Update - Endoscopy, Flouro, Fill

I had my first endoscopy done a few weeks ago since being banded in Nov 2008. I was quite nervous due to the horror stories I had read about online and hearing issues that other bandsters had been having. I had 1 cc taken out for the occasion [done under flouro] and my bariatric doc said the band looked great from the outside so good news for THAT part of it.

Fortunately my endoscopy went well! My gastroenterologist said the area where my realize band is located looked fine and the esophagus looked great. No errosion or anything. He was slightly concerned about scar tissue still at the end of my esophagus/top of stomach so biopsied this for Barrett's esophagus which came back negative. This is the second time I was biopsied for this, first time was 2007, a year before I was banded.  [BG: I was on nexium for almost 10 years before I was banded. I had horrible acid reflux and a HUGE hiatal hernia that my bariatric surgeon sewed shut in order to place my band. after that, never needed the nexium again!]

My gastro said I still have slight reflux [7-10%] but nothing bad and siad I wouldn't need prevacid or nexium unless the biopsy came back + for Barretts. Since no Barretts, no meds! YAY! Plus he said I have a hiatal hernia which puzzled me since my bariatric doc fixed the one I had.

Well at my fill last week [1.2cc's!] my bariatric doc explained that when you lose a large amount of weight, the hernia can reappear because there is more room inside (thus the tightly closed hernia now may gap a bit where the weight was lost). Makes sense!

Now I am back on track and  trying to lose 15 pounds. I want to be 135 before I try to get pregnant again this fall. I can't imagine 135. I am a size 8 now and 135 might be a size 4 for me.  A freaking 4!!!

I have so much support from my husband and family. My surgeon is awesome and supportive too! I was told at my appointment I have maintain over 70% weight less since being banded which is often unheard of statistically and that they love having me come in because I am such a good band patient! What a confidence boost!

Anyways, just wanted to share my good news :)

Stacy

That is great news. I hope I am that fortunate when I reach nearly four years!

It is nice to have your family support you, mine does too.

It is so nice to have family support! I really think it makes a big difference! When I was down 1 cc last few weeks, I was SOOOO hungry and my husband is so good at gentle reminders to make good food choices without making me mad LOL

That's wonderful news, Stacy. And of course you're a good band patient! Pretty soon they'll be putting you in a commercial for the band!

Jean

Thanks Jean! I don't know about being a good band patient ALL the time....Kevin can attest to the times that I haven't been such a good patient [post pregnancy milkshakes every day for like 3 weeks, trying to wash down a donut  cause its stuck and then keep eating it (!!!), eating waaaay too fast, etc etc] .

Good thing I am human!

I am mostly ecstatic that everything anatomically is good. That was my biggest concern!

 
In response to that last comment. I have no reason to believe that you were not a "good bandster", however..............we must remember that band complications happen to ALL types of bandsters. Those that are "good bandsters", and those that are not always compliant!

Glad things went well with your testing though.

Thanks Maria!  This is VERY true. Very good bandsters have had complications! I have been very fortunate so far but this is certainly not an indication of my future. Just a snapshot of "right now". Hopefully I will stay complication free but I know anything is possible. I am just happy with "now"!