RestlessMonkey

They are supposed to last YOUR life long. Since they've just been avail. in the usa since 2001, (and in existence in some form since 1993 I think) the data you want isn't known yet.

Yeah if you stand all day that can explain it...even thin people have issues when they are on their feet like that. If it keeps bothering you, try some jobst stockings and they should help! :scared2:

If you keep your sodium consistently that low, and are still swelling, see your PCP. That isn't right! You may have something else going on that needs to be addressed...and can be easily if you catch it! (not a doc, ok? But you shouldn't be swelling like that) UNLESS you're on your feet all day. Good luck!

Yes.....get an unfill! The point of the band is portion control, not starvation!

WOW no wonder you were miserable! My doc (who is admittedly conservative) started me at 1.5 ccs each time (in my 14 cc band!) WOW! I think, especially with the problems you have had, and your honesty about "hating the band" (who'd blame you?) you are VERY smart to back up and start way more slowly. I think 2 ccs is a great amount. You'll probably not notice it but can take the time to get your enthusiasm back and practice eating small amts(instead of nothing! LOL) and chewing well, etc. And increase it from there. I'm so glad you're doing better now! I'm still flabbergasted at the 5ccs!

thanks for explaining that to me! An interesting point of view! :confused:

I don't believe you're stupid, and I don't believe in food addiction either. But I'm sure the psych people can help you out! You know, as an RN, that eating that soon can really mess you up due to the digestive action/movements of your stomach...so get some help quick! And discuss with the doc; you may need some tests to make sure everything is still in place.

Good! With a good surgeon (and team), and following the rules about eating post op so you can heal, incidence of band infections are really very very low. :confused:

YES call NOW! Poor thing!

No. The band is inert. You get infections from bacteria and viruses and they are usually transmitted via dirty hands, instruments, or infected blood, saliva, etc. SO if you have a band that isn't sterile, then the germs on it can infect you. ALSO if your band slips or erodes it can mess with your normal stomach integument and make you more susceptible to infections. Did that help?

How MUCH sodium are you getting each day?

I am SO GLAD you shared this. I wish you'd shared it yesterday! I just had a slight unfill because after my last fill everything was getting stuck (and I was chewing myself to death LOL) and I NEVER felt full. I only lost 2 pounds in the last 4 weeks! I'll stick with this level for now but next time I'll ask for a larger fill and see if that does for me what it has done for you and "Bullwinkle". Thanks for sharing! (Now you've helped me with my ticker, AND this! LOL)

I've never heard of "giving your stomach a rest" just for weight loss? I thought the band was to be forever, filled, etc. UNLESS there's a medical need like a slip etc. I am truly curious (not contentious) this idea intrigues me....would you mind sharing the doc's rationale, if you know it? i thought most of the time unfill meant gain?

I was like you in 2003 when I had to have my gall bladder removed. Never had surgery, HATED hospitals (people DIE in hospitals) and was basically miserable. But I had to have my gall bladder removed, so I did it. I ended up being so interested in the medical process that I quit my job and went back to school...to become a nurse! LOL The OR (when they wheeled me in) looked NOTHING like I expected and I asked the anesthesiologist to let me look around for a minute before he put me out (this even with the versed on board...I shouldn't be able to remember, but I do) It was EASY! I recovered in record time and never looked back. These are things I did my first time (and times since) that may help you. When I came to in recovery I immediately looked for a clock (there was always one in view, on the wall, each surgery I've had) to "orient myself" to how long I'd been out (because it's not like sleep. you don't have a sense of time passing) Then I was very still and took lots of deep breaths. Helps to expand the lungs, clear the anesthesia, get things working again. The first few hurt a little but each one got easier until within about 5-6 breaths I was breathing well. Once they remove the oxygen mask and you can see well I talked to the nurse (helped me wake up) about my surgery (she has the notes) and so on. Once they wheeled me back to the room I asked for ice chips and then Water ASAP and also sat up as soon as they would let me. For me the sooner I act normally, the sooner I feel normal. i would let them know if I had nausea or pain but for me I had neither. OH I had some tightness in my abdomen (like you'd done the sit ups from hell or some such) but nothing I wanted morphine for. After being "not there" for the surgery I very much wanted to be awake, and enjoyed just being alive if that makes sense (I told you, I was really scared the 1st time! LOL) I got up to urinate and walk as soon as they'd let me. They offered me juices to drink but I picked water (less likely to nauseate) ... and dressed as soon as I could. I went home that day and felt great! My 2 lap band surgeries went as smooth, or more smooth, than that. So I understand being scared but just remember...it's worth it, they will control your pain if you have any, they know what they are doing (I picked a very experienced surgeon and staff each time) and they will get you through it. I wouldn't have wanted a sedative because then I'd feel panicked because I'd be scared but unable to do anything. We're all different; I tried to get through it objectively. My husband is a nurse and, bless him, he told me what he'd seen people do who had the easiest times, so I copied that, and have shared it with you. Surgery is actually easier, to me, than having bronchitis. You feel better faster, you have great pain meds if you want, and it's over with more quickly. I went home the same day each time; wanted my own area and turf.

