VWalker

I felt that I was successful with the band. I had pneumonia and the coughing caused the band to slip enough to cause irritation in the stomach and for the stomach to swell shut. I did not realize that it was swollen shut and but for the grace of God I would have aspirated. I could not eat much but I tried to eat a little and in the middle of the night while I was asleep it came up in my mouth. Scared me half to death..... Went to my surgeon and they did an upper GI and found a dilation in the esophagus. Took all the fluid out for six weeks and I gained about 30 lbs back. When it healed they tried to get some fluid back in the band and could not get in. Tried on 3 different occasions 1 normally, 1 with ultra sound and then with fluoroscope (pardon spelling) none of which were successful. The only thing we got were bent needles. Dr decided I must have a bad port. Surgery to replace port found port was find. My body had completely encapsulated the port with scar tissue. After digging all that out and putting in a new port in an entirely different place.. I was good for another 1.5 years... when the same thing happened. I was perfectly happy with the band and my results up until all this happened. My body just does not like a foreign object inside, I guess. If I did not know all of this would I go with the band again? Yes... However, now that I do know how my body reacts to it I have had it removed and in six weeks will try for a revision to the RYN bypass. Wish me luck.

After two dialtions of the esophagus due to band slipping and a replacement of the port due to my body encapsulating the port with scar tissue and not being able to make adjustments my band was removed yesterday, July 5, 2012. Hopefully my insurance will approve a revision to bypass. I had lost around 87 lbs when all this started and was very please with the band. I still need to lose another 100 lbs though so wish me luck. I guess the admins should delete my account not that I no longer have the band. Good luck to you all and if you do what your doctor tells you, you will lose the weight!

It finally happened!! :embaressed_smile: I had a WOW moment. My clothes are getting too big so last night I was trying to find something to wear to church today. In going through my closet I ran across two brand new outfits that I order for Easter two or three years ago. I couldn't make up my mind which one I wanted so I ordered both! When they arrived they were too little and have hung there ever since. I was doubtful that I could wear them but decided to try them on to see if I was even close. Certainly did not want to skip by them and to my amazement they fit!!!! I could not be happier!! Now I just have to hem the pants and sleeves and I have two great outfits to wear. One is really spring/summer but I am going to wear it at least once!! LOL My DH is so proud of me! I also found a suit that had gotten two tight and it was loose! Down 2 sizes Yipeeeeeeee!!!!!! I feel like singing "I'm so excited, I just can't hide it!!!" :cursing:

Has anyone had any trouble with thowing up and band slippage? I had my flu shot and got sick big time. I am afraid that thing are not where they should be. Any advise?

:eek:Well, now that I have scared everyone away from getting their flu shot I find out there is a stomach bug making the rounds around here. Sorry about that, I hope you will get your flu shot if you need it!! I did live and feel much better now LOL. Hope the bug doesn't make to where you live. It is nasty!!:tongue:

Hello everyone, It seemed to take forever for the scales to start moving again. I have finally lost another 2 pounds. :biggrin: I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to lose any more.:biggrin: I have only been banded since Aug and was really starting to worry. I posted a couple of new pics and updated my avatar. Total weight gone is 41 pounds. Every little bit helps! Hope everyone else is doing good.

I just had my 1st fill last Tuesday and it was not painful at all. In fact I did not feel anything!!! I was a bit worried also after reading some of the horror stories here, but there really was nothing to it. I have to confess that my port was difficult to find but I still did not feel anything and they did not use anything in that area to numb it! So quit worring!

I had my 1st fill today. Found out that I already had 3cc in a 10cc band. They put 1cc in today. I did not find it to be very painful. It took them three times to find it and get it in the correct place, but it was not like being poked 3 times. The needle went in once and they had to pull it part way out and go in a little different direction. All in all a very good experience. I was kinda of nervouse but it was really easy. I only said oiey once!! LOL

Well, I must say that I am not sure that the lack of "experience" in Washington DC is a bad thing. She doesn't owe anyone anything! LOL I am keeping my options open at this time but certianly thing that Obama has a lot to prove before he got my vote. Too bad we can't vote for the President and Vice President seperately. I think one out of each party would make things interesting!!!

Ok, Lets see if I can do this without making everyone mad. I have been under the impression that Obama is of mixed heritage, not white, but not black. So what is the issue? I don't care what color a person's skin is or what his heritage is. I care about his answers to questions that make a difference to me.

Hi all, I was banded on 8/12 and am scheduled to get my first fill on Oct 14th. I can't wait I have been stalled for a couple of weeks now.:confused: Will let you know how it goes.

Well, my husband swears by a teaspoon of vinegar! Are you by chance using a straw to drink? That can introduce a lot of air which will cause hicups. Good luck. Vera

Hi :redface: I had lapband for many reasons Gastric Cons 1. terrified of malabsorbtion issues 2. rerouting the plumbing God engineered stomach and intestines 3. evasiveness of surgery 4. Losing weight tooo fast LapBand Pro 1. much less evasisve 2. no rerouting the plumbing which takes care of absorbtion issures 3. Adjustable 4. Removable if complications arise 5. Slower weight loss is healthier. I did gain it all in a year. Don't expect to lose it all in a year. 6. I actually retain some control over how much I lose and how fast!! It made more sense in my logical brain. The type of surgery is a personal choice. Make a chart and list your positive and negative feelings for each procedure. That could be the thing that helps you to make up your mind and it will be something to look back at when you get scared about the decision you have made.. And trust me you will doubt yourself a hundred times. ReReading the pros and cons will help you stay centered. I had the lap band on Aug 12, 2008 and have lost 2 clothing sizes. I love my band... I go on Oct 14th for my first fill. I hope I still love it then. LOL Sometimes another point of view seems to make a difference. Hope this helps you in your decision. Vera

Thank you! I am starting to really feel like I am on my way!

Hey DAnna, I am waiting 7 weeks and would like to get it tomorrow!!! My appointment is October 14th. I can't wait. I feel like I am just trying to maintain the loss and going nowhere. I was banded on Aug 12th and have lost a total of 38 pounds (pre and post surgery). Hang in there we will make it!!!

Hey Momoftwins, We were stationed at NAS Jacksonville and NAS Mayport for a total of 10 years!! I was banded on August 12th, Tricare was a piece of cake to get my approval, had to do a chest xray, and blood test, of course 5 years of med records. I started the process in March and was banded in August. I thought it was pretty quick. Hope your journey will be as easy and quick as mine. Oh by the way my DH retired after 24 year AD. I went from port to port. LOL

Hey, check out www.obesityhelp.com they have a clothing exchange type of thing over there. Check the forums.

Hmmm, my favorite breakfast is a quick breakfast quiche. I will scramble 6 eggs and add crumbled turkey bacon or finely diced ham, bell peppers, onion and grated cheese. Pour it all into a pie pan and bake about 30-35 minutes on 350. Slice and store in ziplock bags. Just heat in microwave in the morning!

Hi all, My name is Vera and I am a 24 year Navy Wife. DH retired in 1994. We really miss the active duty life even now! We are now living in a small town in NC near Myrtle Beach, SC. The biggest thing that I miss is the close support of the military spouses. We always stuck together!:wub: I got banded on Aug 12, so I am still on liquids.:smile2: Gotta run get ready for work! Vera

Not sure if I introduced myself or not! I am having surgery on August 12th at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, in Wilmington, NC. I live about an hour from the hospital and will be staying there for a few days. I have been struggling with weight issues for about 36 years. I have lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the years. I am now right at 300 pounds. (was at 304 when I started my preop diet) I am only 5'1" so I really need to drop around 170 to 180 lbs. I will be happy to see 150!! I have two grown children and 4 grandchildren. My DH is my high school sweetheart and we have been married for 37 years. He is very supportive, but admits he might be a bit jealous of the new me! He loves me fat or not! (I was only 110 when we got married.) Says he thinks he will keep me! LOL Well I'd better quit before I start to ramble too much. Keep me in your prayers as I start my journey Tuesday. Vera

Hi Stacie, I have not been banded yet. Tomorrow! I have no real sage advice for you. Other than sometimes we have to take time out for ourselfs. If I had done that better I might not be in this situation. I am sure the kids keep you busy and that can be difficult. The only time I could find me time (that I wasn't too tired) seemed to be early in the morning before my day started for everyone else's needs. Try to get up 1/2 hour or 1 hour earlier to exercise, meditate, meal plan for the week. I found that meal planning for me is the toughest but the best way for my budget and my sanity!!! Good luck and keep in touch, Vera

Thanks ot all for the good wishes!! I am glad to see I am not the only one on Aug 12th. I was starting to wonder! lol Best of luck to everyone getting banded this week. I will send up a prayer that everything will go well for all of us. I am so excitedVera

You're on!!! Gotta tell ya, I'm an old lady (57) you might need to cut me a tiny bit of slack and I hope we have a tie!!! LOL Vera