Baba Wawa

The sleeve is so bad! I wish they would pull it off the market and not offer it.

The "sleeve" isn't a product...

I just googled "slimming" because I had a different procedure and don't experience ths...let's just say' date=' there's lots of different definitions of slimming which are NOT wls related tat I could have lived without every knowing![/quote']

Sliming is one thing, slimming would be the result we're looking for...

Don't. If you're trying to improve your health, smoking is going to undo all your efforts.

Why are you depending on friends and hubby to get your a** to the gym? Just go! There's people there who are better able to guide and support you in getting fit.

I had my band removed 6 weeks ago. There was a lot of scar tissue around the esophagus and upper stomach. I had symptoms of end stage achalasia, verified by manometry. The achalasia symptoms have resolved after removal. I was on a soft diet for 4 weeks post op because of the tissue being so damaged. I'm fine now, but because of the damage I cannot revise.

Update: my achalasia was caused by my lapband, which was removed 6/7/13 in a 3 hour surgery. I had a tremendous amount of scar tissue. My hiatal hernia repair could not be taken down. I'm not a candidate for revision. I'm doing well and am maintaining my 100 lb weight loss. I no longer have food getting stuck in the esophagus and ALL my symptoms have resolved!

This could be pressure on the vagus nerve.

I copied and pasted, below, some of my early posts from the first few months after band surgery. I was so enthusiastic and on board with my new lifestyle. I was fully committed to learning everything I needed to know in order to succeed. I did not want to hear anything from anyone who was saying their band didn't work out. There were people who posted that they followed band rules and lost their band due to slips, erosion or esophageal dilation. I countered that very few complications are band caused. I suggested that perhaps they over ate, ate too fast...you get the picture. I was wrong to do that.

It's true that early in our band journey we NEED to hear positive reinforcement that we made the "right" decision. That's why you won't see me post negative information on a post from someone who is doing well, newly banded or had decided to band and isn't asking for help deciding.

If I posted in a way that seemed insensitive or overtly negative anywhere but on the complications forum, I apologize. I try to avoid that, but I'm human. I believed, as many of you do, that if I did all the right things, I'd keep my band for the rest of my life. I cannot convey the disappointment and even grief I'm feeling over the impending loss of my band. I'm also feeling a lot of anxiety about post removal. That might be bleeding thru in my posts. I'm in constant discomfort, unable to eat much of anything and generally not feeling very well at the moment.

My point in this post is to encourage everyone who has WLS to listen, sympathize and file away posts about band complications. As I've stated in more than one post, the information might help you save your band one day. I don't want to scare anyone. I just want to share my experience within a community that might benefit from it one day.

Don't be afraid to read my message. It can't hurt you.

This was 2 months post op:

Tonight I am going to a play with friends...I subscribe and we go out about every two months Nov-July. Yesterday I figured I should try on some of my smaller (size 24) clothes to see what I should wear. NONE OF THEM FIT! THEY ARE ALL TOO BIG! I am between a 20-22 so all the 24-26 and 3x are going to the donation pile or to my ebay collection. I went to the Talbot's outlet and bought two pairs of 22 WP shorts, very nice for $27 including tax. I now have one pair of jeans, a pair of capris and two shorts that I can wear.

We always go to Maui in October and was trying on my dresses that I take with me and got into some of my Blue Ginger dresses I haven't been able to wear for a long time...some of the others are way too big....

Any way enough rambling on! Happy day for me!

My first fill:

I got my first fill today and it went very well...no pain and so far so good with Water. I lost 5 lb in almost 5 weeks and due to travel plans in September and October opted to go ahead and get it now.

My surgeon's office does them under flouro and it took about 10 min to do...port was flat on the abdominal wall and very easy to access. It did feel weird as she was numbing me up, but other than that couldn't feel it. I am hoping to up my loss to about 1.75 lb per week or 7-8 lbs per month with this fill...

whew...glad to have that under my belt!

A post on accountability:

This morning it occurred to me that I have not lost any weight since the 30th of August. My first impulse was to post something on the forum regarding a stall, frustrated, etc, but then I got to thinking about it HONESTLY. I have not logged my food since the middle of July! I looked back and I remember thinking that this is so easy, I don't have to log every bite! WRONG! I lost consistently (even without a fill) 1-1.5 lbs per week while logging. Since I stopped logging I have lost a total of 6 lbs in 6 weeks, but nothing for the last two weeks. I don't think I am eating as much as I am burning, but how do I know??? This could be the 20% stall, but without documentation of my intake, I cannot really tell. My highest weight was 290 about 2 years ago. 20% of 290 is 58 and I am down 51 lbs from that weight so it is close enough to be called that, but most likely it is what I am eating, rather than how much.

