hiddnstar

Hi Ellie May! It's been a few weeks since you had your band out. How are you feeling? ~hiddn

Thank you! Thats good to hear. I hope I will be alert and sitting up when I get back to my room, too. Im glad you can eat comfortably, now! I have no problem eating, but I will be happy if I can work all day without having to lay down during all my breaks. Im starting to get nervous about surgery. It's a week from Monday. Glad to hear you are back at work after 1 week. Im approved to take 2.5 weeks off. I see my surgeon the day before I go back to work. Did I already ask you this: did you have staples? or did they use glue? My surgeon didn't mention what he likes to use. My old surgeon used staples and I had to go in to have them removed...but no one has mentioned an appointment other than the one just before I go back to work. Keep on plugging!!! Sounds like you are doing great! ~hiddn

HI How soon after surgery were you awake enough to have visitors in the hospital? Im having my band out on Sept 16th at 1:30pm and a friend would like to stop by to see me later in the afternoon. Were you awake and aware enough to be sitting up in bed? My surgery is an hour from where I live, so it's especially nice that a friend would like to come by---but if Im likely to just be sleeping, I don't want him to waste a trip! Katt --- wow, was sepsis already happening before surgery? Or did it get stirred up as a result? Im sorry I am ignorant about that kind of thing. Sounds very serious and scary. Im glad they figured out what was going on, quickly, and got you treated. Lucky you were still in the hospital. I'm wondering what's going on with me right now. I'm feeling worse than ever, though over the last 2 years there have been times of having no symptoms for a few hours and sometimes a few days! Right now, I feel like waiting another 11 days to get the band out is forever. Ellie = it sounds like you're doing pretty well! Are you back at work? If so, how is that going? Are you still sore? How is your port area?? Im glad we can be here for each other. ~hiddn

Hi I have a surgery date of September 16th at 1:30pm for removing my Lap Band! I never thought this would come to be! I've had my Lap Band since July of 2010 and have had considerable discomfort the whole time it's been in. Many and varied tests could not show the cause or reason for the discomfort and my old surgeon finally told me to not "bother to come back". After 2 years of receiving treatment from alternative medicine healers --- and getting some relief, enough to continue working full time --- I decided to try western medicine again and found a doctor with a good reputation and who is well respected by his peers, not too far from where I live. I am finally in good hands with a very experienced and intelligent surgeon who specializes in weight loss surgery. My diet after I recover from the surgery itself will be focused on adequate protein, very low carbs, and gluten free. I'll report back how the surgery goes!! ~hiddn

HI! I will be seeing a new surgeon soon about having my Lap Band removed! I am excited! I've been in pain and/or discomfort for 3 years, since having the band implanted. I've lost almost 80 pounds, which I am very proud and pleased about. However, there has never been a time I have actually felt good since it's been in there. Many symptoms and many tests during the last two years, after some sudden symptoms sent me to the ER to make sure I was not having a stroke. During these last two years Ive been to many kinds doctors and had many tests, to no avail. My Lap Band surgeon insists my symptoms are not related to the band and has been minimally involved since looking at a barium swallow report and washing his hands of me. I truly believe the symptoms I'm having ARE related to the band. I went to a new surgeon, in the big city (I am from a smaller town of about 16,000 people with exactly 1 very busy Lap Band surgeon). My new surgeon ordered a barium swallow and it was discovered I have no liquid in my band (despite having fills) and that the valve between my esophagus and stomach is not closing. This is allowing stomach contents/acid to slosh in and out, impacting my esophagus and causing painful symptoms. I will see this surgeon soon, but over the phone we have discussed this situation and it is very likely he will remove the band then go in later on to repair the valve. Has anyone had this kind of journey with their band? I also have a hernia that is covered by the band at this point -- which I assume will need to be repaired. Im exicted about the band removed and hoping hoping hoping to feel good once again! Anyone who has had their band removed and can give me an idea of the recovery period and what's it like - I would love to hear from you! Thank you very much. Im glad we can support each other here even though our journeys are often different and unique to each person. What is painful and unacceptable to one person, may not have the same kind of impact on another -- and so different decisions are made; each person doing their very best. ~hiddn

