Re: I am at a loss as to what to do.

[Guest guest]

I had surgery with Heidi (we are friends) and I know how utterly frustrated and upset she is. Believe me, if we had known what we know now in 20/20 hindsight, we would have had the sleeve done, and I now steer people to the sleeve instead of the band (I have had my own issues). But I know she was hoping to hear something different :/

trish

In a message dated 4/6/2010 11:06:13 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, april.white@... writes:

Thank you for telling your band story here. This is why we who are sleeved advise anyone seeking info on WLS to steer clear of the band. The solution for you is to have revision surgery to a sleeve (if Dr. Aceves agrees it can be done; in other words there isn't any irreparable harm caused by the band.) For sure you need to have the band removed. I think you know this, right, and are looking for confirmation. Discuss your options with Dr. Aceves' team and see what they have to offer.>> December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A. I lost > a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at > goal. I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the > band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting. I was also weak > and irritate all the time. I went a few months with no problems but it > seemed that every period cycle I would spiral . So...I had most of the saline > removed. I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go > back in and have a small fill. My life is a nightmare since. Since > December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting > (usually due to the nausea). I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too > much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it > would get bad again. So a few weeks ago I had all a total unfill. Things > are still bad. I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests > which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were > low. My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I > take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing > they aren't as effective now. I can hardly eat. I vomit at least once a > day but usually more. I am weak, irritable and scared. Do any of you have > any experience with this. With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have > any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to > the band but not the restriction of the band. Any help is greatly > appreciated.> > Heidi>

[Guest guest]

This all sounds very familiar. (  I'm sorry you are going through this.  This is exactly why so many of us are so vocal about the band.  If band placement is correct (if you had a slip Dr. Campos would have seen it) it sounds like you might not be tolerating the band anymore.

I'm sorry.On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 12:34 AM, <HeidiMatt@...> wrote:

 

December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A.  I lost a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at goal.  I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting.  I was also weak and irritate all the time.  I went a few months with no problems but it seemed that every period cycle I would spiral .  So...I had most of the saline removed.  I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go back in and have a small fill.  My life is a nightmare since.  Since December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting (usually due to the nausea).  I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it would get bad again.  So a few weeks ago I had all a total unfill.  Things are still bad.  I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were low.  My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing they aren't as effective now.  I can hardly eat.  I vomit at least once a day but usually more.  I am weak, irritable and scared.  Do any of you have any experience with this.  With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to the band but not the restriction of the band.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Heidi    

  

[Guest guest]

Thank you for telling your band story here. This is why we who are sleeved

advise anyone seeking info on WLS to steer clear of the band. The solution for

you is to have revision surgery to a sleeve (if Dr. Aceves agrees it can be

done; in other words there isn't any irreparable harm caused by the band.) For

sure you need to have the band removed. I think you know this, right, and are

looking for confirmation. Discuss your options with Dr. Aceves' team and see

what they have to offer.

>

> December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A. I lost

> a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at

> goal. I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the

> band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting. I was also weak

> and irritate all the time. I went a few months with no problems but it

> seemed that every period cycle I would spiral . So...I had most of the

saline

> removed. I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go

> back in and have a small fill. My life is a nightmare since. Since

> December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting

> (usually due to the nausea). I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too

> much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it

> would get bad again. So a few weeks ago I had all a total unfill. Things

> are still bad. I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests

> which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were

> low. My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I

> take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing

> they aren't as effective now. I can hardly eat. I vomit at least once a

> day but usually more. I am weak, irritable and scared. Do any of you have

> any experience with this. With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have

> any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to

> the band but not the restriction of the band. Any help is greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Heidi

>

[Guest guest]

Have you talked to Dr. A about this? What was his answer?From: "HeidiMatt@..." <HeidiMatt@...> Sent: Tue, April 6, 2010 2:34:33 AMSubject: I am at a loss as to what to do.

