donna_42

I had an extended abdomnioplasty in October 06. Had a very tight band but that was never mentioned by the plastic surgeon. He did move my port from the upper center of my belly to right beneath my ribcage. I was scared it would be difficult to access, but my weight loss doc had no problems (I had to have an unfill this month to quit losing). Oh yeah, the scar associated with my port was completly gone from the skin removal....although replaced by new ones from the surgery.

I need some advice here...any help will be apprciated! I was banded back in August, with only a few pounds per month loss, and barely any restriction. I FINALLY got up to 2.9 cc's in a 4 cc band a couple of weeks ago. I was able to drink the Water that I'm required to drink before leaving the doc's office just fine. Now, I cannot eat much of anything without spitting it back up (within moments usually). I have seen 10 pounds drop off, which I'm really tickled about. My question is this: Is it possible that I am just overfilling the pouch? Before this fill, when we'd go to a mexican restaurant, I would eat chips and salsa (plenty) and then a bite of Beans (never any rice!) and 2 - 4 small bites of a cheese enchilada. Now, I pb if I eat over a couple of spoonfuls of anything.(but sometimes even if I only eat a spoonful--it's really unpredictable) I actually spit milk back out last night, and I thought liquids would always go right thru! Help! I think I may be overfilling?? and anything after the "full mark" is coming back...what do ya'll think???? I really don't want to have an "unfill", I am finally seeing some results and would be totally defeated if I lost that. I've lost a total of 60 lbs. since August, but I am not even halfway to goal, so I need my band to work!

It was my understanding that they "blow you up" with some kind of air for the surgery, and I remember it taking awhile for that to all disappear too. I kept looking at my port-site and wondering what was wrong, the swelling was huge! For me, seemed the soreness and swelling went away at about the same pace...hang in there, you're still healing, and it will get better soon!!

I really appreciate all the advice, and it has helped make up my mind to call and schedule an appt with my doc. I will just insist that we only unfill a tiny bit though, because I know myself, and I'll push eating to the limit!! Thanks so much!!

I am just curious if anyone has had a similar experience. I normally go in the morning for my checkup and fill. I've had 7 or 8 now, and had all but 2 of them first thing in the morning, before eating Breakfast (just my necessary cup or two of coffee). My doc hits the port with no problem. But..............the two that I had in the afternoon, after stressing at work, eating, etc...., we've had heck hitting the port!! I had to do leg lifts (which, uh, are NOT easy for me) and he really worked to get it. He uses something to deaden the area, so it is not painful, except for trying to contract my stomach muscles and make the area easier for him to feel the port. It's really frustrating and takes longer than I want, plus, I left with a splitting headache from all the straining. I know for me, I will schedule fills ONLY in the A.M. in the future....anyone else noticed a difference??

Hang in there is all I can say, you're doing great already!! It is really hard not to be hungry, everyone I've talked to, and myself, felt the exact same way after a few weeks post-op. Once you finally do get the fills started, you'll see the difference. It has actually taken me several fills to get the kind of restriction that I hoped for, but even with less, lost a decent 6 - 8 lbs. per month. ( I was secretly hoping for a LOT more..haha...but, that isn't really the best way I reckon) Just try not to overeat alot, and realize that you've no doubt cut down more than you know, look at the weight loss already. Oh yeah, one more thing, everyone I know also gained a few pounds back too, but lost them later..(so don't despair)

Does it matter how long you've waited to use it? My surgery was in August ... wondering if it is too late now for me?

Everything you see on TV about drastic weight loss suggests that most of us are in for a tt in our future, but have ya'll noticed, the plastic surgery shows are ALWAYS about bypass patients? I've yet to see one that dealt with the slower weight loss strategy of the lapband. I'd like to see that changed. Meanwhile, maybe I'll invent "flesh colored" duct tape!! ha

I don't think that many of us expected to still be the same person with the same hunger until after the first or second (or third..for that matter) fill. I have been soooooo disappointed that I am "failing", and thought I must be the only "cheater" in the world. I have been able to eat ANYTHING that I wanted, and kept wondering if I would be one of the only failure at this thing. Then, after fill #2, I am FINALLY feeling some restriction!!! The first cc did nothing, and now I am up to 2 cc's in a 4 cc band. I can tell a big difference...so, the point is....hang in there, don't give up...and know that this band WILL work for you...we're looking at long-term here...not just mustering up enough willpower not to do it all alone. (which, for me, didn't work anyway...thus the band *S*)

Congrats on the weight loss. My doctor had lots of trouble finding my port yesterday too. He had me do leg lifts (no easy task) and tighten my abdominal muscles (yeah right..lol) and he poked and prodded and stuck me til he got it. He's been at this for 3 years, so I am confident he found it before putting in the 1 cc fill that I got. It was not a fun visit, and I don't feel any more restricted yet....hmm...it is still really hard to believe that this thing will work. But, based on everyone else's results, I gotta have faith! Hit the 20 lb.mark this morning though!

I don't understand the reasoning on some requirements before surgery. I agree with some things that I was told to do...like talking to the nutritionist...but seeing a trainer before surgery sure isn't going to guarantee that you'll exercise is it? Sounds to me like he's so booked, he needs to put some of his patients off for a few weeks/months. But, then we're over the barrell when it comes to changing docs and not wanting to start this process all over again. Incidentally, I started trying to get banded in April of 2004. Was finally approved, but had to pay $5,000 myself. Hang in there, it is well worth whatever we have to go thru to get banded though. (just VERY trying on your patience, I know)

Hi Pam, How did it go?? I go today at 3 for my first fll....I'm anxious to git 'er done. I may even ask him to "fill 'er up"...(jokingly said, of course) because I too have little or no restriction right now. I have the 4 cc band, so the doc said I'd be getting 1 cc of fluid today..hope it's enough!

My doctor offers both surgeries, but does not push one or the other. I had heard of bypass, and never even considered it, I thought it was just way too drastic and permenent for me. My sister, who is a nurse, told me about the band and immediately I started researching. Yes, the weight loss would be slower, but, it was reversible and not nearly as invasive as what I had understood WLS to be. It took about a year to get approved, and even then, I had about $5000 out of pocket...but I think it is worth it! As far as I'm concerned, banding is the first and only WLS that I could've even considered.

Hi all! I am new to this site, and really appreciate the wealth of information that I've seen already! I'm new at being banded also, about 4 weeks out. I've realized this is a learning process, and look forward to reading posts. Donna

I'm a month post-op, and when I tried to eat bread, even well chewed, it made my chest feel really tight and I was very uncomfortable. It will make you think twice before doing that trick again!

How do you change the numbers as you lose pounds?

I'll be glad when Insurance Companies just realize that this isn't some silly cosmetic or "snake oil" treatment! I suspected that mine would prefer that I just ignored my hbp and other "co-morbidities". It took almost a year, and we still had to pay almost $5,000 out of pocket. We weren't in a position to do so for several more months of praying and saving. I am so glad that I was finally able to have the surgery, and won't regret money spent on a longer, healthier life. I have some kids and even a grandbaby needing me around. I'm worth the money!! Keep praying for that door to open... Donna

Hi Paula, East Texan here, Dr. Clifton Thomas is my surgeon. Donna

Perfect timing for me to be in! I'm just getting started, with a weight of 336.5...so I believe that I am good for 37 pounds. I really want to break the 300 mark!