6 replies to this topic

[Mumma Poss]

Hello, I was banded in 2005 and lost over 20 kilos and was feeling and looking good..... meet my now husband (had our 1st date 2 weeks after my surgery ) went up and down weight wise, had our son in mid 2008, had put on weight.... lost some weight had our daughter in mid 2011 skip to now and I am 5 kilos under my heaviest weight at surgery and have started to have problems with the band.

I have found it impossible to have anything for breakfast the past month even a shake is hard, then meals slowly become harder to have as I would get that horrible stuck painful problem and have to be sick (at the worst) then over the weekend things got worse and by Sunday I was having trouble drinking fluids ( I would sip and by the 3rd sip I was in pain and it was stuck) so i went and saw my GP as I had lost touch with my surgeon and he is no longer working so had to be referred to a new one.

After a struggle to get a booking for a Barium Swallow (no appointments until next week) and the new surgeons office taking over 24 hours to decide if they could fit me in as they are too busy with there own patients..... I saw the surgeon on Tuesday night as an emergency case and he removed the 1ml I had put in my band back in 2005 and I have been able to drink and eat fine since. What a relief that is..... after only being able to drink upto 100mls a day!!

Any way I am having a barium swallow on Monday and seeing the surgeon on Tuesday morning for the results and were to go from there.

I was thinking of having the band removed no matter what the outcome..... but now I am not sure. I feel of the band wagon back in 2005 and didn't follow up regually like I should have but I wonder if all is ok with the band (and it hasn't slipped) should I get back on the bandwagon and try this banding thing.

I fought so hard and was so determined to have the band back in 2005 and just feel like I owe it to myself and my band not to mention my kids, husband and body to try and make this work.

I hope that this surgeon will continue to see me as he is nice and thinks I have fallen of the band wagon due to no follow up..... he was also a lot better taking the fill out then my original surgeon putting the fill in (that makes a difference).

Ok if all goes well next week what should I do to get me back in the banding game?? Dietision?? Counselling?? This forum..... any suggestions?

[Shorty]

If you old surgeon isn't available I'm sure another surgeon would take you on.

You might have to comit to a bit of a plan with the surgeon so that s/he knows you want it to work. If it's been a while and the new clinic has them I'd go and see the dietitan and psychologist - you have nothing to lose but the kilos!

Congratulations on your little ones too! Such exciting times and I'm finding chasing them round to be easier with a few less kilos!!

Let us know how you go!

S

[Mumma Poss]

Thank You Shorty,

I pulled out my old lap band book last night and I was just reading the start of it and I can tick 19 boxes out of 19 reason for wanting to succeed.

I think a plan and a group of people that will support and help me out, is exactly what i need. I live in a country area so not sure if any of the surgeons around here have a dietitan and psychologist in there rooms but I am sure my surgeon can recommend them for me.

That is if this new surgeon agrees to take me on and see me from now on as a regular patient (his Office Manager said he could only see me as a one off and not on going as he has to many of his own - I think she is also his wife) but I will be asking him this on Tuesday.

I have just found my old photos from my lap band before and monthly photos and I am going to check them out and see what I looked like ( I know I was thinner).

[nurselea]

iIwas banded in 2004 and in 2007?? was very sick and mine slipped ..Had it changed with no problems only this one a bigger one than the bands they used originally.

I this week have also gone back to the optifast two week regime as while im still no where near what i started i have put on about 10 in these passed yrs and now having issues with servere sleep apeoana so i sort of starting again with new start weight at 93 not 135 like thre first time,

We dfid i once we can do it again ...you now have kids so you have a new focus on the need to be well in and out .

Surgeons are everywhere but if i can suggest reg maintainance and contact will help. even after all this time i still see mine twice a yr.

leanne

[nurselea]

Just read your reply to Shorty ....I know my surgeon who is in city but comes out to Windsor NSW has many country patients they either have contact with him online or make the trip to visit when needed .....follow up with someone who knows what they doing is important

[columbine]

A surgeon or someone who had handle your fills is a must. The dietician can be helpful, even i you only go a few times. I thought the dietician would be a major must have as most the people I know in my city who have had some sort of weight loss surgery see her reglularly until they get to goal weight. The nurse that looks after me doesn't see her as very helpful however and has told me I don't really need to waste my money seeing her (get the feeling they aren't buddies). I personally didn't find the psycologist to be of any help with my weight loss issues but have been seeing one for other things and they are great for talking through any issues you might have and teaching you how to deal with them yourself.

And of course there is the wonderful forum. The people on here are (mostly) fantastic! They will give you unconditional support, advice based on their combined knowledge and a happy little cheer up note when you are having a crap day. What more could you want?

I say you've got the equipment already in place, why not give it another shot! Best of luck and I look forward to reading your success story on here soon

[Mumma Poss]

Columbine, thank you for your post it was lovely and supportive

columbine, on 23 February 2012 - 09:23 AM, said:

I say you've got the equipment already in place, why not give it another shot!

I could not agree more with that..... I think my mind is made up to give this a try again if all is ok with the band.