SunnyUT

I had my lap band almost 2 years ago, never had any problems, I am within 10 lbs of my dream weight- I hit my goal weight a good year ago. I had my surgery in Mexico, the Dr. was fantastic- no issues there, but I have nobody to go to right now and I'm alittle concerned about something. A few weeks ago Dh and I were wrestling with the kids and I stretched and arched my back and felt a sharp pinch where my port is. Sharp enough pain that I stopped playing with the kids. It was tender and sore there for a few days and has kind of been tender ever since.A little tender to the touch and I get the pinch feeling if I stretch. I can feel my port pretty well, it is in the same position it always has been. I have no bruising or swelling of any sort- just a pinchy pain that isn't "knock me on my rear" painful but enough to make me notice. Everything about my band is functioning the same. Anyone else experience anything like this? Ideas as to what happened? I'm not too worried about it, just wondering if anyone else had this happen.

I posted this in another thread, but I think that was the worng place,lol. I had my lap band almost 2 years ago, never had any problems, I am within 10 lbs of my dream weight- I hit my goal weight a good year ago. I had my surgery in Mexico, Dr Huacuz was fantastic- no issues there, but I have nobody to go to in the states and I'm a little concerned about something. A few weeks ago Dh and I were wrestling with the kids and I stretched and arched my back and felt a sharp pinch where my port is. Sharp enough pain that I stopped playing with the kids. It was tender and sore there for a few days and has kind of been tender ever since.A little tender to the touch and I get the pinch feeling if I stretch. I can feel my port pretty well, it is in the same position it always has been. I have no bruising or swelling of any sort- just a pinchy pain that isn't "knock me on my rear" painful but enough to make me notice. Everything about my band is functioning the same. Anyone else experience anything like this? Ideas as to what happened? I'm not too worried about it, just wondering if anyone else had this happen.

If it doesn't stink or feel hot and you have no fever you are probably just fine. Some wounds heal different than others on your body. the port incision is one that was manipulated a lot during the surgery and I remember mine stayed sore for longer than the other ones and healed slower. I'd put some neosporin on it- the kind with lidocaine so it will help if it feels sore or starts to itch, you may even do some gentle cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and a q-tip. It does not look infected. I had a c-section incicion that got infected years ago and even opened up and the OB had me use neosporin and hydrogen peroxide to keep it clean. That wound smelled funky, oozed bad smalling gunk and was red all over and hot to the touch all over. Your redness seems to be about where a 2 week old incision would be. Make sure you are keeping it aired out and dry after a bath or shower and you are not soaking in a tub. I dried my incisions with a hair dryer- no heat-- after showers until they had completely sealed. I let them air out as much as possible, when you are at home, I know it's hard to let it all hang out, but clean it and give it some air. I'm not a doctor, but as someone who has had many abdominal surgeries, I think it looks fine. It is totally sealed in the middle, which is great and the ensd will close up soon, just keep it clean and dry and use some neosporin. Hang in there. :party:

When my band is tighter I cannot burp, either. It took some getting use to but I got use to it I guess. I have to be careful of not sallowing a bunch of air when my band is tighter or I feel uncomfortable pressure in my chest that just has to go away on it's own, without a burp. I avoid soda because it will hurt and come back up anyway. My MIL recently had the surgery and her Dr. told her to avoid chewing gum and drinking with straws to avoid trapping air in. Some people can burp and it's not an issue, some cannot. Different bodies react differently to restriction. I will say it is much less of a problem for me at nearly 2 years post-op.

