June 2009 Surgery

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I have heard of ports flipping. Not a huge number but maybe (not counting you) 4 or 5. Figures you'd become a statistic, right?

[ddorman67 1]

I have heard of ports flipping. Not a huge number but maybe (not counting you) 4 or 5. Figures you'd become a statistic, right?

My thoughts exactly!! I was so excited about having my surgery (the first time) . Now I am just plain scared :wub:.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Darlene, as I recall, the one person I actually talked to about it said that the surgery to fix the port position was even shorter than the band itself, had virtually no recovery since it was just the one incision and she had no troubles. So, here's hoping they anchor the darn thing down with a little extra!!!

[ddorman67 1]

Darlene, as I recall, the one person I actually talked to about it said that the surgery to fix the port position was even shorter than the band itself, had virtually no recovery since it was just the one incision and she had no troubles. So, here's hoping they anchor the darn thing down with a little extra!!!

Thanks Cathy!! This does put my mind somewhat at ease.

[NikkiReyes 1]

Hey Nikki,

Oh I feel great now! I went to my surgeon and Monday and immediately deflated my band and sent me to the hospital for testing. I begged him not to relieve my band but he said "I know you don't want me to but, you don't understand this isn't right!"

Anyway I went to the hospital and after an hour and a half of radiology testing the radiologist told me that my stomach was filled to the brim with gas..he said my stomach was so filled it was pressing on my lungs and that's why I couldn't breathe! I told him I could be in the Macy's Day Parade as one of the balloons!

Thanks goodness things are looking up now...and the doc said he will give me more restriction in about a month. Honestly I still have plenty without the saline!

Cindy, I am glad you are doing better now. This is what I have been doing since surgery to keep the gas at bay. I take a GasX strip right before I eat and another one right after it really help alot with the gas, It is finally starting to get better now but I still can't eat much dairy. Hope you are doing good now.

[Corliss 0]

Today was supposed to be the day I got my first fill. I just found out that my port is flipped. I am going to have to have surgery again . Why me??

Has anyone else had this happen?

So sorry, what a drag. Is your doc going to be able to do it outpatint in his office under local? Good luck hon.

Corliss:thumbdown:

[akfmurphy 0]

Today was supposed to be the day I got my first fill. I just found out that my port is flipped. I am going to have to have surgery again . Why me??

Has anyone else had this happen?

I am sorry to hear about your flipped port but I hope all goes well with the corrective surgery. Do you have the realize band or the other one? I ask because I have the realize band and have had a lot of pain at my port lately (internal like pulling muscle) and my doc said it was to be expected. Just wondering if I also could've flipped! How did you know yours had flipped?

Anyone else having port issues?

[Cindylouwho4220 0]

Hi Nikki,

Yes, I am finally doing great! The gas has totally subsided!! Thank goodness. I wasn't nuts about the gas strips but I did buy the chewable ones and really liked those! Glad to hear you are doing great too! We are all the same yet so different in the process.

Darlene: I am soooo sorry to hear your band flipped. That would have me crazy too! Could you tell something was wrong? Best wishes on the redo. I bet it will be wayyy better than the entire surgery!!!

[ddorman67 1]

So sorry, what a drag. Is your doc going to be able to do it outpatint in his office under local? Good luck hon.

Corliss:thumbdown:

Thanks Corliss... I'm not sure exactly what will be involved with the new surgery. The doctor told me it would be very quick and that they would do the fill at the same time. All I now is that they are going to reopen my incision near the port and reconnect the port to a better place. I have to call this morning to see about a date for the new surgery (hopefully next week).

[ddorman67 1]

I am sorry to hear about your flipped port but I hope all goes well with the corrective surgery. Do you have the realize band or the other one? I ask because I have the realize band and have had a lot of pain at my port lately (internal like pulling muscle) and my doc said it was to be expected. Just wondering if I also could've flipped! How did you know yours had flipped?

Anyone else having port issues?

Thanks Murphy... I have the "Lap-Band" not the Realize Band, and I had no pain at all in that area since my surgery. I don't know how if flipped... the doctor just told me that in very rare cases it just sometimes happens (of course it would happen to me though). At least the doctor told me that when they do the new surgery they will also take care of the fill at the same time.

[irishlady9 0]

I'm a new person to this site also. I was approved for lap band surgery with Dr. O'Brien. I have it scheduled for August 12th. Any encouragement/tips/would be appreciated!

[ddorman67 1]

I'm a new person to this site also. I was approved for lap band surgery with Dr. O'Brien. I have it scheduled for August 12th. Any encouragement/tips/would be appreciated!

Welcome Irishlady!! I had never had any type of surgery before this and I felt that it was really quite a breeze. Unfortunately, I just found out that I am going to need another small surgery to fix my port, but this is not that common I am told.

Good Luck to you!!

[thebandedgirl 0]

Today was supposed to be the day I got my first fill. I just found out that my port is flipped. I am going to have to have surgery again :Dancing_wub:. Why me?? :smile:

Has anyone else had this happen?

I went in to get my first fill today and found out that my port is flipped on its side. They were able to do the fill and I may or may not have to have a revision; I'll see my surgeon in a month when my next fill is scheduled and he'll make the final decision.

I had my surgery on 6/18 too, btw :Dancing_wub:

[ddorman67 1]

I went in to get my first fill today and found out that my port is flipped on its side. They were able to do the fill and I may or may not have to have a revision; I'll see my surgeon in a month when my next fill is scheduled and he'll make the final decision.

I had my surgery on 6/18 too, btw :bored:

My doctor tried everything he could to get the needle in the port, but it is flipped completely. Needless to say, he was not able to do the fill. So now I am at a stand still until they hear back from my insurance company (which should be this week, hopefully). At least the doctor told me he could do the fill at the same time as the "port revision".

Good luck to you!!

[ddorman67 1]

My port is NOT flipped after all!! :biggrin: I had been waiting for the insurance company to approve a "port revision" surgery after being told by one of my doctors that my port was flipped. After almost 2 weeks one of the girls in the office told me that the other surgeon in the office would like to see me and told me that he was confident that he would be able to get to my port. I decided to go ahead and let him try... HE GOT IT ON THE FIRST TRY!!! :biggrin: I don't know why the other surgeon had so much trouble.

Anyways, I now have 3cc's in my band and I do feel a little more restriction. I go back in 2 weeks for another fill.

I am so happy that I don't have to have another surgery!!! Thank you to my new doctor!!!