HI! Thank you for asking! My new surgeon has scheduled surgery to take out my lap band on Sept 16th. I'll spend the night and go home the next morning. He suggested looking into a modified Meditteranean Diet in conjunction with Ketogenics. He said it would help to have a really good nutritionist. My new surgeon is in a town over an hour away, so he is not familiar with the professionals in my town. Right now, my symptoms are not too bad. Enough that I still need to lay down quite a bit and my stamina is not good. But I still work full time. I'll take 2 weeks off after surgery. I bought a crock pot, yesterday, and plan to make nurtritious low carb meals; I've already started! I have also discovered I can eat salad! So Im doing that and enjoying it. After surgery I plan to remain gluten free and go back to being sugar free, as well. My surgeon said he cannot promise that removing the band will fix the symptoms I have, but we'll never know if the band caused them unless we take it out. It also has no Fluid in in. There is a leak somewhere. So Im just preparing physically and psychologically for surgery as well as for life after the help of the lap band. I've lost quite a bit of weight, so exercising and being active has been easier.....and if I can get my stamina back and not have to lay down so much, I think things will be ok! I do need to be prepared for the possibility of scar tissue creating unpleasant symptoms, too. There is no way to know ahead of time. I plan to continue with my weight loss goals. Having the lap band out is part of the larger process for me. It helped me to a point and I'll continue on without it. Still going all the way! ~hiddn

Hi Ellen! How are you feeling today? Do you feel like you are healing pretty fast? I got a letter from my doctor today taking me off work from Sept 16th thru Oct. 2nd (when I will see him)...so back to work on Oct 3rd if all is well. I have a friend who will drive me down for the operation. It's a little over an hour away. I'll spend the night and my friend will come back the next day to get me. So there won't be anyone there right after surgery unless my friend decides to stay. How is your appetite? Sounds like you are moving right along with getting to regular foods. I bought a crock pot today! I plan to fix some easy, healthy meals. I also have a Ninja blender and make green smoothies with Protein powder in them. It's a good way to get some fresh vegetables in. I hope we can both deal with whatever comes up appetite and cravings-wise. I am also going to be assessed for thyroid issues. I will see a doctor who prescribes T-3 alone, instead of the combo of T-3/T-4. Apparently some people are very successful taking T-3 alone in terms of weight loss. How many days did you end up taking pain meds? I filled my prescription today -- I have Percosett. I have some liquid Tylenol here, too. So Im all set. Are you still feeling weak? I am hoping to feel like walking within a few days of surgery. There is a beautiful trail I like to walk that is about 1 mile long, shady and by a creek part way. I hope to get in the habit of walking a mile or so every day. Do you have any regrets? I don't regret having the lap band. I think it has served it's purpose. I wish I had sought the opinion of a different lap band surgeon early on, when the symptoms first appeared and my own surgeon did not respond effectively. But that is the only regret I have. I hope you're doing well and enjoying life!!! ~hiddn

I wonder why there was scar tissue especially on the back of the band? My surgeon said he would talk to me before surgery (but I wont remember) and also after surgery (but I wont remember)...do you remember talking with your surgeon? Or did you have a follow up appointment already? I just want to be done. Sept 16th seems so far away right now. Im glad you feel so much better now!! What a relief! We are the same height, but I am now at the weight you started from. I have a ways to go on my own. Has your surgeon suggested a specific diet to follow? Mine suggested doing a modified Mediterranean diet. He also suggested looking up Ketogenics.He's had a lot of success with metabolic stuff -- people follow what he says and end up not wanting weight loss surgery; they are losing the weight on their own! I am grateful for the chance to begin again and I bet you are, too. Hang in there! You are well on your way! ~hiddn

Im glad you're doing well!!! My doctor is estimating I can return to work (clerical) in 1 week. From your experience, does that sound reasonable? My surgery is on a Monday and I would like to take a week and then return to work on Wednesday. I always have Fri, Sat, Sun off from work, so I'd just work Wed and Thurs then have 3 days to relax and assess. Are you eating? My surgeon didn't give me any special pre-surgery diet -- just no food or water from midnight on. My surgery is at 1:30pm After surgery the directions say to go back to normal eating -- but these seem to be a standard sheet they hand to everyone. I don't plan to eat normally! I will have smooth soups and Protein drinks, I think. Just ease back in. Are you glad you had the band taken out? Can you do regular activities and drive already? Thank you again for sharing! I live alone, so want to be prepared in every way possible. ~hiddn

Hi again! My surgery is scheduled for Monday Sept 16th! Band Removal. Im excited about it today -- but will probably get nervous the closer the date gets. How are you doing? What are you able to eat? Are you feeling significantly better than with the band? Thank you for sharing your experience! ~hiddn

Thank you! You sound good! I find that having lost 80 pounds I can exercise a lot more easily, so Im hoping that when the band is out and I feel good again, I'll be able to exercise to keep weight off. Hopefully my diet will have me losing weight, as well. Im scared about the same things you are. I love being at this lower weight and hope that continues to motivate me. I just know that in the past, emotionally I can get to a point of "I don't care" - so I still need to adress what brings that on. Thank you for sharing from the point of having problems with the band thru the removal! You have been really helpful to me. Keep going in the positive direction and don't let anything stop you! ~hiddn

Yay! Im so happy for you! Thank you for letting us know. Glad it went really well with hardly any pain. I hope you'll keep posting about what it's like post-band! I see a new surgeon tomorrow to arrange taking my band out. ~hiddn

I hope it went well for you! Please write and give us an update! I will be scheduling my lap band removal, soon, so I would really appreciate hearing of your experience. Take good care. ~hiddn

HI! Do you know what can cause a leak in the band itself? I apparently have a leak, though I don't know where it's coming from yet. Im curious how there might be a leak in the band itself. Maybe a hole during installation? or a defective band from the beginning? Thanks! ~hiddn

Thank you for that info! That sensation isnt all the time, but I noticed today that after eating some food that contains gluten my band felt really tight. I am sensitive to gluten, so wonder if there might be some swelling related to eating it that would make my band feel tight. Hopefully I will feel much better tomorrow! ~hiddn

Hi Has any experienced an extremely tight fitting band even though there is no fluid in their band? I had a barium swallow which showed no fluid in my band. I have a lot of discomfort; am feeling like my band is very tight. It's hard to get comfortable. Im wondering if it is swelling? Has anyone else felt this way with an empty band? My surgeon visit was postponed for another week. I am arranging to have the band removed. It's been a pretty miserable day. Thanks for any insight you might have! ~hiddn

Maybe there is a leak in your band. ~hiddn

Hi. Your reply makes sense, but is not what I had hoped for! I completely agree with you about the GMOs. So many more people now have gluten intolerance and it can be directly traced back to the prevalence of GMOs in our food supply. I am hoping my body will feel much better when the band is out. It has never settled down and I have always felt the band in there. I'll be introducing regular food back in slowly and at some point I will re-introduce small amounts of food containing gluten. We'll see how it goes! Thank you for your sound opinion about gluten and diary. Wow, your BMI is impressive! Congratulations! ~hiddn

HI For those of you who had your band removed, has anyone noticed a change in food sensitivities? I have a Lap Band, since July 2010, and developed an intolerance to lactose and gluten after getting the band implanted. I will be having the band removed and am wondering if these food intolerances might clear up as I will have my entire stomach digesting the food at the same time. Has anyone had this experience after band removal? Thank you for any insights you want to share! I have high hopes ~hiddn

HI I don't know why the food intolerances started, though I think part of the lactose intolerance was because I bombarded my body with milk products in an effort to get enough Protein. With the gluten, I know our foods have been inundated with GMOs which is raising the number of people who are becoming gluten intolerant--which is why Im thinking if I have my entire stomach digesting food at once, maybe the impact of GMOs will lesson somewhat. Just a hope I have! Not based on anything I've heard or read. The reasons I will have my band removed are that I have been miserable for 3 years, ever since it was implanted. I've had pain and discomfort all along. Now my band has a leak and there is no Fluid in it. My new surgeon recommends removal. He might also recommend revision when I see him this week, but I will not revise. Thank you for your reply to my post! ~hiddn

