So..my Lap Band surgeon is talking about the Sleeve and options for me...
on 10/9/12 11:51 pm
I've always wondered if my hiatal hernia (which my original surgeon was supposed to fix when he placed my band, but didn't) shouldn't be fixed. My current surgeon keeps telling me no, but everything I've read in the past 5 or so years says that hiatal hernias are a contraindication for the adjustable gastric band. I'd want to keep my band and fix the hernia, but I have to wonder if fixing your hernia would be a surgical challenge because of the presence of your band.
Jean
Fixing a hernia with a band in place is a non issue. The band is around your stomach. It is the diaphragm that has a hernia. It is much easier than people realize, most of the time it is a simple suture. If the hernia is unusually huge then it is a more difficult procedure and it should be repaired and WLS done at a later time. But 99% of the time it is an easy fix before or after a band.
75% of obese people have a hiatal hernia, obesity is a large cause for hernias.
Well, I know that's right! My ex-PCP had told me for years that my hernia would bother me less if I would just lose weight, and that was one of the few things he was right about!
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
As Melly said, prevention is key with dumping (just as careful eating is key in preventing band eating problems), though I sometimes wonder what food is going to surprise me next. If the dumping never goes away, so be it. That's the least of my worries at this point.
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
on 10/9/12 11:13 pm
I am so sorry you've to experience this, I think dumping is "under reported" with the Sleeve, I never knew Sleevers could dump until I had conversations with two friends that has the Sleeve, and then I would read an occassional post on the VS board.
I hope it eventually goes away for you, I hear it's like death and you just want to lie down when it happens. Also there was a recent published article that says dumping is now an official side effect of the Sleeve, the same as RNY, again some bypass people don't dump, I guess it's the same as some Sleevers don't dump, but apparently enough Sleever do dump to now make it an official side effect.
One thing I can say about the Sleevers, they sure look very good after weight loss, which makes it very tempting to revise ;).
Original Lap Band * 9/30/2005 * 4cc 10cm band*, lost 130 pounds. 7 Great years!
Revision surgery to AP small lap band *11/13/2012*, due to large hiatal hernia. I am hopeful about continuing my band journey uneventful and successful. I loved what my old band did for me and I am looking forward for my new band to Keep my weight down
on 10/9/12 11:59 pm
As Melly said, prevention is key with dumping (just as careful eating is key in preventing band eating problems), though I sometimes wonder what food is going to surprise me next. If the dumping never goes away, so be it. That's the least of my worries at this point.
Jean, you are so new at having a sleeve it may not be dumping. It could be the healing process. You just had the majority of your stomach removed and you also had the scarring of a band. Age plays a role as well, so does diabetes. Diabetes is a huge cause of food issues post op.
What exactly happens when you dump? How long does it take you to dump? Most RNY and VSG people do not dump. Of those who do most do not dump beyond six months.
My surgeon says that dumping is not common is sleeve patients but can happen because the stomach is too small to store and churn food, which is emptied into the intestines so quickly that it causes hyperglycemia. The body responds to that by pumping out a lot of insulin, which then causes hypoglycemia.
Frankly, the hypoglycemia is the most bothersome part of this because it causes ferocious hunger only an hour or so after I eat, even when I haven't eaten something with enough sugar in it to cause the dumping symptoms. Both of the nurses tell me I'm already doing the right thing to deal with it, by eating protein and complex carbs frequently throughout the day. As a result, I'm having to eat 8+ times a day.
My surgeon says that many RNY & VSG patients who dump as new post-ops find that it lessens as time goes on. I'm hoping that will be the case with me.
It's true that I'm an older patient (59) and a type 2 diabetic, but I've never had to take diabetes meds as it was never a bad case and always well-managed ****il now) with diet and exercise. I can see how pre-existing diabetes can exacerbate the problem, but how does age factor into it?
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
When we are banded and still eating some high glycemic load foods, our symptoms of dumping are minimal, if not absent...our BG may get low, post meal, but not so low as to cause severe symptoms.
This is just a synopsis of what my nutritionist told me....
If I'm approved for band to sleeve revision, I'm going to be diligent about carbs, to sort of retrain my pancreas not to send out the insulin army every time I eat...I'm carb reactive now, as well as lactose intolerant and Dx of IBS.
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
on 10/10/12 11:16 am
The same goes for poppy seed salad dressing, it is full of carbs (sugar)
Protein bars, many have quit a few carbs in them so again, sugar
fruit smoothies and protein shakes, we know smoothies have lots of sugar so do quit a few protein shakes, it depends on which one you are using.
fruit, well can we say carbs? and more carbs? except for some of the berries all fruits is very high in carbs (sugar).
So actually I'm not surprised that you are having hyperglycemic attacks after ingesting those kinds of things.
DS 2009
Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com
Hi Naomi!
I wrote a long post yesterday and lost it (working on a Mac with Windows on a virtual machine sucks!!!)
Anyways I don't have the patience to capture my thoughts again. If you'd ever like to talk let me know and I'll get my number to you.
You can have your hiatal hernia repaired and keep your band - my best guy friend had that done!
All Sleeved Stomachs are created differently - I personally have no adverse reactions. I feel extremely blessed to no longer have a big stomach - that was my great burden in life! Girl whatever you do, you never want to have a big stomach again!
Whatever the road, I wish you the very best.
Layla
3/30/2005 Lap Band installed 12/20/2010 Lap Band REMOVED
6/6/2011 Vertical SLEEVE Gastrectomy
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