Thursday, February 3, 2011

Not yet.............

I was to go to the doctor on Tuesday for my upper G.I. to determine if my dilated esophagus had healed. The doctors office called me on Monday afternoon to tell me he wouldn't be available on Tuesday and they changed my appointment to Thursday (today). So this morning I went for my upper G.I.. Sadly, the dilation was better but not enough for him to fill my band. He said I would be in the same shape within a few weeks as I was before if he filled it. Now, I have to wait another 3 months. I am so frustrated. I asked him if I had caused this to happen by something I was doing. He said no, it was caused by my band being too tight for too long. I feel as though the last two years have been a total waste of my time with this band. I haven't lost that much weight in the two years due to this particular problem.

The original surgeon I had wasn't knowledgeable enough to take care of my problem (which I believe he caused). First, I think he should have placed a larger band than he did. I have a 4cc band. That doesn't allow much room to adjust. The most my band has had in it is 2.25cc and that was fine for about 6 months until I became so tight I vomited and then it swelled shut and I could barely drink for over a week until I got home from a vacation out of state and he unfilled me and sent me for an upper G.I. He decided to leave me unfilled a couple of weeks and then proceeded to fill me again, rapidly but now I had acid reflux and heartburn and would choke in my sleep. When I went bad to him he shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know what was causing my problem. He implied that I just wasn't compatible with the band. Then he left the practice and moved to another town. For a few months we had no doctor on staff. A doctor from another town came in once a week and did fills and such. When I saw her she immediately removed my fill and sent me to a gastroenterologist for a scope test. So I was unfilled again. It took me three months to get my appointment. In the meantime, we got our new doctor at the bariatric center and I went back to him after the gastro doctor found no problem such as a slippage or something else. Our current surgeon is a lapband patient himself. When he filled me he wouldn't put as much as I originally had and I only had 2cc in my band. I went this way for about 8 months. I wasn't losing weight after a few months. I kept feeling no restriction plus I had killer acid reflux. I took Prilosec in the morning and at night and still had the reflux and heartburn when I drank water or any kind of drink with citrus in it. Plus, I had to sleep sitting up. I propped pillows behind me so I was almost upright and basically slept on my back.

When I went for my fill last October, my husband wanted me to tell the doctor about my sleeping situation. So, I did. If I laid down flat on the bed I had fluid or food come up into my mouth. I probably should have gone back to the doctor months before and told him what I was experiencing but I guess I was afraid that he would also say that I wasn't compatible with the band.

Now, he is saying if it isn't back to normal after another three months he may have to remove the band. I am so upset by this that I don't know what to do. I feel like a failure. Only I lost 97 pounds in my first year. I feel like now I am going to have to start counting calories again and dieting again after years of failing at that too. I pray that things go well now and I won't have to have my band removed. I am going to start really watching what I eat and continuing my exercise so at least I won't gain any more weight. Am I a failure, or did the doctors fail me? I don't know.

I apologize for going on about this but I want this documented in my blog so I can look back later and have it as my diary. Thank you all for your kind comments since I began this blog.

I am going to the church tonight with my quilt top. I am ready to place the batting and backing with it and quilting it. I am proud to have completed my first quilt top for the Squares of Hope at church.

9 comments:

Amanda Kiska said...

What a nightmare! I'm so sorry. Keep me posted.

Also I have an excellent fill doctor in Eugene. She's a naturopathic physcian and I know she could help you if you have to switch again.

Sheila Y said...

So sorry you are having such a time. I hope it heals completely by your next appointment. Take care, Sheila

Cindi said...

Omgoodness, you have been thru plenty, you're tough as nails in my book sister. Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You really have had a rough time of it with all that has happened. I'd say that you did loose a significant amount of weight and if you can maintain that it would be wonderful. I'll be praying that you do heal and can continue what was started. Congrats on the quilt! Sounds like you are really doing well with that! Take care! LOLAH!

bj said...

This sounds horrible. I am so so sorry you have to go thru it.

Thanks so much for stopping by my place. Come again soon..:))

Diann said...

this is just terrible! I am so sorry you are having to go through all this mess! You have my prayers that things get better for you soon!

Angi said...

Kathy! I'm so sorry to hear that you are still having so much trouble. You are not a failure though. 97 pounds in a year is in no way a failure. I only lost 63 and I love it. I'm not to goal, but life is SO much better now. I've had similar problems and I just pick myself up and keep trying.

If you do have to go without the band, just remember you got here and you can stay here. And if you try, you can go farther!

You have done a great job even with all the trouble! So, pat yourself on the back and admit to yourself that you rock!

:)

Jody V said...

Hey Kathy,

Too bad you ONLY LOST 97 LBS! Are you nuts woman?!?!? I would KILL to lose 97 lbs. You are not a failure but a huge success. You have lost more that the band statistics say you should. That's success! I do hope you can keep your band though. Writing down everything you eat seems to be the way to go. I have gained weight and have been on every support group website. One thing seems to stand out. Those that got back on track logged their food. Keep up those exercise classes! In fact, I'm going to give that Yoga class a try by me!

Michelle said...

It is kind of freaking me out... I have questions if you dont mind could you email me at michelleisaac31@hotmail.com

I have had a similar situation. I got a really bad stomach flu last summer my band tightened. I went in for an unfill and that worked so went back in for a fill. i felt the fill was too aggressive and had to get it unfilled but both of the drs from our office were away for a month so I suffered for a month. I went through a serries of fills and unfills till about 1 month ago when I went in to have all but 1 cc taken out of my 10cc band. I went in for a small fill and am at 1.5 cc now.

My issues sounded alot like yours. I am now scared that when I start to get more fill in I will continue to have the same issues. Mine sounds soooo much like yours.

Thanks for all the good info and you are doing awesome. 97lbs is great...