crzytchr

I agree, there could be a leak, or they may not even be hitting the port at all when they give him the fill. He needs to make sure they withdraw the Fluid already in there before giving him his next fill to check and make sure the correct amount is in there.

My doc doesn't have me cough or even do the "crunch" that many talk about. The PA just gently pushes and then does the fill. My port is easy to feel also.

Unless you are on your post op liquids or mushies, you aren't cheating. I eat pizza almost every week. The difference is I eat 1, sometimes 2 slices of a thin crust small pizza instead of 3 of a large regular crust. Pizza is not the enemy, overindulgence is. I eat whatever I want, I just make sure I eat 1200-1500 calories per day and get my protein grams for the day.

I also thought she wanted a man just like him.:biggrin:

From what you just said, you sound like you do have the kind of restriction I keep, even now. It is perfect for me and what I consider it my "sweet spot". I can eat most any kind of food I want, just a lot less of it. I haven't eaten an entire hamburger since being banded and I don't want to. You may want a little more restriction during the beginning of your journey, but not much more. Those little stuck episodes are a sign you have some restriction already. Any tighter, and you will have to restrict the kinds of foods you eat and you may begin to pb, which isn't good. If you are still this restricted when you go to the doc for you fill, please be honest with them. You probably don't need any more than 1cc. Tell them the amounts you eat, how you feel when something is "stuck" and they will help you decide what to do. Good luck and please keep me posted.

I wish I could give you a set answer, but there really isn't one. Some feel it right away, like I do. Others it can take days or even a week or two. My stomach has an immediate reaction to being "messed with". I know right away. This is good and bad. I had restriction just from having the band placed (good), but also become a little tight during times of stress (bad). This also means, that barring any problems, my band will last me for years, because it isn't anywhere close to being full. After almost 18 months, I STILL only have a total of 2ccs in mine. Do you have any restriction now? If so, you may want to consider doing the smaller amount they suggest. The worst thing you can do is rush restriction and become too tight in the process. This will depend on how often your dr will give you fills and the number that are included in your surgery cost. If they don't restrict you to the time frame or number of fills, I would definitely go slower and go every two weeks until it is "just right". Take it as slow as you have the patience for...Good luck!

I don't know if that is what happens, but I know ports can flip. I have been banded almost 18 months and still will get a funny pain sometimes if I bring my leg up too high:rolleyes2:. It feels like it "squishes" the port. It isn't necessarily painful, but it doesn't feel good. This may be similar to what you are experiencing, but it is painful for you, since your surgery was recently. Call your surgeon to see what they say.

That would be the best thing to do. You don't want any of the stitches connecting the port to the muscle or the one connecting your band to your stomach to pop. That would cause problems. Good luck!

Go with what you feel is appropriate. My doctor's office routinely gives 4ccs for a first fill. I was doing well already and felt mild restriction just from having the band placed, so I asked for half of that. She put 2ccs in, had me drink water and I told her it felt a little funny. She had me lie down and took 1 of the ccs out leaving me with 1cc in, which was perfect. Go with what you feel. If you are REALLY nervous about it, don't just go with water, bring a protein drink with you and try to drink that in the office. If it goes too slow, have them take a little out. Some people don't need big fills for restriction and you really don't want to find out the hard way. Also, I would probably plan on staying with your inlaws to be closer, just in case you need them to take some out the next day.

Don't wait anymore. The longer this goes on, the more swelling and that means more liquid they will take out of your band. It causes a multitude of problems. Once all of this subsides, just remember at what point you were close to your sweet spot and get your fills even smaller. Sorry you are going through this. Please update when you can.

Ask your surgeon. Most people return within one week, some as soon a couple of days. Physically, you should be ready at one week as long as you don't lift anything over 5 lbs (again, check with your surgeon to be certain). As for me, I needed at least a week off. If you can stay off of work during your post op liquids, do so, since you tend to not have as much energy during this phase.

UGH! Dangit...I live in a rural part outside of Baton Rouge and for "fun" they like to set off garbage bags filled with helium. They light a wick and set it afloat and then explodes like a dang bomb when it goes off. It shakes my house like a bomb. Makes my poor dog crazy and sleep virtually impossible.:biggrin:

I also had taken off weight before, but I had never been able to keep it off for any time at all. The lapband has helped me take weight off and keep it stabilized even during my two plateaus. Believe me, previously, I would have started gaining prior to banding. As far as your active children, how old are they? If you still need to pick them up, you will need help for around 3 weeks or so after surgery. If your PCP suggested surgery, then they probably feel you are healthy enough to undergo the surgery and that you will benefit from it.Continue to look through this website and read up as much as you can about the surgery. Attend at least one seminar so you can ask any questions you have and if they aren't answered satisfactorially, then attend a seminar with a different surgeon.

