deneicy

I just had my first fill and also had that "vasovagal" response, i.e. near-fainting. I knew what it was because my ex used to have them when he had blood tests. And I had one about 15 years ago at an ear wax extraction with a long needle.

I was not nervous, worried, stressful at all today. I love my doctor, totally trust him. The procedure didn't bother me.

a few minutes AFTER he had finished the fill and placed the bandaid, I suddenly felt extremely light-headed, began sweating and about a minute later felt I was going down for the count.

They gave me something to smell, wet rags, and about 5 minutes later I was good for the go.

He said it isn't uncommon.

It did not feel like nervousness. It felt utterly autonomic, like something I had no control over whatsoever.

I would prefer to not experience it again, of course. But if I do, I'm going to lie down and put my feet up on the chair.

Did you have this happen again?

He said they usually just occur the first time.

Deneicy

Hi, All~

I just had my first adjustment (fill 3.5). ; )

My wonderful surgeon did itl. The procedure went fine, and I wasn't nervous at all. BUT...

A minute or so after I was finished, after the band-aid applied, I suddenly became extremely light-headed. It worsened over the minute, and I felt I'd faint any moment. The doctor got something for me to smell and places cold rags on my forehead and neck. I was sweating.

I recognized the experience--about 15 years ago, I had a "vasovagal" reaction during an ear wax extraction.

My surgeon said this is not uncommon, but I don't see any postings here about this happening at fills.

Have any of you experienced this? Any tips on what I might "do" next time? It felt truly autonomic, like I had no control over it. I felt absolutely no stress, worry, or concern. So :blush:I don't think the stimulus was emotional.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Deneicy:blush:

My doctor will do another fill gratis within ten days. I've read that sometimes you do not feel the restriction for 2-4 weeks....if I don't feel the restriction within the 10 days, do you think I should go back for more??

Hi all~ Well, tis Friday, and I'm having my first fill Monday.

Any advice, tips, suggestions, admonitions, wisdom to share? I'm anticipating I'll have that "stuffed" feeling of gas pressure, like I felt the first week or so after surgery....close?

Thanks.

Best to All!

:tt2:

Every posting by Isuza--previously known as Redstar et al -- is focused on condemning the Realize band. There are no postings about any other subjects. I do not know this person's motives, but the emotional tone and defamatory language alerted me to be wary. If you have questions about the bands, do independent research, and definitely talk to your surgeon and medical team. Staying POSITIVE is crucial to our recovery. Best to us all!

I hit the wall after three weeks of liquids--and certainly missed my coffee.I find that a morning mug of decaff helps me. Maybe you could have some decaff after lunch for a teeny lift.

And EXERCISE gets your motor going usually...once you're on the wagon. Initially, as you know, you're tired but after a week or so, it energizes.

Also, an endocrinologist once told me that there are two big enzyme dips in humans, and the greatest number of people actually die during these time periods. One's in the early morning and the other 12 hours later at that late afternoon time.

There is probably a natural solution to this that you could google...or some expert in here who will hopefully see your post.

Is the crust crispy or soft? I'm not back to "real" food yet, but I heard toast is easier to keep down than doughy bread....same for pizza, I'm guessing. You keep it all down, okay? Or haven't experimented yet?

I believe most surgeons put you on Clear Liquids versus FULL liquids (eg Optifast and other Protein shakes) post-op. You will find the medical reasons for this conservative approach with a Quick Search.

But I've heard pretty much everything in here. A few eat whole food a day after surgery (not saying their doctor prescribed that, of course).

:scared2:

Hi, I'm in San Diego and gave some feedback about the website to Dr. Horgan's nutritionist, who was attending a Realize seminar this weekend.

You will find a lot of threads about this if you do a quick search on:

"shoulder pain diaphragm"

Unfortunately, for very few of us, shoulder pain can permanent. That is rare though.

Chances are it will gradually ease. I had a large hernia and the shoulder pain. On day 11 now and feel mild shoulder or clavicle (front) sensations a few times daily and at night. Not anything like those first days for me.

Knowing that the pain actually comes from the diaphragm and not the shoulder, I discovered that putting the heating pad across my BELLY helps.

Best!

There are no milky, viscous foods like shakes in the Clear Liquids group. That's considered a "full liquid." Though you can hear lots of different diets in here. Some people eat Lean Cuisine and salads in pre and post-op. Not sure if they (or their doctors) call them "clear liquids." :tt2::crying:

Do a Quick Search on:

1. shoulder pain diaphragm
   

for threads offering the explanation.

The doctor told me the shoulder pain is "referred pain" from injury at another location, in this case, the diaphragm. It is not an injury or pain in the shoulder actually. I was reading about this, and a lot of back pain is actually at other places in the body

I had clear liquids with no Protein powders for 5 days post-op. Could have broth. I had diarrhea the last two days before full liquids. It helped to get onto full but my tummy still can be chancy. I think I've been doing too much. Tried to wash 4 loads of laundry yesterday morning and ended up back in bed mid-afternoon, pooped.

