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 have the sinking suspicion I have a leak. I had less saline than I thought at a fill apointment a month ago, about .75CC less. On top of that, the Fluid was orange and cloudy. The surgeon doing the fill didn't seem concerned and took out all the old fluid, replacing it with new saline. I had restriction for maybe a week, and it seemed to wane. I went back in Tuesday for another fill (a month after my last). They removed all the fluid to measure, and it was yellow and cloudy. I was supposed to be at 2.25cc, and was at less than 1cc. I'm scheduled for a dye check (they insert dye into the band and check for leaks under fluroscopy) on the 20th. My question is, who has had a band leak, what were your symptoms, and did you have to have a revisional surgery?

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

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.

Should it be considered child abuse if you slap your child or spank your child? Why or why not? Is there varying degrees? For example, is it abuse if you spank with an object (belt, paddle, etc) but not with your hand?

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!

I've lost 122lbs so far (and just got pregnant)! Guess I should be added to the list!

I wanted to add a short update! I had my IUD removed in March, and just yesterday got a positive test (and had blood test confirmation today). I'm currently 4 weeks pregnant. I bawled, huge, gasping-for-breath sobs, for ten minutes when I found out. We tried for so long for my daughter, and, after losing 122lbs, I got pregnant so quickly! I hope this little one sticks!

Well, I just found out yesterday I'm pregnant (about 4 weeks now). Yay!

Campbells made it, but it can be hard to find. They have lots of regular nacho cheese soup.

I used the "Fiesta Nacho" cheese soup and basic cream of potato soup, and mixed the two (plus added some seasoning). It was delicious!

I've been banded for 13 months and lost 121lbs so far. I do have a bit of loose skin, but nothing too horrendous (definitely not secure enough to post the bikini pictures I have yet!). I have apparently become unrecognizable. Two men (one I used to work with and one from my church) walked by me in the same week, not recognizing me at all. I've been told I look a lot younger (my mom, bless her heart, said I don't look old enough to drink anymore). There are some before and current pics (taken sunday). Morning of my surgery (319lbs): Easter Sunday (197lbs):

I had a friend get pregnant 6 weeks after being banded, and was fine. The reason they suggest waiting (and my Dr also recommended 18 months of waiting) is because of several things. Some want you to wait because you're still healing. others don't want you to aggrevate the band with vomiting (morning sickness). The main reason I've been told is because the first 12-18 months you are losing rapidly and it might be unhealthy for you to be pregnant while losing that quickly. I waited a year before having my IUD out, and we are TTC now. I feel my weight loss has slowed to a safer level.

My daughter had just turned 2 when I had my surgery, and I was told no lifting over 20lbs for 8 weeks! I had to have her crawl in my lap, and she had to learn "mommy has big owies and can't pick you up for a while". I did tell her I could give her lots of hugs and sat on the lower couch/chairs (that she could climb onto) and cuddled with her as much as possible.

I've used them before and they're great. They do have a "fishy" smell, but extra rinsing before using has always helped. Cover in a delicious sauce and you almost wouldn't notice (they tend to have almost a "crunch", not completely mushy like regular noodles). The first time I used them, my husband told me how wonderful dinner was- never even noticed!