bloc54

I had my surgery 12/4/07 and still occasionally have pain, especially around the port area. Not only can I feel the port, I can feel the band itself. I don't know why! I questioned the doctor before surgery about feeling the port, and his reply was "well, if people feel it, they aren't complaining about it!". There's just something about my particular anatomy, I guess, that allows me to feel the devices. I don't like it, but aside from having it removed, there's nothing to be done about it. Back to the pain issue, some after a fill is normal, but continuous pain might be indicative of an infection. Do you have a fever, or even redness at the site? If so, call your doctor or nurse line and go in for them to look at it! I had some of the internal stiches come to the surface and went in between fills to have them look at it. Don't hesitate to use the resources available!

Ladies--I just joined the forum a few days ago, and am so glad to read about everyone's journeys! I was banded on 12/4/07, and haven't lost ANY weight! When I went for my 3rd fill a couple of weeks ago, I had a long conversation with the doc, and he finally explained to me why it can sometimes take so long to get the fill right. Apparently, everyone's stomach wall is a different thickness. They had to stop my surgery to go get the smaller band for me because they did not know until they were inside that my wall was thinner, and I needed the smaller band. The small band only holds 4 cc's of saline. I am up to 3 cc's after that fill. The doc said normally he would only put a half cc in for the 3rd fill on a small band, but because I hadn't lost any weight, and was not experiencing any restriction, he put in a full cc. This has finally caused restriction, and my intake is slowing. I still have the "head hunger" (love that term!) and undoubtedly will for some time. Everyone's stories inspired me to really go back to the basics of band eating--no liquids for an hour afterwards, really thinking about how my stomach feels. I am hopeful for the first time in 3 months that this tool will help me, even though it's taken a while to get into the groove. Thanks to one and all! Christie