Can't take it anymore!

mustangelf · April 13, 2007

To Carlene- Dr. S said in November that my esophagus was probably irritated from the vomiting and that it was a good idea to let it rest and remove the saline for a while. He did fluro that time to check it and always did fluro on every fill. He said that I might consider a endoscope but that he didn't think anything was that wrong. I just think that he and the nurses think I wasn't trying to do the program. He never suggested I see a gastrologist, but I have considered going on my own to see one and get his opinion on all this. Maybe my insurance will pay if a gastrologist does the endoscope. I am pretty positive they will not pay if Dr. S does it because he is bariatrics doc and they will not pay one red cent on bariatrics. My band has no saline in it and still sometimes I get choked on things even now. I never had any troubles with choking or reflux until I got this band. Back in Sept '06 I went in for my 6mos out from surgery check up with dr S and of course I told them of my frustration of not losing and the choking (which wasn't as bad as it eventually got) and he had me keep a food diary. The nurse that day told me I was not the only one having problems and that they had recently had two ladies got their bands removed because they had not lost and was tried of putting up with the hassles that some of us have with the band. We are ALL different and some things will just not work. I cannot continue to enjoy life if I have to live the way I was living with having the band tight.

Carlene · April 13, 2007

To Carlene- Dr. S said in November that my esophagus was probably irritated from the vomiting and that it was a good idea to let it rest and remove the saline for a while. He did fluro that time to check it and always did fluro on every fill. He said that I might consider a endoscope but that he didn't think anything was that wrong. I just think that he and the nurses think I wasn't trying to do the program. He never suggested I see a gastrologist, but I have considered going on my own to see one and get his opinion on all this. Maybe my insurance will pay if a gastrologist does the endoscope. I am pretty positive they will not pay if Dr. S does it because he is bariatrics doc and they will not pay one red cent on bariatrics. My band has no saline in it and still sometimes I get choked on things even now. I never had any troubles with choking or reflux until I got this band. Back in Sept '06 I went in for my 6mos out from surgery check up with dr S and of course I told them of my frustration of not losing and the choking (which wasn't as bad as it eventually got) and he had me keep a food diary. The nurse that day told me I was not the only one having problems and that they had recently had two ladies got their bands removed because they had not lost and was tried of putting up with the hassles that some of us have with the band. We are ALL different and some things will just not work. I cannot continue to enjoy life if I have to live the way I was living with having the band tight.

Dr. Smith once told me that HE is very sensitive to fills, so I would have thought he would be more understanding.

Your insurance should pay for the scope, no matter who does it, because the issue isn't weight loss, it's esophagus irritation, which is nothing to mess around with.

Smith is a general surgeon, by the way - not just a Bariatric doc. I know this because we were in his waiting room and people were talking about how far out they were and pounds lost, etc. My DH decided that one lady was being ignored, so he said to her, "How much have you lost?"

She said, "I had my gall bladder removed."

Julissita · April 14, 2007

Bubble Butt as I have read your stuff I sooooooooooo felt like I was talking to my twin! I so want your phone number to talk more! It IS STRESS!!!! It is not in your head- I am living the same business. YOu know what works for me and I havent heard you bring up- warm liquids? It calms my pouch and spasms! I cant eat until after 4 at the earliest!!! I am almost a year out and barely eating now! I am plannign to PM you - please call me!! WHo is your doctor?? Dont give up and get some nexium! I swear life is good once you get the right meds- the key is that getting the right meds!!:nervous :nervous

WASaBubbleButt · April 14, 2007

Bubble Butt as I have read your stuff I sooooooooooo felt like I was talking to my twin! I so want your phone number to talk more! It IS STRESS!!!! It is not in your head- I am living the same business. YOu know what works for me and I havent heard you bring up- warm liquids? It calms my pouch and spasms! I cant eat until after 4 at the earliest!!! I am almost a year out and barely eating now! I am plannign to PM you - please call me!! WHo is your doctor?? Dont give up and get some nexium! I swear life is good once you get the right meds- the key is that getting the right meds!!:nervous :nervous

After talking to you for over an hour tonight I feel like you are my new best friend! I absolutely adore you, you are funny, bright, articulate, and most of all, you GET IT!

