SeaBreeze

Good News! I'm back from TJ and the band is fine...no slippage. The Doc said that the fills and unfills I had done caused my stomach to move a tiny bit so that the band was around a thicker part of my stomach. So the 1.75cc fill was actually tighter than 2cc's was before.! Thanks for all the support.

Can fills and unfills cause band slippage? I'm concerned that I may have slippage and can't get to my surgeon for a few days yet. My symptoms are not as severe as most I've read, though. I'd be interested in hearing more about symptoms, corrections and recovery times. The history (if you're interested): I was filled to 2cc's for 4 months with only a little restriction and went to a local NP for a fill. He's assistant to a local bariatric surgeon and sounded like he knew what he was doing. He gave me a 1cc fill. It was WAY too tight, so we unfilled the next day to 2.5cc. I could eat that evening, but the next AM I could hardly get Water down. I thought maybe it was swelling and waited a few days. Dehydration sent me back, and the NP completely unfilled me and prescribed Prednesone for the swelling. A week later we put back 2.1cc's. Again, I could eat thick liquids that day and drink anything. The next AM, same story. Again, waited a couple of days for swelling to go down, but no go. Back again for an unfill down to 1.75cc's. Kept to liquids for almost 3 days, then tried thick liquids (cream Soup, yogurt) and vomiting occurred (though not retching). Now, in the morning I have trouble getting even liquids down sometimes. Other times I can eat yogurt. At times (though rarely, and usually in the evening) I can eat softer foods and even crackers, but most of the time I can't eat anything.... That's where I'm at. I can't get to my surgeon until next week.

Wow, aloe... didn't know about that. I'll check it out. I have NO IDEA what it was, but it seems to be gone now. Had Slimfast, then tomato Soup....YEAH! Thanks

You may have a point. I've had lots of PB's in the past, and this felt nothing like them. But maybe it's a different kind of PB?! It does feel like my stomach though (it is both Water and soup coming up). However, this may be a moot point. I've been sipping Slimfast for about 15 min now and so far, so good. Maybe It's just a crazy coincidental flu bug! Who knows... We'll see how the rest of the day goes. Thanks Again

It's from the stomach, though fortunately there's no acid. That's the confusing part. I take a few sips, it goes through fine; no golf-ball-in-the-chest feeling, then 10 minutes later, that un-well feeling and...you get the idea.

I thought swelling might be the issue. I know what too-tight feels like, and can actually feel both the Water and thicker fluids going through the band with only minor restriction. The problem is when it reaches the lower stomache (now I sound like a cow!) and gets rejected. I'll give it the rest of the day, just drinking water, then see if I can keep down thicker stuff tonight. Thanks for the support. It helps!

I thought swelling might be the issue. I know what too-tight feels like, and can actually feel both the Water and thicker fluids going through the band with only minor restriction. The problem is when it reaches the lower stomache (now I sound like a cow!) and gets rejected. I'll give it the rest of the day, just drinking water, then see if I can keep down thicker stuff tonight. Thanks for the support. It helps!

I had a fill yesterday and, while Water or Gatorade goes down just fine, anything thicker (tomato Soup or Slimfast) comes back up withing 15 minutes. Has anyone had a reaction to a fill like this? I had my first fill (2cc, which is half way) in October and finally found a doc in my area to do another fill. He put in 1cc, which turned out to be way too much; I couldn't swllow my own saliva!. He then unfilled .5cc, which allowed me to get liquid down just fine. I ate soft foods that same evening and all seemed well, but that night I woke up in the middle of the night and was thirsty. So I grabbed a bottle of water and chugged, completely forgetting, because I was half asleep, that I had a band, and ended up vomiting the water back up. The next day I couldn't get anything down again. I waited to see if it was just some residual swelling, but after 2 days with nothing to eat and hardly any liquid, I went back to the fill doc. He completely unfilled me and gave me steroids to get the swelling down, and in a week I was back to square one. Yesterday, I had a fill of 2.1 cc's. Water, as I said, goes down just fine. Last night I took a few sips of tomato soup and, while it went through the band just fine, when it hit my stomache below the band, it came back up...not a violent wretching, but like a soft PB, but with all the other reactions of vomiting (momentary chills, watering eyes, etc). I didn't try anything else last night, went to bed, and this morning drank a bottle of water. Again, no problems with the water. So I tried a few sips of Slimfast...back to the vomiting. So has anyone had a similar experience? Should I be very concerned about the vomiting?

Hang in there Jamie, Every surgeon has different instructions, and every case is unique...but I can tell you that I had no hunger for the first week after surgery. I sucked ice cubes for the first day, then started with Gatoraide and then progressed to juice and Water (mostly water). By the end of the second day I was ready for broth, but only 1/2 cup at a time. I was instructed to get down at least 1 cup juice (apple or cran) and 1 cup Gatoraide for the next 7 days, and as much water as I could handle. I didn't get tomato Soup until day 10...and boy, was I ready for that! So hang in there, the pain will go away; most of it is the gas and the port... Just watch out for the common post-op depression. That took me by surprise; but once I understood why I had it, it seemed to vanish. Keep your eye on the prize }{ !!!

Hi Terry, I have to ask you, since you had surgery the day after I did...This is embarassing but...did I meet you as you were going in? (I'm Traci, btw; short-long blond hair - trailed by I.V. stand and tall dark DH...) I realized that the aftereffects of the anesthesia wiped out whole chunks of my memory. It's very strange to look at e-mails I've obviously typed but have NO recollection of whatsoever! Anyway, congrats...sounds like you're doing great! I've been in jeans for awhile, but seatbelts are now my Nemesis.

...how can I keep soid foods from impeding my urrent progress... This is obviously a fill-i-the-blank game...<answer: 'solid' foods and 'current' progress> Sorry

7 Days 'Til Solid Food... Any suggetions on a first meal?? I'm not obsessing or anything.... No, really! Just trying to plan ahead. The liquid diet has been fine. No huge problems with head hunger. Tomato soup is my life-saver..half a cup at a time, of course. But I'm not sure what to start out with that won't shock my system and will provide protein, etc. (NOT a fish fan..unless they're still swimming <grin>) Also worried about calories; how can I keep soid foods from impeding my urrent progress...I've been losing 1/2 lb. a day so far. The last 3 days the scale hasn't budged. Now I know I have a slow metabolism; but shouldn't 4-500 lbs a day see more results? I am getting my 30g of protein w/Isopure...so I hope my body isn't going into starvation mode,,,storing fat and all. I know, I know...get off the scale on on the treadmill (lol) I AM obsessing. Anyway; suggestions for first meals would be great!

I don't mean to be irritatingly cheerful but... I'm on post-band day 3 and feelin' fine. Yesterday DH and I walked to the mall a few blocks from the Lucerna and shopped for a couple of hours. I did take a bit of liquid tylenol when I got back, but it was just for minor discomfort. Today we just got back from SeaWorld. Did tons of walking, and no tylenol today. Of course I have some soreness in the stomach area, but it's mild and mainly stiffens when I sit too long. As for the migrating gas bubbles, a long soak in a hot tub with a good book seems to help, but doesn't it always?! Oh, and whoever asked earlier; I was banded by Dr. Ortiz....he's the best!

Up and About-Post Op day 1 Smoooothe procedure!! Had all bloodwork, EKG, etc. yesterday on the way from the airport to hotel. Met a couple of peopled walking around post-op. Slept well and the very nice Lucerna hotel, then into surgery. More sleeping, then magically appeared in a new room. Slept some more, then took a couple of turns around the clinic. Chatted, walked, slept again, and back to the hotel the next am. Some abdominal discomfort...like too many crunches...and some lost gas bubbles wandering about...other that that, ready to go to the mall. Which is what I'm going to do now! More later...taking questions all.

Well, heeere we go...leaving tomorrow am for TJ for banding. Made it through the pre-diet with flying colors. Packing now and trying to keep too busy to be nervous.

Hi Terry, Welcome to the August Banders! I am being banded the 9th, so will see you in a week.

My addiction has always been books, and snacking while reading them. I've made a new rule; no eating and doing ANYTHING else. Books are still my favorite addiction, but I now enjoy them without food. I'm trying out other hobbies...photography, scuba, sailing lessons, and next.... kayaking (if I fit in one that is! LOL). I'm sure I'll find something because fortunately (or unfortunately?!) it take tons of alcohol to affect me in the least..always been like that. As for music and exercize...I've always worked out or walked with my music, until I discovered something new. My new iPod has video capability...I've downloaded 2 seasons of Monk and have suddenly found myself working out for an hour without even NOTICING! I now look forward to the treadmill so I can see the show, 'cause I don't allow myself to watch it any other time.

Sammee, first, I read your stats and YOU'RE MY HERO! I'm banding Aug 9th and am excited and ready to go to work, but somewhere in the back of my brain is the doubt that against all stats and research, somehow this won't work for me. It's not rational or reasonable, but it's that part of the brain that says rediculous things like "don't get your hopes up and you'll avoid disappointment" Well my hopes are up and stats like yours keep me going! Second, about your troll, I think Jack put it most elequently. There are those people out there who's only happiness is to point to others and say 'hey, at least I'm not as bad off as that person is". At what point in your life; at what stage in your health, do you say,"OK, this is the only life I've got. Time to get out the big guns and do everything I can to make it the life I've always wanted" I say that time is 'just as soon an humanly possible.' Hopefully your troll will reach that realization soon. 'Cause life is more fun in the sun, and we all know what happens to trolls in the sun!

If someone called the doc "Rude", that would be easier for me to gloss over than "I spent 3 weeks in the ICU with a perforated fill in the blank" Good point Morsaille. I also did a lot of research, and while cost was a factor in my decision, the skill of the doctor is the primary concern. I picked the docs that I was most interested in and did a quick little survey including total number of Lap-Band surgeries; erosions; removals and added in feedbacks on bedside manner... The ratio between number of surgeries and number of erosions/removals was they key for me.

Thanks Terry, I just looked it up online...my pre-op instructions 'recommend' it and that we use it 7 days pre-op...Maybe just to exercise the lungs?? I don't really know, so I suppose I'll call and ask the nutritionist. Favorite reqired hospital item: the $28 dollar footies! LOL

Experienced Frequent Flyers...Would it help to not eat anything before a flight? I do a lot of international flying and am scheduled to be banded 8/9, so am concerned.

Volumetric Incentive Spirometer - Has anyone used this pre-op? What does it do and what is its purpose as it relates to this particular surgery? I wasn't sure if this was something I really need to go buy, but my pre-op directions say it is "highly recommended".

Great ideas Wheetsin! I had no idea you could ask for that in a restaurant, but I guess it makes sense. Thanks. Since I'm in the South buffets are do-able...they're everwhere! So what kinds of food are best for blenders?