JodyLynne

Thanks, Kalalilly! It sure can be frustrating! I only heard great things, but now hearing stories from the other side of the coin. Good luck to you! My surgeon called yesterday. I do have to have a revision surgery. She is not sure if she can just re-attach the port where it should be or will have have replace the entire port. She said it depends on what the port looks like when she "gets in there". There has been a lot of trying to find it with a needle, so maybe there is some damage to it. She did say that she will take a look at my tubing and band itself while she's there just to check things out. She is confident that she can leave the amount of liquid that I have now, which is good (I was worried about that). Do you guys do support groups? Or get together to discuss your journey? I didn't get warm fuzzies from the support group I attended after my surgery.

It's official...my port has flipped. It looks as if it's on it's side and pointing down with the tubing hanging down. Now I will hear from my surgeon tomorrow to see what's next. Will keep you posted!

Hi all! I live in Brea, work in San Clemente, and was banded at Fountain Valley by Dr. Francis on 3/25/09. I was 51 when I was banded. I have had quite a time with my band. For me, there has always been a fine line between not filled enough and too filled...even 0.1 cc can make the difference of me feeling fine or not keeping anything down. I have had so many unfills from the irritation and re-fills, that I actually am at the same weight I was when I had the surgery two years ago. It's been a frustrating journey for me. Now, they are having trouble finding my port...I've got an x-ray scheduled for Monday. Depending on the outcome of that x-ray, they are now talking about having to replace my port. I am encouraged by all the successful stories here...sure wish it was working differently for me. Wondering if anyone else saw Dr. Oz the other day about Lap-Band patients. It's amazing to me how many success stories you see in the media, but don't hear much about the other side of the coin (raising hand now). Put me on a billboard! At least I still have my sense of humor! I appreciate the "venting"

I went back to the doctor. They did an unfill that took me to 5.0 and put me on Prilosec. Said I was probably very inflamed from the problems I was having. All is good now and food is tolerated. So I guess I'm on the road to recovery! Thanks for your responses!

A little history: I was at 6.0 and felt like I could eat almost anything just prior to my next fill appointment after 6 weeks. I was filled to 7.0, but went back in the same day to get to 6.3 as I was not able to keep even Water down. 6.3 seemed to be okay for me, but felt I could use more fill. Next fill was 6.5. I usually have a few weeks adjustment period before everything feels comfortable. Well, after 3 weeks I was still not feeling well. Hard to get food down, fluids were slow, and my weight loss all but stopped. I called the doctor and they told me to come in for an unfill. They got me down to 6.2...just less than where I was when felt comfortable at 6.3. The problems are: I NEVER feel hungry. It takes me 2 hours to get through 1/2 cup of food. I can't seem to get more than 5 cups of Fluid down in a day. I am waking up in the middle of the night coughing. I am having reflux. I feel like throwing up, but nothing's happening. I'm sure there are a couple more things that I can't think of right now. Why would I feel like this if my band is less filled by 0.1cc than when I felt good? Am I just irritated from being too much filled previously? And if I am just irritated, how much longer should I wait before I contact my doctor again? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

I would love to attend, also!

Hi All! I was banded on 3/25/09. I'll get my first fill in a couple weeks. I live in Brea.

I'm in for a support group...just say when!

I was taking Naprosyn for years pre-surgery. Stopped two weeks before surgery on 3/25/09. I was in so much pain going off of it. I figured I would be able to go back on it after surgery, but never asked the question. Well, my discharge papers showed that I am never to take it again. So far, I'm just a bit achy without it, and hope that as the weight drops, I won't need it at all.

Hey, Jenny! Congrats and keep up the good work! I'm being banded on 3/25 and I had my first "mini-melt-down" today. I've been so excited about having the surgery, but the reality just hit me today! But, I'm up for the challenge and my new way of life!

Hi everyone! I live in Brea and will be banded by Dr. Kelly Francis on 03/25/08 at FVRMC. I actually have my first face to face appointment with her tomorrow. I've attended all my classes and have had my cardiac clearance. I'm really looking forward to this process! Wish me luck! And good luck to all of you in this process, too!