maestrita

I think this may be my last message on this site. It is a response to a PM I received stating that it is OK to be nasty to people if you think they aren't doing all they can to lose weight... I get disgusted with people who come on this site to express that they are so much better than people who struggle... I actually left this site for that very reason, and it has been months since I've come back. I only visited because I was looking for some insight into the issue of my reflux, and I immediately see this nonsense again. I think it's too easy to hide behind an avatar and say and do hurtful things. Maybe that comes from having been treated badly for years and years as an overweight person, and all of us can probably understand the impulse to kick back out a little of the BS that we've had to endure being overweight (spiritual reflux?). What I can't understand, or excuse, is the failure to control that impulse. The people who come on this sight are often people who've endured abuse for years and years.... a veritable bombardment against one's self esteem and personal sense of their value in this world. They need help, no matter how pitiful that situation may seem to others. They are looking for hope, not more isolation and rejection. Personally, I don't feel like I should have to state all of my physical ailments to avoid the nastiness or to get support on a SUPPORT WEBSITE. I wonder, does it ever occur to people who talk this way that they are LUCKY that it is working so well for them? Even if they do feel they are the ones doing the work, they are LUCKY that the work has resulted in success. Though I appreciate that you think that this sort of message doesn't refer to people like me (folks with other health problems), but I feel that I am EXACTLY the type of person that these posts refer to. Why else do you think it is that people DO complain that it's hard? Because it IS hard for some of us. The assumption that it is some form of laziness or slovenly behavior is just plain hateful. I am going to select and post a little of what I've said here, and then I am then going to disable my email from receiving any more nastiness. This behavior is so discouraging, and I just am not in a place where I am willing to take in bad things--be they food or be they words. Ciao!

I'm not looking for any sympathy here, but I would just like to say that there are times when I get discouraged. I experience debilitating pain for several weeks at a time, and getting exercise is hard during those times. I am about half way to my goal, and I am experiencing some trouble with the band which may make this the end of my journey. I'm only half filled, and it appears that my body won't even tolerate this level. I don't regret my decision because I've improved my health quite a bit. However, sometimes, I do need some encouraging words. Like others, I'd dreamed of being at my goal weight, and I feel sad that I'm not getting there. I might not ever get there, even if I try really hard. I just wish this forum was a place I could come for that support. After months of not visiting this site, it looks like it is the same as it was when I left.

If you decide you can't then you won't. You have to make the choice. If you force yourself to stop eating on time for a few days, it will get easier. If you force yourself to stop eating on time for a few weeks, you will find it much easier. Hang in there. If you decide to do what it takes, it will get better.

Hi Friends, I haven't been on here in a while, but I've run into a little problem. OK, it's a pretty big problem. I have an autoimmune form of arthritis called AS. I had the LAP band done two years ago in order to reduce the strain on my joints. Though I was at the lower end of the weight continuum, I needed to lose weight permanently in order to slow down the crippling effects of my AS. The pain from the AS causes me to lose sleep at night, so my rheumie prescribed me Cyclobenzaprine. It has been a God send, and it has changed the quality of my life. I now do not need 10-12 hours of sleep at night to be safe while driving to work the next day. The only side effect is a big one, though. I am waking up from this reflux/vomitting in my lungs sort of thing that happens. I don't know if it's from the medicine or if my band is too tight (5.5 cc in a 10cc band) or if the reflux comes from one of the other meds. I suspect it's the Cyclo, though, because I've tried to isolate it so that it's the only variable. I'm wondering if it's possibly getting caught in my pouch and dissolving close enough to the esophagus to cause the reflux. Cyclo's not supposed to work on the muscles like that, but taking a half a pill one time, the cut side rested against my tongue long enough to make it numb in that little spot. I know this is odd, but does anyone out there have any experience with this or a similar situation?

You ARE insane, but good for you! You only live once! Take pics for us because I can say with complete certainty that I will NEVER do any of the things you listed.

I did have an arrangement for good follow-up care. She did have great recommendations and her experience was excellent, as well. I didn't know that I would need to look for these sort of unlikely scenarios, and I am sharing because I think it is good to know what to look for when you say "good" follow-up care. Honestly, I don't think she would have anticipated that something like this might happen, either. Now I understand that it is critical for those professionals who serve in rural areas to become affiliated with others who can cover them if they are not available. For the record, I had my surgery by one of the most reputable surgeons in this country. I am certain that I'd have had excellent care in this event if I lived in that state. I'm sure I'd have been referred immediately.

Smoking is very bad for you. It is not only bad for your heart and your lungs, it is bad for your stomach. It contributes significantlyto ulcers and GERD (kind of bad for bandsters). Maybe you might consider giving it up entirely since you are investing so much time, pain, and money in the new healthier you. It sounds like you aren't really that attached to it.:rolleyes2: Not trying to be a SA, but rather to suggest a change in perspective. Wish you luck.

