leighanns520

I had my tummy tuck aug 1, 2012. I came home the same day of surgery and all I could think of was why did I do this to myself. The pain was awful and I was miserable. After the first week the pain eased some and I was able to move around more. By the third week my dr took out one of my drains. One month later I was feeling pretty darn good, then here came the pain that was so bad. I had to go to Er with pain and fever. Turned out my other drain had became contaminated and I had an infection. They took out the drain and gave me antibiotics, still had a lot of drainage. The dr said the build up of fluid was less risk then leaving the contaminated drain in would cause. Every day I was worried that I would have to have needles stuck in me to drain excess fluid. My body finally took over and got rid of the fluid on its own. By 6 weeks out I was pain free. I still have numbness where my scars are, but am so happy with my appearance. I would do it again now, but coming out of surgery I said I would never do it again. I am 48. I went from a size 16 to size 18, to a 10 after swelling went down. I only lost 6.2 pounds, but looked like much more as my body was contured. I finally have a shape to my body. Go for it. It is worth it

I had abdominal plasty (August 1, 2012) I had lost 210 pounds and had a lot of loose skin on my stomach. I lost 6.2 pounds of skin in the surgery. There was so much loose skin, the dr did a long incision up and down and also from side to side. I went to see my dr for a hernia repair and he removed the skin during that surgery. My surgeon was awesome. Insurance would not cover any cosmetic surgery, and instead of me having an out of pocket expense, he donated his time to do the abdominal plasty. I already needed the hernia repair that was covered in insurance, so the room was paid for, anthesia was needed and covered, etc. My dr got paid for the hernia repair and did the rest for free. He knew I had loss of self esteem due to my appearance with all the loose skin and helped me out with it. I am grateful for him as I am so happy in my body now. I still need more work, but insurance is not going to cover it. My legs have a lot of skin, but I will have to deal with that as there is no way I can get the 8 thousand to get it done. I weighed 180 when I had my surgery and now am at 160.

I had the same problem. Last year my Dr. could not add or remove fluid. He was pushing so hard on the plunger of the syrenge that his hand was shaking. He said that my port was not functioning properly. The dr. replaced my port. Two months later, the same thing happened all over again. I had another port replacement. I have had fills without difficulty. I had gotten another fill may 17 and had no restriction at all. I normally had decent restriction after an adjustment, but not this time. Today I seen my dr for an another adjustment and the dr. added one cc and then he made me drink to see how my restriction was. I drank 32 oz . The dr said I should have felt the liquid in my chest and I did not. He then pulled all the fluid out and I only had 4cc. In Feb I had 6cc and then got two more fills which would have had me at 8cc. Today only 4 cc in band. The dr was concerned about a leak and sent me to xray. He could not find a leak. When he puled the solution out of the band that he had to use for xray he had no difficulty getting it out. When he went to add fluid he could not get it back in. He was pushing as hard as he could and nothing. He then started pushing around my port and it finally went in. He said it seems my port was twisted. Thank God he got some fluid in as I was so afraid he would not be able to and then back to weight gaining until this could be fixxed. Well now I am at 4.5 cc and am having restricttion tonight. YAY!!!! My dr is hoping that when I go back to see him in the future that the 4.5 cc is still there. I am unsure where my other fluid went and am hoping no leak as he said I would have to have another surgery. I did read in posts just a bit ago about adhesive added to plug the leak, my dr said surgery is the only route. I have a fabulous dr that is very experienced in the lapband. I hope everything works out and there is no leak for you.

Well, I finally found my sweet spot I think :tt2: I went to the dr last Thursday the 7th of Oct. He was going to do a fill under fluro. I first had the dr. check to see the amount of soulution in my band as we had believed there was 7cc and when he checked there was only 3 1/2 cc. Boy was I suprised. I have no idea where the other 3 1/2 cc went. Anyways he put me to 5cc and I have lost 14 pounds since last thursday. I know that is fast and I am sure alot of it is water weight. But now I am not hungry and drink my protein smoothies and just kinda pick at food. I am finally on my way and so very grateful!!!!:smile2:

I go next thursday for another fill I am hoping this fill will be something I can notice. I do know I am eating less but it is not from restriction, just sheer will power. I lost 3 pounds in 8 days. But only eating salads. I want my band to assist me in my diet but so far NOTHING!!!!! I wish you luck with getting the restriction you desire. I hope you do not have to wait too long for an appointment. I have 7cc in a 10 cc band. I do not have much room left to work with. I just can not see how 3 more cc will help when i feel nothing!!! I do not understand the 2 week wait to see if restriction is going to happen. I would believe you would feel it immeadiately--but I am not a dr. so what do i know?? :drool: good luck to you

thanks for the info---good luck. He actually checked to see if fluid was still there when he done the 2nd fill and it was, but now, who knows!!!! good luck to you

