Comments for Bariatric Learning Center

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Anna

Anna — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:21:01 +0000

I have had the band since 2006 – during which time I lost about 20kgs.

I also had gastric relfux to the point i was vomiting through my nose and mouth in my sleep. Had to sleep sitting up most of the time although that did not help much. After a gastroscopy the doc noticed a hiatus hernia and decided to repair it. During this time, he decided to update my band to a newer version – bad mistake. I started experiencing severe chest pains. I had all the heart tests done and it was decided it was referred pain due to the band. At this stage, I was able to eat most anything. I had the band loosened and have put on the weight I had lost initially. I am still experiencing the chest pains as well as gas pains, pains in my back, upper shoulder and at times neck – sounds like the heart doen’t it??

Now I need to go see the surgeon again but am putting it off because I feel ashamed and disappointed that this thing has not worked for me. During my last visit the surgeon said that perhaps a gastric sleeve would be my better option. Imagine what could happen if they actually take most of my stomach away!!!! He must be mad! I know a lady who had this done many years ago and made me promise not to ever consider it as her life was a total misery. She was very thin, gaunt, looked unhealthy and hated going out.

I am so tired of not feeling well, sipping warm water to ease the pain (my young son gets me this when he sees I am not well).

Anyway, I will finish this up now as I am about to make an appointment to get this thing sorted once and for all! I wish you all luck!

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Jada

Jada — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:13:27 +0000

I had surgery in Dec 2007 and lost 70 lbs. Over the past 2 years I have gained 50 back. I have some restriction but not much. No nausea or GERD. No vomiting but my stomach is either very bloated or swollen. Occasional pain but mostly uncomfortable I can feel almost any activity in the stomach. I have suspected that it is either a dilated pouch or erosion. A few months ago my surgeon did a regular X-ray and said the band is in the right position. He has never done the fluro that many here have discussed. I have been back twice since the x-ray & had unfills. He also doesn’t tell you what size band you have or how much of a fill he gives. This guy is a piece of work. Very arrogant. I have another appt & basically i am going to insist on the fluro or the upper GI. I do sometimes have a tightening in my throat but goes away.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Dilation, slippage or erosion?

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:51:11 +0000

Hi I had my surgery 12/06. My first fill was mild by April I had my second fill and noticed the weight started to come off. I have lost over 100 pounds but not without pain. A year and a half after surgery I started having a lot of tightness in my chest and it felt as though the food would get stuck after my 2nd or 3rd bight. It is now over 5 years since surgery and I decided to go to a new doctor for a second opinion. My original doctor claimed that every patient experiences different things. Come to find out my band is up around my esophogus. (however it is spelled) Anyhow, now I have to go in 2 weeks to either have it repositioned properly or removed. I am scared to death simply because it has been a little over two weeks since they took out half of the fluid and I have gained almost 16 pounds. The crazy part about all of this is that I was told they only slip down never up. What gives and has anyone had this happen to them??? It is so frustrating and I pray they do not remove my band so long as there is not a lot of scar tissue it can stay. For the record I would do it again just maybe research doctor a little more thoroughly.

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Tammy K

Tammy K — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:59:24 +0000

Hi again…So i just got a call from my primary dr with the results of my CT scan and I have a moderate hiatal hernia! Please tell me that someone else has got this issue after the band surgery has been put into place!?! I go and see my Bariatric dr tomorrow and will know what he is going to suggert or want to do…remove the band all together, repair the hernia, or whatever is best! Im not going to lie…I am scared to death at this point! I dont want another surgery but I NEED this fixed, and I have lost over 60lbs and I am scared that if he has to remove the band entirely, I will gain it all back! Any advice or help appreciated!!

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Sandra J

Sandra J — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:53:50 +0000

Hi had lapband going on three years. Have only lost 30 pounds. I have some problems: Can’t keep chicken down white or dark meat nor some seafood. I can feel the port on my stomach. Sometimes get sharp pain in stomach for days and weeks. Get stressed out when I do right thing but still gain weight. If I eat once every three hours in a day I have no problem keeping down food. If I only eat when I am hungry which is every six or seven hours I throw up almost everything I eat. I chew slow, don’t drink while I am eating and can only eat about one teaspoon of anything at a sitting. When I can eat beef is my only friend. This just started last year with the chicken. I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and nuts which is not good to do because of the nature sugar. I hate having my husband think that everytime I go to the bath room I am throwing up. Everyone around me think my problems are my own fault and that I am doing something or everything wrong. I have had a knee replaced and need the other replaced also due to an accident at work, so I am sometimes limited on alot of exercise. We do have a support group here but I have not attended. Sometime i feel like I want band out but not sure I will stop eating when full. If anyone has problem with chicken let me know. Sometimes I feel crazy not being able to eat chicken or fish. Please don’t say stop eating beef I get the leanest and wash out all the grease I can.

