stella

From what I remember it's because it will either fill you up (my case) and you can't eat and/or for some it helps the food go down easier letting you "cheat" the band and eat more!

My port sticks out too and is sore off and on. I was also banded by Dr Ortiz (great Dr.). Have you called him? You will be seeing him soon so you'll find out whats going on. good luck

My port sticks out too and is sore off and on. I was also banded by Dr Ortiz (great Dr.). Have you called him? You will be seeing him soon so you'll find out whats going on. good luck

I can absolutely relate to all of you and find this so weird that most of us share the same issues. This band is crazy and scares me sometimes (i worry about Vitamins I'm missing-my hair is thinning) but I wouldn't change it for anything. You NEVER know what or when you can eat, you waste money on food and I eat way too much bad food (sweets, mashed potatoes, chips, fried foods) because they almost always go down. I would love to eat a steak, sandwich or an diner Breakfast again! I've been unfilled since Feb now and feel as tight as when I had 1.9 in..... Scared to go see whats going on since I dont think I should be this tight or pbing if I'm unfilled. Just dont want to lose the band it is such a great tool! Glad I found this thread! Cheryl

Haven't posted in a very long time but wanted to wish you all the best on this 1st milestone. I recognize most of the names from when I joined! What a loyal group. This band is crazy and scares me sometimes but I wouldn't change it for anything. You NEVER know what or when you can eat, you waste money on food and I eat way too much bad foo sweets, mashed potatoes, chips, fried foods) because they almost always go down. I would love to eat a steak, sandwich or an diner breakfast again! I've been unfilled since Feb now and feel as tight as when I had 1.9 in..... Scared to go see whats going on since I dont think I should be this tight or pbing if I'm unfilled. Just dont want to lose the band it is such a great tool! Nice to see you are all still here and have a great weekend here in Vegas. The weather is wonderful right now. Actually chilly.... Take care, Cheryl (stella)

Hello, Has anyone experienced "movement" feelings under your rib where the port was placed? Suddenly I feel "something" that feels like it gets caught for a moment and then goes away under my left rib. Kind of like a baby's elbow (not as strong) or foot moving when you are pregnant. I'm wondering if it could be the port tibe getting caught. Thanks! Cheryl

I started with a BMI of 32-33. I'm 5'6 1/2 and weighed 210. I lost the weight very fast. Not like in the past but my body has shown it as well. I havent been working out and my skin is very saggy. I suggest you workout with weights while you are losing. I really havent stuck to a diet because I've been too tight to eat even a small meal. I eat lots of junk food, mashed potatoes, soup, cookies candy etc. Not good.

"They couldn't understand why I wanted to unfill since I had lost 27 pounds in the last two months and the barium went through with no restriction. I can't explain why it looks good on the fluoro and feels so bad in my gut........but I knew I couldn't stand it one more day." I feel your pain. I can't eat anything without it golf balling. I'd like to be able to eat a small meal of good food, not the junk that is the only stuff I can get down or keep down, i.e., Cookies, Soup, mashed potatoes! I feel like i am not getting the nutrients I need but I dont want to fix or order those kinds of food (salad, fish, veg) because it will be a waste. I am going back for another unfill to .5. If that doesn't work it's a total unfill and start over. I know I can diet if I could just eat those kinds of food. Good luck......

Tru, My first fill was 1.8 and I suffered with the same thing you complain of, not being able to eat more than a tablespoon or 2 of food and then throwing up. I just went back to the Dr and they unfilled me to 1.1. Honestly I thought that was going to be to low, but I think its still too tight. I'm still having problems keeping anything down. I also forget to chew, chew, chew...... My advice is go lower and build back up.....

I too was unable to eat solid foods after a fill and was eating junk food...... I finally went for an unfill and so far so good! I hope I can start eating fruits, veg etc and start losing again. Have you looked at Fill Centers USA? They may have someone in your area. Doesnt sound like you should go back to your old dr. Good luck........

I had terrible gas pains in my left shoulder for at least 6 weeks.... Sometimes it comes back. I did go and have an MRI just to be sure. They said I have tendonosis but in the joints but the gas pain is in between, not in my joints. I read someone elses post who said it was a sign that they were full or needed to stop eating (for me my mouth starts drooling). Gasx really didnt help much but give it a try. Good luck, seems there are lots of us who suffer.....

