BetsyB

I was a die-hard addict, too. Like you, I first weaned off the caffeinated carbonated drinks, and then reluctantly gave up soda altogether. (I did have one or two diet ginger ales during my preop diet, though.) Once banded, it has been remarkably easy not to drink soda. Carbonation just plain hurts. (I found this out inadvertently, with a Sonic diet cherry limeade; I had no idea it was carbonated until I had one postoperatively---before surgery, I'd never noticed the bubbles. YOWCH! A couple of sips cleared up that misconception.) Your new stomach just won't be able to tolerate the gassy bubbles. It's funny how quickly one can become un-addicted when there is a real disincentive!

Well, the fact is that infection can occur regardless of who does the surgery---I haven't had a postop infection, but I know plenty of people who have. Usually, they are minor and respond well to oral antibiotics. OTOH, I don't know anyone who's wound up with a urinary catheter or tube-feeding as a result of postop infection related to gastric banding. There may well be some. There certainly is a wide range of doctors with a wide range of skills---I am sure there are plenty of hacks. Here, in Mexico, wherever surgery is performed. But if you've done your homework, all you can do is pray for the best. You do your best to place yourself in competent surgical hands---knowing that there are risks associated with any surgery. Infection is a potential every time the skin is breached---no matter who does the cutting or where.

Jon, you have done a tremendous job--and you look amazing. Very cool!

Did your surgeon do any kind of assessment to determine whether there was cause for concern? Even something as simple as flexing your foot back toward your body (when your leg is outstretched) can give useful information. (It's one of the ways to assess for deep vein thrombosis.) I am assuming that s/he did assess, even if you weren't quite aware of it at the time. It's quite likely that s/he attributes the pain to increased activity postop. BUT--and this is a big but---if you think there is something wrong, insist on further evaluation. You may have to strongly advocate for yourself. Chances are, there is no cause for alarm. But you deserve to have your complaints taken seriously and investigated.

Denise, oh, no! I'm so sorry you're still feeling gross. I hope they get to the bottom of it very soon. That kind of illness is so draining. Enjoy your trip to Sedona!

It was hard to convince them you were fine because, well, you weren't fine. Your blood pressure alone was sufficient cause to see a physician. Could it be a fluke, a one-time thing? Sure. But you need to have it evaluated. Sooner rather than later. You need to have a baseline recorded so that, if nothing else, it can be monitored over time. And all of the other things you've described? Not eating? Not drinking? Not sleeping? Also signs that you are not fine. Did you go home? Did you make a doctor's appointment? Are you going to?

Every body is different. I do not lose at 1200 calories/day. I gain at 1500. I know I'm not the norm--and it took me a very, very long time (and many, many pounds) to accept that I have to eat far less than is generally recommended in order to lose. It's quite a challenge to make sure I meet my nutritional needs---really, everything that goes into my mouth serves a nutritional purpose. Exercise buys me a bit of wiggle room for occasional goodies, but really, it mostly just keeps my metabolism churring along well enough to let me lose at 800-1000 calories. There really is no one-size-fits-all calorie range. It can take a lot of trial and error to hit on what works for you. It took me years--and the realization is what led to me choosing the band. It allows me to stay within a relatively impossible range. (Unbanded, hunger is a huge saboteur.) Both my PCP and surgeon are fine with my calorie intake, and because I am careful in my choices, are not concerned about long-term consequences. They know my history, and that this represents my only real chance for losing. Even though I still do it relatively slowly. Would I like to be able to eat 1500 calories a day? DEFINITELY. But it isn't likely to ever happen for me.

