freezinginyk

I just had my band removed due to port complications 6 days ago. I have been recovering nicely but I still feel like I have a lot of restriction, just like the band is still in place. Has anyone had their band removed and had similar issues. What I want to know is, is this normal and if so, how long does it usually last before things go back to normal.

Dr. Yau banded me in August of 2012 and I had nothing but grief when dealing with the clinic. I had to have port revision surgery once and even after that I found it incredibly difficult to sleep on my port side. After two years I just had my band remove, but not by Dr. Yau. Another doctor, Dr. Cyriac, at the clinic did the surgery at his hospital and he has been very helpful and excellent with follow-up care. I wish you luck in your battle. I am just glad that mine is over now - HOPEFULLY!

I have had my band for 5 years and had all Fluid removed 14 months ago. I still feel I have restrictions and continue to throw up on occasion when eating apples or just random foods. Since my fluid was removed, I have lost 55 lbs and now have an appointment with Lapband surgeon to check on having band removed. Wanting to know the recovery time for removal of band (NOT converting to the sleeve) and if anyone experienced any problems after the surgery. ----------------------------------------- I had mine out just two weeks ago today. It was a very simple procedure and there were no complications. When I spoke with my surgeon last week he told me I could feel the restriction for up to a year post-op as I wait for the swelling of the stomach to go down. The recovery from the surgery itself was pretty quick - back to work today...

I just visited Atlanta for the first time this summer. What a beautiful place, but I had a really hard time with the humidity. Our climate is very dry so it was a big shock. I will be sure to check back and offer some encouragement whenever I can!

I have just started getting more serious about my physical activity and am aiming for 30-50 minutes 5 times/week. So far it has been going well. I live in the far North of Canada and it is getting quite cold here already (Yellowknife, NT) so most of my activity has to take place indoors because I really don't want to go outside when it's -40C. I use indoor training equipment and videos and work up a really good sweat and keep my heartrate elevated to get some calories burned. I'll check back here for regular boosts!

Thanks for all of the wonderful insight. I love the quote! I do try not to compare my journey to my friends and I do know how my body reacts to certain things. I just have to keep a positive outlook on it and I'm sure I can be successful. My definition of successful!

I have just celebrated my first year on the site and have been banded since Aug. 2, 2012. Everything was going well in the beginning until the first fill in Oct. 2012. When I went they couldn't locate the port correctly and it was determined my port had flipped. I contacted my clinic and they said they would have to do a port relocation surgery and it would be at their expense, but I would have to pay my own way there. I had to have the surgery in Toronto, ON and I live in Yellowknife, NT - not a quick commute. I had to wait until the end of May 2013 to have the surgery and in that time I felt no restriction and was not losing any more than what I had leading up to the first fill. Now that everything is back on track and the surgery was a success, I can feel the restriction, but the weight is coming off slowly. I know they say 1-2 lbs a week is safe and the way to go, but a friend of mine had the surgery and she lost over 100 lbs in the first year and it just fell off her. She didn't make hardly any changes to her lifestyle. I have come to accept I am going to be one of those people who is going to have to work harder than others to get the weight off, so with that in mind I took matters into my own hands. I joined a local TOPS meeting for extra support and encouragement, started exercising almost everyday (5 times/week) and am diligent about keeping a food log. I'm hoping I will see success. To date I have lost 28 lbs including the pre-op diet. Here's hoping for many more to come!

Has anyone else had their port flip and what causes it? I went for my first fill today and ended up leaving in pain and tears as the Dr. couldn't locate the port opening. He thinks it's tipped and we're going to try again after he speaks with the clinic, but it was pretty disheartening. Any words of wisdom?

I'm still hoping for the best as I have to go back to my local Dr. next week and he'll have another go at it. My worst case scenario means I have to travel back to Toronto from the NWT for the repair surgery. I have my fingers crossed. The clinic said I may have more scar tissue built up over the port itself and this may be the issue. Geez, I hope so.

I am trying to locate other bandsters in Yellowknife NT who might want to get together to have coffee and discuss our journey. I am recently banded (Aug. 2, 2012) and would love the ability to connect with more local people going through the same thing.