Baba Wawa

No, but I have heard of many developing swallowing issues, fibromyalgia, etc. I was just tested for gastroparesis. It's a mild case, not severe, but it sure make life challenging! Hope you have negative results from your testing (no crest). Keep us posted

Everybody's different

I think the cracker was some sort of "test" to see if she needed a fill, not after the fill. The eating/drinking thing is for meals, not for medical tests. This might be an ok way to avoid over filling??? I had a test the other day that involved eating eggs, toast, then drinking 4 oz of Water. Now I've been instructed to drink with meals to help them move out of the stomach faster.

I've had ban for nearly three years and lost 100 pounds and hit my target weight I've had no problems with my band up until 6 months ago where I prolapsed and have had to be emptied three times since then. This is my third prolapse in 6 months and it does not seem to be fixing itself so must get it removed. I have three questions. 1 has anyone had repeated prolapse and if it does fix itself can I just keep the band and not have it filled and attempt to maintain my weight lost? Probably not. I've not heard of anyone with 3 prolapses being successful refilling the band. I know of a couple of people who had their band repositioned/resutured into position. 2. I'm only 3o pounds over ideal weight is it worth getting another band because I would not consider getting sleeve or any other stomach cutting procedure I wouldn't. I know of a few who have gotten a second band, but they had theirs replaced because they had the older 4cc bands. 3 what problems should I consider after getting band removed short and long term? Regain would be the most obvious. Not knowing your entire history, I can't really say more. My band was unfilled almost 9 months ago and I've lost 20 lb since. I would do continue to follow band rules, eat my band friendly food, etc and see if that works for you. Hope this helps... BTW, one post per topic is advised.

Betsy, I checked out Bella's FB page...you have a beautiful family. Please give yourself and your band a chance to work together. Like any other surgery, results can vary...some lose quickly right out of the gate, others not so much. Some lose all EW, some 30-70%. We're all different. Average height for American women is 5'5", you're 6 ft tall...are you defective, NO. You're an individual, with some pretty unique stuff going on in your life. I got my band at age 60. I lose slow. I'm thankful for any weight loss. You've got a 23 year head start on me. Use it wisely, my friend. Hugs((()))

You're in "Bandster Hell" stage. It's normal to have buyer's remorse in the first weeks post-banding. This is normally something that is discussed with patients preop so you're prepared. You were probably given a food progression to follow post op. Have you followed it, exactly? This is important. In the first weeks and months following WLS following our diet and exercise "rules" helps to establish lifestyle changes (measuring food, logging intake, exercise, making better food choices) which become habit. Most people don't lose quickly in the first weeks...I think I lost 10 lb in 10 weeks post op, before my first fill. I also noticed you're a lightweight with a BMI of 38...you're not going to lose as fast as someone with a higher BMI, generally speaking. Someone who weighs 300 lb and is 5'5" is going to lose faster, since more of their body mass is fat. I'm going to give you some feedback on how you're perceived based on your posts(all we have). You sound a bit frantic. Anyone with 5 kids and has had surgery is going to feel overwhelmed, and that's the impression I got reading your posts. Your doctor sounds like an ass. Telling you that you should be down 20 lb in a month is absolutely incorrect. 1-2 lb per week is the expected weight loss once your fill is optimal. During surgery, we're pumped full of fluids (I gained 6 lbs) and it takes time to get rid of it. Your tissues are swollen and it takes time to heal. If you lost 5 lb the first month, you'd be doing fantastic. I think it's time to step back from the situation, take a deep breath and get out your preop paperwork, read it again. Make sure you're doing what you should. Also, I'd find a new doctor, stat. Hang in there!

Do you all know that even if you delete a personal message on your end, it remains in the recipient's history? You haven't deleted it, just hidden it from YOUR view. Just be careful what you say in a message, you cannot erase it.

I'm hoping to revise to VSG, having too many complications with my band to continue like this. I'm on Medicare with Regence medAdvantage. My band surgeon is Dr Jeffrey Hunter at Virginia Mason. I live in Snohomish County.

Gastric Emptying Study showed my stomach is emptying within normal parameters with one abnormal result: Immediately after consuming 4 oz eggbeaters and one piece of toast (no crust) and jam followed by 4 oz Water, the first picture showed the food backed up in my esophagus! The time they gave me to eat the food was 10 min, I ate half in 10 min, felt like I was done and the tech came back and told me to eat the rest of the eggs and another half piece of toast. So what does this mean? The GI doctor says I have mild gastroparesis, but isn't sure why food is getting backed up, especially since my band has been empty (EGD showed stoma open 12/6/12). I'm more confused than ever. I'm to stay on the amitiza for constipation and on the low fiber/low residue diet (which has helped, I'm able to eat) for two more weeks, then make an appt for follow up.

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Yes...if I revise, it will be to VSG. My husband is afraid of this, but his only comfortable options are another band or nothing. I can't do malabsorption due to other issues. We're still trying to figure this out. My GI doctor didn't think the band was at fault, but will be interesting to hear what he has to say in two weeks.

All of the above, biopsies, etc...more confused than ever

I think it just breaks up the dense consistency. Right now, I'm not supposed to eat fiberous foods, but can't eat the yogurt without the kashi, so I just do it anyway. I get a lot of my Calcium from the yogurt, at my age that's important, lol. I find that if I try to eat 1/2 cup of kashi with milk, it's problematic as well. A year ago, plain yogurt or the cereal alone was no problem. Then my band had 3.5 cc, now 0 cc. Go figure!

Thanks Missy, I've put my history on my blog. Yes, had EGD in December. I am very frustrated. I'm thankful that my GI doc is exploring every option before recommending band removal/revision.

It's good you found a revision doctor who can do the removal/revision/plication take down at once. Recovery is a bit more difficult and longer than implanting your band, but once you are there, the aftercare is minimal. Just want to warn you that I know several whose tests showed the band placement was fine and once they got into surgery, they found the bands had eroded, adhered to other organs, etc. barium swallows, even endoscopy showing a healthy stomach can be a false negative for slips and partial erosion. They just can't tell for sure, until you're opened up. Best wishes for a quick surgery and speedy recovery.

Just looked at your profile. You're 17 days post op? I'm not in a position to tell you to eat something your doctor says no to, but I can offer up some ideas to help you with wanting something solid. I make protein pudding using sf instant pudding, adding a couple of scoops of protein powder (I use bariatric advantage vanilla) and nonfat milk. Instead of getting 4 servings I get 5 this way and use them for snacks. It's semi liquid and if you take tiny bites, it should be fine. I was on solids by day 15, per my plan.

What's your progression plan for food?

Sorry, misread your original post.