critterlady

I've just been reading the posts and I guess I should ask my surgeon about this....but I'm getting this thing out because of severe acid reflux (erosions, vomiting blood, getting stuck with every bite). I'm so excited about life after lap band removal that i hadn't even considered getting a sleeve. it's probably too late to get into this with my doc, but i also can't afford ANY more time off of work for ANYTHING....including more surgery and recovery time. How did you all approach the conversion> Thanks

Wow, what a difference already! I've decided that I hate anesthesia, but aside from that, everything went really well today. I think they took me back around 10 am and I was on my way home by 1:15! I don't think I have near as much pain/discomfort as I did when the band was placed. I don't feel as bloated up from the gas they use to inflate the abdomen. My port hurts a little, kinda sore but the pain meds worked well. My question is this: did those of you with band/port removal have a really REALLY big swollen area over the port incision? I have some bruising, but no bleeding, and I'm not concerned about the bruising, really. I bet the swelling is due to wrestling to get the port out. I have sent the office manager at my surgeon's office an email telling her about it. I'm really not too worried about the swelling, but I'm definitely watching it. Will go to dr if it gets worse.

Hard to say. I wasn't always the most compliant patient...But I've read on here that many more compliant people than I am have had problems. I don't blame the band or my surgeon. It just wasn't for me. I like the "wrong" kinds of food too much to be a good candidate for this. I lost about 40 lb total but gained back about 8 or 10. I'd still like to lose about 30 more lb, but I'll either do it on my own, or I'll stay fat! Good luck in your decision. There are good threads on this site, read up! And if you have any other questions, just ask!

Sure. I had it placed almost 3 years ago. 2 years ago I began getting stuck a lot and having pretty bad reflux. A year ago, the reflux got much worse and I'd wake up choking on reflux, even after taking a lot of antacids. At that point, I had a total unfill, but the problems didn't get much better. Within the last 5-6 months, even with the band empty, I was still getting stuck on practically every bite, and sometimes even water. Began vomiting more. Vomited blood twice. Finally I decided something had to be done, so I had the upper endoscopy done two weeks ago, which showed ulcers in my stomach and erosions in my esophagus. No wonder I've been so miserable. Anyway, I can't say for sure that getting this band out will fix all those problems, I may always need to take meds for the reflux, but I can say for sure that I will be so much more comfortable once I'm healed from surgery. I have felt all the fluids I've been drinking today runnning straight down and not "pooling" in my throat/pouch. Much improvement already!

Same thing happened to me! I think I pooped about 5 days post-surgery, and it was literally like an m&m!!!! All those suggestions are great! Plus, walk!

I"m wondering the same thing. Mine is coming out on Tuesday (woooohoooo!!!!) and I plan to go back to work maybe Friday. Maybe Saturday. We'll see....

Salads are easy for me. Asparagus is tricky (but I haven't eaten the stuff in the can...that's gross). This summer, when my dad brought me sooo many delicious home grown tomatoes, I found I had to remove the skins in order to eat them. Of course, I've had major issues and am getting this thing out in 3 days. Good luck.

I am so excited. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to getting rid of the reflux and pain. And getting stuck. Man, this has been a rough road. I think I lost around 50 lb with the band and have gained about 10 back. I don't care. All I care about is feeling better and being able to eat. I don't mean anything crazy, but I can hardly eat the things that are good for me, and I can't wait to eat grapes, apples, sandwiches, and carrots. I have a feeling that after I'm recovered from removal, there will be a food orgy. Good and bad foods, and that's ok with me. There are grapes in the grocery that look sooooo good right now...and I can't eat them. I can't wait to eat home grown tomatoes without removing the skins! (too late this year, but I"m looking forward to next!) OMG, a real deal BLT?! Total bliss, and I've missed it the past few years. Yes, I"m a food addict. I love good food. And who doesn't eat emotionally from time to time? The band wasn't the right choice for me. I know that when I'm ready, I can lose the weight by myself. But in the meantime, I can't wait to eat whatever I want without getting stuck, puking, or having to take a million zantacs. So glad to read y'all's stories. Good luck to everyone, and I'd love to hear more from you.

Thanks, Slim Not totally sure what's going on. I had the EGD and there are erosions and ulcers evident. ....this reflex has been agony....the EGD says that the band is "ok", per my doc....I don't feel that the band has failed me, but more likely that I have failed it. I"m just so ready for it to be gone. I am NEVER comfortable, between the stuck episodes and the reflux....i's misery. thanks!

