Baba Wawa

Have you found any solution to this problem? I was Dx with achalasia last week.

Thanks everyone! Still waiting on the hospitals to get me a manometry appt sooner than 4/23.

Since we have one great article today from Dr Roslin, why not add a link to another.

Thank you. You raise a lot of questions about the effect physical fitness has on ability to perform the duties of office. No one questioned FDR's leadership because of his physical limitations. The difference between Cheney and and Gov Christie is that Christie's issues are visible. When 100% of the populous is obese, these conversations will cease...life expectancy will shorten. The bigger problem is the control of our food supply by big business. It's a sticky wicket...free enterprise or government managing business. There is no easy answer.

It's difficult to be in that environment at this stage. It will get better, I promise. Just keep thinking of your future, all those things are part of your past, for now. Hang in there!

Often, especially early on in a bandster's journey, they will post, frustrated by a stall or small gain...here's an explanation of why this happens: Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a sabertooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

You can't stretch your band or tighten your stoma. You can stretch your pouch and esophagus if you overeat. The 5 day pouch test will help you to get back on track, determine if you need a fill... It's great that you take responsibility for your regain and are getting back on track! Congrats on your marriage!

While I get your point Missy, it's not legally discrimination if its applied to every employee evenly. There is a benefit in encouraging employees to get an annual health assessment and rewarding those who do. I take issue, however, with the payroll deduction for noncompliance. It would be much more of an incentive if it was a reduction in premiums. My son-in-law works for Boeing and they've had to fill out a health assessment for the last 5 years for every family member. They get a $100+ discount on their health insurance every month for their family of 6 if they complete the assessment. I agree that obesity discrimination is prevalent, we face it every day. I just don't see this as such. I'm not fond of CVS either.

Looks great!!

Thanks, Terry!

I don't think it's "attitude", you used the word cheat in your title and on any WLS site that word will draw a lot of looks, opinions and replies. Those of us who have "been there, done that", seen the problems that come with testing the limits, and struggled with head hunger, cravings and all the other things that got us here, want to save you from making those mistakes and suffering the consequences. I think you'll do fine, but potatoes are something to be avoided during this time. Best of luck to you in your journey!

Are you getting your fluids in? Drinking constantly at 6 days out should keep you from feeling hunger "like small heart attacks". If you're in real pain, you need to call your doctor. The pain from Lapband surgery is primarily incisional and managed with liquid Tylenol at this point. What are you allowed to have at this stage? If you're on full liquids, you probably aren't having your meals often enough. You can have your shakes, other liquids throughout the day, as needed. Once you're on purees and solids, you'll begin to space out your meals more traditionally. Hang in there and call your doctor, today.

Get a new primary physician.

With the wide variety of pre-op and post-op diets and food progressions required, you should still follow your doctor's orders. The most important part of the preop low carb diet is avoiding carbohydrates. The chicken cheat was fine, the potato, not ok. Low carb reduces glycogen on the surface of the liver, making it easier to hold up and out of the way (it's over your stomach) so the surgeon can access the stomach. Glycogen is slippery and as the name implies is derived from carbs (glycemic). If the liver slips out of the instrument, the surgery CANNOT be done laparoscopically. Many of the same people we see posting about cheating on the preop diet, end up posting that they cheated on the postop diet...there is a connection. Many "test" their bands, eat slider foods, graze and wonder why they're not losing. It's very important to understand that WLS requires a permanent lifestyle change. To succeed you must adopt these changes willingly, accept that you should never eat the way you did as an obese person and commit to these changes permanently. There's a saying, "If you want to look like a thin person, you need to eat like a thin person." The band supports that by keeping hunger pangs away between meals. You control how much you eat... As a successful banded person who is most likely losing my band very soon, due to an autoimmune disorder, I can tell you, it works, but only if you use it properly. Like any other tool, if you leave out one component, it will not help you...imagine an electric saw you don't plug in...not much good. You are the power source for your tool.

Great post! I too am scared sh***ess to lose my tool and risk regain. You do what you need to do, rely on your team of medical professionals to guide you...you're doing great!