Yesterday I had to have all of my fluid removed due to dehydration complications. I had a fill on 8-6 and it was really really tight, much tighter than ever before and I kind of suspected it was too much for me, but I had been plateaued for over a month and was impatient and restless to get back to losing, so even though drinking water in the dr.s office didn't go down as easily as I said to him it did, I felt like I could use the extra restriction. And the weight melted off quickly, 10 lbs in a week and I was thrilled. Sure I wasn't able to keep hardly anything down, but fluids went down fine and I ignored my body freaking out. I ignored my near constant dizziness and the fact that it is unsafe to live on 200-400 calories per day. Told myself I was fine and did not incerase my fluid intake or take my vitamins. Saturday we went hiking and it was a tough hike, Dh kept pressing me to drink more water and I ignored him, I didn't feel thirsty. Sunday I was wiped out and told myself it was just from the hike and rested most of the day, Monday I could not keep anything down, not even fluids. I'd sip and PB, water, juice, everyhing came back up- and I started to be a little concerned. SO Tuesday I took it easy and PB'd a little when I ate solids, but kept fluids down mostly- told myself I was good to go. Wednesday I could not keep fluids down again and admitted to myself that I was probably overfilled but rested Thursday and kept fluids down fine. I did not drink more than I normally would or attempt to really re-hydrate myself. Yesterday was Friday and I realized I was in trouble. I had dropped 15 lbs in less than 2 weeks and my lips were cracking and dry, my head throbbing and I realized I had no kept down a bit of solid food in about a solid week. I sipped water, it came up, I sipped warm juice, it came up, even my saliva was coming up. I called fillcenters that morning and asked to schedule the unfill, told them I was kind of in trouble. My dr was off yesterday and they had trouble scheduling to get me in. By 4pm I was throwing up saliva every 10 minutes and realized if I didn't get an unfill I was going to be in the hospital by the end of the weekend. So I called the dr's office directly and my dr found out the shape I was in and told me to get to his office immediately for an unfill and he came in just for me (nicest guy, I tell you) He advised a complete unfill for the next 2 weeks. I about started to cry but I knew I needed a break and to slow down. We talked about symptoms of dehydration, what I need to do differently and about the negatives of losing the weight too fast. He said for where i am at (close to goal) if I lose more than 3 1/2 lbs a week, I am losing too fast and need to change my eating or get some unfill. He said my body was spazming due to the severe dehydration and we removed all 2.5ccs of my fluid. So here I am, I have a game plan to maintain and stay on track during the next few weeks, going to work at not allowing all those carbs to get me addicted in the next few weeks and after I am hydrated, I have a weight loss goal of 2 lbs to lose on my own without the band. But it's kind of scary to fly solo right now. My body does need a break, but ugh-- if I had taken care of myself and not been so stubborn and high on the rapid loss, I would still have my trusty filled band right now for weak moments. SO DRINK YOUR FLUIDS, FOLKS!!!

Same shirt- one year difference, and yes, we had a water fight at my wedding.

I'm stalling because I am eating CRAP and so I am going to try and be more active to keep me motivated. I was banded Dec '06 but chickened out on getting a fill until mid March '07. I started at 217+ lbs ( last time I looked at the scale pre-fill) and am not at 181 where I have been for weeks and I need to get back to eating right and working out. I have 30 lbs to reach my goal, and 8 lbs until my BMI is out of the overweight range. Good thing I am sabotaging myself these days..... I cannot resist making stupid faces because I feel like a total dork getting my picture taken.

ROFL, a little bit. I was just in yesterday and am now up to 2cc's and I feel very tight today. I haven't used flouro or been numbed up for my fills, he said most people ask to be numb first, I figure it will hurt just as much to poke me and get me numb as it will to just do my fill. He looked at me like I was crazy when I said that,lol. His staff seems nice as well, I am glad he started doing fills and he is so close to my home in Taylorsville. I think he only does "first appointments" on days he has flouro available just in case.

He has access to flouro one day per week and will schedule an appointment on that day ( I think it is either Tuesdays or Thursdays) if you request it. He has been really good about locating my port easily without it and I have never had the need for it. He's on vacation for the next 2 weeks, but I am really happy using him.

I use Dr, Muse (via fillcentersusa) as well and love him. Every time I see him he seems to have more and more information and I am supremely happy with him.

I went to Dr. Huacuz and had a great experience. My scars and healing time was less than anyone I know who had the surgery stateside. Sorry you had a bad experience.