December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A. I lost a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at goal. I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting. I was also weak and irritate all the time. I went a few months with no problems but it seemed that every period cycle I would spiral . So...I had most of the saline removed. I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go back in and have a small fill. My life is a nightmare since. Since December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting (usually due to the nausea). I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it would get bad again. So a few weeks ago I had all a total unfill. Things are still bad. I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were low. My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing they aren't as effective now. I can hardly eat. I vomit at least once a day but usually more. I am weak, irritable and scared. Do any of you have any experience with this. With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to the band but not the restriction of the band. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Heidi

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

I'm so sorry you are having problems with your band. If it helps, I (literally) feel your pain and my story is similar to yours. I just wanted those last 5-10 lbs off so I went back for a small fill (.6cc) and my life has spiraled too.

So I will give you advice from someone who has been dealing with this for about a year and also know that I LONG to be sleeved and eat a veggie but that isn't what I'm able to do right now. Please don't take my advice as a suggestion to keep living like this.

So somethings to "practice"...

If you PB or vomit or whatever is happening. You MUST go on CLEAR liquids for 3 days. Your goal is NOT to get more food in, it is settle things down in your tummy and make it so that you can "eat" again. I used the word eat lightly, more like drink So after a puke, clear liquids for 3 days, then 3 days of full liquids, then 3 days of mushy, then SLOWLY move on to solids. If at any point you PB again, you start over! 3 days of clear. After you PB, don't put anything in your mouth for 6 hours. Then after 6 hours do a tablespoon of hot tea, see how that sits, then another tablespoon and so on. Your tummy is swollen from the PB and irritated and doesn't want anything in it, so slow down. Back off on food. Make sure the priolsec is working for you, it didn't work for me, I had to go to Aciphex - works perfect when I faithfully take it every 24 hrs, if an

extra hour goes by, I feel the acid burn my throat again.

Call Dr. Aceves office BEFORE the endoscopy. My doctor in the US insisted they needed an endoscopy and it would be cash - $1200 up front. When I called Aceves office they confirmed from my Upper GI CD I sent them that this wasn't necessary. I needed to get things settled down in my tummy first. Also, my goal here was to SAVE my band. I knew I wouldn't be able to do revision right now and I wanted to save my band until I could get there. So call and ask their opinion. If you have had an Upper GI done, send it to them for their opinion.

So your first goal here is to stop the PBing and just get clear liquids in for 3 days. Are you taking any other medications? I was on high doses of Ibuprofen for a surgery I had and it was irritating my little band something fierce.

You will definitely be irritable during all of this and I know you are scared by try to relax, stress really pushes your band!! Makes things tight tight.

I have been able to get to a somewhat normal life. I am able to drink hot tea in the morning, have a protein shake later in the day, and creamy soup at night. At Easter dinner I was able to have a baked potato and I felt like I was in heaven Things should get a little better if you can do the clear liquids and get things uncontrol.

Feel free to send me a private message if you want to "talk" to a real person who has gone through this.

I'm so sorry for you going through this!!

Post a message again in a few days and let me know how the clear liquids are going.

Take care, Cyrena Weeks

DOB: 1/19/07

240/134/150

start/now/goal

From: "HeidiMatt@..." <HeidiMatt@...> Sent: Tue, April 6, 2010 2:34:33 AMSubject: I am at a loss as to what to do.

December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A. I lost a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at goal. I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting. I was also weak and irritate all the time. I went a few months with no problems but it seemed that every period cycle I would spiral . So...I had most of the saline removed. I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go back in and have a small fill. My life is a nightmare since. Since December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting (usually due to the nausea). I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it would get bad again. So a few weeks ago

I had all a total unfill. Things are still bad. I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were low. My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing they aren't as effective now. I can hardly eat. I vomit at least once a day but usually more. I am weak, irritable and scared. Do any of you have any experience with this. With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to the band but not the restriction of the band. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Heidi

[Guest guest]

Hello to both of you...Heidi and Cyrena: I am also in the same situation. Friday will be three years since the band. started at 208 now at 135 which is an ok weight but I look better a little heavier because of my age (73). I look haggard and tired. I am both (haggard and tired). At my age I would not consider a revision, but if worse gets to worse would have the band removed.

