Terri-ific

I had something very similar to this when I was over filled! I couldn't even keep Water down! It was a miserable 24 hours until I could get back to the Doc. Since then I have more problems with the barfing when I think I have to cough and it is always more than my pouch can hold. My Doc said that the body produces 1 liter of mucus, which goes into your stomach, each day! Yuck! That's why it is more than you have eaten or drank! Also, I had the pain on the left side and Doc said it was my colon and not the band. He said pain at the band would feel closer to the center of the chest and less on the left side! Milk of Mag helped me. Anyway, hope all works out well for you! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Terri

I used Dr. Wellborn in Little Rock and highly recommend him!! He has a free seminar each month and explains everything about the surgery to you. There are also people who have had the surgery who answer questions for anyone who asks. They are super. If there is any way I may be of help, please let me know! Terri

My Dr. recommended Milk of Magnesia and it was, and is, a life saver!! Good luck on your procedure!! Welcome to the "Band."

Banded: 07/01/05 Where: Little Rock, AR Doctor: Wellborn Complications: None

After havin some difficulties after my last fill, I returned to my Dr. last week. He said that there had been a lot of problems will fills between July and September because the needle which goes into the port was making a good seal and all the saline would leak out! This had happened to me! I'm sorry I didn't get the brand, but he said there had been a design change (which the company initially denied) that caused them to to seal properly. I'll try to get more info, but I just wanted to let everyone know. Terri

Exactly right, Dana2! The band is a medical tool - like the procedures you mentioned and just basic medications! We as "bandies" have no need to drop our heads in shame!! (Didn't we do enough of that when we were at our heaviest?) We have a duty to ourselves, as human beings, to take care of this vehicle that we (our minds and souls) travel around in!! If that means taking an antiobiotic, or putting on make up, or having the band procedure it is my RIGHT to do the best I can for me and the rest of the world can go hang!! It is no one else's business!! We all know our feeling and reasons for having the surgery to begin with. (Think about them for just a moment......) Now, are you sorry that you had the surgery???? The only way other people can make us feel bad is if we let them do it!!!! Do not let people, even those with "the best intentions," make you feel unworthy of feeling good about yourself and your accomplishments! It doesn't matter if you have lost 20 lbs and have 100 to go, or lost 100 and have 20 to go -- improving YOUR life took, and takes, daily effort and work!! Be proud of what you have accomplished; what you are accomplishing; and who you are!!!! No matter what your size, you have the right to be happy with yourself and feel good!!!! Do not give anyone the power to take that away from you!!!! God bless us each and everyone!!!!! Terri

For a couple of weeks I was having discomfort (I can't really call it pain) at the port and band areas (Had the procedure last July) Now that has past, but I cannot seem to get full! I still feel some restriction, but I'm just Always starving!!! I am starting to gain weight, too!!! Help!!! Any ideas? Thanks so much!! Terri :faint:

I called my Dr. and can't get in until Feb 20! She said they would can if anyone cancels before that. I'll post what I find out, if anything, after the appointment. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers! Terri

Paula: Thanks so much for the input. If anyone else has any ideaas, please ket me know ASAP! Terri

Tuff Enuff: Is it possible, if you have to have the band removed, to have a by-pass instead of replacing the band? Have any idea if insurance would cover that procedure? Hope things work out!! God Bless!! Terri

Would someone mind telling me how you know if you might have an erosion? What does it feel like? HELP!! I'm really worried after reading all these posts. Thanks, Terri

Having just come into this discussion, what does an erosion feel like? Pressure....Pain....what? This may have been discussed before, but I missed it. Penni, I am so sorry for your problems. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Terri

I'm in Conway and had my band done on 7/1/05! 18 lbs gone so far.

Congratulations!!!!! Yes, I went from excited to scared to wondering if this was the right thing to excited (well you get the picture!) Just relax and plan for the future when you have your "little band-friend" and lose the weight. Just remember, the band is an aide, not the total answer. You have to do a lot of work, but always know that you are worth it!! Much luck! Terri

Absolutely keep fighting!! Call the insurance company and ask them for the reason you were denied--the SPECIFIC reason. It may just be that some records or test results did not get included. Good luck and here's hoping we can induct you into the "Happy Band-sters" very soon. Terri

When I went to see Dr. Wellborn I didn't meet with a nutritionist either. There was some information as to what type of food to eat when, after the surgery, but I didn't speak with anyone. I don't know about the gallbladder thing because I lost mine years ago, but if you have any questions, PLEASE call the doc's office and ask! They are pretty good to get back with you soon and, since they deal with this everyday, they are the experts. Good luck on your journey to health! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you get on the "band" wagon!!! Terri

Has anyone else noticed that a majority of us are in the "caring professions"? I can't help but wonder if that might say something about our personality make-up! (Before I became an attorney, I was both a nurse AND a counselor!)

I have a 4 year old gallbladder scar and had no proble at all--one of the band incisions is right in the middle of the old scar. Dr. did not complain about it at all and, to be honest, I had so little pain after the surgery that I can't imagine there was any problem with it. Best of luck to you all! Terri

I researched both procedures as much as possible and decided that the lap-band was the choice for me. I liked the fact that it is much less invasive, reversable, and there is no cutting of intestine, and with a slower weight loss your skin tightens more than with the by-pass, etc. Also, the recovery time is so much shorter than for the RNY -- so the decision was fairly obvious. ALSO, and this is a biggie, a RNY will only be effective for about a year--then the pouch stretches. With the band, because it is adjustable, you can lose for several years. Always remember, you have to do what is right for you, your family and life. Good luck with the decision. Terri

I had my first fill on the 15th of this month (about 2 weeks ago) I haven't noticed a difference in restriction--if anything, I am a lot more hungry than I was before!!! Has anyone had this happen, or can you give me any tips? Thanks!

Because he told me to do liquids for two days and then soft for two days post-fill. I would much have rather had a taco!!

Got another fill today and he put about twice as much saline in this time as he did the last! This time I actually feel some restriction (just a bit) and was full after the broth I had at lunch! Yea!! Maybe this time it will do right.

Also, Dr. Wellborn does a "good" fill -- he numbs the area of the port and everything! Good luck!

I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is PBing? I am not at all familiar with that term. Thanks!

After the fill there was an amount of bleeding at the port site. Even the Dr. commented on the fact that that usually doesn't happen. Thanks to everyone for the input and good wishes; it is much appreciated! Terri-ific