neese007

PS - my band slippage was an emergency trip to the OR. The Dr. had planned to take it out and leave it out. I begged him to replace it. I am very similar to Amywin 12 also. I was 260lb and now down to 167. I have a eating disorder and knew I would not be able to keep the weight off on my own, and I also know I wouldnt qualify for insurance to cover me at a later date to have the lapband replaced. (I would have to gain 100lb to requalify). Between the Dr. and I it was a HUGE gamble, and I was warned that the insurance might not pay for the replacment of the band. I again begged to have the band replaced - and it was with the newest generation of lapband. You know what? The insurance paid 80% of the entire procedure. I am so HAPPY! I cannot imagine life without the lapband as this little band has helped me with my health and self esteem. If you do have insurance, have the slippage, need surgery - please take the gamble and ask your Dr. to replace the band. Insurance companies are poopy when you try to requalify later down the road (I know I am a nurse). Good luck!

I had my band slip in November. (I had Dr. Ortiz place mine also). You possibly sound like a dilated pouch or too full. I was going through the same issues you are now. HOWEVER, when I became very ill and vomited from my lower ab (not the usual pb'ing) it felt like I pulled a muscle. If you have a slipped band, after you eat/drink anything, you will have excruciating pain in your abdomen area. Pain like you never felt before. The ER could not figure the problem out after xrays and ultrasounds. Not until 3 days later I had a barium swallow to find that the band slipped. You probaby need to deflate for several months to let your esophagus shrink back down (or possibly you have developed a hiatial hernia - that was my problem also - you have an additional 'pouch' above the banding that catches food/water causing the reflux at night). Trust me, if you have a slipped band, your belly will be hurting after any food/water intake. Good luck and best wishes! please get it checked out.

Have you had it? What helps when warm tea doesnt? I usually cant eat/drink until late afternoon. Any ideas?

I am about 25pounds from my goal weight (started at 255lbs and now 185lbs at 5'7"). I have been reading many of your posts and can relate to almost everything said. It is great to know I am not alone. You all are a blessing to me! Anyways - people out there who are near or at your goal weight. How is life with food? For over 2 years, I have been avoiding going out to lunches and dinners with friends and familiy for the fear of the uncomfortable feeling of the golf ball in the chest and needing to know where the restroom is before I even sit down! Total embarrassment, which I learned as just to avoid the situation all together(which is sad). These past 2 years have been dificult, hard and exciting all at the same time. Trial and error is my learning experience most of the time. My question is - I am really really restricted. Dont get me wrong - I am not starving in any way. Do you ask you Dr. to take a small amount (like 0.2cc to -0.5cc out) for maintainance or are you restricted tightly for the rest of you life? How are meals? Is it really just the 1/2 cup per meal for the rest of your life or can you actually eat maybe 1/2 of your dinner plate before feeling full. How about that 'golf ball' feeling? After 3 bites, I always have that golf ball feeling until everything drops several hours later - so I am the classical ''grazer' through the day to get my nutrition. I tell my Dr. this, and he doesnt seem concerned. But he tells my Husband (who is also banded) that he should only eat once a day and only once a day when he is hungry. I would never make it. Its not like I am hungry, I just cant handle the food at once. (it literally takes me 3-4 hours to eat what my Husband eats). Are any of you the same way or can you actually eat a meal? I guess my end point is - will eating always be a 'chore'? Im OK with this lifestyle - I am just wanting to know what to expect in the future - I always dreamed of being smaller and my health is grateful so Im not complaining. I just wondering if things slowly adjust where there is not so much pain and mindpower to eat all the time. Am I making any sense or am I babbling?