I have been eating more carbs...

There have been numerous social events, so I have been drinking a bit of wine...

And I have had some dessert...

here and there...

So now I recommit to journalling my food intake so I can assess why I am stalled and what to do to change it WITH SOME CERTAINTY....

I have lost an inch or so since the stall started, so it isn't really a stall, but a great opportunity to refocus my efforts towards meeting my goal of 1.5 lbs per week on average.

I do have restriction and I need to do a better job of utilizing it to my advantage.

Me, defending the band:

Many folks who are anti-band will use a study that was published in 2003 and followed lap-band patients from 1997-2002...that would be like car and driver only reviewing cars made from 1920-1970 and holding them to today's standards of road-worthiness...

The bands in use today are much more "user-friendly" and the surgeons who "install" them know a lot more about the causes of complications like those cited in the early study and MOST complications are caused by overstuffing the pouch and eating around the band (grazing, sliders etc) as well as over zealous docs who overfill bands.

Go to the WLS failure forum, complications forum or regrets forum and read about the issues the people who have chosen many different surgeries experience, then you can be satisfied with your decision, whatever it may be.

I also question why certain individuals feel the need to hang out here and tout their surgery. If they were as knowledgeable as they claim, they would be publishing a book on their surgery, pointing out the benefits vs the risks, and it would speak for itself.

Here is an example of a study on VSG and it's failure rate...I found this doing a quick search and now it is out there and will be quoted by the VSG haters to support their position....

The exact failure rate of sleeve gastrectomy is unknown. Using the Spanish National Registry for bariatric surgery, Sanchez-Santos et al[7] reviewed 540 patients who had undergone SG either as a primary or staged procedure over a six-year period. The authors reported excellent overall outcomes; however, 15 percent of the subjects were considered failures based on weight recidivism in the first three years, with 3.3 percent of patients submitting to a second bariatric procedure. Younger age, lower body mass index (BMI), and thinner bougie size were attributed to improved sustainable outcomes. Similarly, Himpens, in an article by Deitel et al,[8] presented his early five-year results after sleeve gastrectomy at the First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy in 2007. In 46 such patients, he reported a disappointing 37 and 23 percent inadequate weight loss and second procedure rates, respectively.

More recent unpublished presentations by Himpens indicate failure rates as high as 30 percent in five years.[9] Studying the Austrian experience with SG as a stand-alone operation, Felberbauer et al[10] reported a seven-percent failure rate at three years based on a cutoff of 25 percent excess weight loss (EWL). Applying the traditional 50-percent EWL criteria, the failure rate increased to 25 percent.[10]

Me supporting a struggling poster:

Good for you Tanya....that is why the forums are here, to share and hopefully keep us from getting too complacent and not utilizing our chosen tool. The side note that I have been meaning to post since the day after I wrote this is that though I haven't lost pounds, I have lost a full size, so it isn't about just the weight.

Perhaps it is time for a fill or a talk with your nutritionist to help you to get back on track...

Congratulations on your recommittal and I will look for you to post your success!!

This was me the first year. I was afraid to hear what might go wrong, just like many others. This is a support site for ALL banded people, not just those who don't have complications. Seeing the words can't hurt you, but ignoring signs of trouble can.

Just an FYI to those who keep calling me a "basher", "full of bs as usual", "100% incorrect"...every time you call me a name, I will respond politely. I will also continue to post. I don't back down when attacked, but I refuse to attack back.

You need both medical and physiologic help. This constant bashing is non productive in this forum.

Who is bashing anything? I'm being bashed constantly on here. As my disclaimer says, ", if it doesn't apply to you, don't take offense."

This is your journey, not his. You're example could help him to develop a healthier lifestyle.

I live in an 8 person household...everyone was overweight except my hubby. Everyone is on low carb now because they saw the difference in me and my dietary habits, it's contagious, but has a long incubation period, lol. Keep it up, you'll do great!

I've had this on my signature for some time now, don't think anyone has actually bothered to read it:

Disclaimer:

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed by participants in discussions are those of the author. You rely on such information at your own risk. You are urged to seek professional medical advice for specific, individual situations and not rely solely on advice or opinions given in the discussions. The content of my posts and any responses to posts that I make are solely based on my own experience and opinions. I am not a medical professional and do not profess to have expert medical knowledge. I try to be supportive and helpful, I may post something that you do not want to hear. Should you take issue with any of my responses, I will be more than happy to discuss it with you, via PM. My intent is to provide information, not to "stir the pot", if it doesn't apply to you, don't take offense. I don't sugar coat or coddle.

