PSJ71

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone else has been having any problems with having trapped gas? I had my surgery on 07/07 and for the past 2-1/2 weeks or so I have been having recurrent trapped gas on my left side. It started out as middle left side gas pains and it seems to have moved to up under my rib cage. It has gotten so bad at times I have almost gone to the ER. WAlking Does NOT help, in fact it makes it worse and I feel like I can't breathe when it gets that bad and trying to walk around. Lying down on my left side seems to help it somewhat. I bought some of those charcocaps last night and it made a world of difference, but it keeps coming back! Everytime I eat it starts it up within 10 to 15 minutes. I made an appointment with my doc for tomorrow, because I was actually concerned about a large bowel obstruction. I was just curious if anyone else has suffered anything like this? Thank you bunches!

Oh honey! Do I KNOW what you are going through. I posted pretty close to the same post a month ago. I hope I can explain this, but I am afraid I won't be able to unless you could actually see me. BUt, what I finally had to do, because day 2 after being banded I was totally miserable and almost had a panic attack because of the pain and not being able to burp. However, what I finally got desperate and tried was if you have ever hiccuped and felt that pulls at the hollow of the throat? I would hold my breath and pull up from the hollow in my throat and that would actually help me burp. Then if I laid on my my left side, but propped up I was good until the next morning. But I truly sympathize with you. I still can't burp regularly and have to use the above method, but what was strange is the other night I was brushing my teeth and was bent over on one elbow sort of twisted and a "natural" burp came out. I haven't done it since. But, I am finding I am having A LOT of gas that localizes on my left side and puts pressure under my ribs and makes my collar bones hurt. I had tried Phazyme, gas X and it did NOTHING. So, I happened to find these charcocaps at Wal-Greens and these are helping so wonderfully. The only problem is when I get a fill, I probably won't be able to swallow anymore pills. Just know that eventually the gas inside your tummy will finally abate. You will feel so much better after it does. Hugs and I am sorry you are going through this. It truly is miserable.

Hi there, I just wanted to say that I had my surgery on 07/07/2009 and never had a period at all last month. I had had some spotting off and on for about 2 or 3 days and then finally started this month. I think hormones and the fact that we had surgery affect our cycles. So, I am actually prepared to have really weird cycles until my body settles down from the shock that its been through. I think it is normal, but you could discuss it with your doc if it is too worrisome or bothersome. Take care,

Banded 07/07/2009 Surgery Weight: 248.8 Current weight: 237.2

Hi all, I promised myself before getting banded that I wasn't going to get upset and worked up if before getting fills I didn't have a significant weight loss. Well, I broke that promise! I just don't understand how in the world I can be having pureed foods at 4 ounces and 1/4 cups of food and exercise by walking everyday and NOT lose anything?! On my 10-day preop diet I lost 9 pounds. I have lost 9 pounds since surgery on 07/07. I go back and forth one pound and it's driving me insane! I really expected to have about 15 pounds gone by now Goodness!! I get soooooo hungry in between my meals. Has anyone else gone through this and please tell me it's temporary! I know I'm not supposed to focus on losing anything until the fills, but I just can't help it. Thanks for listening.

Hi all, I was just banded on 07/07 and one of the reasons I wanted to get the band was to potentially help in becoming pregnant. I had NO problems getting pregnant with my son 7 years ago, but I was A LOT smaller than I am now. I just turned 38 and am not getting any younger and DH and I want to have another baby. My questions are how long did you wait before ttc and how much weight did you lose before becoming pregnant?

