SherryW

Hello, I've had Gastric Bypass in July 2012. I'm trying to up my Protein using the shakes again but I'm finding they go right through me and then I'm running to the bathroom for the next 4 hours or more and my system is off for the rest of the day. I know we can become lactose intolerant however, I don't believe there is any lactose in the brands I've used. I'm wondering if there is something else in the shakes throwing me off. Any recommendations? I suppose I could try soy but, they claim having too much soy isn't good for people either. Has anyone else had this issue? What are you currently using?

Anyone reading this thread please come over to RNYTalk.com...there are some of us there that would love to chat with you.

Gailstar did you not just read the post from bakerboy who started the thread and just said it's a bad idea. A lesson was just learned the hard way. Sharing a needle for whatever reason...even Worse idea! Bakerboy please do not share where you bought or got your huber needles. This thread has been bad enough!

Kyoto you won't regret having the swallow study. I'm glad you got help with your reflux. Yes...they do stitch the band in place by folding part of your stomach over the band and making a small flap (so to speak). That is then stitched so it almost makes like a belt loop that holds your band in place however, slippage can still happen or more so prolasps. The rest of the band is still free so your stomach can prolasps up above it or the band can slip slightly. It's almost as if it's hinged in place by the flap they stitched. They do this because in the beginning they did have issues with people slipping their bands and found this technique helped reduce that by a great amount. Weight gain stinks for everyone, no doubt...heck we got the band for a reason but, it's still best to know for sure and stay healthy. Throwing up and reflux are not healthy and can actually cause more health issues in the long run. So good luck with your swallow study....I hope it works out for the best and you can start getting slight fills again. Good luck!

This to me is so crazy I didn't even want to respond but, then I thought My God - what if someone really thinks this is an ok thing. Everyone's words are much appreciated and on track. Jack's especially and I'm with him on this as well as the nurses who piped in. THANK YOU! Let me tell you all something IF a doctors who perform these surgeries on hundreds of patients have a tough time with fills and unfills don't have it down to a science...how the heck can someone do it on themselves? Your view point is different, your stab/poke point is different...too boot you don't even know if you can reuse a needle. HELL that is just plain common sense in my mind that you CAN'T! If you could don't you think our providers would put our names on them and save them for our next use...you know anything to save a dime since insurances barely pay for fills. Some don't pay them at all. Anyway.....anyone even thinking of doing this PLEASE reconsider. Or if you feel so strongly about it, go ahead and mention it your provider...see what he/she says about it. If it's such a good idea they'll tell you but, I can't imagine that you'd bother to ask because deep down you already know the answer. It's just nuts to do this folks. Take it from a person who lost her band because of fills that were too aggressive! The health issues I ran into because of the too aggressive fills and then complete unfills. All this and I never did this to myself. ****Just DON'T do it****

Thank you Redbone and ForMyBoys for letting folks know of the issues you've had and were found by testing. I think way too often people push aside what their bodies are telling them and that will take a toll!

Bridgette....I think it's a good move. So much damage can be done to your band and esphogus from throwing up repeatedly. There is no harm in talking to your doc and getting a slight unfill. If the slight unfill doesn't work or if it's been a long time since you've had a swallow study definitely take that route. Good luck and keep us updated how you make out. Hugs

Kyoto it is good that you've been able to eat but, there were times I could too. Basically what I'm saying is IF you've never had a swallow study except for right after the surgery and you've been having issues with throwing up AND you've chewed well, making the right choices and not over doing it then get a swallow study. Better safe than sorry. My doctor never thought I was having a big issue...the famous...UNFILL to solve it worked during the early issues but, every time I got refilled again it would start back up a week or two after. When my stomach was prolaspsed it could still hold food. I'd have an unfill and it open the passage a bit more so I could "tolerate" the not really feeling good so the signs were still there. I would talk myself into I was ok. But from what I know now...I know my band was slipped for a long time and because it was slipped it would kinda move around. Some days I could eat, what I thought was reasonably and other days where two spoonfuls of yogurt would make that ball in my chest and I'd throw up. Throwing up is a tell tale sign that you...have eaten too much, took too big of a bite or something is wrong in there. If you're eating mushies or liquids and it's happening it's not good. The safest bet, and I so highly recommend it, is to have a swallow study. It's quick, easy (taste gross but, only lasts a few minutes) and then you've got your peace of mind and your health. Wondering....doubting....throwing up...not being able to eat properly will only cause more damage in the long run. So look back at the last time you've had one, keep track of when you do have issues eating & throwing up or just being so tight you feel you can't eat and track the amount and what you're eating. I think you'd be surprised how often you have issues and for how long. I know I was. I do wish you the best with you band and your journey. Good luck and it's great that youv'e got the ball rolling by calling your docs office. Never let them go too long without getting a return call! It's your health so don't feel like you're being a pain, it's worth it to be safe. Hugs

Kyoto...this far out you shouldn't have to stick with such liquidy foods in order to keep them down dear and to still be having slight issues with those tells me something isn't right. Bridgette - you should also be able to eat solids without having issues and having "a sore throat from throwing up so much" is also a sign you're throwing up ALOT. Damage can be done to your esphogus. Be careful folks! What I can't stress enough is a simple swallow study that takes 15-30 min will allow you peace of mind or at least to know IF something is wrong with your band. BELIEVE ME......I've been there. I too was surviving on soup, soft cheeses, liquid protein drinks and a tell tale sign something is wrong is if it's been 2-3 hours later or more and you're still burping or tasting whatever it is you put in your stomach. NOT GOOD! I had my first band in 2/2006 and a revision surgery because of a slip in 12/2008 and my band removed in 2/2010 because of yet another slip and prolasp. I know all too well what can happen. This last time was a doozy in that my band that was placed inside me in the position of looking at my left shoulder was looking at my left foot by the time it was removed. PLEASE.....just get yourself a swallow study. As I said before whats the worse that can happen...1. you're ok and have peace of mind or 2. something is wrong and now you know why you're burping, throwing up and can't get healthy protein down. When folks have the band all that should be happening is that you can eat smaller portions and feel full...not feel pain, not throw up and you should be able to eat just about any healthy food you want other than foods that group or bloat when in your stomach like bread, rice and pasta. Any meat, veggie or fruit should be able to be eaten without too many issues or getting sick. Sure you'll have some foods that just won't agree with you but for the most part you should still be able to eat, exercise and be comfortable. If you're not then your band is either too tight or something is wrong.