IMHO not drinking while eating contributes to the build up of pressure on the GEJ, contributing to esophageal problems.

Why?

1) pouch holds 1-2 oz

2) meals should be 4-8 oz (per most doctors)

3) even eating slowly, more than 1-2 oz will be in the pouch during meals. There's no way to monitor the rate at which food passes thru, since there are so many variables in anatomy, bands, types of food, etc.

4) drinking a small amount of Water with meals helps food to clear the stoma and doesn't really diminish satiety. This at least, is the belief of bariatricians in Europe and Austrailia.

The pressure on the GEJ leads to nerve damage, leading to motility issues that can worsen when the pressure is relieved, there's no "study" to confirm this, but is a growing consensus within the WLS community. Just so you know, my doctors and the doctors of people I know with this type of issues are all saying this...I didn't make it up, lol.

Did this happen right after your surgery or later?

The symptoms of GI problems started about 15 months after. The pain presented like cardiac problems at first, but after my gallbladder removal, they dramatically increased. The achalasia came after my unfill last June.

Your dad isn't an ass, he's scared of losing the old you, his food buddy. Tell him that you are inside that obese body, unhappy with your physical self, but you'll always be his loving daughter. Forgive him for being insensitive. It takes time.

George Takei posted this on Facebook recently: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.

Your soul loves your father, that's not changing.

http://www.sutterpacific.org/bariatrics/conditions/lap-band-complications.html

This is the copy I was referring to. It's published here by a Bariatrics practice in San Francisco.

You mean this one?

Bummer' date=' what are they doing for you on that?[/quote']

I'm seeing a specialist, a doctor who has pioneered many surgical techniques involving the upper GI tract, this coming Thursday. My regular GI doctor is concerned that more surgery could = more nerve damage. He, along with my PCP and a good friend who is a doc, recommended this doctor. He and his associates also do bariatric surgery, since achalasia sometimes is treated with a modified rny procedure. My band has to come out, but I want the best available medical care to ensure the best possible outcome.

The last year has been such a learning curve...never dreamed I could be dealing with such a difficult situation.

Gastroparesis is basically paralysis of the stomach. food just sits there, causing pain, nausea and vomiting. It can come on after a viral infection, upper abdominal surgery. Often, the cause is unknown. Surgery, such as WLS or gallbladder surgery is often cited as a cause due to damage to the vagus nerve during those procedures. It is standard of care to protect the vagus nerve when doing surgery, but sometimes in isolating it and "protecting" it, it is injured.

I have mild gastroparesis and achalasia (esophageal disease). Both are uncomfortable and require lots of lifestyle changes, including eating a low Fiber, low residue diet (complete opposite of the Lapband diet). I find that green tea with essential peppermint oil, about 10 drops, helps with the spasms that can occur with these disorders.

I hope you find some relief soon. Best of luck to you.

MsMaui:

I feel bad for you that you've had a miserable experience with your band' date=' and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your weight loss journey

But PLEASE STOP misrepresenting facts/statistics

Anyone with common sense will realize that surgeons wouldn't do this procedure if there was a 25% removal rate, but common sense isn't all that common unfortunately.

All you are doing is spreading baseless negative propaganda (and frankly scaring the **** out of many bandsters)

It's just plain crazy![/quote']

What has been misrepresented? The stat was part of the initial application for approval by the FDA that was submitted by Inamed and was included in the information packet published by Allergan until very recently. If yo feel that my information is incorrect, just back it up with opposing studies. No need to censor me.

As I've stated over and over, there needs to be further esophageal testing to aid in determining if a person's anatomy can tolerate banding. Since so many of us had hiatal hernia repair with bands, getting this testing helps surgeons determine the best procedure for repair, since the repair directly involves the gastro-esophageal junction. This area is subject to high pressure with banding (not from non-compliance) and the nerves can be damaged leading to the type of problem I'm having. What on earth is gained by avoiding a test that could save a person the risk of this damage, additional surgeries and the potentially permanent damage?

If you and the others on this site who criticize me for posting this information are willing to look the other way, fine, that's your choice. If newbies get scared, I'm sorry. If those looking into banding read my posts and ask their doctors about this information, good. There's room here for my opinion, since so many others aren't shy about voicing theirs regarding me and my posts.

Please STOP telling me to shut up. Not going to happen.

I've read up on your condition' date='msmaui and I'm very,very sorry for you.

2000 ppl annually get what you have and the reports don't show one thing about those being banded. Also, out of all the reports I read, I did not find one thing about hiatal hernia repair being a cause of it.

