jmont

Wow nice job and yes you can tell you work out! How long after your surgery were those photos taken ?

Hi I have had the same thing happen! I have now had two port replacements the first one the Dr said the cord was completely shredded he said with my model the did not not make the cord long enough! Like you I gain weight back when it was broken last October I had my second port replaced there was a small hole near where the port and the cord joins! My Dr said if this happens again he will replace the whole band! I now have my band filled with a think solution not saline! I have been told this helps with any small possible holes!! Good news is since being fixed I have lost 7.5 kg I'm in Australia too so both surgeries did not cost me anything and if I have to go for the third time I will not have to pay either!! I also lose Fluid when I fly so every month I go for a top up after flying but since they have been putting this thicker fluid in I have not had to do this! I know exactly how you feel but I am a huge supporter of lapband and I would get it fixed time and time again!!! As I know I'm still a fat girl inside and that was proven when my band didn't work I started gaining again!! My fear of being 126kg again out weighs my fear of surgery!! I hope this helps best of luck with your decision

OMG the amount of times I have heard that over 7 years let me tell you!! There is nothing easy about this at all! it's just a tool it's not the be all and fix all! Because if you do not use it as you are suppose to use it you will fail! I know plenty of fat people with Lap band! Got it done for all the wrong reasons, thinking it was going to be a quick fix!! So I'm with you on that one!

Welcome!! Now this is where your journey begins and there is a lot of support on this site even for a vet like me! I wish I had found it sooner

No I'm not a dr or a nurse lol I have had 5 surgeries C-section, lap band, port replacement, tummy tuck and another port replacement! And I had the same thing happen I am so good at looking after my incisions now I barley have any scaring! I just don't want you to get stressed out you have just made an amazing choice to change your life and go forward with your weight loss journey all that swelling will be gone soon

Hi I have had this happen twice but mine was due to my port breaking I have now had it replaced twice the second time was only 3 weeks ago! I have had my band 7 years and both times it was not working I gained 10kg (22 pounds) the first time I was working out and eating right so I was disappointed to see I was gaining weight this last time really got me down and a bit depressed I cried in the Drs office but it's all fixed now and I'm back on track to getting the weight off I have already lost 3.9kg in two weeks so yes you can start again! You know what to do this time so go get em!! Best of luck

You can drink as much as you want most people don't have an issue with liquids its solid food! Just make sure you are not drinking your calories! Like thick shakes etc stick to plenty of water it will help you lose your weight you are ok!!

This has happen to me twice now and both times I have gained 10+Kg's the first time my tubing was shredded so I had a new port put in! Took the weight off again now 3 years later its happen again! They found a small hole near my port in the tubing when the Dr check my band to see how much fluid was in my band there was none! I just had surgery 3 weeks ago and have started back my weight loss journey! The Dr has advised me if it happens again he will be replacing the whole band! I have had my band for 7 yrs and I won't be without it! Also I fly quite a bit for work and I always lose a little fluid I always go for an adjustment after any flying! There is no way that you should not have any restriction unless your band is not working I hope you get some answers soon! Best of luck!

I have had things stuck from time to time I find drinking some soda does the trick something to do with the bubbles help dislodge anything stuck! Also I had to go to a nutritionist before I got my band and I was told drink 15mins before your meal as it clears the pathway then don't drink again until 20 mins after your meal! If you drink while you eat it's like a blocked drain! For some it pushes the food down to quickly and allows you to eat more remember it takes 20mins for your stomach to tell your brain it's full so take your time when you are eating!! This little tool will increase your weight loss! I hope this helps

Your grandmother is right as the incision heals the skin gets tighter I used bio oil as soon as my incision had completely healed it was fantastic but a plastics doctor says it doesn't matter what you use as long as you use some type of moisturiser this will help with scaring as well!

Donna, you are doing so well! It took me a year to reach my goal weight so slow is better! I live in Australia and we have very high rates of divorce with lapband patients 75% which is high! I think it has to do with the confidence you gain through this process and then you realise you have been living with an enabler!! If you are large when you get married then you lose weight our partners don't know how to handle it! I have been married 23 yrs and my husband has stuck by me through it all! He knows when I'm having my bad band days, he knows when I need an adjustment because I'm eating way too much! I love that he supports me! I know you will also find happiness again as you are already on the right path!! Your doing a great job keep it up! Relax and enjoy your journey! Because you are worth it!

I find this topic extremely interesting as I am a recruiter! I have been a recruiter for 24yrs both in US and Australia! I use to weigh 129kg (283 pounds) and I have never not been able to get a job due to my size nor did I not get people a job due to their size! It's always been about skills and personality! I will say I use to think there were times I could not progress due to my size but it was all in my head! I was my own worse enemy! Also living in America taught me how to dress as a professional woman and to be confident with who I am no matter what size you are! The only real discrimination I felt was on the train no one would sit next to me mainly due to there not being enough room in the seat! I now enjoy being this size and I'm still in the same career my weight has not held me back either way!!

Not everyone needs plastic surgery it does depend on your age and your skin and how much weight you lose I have had my band for 7 years and I had my tummy done and I love it! It took me over 5 years to make the decision to have it done but I'm glad I did! Good luck with your surgery it will be the best decision you will make!

Hi I'm from Australia too I'm in Brisbane and have had my band for 7 years