Do you feel the band?

Tracyd · October 16, 2005

I'm just starting the process of getting the band ... went to orientation and discussed it with my PCP. He'll be writing the letter and referral next month. My goal is to get the band at the end of January. My main question is for those already banded .... do you feel the band or something foreign in your body and/or how does the port feel to you?

HarleyNana · October 16, 2005

Most of us can feel our port, but not our band or the tube connecting the band and port. Before I was banded and shortly there after, I seemed to dwell on the fact I had foreign objects in my body, but then so did my grandmother when she had her hip replaced, which she never rejected.

The only time I think about my band is when something gets stuck, or when I'm turning over in bed, I wonder if I pulled my tube loose from my port, LOL.

Good Luck!

Tracyd · October 16, 2005

Thanks for this informatoin. Now that I've started the process, I'm starting to wonder about the device inside. It's nice to know that you don't actually feel it. :-) Again, thanks.

princess_n_thep · October 16, 2005

I can feel my port if I press on it. As for the band itself, when I first got it I seemed to feel a "presence" of something but I think it was more psychological. Now, I forget a lot I even have the band and take a big ol' bite. But my band quickly lets me know it is there. lol

Tracyd · October 16, 2005

Both of you have said how old eating habits remind you that the band is there. How is this? Does it get stuck? Do you ..... (ya know)? Curious.

gentlespirit · October 25, 2005

I've wondered the same thing about whether you can feel it or not. It's a little weird thinking of having something "foreign" in there. But thinking of the hip replacement thing will help me (my mom has one).

What happens when something gets stuck...do you feel pain or how do you tell? Has the tubing disconnecting from the port been a problem? So many questions...it's wonderful to have the experiences of all of you to draw on as well as the moral support!

Emily

HarleyNana · October 25, 2005

Just imagine swallowing a golf ball, because that's the tight feeling you get if you way over do it. That has only happened to me a couple of times in the beginning, I learned really quick not to do that anymore.

With me stuck is the feeling that something will not go down, therefore, it's coming back. Usually it's covered in digestive juice-slime and just kinda slides out of your mouth like a lougy, (well ya wanted to know). It's not like vomit, at least in my case, it's just something my band didn't like and it's not allowing it to go down. A good example would be an black olive, will cause massive pb/slime for me. bread, not even gonna try it, just the thought gives me a golf ball feeling. chicken nuggets or tenders, french fries, not band friendly for me either, but everyone's different, believe me, your new friend the band will let you know. My mom can't do tomatoes, but I can, but then she can do potatoes, go figure, LOL.

I'm allergic to make up, hair products, and any type of metal that's not 14k gold, so imagine my fear of rejection, but 10 months later, all is well, that's not to say that the worry of rejection is not always in the back of my mind.

I wish you the best.

sharilynn1965 · October 25, 2005

I dont feel my band but I do feel my port. I am glad to feel my port because I know that it is there that there are people who cant find there port and need a xray to get it filled. My question is how much do you get for you first fill. I know that since my surgery I am eating more now my lost weight has slowed. I am 4 weeks out from getting banded and I will get a fill in 1 1/2 weeks and cant wait. I need to feel that restriction again. I love knowing that the band is in there ,it makes me think of better food choices. Since I am eating a lot of Protein I am not craving the sweets but I am craving of putting things in my mouth.

nickie456 · October 26, 2005

I can feel the port, but not the band. I have not had any problems with any food. I have been able to eat anything I wanted but just smaller amount. I have not had a PB. Ihope that I don't. My first fill was 2.0cc I will be having my second fill this friday.

Tracyd · October 27, 2005

Thanks for the honesty. This is exactly what I was looking for. PB? I'm a little naieve here and I'm sure when someone tells me what "PB" stands for, I'll have a V8 moment. Thanks again.

sharilynn1965 · October 27, 2005

PB is when the food isnt going down and it comes back up. I have had it happend to me three times and each time it was because I drank Water to fast after I ate something and it couldnt go down. It came back up. You really have to listen to you body and the first couple of weeks after the surgery you may think that you will never be able to eat again but dont worry you will. I can eat almost anything except uncooked celery and uncook onion. The both seem to have a hard time going down. I cam do with out both.