Hey all,

I have been posting here for a few weeks...(I tend to jump right into forums like these).

I figured with my surgery date less than 2 weeks away I better tell my story now.

I work as a private duty in the home caregiver for an alzheimer's patient. I am the case manager and senior caregiver, working 48 hours a week on average. I handle all his doctor visits, liason between the doctors and the family, and manage the scheduling, payroll and household staff.

I had a lapband placed in Sept 2006.

At one point I was up to 1.75 cc in a 4 cc band and life was good. I was managing my portions, losing weight, feeling good.

That all changed when I took my first plane ride. I spent a week not keeping anything down except the thinnest of Protein shakes. At that time, my after care doctor was a five hour drive away. It was difficult to get off work or get coverage for my job so timing of getting an unfill was always a problem.

I got a slight unfill after this first "too tight" episode and things seemed to settle down for a month or so. I had another trip coming up that required air travel so I went to my aftercare doctor and had a smidge more taken out just to be sure. They took me down to 1 cc in a 4 cc band and checked my restriction under fluroscopy. Everything looked fine.

I flew, had trouble again, returned...spent a miserable week...and went back to the aftercare doctor. They checked under fluroscopy again and took out another .25cc. Ok...relief.....briefly.

Another trip just before Thanksgiving in 2008 (air travel again) and it put me over the edge. This time I was vomiting blood, sleeping sitting up in a chair ...(yes, at my friend's house while on a "getaway" weekend.) We'd go for a walk and I'd have to retch into the bushes five or six times in a 3 block walk. When I got home from that trip I insisted on a total unfill.

I spent the holidays rebuilding my strength and hydration, and gaining 8 pounds. January 2009 I went down to Mexicali to accompany a friend who was getting the sleeve. I had Dr. Campos give me a conservative refill under fluro, 1.3cc, hoping to find that elusive sweet spot again. Returned home, 2 weeks later had to have it all removed. Total unfill again. Mind you..I'm following the entire "bandster plan"...small bites, chew 9000 times, no liquids 30 min before or after meals etc etc...

In late February I tried again....this time working with an aftercare doctor in my home area...(only 1/2 hour away..YAYYYY...I had hopes this would improve things). He gave me 1 cc, I drank 6 oz Water in his office (no fluro, it's $650 there). No problems....at first. I lost weight, got back down within two pounds of my lowest weight before the problems all started. I had a trip planned (driving this time) and had him remove just .25 to reduce any chance of "travel stress syndrome" issues. Ok...so now I'm at .75 in my 4 cc band. Tolerated my trip, no major problems.

Late May 2009...and the same symptoms from Autumn 2008 rear up again. Vomiting everything, bloodshot eyes from vomiting every meal, constant belching, scalding acid reflux, eating PPI's like candy, swigging Maalox straight from the bottle and using up a bottle every two days. I chewed more rolaids, tums and papaya extract than a competive Chili eater! Aftercare doc #2 put me on Kapidex....minimal change.

In June of 2009, I couldn't take it anymore. I got a total unfill and started checking seriously into the VSG. My acid reflux symptoms would totally disappear when unfilled at least. The last several months...despite being totally unfilled, I often feel restriction, still occasionally vomit and experience constant belching which frankly wears me out. First thing out of my mouth in the morning is a belch, I go to sleep belching. Wake up in the night belching. (needless to say...it has all but ruined my sex life!).

I'm self pay, the band isn't even paid for in full yet and now I'm coming up again with $$$$$$$$$$$ to pay for another surgery. Thank god I've remained employed through this tough economy but there is no job security when you work private duty for an old person. (they could "go" at any time). I've really had to crunch numbers, rob Peter to pay Paul and put myself into credit card hell which I only can hope to recover from as my energy and health returns.

Which brings me to now...

It has taken a major cooperative effort at work to cover my shifts so I can be gone for surgery and recuperation time. I will travel alone to Mexico but feel very comfortable doing that. I have utmost faith and trust in the compassion and expert care I will receive and am at peace with my decision. My only fear is that something has been damaged inside and the revision won't be possible. However, I know that if anyone can do it....Dr. Aceves can. One way or the other...at minimal...this band is coming OUT!

I will return to cold snowy weather but I have a team of friends that have promised to shovel walks for me while I recuperate. My neighbors are the best!

December 14th is my day...keep me in your prayers and thoughts.

That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!