Do you feel like acid is coming up your throat? Is there pain? Have you ever had reflux before? I'm dealing with now. Well, I have been for the past two years and I've only been banded 3 years. I've developed some major complications despite an empty band (it's been empty for over a year, and I continue to pop Zantacs and Tums like candy). I had a scope done which showed some really nasty erosions and stuff in my esophage. I'm getting the band out a week from tomorrow, as I'm sick of the ocmplications. Please talk to your doctor.

Oh, I remember that feeling so well!!!! I was DYING to chew something!!!! Not only because I just wanted to chew something, but because I was SO HUNGRY. It's been almost 3 yrs since I had my band placed, and I think I remember my first "real" food....some noodles with marinara? I think? God, it tasted so so good. (I had been cooking really hearty Soups during the liquid phase, but nothing beats chewing when you're just dying to chew!) Side note: The noodles were whole grain! (no shame here, please!) I didn't have to do any special diet prior to getting banded, but I did have to do liquids for a whole month after. OMG....if I ever have to do that again for a prolonged period, I'm not sure what I'll do! I love food! Good luck! I hope you get clearance to eat something substantial soon. And yes, I still have trouble with scrambled eggs. I love them, though. I'm looking forward to getting this band out in 8 days so I can eat them unhindered. Good luck!

Sorry about your issues! Hope your unfill helps. I have a totally empty band and have worse problems now than I did with a small fill. I'm having the band out in 8 days!!!! Really excited, because I've had very similar symptoms along with the most horrible reflux imaginable. Keep us posted.

I've been reading some of your posts about some "issues" you've had with your bands. Some of you are freaking out about losing the band, or getting unfilled, or whatever. I used to, too. I understand the fervor of getting that thing filled and losing weight, I really do! BUT!!! I've had such horrible problems for the past 2 out of 3 years I've had the band....I shared your frantic emotions about the possibility of losing my band, or my restriction, early on, but now, I want and need it out for my health. I'm still obese. I lost 50 lb with the band, but have regained about 10 of those in the past two years. That doesn't bother me as much as my other health issues do. I have been eating Zantacs like candy for the past two years. Everything I eat, and sometimes everything I drink, gets stuck. The reflux is practically killing me, and lately I've been having stomach pain. I have vomited blood a couple times in the last month. I had an EGD this week, which revealed erosive esophagitis and stomach ulcers. (no slip or erosion, according to my surgeon) That was the assurance that my surgeon needed in order to remove my band. It's coming out in 10 days, if y'all haven't read my previous posts. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from getting the band....just PLEASE be aware of the potential side effects or problems that exist. I can't wait to be able to eat "normally" with no feelings of being stuck or the horrible reflux. Yes, I'm looking forward to eating the "bad" stuff, but I also can't wait to eat grapes, carrots, apples, and tomatoes (with the peels on!). One day I guess I'll get to goal. But until then, I look forward to feeling normal again. Good luck in all your goals!

Thanks, Mis. No, no revision for me. I"m ready to do this by myself. Or not. I just want to feel better. I know my general health would be better with another 40 lb weight loss, but i'll either do it or I won't. I hope I will, but I'm just looking to feel better. this really sucks.

Wow, all...I am SOOOO glad to hear that I"m not alone, but, of course, I'm sad that other folks are experiencing these problems.... Whose life can be "normal" by raising the bed, sleeping on a million pillows, etc, just to avoid the nighttime reflux?! I"m not doing all of that, but I do pop Tums or Mylanta during the night...and during the day, I'm popping Zantacs like crazy.... I got the band in 2009. I started having trouble in 2010. I finally went and had the EGD this week and found ulcers and erosion in my esophagus. Thank the Lord, the band is coming out in 10 days. I just pray, pray, pray that having this band out will make me more comfortable, and allow me to eat the foods I want to eat (most of which really are healthy!!!) I've had no Fluid in the band for over a year, and still I'm stuck with practically every bite, and you can't even imagine the pain of the reflux. Or maybe you can. I've said it before, but I'll tell you that I really thought the band would be my magic bullet. Believe me, it wasn't. There are times I want to binge. there are times I want to eat a BIG, FAT SANDWICH or GRAPES or TOMATOES WITH THE SKIN ON!!!! I can't. I know the big fat sandwich is against the band rules, but I still want one. I"ve had a couple, and boy have I paid.... Anyway, I'm really excited to have this thing out. Weight loss aside, I just want to feel better. good luck to all.