There is a section on this site if you scroll down to find doctors. I wish you luck finding someone who'll be there for you. I never dreampt I'd be in the situation I was in today. Knowing what I know now, I would make sure that you find someone who is local, and who is available at all times. Hindsight is 20/20, but since yours is still ahead of you, I'd like to tell you some things I hadn't known. I'd never have trusted that I would just be OK, and if I really needed help, I could go to the ER. The minor ER here would NOT help me, and the ER would have charged me what it would have cost for a full year of aftercare by a surgeon. I now know, for certain, you can find yourself in a dangerous position if you can't get the help you need immediately. It would have been nice to know that no-one at my person's clinic could cover my provider when she was gone, or that, in fact, they couldn't even refer me to anyone for help. I q' you, find out who does the care in your town, and what relationship you have to have with them before you are banded. Good luck. Off to sleep now.... finally.

Lost time from work: $150.00 A total unfill after nine months of fills: $800.00 A year's worth of aftercare purchased all at once: $1500.00 A local surgeon who promises to have someone on-call 24 hrs per day, 365 days per year: Priceless

It's not my surgeon. My surgeon lives in another state, and I might have been able to get in if I lived there. You know, it actually would cost the same for me to fly out there to be seen, but I didn't really consider that because it is such a simple procedure. I would love to go to the ER, but we are talking about nearly one half of my monthly salary for one visit to ER. The cost of care is not supported within the free market economy in my state. You simply can't purchase medical care if you make anywhere near the median income in WA. This is the reality you have to live with if you don't have insurance to cover what you need. I am just thankful that I now have, at least, basic medical insurance which will cover most other things. I remember when I used to have to make these decisions about when my husband should go see the cardiologist.... In any case, I made it through last night, and I am going to drive over the border to see someone today. Wish me luck.

Hi Jessica, I just love Joan Richardson in Lewiston, Id. It is a short drive from you. I drive down from further north to see her. She is at the Clearwater Medical Clinic. Good luck!

I know Medical Assistants (not Physician's Assistants) in Washington State can perform the fills. It is commonly done on the west-side. I think in WA you can perform an injection if you have as little as the phlebo certification. I wonder how you'd find out...

The anatomy is close, actually. The back part of the band is right in front of that area of the spine. Those other organs are in front of your stomach. It might be hard to picture unless you've experience the particular pain Alisa described. I, too, have pain in that region since my surgery, and it is a common complaint amongst bandsters. Still, I'd think that problems to the degree described here might involve some other issues. The formation of adhesions is a less common affliction, and it's possible that other trauma to the spine, possibly a pre-existing situation, might be exacerbated by the band. I'd not jump into any type of further action without getting a second opinion, and personally, I'd demand imaging studies or an exploratory surgery long before I'd consider moving forward with a permanent intervention. I wish the best to you. Let us know what you learn through the process.

Walk, walk, walk...Exercise really worked for me.

Thanks, Everyone. I don't think it is acid. I did in the beginning, but now I realize that it's saliva. I know, that's sick...sorry. I also tried not eating any food after 1pm, but that doesn't work either. I seem to be getting slimy just from laying down. There doesn't even need to be food in there. I ordered a sub for the second half of tomorrow, and I am either going to the fill lady, or I am going to the ER. I talked to the on-call gal today, and she recommended that I go to a minor ER. When I called the minor ER, I couldn't even get past the receptionist. She didn't seem to even want to think about what it involved. She just told me no, no, no. It's irritating because it is a simple injection. If I had a Huber needle, I'd do it myself! I just can't see paying the 1000.00 to go to ER unless it is a true emergency. It's irritating that she wouldn't even ask if any of the professionals at the clinic could access a port. They do this day in, and day out for folks with ports for pain and med purposes. OK. Sorry. I'm just irritable from the prolonged lack of sleep.:wub: I will try to post tomorrow, but I may end up just going to bed after I get this resolved. Thanks for your kind words.

Oh, I am filled oh, too, tight. I went in last Monday for the fill, and I thought I would be fine when I left. The next day, I felt very tight, but I thought it was the usual swelling that you get after a fill, and that I'd be fine. I am NOT fine. I have not slept in a week because of the reflux. I am waking up to choking on spit up, and I am miserable. I feel like I can't even function. I tried to call my provider, but she was gone for the holiday, and for the next day, and the answering service wouldn't even take a message or let me talk with the on-call person. She told me to go to ER if I needed help by Monday. Honestly, if it were the slightest bit more offensive, I would go to ER. I just can't afford to pay 1000.00 for an ER visit if it can be avoided. I am just trying to hang on until tomorrow when I can make the drive and get an unfill. Until then, I am so tired but I am afraid to go to sleep because it will just be hellish. My whole body hurts from sleeping sitting up, which just barely helps. I just feel like I can't make it through tomorrow.