Yesterday, I was Dx with achalasia (failure of the LES to open in response to swallowing). My surgeon is reluctant to recommend revision to sleeve as a result. Has anyone here revised with this condition and had a good outcome?

Please call your doctor. This isn't green zone.

Copied from Allergan: Your surgeon may consider whether the LAP-BAND ® is right for you if your BMI is at least 35 and you have a health problem that is related to obesity. Your surgeon may also have other criteria he or she uses. Ask him or her to discuss the criteria with you. Contra-indications The LAP-BAND ® System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohns disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. *You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the LAP-BAND ® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. *You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. *You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. I put * on the potentially applicable contraindications. Talk to your rheumatologist about this, please. Best of luck!

Almost 3 years, Kime Lou...I posted my band history in my blog. The last 15 months have been problematic, though. They were very impressed that I lost 20 lb since my band was emptied last June.

It would be great...I have peristalsis, though. The valve just won't open in response to the contractions. In the esophogram, the barium sloshes around as the esophagus contracts attempting to push it thru. The distal esophagus was ballooned out. The radiologist and PA were visibly alarmed by what they saw. The other issue is the palpitations I get as food passes through the LES, once it does open are cardiac irritation. Once the barium landed in my stomach, my band sort of flopped and tilted to one side...it's so loose. I'm terrified of life without the help WLS has provided. I'm also tired of doctors, tests, surgery...my husband is stressed over all this as well.

Today, I was Dx with achalasia, failure of the LES to open and allow food to enter stomach. This wasn't present 9 months ago when I had my last Esophogram. This is a serious problem and is most likely going to require removal of my band. Achalasia is a rare disorder, with about 2000 people Dx annually in the US, about 1:150,000, but I was told today, it is occurring in about 1% of band patients. To say I am devastated, would be an understatement. The only revision option open to me is RNY, which is not feasible, for other reasons. Following the rules, keeping your band lose, is no guarantee.

The thought of that scares me. but how do you know? and can it be fixed? I have had a couple of episodes of vomiting due to eating too fast. I have a pain in my stomach now that wasnt there before.. banded 11/29/12 sw 226 cw 200 To the OP: From what I understand, a slip can have many different symptoms. The only way to find out is to see your doctor, have a barium swallow. I've had 3 stomach viruses since being banded and it didn't cause my band to slip. #3 brianb Member Joined: Mar 4, 2013 Posts: 21 posts Topics: 2 Gender: Male Patient Info:View my profile Posted Today, 5:29 AM Six days of post op and had a long night of uncontrollable dry heaves because of alcohol and over eating. Of course I'll not be doing either again. From what I read, it's pretty unlikely that a band slipped. But a quick call to your doctor might make you feel better. Like This Absolute must see videos for anyone that has or is getting the lap band... Some of the misconceptions that the series of videos covers: * The lap band should not restrict, but instead trick the brain into thinking you ate much more than you did. * food goes through the band in less than a minute and does NOT sit above the band (unless food is stuck or you eat too fast) * The band causes food to rub against nerves in the stomach as it passes through the band. This causes a feeling of fullness. * It should not be necessary to fill the pouch above the band to achieve a feeling of fullness. http://www.lapbandta...dr-paul-obrien/ Quote MultiQuote Blog This Report As far as Brian is concerned...generally alcohol isn't allowed for 3-6 months post op. The attitude that "everyone does it" is not going to get you anywhere and is an adolescent excuse. Sorry, but that's how it comes across. Line-dancer was replying to the OP, since she recently was Dx with a slip...not saying she overate and drank to excess.

Are you on Social Security disability? After 24 months you're eligible for Medicare coverage and bariatric surgery is a covered procedure. BTW, my starting BMI was 48, I'm at 33 now...thrilled to be obese...4 pts to overweight! Losing 15 points on my BMI has made a huge difference.

Good luck!

Check out the sister site to this one at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php? One thing I notice is a lot less complications posted and a lot more success stories...when you're self pay the aftercare and any problems resulting from banding can be very expensive. Best of luck to you whatever you decide!