Anyone here?

[angyl2314 1]

Thank you for all the support. Yes, I got pnemonia from aspirating at night with severe reflux.

I have another update - I will have the band removed on Friday but there will be no conversion to gastric bypass (because of insurance.)

I was so distraught, depressed, hopeless, scared yesterday I had to leave work. I couldn't stop crying - well, sobbing actually. I even, was suicidal for just a couple of moments. Don't worry, I got the help I needed and am doing much better now.

Wow, it must be the name because I have been through similar things as you. I had my FOURTH surgery this Wednesday under the care of a new doctor, with whom I am extremely happy. He removed my original band and rebanded me. It was an emergency procedure, as was the last one in March with my former doctor. I wasn't able to swallow at this point, and I had awful pain in my chest. This was all brought on by tests my new doctor was performing to rule out potential problems with my old band. In my most recent upper GI the doctor determined that the band was not placed properly by the old doctor, and that there was a lot of gas in my stomach. He was able to access my port but not withdraw any Fluid. I was only supposed to have had one fill since the 3rd surgery. In this test the doctor injected a contrast into the band under flouro to see if there was anything wrong with the cathedar. Unfortunately, he was unable to withdraw all of the fluid, which caused horrible reflex and vomitting. I went into the ER on Wednesday morning and surgery in the evening. They had to withdraw ounces of fluid from my esophogus before intubating me. After removing the band the doctor withdrew 2.5 CCs of liquid, and found debris in the cathedar, which is what seems to have been causing me all the problems. Since January I had strep throat, pneumonia, stomach virus and an ordinary cold. I started to get better after my surgery in March when the old doctor repositioned the port and shortened the cathedar, but I gained 19 lbs in 2 months. I found this new doctor about a month ago and feel confident that I am finally on the road to recovery. Before going into surgery though he was concerned that he was not going to be able to reband me because he could not imagine why the band was placed as it was. He said it was on a 90 degree angle. He figured it was something anatomical, and if that was the case it would make no sense to put a new band in in the same position. Apparently there was another reason for the misplacement of the band...I would love to know what my old doctor was thinking.

Well, I went from 240 lbs to 138 lbs to 149 lbs to 157 lbs to 149 lbs and today I was 161. Oh god...I know this is from the IV and gas but I am close to throwing my scale out of the window.

I am happy to have this new doctor. He is highly recommended, and the chief of bariatric surgery at the hospital where I was born. That's got to be good for something. Regardless of all my ups and downs, I still do not regret my decision. I do, however, regret not having researched my surgeon more adequately. Bad choice on my part.

Sorry to hear your problems, Jen, but so you know there is someone out here who can identify with you. Message me if you need someone to chat with. Good luck.

[Louisianagirl 0]

I think there is a set point we get to, I have not lost anything since Feb nor gainned. I'm about 13 lbs from goal. I dont't think I need a fill because sometimes during the month I'm really tight that I have my little PB spells. I would love to be at goal but I'm still happy where I'm at. I'm sure if ever I was to have PS, I would be at goal then.

[jenslapband 0]

I have exciting news.

Things went much better than I anticipated. I went to the hospital via the ER on Friday, was admitted but didn't have surgery until Saturday morning. I came home Sunday afternoon. I still have a lapband although it is a different "model" and a larger one. When Dr. Snyder got in there he couldn't believe it, my band had slipped again!! the same way it had when I had the emergency surgery in September. He repaired everything, took the old band out, put the new larger band in a different location and did some other stuff in there to make sure my stomach can't come through again. I had a lot of pain this time around compared to the other two surgeries but I was back at work by Wednesday. I am on liquids for two weeks and will see him Wednesday, the 25th.

Physically I am still healing, just doing what I am supposed to and trying not to judge myself for having to rest sometimes. Mentally I have been depressed, feeling like all this time has passed and continues to pass without me really accomplishing anything. It's a weird place to be, I'm kind of disconnected and just going through the motions of day to day activities.

I will write more later, I just wanted you all to know that I am okay and still have a band!!!

[tonya66 13]

OH jen, That is GREAT news!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!

[jenslapband 0]

Thanks so much Sunshine!

Angyl, how are you feeling. I can't believe how much you have been through. At least through all my ups and downs my doctor has been awesome, available and one of the best in this type of surgery and practice. That I could always believe in. I can't imagine going through what you have and then realizing your doctor is icky! I hope you are doing better.

[tonya66 13]

Louisianagirl - your doing great with your weightloss!

Well, I have 12 days before my cruise and I'm getting so excited. I wish the weight was all gone, but I'm pretty happy anyhow!

Hope everyone else is doing good.

[Sula 0]

Hi My fellow bandsters,

I've been AWOL...vacation prep, vacation, then the blizzard in MT and knocked out the internet connect which finally got up and running this morning. Whew!!

Tonya, wow, I wish I could go with you. My vacation was a bit of a downer. We went to Central Oregon to bass fish and didn't catch a thing. Basically we were twiddling our thumbs for four days. But sometime must have gone right as I did lose 1 pound. Could be that when I got home I couldn't stop moving!! I do feel so rested, however and my brain is more active. I have a very mental job, (or I'm mental...I forget which it is!!) and the break was good.

I'm starting my self-talk to get motivated to get off dead center again!! I need to get back on a weight-loss/exercise program and get consistent. I know what I need to do, but I'm stagnent right now. I've got 40 more to lose..and I'd love to get that done by year 2. So, I'd better start now!!