I am also seeing Dr. Muse. I was his second fill patient when I went in the first time, but he has done about 40 more since I first went in and it was night and day difference, not just in the fact that my fill actually took place this time, but he seemed much more confident and knowledgeable in what he was doing. He has only been doing them for a vey short time and I was impressed by how much better the 2nd fill went and how much more he knew. I feel good about continuing to see him, my last appointment was really nice. What has your experience been with him?

This is nice getting to learn more about everyone. I'm Chris and I live in Taylorsville. I just got (re)married last July and between his kids and mine- we have 7 kids. I am a human taxi/stay at home mom. I grew up in AZ, but moved here when I got divorced because all of my family is in Utah. Best move I ever made and I love it here. I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Huacuz and I am really happy withthe job he did. My best friend, her cousin,2 sisters and Dad were all banded by him first and so I had a lot of confidence in him and his skill level. I have been getting my fills from fillcentersusa, but have only had 2 and the first one, he accidentally took out the Fluid I started with and didn't realize he had missed the port when refilling, so I had no fill at all and just thought I was a total screw up. I feel like this past monday was my first real fill. AND I am FINALLY losing weight!!!!!! Moday I was 217, this morning I am 213.4. Finally finally finally!!!!!!!! I am also seeing how much I use food as medicine. Last night I was really upset and went to Harmons and bought all of this food, out of habit , to deal with the stress and realized I couln't even eat 99% of it. It bummed me out and yet- in some way- I feel happy about it. Since I know I cant keep it down, I didn't even try one bite. So that is a small baby step towards having some self control.

I had my second fill today in SLC. It went weird. So far I have felt nearly zero restriction and it has been so frustrating, I feel like I am the one person this does not work on. I have let quite a bit of time lapse between fill visists because I am so freakin discouraged. I went today and my Dr ( who is new to giving fills, at fill 1 I was patient #2, now he has done over 40 more since my first visit) anyway- I should have had almost 3cc's in my band and I had none. He thinks maybe the needle slipped last time and he has since learned to really tell if he is in the port and he showed me all he learned and was using a different method and even syringe type and this time, I felt something different. When i drank water, I felt my throat get tight and we took some out until it didn't feel like that. I later had some of a thick milkshake ( I know, bad) and it actually felt tight. I have not felt that before. I felt full for hours today and feel my chest is alittle tight when I drink anything. I am excited and have hope. All of this time I have not lost weight and felt like it was me. Some things would get stuck, but it was confusing, I couldn't eat 3 bites of a bagel, but I could eat a whole bag of baked Lays, no problem. I couldn't eat french toast, but I could eat 5 pancakes in one sitting. Now I feel like something is different. If I do not feel tight after a few days then it means my lap band is faulty and the problem. But it kept the original .5 cc's Dr Huacuz put in it just fine for the month and a half it took me to schedule my first fill just fine, I am thinking my Dr. accidentally was not in the port when he fille dme the whole time. He was in there at first because I wtahced him remove the .5cc's and we think he must have pulled it out before putting in more saline. So maybe I will finally start to lose weight and this will finally start happening for me. So far--- I am UP two pounds from my surgery---bleah. But something is different now and I am excited. Hungry today, but excited.

Just had my first fill about a week and a half ago and feeling almost no restriction. He put in 2cc's and I am starting to feel very discouraged and down on this whole thing. I feel like I wasted my money. I feel like my body is ignoring this. I feel stupid for thinking this would work. I have lost very little since having the surgery. When I left my surgery my chest was very tight but felt pretty normal after about a week or two. By the time I had my fill, I was able to eat normally as long as I chewed really well, including bread. I was told that was normal. But now- over a week out of my fill and not feeling tight or restricted I am starting to be filled with all of this insecurity and self doubt. Anyone here feel almost no restriction after their first fill and were super slow to start losing? At what point did you finally start losing? Did any of you feel super discouraged at this point or did everyone just start losing weight right off? Before my fill I only PB'd once. My husband told me to come here and get some advice and support because I am so discouraged with all of this. I feel like I damaged my bod for nothing right now. I'm sure this will pass, but I feel like a freak and the only lap band patient who is not losing weight or feeling restricted. Bleah.:cry

Also -Trish- I had to give up the diet coke as well and it was awful. I found a lovely new substitute to keep me happy and awake though- Jolt makes GUM. It's like love, only chewy.