Hi! I don't know what is going on, either, but am wondering if anyone has ordered a current barium swallow to see if there is a leak or infection? I had no idea how many different views a skilled radiologist can obtain thru a barium swallow until my recent experience. My Ex-surgeon would only look at the test results to see if my band was correctly placed, but my new surgeon uses this particular radiologist who is very familiar with lap bands and what exactly to look for. He had me in all kinds of positions and was able to get a lot of information from that one test. Don't give up. A blood test might be able to tell you if there is a low-level, constant infection in there (which might be contributing to the port area discomfort and general malaise). I, too, came to the conclusion that I could not live like this. I am in my late 50s and am looking forward to feeling good again. I've had a taste of what it's like to be at a more socially acceptable weight (not to mention having very healthy labs and avoiding diabetes); I will use those as motivation to continue this journey without the band! It's the same journey Hang in there and take care of YOU. ~hiddn

Hi! I had some sudden symptoms when I was getting ready to go to a memorial service. My vision changed for about 15 seconds. It was as though my eyes were crossed, but looking in the mirror I could see they were NOT crossed. I have tingling from my neck up into my face. I had the sensation of a golf ball in my throat. I researched the symptoms and saw that some people had experienced the golf ball sensation when their Lap Band had slipped, so I called my surgeon. He said to go to the ER to rule out stroke. He did not think that was what was happening, but wanted to be sure. The ER docs could not find evidence of stroke or small transient strokes and assumed dehydration. (I had been sick a few days earlier). I still do not know what caused those sudden symptoms. It has now been over two years and I still have the throat sensation, though it has morphed into a slight burning instead of golf or tennis ball. I sometimes get the tingling into my face. My chiropractor says the hernia is causing that. Did you have a band in when you had a stroke? When the body goes haywire it is a scary thing. There is no controlling it alone. That is when I truly appreciate doctors and other medical personnel. Otherwise, I have lost trust in western medical doctors. I was treated badly by my surgeon who eventually washed his hands of the whole thing, claiming the Lap Band was not the cause of my symptoms. I would like to pack my Lap Band up and mail it back to him once I get it out! Im somewhat scared about having surgery, but also can hardly wait to have it. Im pretty miserable. How are you doing? It sounds like you have experienced a miracle or two in your life. It is also a beautiful thing to experience your own strength and perseverance. Love and prayer are powerful forces in our world. I heard some very good advice several years ago: Pray and get out of the way! I hope all is well with you, now. Thank you for your prayers. I see my new surgeon the 21st and hopefully can get scheduled for surgery within a few weeks. ~hiddn

HI! Thanks for answering and sharing! I wonder why the port gives so many people problems? I have been lucky to not have sensitivity there. I feel the band all around my abdomen at the point that's just under my ribs in front -- and then all the way around. Feels like a big tight rubber band. Sometimes it feels like something inside kind of sloshes when I move and gets "caught" on something in there. I think the lap band can do a lot of good, but for me it has served it's purpose and it's time to go. I can only hope it has not done damage to my insides that cannot heal. Have you talked to a surgeon about having yours out, yet? I have read that some surgeons will remove it for no charge, if they put it in. I will not return to the surgeon who put mine in; he actually told me to not bother to come back....and to stop crying whenever I come to his office! He just wanted me to lose weight, period. Never mind all the signals that something is wrong! I now have a failed band. And I suppose his stats get impacted with that. I hope you can arrange to have yours out soon, too, if it needs to come out. Thank you again for answering! Quality of life is precious. ~hiddn

HI everyone One year after being banded I came down with some odd symptoms. My surgeon did tests to make sure the band was in the correct position. Since it was, he told me my symptoms were not related to the band and that I would need to see my regular doctor about them. Longer story shorter, these past 2 years I have been researching, having tests done, seeking alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage. I sometimes get relief from the symptoms. I am now going to see a new bariactric doctor in a different town (we have only 1 bariactric doctor in my town) to talk about options. I plan to get the lap band removed. How is everyone else doing who was banded in July of 2010? I've lost almost 70 pounds, but all in the first year before the symptoms popped up. Would love to hear from folks. hiddn