SJK

My life with the band is over. I had a lot of complications and the area around my port became red back in Sept. Doctor confirmed band erosion via an endoscopy in Nov. I had band removal surgery on Nov 10th which did not go well. The doc found that the band was placed too high, not only was it eroded, I had a hole in my stomach and the band had started to adhere to the liver. So its out but I have a long recovery as they had to cut me open after trying to do it laproscopically. I spent a week in hospital and then a week on liquids. Starting to eat small portions now. Good luck everyone, I hope you do not have my problems!

Hi all. I was banded in January 2008. I was filled three times and lost some weight. I always had problems with my port, it never stopped hurting and in September the area around it got red. My doctor was a louse and could not get him to see me so in November I got another doctor to see me. An endoscopy confirmed severe band erosion and I went into surgery for removal on Nov 12th. When the doc went in it was a disaster. He had to cut me open, the band was too close to the esophagus, was halway into my stomach, I had a hole in my stomach and the band had started to adhere to my liver. Anyway he got it out and repaired my stomach. I spent a week in hospital. I was on liquids for a week and am now eating but small portions. I actually cannot eat that much at a time. Im still off of work and still have pain and am recuperating. I'm sad my band experience was terrible but am so happy I am ok.

Hi all, just thought I'd tell you about an excellent book I have just finished. It's called the Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients by Colleen Cook. She is a by pass patient of some 20 years and works with a surgical centre counselling patients. The book was part of a study on the differences between successful and unsuccessful patients. Anyway she says that in order to be successful you need to adopt these habits: 1. Personal Accountability 2. Portion Control 3. Nutrition 4. Fluid Intake 5. Regular Exercise 6. Vitamins and supplements It's well worth a read!

thanks for the responses everyone...glad to know its not just me

Is anyone still getting soreness and pain in their port incision area? I am, its not terrible but sometimes is very uncomfortable. Tends to get worse when I lean over for a time or exercise a lot. Just wondering if this is normal or if I should call my doc.

Sure are you in Trinidad? Dr. Dilip Dan is my doctor

I've gone out several times and had either red wine or even a couple martinis. I try to drink water in between and really think about how its affecting me. ITs been fine

Count me in! Love the name!

I had my first fill today as well, 3.5ccs in a 9cc band. I am also on liquids for two days. getting some gurgling when drinking and some burping. definitely feeling tighter!

getting my first fill in a few hours...nervous!

I was banded on the 17th and up to this week the pain had stopped. This week it came back, very sore over the actual port. The only thing I can think of is I started back exercising, did some light arm weight exercises. Anyone else have this happen?

LOL I was having a bad day when I wrote that post...everyday gets a little easier

Physically I am doing great. Started exercising, light cardio. I have always suffered with gas so I'm back to 'normal'. Mentally I'm not doing so great. Feel very overwhelmed when planning my meals. Sometimes I feel like I've lost my best friend as I stare longingly at the fritos/ bread/ steak in the grocery. Anyone else having these pangs?

Wey, I was banded on the 17th and have had a similar experience, was feeling almost back to normal two days ago and now I feel like Im going backwards. I am nauseus and have dry heaves. went back to liquids today but has not helped. I feel like my chest is sore now. I am getting pain around the port and on my right side!!!! I have no advice because nothing is helping me at the moment but I'm just letting you know its not only you!!!

today was not such a good day. I think I might be eating to much as I'm averaging 4oz a meal. Today I have gas again and my port area is very very sore. Also getting that tight feeling with no burping. Anyone else feeling like this 6 days postop?

The Protein shakes are just not going down so am trying to look for protein elsewhere. I had 1 slim fast 200 pureed clamchowder 150 pumpkin Soup with casilan Protein powder 100 gatorade rain 100 hummus pureed 80 total 630 my nutritionist recommended casilan as it has no taste and is 14g protein a serving and can be added to Soups

The protein shakes are just not going down so am trying to look for protein elsewhere. I had 2 slim fast

I'm finally feeling a bit more like me again! most of the gas is gone but still have some issues there. I'm much more mobile and was able to get in 600 calories today. look for SlimFast low carb, they are 190 calories and have 20g of protein! I had half for breakfast and half for lunch

Thanks RedTulips. I checked with my doctor and he said it all sounded quite normal and my nutritionist agreed. I guess we'll see how it goes

is anyone getting a pain in their chest after sipping some liquid? I am and Im also not able to burp. I've been drinking 2 oz at a time over about 20 minutes and Im getting a heavyness and pain in my chest

I feel like a truck hit me from both sides! The gas is horrendous, my tummy is very bloated. No dry heaves thank goodness. I just feel so sore. How is everyone doing?

Thanks Crystal...I can't believe it's tomorrow!

Good luck tomorrow fellow Jan 17ers!

L.A. just read your thread about your quick freak out. Glad you are feeling good about the surgery again. Everyone who responded seemed to have gone through the same feelings and have no regrets. Just think, in one year it will be us who would have lost lots of weight, telling a January 2009 bandster to go for it!

Welcome. I'm getting banded on the 17th too. Cannot believe it's less than two days away! Feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves and dreading the after effects of the anesthetic...I had an appendectomy a year ago and was very nauseous. I've made my broth and my delicious squash soup for the liquid stage and shopped for two weeks of groceries so I guess I'm ready. Excited to get on the band wagon!