Hi I was reading your post. I have no restriction. I have 7cc in my 10cc band. I go back next thurs for a fill under flouro. It said you can eat more if you eat salad with meat in it. How much should we eat. I have no restriction at all and can eat a huge julliane salad. I am not understanding my band and thus far have gained 4 pounds since my first fill. thanks

hi i was just wondering if you got restriction? I have a 10 cc band and I am at 7cc and can eat way too much. I am so worried something is wrong. I was banded in 06 and lost 240 in 16 months. the doc took all the saline out and since I gained 120 pounds. Lost my insurance during that time and was not able to get anything done till may 2010. When he tried to fill my port was not working so the port was replaced with 3 cc. I lost 19 pounds in 10 days vomitting and not even able to hold fluids down. He removed all the fluids and of coarse I gained. Then he went to put fluid back in in June and found that port was not working. on july 9 2010 had that port replaced and then 6 weeks later a 2 1/2 cc fill. no restriction, about 10 days later another cc and no restriction. Last week he added 3 1/2 cc and it put me to 7 and still nothing. I am so upset by this!!!!!!! I go back next week and will do it under x-ray, he done the june one under xray as well. I just do not understand what is going on. I can eat about 3 to 4 cups of salad with protiens at one time and still no fullness. It was not like this when I was banded in 06. I felt the 1st fill and do not understand any of this. Anyways, when did you finally feel restriction???? thanks

I have had my band since 06. I lost 240 pounds and the dr. took all the fluid out. Since I have gained back 120 pounds. This spring and summer I have had a lot of problems. When we tried to put fluid back in the port was malfunctioning. The dr. replaced my port in May and filled me to 3 cc. I was sick and could not even hold down water so he emptied the band. Then 6 weeks later tried to fill again and again port problems. July I had another port replaced. I have had 3 fills now and am at 7cc in a 10 cc band and can eat whatever I want. This time around does not feel like it did when I first got my band and lost the 240 pounds. My question is "is it possible for the pouch above the band stretch like the stomach can, could that be the reason for no restriction or full feeling? This is aggravating me as I am trying to get results. After my first two fills this time, then went to get the 3rd that put me at 7cc on the 22nd september I found out I had gained 4 1/2 pounds. I gained with 3 1/2 cc in band. it is discouraging. I get so mad at myself for gaining this weight back and having to go through all of this again. Or can the band slip down and make the pouch larger. I can eat and just not get full. anyone have any ideas. Doc says next time he is wanting to do it with x-ray I suppose to just check the restriction. I do not know--help before I give up!!!

thanks for the post. I actually now have an appointment on the 7th of October. When I had the band working properly for me before I had restriction with the first fill of 3 cc. This time around I am already at 7 cc and have no restriction. I am so desperate to lose weight. I have only been eating salads but gosh the size of salad I can eat is just mind boggling knowing I have 7 cc in my band. I eat the julliene salad so I am getting protein. It is probably about a 6 or 7 cup salad eaten over two meals a day. I read about errosion and not having restriction, and that scares me. I do not want to lose my band. When the doc filled it the first time this time around it was done under x ray. He put in 3 cc. then he had me drink and he seen restriction and felt it was too much so he took 1/2 cc out. I leave and had fluids for the remaining of day. Next day I eat and no restriction. I return for another fill, and then another fill. now at 7 cc and not any restriction I can feel. If it was erroded wouldnt he have noticed that when he done the first fill under xray last month? When I went for my 2nd feel he checked to make sure there was no leak and the 2 1/2 was still there and sure enough it was. I do not know. I feel so helpless. At 270 know and so miserable.

I had lapband surgery in April 2006. By October of 2007 I had lost 240 lbs and the dr. removed all my fluid from my band. Then I gained 100 pounds back. I went back to my dr and tried to get a fill and he was unable to fill it. My port was bad so on May 7, 2010 he put a new port in. Now I am ready for fills and he has tried to fill with x-ray and today tried to fill in office. my port is moving around to much for him to get in it. He also said there is scar tissue since there has now been two surgeries in that area. I am scheduled for another port next Friday-July 9, 2010. He wants to relocate and place a new port in another area. I feel like my band is useless and so ready to start losing weight again. This has been ongoing for the last few months. Has anyone had this kind of problems with getting there port filled.--thanks

I had my lapband done in april of 2006. I weighed 390 pounds. 18 months later, october of 2007 The doctor took all fluid out of my band as I had lost all the weight I needed to. After the removal of the fluid I began to gain weight again and very rapidly. I did not have insurance any longer and could not afford a fill. February of 2009 I went back in for a fill and the doctor could not get any fluid into my port. He believed I have a port not functioning. He wanted me to get a port study and asked me to make an appt with x=ray for it. I still was uninsured and unable to get it done. I will have insurance again next month and am going to be looking into what the problem is. Has anyone had problems with there port. The dr. does the fill by feeling and not X-ray. He stated he believed he was in my port but when he pushed on the needle to release fluid the plunger would not move and he was pushing as hard as he could. Has anyone received a new port? What was the procedure? Has this happened to anyone and can anyone give me some useful info???? thanks

thanks.......if it is a kink in my tubing what can i expect???? This worrys me cause I desparetly need to get the weight off I have gained. I was hoping the lapband would be a weight lossing tool I could use for the rest of my life and am really disappointed I can't use it at the time.