claraluz

Yes, I have this. Almost every scar I have keloids. But the port scar is much worse than the other little ones. After leaking is no longer a problem and you've healed up and got your bearings, you can go to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to have treatment to make the scar better, if it bothers you. I did this with a long scar on my chest and it made it quite a bit better. Nancy

I think what Alex said would probably be true almost anywhere. I know that my fill doctor, who has the band herself, said that her insurance paid when she had to have her band removed emergently. And they had not covered the band placement originally. I also am getting the impression, though - and it may be wrong - that bands are not as removed as often as they once were. The surgeons I heard speak at the Texas Bandster Bash said that even erosions usually require no treatment at all. Slippages are treated with a temporary unfill. Nancy

Recovery can be a frustrating time. But not feeling hungry and only being able to drink has it's advantages. I think I lost more than 3 pounds a week that first month. And it's normal for you to be tired. Your body has taken a big hit what with the surgery and anesthesia, so take it easy when you can. I know it's hard, but try to be patient. It's all worth it in the end. Hang in there. Nancy

Well, the same thing happened to me, but it was a while after my last fill. They think my pouch has stretched some and I had to get a complete unfill for two weeks. I think I got into this predicament because I was ever so slightly too tight. I have a feeling the remedy for you is going to involve a partial or complete unfill. It's good that you called your doctor. Good luck. Keep us posted. Nancy

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Do you mean that your limbs feel like you need to move them? Or do they move on their own without you consciously moving them? And how long has this been going on? I haven't heard anyone mention feeling this way before, but it could still be a reaction to the anesthesia, I guess. Can you give us more info? Nancy

OMG, you must have been panicked! But how nice that you have met your major goal. I know that must be very satisfying to you, as well it should be. Good work! Nancy

I think Donali (as usual) hit the nail on the head. Your lack of restriction could be due to many things. My personal experience was that after I had my first fill I had restriction, but it gradually went away. Went back to the doc and he found that he was only able to withdraw part of what he had put in. The rest had leaked somehow. We tried again, but the same thing happened. The third time the problem was solved by using a thicker Fluid, not saline. I had great restriction. Perhaps ask your doctor to withdraw what you have in there to see if it is the same amount he put in? It is, of course, crucial that you have a doctor who will listen to you and anwer your concerns with respect even if he disagrees about what course of action to take. Please be patient. I know that's hard. But your band really will work for you - eventually. In the meantime, we're here for you. Nancy

A lot of things have been getting stuck lately and I've had some heartburn - which until now the band had cured. So I called my doctor and they said I probably have a dilated pouch. They took all my fill out and now I am supposed to wait two weeks, get an esophagram, and then if that is OK, get refilled. If I DO have a dilated pouch, I know it's because I have little by little gotten away from healthy eating habits (especially not drinking after eating). If all is well after two weeks and I can get my fill back, I vow (bargaining phase) never to take my band for granted again and to stick with the behaviors that have gotten me this far. Wish me luck. Nancy

Jennye, you and your family are in my thoughts. I think the hardest part sometimes is just not knowing how quickly or how completely a loved one will recover. I certainly hope that she will be feeling much better soon. Give yourself credit, too. You've turned to the sources from which you gather strength and support (God and us, definitely in that order). It sounds like you know how to find comfort for yourself, which is good. Please keep us posted. Nancy

Hi, Chantal! I'm Nancy, otherwise known as claraluz and I started this thread in a moment of mild frustration. Sue - just went over and read all of the Sandy hullabaloo. Wow. It's a shame that one person can hijack a board and incite people who then waste a lot of time and energy being mad and posting about it, which unfortunately, won't change a thing. I love this board, too. And now that I'm back from my travels, I'm staying here and hope that I can give others here the same encouragement I've gotten. Which brings me to my next thread, one I would never post on any other board for fear of getting berated . . . Nancy

OK, I'm just going to vent a little bit about bandster support boards. This one is my favorite, but doesn't seem to have a lot of members, hence I can be away for a week or two, come back and find only about 5 new threads. I also go to Spotlight which has a lot of users, but also has a particular person on it who drives me crazy with her know-it-all, finger-pointing, black-and-white blame games. She ruins that board for me. Any comments? Any ideas? Nancy

Congratulations! It really is a difficult, difficult thing you've done, band or no band. I'm so happy for you. Nancy

I hope your surgery is as pain- and problem-free as mine was and that the surgery helps you achieve your goals. And that is quite likely, actually. Good luck! Let us know how it goes. Nancy

