hiddnstar

HI! I've thought a little bit about that. But it doesnt seem to be in that spot, unless it is referred pain. This is more of a pressure in the bottom or hollow of the throat (or hollow of the neck?) And the pressure seems to be coming from the direction of under my ribs. I also feel tingling sensations in my face sometimes. I am hoping it is the hernia my surgeon didn't fix. He put the lapband over it, which apparently fixes it for most people. Im wondering if the band has shifted a little bit as I lost weight, and now maybe the hernia is popping out? Did you have these symptoms and was it your thyroid? Im just waiting for tuesday when i get the results of the Ct Scan. I'll just lay down a lot this weekend. Do you happen to know anyone who converted from band to sleeve? Im interested in that. Im thinking it would be a good idea to have my band unfilled and let everything rest. See if that releases the pressure. Thank you for asking about the thyroid. ~hiddn

Thank you to those who responded so quickly! I agree with everything said. I dread opening my eyes each day. I havent had a fill since december of last year, which makes it all the more puzzling. I was thinking if the stitches have given way, then maybe over time this allowed things to shift and now they have migrated to a place that they dont fit, which in turn is causing pressure and the sensation in my throat. All totally made up in my mind to explain the problem! The thing Im wondering about, is could it simply be the hernia I had that he placed the band over instead of actually repairing? Apparently, this works for most people, but maybe mine shifted and popped out. I miss those days of feeling so good! I just need to get thru to tuesday when i can see the surgeon again and get the results of the ct scan and a plan. I called the office 3 times yesterday because i felt worse and knowing he would be out of the office starting today---but did not get a call back. thank you so much for your heartfelt responses. It really made a difference for me here. Ive been scared and sad and felt pretty alone ---- so it brought tears to my eyes to come here this morning and see such caring responses from those who wrote. It meant a lot. love, hiddn

I am posting again here in July 2011. I am not feeling well at all. Can anyone relate to these symptoms? I have what feels like a soft golf ball in my lower throat. I feel better when I lay down. I often have pain or tightness under both ribs. I get tingly feelings in my face. Until recently I could eat just about anything I wanted. Now I can eat less and less. I am seriously considering having the band taken out. My quality of life sucks. I go to work, barely make it thru the day, then come home and lay down. I lay down most of the weekend. My doctor ordered a CT scan and I will get the results next week. Has anyone had these symptoms and had them resolved some how without removing the band? I am also considering converting to the sleeve. Im just so tired. Everyone tells me I look great...but I feel like hell Thank you for any response you care to make. I could really use some help and support. Im scared. ~hiddn ps: I am wondering if the release in February may have been stitching that kept the port in place and maybe things have shifted around, causing all this pain and pressure.

Thank you for sharing your experience at the risk of being misinterpreted I appreciate your response and have several friends with FMS and CFS. I could have it -- or not. I think I will try increasing my exercise to more often and regular -- as part of my day, and see if my body responds. I'll write again about this when I'm feeling better! ~hiddn

Hi Thank you for replying to my original post! I take sublingual Vit. B-12. I also take a Vit. D-3 spray. It does seem that I am lacking something, but I don't know what. I take extra calcium with D-3 and magnesium. And a few other things. I don't exercise much because of an injured knee -- but sometimes I walk, sometimes I ride a stationary bike. Has anyone found that increasing exercise helped with fatigue? Ive never been anemic and rarely get sick. I don't think Im depressed. Just puzzled. Thank you very much for responding. It's nice to be in touch. ~hiddn

Hi I was 54 when I was banded last year. I am not in Texas, but I am from Texas! I lived in Lake Jackson until I was 4. And was born in Freeport at the Dow Hospital! All near you I had no problem getting clearance for the surgery. I had a lot of tests, but did not see an actual cardiologist. I did well with the surgery and with weight loss since. My main symptom right now, though, is ongoing fatigue. I do not regret getting the band and it has drastically improved my health -- avoided diabetes,etc., and I can now walk up stairs and continue on without thinking I'm about to die Is there anything else you wanted to know about? I'm glad you are going after approval for the band. Such a caring thing to do for yourself - a real intervention that only you can do. Go for it! ~hiddn