I'd love to meet you in Tucson later this month!

Sooverit! · April 15, 2007

Dear BB: How are you now 4 months post banded? Are you able to eat solids? How much weight have you lost? Have you ever gotten a second fill? Hope you are feeling better.

Marg

kyethra · April 15, 2007

I know all about spasms and choking. I have GERD. I was born with GERD. Then when I was 13 I developed severe asthma. I was trying med after med after med. Also I guess my asthma attacks weren't typical-- not so much wheezing. Mostly I would choke. I just wouldn't be able to breath at all. Finally went to this one specialist who figured it out. Turns out the acid gets into the lungs and stuff. Nasty stuff, that acid. After my reflux was treated my asthma improved a lot. Plus I was able to stop eating tums like candy. Currently I do nexium every day and zantac as needed. Sometimes I would also be on reglan before I was banded. Its supposed to help with gastric mobility.

Janell · April 16, 2007

I am going to be banded 04/27/07, but I am getting a little nervous after reading all of this. This is the first site I have found that actually shows some of the down side to the procedure. I think it is great as we need to know what to expect. Could someone please give a short lesson on the lingo tho? ex: PB? I appreciate any help.

Thanks

:help:

HelenC · April 16, 2007

A PB is a "productive burb". Basically, whatever you eat can't pass through the stoma, and so your body tries to eject it. What normally comes up though is what is known around here as "slime".

If you have a PB on one meal, do mushies for the next meal. If that comes back up, do full fluids for 24 hours.

Archermom · April 16, 2007

Hi everybody;

just a bump for everybody who could not make it through all the posts:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/abbreviations-and-they-t7959.html

most of the abbreviations used here.

Hope this helps.

WASaBubbleButt · April 16, 2007

Dear BB: How are you now 4 months post banded? Are you able to eat solids? How much weight have you lost? Have you ever gotten a second fill? Hope you are feeling better.
Marg

At four months I have lost 60lbs, that part is good. Kind of at a stand still now, the scale isn't doing anything. I think it's my first plateau so I'm bumping up exercise.

I can eat tuna sometimes and I actually ate an onion ring yesterday and didn't barf! Too bad the onion ring wasn't even a good one.

I've had three fills and four unfills. My band is empty.

Thanks for asking!

WASaBubbleButt · April 16, 2007

I am going to be banded 04/27/07, but I am getting a little nervous after reading all of this. This is the first site I have found that actually shows some of the down side to the procedure. I think it is great as we need to know what to expect. Could someone please give a short lesson on the lingo tho? ex: PB? I appreciate any help.
Thanks

:help:

No need to worry about this particular problem, it doesn't seem to be very common.

Really, all you can do is follow the rules EXACTLY. Don't cheat on the post op diet, follow all the bandster rules.

Keep in mind that many that comes here are only here because they have problems and need help/suggestions. Most people do very well with the band. You'll do fine! You watch!

Sooverit! · April 16, 2007

Dear Kat: In reading your response to Mustang my heart just broke thinking of all the stress you must have been under during your husband's problems! Boy was he lucky to have you! Stay strong you are an inspriation.

So glad he is better now!

Marg

Sooverit! · April 16, 2007

Forget to say thank you for all your thoughtful responses!:clap2:

evcase · April 19, 2007

Does nexium work better than prilosec (precscription)..I have hiatal hernia and am waiting for band removal..same symptoms as you guys. I also take protonix to keep the bile at bay during sleep while I wait for surgery.

WASaBubbleButt · April 19, 2007

Does nexium work better than prilosec (precscription)..I have hiatal hernia and am waiting for band removal..same symptoms as you guys. I also take protonix to keep the bile at bay during sleep while I wait for surgery.

Protonix, Nexium, and Prilosec are all the same kind of drug. If protonix isn't doing the job you'd want to switch to one of the others, not take two at the same time.