I am about 25pounds from my goal weight (started at 255lbs and now 185lbs at 5'7"). I have been reading many of your posts and can relate to almost everything said. It is great to know I am not alone. You all are a blessing to me! Anyways - people out there who are near or at your goal weight. How is life with food? For over 2 years, I have been avoiding going out to lunches and dinners with friends and familiy for the fear of the uncomfortable feeling of the golf ball in the chest and needing to know where the restroom is before I even sit down! Total embarrassment, which I learned as just to avoid the situation all together(which is sad). These past 2 years have been dificult, hard and exciting all at the same time. Trial and error is my learning experience most of the time. My question is - I am really really restricted. Dont get me wrong - I am not starving in any way. Do you ask you Dr. to take a small amount (like 0.2cc to -0.5cc out) for maintainance or are you restricted tightly for the rest of you life? How are meals? Is it really just the 1/2 cup per meal for the rest of your life or can you actually eat maybe 1/2 of your dinner plate before feeling full. How about that 'golf ball' feeling? After 3 bites, I always have that golf ball feeling until everything drops several hours later - so I am the classical ''grazer' through the day to get my nutrition. I tell my Dr. this, and he doesnt seem concerned. But he tells my Husband (who is also banded) that he should only eat once a day and only once a day when he is hungry. I would never make it. Its not like I am hungry, I just cant handle the food at once. (it literally takes me 3-4 hours to eat what my Husband eats). Are any of you the same way or can you actually eat a meal? I guess my end point is - will eating always be a 'chore'? Im OK with this lifestyle - I am just wanting to know what to expect in the future - I always dreamed of being smaller and my health is grateful so Im not complaining. I just wondering if things slowly adjust where there is not so much pain and mindpower to eat all the time. Am I making any sense or am I babbling?

GraceUtah I spoke with the Dr. about the unusual tightness and slobber issue. Mine lasted a little more than a week - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING would go down and everything was coming up (yep, slobber too) - it was the point I lost 10 pounds in one week and feeling weak (dehydrated also). I broke down and went to the Dr. I was unfilled all the way - while the needle was still in me, had to drink a liter of Water right then and there (I never appreciated water more in my life!). Then filled me back up - but 0.2cc less than what was in. (0.2cc was the amount of my previous fill for a total of 2.4cc). The Dr. told me if this happens again - rule of thumb. Dont eat or drink for 1 entire day - there is swelling and irritation going on and you need to let things settle. Then, for 2 days you only have liquids (just like post surgery!). Water, juice, gaterade and Soups (not creamed base - that produces more phlem). Then slowly start intergrating your regular food back in to your diet. Things have been good - going to get that other 0.2cc fill again next week and see where we go! Good luck!

Sounds like you were filled too much - even if the fill did not seem like alot - a little dab will do ya! I had the same experience (and i was scared too!) and just got a little unfilled.

I have had my lapband for 1 1/2 years. Things are going wonderful and I am 20 lbs from my goal weight. I have a 4cc band and had another fill of just 0.2cc a month and half ago to help 'tweak' the weight loss. I had the same restriction as before the fill - I was having trouble in the mornings (tightness) but the band usually loosened up in the afternoon and I was eating like a champ in the evening. (Some days overeating, some days being health freak, but absolutely no problems with PB'ing or golfballing - and yes I am very familiar with those uncool friends). I was almost going to visit the Dr. to get another fill because of the lack of restriction. Then, one day when I awoke - my band was tight per the usual thing in the am - however, it never loosened in the afternoon. 1 week went by and EVERYTHING was killing me (water, juice, ice chips). Then, on the 5th day when Im freaking out and picking up the phone to call the Dr. to get unfilled - and the band relaxes! I ate and drank merrily. Then the next day I was tight tight TIGHT! My questions are: Why is this happening NOW? Its like the band has its own personality. Does anyone have any secrets on how to get the band to 'relax' to its 'usual' daily behavior? I have tried hot tea and ended up PBing that (sorry, coffiee is nasty stuff so will not drink it). I have heard about meat tenderizer and Water in another blog - are you kidding me???? (but if it helps!) I am getting desperate - By the way - I have been filled tighter before - I unfilled 1/2cc for the hot summer months to keep hydrated and filled again (only 0.2cc) to start things slow. So I am not filled where I was this spring. Weird Science for sure!