Hi I am still experiencing quite a bit of fatigue though I was banded last July. I eat mostly chicken, so I believe I am getting enough protein. I also drink a high level protein shake each day. I take vitamins and minerals. I sleep 7 hours a night, sometimes more on the weekend. After working 10 hours, I just want to lay down when I get home. My shoulders and upper back get achey if I have to stand in line more than a few minutes. Ive lost 70 pounds, my blood work is perfect, my blood pressure is also perfect ---the doctor sees nothing wrong. Any ideas or thoughts about this? How is your energy level? I have so much to do today, but all I want to do is hang out in bed and read a book with my cat Thank you for any feedback! ~hiddn

Hi I saw my surgeon on Friday and he changed my final weight goal from 160 to 180. I was surprized. My own goal was to weigh 150, which I still think is too much. I am 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall and am a pear shape. I do not want to stop at 180. He said if I lose too much I will be tiny on top and still large on the bottom. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do? And if you had surgery to remove skin from your belly and thighs, can you please tell me how severe the pain was, recovery time, time off work, or anything at all you are willing to share about that experience? I cannot afford that surgery on my own and have been told by others that it is good to wait a full year after my goal because some of the excess will reabsorb on it's own. I am 55 yrs old now, so I'm not sure how much will reabsorb. Thank you for anything you can share! ~hiddn

I've heard of people becoming alcoholics. But it makes sense that any kind of addiction could take the place of a food addiction. For me, I started spending money. Buying things on the internet and eagerly awaiting their arrival in the mail!! I agree with the comments about awareness being key. Also, not everyone's weight issue is an addiction issue. It sounds like your mom loves you and is concerned for you, which is a beauty of it's own. Since you are already taking action by asking about this particular possible problem on here, I think you will be fine ---- keep up your support system and be aware of anything "pulling" you if that occurs. And keep asking questions! ~hiddn

I have a dog tag with my name and doctor's name and phone number on one side...and the word LapBand on the other. It is made of surgical grade stainless steel from stickyJ jewelry online. I love the quality. I also have a bracelet with a personal message to myself on the top, with a small red medical sign ...and on the underside it just says LapBand. I mostly wear the dog tag, but when it doesnt go with what Im wearing I just wear the bracelet. I love the anklet idea!! And I've been to Laurens Hope website. Nice quality things there. For me, wearing the dog tag helped me psychologically in accepting the band. Cant really explain it, but it helped. I took the necklace with me to the hospital and just before I went back home, the nurse helped me put it on for the first time! I had been waiting for months to wear it ~hiddn

I like the Oh Yeah bars but I have them only as a treat. Like if i go to the movies, I'll take one. They are like a Baby Ruth candy bar, but I believe they have 30 grams of protein. Taste really good to me. I would not eat them as my regular bar, though. I like the Zone bars. ~hiddn

Hi I havent had the problems you mention, so I don't think I can be of help there. I hope you can talk with your doctor and nutrition person. Are you planning to let your body heal and then get another fill at some point in the future? Someone familiar with what causes heart burn might be helpful to you -- to teach you about which foods to eat that would not contribute to heartburn. I don't know about what causes left side pain under the rib. I don't really know what to say that might help. I just wanted to at least respond that I read your post and hoping you find the right combination of medical care that will get you back on track and losing weight again. Keep asking your questions and voicing your concerns....and never, never, never give up. ~hiddn

I have. Before being banded, I was either warm or comfy when others wore coats. After being banded I am cold a lot. I have heard from other people that it is common as you lose serious weight (not because of the band). I now wear thermals under my clothes. Two other medical comments (which you may want to bring up with your doctor): low thyroid can cause your temperature to be lower than "normal". And there is a condition (my sister has it) where your hands and feet get painfully cold. Im trying to remember the name...might be Renards? But my guess is, especially if you were not cold before starting to lose weight -- is that it is simply a result of the weight loss process. I dont know why it is, but it seems to be true for me. My friend told me once he lost weight and was stabilized, he was no longer cold. Hope this helps. ~hiddn

Me too. I also can't see my weightloss in pictures. I have my before picture and my now picture---and they pretty much look the same. People tell me I look amazing---they can see the weightloss. I can see it in my face. But the rest -- I just look fat to me ~hiddn ps: I feel SO much better physically and love that Ive lost the weight. Going all the way!