beachgal

I've had gas/diarrhea problems since I got the band in February, and that's every single day regardless of what I eat. I'm seriously thinking of having the band removed, because I didn't want to exchange one problem for another. My dr suggested a gastroenterologist and I'm getting a colonoscopy on Monday. If it is the food that I am eating, then what am I supposed to eat -- Water? ? It seems as soon as I eat, I have to run to the bathroom and the food is not staying in my stomach.

You are absolutely panicking way too soon. If you spend some time reading here, you will see that the majority of people do not reach proper restriction on their first fill. For some, it takes as many as 3-4 fills before they reach their sweet spot. But, in my opinion, it is better to approach restriction slowly than to be too aggressive and end up being overfilled (speaking from experience).

Give it time, you will reach your sweet spot soon and then the band will begin working for you.

I had first fill on 3/4 and have found for the last two weeks that I'm eating everything in sight and the wrong things. I need another fill, I guess, to help me to stop overeating. The dr. can't see me until 4/16, what am I supposed to do in the meantime? The dr. office said the fill doesn't last long and that's why I am hungry.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Hi beachgal,

My friend Virginia had similar problems with her band. She ended up having it removed and converted to a RNY. You can read her post here:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f24/my-story-very-long-cross-posted-55766/

I'm sorry for everything you are going through. Hopefully they can find a solution that works for you. Good luck.

Hi Selaine. Thanks for your reply. I read your friend's story and I can relate to it. I also was told that it couldn't be the band ( but then why did these problems start after the band was inserted?). Well I will have to see the gastroenterologist to get some kind of answer. I'm tired of constantly running to the bathroom!!

Beachgal

Sorry to say, but I have had nothing but gas and diarrhea every day since I was banded. I went to my dr who said I probably have some kind of infection and gave my medicine for it. but I still have it and probably will have to go to a gastroenterologist about it. anybody else have thsi problem since they were banded?

I know I'm pretty new at this, but in some of the things that I have read, it is very important for your to make that call and speak to your doctor. I know I would because I would be pissed that I wasn't losing anything for 5 weeks. They are there to help you get through this to your successful completion. And losing 70 lbs already is nothing to be ashamed of - congrats! But do call your dr.

I forgot to mention that my first fill is 3/4/08 and from what everyone says it's supposed to be a big help.

I had my surgery 1/28/08 and did good on my post op diet for 3 weeks but then I started "cheating". Am I the only one??? I have not had a fill yet but when the food is by me I will eat it. I don't feel I have control. I am very ashamed that I did this surgery and feel good enough to eat regular food and "cheat". Please tell me I'm not the only one and that I'll have more control after my fills.:blushing:

I was banded on 2/4/08 and am very surprised at how much food can get through the band. I am sick of drinking things and have had pizza, and sandwiches. Even though I'm not supposed to, I start to eat but don't stop until I feel full and by that time it results in noises coming from my stomach and diarrhea. I don't know how I'm supposed to get 50 gms of Protein without drinking those shakes that I can't stand.

I was banded too on 2/4. I was given Vicodin (which I haven't taken because the pain is bearable). You definitely should call and tell your dr about your pain and that it is not bearable.

Feel better soon!

beachgal

Hey all!

Hope you enjoy a nice SuperBowl Sunday.

Today I am on clear liquid diet. Tomorrow morning I will be banded.!

Can't wait....

I got banded too on 2/4. Feeling good, except for a few minor aches and pains. I did the pre-op liquid for 2 weeks before and now for 2 weeks after.

Does anyone know if we can still have salad and ff dressing now in the 2 weeks after diet (as I was able to do in the pre-op diet). I forgot to ask the nutrionist when we all had a meeting the day after surgery at the hospital.

Thanks,

beachgal

Again I am feeling good just weak. I have developed a cough guess it is my lungs just trying to clear. I started soft Protein this morning and all is well, will take it slow and thank you all for your support.

Did the hospital give you an apparatus that you use to breathe in and out? If they did, you should try to do it as much as you can; it will help you to clear out your lungs and get rid of that cough.

beachgal

Good luck to you. The 4th is my birthday, so I hope it's a lucky day for you. My kids are throwing me a birthday party. To think that 2 years ago I didn't think I would make it to 66 and here I am feeling wonderful.

To anyone else...it's common to be hungry. Until you get some fills and get restriction you are in what they call "bandster hell". Having the band is only the first step. The fills are ever important. I was also hungry during the first 6 weeks until I got my first fill, and even somewhat after that, but it got better and better. You will feel better when you move onto mushies. There are so many great things you can eat. I loved having refried Beans (low-fat) heated with some low fat cheese, topped with a little salsa and ff sour cream. I think that was the best thing I tasted after surgery, and so high in Protein. To this day I still love to fix it for lunch.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Skittles

Hi Skittles.

Got banded on your birthday and, except for a few minor aches and pains, all is going well today, two days after surgery. I do feel a little more hungry than I did on post-op diet (I lost 12 lbs.), but I attribute that to just hanging around my apartment looking for something to do. So, I decided to reply to you.

Hope your birthday was enjoyable!

beachgal

I've completed one week and have another week to go. Has anyone experienced drinking the shake and almost immediately having to run "you know where". It's very difficult for my stomach to be rumbling away and sometimes I just can't leave my desk at any time. Does anyone take anything else while drinking the shake?

Thanks,

beachgal

Hi Skittles.

I'm 60, getting banded on 2/4. I'm on the liquid phase and believe it or not, SlimFast is tasting pretty good now. I used to think that I was too old to have the surgery, but now if I get healthy and my lifespan age increases, then I have quite a few more years -- so I'm doing it now instead of thinking about it as I did for the last 2 years.

I too am 5'8" and USED TO weigh 160 (about 20 years ago). That is a great weight for our height. I hope I can just make it to 199!

Continued happiness to you with your band. You've inspired me.

beachgal

I recall that today was the day for a member to have free brachioplasty and it was going to be shown on TV - something called "Modern Beauty". Does anyone recall this, and when it will be on?

Thanks,

beachgal

Thanks so much for your story (which I have just read from the beginning). I want to have brachioplasty done NOW, but I still have to get the lapband approved by insurance. Congratulations on all your success; I'm sure all your pain will be a memory when the summer gets here and you can wear anything that you want!

Thanks, Chrissann, and good luck to you on the 31st.

Thanks, and good luck to you on the 31st.

I was not due in there for a sit down until the end of the month. My surgery was originally scheduled for Jan. 21, but I receivd a call from them yesterday saying it had to be moved because the hospital doesn't want surgeries on that day. I need to have it on that day or earlier in January. so now I am going to try to get in there to sit down with Nilsa and Dr. Ren and try to move it up in January. When I was there for my surgical consultation it was packed with people on all different stages and the fill people were upset they had to wait.

I was originally scheduled for January 7, (told that over the phone) then changed to January 21, and then yesterday the call the change would be to the 25th. It can't be then. My parents are in town until January 28, because they were going to be with me for the surgery and afterwards, and my job gets crazy again after January 28. So, needless to say, if something can't be done, I may not be having it there after all.

Hi Chrisann. I too was scheduled for January 21. The reason it was changed to January 25 is because 1/21 is Martin Luther King holiday and I guess a lot of the staff will not be in that day. What I'm really worried about is the fact that my insurance papers have NOT yet been sent in to my insur company. This really puts me under the wire; I need to request days off after 1/25, but can't do anything until I know that insurance is paying for it. And if they don't, then I have to request I think a hearing and how long does that take? Sorry I'm venting, but I've thought about having the surgery for 2 years and finally decided and I feel as if I'm getting the run around. Has your insurance been taken care of yet?