lauragshsu

Anyone get rebanded (or know of anyone who has) after an erosion? I had my band from March of 2010 until July of 2012, and lost 123 lbs. I was having a lot of pain in my chest and thought it was from an over-filled band. Had an unfill done under floroscope and they saw the band had completely eroded into my stomach, which had formed scar tissue over it. Now, a year later, I'm putting on weight despite following weight watchers and am looking into getting rebanded. My insurance (tricare) only covers bypass, banding and stomach stapling.

Hi guys, I had the band put in March of 2010. My initial incision never closed, and 7 months later, I had to have the port removed due to a port infection and a new one put one in 6 weeks later. Everything was fine after that, and I lost a total of 125lbs. I started having pains in my chest, right in the middle (in myclevage area). I thought my band was too tight, so I had some saline removed. 6 weeks later, the pain got worse, so I had a flouroscopy done, and they saw the band had completely eroded into my stomach. I had the band out a month ago (though the port is still in). My doctor said they didn't see any reason why I couldnt have a new band put in, but it would be up to my (new) surgeon (I moved from Utah to Texas 4 days after my band removal). My husband doesn't really want me to go through a 5th band-related surgery, but part of that is because he's currently deployed and doesn't like me having this done while he's not here. Has anyone else had a band removed due to erosion and had another one put in? Thanks!

I, unfortunately, ended up miscarrying 2 weeks ago, when I was 10 weeks pregnant. My body wasn't miscarrying by itself (though the baby had died), so I had to have a D&C. Hoping to start TTC soon. My dr said there was no "waiting period" after a miscarriage, just when my body was ready and I was emotionally ready. I'm hoping that getting pregnant that quickly wasn't just a fluke and we can get pregnant again!

I've had problems, but they were because of a surgeon who had his head to far up his rear to listen to me. That being said, I ended up losing 122lbs in a year, having my fertility return and getting knocked up! It took us almost 2 yrs of weight-related fertility problems to conceive my daughter. After losing weight, it happened almost immediately. I like to consider myself a success story.

I was between 220 and 290 all through college, and never had an issue. I often wasnt even the heaviest person.

I'm not very far, but struggling already with my body image. I tried on some pants at the store the other day and they were too tight. I'm not even eight weeks yet! I worked so hard and busted my butt to get below 200lbs, to get into a size 14. Now I can't stop eating (no matter how many different combos of protein/veggies/carbs I try, even things I ate before) andf worry about gaining most or all back. Is/did anyone else deal with these issues?

I don't know, but it scares me enough I haven't been on the scale in 3 weeks. I went from only having my 3 small meals a day to eating a good sized bfast and being hungry 2-3hrs later. I'm nauseous until I'm hungry, then eat, then get nauseous after eating (until I get hungry again).

Mine was right above my belly button, and was the source of my problems. I had a single incision through the belly button, and the incision never closed. The surgeon said it was because of port placement- every time I bent over, it put pressure on some gland or something and caused more fluids to ooze out of the incision, thus never allowing it to heal. I ended up with a port infection because of this, and had to have two revisional surgeries. My new portis about 3" above and 3" to the left of my belly button.

I'm 5.5 weeks pregnant and constantly starving. I'm afraid to step on the scale because I've been eating so much/so often. I never used to snack between meals, but I'm starving by 10am and then again by 3pm. I'll eat a heavily Protein bfast (scrambled eggs with cheese and either bacon or sausage) and still am hungry much sooner than I used to be. I'm not even that far along yet, so why am I so hungry? Has anyone actually gotten a fill while pregnant? Or is this (amount of hunger) normal?

I think people say things like "you're not that big" because they're trying to be polite. Would you rather have them say, "OMG, it's about time you did somehting, you fatty"? WLS is something that's difficult for people who haven't had a weight problem to understand. They don't know how to react when you tell them you're having it. As you lose weight, people get so used to you having been big that they have a very warped perception of what you should look like, and a skinnier you looks "unhealthy" to them. I thought I might have a port leak and need a revision a few weeks ago, and several people asked "do you even need the band? Aren't you at or close to your goal?" I laughed and told them I needed to lose almost another 30lbs before even being on the upper end of the healthy BMI chart.

Day one was great- I was pumped for my surgery and excited it was so close. Plus, it was almost an "adventure" to just have clear liquids (broth) and protein shakes. By day 3, caffeine withdrawl headaches set in and by day 5 I was grumpy and cranky. Day 7, though, wasn't too bad, because it was the "halfway" mark for the liquid preop diet. The second week wasn't too bad. I actually learned a few things (like I could use the seasoning packets from Ramen noodles to make my broth and that I could had plain protein powder to my broth to make it "heartier") and was getting closer to surgery. By the morning of surgery, I couldn't wait to have "real food" (ie: cream of wheat) when I got home.

I was banded and had two revisionary surgeries for the band, and didn't wake up during any of them. Like people said, if you have a really good aneth. person, they should be monitoring it. It never hurts, though, to bring your concerns to the surgeon and nurse before surgery.

I'm only 4.5 weeks pregnant and suddenly hungry all the time! I haven't had an unfill and have no idea why I'm suddenly so hungry all the time.

I'm an Air Force wife, and was banded 3/15/2010. I didn't have any comorbidities (although have PCOS), but did have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I also had a high BMI. I had my initial referral for the surgery Norvember 25 (my 28th bday) and it took me until March 15th for the surgery. Everything was easy but the psychological evaluation. Tricare kept me referring me to the wrong people. I also had to have two revisional surgeries- my first incision never healed, even after 7 months, and I got a port infection. The port had to be removed (October) and they let me heal a bit/let the infection clear before putting a new port in (November). Tricare has paid for it all- fills, flouroscopies, revisional surgeries- probably more than $40K. The end result? 122lbs lost and the abilitiy to get pregnant!