I am still here- had my first fill through fillcentersusa in Murray, but I'm feeling pretty discouraged as I am not feeling any restriction at all. I'm due for another in 2 1/2 weeks and will be sure to get that done and hopefull it will help more than the first fill did. Cookie dough-eh? My daughter is addicted to the stuff,lol.

I would guess just making sure you keep hydrated during the day will help, otherwise, I don't know. As I read through the boards I am noting that some lap banders were put on very clear and strict diets both pre-op and post. I was not. I was told to eat liquids the ifrts week and then slowly introduce mushy and soft foods and chew, chew chew. Otherwise, He told me to just learn to listen to my body and recognize how I need to chew and what fullness feels like and that's pretty much it. I'm nearly 4 weeks post op and I can eat anything pretty much. When I have had to much I get the shoulder pain but otherwise, I am really chewing my food well and so far have not had any problems. I was told not to worry about weight loss until I had my filland just spend the first 6 weeks protecting the surgery and recovering, so I am only down about 5 lbs- and I am fine with that, but I am just noticing my instructions were not nearly as strict as others.

Well, please let me know what you think of the fill center in SLC. I am on the fence about going to them or the Dr in orem, I'll probably meet with both before deciding, but I am very interested in hearing how your appointment Tuesday goes. Whereabouts in Utah do you live? I am in SLC (Murray) and if you have a PCP in the valley who is supportive, it could save me a lot of stress. The marble floors in Mexico were nice, but I had my surgery done durnig some freak cold front and they were ice cold. Dr. H brought in space heaters because of the weird weather. 2 days later when I left it was sunny and in the 70's. Go figure.

Good to know Kynekke. So you get your fills in Payson, then? That's my hubby's hometown. What has your experience been like with the place you get fills there? How did your regular Primary Care physicial react to/ respond to your getting surgery in Mexico?

I get hungry here and there, but no way am I going to eat something I'm not supposed to. My best friend had her lap band put in 6 months ago and decided to try a few tiny bites of a tortilla the first week, chewed well and had horrible pain until it passed. That is enough to scare me from trying anything stronger than cream of wheat when I am hungry. I am down 4 lbs which, considering all the sugary juices I have drinking all day, is surprising. Last night I finally ventured out of the house and went to the ballet with the family. By the time they had the dance of the sugarplum faries, I was really tired, but I made it through. Are you going to be going back to Dr H for fills?

Wishing you the best tomorrow on your big day Dawnae! I am going to give Dr McKeen a call next week after hearing good reports of him on another board. I have only been here in Utah about a year, although my family has been up here forever and do not have a Primary care Physician. Hubby just started a new job- new insurance- and I need to find one in SLC. I am concerned after readong some of these boards about a negative reaction from doctors because I had the surgery done in Mexico. Perhaps Dr. M will have some suggestions. I don't want to be treated poorly by a doctor because of my decision, it wasn't something I really worried about before, but apparently it's a pretty big issue. Although so far so good, I'm worried about that.

I was banded by Dr H the day after you. Back at work already? Good for you- I'm still just exhausted. How are your incisions doing? My stitches are itching pretty bad and I can't wait to take them out.

Hello fellow Utahns! Good to find this group I am one weekpost op, had my surgery done in Mexico and I am so very tired, but getting a little stronger every day. Any of the Utah group here had their surgery done outside of the US? I am glad I did it, it went well, but I am kind of wishing I had waited until after the holidays. I did most of the Christmas shopping before I had the surgery, but I'm dreading next week when it is blitz time for school and ward parties.

I hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly.