SherryW

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.

Kyoto, That story sounds like mine and I just had to have my band removed because it slipped and my stomach was prolasped. If you're vomiting every day, can't get anything down other than liquid and yet that liquid is still kinda coming up or you're burping the liquid shakes for hours.....yes you do need to get a swallow study. Perhaps you can get your PCP to order the test not as a bandrelation but, perhaps from reflux. I'm assuming if you're throwing up you've got some reflux too. Then at least you'd know if your band slipped and maybe then the insurance would pay to have it taken out, elective or not. Good luck.

Citygirl...Having lived what you're describing I highly suggest asking for a swallow study to be done. The #1 indication of a slip or prolasps is reflux. With all the PBing and I'm sure some of that was probably stronger than a PB you may have slipped the band. My doc did the same thing...unfill and leave it that way for 6 weeks then fill again etc. If you have insurance, most insurances consider the upper gi/swallow study a diagnostic test and they will cover it. Better to be safe than sorry, I say. I lost my band 2/9/2010 due to prolasps/slippage. Not fun at all! With your band being unpredictable even more indication just to check. Boy I get scared when I hear folks going through this.

TGKA23....thank you for your positive post. I just lost my band to slippage and stomach prolasps Tuesday and today I'm having a really hard time morning the loss. I too had many problems and this was my second band. The first one was great for the first 1.5 years, lost over 75 pounds then it slipped. It hadn't been right since. Long story short, I had a really really bad prolasps so bad that the radiologist report says the band that once pointed toward my left shoulder was now looking down at my left foot. Yes...I was in trouble. When I think about it, I haven't been living this past year. I couldn't eat right no matter having followed all the rules. In the end I want to live...even if it means living chubbier than I was expecting. I want to eat salad and not fear it will come back at me. I want to eat chicken and fish with no issues. What I keep telling myself is this was a tool, a great tool for a while but, in the end the best tool I have.........me. "I" control the fork and what I eat and so I have to learn to use that tool more effectively. Today was a very bad day...it's only been 4 days since I lost my band and the anesthesia is leaving my body and giving me the blues. I'm morning the loss of not only my band but, what it represented to me WHEN I got it. But, in my heart of hearts I know it needed to happen in order for me to live life. I hope we can stay in touch and help each other. I'd like to that. I'm hoping that with everything I've gone through that I can be a Patient Advocate. I want to teach people to stick up for themselves. When they know something isn't right to stand up and say to their doc it's not right. I didn't...and I should have. I'M THE ONE in the end that ordered the last swallow study and look what they found!!!!! It took me burning and cooking from acid from my inside out before I took the reigns? What the heck! I don't want any patient to ever go through that. So I'm hoping I can help in that way. I was old school, listen to the doc he knows best but, in the end..HE is human just like me and will make mistakes. But on top of that......statistics come into play and that needs to be pushed aside. If not by the doc then by the patient. Take the reigns for yourself...no one else will! My post op visit is set for the 24th and I'll be doing alot of talking with my doc and the surgical director I spoke with prior to my last fill. I had alot of issues with my doc and not being heard so I asked her to help. I'm going to ask her again to be with me when I speak to him again so I say all I have to. Get him to listen so that I can help future patients who have the same symptoms. It's going to take all I have to do it but, damn I will. What do I have to lose.....not like I'm his patient anymore. Before the removal he was attentive....after the removal he already was rushed AGAIN. So he has alot to learn and I still do too. I was never pushy, always let him tell me what was best but..........it got me this instead. So we'll have to learn together. I don't hate him, I am mad but, at myself more...I just hope I can get him to listen now and see if I can help them help patients speak up. Sorry this is all scrambled for sure. I'll be ok in a few days and be able to post more logically :smile: Thanks for listening and I wish you the best with your Unbanded journey.