Believe me, I completely understand juggling bills--and I totally empathize. But I think maybe it would be a good idea to re-prioritize. This is clearly causing you a great deal of distress! Might it not be a good idea to backburner the item you're saving for (or work out a payment plan with the dentist---or both) so that you can attend to your very real health needs? This is affecting you physically and emotionally. It's really worth making whatever effort you can to address it. It's likely to be an ongoing issue---one fill is not likely to do the trick, so it's really important to try to find a way to have the $$$ available on a semi-regular basis for this type of expense. After grad, do you have --by any chance--employment prospects with someone who will provide benefits? Insurance is a godsend, and takes so much of the worry away. Coming up with a $35 copay every six weeks is a walk in the park compared to coughing up $180 annually for one fill that may or may not get you where you want to be. Does your doctor provide aftercare, a support group? I ask, because regular attendance at things like that makes you a more familiar face in the crowd. When you become a real person to your doctor, he is more apt to work with you. If you find a way to keep in regular contact when you don't need anything, it really does make a difference when you do need something. It can also help your doctor (or his staff) identify the problems you're having; it sounds to me as though you've been incommunicado with him---and if he knew what was going on with you, he might have good solutions to offer. ETA: A final thought: If you really aren't willing or able to make a fill (or, more likely, series of fills) a priority, there is NO reason why you can't eat as though you have restriction. Many of us who are not yet at our sweet spots eat as though we were. We choose lean Proteins, nonstarchy veggies, fruit, heart-healthy fats--all in moderation. We weigh and measure our portions, and when they're gone, we stop. Even if we are still hungry. Even if the person across from us is eating something that looks good to us, and that we want to share. You have lots of choices, Erin. At this point, you're not making wise ones. I'm really glad to hear you have a plan to call the doctor---but you need to go a step beyond that. The doctor is going to quote a fee--and you need to take an active role in ensuring that you find a way to pay that fee. Every six weeks for a few months, if need be. And then, probably, once a year after you've reached your sweet spot. Even if that means postponing other things you want. This surgery is a big commitment. You've made that commitment--and now it's time to follow through with your part.

Problems like that are usually diagnosed with an upper GI or, if your doctor uses fluoroscopy, during an adjustment. But I really think that these are worries you don't really need to have at this point.The band won't stretch---but the tissue underneath may shrink, making the band looser. This happens to all of us---and the solution is an adjustment (fill). Your doctor will definitely take this into account when choosing how much to give you each time. The stomach is a pretty elastic organ--it has far greater capacity to stretch and rebound than most of us would like--that's how we got to the point of needing bands! The little pouch created by the surgery isn't quite as elastic as the big stomach---but it also doesn't stretch as easily as some fear. I would venture to guess that what you're feeling is a result of not yet being quite at the sweet spot. I'm in the same boat. I get stuck from time to time---so I know that there's some restriction. But I'm still plenty hungry plenty of the time. It's just part of the waiting game. My doctor uses fluoroscopy with each fill, so I know my band and stomach look just fine. It's just a matter of getting to the right level of restriction.

Once your liver starts releasing glycogen--a handful of days into the diet, you'll probably feel TONS better. Right now, your body's missing the quick fix of carbohydrate as fuel. (Your body's cells use that most efficiently for energy). It will get the message to release the carbohydrate stored in the liver---which makes a huge difference in how you feel.

Before and After by Susan Maria Leach, the owner of Bariatric Eating (which operates another great website). It discusses her experience with gastric bypass---but is relevant to bandsters, too. The eating plan is very helpful, IMO, as are the recipes at the end. (The website has tons of great recipes, too--and many of the members who post on the boards are banded.)

How did she become privy to the experiences of a mysterious "bunch" of people? And with what authority did she obtain confidential information from the hospital that is allegedly providing sub-par care? It sounds like she's one of the people who likes to discourage others---who knows why. If you've done your homework and are comfortable with your decisions, ignore the woman. If you believe you need more information, do your best to gather it----from sources other than the nurse at work.

I'm so excited for you, Anne! Well, maybe not about the preop diet--but even that is a milestone :scared2: What does your doctor have you doing for your preop? Katie, no--I haven't started yoga yet. I think I will do it next week, when my daughter is home from school. Maybe I can drag her along. I'm also thinking about Zumba, but am pretty sure I have nothing resembling the coordination required for that. I'm trying to convince myself that that doesn't matter---but so far, no dice. Still...I want to try it..... Hm. Now I want a Wii. And Wii Fit. I see what you mean about transfer addictions, Anne!

I'm glad you called---that was a good idea :scared2:

The swelling from the fill went down. If your doctor had given you a larger fill, even more pressure would have been exerted on your stomach, and more swelling would have occurred. So, your 1 cc fill caused swelling that gave you temporary restriction---instead of being totally frustrated, recognize this as good information to share with your doctor. It will help guide future fills so you get to that sweet spot.

