Living My Dream

I just found your message. I haven't been on here for quite a while. Sounds like you are trying very hard but you are fighting the beast that made you and I fat in the first place, craving food. Maybe joining a group or does your lapband clinic have support in place that you can access. Unfortunately I live two hours from my clinic so I don't get to access all the lapband support they offer. If not, then start a group of lapbanders to get together where you live. You need emotional support to stop your cravings for food.You are sabotaging your own efforts and the band. I do the same then hate myself. Good luck and keep your chin up. Let me know how you are doing.

Lynda

P.S. In case I don't go on this site very often and see your message, you can email me at lwood@xplornet.ca

Oh, and my family and friends have been telling me to remove the band too which I don't want to. I picture myself getting up to a huge size and hating myself. Do what you need to do. Maybe counselling for your eating habits. We have to make the band work for us again like it did in the beginning.

I had my lap band surgery 4 years ago. It hasn't been a walk in the park. I don't regret having it done and despite my friends and some family members wanting me to have it removed I never want to be without my band. However, I will say I have had my band flip (not sure of the correct medical term) and had to have it repaired. I had lost 80 plus pounds but have since gained 20 pounds back. I use food as my drug of choice, I abuse myself with it, pleasure myself with it and never really know when I am hungry or full. It is horrible!!! I still throw up often. This seems to come in cycles - I will do well for a while and can eat anything and then I start throwing up and have a difficult time getting anything down. I work out hard and often (3-4 times a week for 90 minutes) and I now am struggling with low blood sugar. This makes me have severe weak spells, break out into a sweat, my hands start shaking and I feel like I could pass out. I am suppose to eat more often but I still struggle with putting this change into practice. I WANT TO BE THIN AND HEALTHY BUT I AM ALMOST KILLING MYSELF TO GET THAT WAY AND THEN I REWARD MYSELF WITH FOOD FOR ALL MY HARDWORK. I am like a hamster on a wheel. I also have had a problem with the vegas nerve. The first time it happened I was driving down an interstate 75 mph. Thank the Lord my friend grabbed the wheel. I was drinking a slurpee type drink. It was very cold and I was very hot. I became "detached" the doctor said. It only lasted a few seconds but for that moment I was mentally out of it. When I came back around I thought I had passed out but couldn't understand how I was still driving. My friend demanded I immediately pull over and she took over. It was scary!!!! I also have a problem with low blood pressure. I have never had high blood pressure but now it will bottom out - 91 over 63. It makes you feel miserably weak and tired. Does anyone have any words of encouragement.

I just found your message. I haven't been on here for quite a while. Sounds like you are trying very hard but you are fighting the beast that made you and I fat in the first place, craving food. Maybe joining a group or does your lapband clinic have support in place that you can access. Unfortunately I live two hours from my clinic so I don't get to access all the lapband support they offer. If not, then start a group of lapbanders to get together where you live. You need emotional support to stop your cravings for food.You are sabotaging your own efforts and the band. I do the same then hate myself. Good luck and keep your chin up. Let me know how you are doing.

Lynda

P.S. In case I don't go on this site very often and see your message, you can email me at lwood@xplornet.ca

Thank you so much for your concern and taking the time to shoot me an email. It means a lot to know that there are some people who really know, understand and care. I am in counseling now. The doctor that I see is wonderful!! She sees other band and gastric patients. She has offers me encouragement and support but once I am out of her office I have a terrible time implementing the changes. Please continue to be successful on your journey. I applaud your accountability and commitment to change. I have considered joining Wt. Watchers just to hold me accountable. My MD said it may help with my low blood sugar too as the Wt. Watchers diet is very healthy. Yesterday, I threw up several times. The only thing I ate was ice cream and soft cookies!!! Oh did I mention for Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. I eat - throw up and eat again. What a vicious cycle. In all honesty yesterday was a terrible day and I can't really remember eating like that ever before. However, I do have a real fetish for ice cream and sweets. My blood sugar issue plays a huge part in my cravings but sweets are the WORST things to eat. I believe I have become so depressed about my current situation that I am using sweets as an "antidepressant" of sorts. Ice cream is truly a comfort food for me. This AM I fixed a double Protein smoothie. Maybe today will be better. I just started taking some medication as well. Prayerfully, something will kick in soon.

Nevertheless, may there be joy in your journey and may success find you! God Bless.

Sorry I didn't read your post til now. I was doing the same thing, eating sweets like ice cream and Cookies because my band had slipped and I was constantly feeling sick. Go back to your surgeon and get a defill. Have him check again for a slip. None of the tests ever showed a problem with my band but there was.

