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!

I know the feeling - have also not been sleeping great, not sure why. Have been waking up at 3 or 4 and am wide awake. Am usually a great sleeper.

I am a lot of hours ahead of you here in Israel (8 or 9?) so my day is almost over, but it was a really good day - hope yours will be too. I guess today is Day 7, since surgery was last Monday? The weather was good here, so I decided to take a walk and do some errands, and to pick up a few things in the supermarket. Even went for a manicure! I can't remember the last time I walked by choice to do errands, and I can't remember the last time my back didn't hurt me when I took that long a walk. Already seeing some positive changes!

I'm on day 6 Sarita, and heading back to work tomorrow. Feeling no hunger issues currently and tolerating the Protein drink varieties I have. I'll be ready for new flavors and textures soon, but I can wait.

Congrats on the walking to market. It's great to feel more active!

Hi Tracy, I was thinking about you and popped in to see the latest. I hope you are progressing nicely....hope to hear from you soon.

Glad you're home and doing well. Just remember it takes time and healing is a process. Remember this when you wonder why you're feeling crappy some days and really good on others. It's just a process.

Thanks for checking on me Lan2K, How are you doing? managing any new foods yet?

I find it very bizarre that I've gone 6 full days on clear fluids. Apple juice, SoBe Water, low sugar gatorade, Crystal Light, tea, chocolate powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, homemade broths....I feel absolutely no hunger or cravings. I remember when recovering from having the lapband installed that I cheated and had a tablespoon of lowfat cottage cheese on the 5th day because I couldn't stand it anymore. Maybe it's just more important to me now, maybe I'm really ready...or maybe the VSG works entirely differently. All I know is it's working for now and I'm thankful. I return to work tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

Thanks for checking on me Lan2K, How are you doing? managing any new foods yet?

I find it very bizarre that I've gone 6 full days on clear fluids. Apple juice, SoBe Water, low sugar gatorade, Crystal Light, tea, chocolate powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, homemade broths....I feel absolutely no hunger or cravings. I remember when recovering from having the lapband installed that I cheated and had a tablespoon of lowfat cottage cheese on the 5th day because I couldn't stand it anymore. Maybe it's just more important to me now, maybe I'm really ready...or maybe the VSG works entirely differently. All I know is it's working for now and I'm thankful. I return to work tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.

Tracy,

There is a physiologic reason, and it is the greatest gift of the sleeve in myopinion...the part of the stomach that was removed is the part that produces grelin...the hormone that causes hunger. That will help you lose weight as long as you don't give in to "head hunger" or habit.

And after what you've been through, you are also probably much more ready to work the sleeve optimally.

Good luck!