pugmum

Hi! I am 3 years out from my lap-band surgery. About 7 months ago, I started having a bit of discomfort under my left breast when I would bend over to pick something up. When I would be sitting down, I would lean back to avoid this feeling. I had my surgery in California, but have subsequently moved to PA and am followed by a surgeon in Pittsburgh. Over the phone twice (it is a 2-hour drive), they told me that it did not sound like anything band-related, perhaps, just some inflammation. It went completely away after a couple of months. Four months ago, I went to the ER with severe abdominal pain. After x-rays and a CT scan with contrast, they diagnosed me with constipation. Okay. I took some meds and did get rid of my constipation (!), BUT since then have had chronic diarrhea (sometimes just water). In the interim, as part of the workup to determine the cause of my diarrhea, weight loss, extreme fatigue, I had a colonoscopy and EGD. Last week, the EGD showed that my band has eroded into my stomach. Now, I obviously have been in contact with my surgeon in the city, and am scheduled for an upper GI series and interview, etc. next week. On the phone, however, they tell me that none of my symptoms have to do with my band. My PCP here says that he doesn't see how it could be anything but my band. I have even found an undissolved pill in my stool. Interestingly, one of the symptoms of erosion is supposed to be weight gain because of loss of restriction, but I have lost 25 pounds in these past few months and have very little appetite and still have lots of restriction. On films, my band is pretty far into my stomach; it is not a minor erosion. I come here wondering if anyone else has experienced these types of symptoms with erosion. Because if this hypermotility is not band-associated, I'm wondering what my next step will be. Oh, in case you're wondering, I have lost 75 pounds. :confused: Thanks, Kelli

Hey, Thank you! I appreciate that. Kelli

You might try the bariatric center at McGee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Not sure how they work with patient's who had procedure done in Mexico, but that is the only one I've found around here. Kelli

Greetings! I am postop almost one year and am filled at 2.5 cc in a 4.0 band. I received my last fill about 3 months ago and while I was pretty tight, I had no discomfort to speak of. As a matter of fact, I've been really blessed and have not vomited, PB'd, or experienced any other malady due to my band, BUT for the past 3 weeks or so I have been experiencing a very marked sour stomach as soon as I begin eating and then afterward. I've tried eating less, eating slower, adjusting the type of food, but if I make contact with food, I have this experience. My question is, is this something I should be concerned about or is it acid reflux? When I had surgery, I had a hernia repaired and have had ZERO reflux symptoms since then so this is unusual. I've done some reading here, but it doesn't seem to be consistent with a slip? Just wanted to see if anyone has any words of wisdom before I seek out my physician's advice. Thanks! Kelli

I haven't been to OA, but it is a 12-step program. I believe you get out of them what you put in them. :biggrin1: kelli

I have thought about this postoperatively and I believe unless one has some quality time (3 or 4 years?), it is difficult to come up with an answer. I had no clue how much work on my part this would take. Some may say that one does not need to change what you eat, but how much you eat, but I disagree. Until I made behavioral changes, it really was no different than any other diet. Granted, the amount one is able to eat is greatly reduced, but calories are calories and come in liquid and soft and processed form just fine. :biggrin1: I had to break habits and I would have had to do that on any weight loss program. That's the bottom line for me. Honestly, until I went on an anti-depressant (Wellbutrin), my brain still wanted to eat. I believe it is like most disorders: Part mental, part chemical. Maybe it depends on how much weight one needs to lose, too. At this point (I was banded 2/2/06) and have lost 35 pounds, I cannot definitively say whether I would do it again or not. Some days I think it's the best action I could have taken and other days I see it as just another diet. I am extremely grateful that I have had no complications and I have a feeling in another year or so, I will be very happy I had the surgery. I call that my lack of patience. LOL:( Best wishes to you! Kelli

Hives and welts are symptoms of an allergic reaction. I would not take anymore without speaking with your physician. kelli

They're actually using this drug in trials for obesity so there is a definite hunger-type suppresant component in it. I personally love it because it completely diminishes my sweet tooth. There is also the option of taking the "old" Wellbutrin which comes in 100 mg dosages. kelli

I have fallen head over heels in love with yogurt! I didn't eat it pre-band, but now I eat it every day. I have tried the commercial brands, but I stick with the organic all-natural ingredients which do have a bit of fat and sugar in them. I figure that is probably better than the chemicals, corn starch, and dyes in the Dannons and Yoplaits even though those are good, too. I also like Weight Watcher yogurts. I'm really grateful for my yogurt addiction because it's PLAIN that I love. Occasionally, I will have blueberry or strawberry, but some days I think I could subsist on plain yogurt. Kelli

Antibiotic prophylaxis is a common requirment for people with infectious disease processes going on, but I have never read nor heard of needing it for because of being banded. Many heart patients, transplant recipients, elderly, or people taking certain medications may be required to do this. I doubt a healthy banded person, though. Kelli

