I have picked up a bug and was wondering how that affected Lap Banders. I have never thrown up or had a stuck episode so far and not sure what to expect. I am feeling really nauseated. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

I would either buy something for neasea (sp?)over the counter or call your Dr. for something if your really afraid of throwing up. I've not been banded yet, but I know throwing up is not a good thing with the band. So I think your Dr. would be willing to help if the OTC meds do not work. Good kuck

That's a tough one? You could call your doc and see if they'll give you an unfill till the bug passes over? I've had stomach bugs myself and I know there's very little one can do to stop the barfing when it starts. Water, food, everything consumed is fair game to violently evacuate your stomach. This could cause a slip so be very careful?

tmf

This is something that always concerns me....

A lot depends upon how tight your band is......do you have the ability to remove all the Fluid yourself (are you a professional)....

Be prepared to call your Dr......and stay away from solid foods.....

Those are just my concerns....I travel a lot, always afraid of food poisoning or picking up a bug in some other country (had it happen - NOT FUN) with no access to someone familiar with gastric banding....for that reason I carry my own syringe, just in case..(I'm a professional)

from my surgery on to now, I have a prescript of that anti naus meds .....only used it one time so far......as I hate feeling like I am gonna you know.....see if you can call your dr and get them to call you in a prescription....feel better hon

I keep prescription anti-nausea meds on me at all times. Zofran, to be specific, which is what they actually give to chemo patients to keep them from vomiting. The minute I feel even remotely queasy I take one as a precaution.

Perhaps your doc would call something in for you?

Btw, doing self unfills was mentioned above me. Please, do NOT do this. It's about the worst and most dangerous advice I've seen. The only person who should ever touch your band is a bariatric professional trained specifically for fills and unfills.

Thanks guys. I think I am going to give the doc a call. I know my way around a needle, but not going to do the unfill myself.

I drink ginger tea, but sip it.

Btw, doing self unfills was mentioned above me. Please, do NOT do this. It's about the worst and most dangerous advice I've seen. The only person who should ever touch your band is a bariatric professional trained specifically for fills and unfills.

I do agree with your comment but for us guys, the port is right on our abs directly below the ribcage and is easily accessible. Especially as we get closer to goal. I can run my fingers around the top and sides and there's no mystery where the needle is inserted. I wouldn't try it but then again I'm not trained to do this. In a former career I was an ortho-tech but we didn't do syringes.

I think if I went to Mexico more often I might entertain taking one with me to unfill myself if I got realy sick(it's happened). I'd leave the refills to Dr Chae.

tmf

I do agree with your comment but for us guys, the port is right on our abs directly below the ribcage and is easily accessible. Especially as we get closer to goal. I can run my fingers around the top and sides and there's no mystery where the needle is inserted. I wouldn't try it but then again I'm not trained to do this. In a former career I was an ortho-tech but we didn't do syringes.

I think if I went to Mexico more often I might entertain taking one with me to unfill myself if I got realy sick(it's happened). I'd leave the refills to Dr Chae.

tmf

I can feel my port, too. In fact,I can even see it. But the issue is if you mess it up, you can risk all sorts of complications including life threatening complications due to infection.

The risks are simply far to great. Leave it to the bariatric professionals.

I have been putting lemon in my water to help with the nausea.

Not even anti-nausea meds will help if you have a stomach virus or contract food poisoning. Sometimes you will vomit. We try to minimize these events, but as per my PCP, if you're going to vomit, you will.

I needed a slight unfill post stomach flu, and after 6 weeks was able to have my Fluid replaced.

No lasting damage done, just do your best to minimize episodes of vomiting.

This is something that always concerns me....

A lot depends upon how tight your band is......do you have the ability to remove all the Fluid yourself (are you a professional)....

Be prepared to call your Dr......and stay away from solid foods.....

Those are just my concerns....I travel a lot, always afraid of food poisoning or picking up a bug in some other country (had it happen - NOT FUN) with no access to someone familiar with gastric banding....for that reason I carry my own syringe, just in case..(I'm a professional)

Your post is not appropriate for this thread, IMHO.

Good to know that you are a "professional", and feel comfortable with adjusting your own band.

I have a son who is an endodontist, but even he goes to a dentist for specific care for his teeth.

Reckless and inappropriate...your disclosure explains much about some of the posts you have made regarding restriction. This journey is not all about restriction, as you state in your signature. It is more about a radical life style change, with restriction being a part of what helps us be successful with weight loss.

I believe that even when an individual reaches goal, they are not a "graduate". This journey goes forward through the remainder of our lives.

IMHO...other's mileage varies.

Your post is not appropriate for this thread, IMHO.

Good to know that you are a "professional", and feel comfortable with adjusting your own band.

I have a son who is an endodontist, but even he goes to a dentist for specific care for his teeth.

Reckless and inappropriate...your disclosure explains much about some of the posts you have made regarding restriction. This journey is not all about restriction, as you state in your signature. It is more about a radical life style change, with restriction being a part of what helps us be successful with weight loss.

I believe that even when an individual reaches goal, they are not a "graduate". This journey goes forward through the remainder of our lives.

IMHO...other's mileage varies.

very well said and put

I am feeling better. I never vomited, just nausea and stomach pain. Thanks for the advice. My poor daughter still doesn't feel well..poor baby.

B-52, thank you for posting. Your posts have been some of the most interesting, helpful and honest posts I've seen on these boards.

I can't imagine I would do my own fill / unfill, but it is interesting.

Also, I think you are right about the restriction. Please keep that in your signature. Think for a lot of us it is dead on accurate and it has helped me.