Good luck. Let me know how you are doing.

Lynda

Have you considered consulting with a different bariatric surgeon. If your surgeon refuses to believe it could be band related, and you feel it is, find someone who will listen.

I am so sorry you are going through this!! I hope someone can figure out what it is and that uou feel better soon!!

Sorry I haven't been on this site to read your message. I am still having fainting spells and seizure like spasms from exertion. I tried calling another lapband clinic and they would not do anything unless I paid them $5000 dollars. Since I paid for my own surgery, $16,000, I don't want to pay out any more money. Especially when I am covered for everything under my own lapband surgery for life. I am now taking neurofeedback to calm my central nervous system and resting as much as possible. The doctor at the neurofeedback clinic thinks the vegal nerve was damaged during surgery and has to heal which means very little exertion. My husband pushes me in a wheelchair when we go out. Even talking or socializing brings on the fainting/spasms. I am very frustrated.

Lynda

I would appreciate anything you have heard about this. I will google it again.

Lynda

Yes, Elcee, I have had all those things tested. I have been taken to the emergency 10 times, 8 of those by ambulance, 2 from places in the hospital where I was having testing (lung study and tilt test, I fainted at both and they took me to the emergency). I have been admitted to four hospitals. We have a handicap sticker now and carry a wheel chair. If I feel tired and dizzy, or there will be too much walking, my husband pushes me in the wheelchair because we know I will faint.

Lynda

I have been to see my lapband surgeon twice and he denies that the band will cause this. I even fainted in his office the first time and he had to call an ambulance. I have had the same problem for another 5 months since then. My lapband surgeon does not seem to care and has done nothing to help solve this. I have been tested for everything they can think of including heart problems, cancer, blood clots, low levels of blood sugar, potassium, etc. I have had blood tests, catscans, MRI's, xrays, endoscopes, you name it.

I am kept groggy with all the meds they have me on to calm my body from this. I can't push myself physically or I faint and have these spasms.

I am very frustrated.

I had revision surgery for a slipped band in November. A month later, I started having fainting spells and spasms that originate mostly in my stomach and diaphram. I have been to hospitals and doctors, had lots of tests and no one can get to the bottom of it. My lapband surgeon says it is not related to my band. All my friends and family think I should have my lapband taken out. I don't want to lose my lapband. It is my $16, 000 investment that did help me lose 85 lbs and feel super. Now I can't exercise or do much because exertion brings on these spells. I am on three medications to control the seizures but an EEG did not show they were seizures. One doctor thinks it is some kind of problem being caused by the placement of my band in proximity to the vegas nerve and is irritating the vegas nerve. I am in limbo, waiting for the medications to stop the fainting and seizures, and wanting to get back to my sweet spot and my exercise program. I also am waiting for surgery for a mass in my sinus. Has anyone ever heard of the band or the tubing irritating the vegas nerve and causing this? I am really down because my activities have been seriously cut back and I am gaining weight. Thanks for any suggestions or information you have.

Lynda

Okay so last Wednesday (10/26) i came down with a really bad stomach flu and after i got over it on Monday (10/31), I still could not eat or keep anything down. I finally got in to the office on this Saturday morning (11/5) only to find out that my band slipped from my flu, my surgeon was not their it was just a nurse practitioner. My stomach is really swollen, and what she said happened was that it tried to pull through the band from the vomiting. She removed everything from my band, so it is wide open hoping that the swelling will go down and let my stomach go back to normal position, and set me up for an appointment with my surgeon next Wednesday (11/16). However she was unclear about what type of diet i should be on. My father that went with me thought that i needed to be on a liquid diet till i went back next Wednesday, but i don't remember her saying that. Has anyone ever been through this?

Yes, I have a date for revision surgery because my band slipped. It was caused by vomiting too. I have IBS and got sick while traveling and the band took the brunt of it. I have nothing left in my band as I have had so many defills to relieve the symptoms. I have acid reflux and vomiting. I also choke and it feels like there is some obstruction in my throat and it cuts off my air so I struggle to breathe with it. The surgeon says I must have a hiatus hernia and the band is coming up through that into the esphogus. I am praying my band is fixable. I originally lost 85 lbs but have yo yoed a bit now because of the slippage. I stay at about 70 lbs lost which is still a lot more than I could do on any other weight loss program.

