formykids

I am looking for people in Maine who have had the band and who might know of a doctor who will do fills, mine just retired.

My port is also under my breast and it has been 4 years since surgery, I wish I could tell you it gets better but most days it is just plain uncomfortable... sometimes it feels like between my bra and my ribs that my port is going to get ripped out.... I have large breast and could not imagine why it was placed there but my doc said it was for ease of fills and I have to say it is very easy to find the port for a fill because it sticks out of my skin.... other than ease of fills it has been a nightmare having it there and I do not recommend it being placed there for anyone... I hope your doc will move yours, mine would not.

Hi all, last week I had to have a barium swallow because of burning in my throat... so while having the swallow done the raidiologist said that I did not have a pouch, the band was around the bottom of my esophagus... so this news upset me so I came home and called my doctor's office and they said that they looked at the test and thought my band was in the right place... but they will do another test to go down my throat with a scope and look... so I guess my question is has anyone else had the person doing the test say one thing and the Dr say another.... I would think the raidioligy doc would know what he is looking at right? and now it has been 3 days and I have not heard from my band doc on when the other test will be... I am so frustrated:confused2:

I too just had a fill and it has been 3 days and I am now feeling my restriction... my last fill took almost 2 weeks before I felt it... the band is a very bizarre tool and hard to explain why it works the way it does sometimes.

Hi all, I have been getting very bloated after I eat, it is to the point of being so uncomfortable and makes my pants tight.... does anyone else ever get this, for me it is everyday after I eat and last all day.

Hi all, I am from Standish, Maine and had my surgery in Augusta by Dr Aslam a few years ago... he retired shortly after my surgery leaving me with no doc... then about a year ago I go in to Dr Cobean/Wolfe office in Portland and they have been good to me.. .I have been a slow loser and often wonder why I have this band in me, I would have been happier to have more weight loss... I still have alot to lose. I wish everyone luck with their surgery and encourage the support groups... I think with more support from my original doc I might have been more successful.

I had to have a barium swallow today, I am having alot of pain in my chest back and up into my neck... feels like gas but not sure. I have not had a doctor in a long time because mine retired but thankfully last week I found a new doc and he sent me for this test.... I am very nervous for the results.. when I looked at the tv monitor during the test things did not look right. I am praying that my band has not slipped. I had at times overeaten because I was not restricted and was hoping to just have this new doc give me a fill so I could be restricted again but now all this pain I am having is really driving me insane. Has anyone else had this kind of gas type pain?

Thank you all for your replies... I am glad I asked.... No breakfast for me that day, I really need this fill to work...thanks again

Hi All, just wondering if it is ok to eat before having a fill or if I should skip the food.... my fill is at 9:30 am so I would be skipping breakfast.... any advise will be greatly appreciated. thanks

Hi Deanna, welcome, this site is a really great way to get info.... It has helped me so much. I am also from Maine..

Has anyone had surgery in Maine? Sometimes I think I am the only person in Maine. I would love to meet others from Maine going through this too...

my doc put my port just under my left breast... I can feel it at all times and it sticks out a bit.... I am large breasted so my bra irrates it alot and sometimes if I bend just right it feels like my bra is going to pop the port out. It is very strange but fills are a breeze, the docs have no problem finding it.

Has anyone had their surgery at the Portsmouth NH facility.... I am trying to get some info on how they are with the band... I already have my band but need a new doctor

I will say a prayer for your daughter and for you to stay strong for her. our children are our most precious gift and no parent should ever have to see them suffer. I wish her a full recovery and the chance to get her life back. stay strong, she will need you. you are in my thoughts and prayers

did anyone else see this little 5 year old on inside edition lastnight. It was the sadest thing I have ever seen in my life... she is 5 years old and 200 lbs and can hardly walk.... it upsets me to think that the parents of this child are sitting there watching their child get bigger and bigger... she weighs more than alot of adults... she must be at such high risk of life threatning diseases like diabetes and heart disease,,,, it is sad...

I have not heard from my doctor yet with a date for my endoscopy. I am hoping that it will happen soon. I am anxious to get some answers....

thank you,,, I am doing ok, my barium swallow did not show a slip but they are concerned because it looks as though my stomach folds in on itself so they they are doing an endoscopy to see what is going on... hopefully soon....

Dr C, I have been banded for a little over 2 years and am having pain in my stomach and terrible burning like gas between my breast and back. I had a barium swallow done and my doc said it seems like my band is ok but in some of the slides it looks like my stomach folds in on itself.... Have you ever heard of this? He said I would need to have an endoscopy to make sure all is good but I am so worried that something is wrong... I have had very small weightloss since having my band. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

this whole Nursing home discussion is so sad... The thought that someone could abuse and elderly person by withholding food or drink just so they did not have to do their job of changing the persons diapers... that is unaceptable. I am sick at the thought and sad for all those people that have no other choice but to be in a nursing home. I have cared for some of my elderly relatives after stroke or other illness and I am so thankful that I was able to do that for them and not have them go to one of these dreadful places. Unfortunatly that is not an option for all families and I think that everything possible should be done to improve the living conditions for these people. More awareness needs to be mad of these unacceptable conditions.

this whole Nursing home discussion is so sad... The thought that someone could abuse and elderly person by withholding food or drink just so they did not have to do their job of changing the persons diapers... that is unaceptable. I am sick at the thought and sad for all those people that have no other choice but to be in a nursing home. I

I have found that when something gets stuck, If I take a really deep breath and hold it for as long as I can, it usually does the trick, sometimes it takes a few really deep breaths... might not work for cabbage but hey it is worth a try.

I am at 2 years after surgery and have only lost about 45 lbs.... I am right there with you and your discouragement. I was not given alot of info on how much to eat and rules of the band... My original doc was not very social and pretty much just got me in and out. my whole process only took a couple of months from consult to surgery. now I am paying the price. I have to go thursday for a barium swallow. I am having lots of gas pain and alot of stomach pain. I think I do overeat sometimes but a cup of food doesn't fill me. I know I need a fill but my new doc wants to make sure that everything is ok with my band first. then he said he will get me filled to a good level where as my other doc didn't listen to me when I said I could eat alot, he only put in .5 at time and I have only had 3. I am ready to rededicate my self to this band and I am praying that my band is still in place. I want to start losing again and feel good about my self. Right now I feel like a failure to the band. if anyone knows where I can get those rules of the band could you let me know....Thanks a million for this forum... I love this site, I totally don't feel alone in this journey anymore.

My fills from my other doctor were not too bad, my port is very easy to access, the surgeon put it in a spot where you can feel it at all times. sometimes that is a bit uncomfortable but atleast I know where it is. It is nice to be going to a doctor that is local to my area, my other doctor was in Augusta which was an hour drive for me both ways. so it is nice to have a 20 min drive now.:clap2:

wow, I was not aware of the support group starting in portland.... I am super excited about that. I am waiting for the nurse to call and schedule my fill.. I hope this is all I need, Dr Cobean said that we should start with the fill and go from there. I really need to start loosing again. It is really nice to talk with others that live in the same state as me. Thanks for replying.

I have bcbs here in Maine and they covered my lap band and fills after I appealed the initial denial. I have not had any insurance problems... thank god.