Will this ever get better???? Help

babsyintx · April 26, 2005

Hi Guitarman,

There were several things that were apparent to me after reading your email.

1) Your surgeon is not being truthful. Inamed does not put Fluid in the band to flush it. Your surgeon may have, but the manufacturer did not put it in there.

2) Some men have problems with the 9.75 and 10 Inamed lapbands. I have known men that had to be in the hospital on intravenous fluids because the band is very tight right from the get go. There is a fat pad around your stomach. Depending on the surgical technique of the doctor and the size of your stomach will determine how tight the band is before you even have restriction/fills. I have a male friend that had to stay in the hospital two weeks until he lost some weight and some of the fat around his stomach. The band loosened up a little and he was able to eat and drink again. Y0u will likely be able to eat and drink just fine now that the swelling has gone down post op. Also you have lost some weight and the band will loosen up over the next few weeks and you will be able to eat.

Nausea can be caused by dehydration, anesthesia, lack of Vitamins, anemia and a whole bunch of other things.

Hang in there. I promise it will get better. I do not obsess about my band , I eat what I want (generally speaking) and I cant imagine living my life without my buddy!!!

Babs in TX

334/180/170

-154

BeckyinTexas · April 26, 2005

Mark.....Well one week ago today you got your band. I know you have had one hell of a time and I so wish things would hurry up and get better for you! I just so hope that each day gets better and better for you...it will. Hang in there, bro!

Feel2Young2B40 · April 27, 2005

Hi Mark! One thing you may want to watch out for is swallowing air while drinking fluids. The sensation you describe is the one I had while I was still on liquids. I called the Dr and said I was staying within the liquid limits but had a knot in my throat and nauseous all day long. That's when they said I was a "gulper". I swallow air while I drinking. After I stopped using straws and kept my tongue at the roof of my mouth it was much better.

Also, you asked about when it ends being the center of your life and actually today I realized I didn't think about it once at work. I was banded 1 month ago yesterday and the food perils, chewing, etc have become part of my life so far. So, life does go on! Actually, I can't wait to get my fill next week!

Anyway, good luck and take it slow. It does get better and keep in touch! Laura

bandit · April 27, 2005

Check in and let us know how ur doing.................................

jqpublic · April 27, 2005

Im' not banded! so I' cant no how your feeling. But I hope you are feeling better.You put all this effort in getting banded just hang in there lot's of people on this lb site it has worked for them it will work for you in time.... Good luck.

guitarman · April 27, 2005

Thanks folks. Again you are so encouraging. today was my one week post op appt with my Dr. He has elevated me to pureed food such as some fruit cocktail in a blender and maybe even some tuna or chicken salad in a blender. So life is looking up for sure. I feel much better and my family and I had a great day today. I will admit I am a control freak and I think part of my immediate anxiety was fearing the loss of control (which obviously I never had or I wouldn't weigh this much) over what I ate and when. I am adjusting and I think things will work out fine now. Because I realize the band is actually going to give me the control I never really had. Much Thanks and God Bless.

tellie · April 27, 2005

Hi Mark,

I am sorry you have had such a rough time, some people react really badly to anesthesia, but even without that, just the pain and the huge change to life ( specially during those first 6-10 weeks, is mind boggling. I have had the surgery twice, both times I felt like I had made the worst mistake of my life, and regretted it for ... well, 6 or 10 weeks. Then it just became life as usual.

It will get better.

take care

Shegill · April 27, 2005

You are the third man I've read about who had a difficult time post-surgically in ways that seemed specificaly related to excessive swelling. It sound like a freaking nightmare! Two guys over at spotlighthealth.com (http://spotlighthealth.com/common/forum/topics.aspx?m=1&sb=25) had very similar sounding problems--difficulty swallowing and breathing in the month after banding. You might want to post over there and see if they'll respond. One was JimmyC and I think the other was Dan the Man. In both of those case, the swelling eventually resolved but it took much longer than the 3 or 4 days that is more common with most of us women. I wonder if it has something to do with the size of male anatomy, or the differing ways mens' bodies retain Water.

In any case, don't hesitate to go to the ER again if you can't swallow saliva, or if you think you may be becoming dehydrated again. It's a huge pain, I know, but you really have to watch it. Again, if the problem is excess swelling, it will resolve eventually.

So sorry to hear of your horrible time!

Sheila