Melissa Lea

Whatever, very similar situation happened to me. I thought I had slipped. I went for a complete unfill under fluro and it was determined that I was not too tight and not slipped. I elected to have a complete unfill. Long, long story short....my situation....took nearly 5 months to diagnose the problem after unfill. I ended up in emergency room with abdominal pain, distension, vomiting. After all test for gallbladder were done and normal the ER doc did a CAT scan to learn I had a bowel obstruction. After 3 days in hospital, a surgeon was consulted to evaluate my situation. He elected to do laporscopic exploratory surgery to see what was up with my obstruction. This surgery turned into an open, emergency bowel small bowel resection. The catheter to my band had come lose and wrapped around my small intestines 5 times shutting off the blood supply and killing a small sections (abt 5 inches) of my intestine. My general surgeon had never seen or heard of this happening. Nor has the bariatric surgeon I'm working with (im looking into revision). sadly, there are operative pics that show this. I am by no means trying to scare your nor am I implying this is happening to you. What I am saying is listen to your body and command further testing. My general surgeon said my bowels were starting to perforate which could have killed me with poison leaking into my body. This kind of GERD is not normal and your body is speaking loud and clear. By the way....I was 4 years post op when this happened. Best regards, Aspi

Most recent full body pic. You can click on the picture to see it larger. I just learned that :wink:

So sorry I left ya hanging!! I have been thinking about each and every one of you and had EVERY intention of getting on here my bandiversary date of June 9, 2009. I am 3 years out, 80 pounds down, still 20 pounds from my first goal and then about 15 more pounds for my ultimate "dream" goal but will be happy at my goal. I have no struggles except I am a turtle pace loser. I am happy to report that the tortes did win the race :-). I too will win this race. In December, I have already decided I will start to scope out plastic surgeons to interview and ask questions about procedures whether I am at my goal or not. I am extremely fortunate to have such a supportive family and close friends. I have to admit, for the most part, I am still a "closet" bandster and I prefer to keep it that way. It makes things simpler for me. I will see if I can figure out how to upload a recent pic of me. I hope more peeps come on and post. I've been really bad about posting lately. But I haven't forgotten about you all. Hugs & Happy Bandiversary!! Melissa

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm sorry that I haven't been on here much lately. My life has just been crazy, busy with work and the new house. I barely have time for me. I miss you all and think of you all often. Touch base when you can. Melissa Lea

Thanks for the info quennee. I will reasearch this doctor some more. Michee, did you have your reconstruction surgery in canada? Melissa Lea

Hey Quennee Where in Mexico if you don't mind me asking. I will be self pay and need a full body recontouring procedure. I am self pay for band and I am almost positive I will be self pay for reconstructive surgery as well. I still have about 30 to 40 more pounds I want to lose but I am starting to research my options. Thanks! Melissa

Hey Everyone! I know, I know!! It's been awhile since I last posted. I have to admit that the Halloween Candy has gotten the best of me this year but tomorrow is a new banded day :rolleyes2: Socalgal --don't be jealous, book a cruise!! I LOVED IT!! I am so ready to go again. Lucy --it's great to hear from you and your success. I am happy to see you are enjoying life. Regina --I want to see pics from this bull ride!! I'm waiting. I hope everyone else is doing well. I hope that others will pop in soon and give us a quick update on the band or just life in general. Have a great one! Melissa Lea

How was the fling Regina?? Glad to see you are enjoying your walks Socalgal. Barb465 I'm glad to hear you have restriction. It's been awhile since I have posted. I have been crazy, busy as usual with work, the new house and I just returned from my vacation, a 7 day cruise and I absolutely had a great time!!! I wanted to pop in and say hello to everyone and to let you know I am still hanging around. Will try to stop in a bit more frequently as things settle down for a couple of weeks (I hope, fingers crossed). I hope to hear from everyone soon. Melissa Lea

"Bottle of determination"?? Let me know if you find it Pinky!! I've been doing alright with the band. I hit another plateau so I decided to take a break from the band which means I have maintained for a couple of weeks. It's been a good break but time to get back on the bandster wagon and hit my goal by Christmas, another 20 to 30 pounds gone. I hope that everyone has enjoyed the summer. I know for the most part I have but I am ready for some cooler weather. I hope to hear from some other bandsters soon. I hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend!! Melissa

Hi Everyone!! July has been a quite month on the board. I am just as guilty as everyone else! I've been traveling for vacation and enjoying this summer time. As usual in my life, things are crazy, busy. Still trying to unpack since I moved into the new house. It would be nice if I have actually been home on a weekend since moving in. I will be this weekend, but I have compnay coming. I hope everyone is doing well. Drop in and say hello when you get the chance. PS. I am at an all new time low in my weight 181.5 pounds this morning. I am a slow looser and that is fine by me. Melissa Lea

Hey Everyone! I got moved into the house and finally got internet service at home. Thought I'd drop by and say a quick hello before I head out of town, "again!!". I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July Holiday weekend! Melissa

Congrats to everyone that has had their band anniversaries. I can't wait to hear from those whose anniversary dates are coming near. It is an exciting month for us all. I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. I have been packing and packing and packing as my move date into the new house in this coming Saturday. I never seem to have enough time in the day. I will be glad to get settled into the new place. I am sure that will take me a couple of months. Have a great rest of the weekend and enjoy Father's Day. Melissa Lea

Hey Everyone! Today is my 2 year band anniversary. It was 2 years ago that Barb12 and I sat in the waiting room anxiously awaiting our procedure. I am so glad to have had you on this journey with me as well as each and everyone of you. I could not and would not be where I am today without each and everyone of you. Today my weight on my 2 year anniversary is 185#. Right before Memorial Day weekend I was at 183# but managed to gain 4 pounds over that one weekend. I think every now and then it is alright to endulge. But now I am back on the losing side. For the NSV I am in a very comfortable size 14 pant and some 12's, tops are 16's but regular sizes. I have actaully been able to go into "normal" sized clothing stores and people wait on me without judgement and are excited to help me. Also, I am trying to exercise more, I have more energy than I had 2 years ago, and most of all, I like the way that I am starting to look and trying very hard to be more comfortable in this body God has given me (and will give me after a nip/tuck in the future). I hope that everyone is doing well and will check in on their anniversary date. We are still here for each other. And for those of us, like myself, that haven't quite made it to goal ....let year 3 be the one we celebrate our goal :biggrin:. Love ya! Melissa