bandlover2009

Hi Miper70, Just curious as to why you are getting yours removed. Has it been deflated for 3yrs? What did you do to cont to lose weight without the restriction? The reason I am asking is because my band has a leak around the band itself (just my luck, manufacturing defect). I have had it about 16mos, lost about 50lb. Its been broken for the last few months and I am contemplating having it removed and not replaced. I have to lose about 40lbs more to get to goal. It looks like you were able to do it without the band... I really like the band when it is functioning correctly, but I have had a tough time getting restriction and keeping it and now its broken. I am self pay and will have to save up to have it removed. What made you decide after 3yrs to have it removed? Thanks :biggrin:

Hi, I know how you are all feeling... I too have a leak, confirmed today at my fill. I should of had 7cc but I only had 4cc. I lost restriction after a traumatic fill by my doctor a few wks ago. I now have to have my port evaluated under flouroscopy to see where exactly the leak is. (I am self pay too) If it is leaking at the port itself, a replacement port will have to be installed (general anesthesia, $3-4K out of my pocket and another day off work!) If the leak is in the line or the band portion itself, it will have to be fixed laparoscopically, and they haven't given me a price on that yet. I guess I will have to decide once I know how much it will cost me to fix it. I was banded 1/2009 and have lost 50lbs or so. What to do, what to do??? I'm so bummed out and depressed over this. I will try to keep on a diet while all this gets resolved because it may be several wks before I can get the money together...and if the cost is close to or as much as the original surgery (14K) no can do.....:thumbup:

I would first call your surgeon's office to have the service page your surgeon so you can ask him/her what to do. Good luck to you, let us know how u are doing.

Yes that happens to me too! About a week or so when I am pms'ing I tend to get tight for no apparent reason. I just ride it out and enjoy being able to eat less...About a week later I'm back to being chronically hungry :thumbdown: So I wouldn't worry too much unless you are not able to eat anything including broth soups, protein shakes etc. take care :thumbup:

Dear TJ, Thank you for the update. Many of us have followed your journey closely. I myself have been worried for you and prayed for you a lot. I am so happy you posted to let us know how well you are now doing. I wish you all the best health and happiness from here on out. Good luck with your weight loss efforts, I know you can do it without the band! Take care and God Bless you and your family, Marcy :drool:

I am a general surgery Physician Assistant (P.A.). Banded 1/19/09. This band takes some time to get used to, but I'm loving it so far. Down 30lbs!!!!

ankle weights.

I got banded 1/19/09 and got my first fill about a month later, 3cc. I really felt no restriction. Then 2wks later they added 1.5cc for 4.5cc total. still no restriction, I did have to eat slower and chew longer however or things would get stuck. Then on Friday I got 1.2 cc more for a total of 5.7cc in a 10cc band. OMG! now I get the restriction thing. Things go down but much much slower than before. also I can only eat about a 1/4c total at any one time or I get that pain and struck feeling. I can even feel the water I drink going down slowly. I am just starting to understand the whole thing. Prior to Friday I really did not understand restriction etc. So hang in there, you will need more fills to get to a point of restriction. Once you're there you will know it!!!!

gallbladder surgery is your best bet. the incisional scars are almost exactly alike. 2nd choice would be laparoscopic hernia repair. good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS! great job. thanks for posting your update. It's great to hear about long term success!!!

Hi I'm 39, HW 267, CW 257 GW 160 surgery scheduled 1/19/08 with Dr Quebbemann in Newport Bch, California.

Hi all you January 09 bansters! I'm joining you!!! My surgery is Jan 19! I'm excited, and it can't be Jan 19 fast enough... Let's stick together! Can't wait to hear all your experiences...