Split pea soup. That was the most difficult time for me. I have complete empathy and also have faith you will get through it. Kelli

I'm glad you're okay!! Your attitude is AWESOME! Blessings to you in your journey! Kelli

You're doing things slowly? You look great! You're an inspiration. Kelli

I appreciate your honesty. Some days I feel like I should not "have to" diet or anything because, after all, I do have the band! I actually just posted here last week that I feel a sense of freedom from this diet mindset. I do have cravings, however,and I'm beginning to wonder if the only real way to battle these cravings is as the other poster does, staying away from carbs and sugar. Kelli

I do this exact same thing! I didn't begin doing it until about a year ago. I really think something is wrong with me. I do so good during the day and then just the other night, I woke up with granola crumbs on me! It was the only thing in the kitchen because I have taken all the "bad" food out. My husband got up one night right after I had surgery and I was in there stuffing ice cream down my mouth. I'm not really a big ice cream eater and it concerns me that I would hurt myself by hurting my band. Honestly, I have tried many things, but it is like I'm not fully present when I get up. I tried Ambien, but it made it worse. I guess that's becoming common though. Kelli

I hope you are successful! Trusting yourself is the key to lots of things in life. You'll know if you want to have surgery. At least you have educated yourself about the different options for weight loss. Kelli

I wanted to thank everyone here because I have learned so much here since being banded. I was in no way psychologically prepared for banding, but I am so GRATEFUL that I did it. And this is the main reason why: I have not once--not once--since being banded had that hopeless feeling of "gee, what diet am I going to try today?" and then stick with it just to start something new/different again and the cycle perpetuates...maybe some of you can relate, but I was getting so hopeless about my weight. I honestly feel, almost 4 months out, that I'm just "getting it" in regard to how to eat. I also just received my first fill which is making a huge difference! Kelli :hungry:

I take Nature's Plus multi liquid Vitamin which I buy at a health food store. I find the quality is better than GNC. I also take liquid vitamin B-complex and liquid calcium/magnesium. Hope you find one that works! Kelli

I felt that way. I think a lot people go through the same thing. I'm grateful to be banded. It's a whole new life, but I realize I have such freedom every day. I don't obsess about what diet I am going to try. This is a great place full of a lot of experience. Take advantage of it! Kelli

That's a cool idea! I hope it comes to fruition! Thanks, Kelli

If you do not change your behavior, the band does not change it for you. This has been my minimal experience. My first month postoperative I ate chocolate and cheeze. I had the same cravings I did preoperative. Of course, the foods I was eating was creating those cravings, but that is a whole 'nother discussion. The band has been much more work than I anticipated. Like everything in life, it is an individual thing, but it is not a miracle cure. I am grateful to be banded and have had a great recovery from surgery. I liken it to swinging when you're a child. You know how difficult it is to "get going" and then an adult comes by and gives you a big push? Well, the band is like having that big push...just be sure you are ready to maintain the work needed to soar high. Which you probably will, it just happens for different people in different time frames. Best wishes to you! Kelli

Heather, I was wondering how you are! Thanks for the update. I went in to see our buddy last week for my first fill...he was really nice to me! Now I'm not afraid to go back! LOL Kelli

I have sleep apnea also. It has made a BIG difference in how I feel during the day...not so groggy and tired! I didn't even know what it was, but I had an abnormal EKG which led to the cardiologist and he asked me, because of my obesity, if I snore and am tired during the day. I said yes so off I went to a 2-night sleep study. I'm grateful he cared enough to ask those questions versus just asking me about what I was there for. If that makes sense. I guess, too, some insurances want to know what conditions are affecting you through being obese and sleep apnea is one of those. Kelli

I don't know, it's kind of like starting a new job. In order to learn you must humble yourself to the more senior workers. At least that has been my experience. I usually come to the table with all of the answers in my own head which is my own arrogance and ego, but give me someone who is 3 years from banding--even debanded--and I will listen and learn much more from them than someone who is in their first year of banding. Maybe it's just me, but the more experienced people have walked through the "honeymoon" stage and are on the other side when it is entirely different. And it is different. That's how life is. I don't think it has anything to do with succeed or fail, it just is. I immediately question the quality of someone's experience when they are new to something...walking through things and processing them and coming out on the other side is where I have learned the most from other's experiences. Just like young people, new people are important to rekindle the excitement and motivation, but the wise ones will always be those who have walked before. We have much to learn in our society about the elderly. Same here, though maybe not elderly. LOL It's easy to be married a couple of years. Share with me to how to be married for a lifetime and still be friends. Tell me what kind of behavior changes you made--and been able to be consistent with--after you have unexpectantly lost your band. Because life throws such curve balls, I want to know how to survive when it is not so simple. Kelli

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