It really depends on your doctor. Mine has his patients on purees after 3 days. Many others have their patients remain on liquids for weeks.

It's really not terribly unusual to be close to the upper "limit" (in parentheses because there really is leeway above that limit) for your band and not yet experience restriction. As you get a greater volume of saline in the band, you may find that tiny increments make a big difference. So, you may go up to 9 cc feeling next to nothing, but find that 0.5 cc (or even less) makes a big difference. Just keep your appointments with the doctor, communicate your needs, and you will get there. It's frustrating--but eventually, you will have restriction.

I wonder: are you getting as much Fluid on the weekend as you do during the week? It's easy for me to slack off on days when I don't have my usual routine---sleep late, etc. And when I'm not properly hydrated, I have lots more trouble--my stoma is just tighter and less happy. I'm sorry you're having a hard time! ETA: Blood is always scary, but it's not unusual to see a bit of blood streaking when you've had issues/irritation. Be sure to mention it to your doctor. S/he is likely to recommend that you stick with liquids for a short time, then gradually move through mushies back to solids.

Hm. Certain issues with protein metabolism can cause an ammonia-like odor. It's something I'd want to run past the doctor. Chances are, it's just one of those things (likely related to being less-hydrated after exercise), but your doctor will likely want to do a blood test or three.

Actually, the extra Protein (from the shakes) is what spurs the release of glycogen from the liver. If you're adding things like almond milk, banana, and peanut butter--but skipping most of the shakes that were prescribed---you're coming in waaaay low on calories, but you're not getting the protein bolus that tells the body, "Hey! You need to release glycogen from the liver for energy!" The banana further interferes with the delivery of this message. As does the almond milk (even though it's lower in carbs than cow's milk). It's a really good idea to do what you've been told to do. Yes, you'll be in the bathroom a lot. But the Fluid volume of 5 shakes is not greater than the volume of liquids you'd drink otherwise. If you need a band, you must know, on some level, that doing things your way doesn't work. This is a prime example of that being the case. Do what the expert has told you to do. You have a lifetime to figure out what works for you, if you don't want to play by the rules. But this is a surgical safety issue---and when a surgeon is putting his license on the line to provide you with an elective surgery you've requested, you really kind of owe it not only to yourself, but to the surgeon, to do what is asked of you to reduce the risks of that surgery.

If you're still on a liquid diet, it's not a concern. If you are uncomfortable, have a distended abdomen, feel as though you have to go but can't, etc., then it's time for a call to the doctor. But if you just haven't had the urge because you're not putting anything into your body that would be eliminated via the bowel, it's nothing to worry about :scared2: (You probably don't need benefiber at this point; it works best when there is food in the bowel, and in combo with any painkillers you may be taking, can contribute to eventual constipation. But this is another thing to ask your doctor about----mine said to hold off until after the liquid stage.)

How scary, Jack! You're right--any surgery has potential complications. The risks skyrocket when you add a complicated medical history such as yours. I am so glad you got prompt care and are on the road to recovery. In the long run, I hope you are happy with your decision to be banded; the risks of obesity are so, so high---and with a cardiac history, even more so. You've had a rough road, but it will hopefully mark the beginning of a healthier new life.

I'm in the don't-unfill camp. Unless I were genuinely concerned about the availability of medical care, I would never have an unfill before a trip. I'd rather spend a vacation on clear liquids than give up what I've worked for months to achieve, restriction-wise. Continuing on the path toward your goal is more important than momentary pleasures from food. Particularly when there are so many other things to do, on vacation, to nurture yourself.

Give the doc a call; your pain should be getting better rather than worse. I hope you feel better fast!

Erin, insurance or no, you need a fill. Do you have a job? If so, or if you have any kind of allowance from your parents---whatever---squirrel away $$ so that you can get one. It's an investment YOU MUST MAKE. There is no getting around it--you need a fill. Until you get one, it will just be lather, rinse, repeat. As for the terrible stress you're under--does your school offer counseling services?