KarenWB

Tell your doctor and ask for a fluroscopy... or barium swallow to see what might be wrong in there. They did one on me. All was fine but it is good to know that nothing is wrong!

Why have it removed? It has worked well for you and could continue to work well for you. If you want to eat "normally," just have the saline removed. Then if you need to lose again, have saline put back in. Isn't that one of the reasons we had lap banding done? To have control?

I think your surgeon is right. I had my surgery in February of this year and have only lost about 45 lbs. Lap band is SLOW. My doctor warned me. I wish I had listened and had the sleeve instead. Good Luck, tho!

I didn't even feel my first fill. I was so nervous about it but didn't even feel it. The second time, tho, I did but only because my port had "tilted" according to the nurse practitioner. I doubt it will be anything to worry about!! Karen Richmond, VA

In what ways do you feel overwhelmed, V?

I think I've had that pain you mentioned. For me it is the port. It was the most pain I had from the surgery. It hurts back when I reach for something, cough, sneeze, blow my nose, etc. I had to wear an abdominal splint for months. Got it at the pharmacy. It really saved me. I'm 8 months post op and still have pain there. My doctor told me he doesn't know why but he could inject anesthetic and some steroid to settle the inflammation. I haven't had that done yet. I find that each week the pain lessens. I hope one day it will be gone!! If I get sick and have to cough, I will definitely go for the anesthetic!

Hi Elizabeth. I had my surgery last February. Have lost almost 50 lbs. The only pain I had was at the port site. Still have it. Doctor is perplexed as to why. So am I. For months I had to wear an abdominal splint that I bought at a pharmacy. It helped a lot. At first I worker it day and night. Then just days and finally I stopped wearing it. I only have pain now when I cough, sneeze, blow my nose... It really hurts. Doctor said he could inject anesthetic into it. I will wait for that until I need it... if I get a virus or something like that. Otherwise, he said he could also inject some steroid to hopefully cut down on any possible inflamation. I could relate to what you wrote so I thought I would share my own experience. I hope your port pain lessens. I couldn't find anyone who had the same problem I've had. That made my experience frustrating!

You don't just have to rely on food for protein... you can add it in the form of whey protein powder and mix it into anything. Also Tropical Smoothie has smoothies where they can add the whey and use Splenda. A great way to enjoy a good drink and get your protein without too many calories! Just sayin'

It's demoralizing to hear such stories about the lap band. I have high hopes and am now feeling discouraged. However, I wonder how many who aren't making progress NOT following the plan? I mean... eating two steaks (even if small) isn't supposed to happen unless it is one half cup's worth. Plus we are supposed to be doing a lot of exercise. I can't imagine if we follow the plan and increase our activity levels we won't lose. It can't be all about the band. It also has to be about US, too. Our willingness to follow directions and cut back and start getting active, right? I don't know... maybe in a few months I'll be groaning and moaning, too, even after following the plan! LOL Just my two cents worth.

I got my lap band on the 17th of February, 2014. I've lost almost 50 lbs but 25 of that was pre op on the liver shrinking diet. I, too, am a bit discouraged. Expected to lose at least 10-20 more by now.

I'm hypothyroid, too, Carmen. Had one side removed and two biopsies on the other side but no surgery... and thankfully no cancer. I've lost almost 50 lbs. since February 2014 but have stayed away from breads, Pasta and potatoes. Eat mostly salads. I do walk a lot, tho... with the dogs. Almost a mile a day when I can. I think that exercise is crucial. I lose more when I do. When I don't, I don't. Karen Richmond, VA

I still had pain five days post op. But mostly soreness except where they put the port. I STILL have a lot of pain there, especially when I sneeze, cough or blow my nose!! They don't know why. I had my surgery last February. Just splint your abdominal area if you sneeze or have pain there. it helps. Put a pillow there and press hard. That helps.

So sorry to hear your disappointment... and I admit a little scared that this might happen to me. I hope not!! I think this might be why I've heard that the sleeve is the "industry standard." I guess they mean that it works the best with the least trauma? I just couldn't face the finality of it, tho. Karen Richmond, VA

You seriously need to call your surgeon NOW. That is not normal nor is it healthy!!!

If you have a Tropical smoothie place near you, maybe you could drink some of theirs? You can have them put in Splenda instead of sugar and add whey Protein. I found them really delicious and filling!! Good Luck to you!

If you need to lose a lot of weight, I would recommend the sleeve or bypass. The lap band is less loss and takes much longer. Just my two cents! Karen

I'm six months post op and I still have port pain. It is really bad when I cough, sneeze or blow my nose. Ugh Had to have a floroscopy test last Tuesday to see if anything was wrong but all was fine. Well, then why the pain? My surgeon said all he could do is inject anesthetic into the area and steroids to "calm" it down. ???

That is so not true, imho. I've lost almost 50 lbs and I eat well... I don't eat 2-4 oz of food. If I did, I would lose sooner. I do, however, walk a lot and that definitely gets the weight off. I love my lap band. It has changed my life!! I no longer have high blood pressure or glaucoma!! Your PCP is wrong, imho. This surgery helps a great deal. A lot of people have benefited from it. My sister in law has lost over 70 lbs. Find another doctor!!!

I lost 25 before my surgery which was February 17th... since then I've lost about 22-23 more and am disapointed with that. I am having bad port pain and am having a fluroscopy test this Tuesday. I hope they figure out why and can correct it. I pray I won't need more surgery.

Not sure if I've had this problem but... I have to have the fluroscopy test this Tuesday to see what might be wrong with my port. The first time I got a fill it went great. I didn't even feel it. Then the second time she had to go in twice and yes it hurt!! Since my surgery, tho, the port area has been extremely painful. My surgery was February 17th of this year. I can't cough, sneeze, blow my nose, etc. without lots of pain!! It feels like the port is ripping out of my muscle. So they need to find out why. I know this doesn't answer your question but thought I would share. Karen Richmond,VA

Yes, I've had chicken stuck but it was because I didn't chew it well enough or it was too dry. You have to eat very moist chicken and chew, chew, chew!! )

I doubt any of us, including me, will lose any more weight until we have restriction because not having restriction means that we don't have any deterrent... and let's face it, isn't that why we got the band in the first place? I'm facing the same problems. I got banded Feb. 17 of this year. I was at 248... then lost 49-50 lbs since. Now I'm stuck and that's because I can eat just about anything, although I don't. But I do eat more than I should even though I don't eat bread, Pasta or potatoes. I still have some things I shouldn't and I don't limit my intake as much as I could and should. Just my two cents!! Karen Richmond, VA

For that stuck feeling, get some chewable papaya!! I got some at the drug store in the vitamin section. My surgeon's Physician's Assistant told me that trick. Try it!!

I've hardly lost anything since my surgery and am discouraged. I've had two fills. I lost about 35 lbs before surgery. Am down 48 lbs now and it is four months post surgery. I expected to lose much more than that by now. It seemed to slow my weight loss for some odd reason. Before surgery I stopped eating bread and the weight was falling off. Now I don't eat bread still but am also restricted on what and how much I can eat and it is VERY slow going.

I was told at my last fill, a week ago Monday, that my port was tilted. But she wasn't sure and almost scheduled a barium swallow to have the surgeon check it. It has been VERY sore since surgery. I have to wear an abdominal brace/split to support that area because if I don't, it feels like muscle is tearing. I go back in for a 3rd fill on August 11th. She will check it again then and see what might be needed. Did you have to have your "flip" repaired via surgery? How did they correct it, Christine?