It does happen that you can have 3 fills and feel very little restriction, but I would probably ask how much your fill doctor how much you have in your band. Then before your next fill, make sure they withdraw the Fluid before giving you the fill to make sure all that is supposed to be in there is really IN there. They could possibly have missed the port at one fill or you could even have a leak. It may also be that you just need a lot of fluid before you feel restriction and it just isn't enough yet, if your doctor is conservative. My friend, banded 2 weeks prior to me, has 7ccs in her band and I only have 2. I hope you get restriction soon, because I know this is a difficult process until you do.

Be patient, even though it is hard. Unless your stomach is really sensitive, you won't feel any restriction until you get your first fill, and then some people don't even feel restriction until their third fill. Even though you are frustrated, please don't allow yourself to get too tight, or stay too tight, just because you want restriction. In the long run, it causes many problems and isn't work the short term weight loss you may experience from it. Good luck and it WILL happen for you.

I was going to suggest stopping eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed. The band is designed for our food to stay in the pouch for a while, which is really bad if you are going to bed. If the problem persists, however, you should probably consider a small unfill. Sometimes getting just .2ccs out helps tremendously.

Ok, went to the local Walmart and they did not have them here, so if I want to try them, I will have to order online. Now, as far as the Shapeups fit, I find they run fairly true to size, and I think they come in wide widths.

Rain, rain, rain, ....it rained ALL DAY yesterday and it will probably rain today. Just be careful driving. HAVE FUN!

Great! I am going TODAY! I have tried on the Shapeups, so I know how it should feel. If they aren't as comfortable, I won't buy them.

Wow, I just read your posts and that sounds scary. Your stomach may be really sensitive like mine. I remember I had restriction just from having my band put on and I have only had 2 fills in 17 months for a total of 2ccs. If you still feel some restriction when your appointment approaches, you probably shouldn't get the fill. You can always go back later once you feel it is necessary. Good luck.

Welcome, and congratulations on your success so far. You have done better than most people who lose weight. In order to get back on track, you may want to try the 5 day pouch test. If you do a search on the forum, it will should bring you to a thread that will have a link for it. If not, just do a google search and it should help you find it. It is doable and will help you to decide if maybe you need a fill or just to adjust your eating. It makes me feel great to see someone who has been banded for that length of time still doing well! Again, congratulations on your weightloss and your upcoming wedding.

I bought these after reading this thread and we love them. I can eat them toasted. We even toast them, then add pizza quick with some mozzarella cheese and pop them in the oven for quick little "pizzas". We only use whole wheat bread, so this wasn't too much of a change for us.

Tracy: that is great about Nanny! Well, I did it. I actually bought the workout pants (misses size XL) and went to the gym! I wouldv'e stayed longer but my 18 YEAR OLD got tired, and she is a size 4/6. We will go again today and will probably join next week. They are running specials with no enrollment fee and 10% off.

Ok, well if you were just banded, you shouldn't slime yet, because you aren't eating. BUT, slime is the excess saliva that builds up when you have something stuck. It is your body's way of trying to get the offending food up easily. It isn't usually painful, but not a walk in the park either. If you follow you eating rules, small bites, chew well, small portions and avoid certain foods, you MAY be able to avoid it. Usually, though, you slime a time or two before you know which foods don't agree with you and your band. For me, it is chicken that is dry. Other than that, I can eat most foods.

Please do not even consider gaining the weight until you go to the doctor for these problems. Get it checked out. Also, are you asthmatic? That may also be considered a co-morbidity, since it is aggravated by excess weight. I know mine is MUCH better since I have dropped some weight. Also, as suggested, get the sleep study done. If you are overweight, you probably have a form of sleep apnea. If you sleep on your back you are probably having breathing problems. I couldn't sleep on my back prior to surgery, I always just thought I preferred my side. It turns out, I am almost always on my back when I sleep now, the difference is, I don't wake up gasping for air anymore. Now if you DO have the comorbidities, you may want to consider gaining some weight, to qualify. Just be certain, as previously suggested, to see how long the comorbidities are needed to qualify. Taking a good look at your insurance policy is probably what you need to do.