Wow, I can't believe the interest this thread stirred up. No, Sue, I did not see the thread *Jill* started. I've been out of town for a while and away from the internet (after all my whining about people not being active enough here). Was it recent? I'll have to go over there and read all about it. TexasBelle, I think you are right about this being a kinder and gentler board. That's what I love about it. Nancy

Elizabeth, let me be the third person to tell you about getting an unfill. I, too, was developing bad habits. Vomiting or PBing has been relatively rare, but slime experiences happen several times a week. I called my doctor and the nurse told me that it may be a dilated pouch. I just got a total unfill. She told me to wait two weeks, then to have an esophagram, and if all looks well, I can get filled again. It concerns me that your doctor actually increased your fill because that will only make the problem worse. The good news is that my doctor said that this problem heals itself after an unfill and is no cause for worry. But I've learned my lesson and I'm going to be a better bandster from now on. Anyway, it sounds like we're in a very similar boat, so keep me posted. Ginger, I hope you have been helped. Please talk to your doctor.

I don't know if I was unusually lucky in the recovery, but I felt only one pang the first time I stood up. After that no pain at all. Perhaps because of that, I probably tried to return to normal activity too soon. On the third day I went to a baseball game, but it was a mistake. I didn't feel good (kind of lightheaded, weak, and anxious) and we had to leave early. So plan on an easy recovery, but take it slow. Good luck. Nancy

I just got your message about Dr. Spivak and fills (I've been out of town). It sounds like you've already been banded, so congratulations! Dr. Spivak has not done my fills under flouroscopy and it has worked out fine. Sometimes Dr. Hewitt has done the fills and that's been fine, too. Both are very nice. I think I had to wait 6 weeks before my first fill if I remember correctly. Nancy

It could be reflux, but the way you've described it makes me wonder. There are other things it could be, too, so I would definitely mention this to your doctor.

I agree with everything Alex said except that you can get the surgery done for less than $30,000 in the U.S. if your insurance will not cover it. I paid $14,000 for everything including a year's worth of follow-up visits and fills. I claimed it on my tax return and am getting about 1/2 of that back (how much you get back will depend on income, etc.) I think the band works great for people who need a little help sticking to a healthy eating plan and who commit to following the rules. If one is determined not to lose weight, then even with the band there are ways to overeat and drink. But I'm about the most pathetic dieter there is and I've lost half of my excess weight so far. Research it well. Good luck. Nancy

Touche, Sue. You're right. Secretly I'm a number three sometimes, but professionally, I'm a number 2 (a social worker). Alexandra, I totally understand and respect your need to preserve your own privacy. I think you know what is best for you and if the time ever comes when it is right for you to be more self-disclosing, you will do so. I thank you for being one of the people on this board who can always be counted on for support. You, too, Donali! And Sue! I'm going to do what I can to help this board grow (without trying to recruit from any other board. I remember the flaming some people got for trying to start this one). There seems to be a real ethic of positive, respectful support here with some great ideas, too. I'm not one who checks the board every day, but I might start trying to be a bit more conscietious about it. Thanks for letting me vent a little. Nancy

Congratulations! I hope you are as happy with your band as I am with mine! Keep us posted on your progress. Nancy

I had already decided not to get a fill before my vacation. Now I know I won't! Sorry your friend had such a miserable time. Nancy

Thanks to everyone. I'm still struggling, but I'm so grateful to the band that it keeps me from actually gaining weight. And also for helping me actually develop an appetite for healthier food, which has helped during this period, too. Alexandra, it sounds like you've been there and I really appreciate your input. Nancy

I have been eating like a crazy person for the last few weeks. My restriction is adequate, but at night I eat the wrong foods all evening long. Evening always was my problem. I'm not gaining any weight, probably because I'm exercising. But I don't understand why I'm doing this. My life situation is not exactly ideal, but it hasn't changed recently. My mood has been good. I'm not stressed about anything. I don't get it. I've started writing in my journal again, hoping that something will occur to me to explain this behavior and help me change it. Then again, I'm wondering if part of the explanation could be that overeating is just a bad habit that is going to rear it's head from time to time, similar to a relapse for an alcoholic. What do you all think? Nancy

Great job for sticking it out this long. I have been smoke free for 20 years. I used anger to help me quit. Anger can be very empowering. I just thought about all of those cigarette company CEO's standing before Congress and swearing that cigarettes are not addictive. I thought of how they wanted to keep me hooked so they could get rich and I could die. I also thought about wrinkles. Smoking is poison to the skin. Somehow that was more motivating than thinking about disease sometimes. Keep up the great work! Nancy