PS - junk food seems to always go down easier than the good food. Its slides down smoother that is for sure! I have to confess about my Husband - he is a junk food junkie with TWIX BARS!. He eats about 2 a day. Im NOT encouraging this - but he still has lost over 65lbs coming up on his 1st year anniversary. Healthy foods do seem to go down a bit harder and you do have more of a chance PB'ing (I can speak on experience on that one). The point of this thread is - junk food still may be a problem for any Bander - be careful. Be conscious of what ratios of good/bad you are eating. Your intake will be limited, but he QUALITY of the food may be crap! My Husband has the 10cc band and is filled to about 9.5cc. He doesnt have much room left before his band is maxed out - theoretically - its time to dump the high calorie junk food and start with the true exercising and healthy choice food intake. We were all Banded for our 'addictions'. It is hard to stop them immediately. Again - with time and learning what this Band is going to do to you - you will learn things the hard way - may not be the smartest way, but with time, you too will become an EXPERIENCED BANDER!

Hi Sweetpea51 It takes time. Both my Husband and I were banded (me/March2006 and my Husband October/2006. I did well of slowly (and I mean SLOWLY) losing the weight - My Husband who is nortoriouos for being a 'SNACK DADDY', found it difficult and very frustrating to lose any weight. Especially in the beginning. It wasnt until his 4th fill - 7 months later that he started seeing results. I know everone wants the weight to come off immediately, but it wont. Set realistic goals. It will take about 1 year to get about a 65lb to 75lb weight loss. And most of it wont start coming off until after your are 6 months post op and start getting your fills. Please dont be discouraged after your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fill - I promise you will be able to continue to snack the deli and snack with the toddlers with no problem! (Speaking from experience - I could still hound down 1/2 pizza!). It will take between 4-8 fills to find the 'sweet spot' you keep hearing about. You may always be able to do a little snacking here and there, but the total food intake will eventually be limited. Be patient - I PROMISE it will come! But I PROMISE you will have daily frustrations here and there. The band is worth it and on your year anniversary you will look back and thing 'OMG'!. Good Luck!

It is natural that you are 'starving'. Your body will slowly adjust after several fills. I too cheated, but felt rather guilty afterwards. We all spend thousands of dollars getting the band - keep it SAFE! In all honesty, I was 'starving' regularly until after my THIRD FILL! (I guess thats why we are suppose to get fills in the first place!). As in the weight loss - I am my first year anniversery this March. I have only really began to lose in late October (6 months post op) because I had finally gotten the right amount of fill (this was my third fill). It was a depressing summer stepping on the scale and teetering 2-3 pounds but never lost any weight - and I was hungry! Oooops - I am not suppose to say hungry. My dietition pounded in to my head you need to seperate MENTAL HUNGAR and PHYSICAL HUNGAR. Eat when you have the physical hunger (which I ate more likely to the mental hungar). And I probably most times continue to eat when I am mentally hungry and not suppose to (it is why we are in our situation we already are). Please, please please be patient! I promise after your Dr. tweeks your band with the right amount of fill you will see results. The golden rule of lap band - 1-2 pounds a week, 50 - 60 pounds per year. I did hit my 60 pounds a year! It came on the second half of my first year. I will also continue to lose post one year, so everything looks grand from here! My Husband is going through the same thing you are experiencing - I promise to the both of you, BE PATIENT! It will happen! (ps, follow up with your Dr. regularly so he/she can fill and unfill to meet your needs so you can reach your goal quicker!) Hang in there, keep your head up! It will happen! Good Luck!:clap2:

I handle shrimp better than almost any other meat. After my fills, I am very restricted for about a week and can hardly get things to pass. Shrimp has always saved me and I tolerated without any problems. After the post fill week, everything settles and Im back to sampling everything - but shrimp cocktail is my best friend sometimes.

Howdy I am a RN who works with 'ports' constantly. You need a special needle -what is called a 'non coring needle' to access your ports. If you use a regular needle, you will core out your port - hence causing a leaking port and your saline will never stay in. Then you will have to use more money to go under again to get your port replaced. I would suggest going to the right Dr. with the right tools. You have already done so much to get the lapband, dont screw it up with a regular needle. good luck!

