MicheleMonops

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this board. I am an old-hat at this band thing, or so I thought. My banding was in 2001, (very early on in the life of the procedure in the US) with Dr Christine Ren at NYU Medical Center. I was 311lbs on the day of my surgery. I have a 4cc band, and now weigh 179 (-132). I am looking for your help because I am concerned as to whether I may really have a problem, or if it is just that I am not used to restriction. My band worked wonderfully for the first four years. My sweet spot was at 2.5cc's. At least, that is how tight I had to be to consistently lose weight. On or about September of 2005, my doctor confirmed that my port was leaking. This comfirmation only came after three months of nonsense when the band was not working at all. My fills were not staying in, and I was gaining weight rapidly. I had the port replaced in November of 2005. I immediately went to 2 cc's after the replacement, which was very tight. I had a difficult time with liquids, forget about food. I then got pregnant and unfilled completely, packing on about 20lbs. I lost the baby, and went back to be filled again. Again at 2cc's. From January 4th (date of the fill after my miscarriage) to February 7th I lost 32lbs. I was barely eating. I was working at drinking, but I decided to get a small unfill. I am now at 1.75cc's. Ok, that is the history, but here is my question. I am still having trouble eating foods all day. Most evenings, with great effort and patience, I can eat a reasonable amount of food without incident. Most of the time, though, I am running for the bathroom feeling that "its not going to go down" feeling, and bringing everything back up. DO you all think that my first port was always a slow leaking one, and thats why I could be as tight as 2.5 with eating, and now that I have a new working port, even 1.75 is too tight? ORRRR do you think that it is possible that I have something going on here other than normal restriction, like an esophogeal issue or something. ??? Its just that with my old port, at 1.75 I was totally eating unrestricted. :help: Thanks for suffering through my sob story. Would love to hear what you think. THANKS! Michele

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this board. I am an old-hat at this band thing, or so I thought. My banding was in 2001, (very early on in the life of the procedure in the US) with Dr Christine Ren at NYU Medical Center. I was 311lbs on the day of my surgery. I have a 4cc band, and now weigh 179 (-132). I am looking for your help because I am concerned as to whether I may really have a problem, or if it is just that I am not used to restriction. My band worked wonderfully for the first four years. My sweet spot was at 2.5cc's. At least, that is how tight I had to be to consistently lose weight. On or about September of 2005, my doctor confirmed that my port was leaking. This comfirmation only came after three months of nonsense when the band was not working at all. My fills were not staying in, and I was gaining weight rapidly. I had the port replaced in November of 2005. I immediately went to 2 cc's after the replacement, which was very tight. I had a difficult time with liquids, forget about food. I then got pregnant and unfilled completely, packing on about 20lbs. I lost the baby, and went back to be filled again. Again at 2cc's. From January 4th (date of the fill after my miscarriage) to February 7th I lost 32lbs. I was barely eating. I was working at drinking, but I decided to get a small unfill. I am now at 1.75cc's. Ok, that is the history, but here is my question. I am still having trouble eating foods all day. Most evenings, with great effort and patience, I can eat a reasonable amount of food without incident. Most of the time, though, I am running for the bathroom feeling that "its not going to go down" feeling, and bringing everything back up. DO you all think that my first port was always a slow leaking one, and thats why I could be as tight as 2.5 with eating, and now that I have a new working port, even 1.75 is too tight? ORRRR do you think that it is possible that I have something going on here other than normal restriction, like an esophogeal issue or something. ??? Its just that with my old port, at 1.75 I was totally eating unrestricted. :help: Thanks for suffering through my sob story. Would love to hear what you think. THANKS! Michele

oh you have no idea how relieved I am to hear that someone else has gone through the same thing. I am so very grateful for your post! thank you so much.

wow, you TX chicks know your stuff. thanks for the insights. I sooo appreciate your guys help. M

My doctor is not too concerned, she thinks its readjusting to the fill. I hear what you are saying about the band always being leaky... I have thought of that. I think it is also possible that I have just forgotten how to proceed with the band restricted at all. Although it is hard to shake the fact that for me, 1.75cc's should be really loose. I have never had an endoscopy, and I know I should go for one. aaaaak. thanks so much for replying. It is so great to speak to others with the same sensations. Michele

just wanted to ask what happened with hour possible leak? sounds like my situation exactly. had my port replaced, which was not too much of a big deal. now that I am restricted, I am having a very hard time getting re-adjusted. but the weight loss is great. good luck!

thanks so much for your kind thoughts. I wish you all the luck in the world. it is worth every minute of it, believe me. Good Luck!

I live in the Danbury area. Anyone have a doctor they can recommend to do fills in Fairfield County??