Lynda

Thanks for the kind inquiries. I now have a surgery date on June 1 for a laparoscopy and possible repair. The slimband surgeon did not have the CD of the Upper GI when I saw him last week but booked the surgery anyway because of my history. I continue to have constant gastritis and obstruction in my throat. I am praying that they can do a simple fix and I can again work with my band. It has been the best thing for me to control my weight finally. Because I can still hardly eat anything, my weight is almost down to my lowest but I was debating whether I need to lose maybe 15 pounds from that. I just hope I don't ricochet up again after surgery depending on what happens. I thought I had finally found the utlmate weight loss tool for me when all this started.

I will let you know what happens. I am not on this site very much but I get your messages in an email.

Lynda

If your band has slipped, I understand for the most part it is not a difficult surgery. Some just need a complete defill and wait until the inflammation has gone down. Sometimes the band is removed and another put back in. Is there a chance you might get in earlier if you asked to be put on the list to be called if there is a cancellation? Not a great way to speand Easter. Let us know how you are doing.

This is the third time in a year I have had big defills so my stomach and band could rest and go back to normal. this time the problems have not resolved despite 3 defills in the last month. With the past defills, the problems came back once I started doing fills and got close to my sweet spot.

So why are you playing around with the clinic. Go to the emergency room and get checked out and insist you are not leaving until they do something.

I did go to our local emergency and they couldn't help me they said. So much for those bandsters that live some distance from their lapband clinics and doctors. You can't get help just anywhere because they don't know how to help with the band.

I know you think the milk and milkshakes are helping but they actually can make IBS and Acid Reflux worsen. It's a quick fix to allievate the pain but it rebounds later to cause more pain so it's a cycle. I hope this helps some.

Hi

Thanks for your message. I have heard that milk and milk shakes make things worse. I am using it as a temporary fix right now til I can see my lapband doctor and my IBS doctor. Milk and milk shakes also don't help with weight loss so I can't follow a proper healthy diet to lose weight til I get my stomach and band issues resolved. I appreciate your input.

I am going through similar problems with my band right now. How can a person be intolerant of their band? God I hope my band can be fixed.

Thanks Doddie. I am waiting for the results of my upper GI and then I have an appointment on May 2. It is just taking soooooo long and I am in misery 24/7

thanks. I am sure that is what happened but this waiting is getting to me. The upper GI should show everything I hope then they can book surgery to fix it. Cross your fingers it is asap.

I was banded in January 2008 and was very successful. I lost 85 lbs over two years and was very excited to be able to wear a size 10 for the first time in my adult life. I thought I would never ever have a weight problem again. I loved my band and thought it was a miracle that I had finally conquered my weight.

Almost a year ago, I had issues with a sick stomach while traveling and I had a kidney infection developing. My band tightened in the middle of my distress and I was very careful to cut back to mushy or liquid food while I got the rest of it sorted out. I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome before I got my band and have periodic episodes of nausea and vomiting. I got antibiotics and thought I would get over it. Instead, my stomach problems got worse and I could not keep anything down and was sleeping sitting up because of acid reflux even when I hadn't eaten. I finally stopped the antibiotics and my stomach settled down. Meanwhile, the vomiting and acid reflux left my band irritated and tight and I could not eat much for the next while. I knew that my band would settle down if I was careful in how and what I ate so eventually it did. From that time, I have had problems with my band getting tight on it's own and huge stomach problems. I also feel like my throat is constricted or blocked and I start choking and can not breathe well. I sound like I am barking trying to pull air through my throat. It is terrifying. I have addressed this problem with my clinic in Toronto and had had defills three times in less than a year to let my stomach settle and the band go back to normal. When I start to get filled up again the same thing starts all over. The last time, things did not settle down. I have now had three defills in a month and the problems are still ongoing. I believe the vomiting caused my band to slip and it needs replacement or repair. I am constantly in distress with my stomach and the band. I have stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, acid reflux, gas pains in my chest and back, the constriction in my throat and I can hardly eat or drink anything. I have found milk and milk shakes when I can get them down, alleviate the almost constant nausea and pain in my stomach. I am taking four over the counter medications plus a prescription for my IBS to cut down the acid in my stomach. All these and I still am in discomfort. I have not slept all night in the last month. I want my clinic to hurry up and get this fixed. It is affecting my whole life. I am also feeling tired all the time.

Anyone out there with a similar experience? Especially the choking and fighting to get air through my throat.

I just had LAP-BAND® surgery this week. I am wondering if there is anyone here from Saskatchewan? Thanks!

Hi

I live in Ontario. My husband and I both have lapbands and went to Toronto, Slimband clinic. Our daughter is in northern Saskatchewan and is just looking into lapband surgery and must travel to Regina. Is that where you had surgery? When did you have lapband surgery?