I'll catch up on the reading over the next few days and see what the rest of you have been up to. Hope the days and nights are treating you all super!!

Shawn

[gerio 37]

Does anyone have suggestions for reflux. I have just starting having it at night. I don't eat after 6:00 pm and I have been sleeping with my head elevated. I have had to get up the last two nights and take some TUMS to try and relieve the acid that ends up in my throat. I really don't want to have any Fluid taken out because I am struggling getting the last few pounds off. Is there anything that has worked for anyone?:drool::frown:

Thanks,

[angyl2314 1]

I am feeling much better....making some decisions on what my next steps are. I had my first follow up with the new doctor. He was able to show me fluro pics of my old band and the new band. I don't want to say too much because I am considering legal action against my former doctor, mainly for the fact that he left me absolutely high and dry WITH COMPLICATIONS and no resources for continued care. I think that is deplorable.

All in all, though, I feel great. I am healing well, which impresses me since I have been through 4 surgeries in the same incision sites. It's gross though, I can feel the scar tissue. Well, that's why plastic surgeons get paid so well lol.

Good to hear you are doing well and happy, Jens...we have both been through a lot

[tonya66 13]

Does anyone have suggestions for reflux. I have just starting having it at night. I don't eat after 6:00 pm and I have been sleeping with my head elevated. I have had to get up the last two nights and take some TUMS to try and relieve the acid that ends up in my throat. I really don't want to have any Fluid taken out because I am struggling getting the last few pounds off. Is there anything that has worked for anyone?:smile2::frown:

Thanks,

What do you eat in the evening? Do you drink a full glass of Water before going to bed to wash out your pouch?

If your not eating at least 2 hours before bed, and not eating a very heavy meal, and washing out your pouch, I hate to say it, but I would take just a few drops of fluid out. Having acid reflux is not good either. You will be surprised at what a few drops can do.

Hope it goes away soon.

[tonya66 13]

I'm starting my self-talk to get motivated to get off dead center again!! I need to get back on a weight-loss/exercise program and get consistent. I know what I need to do, but I'm stagnent right now. I've got 40 more to lose..and I'd love to get that done by year 2. So, I'd better start now!!

Shawn

Shawn - I am in the same boat as you. I've struggled so hard the past 7 months, I lose 5 lbs, I gain 10, I lose 10 lbs, I gain 5. I'm still right where I was almost a year ago! It all began with my overfill in November, thats when all my strubbles started.

I know I'm partly to blame and I'm working hard to get my mind right and get back into the grove of weighloss again.....

Hang in there Shawn, we're all in this together.

[5jacks 0]

Sorry to say I haven't been on here much lately. Trying to catch up on everything that's been going on but with dial-up that could take a few weeks!! I've also not lost anything for a little more than 6 months....decided to change all that and went in for another fill yesterday. I'm now at 4.6cc in a 4cc band! The doctor did a barium swallow and checked everything out and it was okay so that's good. What's scarey is I'm just about out of fill space. Would like to lose around 40 more pounds before this ride is over! Does anyone else feel like we're wanting or expecting too much? What I mean is, shouldn't I be happy with 100 pounds lost? I feel so much better about myself and am much healthier so why am I not satisfied with my accomplishment? Hate to complain on the first visit back but this is the one place where everyone knows what a gal's talking about!! Is anyone else filled that full or does anyone else feel like I do?

[TracyinKS 7]

Hey Lisa! I saw your name on this post and wanted to come in and check on ya! I had 4.3cc in my 4cc band but in January I had .3 cc taken out........... I've read that the "small" bands can be overfilled to 6cc's although when I asked Dr. Malley about it he said he didn't have any patients with the small band over 5..... (so you may not need more that you have now)

Tonya: HAVE FUN ON YOUR CRUISE!!!!!

[gerio 37]

Sorry to say I haven't been on here much lately. Trying to catch up on everything that's been going on but with dial-up that could take a few weeks!! I've also not lost anything for a little more than 6 months....decided to change all that and went in for another fill yesterday. I'm now at 4.6cc in a 4cc band! The doctor did a barium swallow and checked everything out and it was okay so that's good. What's scarey is I'm just about out of fill space. Would like to lose around 40 more pounds before this ride is over! Does anyone else feel like we're wanting or expecting too much? What I mean is, shouldn't I be happy with 100 pounds lost? I feel so much better about myself and am much healthier so why am I not satisfied with my accomplishment? Hate to complain on the first visit back but this is the one place where everyone knows what a gal's talking about!! Is anyone else filled that full or does anyone else feel like I do?

I think when you have been overweight it is hard to see yourself as thinner. I am not happy yet where I am but it is a lot harder and slower to lose the rest of the weight. My goal is to have my BMI to say "normal" for once in my life. You have done great. 100 lbs is fantastic. Keep up the good work.

[5jacks 0]

Thanks guys! My fill was Tuesday and I've really tried hard to get back on track with no snacking and eating small bites. So far since Tuesday (and it's Friday morning) I've lost almost 5 pounds! A lot of that was just bad eating on my part and too much snacking but I don't care.....as long as the scales are moving downward I'll take it! I'm only getting in about 600-900 calories....not sure if that will hold up or not but so far I've not been hungry and as long as I'm eating slowly it works.

I'm going to try to be a better bandster buddy and get on here daily....just letting this all out really does help! THanks again!