Sue in me...I understand many issues can cause a band to slip. So sorry to hear you end up with issues due to sinuses. I can't say I had that but, I can totally can how it can happen. Basically what I'm trying to make sure folks do is...get to know your own body, listen to the signs and if you have any inkling that something is wrong demand the tests to check it out. I knew something wasn't right and would go into the office try to explain what was going on and constantly be told I was eating too much when I knew (and my nutrionist knew) that wasn't the case. For me it was getting to the point of switching providers because I felt I wasn't being listened to but, a patient advocate helped and I decided to stick with the provider unfortunately I by the time I got the full attention it was already too late. Even with this last swallow study "I" ordered the swallow study through his office because "I" told him I wasn't putting up with this anymore and I knew something was wrong. "I" just should have been more "ME" minded instead of agreeing all the time with the usual flow of things. I needed to be more aggressive with my own care. Anyway ordered the test last week for this past Tuesday. Monday I was in the ER having fill removed because it was a ball in my chest and the acid was practically baking me from the inside out. Was pretty good in the ER after the .5cc fill removal but by the time I got home (45-1 hour later) the ball was back. Went in for my swallow study on Tuesday at 10:30 and by 11 my provider was being called by the radiologist and I was being admitted for removal. That's how bad it was. The barium from the study on Tuesday was still there in the top portion of my stomach after Tuesday afternoons removal and Wednesday mornings swallow follow-up study in the hospital. The scarring is bad so much so it's as if I still have a band and they say it will take a while for that to stretch a bit to the normal side but, that my stomach will always look as if it has a band. My doc said it the band was pretty embedded and the scarring pretty bad when he got in there. He said it was worse than he thought after he got in to take it out. So it's over...the band is out and I'm on the way to recovery. Still.....the band to me is a wonderful tool and it did help me lose 55 pounds (initially 75-80 pounds but with the issues weight came back.) and it's still off and I know without the band I would have gotten heavier. So I'm still an advocate for the band BUT......more so an advocate for a patient sticking up for him/herself and not just going with the flow when they know in their heart something isn't right. I know for "me" I'll never allow a doc to bypass what I feel again! I don't hate my provider...he is only human just like me...but, I do wish we both paid more attention to the symptoms I had. Hope folks understand what I'm saying. I'm still a bit groggy from everything that happened. Just be careful my friends and you'll be fine and do fine. You shouldn't be throwing up or getting that golfball at all and a tighter fill isn't the answer to it all. Sometimes it's our heads that need the fixin...not the band needed tightening :thumbdown: Follow the rules of eating and then if you're still hungry....I mean Truly hungry not head hungry...go for the fill. If you're throwing up....stop and try to eat slower and stop when you're no longer hungry...not full but not hungry OR take smaller bites and slow down. If that doesn't work you're too tight. If you think you can eat more than you should...stop...are you eating the right foods or too much of foods that easily go through the band. Are you eating good protein first like chicken or fish or are you eating soup, cookies, mashed potatoes, chips stuff that doesn't get stuck in the band or take longer to pass? Be honest...if you are actually eating chicken and you're eating more than a cup AND you're not truly full....then yes get a fill. BUT also remember it could be you're able to eat more because the above band portion of your stomach stretched or pulled a little through the band so be careful. Try liquids for a few days then try eating the chicken again...if you still can eat more than a cup AND it's been quite a while since you've had a swallow study suggest to your provider to get one. There may be an issue. Whats the worse that can happen.......you're stomach is fine and you find out you're just not eating right? At least you'd have peace of mind right? :thumbup: Anyway...good luck all Be careful and enjoy the wonderful tool you've been given. Hugs!

Ladies and Gents, I can totally attest to not allowing yourself to be so tight that you're throwing up too often. I just lost my band to Prolasps. Just got home today from the hospital.....all I can say right now is I'm glad it's over. I'd allowed my doc to fill my band too agressively too many times and now I don't have it. Please be careful...throwing up is a true sign of something being wrong especially if you're throwing up all the time. Hugs

Hi Redbone, I'm glad it helped. Sometimes a 1cc fill is too much so don't be too alarmed if the doc feels more needs to come out. For me, I can drink the Water right away after a fill it's the days that follow that I know my fill was too much. This time around we're doing just a little at a time. I have 2.5 in my 10cc band and you know what...I've been able to ask myself "am i really hungry or is just my brain hungry" Yesterday I didn't eat Breakfast (sometimes I"m too tight in the morning anyway) and for lunch I had a Protein shake because I'm still getting used to the fill but, only had it because I needed liquid anyway and wanted to make sure I got some protein in and then for dinner...I had one scrambled egg. Totally satisfied. I know it won't stay like this but, I'm trying to get into the habit of really asking myself if I'm truly hungry. Being tighter isnt' necessarily always the answer Good luck with your slight unfill. I hope it does the trick for you

Hello Redbone, I'm glad you sent the email...well sounds to me like you can't eat just about anything because you are PBing. Is there a chance that certain foods are getting stuck and you're not realizing it such as bread, Pasta or rice? All those things expand in your stomach before it digests. Or is it that you're eating the correct foods but, eating too fast and/or too big of bites? I know when my band is tighter or closer to that sweet spot I can no way no how eat bread, rice or pasta and I have to chew really really well. What my doc told me is take the time to test it. Sit down when you're going to eat...literally pay attention to nothing else but your eating. Take a pea size bite of your food, put your fork/spoon down and chew well. Don't take another bite for two minutes. (DRIVES me insane doing this but, you get used to it and it's worth the time.) Take another bite, etc etc. Now....STOP as soon as you feel satisfied, not full, just not hungry anymore (even if it tastes great and your head really wants to finish what it thinks is barely a cup of food) just stop. You can always have more later. Now see if you're still sliming and/or pbing. If you are then your band is probably too tight. It may seem like you can eat anything but, pay attention to what it is you are eating. Is it mash potatoes, Soups, mushy type food? The true test is with solid Proteins like chicken and fish. Now...I did have a slip and prolasps once and the above test helped because I knew something was wrong when I could eat more than a cup of food yet didn't feel well. Then I'd throw up...not just PB but literally throwup. Because I could eat alot but, it wouldn't go down to the lower part of my stomach. Very hard to explain. I'm not saying your band is slipped...that is for a doctor to determine but, do the test above for yourself and then check in with your doc on the results. He/she will know from that and your food journal if further testing like a swallow test is needed Good luck :thumbup: