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?

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.

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?

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.