My Podiatrist studied under a plastic surgeon before I knew him, and a technique he used on my foot surgery left the end of the stitch sticking out. He warned me ahead of time, and he explained that not putting that knot under the skin made for a fine, almost invisible transition between the scar and the surrounding skin. He was right. My scars are beautiful on my feet, and I couldn't be happier. They are only visible in just the right lighting. Maybe your stitch is something similar to that approach. In any case, I hope it is helpful to hear that it doesn't need to be anchored down to be effective. Take care.

My doc encouraged me to take the pain medication and to get out and get walking immediately. On the third day, my family took me to an aquarium with his permission. It really did help to get the gas out of there. Maybe you should keep taking the meds for a couple of days so that you can feel comfortable enough to walk some. Hope you feel better soon.

PB-ing and "Stuck" are two different regions of hell. If you are stuck, lean way over the toilet and cough like you mean it. If there is no fluid in there, you might take a sip or two. Not a gulp, a sip. Oh, and remember to stand straight upward between the times you lean over. Then lean and cough again. The trick is to get your diaphragm to help you get that out of there. Luckily stuck doesn't happen too terribly often after the first little while. You might find that you are done with bread if this happens a couple of times. Since you got stuck real good, you might try some cold things for a day or so until the swelling does down. Hope you feel better soon.

I have pretty regular hair loss since being banded, but it is not outwardly noticeable. My biggest complaint is that it gets on my clothes and all over the bathroom floor. My Doc assures me that it is temporary. Biotin did not seem to have an effect on the rate of hair loss. I will try the Vit D3 next. I am nine months out, and I can see new growth at about the same rate as I lose it. I should point out that I've experienced hair loss at other times in my life. After my kids were born, with certain medications (esp. BC)...Thank goodness I was born with a mane!

?? Irritation from intubation while you were under ??

Some of the folks who posted here mentioned the pressure from gas after the surgery. The only thing that helped me with that was moving around. The third day after the surgery, my family had me well-medicated and took me to see the aquarium (hey, I don't live in that state, so I didn't worry about acting silly). They checked it out with my surgeon before going, and he thought it was a fantastic idea. I am glad I went because I was able to get things moving along, and I got rid of the gas. After that, I went right to sleep. You know, if he'd not recommended taking the pain medicine and getting moving, I don't know that I would have tried it. When you are achy, it seems a little counter-intuitive. Hope this helps some.

Thanks, Crzytchr. It's good to hear from another tchr. I am going to try that. I will go for an unfill if I need to, but I want to try this out first to see if it helps.

Thanks Stephanie, I already take Prilosec as a preventive measure against the arthritis medication I have to sometimes take. I don't have any reflux during the day. It just kind of happens at night. It seems more mechanical than chemical, if that makes sense. I will try adding the Pepcid to see if there is a reduction in symptoms. It was pretty bad when I first went to bed last night, but it went away toward the morning hours. Maybe I will also try not eating or drinking anything whatsoever after 6 pm to see if I can get my stomach all the way empty before I go to bed. I don't know if that will work because I don't think I'd had much that late anyway. Still, I will try to be diligent with it for a few days to see if that helps. It's annoying because you'd think that narrowing the opening to where the acid comes from, you'd have less trouble! Still welcome any feedback from others.

I am uncertain what to do, and I really would like some feedback if there is anyone who has had a similar situation. I was banded in March of this year with a 10cc band. I have just gotten a fill to 5.5 cc, and I am having some trouble. When I was at 4.5, I was not losing weight, and I could eat nearly as much as I wanted. I knew that I did not have enough restriction to keep losing, and I actually went up a couple of pounds. I have only lost about 25-30lbs since last March. I did, though, have this problem occasionally where I would wake up at night with a little reflux in my mouth. Sorry, I realize it's gross..., but it didn't happen all the time. On Monday, I got the 1cc fill, and I've had the reflux for the last two nights. This only happens at night, though. No heartburn, no other trouble... Will this go away or do I need to get unfilled? It sucks to consider that because my fill doc is a 2 hour drive, and it costs 150.00 bucks (which is very cheap in my area). I just don't know if I am going to be better off unless I remove the whole 1cc, and then I won't be losing any weight. I should state that I don't get stuck, I don't barp, and I don't get slime. My only problem is this reflux I get when I lay down. I want my band to work, but I would also like to be able to sleep laying down. I wonder if it will get better as I lose, and the band is not so tight. I wonder if I will learn to adjust my eating habits such that I can curtail this one problem...eat earlier, eat less, eat something different?? I fear that I will be one of those poor folks who says that the band won't work for them. If I could just get this one problem resolved, I would be so happy! What to do?