YAY YAY Tracy, I'm so glad to hear everything went well. Keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

Congrats, Tracy! Glad you're doing well and that they could revise you to the sleeve without complications. That's great news! Yes, keep us posted on your progress.:lol0:

Hooray for you Tracy! Keep up the good work! We are all cheering for you and for the great team with Dr Aceves. Together y'all will meet the challenge of the "twisted band" and conquer it.

I love your sense of humor...it will get you through tough times in life. :w00t::laugh0::party4::party4::lol0::lol0:

Thank God that your surgery went well. You have a great attitude Tracy and I think your recovery will fare well. Thank you for keeping us informed. We're here for you, so please check in when you can. God bless and protect.

yahooooooo Tracy! So glad everything went good. Keep us posted.

anyone got a spare charger for a LG phone that they can slip across the border??? wouldn't you know I left mine in Long Beach. grrrrrr.... oh well..forcing my family to stick to topic in an email can't be bad.....can it?

The A-team was just here and checked my drain after drinking the blue stuff, he said it's coming out where it should and I can go take a shower...you think he's telling me I stink?

Question...why can't I spell anymore??? I seriously just had to correct three things in that five word sentence. Maybe I should slow down.

This herbal tea is pretty good..although with an entire splenda in it, it's rather sweet. I wonder when I can have some of my English Breakfast tea? mmmmmmm

That's about it folks..I'm gonna get de=mummified (leg wraps off) get in the shower and become something that humans want to be around. Back later!

P.S. no pain, no nausea, lots of pee pee, no anything else..not worried about it!

Tracy

Yahoo for Tracy! She peed and drank her tea and is de-mummyfied! Good for you! And even better yet, your emailing! On her road to recovery!

Rough spot yesterday morning as I was getting ready to leave, b/p dropped and I got pretty dizzy. I was mortifyingly morose and weepy....sheesh...pitiful. A shot in the hiney fixed me right up and off I went in Ernesto's capable hands. He got me all checked into the hotel in San Diego where I proceeded to ignore all Dr. orders and basically slept the entire day and night away. However, I feel good this morning. Stronger, focused and clear minded. Have already taken in 20 oz Gatorade (only got in about 4 oz Water yesterday), have had my shower, redressed my battle scars and getting ready for my flight home. I even curled my hair. So there! Now if someone hits on me at the airport and I belch in his face it won't be quite so appalling. I'm packing up the little black box (laptop) so this will be it until I get to Chicago tonight. Just know that I'm on the mend, and coping.

Tracy ......and ...I'll have to change my signature line when I have more mental acuity.

Glad you are on the mend Tracy, have a safe flight, and let us know when you arrive home ! ! !

Tracy,

Glad to hear you are better. Be sure to sip burp sip burp sip burp and walk walk walk to keep from getting blood clots! Keep in touch!

I'm home. Exhausted, car unpacked, dogs greeted, laundry started, flannel nightie on....just totally wiped out. I think adding in some Protein tomorrow will be a very good thing. No problems drinking or with incisions. Haven't fainted on anyone... so this is a plus. More tomorrow when I'm coherent.

thanks for all the support. '

I'm home....& thankful for it!

Tracy

good for you Tracy! Other than feeling exhausted, I hope all goes smoothly for you. Rest peacefully angel sister. Welcome to the loosers bench!

I'm home. Exhausted, car unpacked, dogs greeted, laundry started, flannel nightie on....just totally wiped out. I think adding in some Protein tomorrow will be a very good thing. No problems drinking or with incisions. Haven't fainted on anyone... so this is a plus. More tomorrow when I'm coherent.

thanks for all the support. '

I'm home....& thankful for it!

Tracy

Welcome home...glad you made it back to your own bed? I remember how good that felt! Keep in touch!

Hi Tracy

Just found your posts here in this part of the forum - I was wondering why I hadn't seen anything from you since the day of our surgery. Glad all went smoothly and that you're home safely. Am feeling a bit guilty that my hospital is only 20 minutes from home after reading about your trek. Just wanted to share with you, someone had posted a recipe for easy soup - boiling a few small potatoes in some chicken broth for about 10 minutes, then adding some lowfat cream cheese and pureeing in the blender. It really hit the spot today, just when I needed something a little salty and different from the last few days. Give it a try if you're allowed to eat those things.

Take care and feel good!

Sarita

Sounds like a great recipe Sarita...comfort food!

I didn't sleep well last night..which really surprised me. Here I was, in my own bed with my great assortment of pillows...and I couldn't sleep! I think I was over-tired. Oh well, nothing of greatness to do today...I could run to the store for some things..but also can make it without them. I might just vegetate today and continue to unpack, do laundry, straighten the house and cuddle my critters.

Tracy