Lynn, Good choice! I love Dr. Ortiz too. I flew down and had them meet me at the airport. If you are flying try to get the time as close to the check out time as you can from the hotel. I had to sit around for 4 hours and lug my luggage around, Not comfortable for sure. If you're driving, you should be comfortable in the back seat Because he has us on liquids for so long after the surgery, you will probably lose fast. I was dying for some real food but lost an unbelievable 19 lbs in 10 days! Well worth it The one draw back to surgery in Mexico is making the time to get down there. My first fill has been too tight and I haven't been able to eat much of anything that's good, i.e., vegtables, meat... I'm looking into doctors here for a fill but I dont think they use the fluro ;( Good luck and keep us posted! Cheryl

Do you have this link still? It sounds great!

HootieBelle, A fluro fill at Ortiz's office is $100. That's wonderful if he was trained by Dr. Ortiz and will be great if he uses Fluro. It takes less time and money to get to the sweet spot :welldoneclap:

Thank you for understanding Hootiebell! I did hear about a Dr on West Cheyene but havent heard of anyone going to him. And I love the Fluoro fill......

VegasWildFlower, I did meet Dr Fisher when he did surgery on 2 of my friends and also been to several of his seminars in support of my friends. I wouldnt say something so rude if I didnt believe it. I also work with those in the medical field so have a differnt opinion because of it. Anyway dont want to turn this into a cat fight. It was just my opinion. Who knows, you may not like Dr Ortiz's bedside manner or staff (my surgeon) and that would probably make me feel as defensive about him as you are Fisher. Just wanted to make sure that the others knew there really is a great place to go if you are a self pay.......

BJ I have the IMED band, 4 cc.....

NewSho, Glad you posted! I was filled on 8/4/06 and have not been able to eat anything solid since. If I do take a bite of something, chiken, egg, whatever, it can only be one bite and most of the time it gets stuck and is painful or turns into a PB. I can keep soup and goldfish crackers down ok but am sick of that and want to eat veggies! I cant get to my Dr. for at least 3-4 more weeks. Do you think I should just hang in there and hope for weight loss to loosen the unpredictable band up?

Need Advice: I had my first fill on 8/4/2006 and have not been able to eat anything solid other than veg soup and goldfish crackers. I pb almost daily if I try anything else. I can't get back to my Dr. (in Mexico) for an unfill for another couple of weeks. What does the PBing do to the band. I try not to eat anything solid but then get tempted and up it comes. I just dont want a slip. And what is a golfball?

ms883, Was banded in Mexico by Dr Ortiz.... great place if you are a self pay much cheaper..... I know lots of people who were banded by both Fisher and Atkinson and the latter is definately the better, in all ways..... Fisher has a horrible, horrible bedside manner unless he's niced up a bit because of loss of business to foreign docs...

So how is everyone doing? Any updates on who will fill those of us who had surgery in Mexico? I did go back to Dr. Ortiz's office last week for my first fill and will go back for the next one but it would be nice to have someone here as an option. Advice for those of us who had surgery in Mexico and have an emergency with our Lap Band; make sure you go to a local Hospital that is familiar with the Lap band, i.e., Desert Springs, Lake Mead (North VIsta). Your insurance should cover it to as it would be an emergency. They did for a friend of mine anyway. She had to have the band removed (it was placed in Mexico) and insurance covered all. The Hospital (st Rose) didnt know what to do with her when she came into the emergency room though. Thankfully there was a Dr. passing through that was able to help.

Road Queen , Are you saying we shouldn't be eating mushies? Is there 1 food that everyone agrees on is a quarantee to go down; where you can at least enjoy the portion:)

Anotherme, I noticed you have a fill every 2-3 months. Did your Dr say it will be that way until you get to your goal weight? Just curious. My Dr said I would only have 1 or maybe 2 more fills ever. Stella

I was on a LOA when I had my surgery but will gladly tell anyone who asks how I lost the weight. It think it's a good incentive for those who want to do it themselves. From past experience - everyone finds out anyway and lying about it or being evasive, only makes nosey people keep the conversation going.

Great Question Poodles and just what i've been wondering about since my first fill last week. I have had the hardest time trying to keep down more than 2 bites of anything. No 3 meals a day for me, I can barely get split pea soup down. The problem I notice since the fill (before the fill I could eat like before) is, if I make a bowl of soup, lean cuisine, etc, I want to eat it. It is impossible now. I'm hoping the restiction will go away as I lose weight. Like someone said before even water can start the PBing.....I dont want to go back for an unfil lso soon but I'm also not sure how long I can look at food I cannot eat and the PB thing is driving me nuts!