lovatofish

Mine also seems to go in cycles. I have not had a fill for two months and everything was going well. (I have lost slowly over the past year and a half - 75#). I can eat a fairly good sized meal - but only in the evening. Then all of a sudden I started pbing and really having to work keeping thin fluids down. I contacted my Dr. office and it was explained to me that this may be from having something plug it. The tissue around the band then becomes irritated and swells. A liquid diet was suggested after PBing. This has worked to some extent but I think I am finding another reason for this cycle. For me, it seems to have everything to do with hydration! If I don't drink enough water for a day or two I start PBing! When I get to this point, I have to work very hard on sipping hot water all day before it will loosen up. Hopefully this will help someone else.

What exactly happens and how does it feel when a band "slips"? Does this mean it comes off the stomach and must then be removed? How long before it can be replaced? I am pbing on solid foods and occasionally on thick liquids. After my third fill, I can barely keep liquids down. Occasionally (about 3 times/week) I can eat solid foods & keep them down. I am losing great amounts of weight but my fill Dr. is 300 miles away. I am trying to be careful but the basic nutrition is not there. I have been hoping that with some major weight loss, the band would loosen and be less restricted. Does this happen? Or....do I need to get an unfill? I need some experienced advise! Thanks

Wheetsin - Thank you for your insight. It is difficult to get perspective when emotions are involved. So when did u get so smart??

This one is really tough for me and I have been struggling with it for a while now. I met a man on line and we chatted for about 4 months. He did see a face shot of me on line. (it was flattering) I had my band surgery & never mentioned it to him. We finally met and I could tell from the look on his face that he was disappointed but he was a gentleman and didn't mention size. We had a wonderful time and things went well for the next couple months. My weight loss has been quite slow and so he really never noticed much change in me. I finally did mention the surgery to him ( guess I purposely waited to see how he would react to the fat me) and he gave me a great big smile so I knew then it was important to him. We remained good friends and dated about once a month (cuz we live 200 miles apart). I made the mistake of point blank asking him if he was physically attracted to me. Before I ever ask that question again, I need to prepare myself for the answers! It was quite a shock to my ego when he gave me a very honest NO. Well, needless to say, that hurt like hell! I find him extremely attractive and he never really let on that the feeling wasn't mutual. He never once said it was because of my weight but he didn't really have to go there did he? If you have been fat all your life, U know! I frequently wonder if I should have just broken off our freindship with that but I didn't. We are still really good friends and he is very supportive of my weight loss. We have a blast when we are together & he genuinely seems happy to hear from me. We still date about once per month. So am I making a big mistake here? Is his character crummy because he isn't attracted to me while heavy? And.... there is no real guarantee that he will be attracted to me when I am slim. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and perhaps I need to be happy with his honesty?? It is hard on the old self esteem however to know he does not find me attractive - that's a tough one! I would really welcome some other's perspectives!

I have been thinking that maybe I don't really want a husband again. Just a friend with benefits??!! Kinda like grandkids. Send them home when your tired of them. Someone to share the fun times with and maybe a fishing buddy! This is really starting to sound better and better!

From a physical standpoint, I can't see how it could ever stay in place without being stitched. Things can really move quite freely around the body without being anchored somewhere. Interesting thought huh?

Yes, that was my understanding of the procedure. I thought this was standard procedure for all band placement. Did I miss something?

Hi bandiva, 1. They did put my band in place and they even consented to do a lateral hernia repair while in there for free (very nice guys - Dr Ortiz & Martinez). 2. I did get band info and cards and all of the instruction paperwork. Had labs, saw dietician and cardiologist there before surgery. Everyone spoke English. I did not get indepth surgery reports but I didn't ask for them either. They would propably give them to you. 3. I took off all my rings and gave them to my daughter who was with me. They may well ask you to because they use an electric grounding plate in all surgeries and it is possible you may receive burns around your ring site should something go wrong. But I have known hospitals to allow you to just tape them in place too. 4. They require you to return for your first fill. Dr Ortiz has trained many of the US Drs so he is helpful in assisting you in finding a stateside fill Dr. I found one on my own tho who is close by. U do need to ask around because many Drs won't take pts who have had their surgeries in Mexico. The whole primadona syndrome! My first fill was $100. My fill here for the first time with my fill Dr was $180 but subsequent fills are $80. Glad you are on your way!

I went to Mexico and paid $8500 up front. I saved the money up first. I worried a bit about having surgery in Mexico but it was a fantastic experience. I am an RN so questioned the medical procedures to death. They were all very excellent and in many ways better than many of our hospitals and Drs. I would recommend it to anyone.

Same problem here. Is there anything we can do to reverse the time frame so it will be tight at night and not during the morning? I can't even imagine how much and how fast I could lose if it was like that! My fill Dr. told me that if I didn't eat past 6:30 at night, then I wouldn't be so tight in the AM but that doesn't seem to work for me.

You're going to do very well! I had a hernia repair with my surgery and went shopping the day after and flew home from Mexico 2 days after. No problems! Have a Fabulous Christmas!!!

Hi, was wondering how often a person should get a fill. Had my surgery last Feb. I have only had 2 fills. One in March and one in September. Have only lost 40#. I am stuck now and have not lost anything for a month. So is this my indication for a fill??

Hi leenerbups, This sounds exactly like mine. My problem is that I can eat almost anything in the evening and am usually hungry. Then there are days that I can eat almost anything I want, bread included and quite a large amount. Regular portion sizes. Is that normal??? Then I will be back to being too tight to eat anything but liquid. Sooooo, is this just the way it will be from now on??