The New Guy April 2013

We had to start our vitamins when we started the liquid diet.

It does suck to be on liquids, but it will help you beat the cravings and shrink your liver. You can do it. I had to sip some broth,  off cup of soup at times it  made me feel like I had a meal( I got tired of all the sweet tasting stuff) You can take vitamins( check with your doc) but just my opinion I got the chewable's and  liquid. It made  it easier to take during recovery. Hope all goes well with your surgery and you have a speedy recovery. If you need any help or have questions please feel free to ask or send me a PM

Hi "New Guy"...

Please know that what I'm going to say is completely out of concern for another human being. I hope you'll reconsider having the band done. Statistically, it's just not a good solution.   I know, it's hard to imagine that it won't work... but believe me, I've been watching people get damaged by the band for more than 10 years now. (Myself included.) 

Referred left shoulder pain is such a common occurrence with the band because it's situated so close to the diaphragm where the Vagus nerves run. And those nerves control a whole lot of functions in the body. Once they start going wonky, the nightmares begin.  In the abstract, it doesn't sound like a big deal... so you have some pain in your shoulder, big whoop. But, let me tell you, I had that pain from morning until night every single day. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't eat solid foods, I cried more during the years I was banded than I have in my entire life total.  It was horrific pain. And it's not uncommon. The left shoulder pain ranges from a nagging, dull ache to a sharp, stabbing, nonstop "entity" that will bring you to your knees. You won't know until after banding if it will happen to you or not. But, I can tell you that it happens often enough that it should be cause for concern.

The worst part? Even after band removal, I get the left shoulder pain from the damage. It's not nearly as bad as while banded, but it's still a reminder of the damage the band did to my body. I also developed ulcers, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia while banded.  It's been years since I had the band removed, but I still have to take medication.

I just hope that you'll consider reading the revisions forum here if you haven't already and notice that SO many people are revising FROM bands to another form of WLS. I hate to see yet another person get hurt. Please take the thoughts and advice in this thread into consideration before going through with banding.

Good luck to you, whatever you choose to do. If you need help at any time, just say the word.