Matter of fact, when it came to LBS and esophageal immobility (achalasia), most the time they say either patient already had it, b/c it can take years to develop , or patient compliance with the LB ( not my words,theirs).

So to bash LBS or call for expensive test b/c of a less than 1% chance, is like getting rid of every drug on the market b/c of their side effects.

Like I said, I'm sorry you have a problem and I hope its taken care of. But constant LB bashing is just not right. Maybe you can save 1 person this problem, but how many can die an early death from morbid obesity b/c you scared them to DEATH? The odds for that I'm sure are a lot greater.

Get treated. Achalasia can be treated. I'm wondering why your band has not already been removed and you treated?

Your experience is valid, as far as achalasia!

My grandaughter has a G & J tube, nothing to do with LB.

We support what your going through.[/quote']

Thank you and I understand what you are saying. The difference is that I didn't have any symptoms or signs of this preop. My GI doctor believes this is caused by my band. My band doctor is seeing it in the last couple of years at an increasing rate. The hiatal hernia repair is relevant, since there is a wrap placed at the lower esophageal junction where the now malfunctioning sphincter is located. I didn't say the hiatal hernia repair caused it, but that there are various HH repair techniques that are specific to those with a predisposition to achalasia. I am going to be treated by one of the best esophageal specialists in the country, my appointment is Thursday. It's taken months to arrive at a dx. As you're familiar with the slow turning of the wheels of medicine, it takes time to be tested, tests to be evaluated. I've read the early reports of band associated pseudo achalasia, saying that noncompliance was the cause. This was an assumption, as my doctor put it. Since more cases are cropping up in patients considered to be compliant, the opinion is changing. How does a disease process that takes decades, manifest as end stage in a few months? BTW, I'm not bashing the band...I'm trying to create awareness that more testing before banding or HH repair is needed to avoid this type of complication. All of my medical team is on board with this assessment...thus I have posted the information so that others can benefit.

Thanks again for your kind words.

I'm certain that your experiences are valid...your perceptions are your reality. We are each individuals, and no two of us will have identical experiences. I am sorry that you are experiencing complications with your band. But we do owe it to ourselves to understand the complications, and be proactive to decide on a solution path to resolve the problems.

I am currently experiencing band related complications. I understand the etiology of them, and am doing my best to manage my situation.

I question why it is that you feel that there is so much negativity with your posts. Perhaps it may be that there is a perception that your intent is to post negative comments instead of offering support, encouragement, and sharing with others your journey to resolve the band related issues you are currently experiencing.

I may loose my band, and if I do, it will be a sad day, but at least I would have attempted to do everything within my power to avoid having it removed. Despite my similar situation, I am not actively "bashing the band" at every opportunity, and perhaps scaring other "newbies" who hopefully would not have my similar experiences.

Perceptions of your posts may be quite different if along with your complications you posted about how you are actively looking for a solution path.

IMHO, we are much healthier emotionally when we empower ourselves to seek solutions instead of wallowing in our problems. And then scaring others by writing about complications which they hopefully never experience.

Whatever the eventual outcome with your band, best wishes to you.

I have posted about finding a solution, often. My objective is to encourage those considering a band to ask for a manometry test to screen for a predisposition towards these problems. This seems to be tied into hiatal hernia repair as well, so very relevant to our WLS community. I hope hope you are able to overcome your issues too. I've fought hard to keep my band, but it must come out.

I have gastroparesis and achalasia caused by my band.

Funny you mention cyber bullying. If you only knew the what this person has pulled behind the scenes on here and Amazon. And I am sure what I know about is just the tip of the iceberg.

Perhaps you're acquainted with Dr Rachel Dees?

I've tried to tell my story here and been shot down over and over...I'm done. I suffer every hour with the damage done to me by this band. I swallow, it comes up, over and over again. I'm losing, but there's no celebration. I hurt, but there's no supportive words to help me cope. My voice doesn't matter. I've never met a more unsympathetic or insensitive group of people. I hope you never feel like I do right now, cause some of you will.

Have a good life.

I wish my esophageal dysmotility was flying "fast and loose" with the facts. If it was 11% in 1995 and according to the doctors I'm seeing, saying they're seeing a dramatic increase within the banded population, who knows what the actual % is today..,

Yes' date=' could you please share that link? I have never heard 25% of patients get their band removed and I cannot find that on their site. I would like to read further if that is the case, if not, we should clear that up as to not scare people considering the band as it does work well for many people.[/quote']

The information was part of the study Allergan used to get FDA approval to sell the devices in the US. Notice that it now states that 11% experience esophageal dysmotility. This % was not mentioned when I was researching. This disorder occurs in the general population in 1:100,000, no where near 11:100. That's .00001% vs 11%.