LinzerPA

I was banded on Dec. 11th. About Day 7 I began getting tremendous pains that I now know are spasms of the esophagus. They got progressively worse and now I've had them for 6 days. Spent all day yesterday in the hospital - all tests for blockages, leaks, etc. were negative. The pain is excruciating! Has anyone experienced anything similar? When I'm very still it's ok - but as soon as I move around at all they start up again. I'm ready to pull my hair out!! The pain meds I got in the hospital thru my IV worked great, but nothing I take at home does the trick.

Attended a seminar in Parsippany NJ last night and I definitely want to go ahead with the procedure. Does anyone know of certified doctors in the Lehigh Valley area of PA? Any readers in the LV that have had it done?

After attending a seminar last night I have made the decision to go for this. However, I cannot seem to find a doctor in the Lehigh Valley, PA area.

Finally - 3 months after surgery I was getting my first fill this morning. However, Dr. discovered under fluoroscopy that my port had flipped. I have to go under general anesthesia again to have it corrected!!! Anyone else gone thru this???:wink2:

My flipped port was discovered after the dr. actually dulled the needle hitting the metal back of the port. Upon examination under fluoroscopy he determined it was flipped. He poked around for quite a while before and I too was black and blue for well over a week. Will have my port flipped back on the 11th. Glad to hear it's not a big deal because I'm due to go away on the 13th!

Pam, Tell me about your procedure to correct the "flipped" port. I went for my first fill last week and found that mine had flipped. Did you have general anesthesia again? That's the only part about this I really mind - hope I don't need to miss any more work than the day of the procedure. Did they fill you at the same time? Thanks, Lynne

Kim and Susan, Did you both have to go under general anesthesia or was it done under local?

Hi All, I have been in bandster hell for 2 months - my dr. won't do first fill until after 90 days post-op. Two more weeks to go. I have a 14cc band and am hoping for good restriction - right now I have none at all and can (and do) eat ANYTHING!!!! Haven't lost anything in 2 months - very discouraging.

My Dr. won't fill until at least 90 days post-op. Needless to say - I haven't lost anything in the last 2 months!!! I'm getting very discouraged. No restriction at all and I eat everything in sight! I wake up with hunger pangs and my cravings are as bad as ever. I am a carb addict and of course that's what I'm eating most. Due for a fill in two weeks - can't wait!

Zippy - how large is your band? I have a 14 cc and don't get my 1st fill until March 20th - I'm hoping for a considerable amount added because now I feel no restriction at all and it's been such a mental struggle for me not to gain!

Hi All, I was banded on Dec. 11th - can't get my first fill till the 91st day after surgery (insurance restriction - or so I'm told). Is this normal? My dr. uses fluoroscopy and I understand it costs about $1500 each fill ($500 for the dr. and $1000 for the hospital). I have a 14 cc band so I'm hoping for a good amount added the first time. Right now I feel NO restriction and it's a purely mental challenge for me to cut down on what I'm used to eating. Anybody's experiences with a larger band appreciated.

I also have the large band - was banded on Dec. 11th and am hungry a lot. I can eat everything (and have) but feel no restriction at all - haven't had my first fill yet either. It's totally a mental thing at this point - I'm forcing myself to stop eating. I'm consuming about 1/3 to 1/2 the amount I used to before being banded. Lost 18 lbs. the first two weeks after surgery (while on liquids) but as soon as I began eating food I've been yo-yo-ing up and down within 5 lbs.

Recently found out I have a 15cc Alergan band. Most of what I read, most people have 11cc or less. What have your experiences been with the larger band? I have not had any fills yet. Nor have I felt any restrictions. I force myself to stop eating after small amounts ("small" as compared to the mountains I ate before - ) I'm probably eating about a quarter of the amount I used to eat. With the exception of red meat I have tried just about everything - all in moderation! Nothing seems to bother me - no pb's yet!!!

Hi Patti, No - I was one of the last of Dr. Abkin's patients to get the Alergan band. But I think he lets his patients choose which one they want. Good luck on the 5th - it's a great experience.

I found out I have a 15cc band!!!! Curious how many cc's my first fill will be............I know they do them with fluoroscopy so they can tell at that time if it's enough or too much restriction.

I'm having the same issue, except I haven't had any fills yet - it's just 5 weeks since surgery. I don't feel any restriction - there's nothing I haven't tried eating and everything goes down real easy. However, I have forced myself to stop eating after a small amount. I'm also afraid of overfilling the pouch - I understand that can cause band slippage and I don't ever want to go through the surgery again!

Yes Nicky - that sounds like what I experienced. Felt like a red hot poker straight thru to my back. Had them whether I had something to drink or not (I was still on liquids)

Jack, You sound like the voice of experience! Trunk movement set the spasms off the worst - but I would lay in bed for hours not moving a muscle and they would come on - like a wave and then a searing hot pain though my middle straight thru to the back. Spoke w/my surgeon on Sunday - he's only seen this two or three times and said there's nothing to be done but wait it out. Fortunately, today I seem to be over the hump!!! First day up and functioning somewhat. The pain was so unbearable I wanted to die! Also, haven't been sleeping well nor am I drinking enough. Every spasm also brought nausea. I go back to the dr. tomorrow so hopefully I'm over the worst.

I can't believe some of what you're all eating! I'm so jealous! For 16 days post-op I'm on full liquids only - skim plus milk, light 'n fit yogurt, strained creamed soups and protein shakes - that's it!!! Potatoes and veggies would be heaven!

I had surgery on Tuesday - I will say the port site pain has gotten better every day but the gas pains are getting worse! It's not only under my shoulder but straight down between my shoulder blades and under the upper part of my ribcage. Ouch!

Well - I did it! I was banded yesterday - all went very well and I was home by 2:30 p.m. Today I'm feeling quite a bit of discomfort at the port site if I move in any direction - but other than that - not so bad! Of course, broth, jello and water are getting a bit tiresome - can't wait till tomorrow when I can have cream soup and protein shakes - yum!! :-)

I too am scheduled for December 11th - good luck to you! Hubby's taking me out tonight for last "good" meal - lol.

Where in PA are you located? You may want to try a NJ doctor. I'm going to Dr. Abkin in Florham Park. He operates out of Dover or New Brunswick.

When I had my nutrition evaluation she said no more caffeinated coffee because it's a diuretic. But after reading what everyone else is saying I think I'll stick with the good old caffeine kind!

Horray! Just got a call from the surgeon's office and I've been approved. Surgery set for December 11th. It took just over 3 weeks since my first consultation with Dr. Abkin.