Hi Anna, It is a scary thing to think of having to injection yourself with something when that is not the standard norm, especially with something you have never had to take before. As I said before, I was completely and utterly terrified that I had my brother-in-law give me the first 2 days worth. It's more the love handle area of the stomach that you give yourself the shot and you pinch up a little bit of skin, which I think helps. You will be scared your first and even second attempt, but it does get easier. In truth, it really is not painful. Good luck to you. :thumbup:)

If you feel this is the right decision for YOU, then you should find another primary care physician who will support your decision. As for starting an antidepressant just for mere weight loss attempt, I don't agree with that at all. Reason being: My surgeon did start me on an antidepressant (I am not depressed) to help with my hunger issues. Well, being the trusting soul that I am, I started taking Pristiq in February. Yes, it helped with wanting to eat and I lost some weight, but what they either don't know OR don't tell you is, getting off of those antidepressants is a miserable process. I only took them for 3 months and wanted to get off in the event later my husband and I want to try for a baby. Well, look up some of the side effects of getting off things like Pristiq, Effexor. I had "brain shocks" or they can be called shivers. I wanted to cry and just felt horrible. Thank the Lord I am off of them now and will NEVER, EVER take another antidepressant for something other than what it is prescribed for. I wish you the very best of luck with your decision. I was banded on 07/07 and so far I do not regret it at all.

Hi Amchenia, I didn't have to heparin, but I did have to do Lovenox. They are both blood thinners, but I was terrified of having to give myself a shot. The first two days, I even had my brother-in-law, who is a nurse, give me my shots. Then I decided to buck up and try it myself, as they didn't hurt a bit when he did it. They really don't hurt. I found a couple of mine stung just a tiny, tiny bit AFTER the injection. I had to do them for 10 days and just finished with them yesterday. It's really not that bad. Paulette

HI all, I am still on full liquids until Tuesday! Yipeee!! then I can move to pureed!! I am sooooo looking forward to that. It was time for my lunch of my Protein shake. I bought some whey protein from Target the other day and tonight I mixed it with 4 ounces of skim milk and about a half teaspoon of Peanut Butter and put a little splenda in it.. Let me tell you! My son and husband LOVED it. My husband lifts weights so now he is hooked on it. It tastes like a Reese's peanut butter shake or something. I made one for my hubby but put more peanut butter in his. My little one wanted one, but of course wayyyy too much protein for him. I let him drink the remnants that were left in the Magic Bullet. ) I just had to share. It was truly yummy and I have no hunger pangs for a while. :smile:

Hi there! Well, the worst pain I felt after surgery was when I woke up and for some reason my left collar bone hurt. Other than that I used 6 mg of morphine right after surgery and that was just because I had some discomfort around my diaphragm that would have been relieved by burping. Other than that I never picked up my liquid Vicodin and I didn't even use the liquid Tylenol after I got home. I really couldn't believe how easy this surgery was. My C-section was more painful that this. I am almost 2 weeks postop and feeling great! But, I think pain is just different for different people. Good luck to you!!

Hi all, I am almost 2 weeks postop and am in bandster hell! lol. I have to admit when I was on the preop diet for 10 days, this wasn't so bad and I wasn't allowed as much as I am now! I think reason being is I had a little sample menu thing I went off of. I am also disappointed (and I know this is the time for healing), but on my 10-day preop diet I lost 9 pounds. I was banded on 07/07 and have been fluctuating from 241 to 244. I was 248.8 when I had surgery. So, I am getting frustrated that I have not at least gotten down to 239. I want to be in the 230s so badly!! So, I don't know why I am not losing anything and fluctuating between 2 and 3 pounds for the last week! I know I shouldn't stress about this, as I know this is the time to heal and not worry about weight. I have been walking for exercise and for the last 2 days have gotten in my 64 ounces of Water a day. Can you guys give me some ideas of what you are eating and how often on your full liquids phase? I am progressing to pureed on Tuesday. Thanks bunches!! Paulette

