Lap Band Hospitalization

So last Sunday (not this past but the week before) I was on all 4 bending over the bathtub scrubbing as hard as I possibly could and started choking/coughing I felt something snap and suddenly PAIN! SO I very carefully sat down on the floor beside the tub in absolute agony right where my band is. I had never had any issues with my band so this scared me, I thought I broke my band or something.

Went to the ER immediately.

During the Upper GI the 1st radiologist told me my band had slipped and I was very swollen. I started crying like a baby. They admitted me as it was a Sunday and they did not have a bariatric surgeon available to fix me up. The next morning I wake up after having this awful night crying and upset about breaking my band to find out from the Bariatric Surgeon that my band had NOT slipped but I did manage to pull a muscle somewhere around the band and that was what was hurting and causing so much pressure. He emptied 4.9cc's from the band and ordered EGD to make sure I had nothing else going on.

Come to find out the EGD came back with something called gastroenteritis. The surgeon told me I'd be fine with nexium, the swelling would go down like any other injury and to make an appointment for a fill in 1-2 weeks.

Isn't that too soon though? Its been 9 days since I pulled that muscle and I am still very tender. I changed my appointment to the 21st. I did not even think to ask of he was going to go straight back up to 4.9ccs or if he is going to take it slow. I prefer taking it slow although I didn't have the restriction with the 4.9cc in my band as it was really.

I know this sounds awful but my hubby took me to this italian restaurant last night and I got to eat bread, thick soft right-out-of-the-oven italian bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I have been so good since I got my band but omg it felt good to eat like a real person for the 1st time in a LONG time. Yeah....I definitely want to take it slow going back up and until then is it bad to enjoy some of the things I haven't been able to enjoy? Or should I be a really good girl and stick to the plan?

Wow, I'm glad to hear that your band did not slip!  With an unfill and some rest, it sounds like you will be good as new!

Your doctor will NOT fill you back up to 4.9 cc all at once.  That would be a huge shock to your body, and you probably wouldn't even be able to swallow your own spit, from all the swelling.  You will basically have to start all over again, getting several small fills until you reach restriction again, like you did right after surgery.

Here's to a smooth recovery! 

I do alot of Zumba and when we do new moves that twist that stomach or work the stomach muscles I get really tender there also for a few days to a few weeks it depends .

And far as eating bread and feeling human I eat bread all the time well not all the time but I eat it with sandwiches or just like you when I go out and have a nice dinner roll and I dont feel guilty about it .

As long as you do those things in moderation then enjoy them foods .  I always tell myself and my doc which dont always agree with me, I didnt get the band so I cant eat them foods ever again I got the band to help with portion control that is all.

That is probably why I keep my band on the  loose side of things because I want to be able to eat all the foods I enjoy but learn how to eat them foods in moderation and how often to eat them foods to me that is what the band is suppose to do , not to restrict you from foods , but that is how I look at things lol.

Hmmm... to follow the plan or not? That is the question! and you will have to live with the consequences just like the rest of us. Is it worth haivng to loose the weight again? Only you can answer that. Just remember why you got the surgery and wanted to loose the weight. Its a life long struggle. K

I forgot to add...the MD works for YOU. If you want to take it slow then he should take it as slow as you want. He wasn't sitting in the hospital bed in pain. They won't do anything unsafe for you but they should honor wishes. Your body and band. K

Should you go off your plan? Well, I would be very carefull. You've worked so hard to loose some weight, it would be a shame to put it back on. I would try to strike a balance, I'm just saying not to go overboard. It's just not worth it. The weight comes on so fast, and is so tough to loose. Hope you heal up quickly and get back to restriction soon. Best wishes!

 First of all, I'm so glad it was a muscle, not the band. Second of all, get some scrubbing bubbles and let them do the work. Lastly, enjoy your reprieve while recovering, then get back to work. Remember how you cried at the thought of losing your band. But we all need a break now and again.   

Ha! Scrubbing bubbles. lmao. Good advice though.

So glad you are going to be ok and nothing serious with your band.
 
Everything is on my plan just in moderation.....I have bread once in a while...my docs plan is protein first, then veggies then carbs if room.

It all depends on what type of person you are........for me some carbs just make me crave more carbs and I can easily get out of control and on the other hand if I deny I just will binge.

So for me I say everything in moderation......... you know yourself, if you think you can handle having a slice of bread a day (we all know we didn't get obese just eating one slice of anything LOL) and it is what you enjoy then maybe keep a little looser band so you can enjoy it might be in order.

Michele

THANK GOD it wasnt a slip!!!

Those damn stomach muscles!!!  I never felt "pain" in my abdomen until I lost the weight and began working out so much...  

As far as the plan...

Moderation NOT deprivation

Girl go for it!!   Stay in control though!! Because I know if it were me, Id probably end up going crazy, having pasta, pizza, and chinese food E.V.E.R.Y.D.A.Y until I felt restriction again.

Just tread lightly, but live a little and enjoy those "forbidden foods" every now and again.    

Good luck!!!