Lynda

My name is Joel Sopp from Regina, SK. I am 6'3 and 437 lbs with a BMI of 54.6.

I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Bariatric Surgery Support Group (www.sbssg.ca) and we are a Non-Profit WLS Support Group.

We have our Annual General Meeting coming up(Saskatchewan Bariatric Surgery Support Group, Inc.), which will take place at The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 1800 Prince of Wales Drive in Regina, and we have a speaker coming out.

Allison Kapp, the Nutritionist from the new Bariatric Surgery Assessment Clinic in Regina, SK will provide a presentation approximately 20 minutes in length followed by a 10—15 minute question and answer period for members of the SBSSG present at our Annual General Meeting. The presentation will begin at 2:40 pm.

Please go to the website and under AGM you can read a letter from the President of the SBSSG for prospective Board Members and/or Committee Chairs, An Information Kit for those interested in applying for a position on the board or a chair position, as well as a recruitment poster, nomination form, membership form and membership benefits.

It pays to be a paid member! :thumbup:

Feel free to e-mail hildahnke@sasktel.net (Current SBSSG President) or joelsopp@sasktel.net (Current Board Member) if you have questions about the SBSSG, our Membership Drive, or the May 31st, 2008 AGM. They will respond as soon as they can.

Take care and hope to see you at the AGM.

Joel Sopp

Hi joel

My husband and I have lapbands and live in Ontario. Our daughter is looking into getting lapband in Saskatchewan where she lives. The closest place is Regina.

Where are you? What other clinics are there in Saskatchewan? Where can you get fills in Saskatchewan? any places in or near Prince Albert?

Lynda

I am a retired teacher and notice spelling and grammar more than most people. I have noticed that people on this site tend to use the spelling "loose" as a verb ie I want to loose weight. In fact, "loose" is the adjective form of the verb "lose" ie I am trying to "lose" weight. (the word "lose" shows action and is a verb) In the spelling "lose" the "s" sounds like a "z". My clothes are getting very "loose". (the word "loose" is an adjective describing the clothes) In the spelling "loose" the "s" is an "s" sound. Lynda

I am thrilled with my band. It has worked better than all the diets and money for diet aids, books, programs, ... I love that it doesn't come back on like it always did in the past, especially the last 2 decades of my life. I am not hanging on to my fat clothes anymore. As my clothes get too big, I donate them and make more room for beautiful fitted clothes in my closet. I am so excited about my new body.

Lynda

NO no no no no no no no NO a million times NO!!! only 17 lbs down in nearly 2 years!! whats up with that??? If i had to do it over agian I would have went with a differant surgery in a heart beat!

Hi Tom

You must be one of the unlucky ones where the band didn't work. Most people find it works great. I wonder if there was a problem/flaw with your band. I would be hounding the doctor. I am very happy with mine, so is my husband. Nothing else has worked as well for the last 3 decades of yo yoing. It was money well spent.

Lynda :thumbup:

PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome

it is linked to an increase in the hormone gherlin that makes you still hungry after a meal...

just wondering if anyone knows if they have it and how it works with the band- if you still struggle with hunger with it

I had that but had my only ovary and my uterus removed 10 years ago. My eating got way out of control after my hysterectomy but I don't know why.

I am interested to hear about this hormone that causes hunger.

I have been banded 19 months now and have had five fills I think. I don't have any problem with my appetite now with the band. I can sometimes only eat a couple of bites and feel full. I may eat more often but only small amounts. I don't really have to watch what I am eating but I try to eat healthy ie Protein first, then veggies, fruit, ...

It is working great for me. I finally feel in control of my eating. I eat to live now not live to eat.

Lynda

I had a major NSV this weekend. I got stuck in the middle seat of an airplane for one leg of my flight to Austin. For years, I've been terrified of getting stuck in the middle because I knew that I'd be cramped and uncomfortable, and that the people on either side of me would just be hating me the whole time. BUT, at eight months post-op and 48 lbs down, I fit in that seat with a bit of room to spare!

Woo-hoo!

Catherine[/quote

Hi Catherine

I hear ya. I have a similar story to yours, started at about the same place too. Congratulations.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for places for loans. I will have to pay out of pocket and my credit isnt outstanding but it also isnt horrible. Any suggestions???

Hi

My husband and I are both self pay. Ouch! My husband wanted to buy me a car and I said I would rather have a lapband. I am soooooooooo..... glad I did this. We will claim it on our income tax this year and get part of it back. Are you in Canada or US?

We financed ours through Credit Medical but we live in Canada.