburn, but they bug me and make me worry that something is wrong/going wrong; especially now that I have a dilated pouch. I have had no PBs for months--I am very careful. Since I was never really a burper pre-band, and this little air bubble thing is only since the last couple of months, does this bode something bad? Anyone else have this? Is it anything to worry about?Thank you in advance--you guys have saved my sanity before.Jigglypuff

If you only have 40 lbs to lose, it's not worth it, in my opinion. Knowing what I know now, having experienced it and having some problems, which may or not be fixable, if I could have only been 40 lbs overweight and stayed there, I would not have been banded. Unfortunately, I had about 100 to lose.

I had diarrhea too, really bad, the first week. I recommend having a couple of ounces of yogurt, a couple of times a day. Only smooth yogurt, no chunks of ground up fruit in it. Like vanilla, plain, or Dannon coffee yogurt. Take very small spoonfuls. I found this helped with the weakness I was feeling, too. Good luck! Jigglypuff

Dear Mary Ann- I am so sorry that your band had to be removed. I'm glad you are back and feeling safe and snug in your home. Please know that I am thinking of you and sending you good thoughts and a speedy recovery. I, myself, am back from TJ since Tuesday. I did not have to have surgery after all, although my pouch apparently looks the same as when I went in March and had the unfill. I feel like I have rec'd conflicting responses from Dr. Martinez--I was told in March that if the pouch did not go down in size with the unfill and rest, that I would probably need surgery. Then this week I am told that the pouch is the same as last time, but it is normal for pouches to get enlarged after being banded a certain period of time (small enlargement like a plum, not big like an orange) and I don't have to have the surgery. I could have a fill, but the amt has to be very conservative. He basically told me that weight loss would probably be very slow and I would have to really optimize and work with the small restriction I got--1.4CC. This is even less than my first fill amt of 1.6cc. I am waiting for the shoe to drop--one of these days, I will really be slipped and have to deal with that misery again and probably have to have band removal. Anyway, you seem like you are such a nice person and I truly wish you all the best. Barbara

Hi Moss, My husband and I will be staying at the Lucerna Monday night, 4/17, regardless of whether I have surgery on the 18th. (We live in the Bay Area.) I hope we can meet! Ask for Barbara Harman's room at the hotel. Have a safe journey and thanks for your kind thoughts! Barbara

Hi Moss, First, I want to say that you are not alone! I, too, was banded by Drs. O & M, although in 7-05. After my 2nd fill in 1-06, I was pretty tight. I had a HORRIBLE PB episode on a nothing size piece of food in 2-06 due to being too tight, combined with being pre-menstrual. It lasted hours. I had reflux after that. I went down to TJ again in 3-06 and was told I had a partial slip--my pouch was enlarged-- the size of a plum instead of a walnut. I had a complete unfill, which ended the reflux. I am going down to TJ again tomorrow (4/17) and they will try filling me again. If my pouch enlarges with the fill, I will need re-positioning surgery, which will take place the next day--4/18. Dr. Ortiz told me the odds are not in my favor to avoid the surgery--only about 25% chance that the unfill and rest will have fixed the problem. Maybe I will see you! I am pretty nervous about stuff. May I ask you how the endoscopy went? Did you have it down in TJ by Dr. Manuel Juncua (sp?)--I will be having one tomorrow as part of my pre-ops, if I am getting the surgery. Could you tell me anything about that? Thanks--Jigglypuff AKA Barbara