Thanks for the reply - the 'sliming' is start to slow - I wish I knew why this happens after fills. I understand that if you eat too much you will slime, but I was eating one spoonful and sliming about a cup - with a golf ball feeling stuck in my throat. I feel better knowing Im not an alien. It was scary losing 15lbs over the course of 2.5weeks but everything is looking better now and I can eat a little more.

Hi, I have had two fills now. My band is only at 2.2cc's. After I recieve a fill, for several weeks I will have excessive saliva and 'slime' after each meal (which is about 1/2 - 1 cup). I have to PB, but its only the 'slime' that comes out - all the food will stay. After several weeks, this stops. Does this happen to anyone else? Why does this happen?

Hi there I am from Cheyenne also and had my band done by Dr. Ortiz (along with my Husband). How do we go about making contact with Dr. Holloway for the clinic in Kimball? (I had initially tried to get the surgery done by Dr. Holloway, but his staff wanted the referral first, I got that sent in and never heard a peep out of them). Does he use flouroscopy for his fills?

I went to Tiajuana in March for my band. I went to the Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ortiz. He was FABULOUS! As with his staff! I am a Registered Nurse here in the states and highly recommend the Obesity Control Center. I told of my wonderful stories and my best friend was banded in Tiajuana a month later. My Husband has seen the progress and heard the stories and I am escorting him to Tiajuana for his band! There is nothing wrong with Tiajuana - Rumors, Rumors, Rumors! I been there, loved it and trust my family going there. (Honestly, Dr. Ortiz and his staff are more professional than any US Dr. I been to or worked for!). AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

Hi - just curious...... How would you know that your band slipped? I do understand that it can be seen under flouroscopy, however, is there signs and symptoms the bander FEELS if the band has slipped? Also, does anyone have problems PB'ing always on the first meal of the day - then by supper time, has no problems pb'ing or no feelings of restriction?

Hi there! I was banded March17, 06. I am a self payer from Colorado and went to Tijuana where Dr. Ortiz (Obesity Control Center) performed my surgery. It was the most awesome experience I ever had with hospitals, clinics, etc. etc. etc. I am a Registered Nurse and the quality of care blows the US out of the water! (I will swear to that!). I spent $250.00 airfare to San Diego airport where the OCC picked me up directly from the airport and brought me to the clinic for my pre-op visit. After they escorted me to a fancy hotel and pretty much hand feed me any/all the information I needed. They then took me from the hotel to the hospital where surgery was performed. Stayed one night (felt absolutely NO pain,sore tummy muscles like doing sit ups, but no pain!). And they brought me back to the hotel. Stayed for few days 'recovering' (yep, went shopping, sight seeing and to the beach! etc, etc. etc) and then OCC met me in the hotel lobby on the 4th morning and drove me directly back to the airport in San Diego! The cost for the surgery was $8500.00 (a special running if you had surgery in Feb or March) but normally is $9500.00. No surprise charges (and this includes the hotel stay also!!!!) So with airfare and the surgery it was about $8750.00. I tipped my drivers, and bought tons of good stuff like a new leather purse, vanilla, blah blah blah - which was about another $200.00. Sure beats what it would have cost me in Colorado - $23000.00!! and that was several places around the Denver area. Tijuana, Mexico gave me a very pleasant experience! I had forgot to mention, Dr. Ortiz will do free fills for life at his center. You might have to pay extra for the flouro equipment if you need it. I figure it will cost me anywhere from $200 - $400 bucks in airfare back to Tijuana, which is about what any fill center or Dr. will charge in the US. It will come out even for me one way or another - I plan on staying with Dr. Ortiz, so it provides both me and the Dr. with continuity of care with my Band.

Oh you make me feel so much better! I lost 13 lbs and gained back 5 after getting banded March 17th. I am going to TJ for my first fill May 11th. I am also excited! I feel 'normal' now. I was starting to doubt myself for yet failing another diet/procedure.

Hi there - It is your port! Dont worry, the incision and hardness of the port sticks out like a sore thumb for a couple of weeks. I was banded March 17th and just this week I find that my port is starting to settle in for a 'softer' feel. I sleep on my left side and it was a bugger for awhile. Your body will adapt so will the port. Everything 'settles' in time.