Please help, considering removing band

[Susan58 10]

i am 9 weeks post op and have had a lot of trouble. for the first 4 weeks everything was great. then I started having bad chest pain and trouble swallowing. went for tests and everydthing checked out ok. then 4 days ago started sliming and throwing up no matter what I ate. went to doctor, they did an UGI and he said it was really tight and said to only have liquids for the next 3 days and then go back to mushies for a few days. so today I am sliming even if I eat a sugarfree popcicle. I just don't know if this is worth it. I have not even had a fill yet and am having this much trouble. can anyone offer any advise, and does it get better or am I just going to be one of those that can't tolerate the band???

[bulawookie 116]

Susan,

Don't give up on the band. I was banded for the first time back in 2009 and it worked so well because I kept going back to the doctor and being honest about my amount of restrictiveness. I lost all my weight and was so happy for so long. My life was full again. I stated dating and felt alive and wanted and attractive. Then I was too private about my band and very self-conscience about my port showing. I was sure I would be able to keep the weight off so I got my band out. I got it out because I was so worried what others would think. Then I gained all the weight back and life was really dim again. I slipped into depression. I isolated and felt worthless. Then at 186 and being short I went back to get banded again. My new band is with me only a short time since May 15th of this year. I am so happy to have the band again. I have a newfound ultimate respect for this band. I am dealing with hunger but learning to deal with it because I am determined to make it work and return to being happy. I hope you work with your band and keep it. With my first band I was throwing up and sliming too but I soon started to follow all the rules and got the weight off just like you will. Going for a second band at age 50 was really hard. My recovery was painful and I had terrible gas pains. We are all brave to go through the surgery just as you are being brave right now. I am glad you are working with your doctors but I hope you don't give up on the band. Please let us know how you are doing. We are all here to help you and your post helps us.

[Susan58 10]

thank you for the support. I just didn't think I would have this much trouble. I am only eating what I'm supposed to and I will do well for a week and then can't eat or barely drink. I am losing weight but don't won't to be miserable from now on. I have not even had any fills yet and my doctor seems like he just blows me off. for example I told him I was eating sugarfree popcicles and he said " popcicles or ice cream bars?" he said I was a problem child and I must not be following the rules. I even talked to my primary care doctor and she knows I am a very compliant patient and she has tried to talk to lap band doctor and he kind of blows her off also. I wish I could change doctors but I have already invested so much money in this one.

[Bandista 7,466]

Susan, I'm so sorry you are going through all this. I'm glad you're working closely with your medical professionals -- don't stop until you are comfortable. Could there be some kind of food intolerance going on? Dairy, wheat, etc. -- something that is setting off inflammation? Just a thought. Keep us posted. My thoughts are with you! Only you can know what to do bit my feeling is that you and your docs will work this out.

[Sharpie 3,306]

Susan I am so sorry to hear your dilemma. I would demand answers.. it's your body and you know when something isn't right. @ 9 weeks postop you should be able to eat unless something isn't right. how much fill came with your band if any? if you have had a fill make sure some of it an be removed or all of it to let your stoma heal. sounds like you have swelling or something going on. I would insist on getting a second opinion if necessary. After being through some horrendous situations with my husband's health lately due to some "blow off" Dr's I am overly sensitive. If you know for a fact that you are doing everything correctly than you have the right to find out what is wrong. What you are experiencing is not normal.

[Susan58 10]

I have never had any sensitivity to food before, but I will start a food diary and see if I notice anything. I was doing so well for about 4 weeks and now all this has started. my band is totally empty. no fill at all. I am a pretty picky eater so I was mostly eating tuna fish, scrambled eggs, fajita chicken, and green Beans, cottage cheese and yogurt, mashed potatoes, and cream of wheat. I would eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. I am going to try only liquids for a couple days and then on to mushies. if it doesn't get any better I will find another doctor. I do feel like I deserve better treatment than this. thanks for the good words !!!!

[terrydumont46 1,954]

i know what it feels like to be having so many problems. starting over after 13 months like i have to sucks. but as i look back i realize the mistakes i was doing. i knew i had a problem but refuse to except them. at least you are excepting of your limitations. go to Clear Liquids for a few days and than liquids. do not lay down after eating. even after drinking Water. do not drink with your meals. keep your meals to at the most half of a cup of food even liquids. eat several times a day. this isn't how you will be doing it when you are all healed up and things are working properly but for now you are just trying to keep food down without pbing or sliming. if your problems continue please get a barium swallow. perhaps your band was primed during surgery and no one remembers, and the answer to your question is yes there are a few ppl that cannot tolerate the band at all, but that is a small small number of ppl especially in the stage you are in. slow down, sit up, eat small. chew well and wait between swallows to make sure stuff is going through your pouch and band and into your stomach. esophagus spasms do cause pain, a lot of pain that is why it is necessary to sit up after intake of anything. sometimes as much as 2 hours afterwards. food in the esophagus is not good. i wish you well and good luck

[Michele12 38]

Susan don't give up!!! There are good times and bad times with the band. Whenever I am too tight I go to the old liquid diet. The one thing that I have done that usually helps is to drink warm liquids. Usually when I am too tight it is due to the irritation and swelling around the band. This will pass. However a non-supportive doctor will not!!! Sounds like you are doing everything right and trying to address your problems. I personally do not think you need to get your band out, you just need a new doctor! I would contact your insurance company and see if there are other bariatric physicians on your plan and contact one of them. I would bet that you are not the first patient of his that he has treated this way so do not take personal. Good Luck

[Susan58 10]

thanks everyone for the great words of wisdom. you have helped me much more than my doctor ever has. I am going to stick with it for a few more weeks. I am on liquids now and will move ahead slowly. I was doing so well, I hope I just was not paying attention and irritated the band and doing the liquids will help and get me back on track. I definitely am going to find another doctor. it seems like this clinic only wants to run the patients through like cattle, and you are a problem child if you have any kind of difficulties. thanks again!!!! I am so glad I have found this site!!

[SandyM 1,956]

Have you tried warm liquids? I wake my band up daily with coffee. Also, you are not doing ibuprofen are you? Is it possibly your TOM? These are a few of the things that can cause swelling.

[Susan58 10]

no ibuprofen at all. what is TOM?? and I think I will try hot tea in the mornings. thanks.

[Dreamin Again 112]

TOM is time of month

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I have to have have hot tea or hot Swiss Miss ( made with water) 1st thing in the AM, or anytime my band is tight. It opens it up. Also I cant lay down right after I eat, or food comes back up. Sorry you're having Dr. problems, I would definetly get a new one no matter how much you've invested in him ! You deserve better ! Good luck !