LaNalga

I was banded in Mexico in July 2007. Everything was great and I lost about 80 lbs. before my follow up clinic in the US over filled my band. I called my surgeon, he told me to have my band unfilled and not to start refilling it for atleast 2 months. I went back after 2 months to the fill center, they checked my band under fluoro and everything looked good. They started filling it after that. In 2 fills I got back to 2.2 cc in a 10cc band. It was too tight again and before I could get it unfilled, it started slipping again. The fill center did a slight unfill and I have left it that way for the last 2 years. Sometimes I can eat, sometimes I can't. I have maintained my weight, but fluctuate 5-8lbs. up and down. I don't want to have a complete unfill because I don't want to regain the weight, but the pain is almost unbearable now. I worked with my band and did what I was supposed to, but they kept filling it too tightly and telling me to drink warm liquids and the "swelling would go away". Well, it didn't. Now, most of the time when I eat or drink anything that actually goes down, I can't stand all the way erect and have severe pain in my left side. It feels like my guts are tied in a knot. Now surgeons in the US won't even touch me and I can't afford to pay for a revision to another surgery. Should I contact Fill Centers USA and see what they can do other than unfilling my band??? I feel like they are responsible for the slip, I ate right and did what I was supposed to. If they shouldn't have refilled the band, then why did they? Are they responsible for any of this or am I out in the cold?

For those of you who had the band and now have the sleeve, 1. Have you had any side effects like vomiting or reflux from eating too much? 2. Do you have a normal full sensation again? 3. Have you had any other side effects?

It's nice to know that it's not all my fault that the band isn't working for me/with me. I can never tell when I'm supposed to be full, it's different all the time. I'm just ready for all of the pain and aggravation to be over. Now I just have to save the money!!! I hope to be able to fix this before I have any type of erosion, etc.

Just a little background since everyone seems so hesitant to reply. I currently am banded, almost for 2 years now. Have been having problems and been unable to lose weight for the last year. Trying to determine if it would be feasible to fix the everslipping band (if that is even possible) or if I should just have a revision to the sleeve or to bypass. I started out at 250, I am only 5'. I was down to 168 when my band all of a sudden became too tight and they did the first full unfill. I had some slippage at that point, but with the unfill and liquids it reversed. I gained quite a bit of weight during the almost 3 months with no fill. Even though I was still watching my diet and working out heavily. It's like my body had to restock. It's basically been the same thing for the last year and I'm currently at 189. Any help with other's experience would be appreciated.

I read here before that there was a doctor in the Biloxi area that would take outside patients, specifically ones banded in Mexico. I have been unable to locate the post again. (it was sometime back) I usually use Fill Centers USA, and love the lady there, but she's only in Moultrie every 2nd month for just one day. Plus, I would like to have all of the other stuff checked since I'm a year out. If anyone knows of any doctors that are within a few hours of NW Florida, please post!

I have used the Fill Center in Moultrie since I was banded in July 07. I was banded in Mexico. Her name is Darlene Zebley, she also does fills more frequently in her office in Atlanta. She is wonderful, very good at what she does. It can get a little expensive with the fluoro, but she's worth it. She never misses!

If you're in North Florida or the panhandle, there is a fill center in Moultrie, GA that is totally worth the drive. The lady there is Darlene Zebley and she is awesome. Does all of her fills under fluoro as well.

I live in Panama City, am also looking for a local or close to local support group. If any of you would like to get together or set up a workout group, etc. Please contact me, you can also find me on myspace at myspace.com/diva_mommy_5

I'm two months out from surgery and two weeks out from my first fill, 2.02 in a 10cc band, I have restriction and there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of food I am eating. I also take 3, hour long aerobics classes a week and work out on the elliptical 2x per week, 45 min. each time. Why have I not lost any weight? My fill was done under fluro and with barium, I know I have a good fill, but is it possible that my body can adjust that quickly, in just 2 weeks and I already need another fill. Or is it possible that my body has gone into starvation mode and is storing everything that I eat?? I have called and left a message for my doc (at his house, in Mx), I told his wife that I want a refund!!! She just laughed and told me that he would call me back in the morning that he is at some conference. I'm serious! Why am I not losing any weight? Does anyone know? <a href="Weight Loss - Diet Ticker"> <img border="0" src="<A href="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wh12F7O/weight.png"></a">http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wh12F7O/weight.png"></a> :confused::confused::eek::eek::eek::help::help::help::faint::faint::help::help::help::eek::eek::eek::confused::confused::confused:

I just had my first fill on Saturday, 9/1. I have a 10cc band and they gave me a 2.02cc fill. The fill was done with under a fluoroscope and using barium. On Sunday, I didn't even think about it and took a bite of a Peanut Butter cracker and since then I have had pain. When I drink or try to eat I can swallow but it feels like it sticks in my chest and then I have intermittent pains that feel like severe heartburn. Do I have a blockage or have I irritated something. I'm sticking to only liquids but they still bother me. If anyone knows what this is or has had the same problem, please let me know. Any information or suggestions, please!!!! :cry

Kudos! Congrats! Way to Go! to Jacki and Chimboree!!! I don't really feel like I'm actually losing weight all the time, but fitting into "skinny jeans" is irrefutable proof that the pounds are dropping off! Way to go girls! Keep up the good work. A happy weekend to all, heading off to the last night of football practice for this week. Thank God!