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Tammy K

Tammy K — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:09:08 +0000

Hi everyone! I found out yesterday that my surgeon got my bloodwork. And they are very concerned! Apparantly they think that maybe my band has slipped! OK..that alone scared the crap outta me. I just dont need this in my life right now! I have been reading up on band slippage and it includes alot of my problems but it says that more times than not, the person has stopped loosing weight with the band slipping. I can still eat stuff, mostly soft and I am loosing weight. I dunno what the heck to do! if it has slipped and I need surgery (again) then i guess I have no choice. I go tomorrow to get a CT scan of my abdomin, then off to see the dr., specialist, surgeon..I ask you all to pray for me so that this all turns out right! i will follow up after Tuesday! *and PS..if ANYONE has gone thru having their band slipped, PLEASE send me a message with your story!!

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by susan

susan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:45:57 +0000

i was banded 4 yrs ago..i have not had the problems that i am reading here..i have almost 7cc in my band and can eat anything..just in moderation..i have lost 105 pounds and have maintained..my dr is very happy..people who throw up are probably eating to big of a portion or to fast and not chewing it up..the only thing i have an issue with is sausage hot dogs things like that. so avoid eating things…that thick saliva is your body tring to make stuff go down..slow down on eating..you have to follow the plan..i know some who have had it and still have not lost any weight..they eat big quaintitys of food..i have no problem sleeping..i have tons of energy..my knees don’t hurt like they used to…so all you who throw up slow down or get it losened..

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by linda

linda — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:08:07 +0000

I had lap band on May 09 and I lost about 75 pounds and I am at a point were I not loosing any more my port is on the right side and it hurts me everyday..I went to the doctor today because I was having some pain around my port..when the doctor went to take out my fluid I had really bad pain in my left side.. has anyone ever had this to happen to them…it is still hurting and its been about 4 hours now…

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Keri

Keri — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:37:13 +0000

I had the lap band done June 2010. At first I wasn’t loosing that much. But just about 6 months ago it started to fall off and have lost 85 total so far. I only need to loose about 10 more lbs. Now I’m having issues with keeping food down. And I’m constantly drained and feel like taking a nap only I can’t because I work full time. I’m sure it’s because I can’t find any protein that I can keep down long enough. Not even protein shakes stay down. I also have that thick white stuff come up at time and food stays down. But lately it’s been the food and water coming up. I also have this issue where after I eat or drink a little I’ll get a sorta of burp in my throat/chest, now that’s embarrassing especially when I’m eatting out with friends because everyone can hear it. It’s not something I can control. My husband says it does it in my sleep also. I’m thinking I’m too tight but I don’t have insurance anymore and can’t afford going back to see my dr out of pocket. Hoping I can figure something out. Good luck to you all and God bless.

Comment on Patients Reporting Problems After Lap-Band Surgery by Yifti

Yifti — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:19:23 +0000

Not sure what you guys are doing but I’ve never had a single issue with my band. I was banded May 2005, lost 52kg (sorry am in Australia with the metric system and all) and the only issues I’ve ever had have been self induced- ie eating too much and throwing up. Yes, occasionally I get heart burn but that too is usually my fault for eating the wrong things or eating too late. Oh and I get the stomach gurgling occasionally, but that doesn’t hurt.

My advice to all of you is to take it back to first principles. Are you eating tiny portions, are you avoiding bread and pasta? Are you drinking when you are eating? Are you exercising? Are you eating things you shouldn’t? Are you eating take away foods and unhealthy fatty foods like McDonalds?

I don’t claim to know how any of you feel, but I can’t imagine there would be this many problems with lap banding without some sort of formal government investigation, so I can only assume you aren’t doing the right thing.

Maybe you think you can lose weight just by having the band? If you do, then you are deluded. It is not a cure, it is a security guard. You have to be the motivator of your own weight loss.