As of now I have an appt w/a doc in Pensacola for a small unfill...thank goodness Dr. Campos sent me home w/copies of my films. I moved from Las Vegas where all post op stuff was a 4-5 hour drive to Almater and Dr. Campos. We moved to Florida last October, wonderful move in many ways but not so good for this issue.

My worst problem is that "stuff" either little bits of soft food or liquid comes up into my throat at night and is inhaled and I wake up coughing and gagging....IF I am able to get back to sleep after an hour or so it happens again. I have not had a solid 5-7 hours sleep in months. What seems odd to me is that at times I am able to eat "regular" food not bread or meat but soft vegies, etc., and then out of the blue comes another attack of the night coughing and when that hits it can last for 2 or 3 weeks. I was able to get the aciphex under the brand name of "Omerprazole" - and my insurance paid for it. Now I have seen and my husband purchased some Omerprazole at Wal Mart and it says 14 day treatment....but my rx is for 90 days and the pills don't look anything like each other, go figure. But the ones from Right Source (where my meds come from) have done the trick for me...oh and I am so grateful for the removal of the acid stuff.

I have not tried to go on clear liquid for 3 days. Pls let me know what else you have...tea, you mentioned, broths? do you take vitamins? Well good luck to us all...and I will advise if there is any relief after this unfill in 2 weeks. My band is 9.75 which has a max fill of 4.0 and is now 1.75 (I think, if I remember correctly). I never had the 4.0 think the tightest was 2.75...whatever it is it's too dang restricted.

OK...so we hang together, you girls for revision probably and me trying to find a compromise w/what I have and hang on to those size 4 & 6 jeans. You think vanity dies as you age??? think again! By the way life is wonderful even w/this problem and I am confident that there will be an answer for me too in order to contribute a little to family, friends and the world while I am still here. I am not always thinking of my self and this problem and size 4 jeans... Thank God! joanne

I am at a loss as to what to do.

December 28th was my 2 year anniversary of being banded by Dr. A. I lost a lot of weight in the beginning (first 8 months or so) and was actually at goal. I had an unfill about then because I was really struggling with the band and was losing too much weight because of vomiting. I was also weak and irritate all the time. I went a few months with no problems but it seemed that every period cycle I would spiral . So...I had most of the saline removed. I gained about 15 pounds back so this December I decided to go back in and have a small fill. My life is a nightmare since. Since December I have had issues with acid reflux, nausea after eating and vomiting (usually due to the nausea). I went back in January thinking Dr. C put too much in so I had him take some out. For a few days it was better and then it would get bad again. So a few weeks ago I had all a total unfill. Things are still bad. I went to my regular doctor and she ran a battery of tests which all came back fine except for my Vitamin B12 and K levels which were low. My doctor is ordering an endoscopy and has given me Prilosec which I take twice a day and anti-nausea medication so I can eat but I am noticing they aren't as effective now. I can hardly eat. I vomit at least once a day but usually more. I am weak, irritable and scared. Do any of you have any experience with this. With the saline gone I assumed I wouldn't have any problems with eating so I am worries that my issues may be related to the band but not the restriction of the band. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Heidi

[Guest guest]

Heidi I am having similar problems and I am going on May 29th to get my band

removed. I just cant live like this. I cant eat- and struggle to drink enough

water to keep myself hydrated. My dr. here said I have a prolapse. I am not

getting any type revision surgery done. Just getting the band out and going to

see what happens from there. Best of luck to you! I hope this works out. I

know about being weak and irritable. It is all I can do to get through the day.

Only 13 days until I can feel normal again! I cant wait!

[Guest guest]

Sounds like my story but I didn't have a slip of any type.  Just band intolerance.  Sorry you are going through this, there is life after the band! ;o)On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 8:56 AM, <nicki_8875@...> wrote:

 

Heidi I am having similar problems and I am going on May 29th to get my band removed. I just cant live like this. I cant eat- and struggle to drink enough water to keep myself hydrated. My dr. here said I have a prolapse. I am not getting any type revision surgery done. Just getting the band out and going to see what happens from there. Best of luck to you! I hope this works out. I know about being weak and irritable. It is all I can do to get through the day. Only 13 days until I can feel normal again! I cant wait!