Thanks Jackie! appreciate the feedback. it's kind of hard trying to keep up with everyone on this board, (I have 5 kids, doing school shopping, etc.) But I try to atleast read up every night or every other night. I haven't really told anybody about my surgery yet and it's great to atleast know that there are other people in the same boat! Is there anyone out there close to Panama City, Florida???? I need a treadmill buddy!! I have a friend who is an aerobics instructor/trainer, whose classes I usually take, but those are out for atleast another month. Treadmill is totally boring even with Ipod. I've been trying to go for walks with the kids, but the heat here is unbearable! If anyone is close to my area let me know, would love to meet up. I'm glad everyone is doing good.

Hello all, I was banded on 7/17/07. I have had absolutely no complications! My recovery was quite rapid, the only thing that was really uncomfortable was the soreness from the hernia repair that the docs did while inside my belly. I have lost 20 lbs. in 3 weeks, which is totally wonderful to me. My only concern is that I keep reading about everybody not being able to eat certain things, well not being able to eat hardly anything! I am about 4 weeks out and my doc has me eating a pretty normal diet. I can eat pretty much anything as long as it is well tolerated and I chew well. I can eat 1-2 cups of food before feeling full. My doc used a 10cc band. Do you guys think this is normal, is it because he used a bigger band? He says that after my first fill, it will be completely different and the reason why I can eat so well now is because I have no restriction. But my recovery being so different from everyone elses makes me uncertain. Don't get me wrong, I love not having any time of real difficulty, but it makes me worry that maybe this isn't working the way that it's supposed to. He also doesn't want me to go back to aerobics until 2 months has passed??? I guess it's so I'm not jostling things around, but I hate just getting on the treadmill or the elliptical! Well enough of my whining, please let me know what you guys think and how your doc is doing things. :cry

I'm curious, and well, getting a little paranoid. My surgery is scheduled for July 17th and I was wondering if the Dr. starts out with a band that is smaller and I adjust to it too quickly, how long before they won't be able to fill it any more? I think maybe I'm obsessing just a little too much! I'm really excited about my band, but am really nervous about how everything actually working. On one hand, I want a smaller band because I want to have restriction right from the get-go and on the other, I wonder if I have a bigger one and then they can't adjust it enough to get a good level of restriction. Please!!! Someone tell me to just sit back and enjoy the ride! Or let me know how your's went and that this can work. Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I'm new, but I will be band on July 17th. Am totally excited, only problem, I'll be out of the country for a couple of weeks and will miss this board and everyone's encouragement and support, ideas, etc. Good luck to everyone, and thanks to the others who have gone before us!

I'm totally for PS! I want to look and feel like every other woman without a weight problem, that's why I'm getting banded. When I've lost the weight, I don't want my extra skin hanging around as a reminder. I have 125 pounds to lose and I'm sure I will have excess skin left, and I'm absolutely positive that even after 2 years or 10 years it will still be swinging in the breeze. How do I know, my mother, who has much more resilient skin than I, had a bypass 18+ years ago, she STILL has plenty of loose skin! Her skin didn't really shrink or tighten at all. I think everyone should have the choice to do what makes them feel good, and as far as insurance companies are concerned, HA! Ever heard that childhood taunt "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!" That about sums it up for how I feel about them.

Hello all, I have everything finally lined up. I have been overweight for most of my life and after having 5 kids my metabolism is extremely resistant. I used to be able to lose weight and keep it off for a little bit, but now am unable to lose hardly any weight. I have decided to go for it. My husband and I won't be having any more children and I would like to be healthy enough to enjoy my kids and doing activities with them while they are still young! We love to do so many different things and it's so hard for me to do them that I just end up watching instead of helping them and enjoying it with them. (Their ages range from 12 to 10 months) Oh, and I also want to be totally hot!!! Nothing wrong with that, but that's not my motivation for surgery. My surgery is scheduled for July 17th in Guadalajara, MX with Dr. Gilberto Rodriguez. I have family who lives in Guadalajara and will be going to visit and have surgery all at the same time. The Dr. is a friend of the family so I'm not so apprehensive, but still a little nervous! He is not requiring a pre-op diet, but I plan to keep it a little light before hand anyways. Two of my sister in-laws will be taking care of me and helping me post-op. If anyone has any tips or pointers they would be greatly appreciated! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait! :whoo:

My BMI is 45. I will ask again if he thinks that I should do the pre-op diet or not. I have heard alot of people don't do the pre-op diet, is this just based on the Doctor's preference?