Hi Mare, I have heard of a band being placed after a failed RNY; however, the sleeve wouldn't be an option. I wondered though, have you checked out a procedure called the ROSE procedure? I will copy and paste what I found below: ROSE Procedure, Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, obesity surgery, gastric bypass, Albany, Macon, Columbus, Dotham Restorative "Incisionless" Obesity Surgery Even the most successful gastric bypass patients occasionally regain weight [/url]New surgical technology now allows surgeons to treat one of the potential sources of this weight regain. The ROSE procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) provides an incisionless surgical option to restore gastric bypass patients' anatomy to closely match original post-surgery sizes Dr. Bagnato performs the scar-free ROSE Procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) entirely through the mouth without making any external incisions into the body. Eliminating incisions means less risk than traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, minimal post operative pain, fast recovery time and no scarring. Patients generally report minimal or no pain after the procedure and many of them return to work and normal activities the next day. Who is eligible? Patients who originally lost significant weight following gastric bypass but who now find themselves regaining weight may be ideal candidates for this procedure. After an initial screening, you will undergo a series of evaluations including nutritional and dietary counseling, a full medical exam, and endoscopy to determine if you are a good candidate. What does the ROSE procedure entail? The ROSE procedure is performed with the patient under anesthesia using a four-channel tube and special Incisionless Surgery tools. The bariatric surgeon advances the flexible tube and a small endoscope through the patient's mouth, into the stomach pouch. The surgeon will then insert the surgical tools through the channels of the tube. Tissue anchors are used to create multiple tissue folds around the stoma to reduce the diameter. The surgeon will then use the same technique to place anchors in the stomach pouch to reduce its volume. Are there other treatment options available? To perform the initial gastric bypass, the bariatric surgeon creates smaller stomach "pouch" and then bypasses the top portion of the small intestine. The procedure leaves a significant amount of scar tissue behind. This scar tissue makes traditional or "open" revision (performed through an abdominal incision) surgery far riskier than the original surgery. The most feared complication of gastric bypass - a leak, an incomplete tissue connection that allows the stomach contents to spill into the body - is four times more common in revision procedures than in the original bypass. Most surgeons don't perform open revisions today because of the risks. In recent years, many medical device companies have developed new tools that allow surgeons to operate through the mouth. We've chosen a set of tools known as the EndoSurgical Operating SystemTM (EOS) because the system's sutures and tissue anchors distribute holding force across tissue, leading us to believe that they will hold longer than other tissue fasteners. The EOS is also unique because it allows us to reduce the size of both the pouch and the stoma. How long will you need to stay in the hospital? Hospital stay is determined on a case-by-case basis. You may be discharged the same day if the procedure was done early in the morning or Dr. Bagnato may want you to stay overnight. Your surgeon will make the determination following your procedure. What are the benefits of an Incisionless procedure? By eliminating skin incisions, the new procedure may provide important advantages to patients, including reduced risk of infection and associated complications, less post-operative pain, faster recovery time and no abdominal scars. What type of side effects can I expect? It is anticipated that patients will feel little or no discomfort from the procedure. To date, the only noted side effects have been short-term sore throat, swelling of the tongue or lip discomfort from the insertion of the instruments into the mouth. These issues usually go away in one or two days. Is it safe? As with any surgery there is risk involved. This less invasive approach should reduce the likelihood of many of the complications associated with the other open or laparoscopic revision procedures. ROSE is a new procedure, however, and long term outcomes are unknown. What is the success rate? As with any weight loss procedure, results vary with each patient. The ROSE procedure has been well tolerated and most patients immediately lose weight as they eat less - with the return of the early feeling of "fullness" due to the restriction of the new, smaller pouch. The ROSE procedure is new and long-term data are not yet available. What is the recovery process? Typically, patients return to normal activity within a few days of their procedure. Dr. Bagnato will give you specific instructions. In addition, you will be required to follow a post-procedure diet and exercise plan, similar to the regimen prescribed following your initial bypass surgery. This generally means that patients will need to consume only liquids for a day or two after the surgery, and then slowly add soft, pureed foods for about two weeks before resuming a regular diet. To help you on your journey, follow-up appointments with Dr. Bagnato and regular visits with our bariatric support staff will be required. Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery LAP-BAND System REALIZE Band Advantages of LAP-BAND LAP BAND Adjustments StomaphyX procedure ROSE Procedure Weight Loss Procedure Videos Weight Loss Surgery| Meet Our Team| LAP-BAND System| REALIZE Band| StomaphyX proced

Hi Panda, I am 10 days out from surgery, so I don't have a lot to offer you. But so far, for me the suckiest part IS bandster hell. I'm in its throughs right now and I am STARVING!! LOL I know I will get through it, but I have been on liquids since June 27!! I will get to advance to pureed on Tuesday and I am sooooooo looking forward to it!! I haven't had the, "what have I done to myself thought yet. I did get close about 2 days postop. I had an enormous amount of gas in my stomach and couldn't burp. The pressure from that around my diaphragm was almost unbearable. I am not sorry I did it. I am just waiting to advance my diet some. :scared2:) Good luck to you!! Paulette

Hi Cee Cee, Thank you for posting that. What is the name of that stuff? I would like to try some myself.