You are too tight. You need to call your doc ASAP and get unfilled. Seriously! If you can't keep fluids down you're risking dehydration and worse.

Mine just had some "primer" in it (think of the tubing...if you didn't have enough saline, instead of filling the band it would just fill the tubing!) but my doc put it this way "You just had some primer. It doesn't count" when I asked him. Some DO load the pt (I think that's almost mean LOL) with a little...I think...but not my doc.

You shouldn't need over a day or two post fill to proceed from liquid to mushies and then on to food. IMHO you aren't eating enough, especially for the exercise you are doing. The point is to lose in a healthy manner, not starve yourself (and lose muscle instead of fat). Remember the "band" comes with a loss of 1-2 pounds a week. You need to get on a healthy diet and then see where you're at! :smile2:

You should be on FOOD by now, not liquids. Has your doctor prescribed the post op diet you are on? I don't think you're eating properly...liquids don't utilize the band properly, and can't be good for your bowels etc. ??

My first fill didn't hurt, in fact none of them have. HOWEVER...odds are very good that you will NOT have restriction yet. It took me to fill 4 to "feel the love". My surgeon is conservative but most people don't feel the first one much. You may feel it psychologically, but physiologically probably not much.

I think you should get a slight unfill, but if you're in doubt, discuss with your doctor. You should NOT be unable to eat anything except liquids, ever. The point of the band is portion control, not to block off entire food groups from consumption! If you are "pigging out" because you are hungry ( and I really understand that!) then it's all not working! Get a slight unfill and you should be able to regulate everything better. The band is great but WE are supposed to be in control, not the band. Right now, you're too tight most days to make good choices and for whatever reason, a small part of the time you CAN eat and eat everything. Get control back...loosen up the band.

I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig unless I just absolutely HAD to, as in using a drug to save my life when all others failed. If I wanted things cut up and rerouted, there are surgeries that have been "tried and tested" (like the sleeve, bypass, the duodenal switch) for me to choose from. I wouldn't mess with my omentum. For me the beauty of the band is that my "innards" remain intact. Only you can decide this. Personally, I'd say no. (San Antonio has a LOT of "clinical trials". Usually the patients receive the med or procedure, and concommitant medical care for free, PLUS some compensation. Will they cover your surgery, if you are willing to be the experimentee? What is "plan B" if it does you damage? I'd ask this, if I decided maybe to proceed!)

The millitary mindset...my husband is retired army, how could I forget it? LOL Good luck; I hope things work out for you the way you wish!

I found this on the "official" website for the lapband...Official Site: the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System for weight loss surgery drinks Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals). Suitable drinks are tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener, Water, non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided. Right now, carbonated beverages hurt me, so I avoid them. I honestly only liked beer, anyway! And then only occasionally. I do know, though, that we humans need SOME pure plain water for our kidneys and bladder. You might want to check with your doc or nutritionist, those of you who drink only sodas etc. I'm shocked you haven't gotten bladder infections but either way, not sure it's good, long term, for your kidneys. A nutritionist would know for sure.

Thank you but that would hurt me worse than being stuck! Plus I already feel like I can't breathe when stuck. I'd pass out! LOL HOWEVER Having my husband wham me between the shoulder blades does the trick! :smile2:

I agree, tell your doc, and tell ASAP. The band can be a real head trip, regardless of how much you want it. You want to optimize your chances for success and that means being as ready as you can be. It isn't a race. One thing I don't understand, though; discussing isn't doing. Why can't you 'discuss" the band now? You don't have to start the process until he feels your issues are controlled, but what harm to talk about it? THAT I don't understand.