futurbander2007

Funny thing about this topic! I did name my band several weeks after being banded and some people find it strange to name it. So a little background on the name before I tell you so that you don't think I am some kind of weirdo! First, I have been banded almost 2 yrs and at around 3 weeks or so after surgery I noticed that my band made these gurgling noises. I wasn't hungry or anything and at first I just dismissed it. But my stomach has a way of making that noise at the craziest times and honestly it can become embarassing at times. Anyways, I named my band "Gabby" I chose this name because she always "talks", you know the type I am talking about. People who "gab" all the time.:redface:

My port had tilted but didn't cause concern or further surgery. The nurses just have to manually tilt it down to access it. It happened within the first 6 weeks after surgery. I am now coming up on 2 yrs post op and no problems

Mine sticks out quite a bit and honestly it doesn't bother me. My surgeon can shorten the tubing and replace the port if I was concerned over this but no complaints here. It doesn't hurt or get in the way and I am the only one who notices it anyway so why go through the process to shorten the tube?

Hi, I too am an Army wife stationed at Ft. Lewis. There were several reasons I chose the Lap-Band over the bypass. But one reason in perticular. 3 weeks before I had my surgery my best friend went in for bypass. Shortly after her surgery began the surgeon nicked her vena cava and she started bleeding out. They ended up opening her from breast bone to pubic bone to find out where the bleeding was coming from. She ended up losing 8 pints of blood before it was all done and over with. She is so emotionally messed up from the whole ordeal even a year and half after wards. But aside from that I liked the fact that it's not a "one size fits all" deal. I like that it's adjustable and if weight loss slowed or stop or I became extremely hungry and little fill would take care of it. I had to wait for my surgeon to get back from deployment as well before I could have mine done. But after all the appointments and the "pathway" I finished right before he came back. So it worked out really well for me. Since the band was brand new here and only one dr. was certified to do it I was the second one here on post that he performed the surgery on. Let me tell you I was scared as hell to have him do it but Madigan Army Medical Center brought in a second surgeon from the Northwest Weight Loss Clinic to assist in the first 5 bands placed. So I recommend waiting the few months to have a highly recommended surgeon perform yours. I have been banded 18mths and I have not had any complications at all. I reached goal weight 9 mths out and have since lost an additional 20 lbs. So I wish you the best of luck in your future that you make the right decision-for yourself. Take care and sorry to ramble on

My first assessment was more than 2 yrs ago and I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a bundle of nerves and thought at the slightest side-way look from my surgeon I would burst into tears. Like the post before me said, please take a deep breath and TRY to relax. The Lap-Band was by far the best thing I ever did for myself. There has not been one time that I have regreted my decision. To date I have lost over 80lbs that I could not do on my own. I'm not going to say that it has been easy or that the weight has just fallen off. Not only did I lose the excess weight I carried around but I also gained a new life that I thought I would never have back. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to write me. But a huge congrats on taking the first step to a healthier you!!!

please listen to your surgeon, eating too soon can be dangerous! you need to let your pouch heal completely and slowly re-introduce food back into your body. chicken is just way to hard on your pouch, it requires too much churning in your stomach to be eaten 5 days post-op. hang in there, it's only the beginning and it does get better. best wishes

Wow! That is a lot of exposure. I have had a total of 8 fills and I have never been exposed. My doctor or nurse simply finds my port and injects. No big deal I am in and out of there in 5 min. (except for the 15 min. they make me sit there after, waiting to see it if it's too tight) I would really ask your surgeon if it is going to be like this everytime. Good luck!!