I posted a couple days ago that I have a date scheduled to have my band removed. So excited!!! So tired of these issues. Anyway, I haven't been able to get concise answers from my doc or his staff regarding what recovery post band removal is like. The removal is going to be outpatient and laparoscopic (unless something unexpected happens), and there don't seem to be any issues with the band (I had the EGD earlier this week.). I was between jobs when the band was placed, so I don't remember when I felt like I could do things normally....mostly I was on the couch, dying for something to chew on! Anyway, I do know that my pain wasn't bad with insertion, but I don't remember how long it was until I felt more normal. Anyone have something to offer? Also, wondering what the post-op diet is like? Obviously I can only do liquids on the day of surgery. I've read some posts from people who still felt the restriction/pain/reflux for awhile after their bands were removed...but what's a general guideline for food after surgery??? (I"M DYING for a good deli sandwich!!!) Thanks!

I've had trouble ever since my first fill, which I think was 6 weeks after placement. That was two and a half years ago. I've been suffering with being stuck with every bite, and severe (severe!!!!) reflux. I had finally had enough of the reflux and pain that I had an upper endoscopy done earlier this week , which showed gastric ulcers and esophageal erosion. I never had that before being banded. So it's coming out. And I couldn't be happier.

Thanks, everyone. I didn't have any invasive tests prior to getting banded. I was self pay, as my insurance didn't cover it because I wasn't 'morbidly obese'....so I had never had the EGD until a couple days ago. I have had reflux in the past, but nothing nearly as bad as what I've had in the past year or so. Looking at the endoscope pics is a little scary....chewed up tissue can't be healthy. Anyway, the strong antacid I've been taking is helping with the pain and reflux. I just can't wait to get this out of me and to feel better. And to eat like I want to. I'm dying for a deli sandwich!!! Someone like me should not get the band. I am definitely an emotional eater, but I also love to eat good food. I have access to some reallly fabulous home grown tomatoes, but I have to peel them in order for them not to get stuck. I want to eat grapes, but those get stuck as well. I CAN eat healthily without the band....and I'm really looking forward to it!

I've had my band for almost 3 years. I began experiencing problems almost from the first fill, which was about a month after the surgery. I didn't recognize that reflux could be a big problem. Long story short, for the last year or so, without any Fluid in the band, nearly everything gets stuck, and i'm taking 5-8 antacid pills a day (1 is supposed to last 24 hours) for the reflux. Finally my father convinced me that I needed to have this thing evaluated (all the fluid was removed a year ago after my final fill which resulted in my inability to swallow any liquids)...I had my EGD done yesterday which showed gastric ulcers and erosive esophagitis....dr said band is "fine", but with the horrible reflux and two episodes of vomiting blood within the last couple of weeks, he's agreed to remove it. It comes out in two weeks, and I am so hopeful to have a more "normal" way of eating! I love food. I love cooking, entertaining, and eating. I thought this would be my magic bullet. I did manage to lose about 50 lbs...and gained back about 10....but this wasn't what I had hoped it would be. I I have really been suffering for a good 2 years now, and I'm tired of it...the reflux is nasty and painful, and I hate that everything I eat (even liquids, sometimes), gets stuck. Just sharing my story because I've been reading some of yours and am so happy that I'm not alone in this battle. I'm happy for those of you who have succeeded with no problems, but I'm not one of you. Two weeks from today, I will be band-free, and I pray that things will get back to nearly normal soon thereafter. I've lost weight in the past with no band...and I can do it again with no band. I just want to feel better.

What are the symptoms of a dilated pouch? No restriction or something? Just curious. sara

Are there any? For those of you who have had a dilated esophagus, were you surprised when you got your diagnosis? I've been eating way more than I should. No PB'ing but there are times I feel really full. On admittedly less food than before, but....I'm still worried I'm going to ruin this. Can anyone help? thanks

I love restaurant salads with chicken strips, and am looking for a good, store bought (frozen) kind. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know, grilled chicken would be better for me; I just don't like much meat. Please don't fuss. Thanks. sara

I know I've seen a post or two here about women who have pierced nipples but I can't find it at the moment. Just wondering what your experience is and what you'd recommend as "starter" rings/bars, etc. I have large nipples. FYI. LOL sara

I'm a month out from surgery and am eating soft foods. My question is, ordinary tasks are sooo exhausting and I"m wondering if anyone else experienced this? I want to start exercising for real, but I seem to be so weak; I also have some dull muscle achiness/weakness. I am eating probably 800-1000 calories per day, so I think that is enough. I just wonder what I can do to help with my stamina/fitness? sara

I'm so glad this thread was started! I am definitely an apple. I have lost about 33 lb and so far it's noticable in my face/neck, and my shoulders and boobs. Maybe my thighs, too. But my belly.....AACK. I've always said I'd never get rid of the stomach...and I probably won't. If the middle would go down some, I would be in the next size down. But it's slow-going losing the spare tires. sara