I have been going up and down 2-3 lbs. since surgery. One day I'm lighter. The next day it's back up, then down, then up. I'm eating so little, of course, it would logical to be dropping pounds consistently.

BUT....this is a different thing. Surgery. Digestive system surgery. It must be in utter shock and just trying to survive, I imagine.

D

I'm happy you found the source of your problems and took care of it...and sad that the band was not installed properly initially. I could have had the surgery for half the price in Tijuana, less than an hour away.

I'm feel blessed to have saved enough money to freely choose my surgeon. I live near UCSD Medical Center with a fantastic obesity treatment team. So when I read these frightening and sad removal stories, I feel safe and calm, knowing my surgeon's skill level and that the UCSD hospitals a rea stone's toss should any complications arise.

Best to you

I just read that over-exercising and weighing oneself frequently are common "transferred addictions." One of OPRAH's gastric surgery guests last week had become an alcoholic.

The REALIZE band program includes online support to help with diet, exercise, goal-setting, AND emotions.

Speaking of OPRAH, yesterday's was "Does this CLUTTER make my butt look FAT?" Great show!

As far as I know, it's standard protocol of the UCSD Center for the Treatment of Obesity. I think it was scheduled as part of a series of tests. However, it is possible that I had it because during the barium test, they found a hiatal hernia. (I'd never even taken a TUMS.)

I am seeing that the program I am in is very thorough and conservative.

It is a teaching medical school. The director was one of the first surgeons to do the laparoscopic band procedures. He teaches surgeons all over the world.

And the testing apparently was thorough.

I had a barium test again before I left the hospital after surgery as well.

My sutures look "excellent," and I was told I probably will not scar. No staples or stitches. Some kind of super surgical glue that is just disappearing as I heal.

I think a robot was involved, because when I signed the legal docs, I recall that described. I'm part of several clinical trial groups.

Speaking of clinical trial groups, as an intresting digression, I discovered that an old family friend lost over 200 pounds as part of the original lapband trials. He had only a couple of fills and it changed his life. Amazing, huh. He cuts his food into tiny pieces, eats anything and everything, walks 5 miles daily, has a trainer.

Didnt take much to totally transform his life.

Geez, I need to proof my messages. Sorry for all the inane verbage in my posting above. My excuse? No coffee for 12 days.

well, getting on the scale was pretty tense! and the barium for terribly tasteless (learned I had a hernia from all the reflux of that delishiousness)

BUT... all this said the worst test was without doubt:

M A N O M E T R Y It was, as the doctor told me, harder than the surgery.

The surgeon didn't administer. I call the attending physician Dr. Sado-Manometry and cross myself everytime I see him at the clinic. He loves it.

First, he you have to take that awful lanocaine, then I learn I had a deviated (broken) right septum because it was so painful trying to shove the tube up; then I take lanocaine again, for the left nostril.

Then you feel it going down your esophogus and into the top of the tum tum. Yuck yuck yuck.

Then, tilted back, I get the first droplets of Water to test my swallowing.....down my TRACHEA, ie windpipe, and into the lungs.

I coughed for about 10 minutes...with the tube down my throat.

Good question. :tongue2::cursing::drool::cursing:

I survived. And other than an occasional soreness in the shoulders ("referred pain from the diaphragm," I was informed), I am doing and feeling GREAT!!!!

It was the agony.

Stretched out wireless knit exercise bra. Loose comfy panties below belly button. Loosest softest slip-on stretched out waist pants with loose warm top. It was cold and raining here in sunny San Diego. Blue skies now!

My doc said it's very common to experience "referred pain" in the shoulder which is actually in the diaphragm, or the back. It will ease then pass.Mine was gone by day 6.

Cream of wheat, pudding and cottage cheese are "Purees," not full liquids. Full liquids, versus Clear Liquids, include reduced calorie or sugar free drinks such as Alba, Instant Breakfast, Protein Shakes, Skim Milk, Hot Cocoa, and strained cream Soups.

But some doctors don't seem to really focus much on diets. If you read postings here, you will see patients who fast ONE night and eat full food the day after surgery or within a short time.

I think the UCSD medical center program is conservatively cautious. My surgeon was one of the first to do the procedure I chose him because I respect his experience. I will stay on the 2-week pre-op, post op clear liquid (day 1-5), full liquid (day 5-14) puree (week 3 & 4)and soft food (Week 5 & 6) stages as advised by the nutritionist.

Just wanna get in this thread for the tips Thanks

PS I had a large hernia that was repaired, too. Maybe that contributed to some of my discomfort. Now that I feel almost GREAT (day 7), I hardly recall the past week actually. That's how "nothing" it was. But that manometry....tHAT I remember! lol