Happy birthday, Jen! My birthday was July 1!! Got banded on 07/07.

Hi Rosie, Thanks for the advice! But I think we are all new bandsters. It's not food we are craving per se, it's we are just hungry from having to be on all liquids and not to the next stages yet. You have a good plan of action though for one who can eat anything. :thumbup:) Thanks for sharing.

Cee Cee, I know what you are going through. I didn't have an appetite for the first 3 to 4 days after surgery and Monday the hunger really started in and each day it gets worse!!! I loved not having an appetite and the hunger pangs hurt :eek: I keep sipping and luckily though, I can have shakes and anything a normal person could suck through a straw, except no straw. Next Tuesday I can start on pureed. Hold on honey, we can do it!!

I can sympathize with you. Banded on 07/07. Had no real hunger until yesterday!! It's getting worse and worse, but stay strong!! My NUT told me I could up my Protein to 70 grams to make sure to get enough Fluid. I know how you feel sister!

Hi Nellie, I had surgery a day before you on July 7th. I went back to work today, or rather yesterday now, 07/14/2009. I felt good enough to go back on Monday, but wanted the extra day and start on my normal first day at work. I work from home as a medical transcriptionist, so I didn't really have to "go in" to anywhere to work. My doc told me to go back to work whenever I felt like it. I probably would have taken some extra time too just because, but I didn't have enough vacation time. Good luck!! :thumbup:

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe a couple of months down the road I might try some popcorn. You're the bestest, Monkey!! )

Thank you, Monkey for the reply! Cheating? Heck No! I didn't go through all of this to mess anything up. I have been doing pretty good about not getting too hungry; although, I am only 5 days postop, though. I expect my appetite to return a little more each day, as it has, until I am ravaging. Hopefully not until my 14 days are up though. My postop appointment is on the 22nd, and they told me if my appointment is past the 14-day mark to just start the next phase anyway and not wait until I see the doc. So, my 14 days will be up on the 21st just a day before my appointment. So far, I have lost 7 pounds since Tuesday :huh2:) BUt, I was just curious about the popcorn, because I do like to have a little during a movie. and I absolutely LOVE dill pickles. Best Maid is my fav~~!! Anyway, thank you again for your advice ) Paulette

Hi all, Was banded on 07/07 and starting to feel really good. I never had any real problems to begin with just a lot of gas inside my stomach, which was miserable the evening after I got out of the hospital. I can't burp normally now, but at least I now know how to get the gas out. My question is were any of you able to eat popcorn ever again? I absolutely love popcorn and each time my husband makes some I just want to dig in! lol Oddly, this has been the one food in which I wanted to cheat with on my preop diet!! HOw about pickles? Were you able to tolerate pickles? Thank you so much!!

We had surgery the same day, and I have been experiencing a lot of chest pressure and dull, achy and very uncomfortable pain around my diaphragm. Cannot burp. Today feels a little bit better, but it makes it difficult to get in the Water and other Protein liquids. Hopefully, this will all resolve for us.

Hi Tish, Thank you for responding. I called my doctor today and they told me to just keep walking, taking Gas-X Strips. I feel a burp try to emerge, but it seems to get stuck at where I think the band is and doesn't go anywhere. Everytime I drink anything it feels like it makes all the gas expand up to my diaphragm. So far, I have taken a Phazyme today and 3 Gas-X strips and I managed to be able to lie sort of on my left side for a short nap and relieve the pressure, but as soon as I got up, it was right there again. I just hope it passes. I am completely miserable. :drool: