donnalemaster

Hi, Rosebud! I have had ALOT of this issue as well over the past year so I'd like to share some of what I have learned:

First, when you realize you've agitated the banded area, immediately go on liquids for 3-4 days. my friend only has to do 2 days, my Doctor says 3 days, but I have to do 4 days or it never quite subsides. I SIP hot green tea and Soups (creams, liquids, whatever, hot and sour is my favorite) but SIPPING is key!

Second, I have come to find that dehydration also has a big roll in this. We are supposed to be taking in 64oz of Water per day according to my doctor. Do I do that? No. I do my best. But I do find that when I'm not getting enough Water, this issue seems to creep up more often OR it becomes worse than it would have been had i been getting enough H2O.

Third and last, I have found that taking liquid IBUPROFEN helps to reduce swelling significantly enough that I CAN get thicker Soups down and warm liquids adequately. Without it, I'd likely not even be able to get water down. Hope this helps!

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are recently banded (within 6 weeks) DO NOT TAKE ANY FORM OF IBUPROFEN!!!!!

march 31th i had port revision surgery, my port completely flipped over and now i am home healing but i am nervous that the port will flip again when i work out has any one else felt the same way from their port revision surgery

Hi, Ashley!

I havent had mine yet- waiting for the date. Mine is leaking, not flipped. WHat did your surgeon say about it? Did he say anything about why it flipped and did he do anything to try to keep it from happening again?

First, Protein would be my first area of attention. Are you getting AT LEAST 60g? I have found that when I'm higher (like 90g and above) I'm good with energy. I tried to do b12's but I was actually getting what I needed from my daily Vitamin and putting too much in my body and I felt VERY lethargic. So, that is another thing to watch.

Are you on an exercise regimen yet? I have found THAT is what made the HUGE HUGE HUGE difference in energy for me.

Lastly, ask your Doctor to check your Iron levels. You could be anemic which is causing the lethargy issue.

I wish you the very, very best! Please let us all know how you are doing!

I’m sooooo upset right now!!!! I recently found out I have a leak and believe me, it has been a loooong, hard road! I had surgery on 4/5/10 and have lost a whopping 25#!

I have been seeing the same people (Dr., Staff, P.A.) this whole time. I found out the PA had known I was leaking since 2 fills BEFORE he decided to share it with me- so yeah, I was pretty upset. . .especially being constantly questioned about what I was eating, what exercise I was doing (monitoring my intake of calories and Protein on fitday.com and working out 45 minutes a day 5 times a week) but it always seemed they tried to make it MY fault! Anyhow, he filled me up to 9cc’s (I have a 10cc Lapband AP) and scheduled me TWO MONTHS out to come back in and have my port replaced. That’s it. So, after a month, I call the office and ask to come in for a fill as I have NO restriction and a month to go still. I’m told they have nothing and I’ll be put on a wait list. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me!

I have changed Doctor’s and my new Dr. will have me in surgery in the next 2 weeks to fix this thing- THANK GOD!!!!

So why am I so upset? This is why: reading posts by another bariatric surgeon named Arturo Rodriguez where he addresses leaking bands, I found he had stated stated numerous times that the Fluid being discolored is a good indication that there is a leak. . .I had two clear aspirations from my band immediately post surgery. . .after that, they were always yellow-tinged! When I asked the PA about it, he said it just happens sometimes. I trusted him.

So, it seems that in the year I’ve had this thing in me, it’s really only worked for about 2 months!!!!!

People, please make sure YOU are educated on signs and symptoms of faulty bands so that YOU don't have the struggles I've had!

HI! I'm brand new to the boards and the band - just had it done on 3/25/11 and only drinking so far. However, I do know one thing my doc and nutritionist have said over and over - if you drink while you eat, you can basically bypass the band. Are you drinking with your meals? If so, it just pushes the food through the band and allows you to eat just as much as before. Just a thought - obviously I'm no expert. YET!

Thanks for your advice, Newbek, and yes, I know about drinking while eating. My band is leaking as sated in previous posts. Thanks again.

Hello

I am a new member, obviously, and I was banded on 3/17/11. And I have GAINED 3lbs!!!! I spoke with my Doctor and he said not to worry that is probably Water weight and some swelling from surgery. My surgery was a little more involved since I also had a hiatal hernia repair which was not anticipated. My Doctor also told me that since my band has no saline I should not worry about a great weight loss and just focus on healing drinking Water, maintaining a 1000-1200 calorie diet and EXERCISE!!!!!

But, still, I worry, does this sound reasonable?

Any advice, suggestions, ideas?????

Thank you!!

Hey, Wisdom Seeker, DON'T WORRY!!!!! You're stressing a little prematurely ! I lost quite a few pounds right after surgery because of the liquid diet I had to be on- he does have you on that, right? Yes- right now everyone's main concern is to get you healed up- weight loss isn't even in the cards right now. After about 6 weeks, you'll start getting fills and you'll start down the restriciton path. But. . . .don't get discouraged if you gain and have no restriction for a while. Fills are hit n miss- it's never the same for everyone! It took me almost a year to get mine filled to 9cc's to finally have restriction that did something for me. I'd lost 25#. Now, there is a leak in my band, tube, or port, not sure which yet. I gained 5# as a result of the loss of restriction. My new doctor could only pull 2cc's out of my band that had held 9cc's just a month before . So. . .he filled me with 4cc's (which took me to 6) and I couldnt even swallow my saliva! I've never thrown up with this thing but I threw up twice and went back and he removed a cc- so now I'm @5cc's and doing ok, at least until I get in and get this thing fixed so it holds my restriction properly. I was shocked that so little restriction suddenly was working for me after I had had to have it filled with 9cc's to acquire LESS restriction than I was having with only this 5!!!!!

One of my dearest friends has had 6cc's in hers and has had that amount since about 8 months post op and has lost weight very quickly. I only tell you all of this to show you that everyone is different- everyone's journey is different- so please don't be discouraged! We're all her for you if you ever need advice! Best of luck to you!

I had been wondering about 1800 get thin. Thanks for the replies. I had started the process with their office in Beverly Hills, but ignored the bad vibes I had because I want the lapband so bad. I am spooked now. I think I will look into other facilities. Thank you for posting.

Don't be discouraged!!!!! My new Dr., Dr. Owens, has an office in Orange County. www.coastalobesity.com. I don't know if it is close to you- but he's a great doctor and his staff is INCREDIBLE!!!!!

Once the P.A. shares with me that something is wrong with my band, they schedule me out 2 months again for port replacement (BTW- there has been NO testing to ensure it's the port over tubing, band, etc). SO, since I have NO restriction right now and a month to go, I called the office to get in for a fill. First, I had to leave a message that NO ONE called back on (surpise, surprise). SO I call back again a week later and get a live person to speak to. WHat happens? They say they have nothing and put me on a wait list.

I am done with Dr. Krahn's office and staff. I have an appointment today to see Dr. Owens.

I do not recommend Dr. Krahn until he cleans out his staff.

I saw Dr. Krahn for my consult and haven't seen him since. In a year i've lost 20#. They werent sharing with me that my band has been losing fluid!!!

PLUS, they would schedule me out 2 months at a time for fills! SO, once they share with me that something is wrong with my band, they schedule me out 2 months again for port replacement (BTW- there has been NO testing to ensure it's the port over tubing, band, etc). SO, since I have NO restriction right now and a month to go, I called the office to get in for a fill. First, I had to leave a message that NO ONE called back on (surpise, surprise). SO I call back again a week later and get a live person to speak to. WHat happens? They say they have nothing and put me on a wait list.

I am done with Dr. Krahn's office and staff. I have an appointment today to see Dr. Owens.

I do not recommend Dr. Krahn until he cleans out his staff.

I wonder if the size of the needle has to do with which band you have,

I have an 11 cc Realize band, and had a tiny fill needle.

It could be- I have a 10cc Ap Lap Band and the needle is like a small straw- lol!

Had my first fill today. He didn't use any numbing medication. The needle was so tiny I barely felt it.

ALL you guys that talk about little needles. . . .makes me wonder why my Dr.'s use HUGE needles for fills. I'll take the teeney tiney needle for the local over the ginormous fill needle anyday : /

I was suppose to go through Leport and had issues at the end with wanting extra fee's and rude office managers. They said an assistant to the Dr (who was in network) would be out of network because thats how they do things, so it would cost me $2300 out of pocket for non network. I was furious, I was 2 weeks from surgery at that point!

So I switched to The New Program out of newport beach and couldn't be happier!

Western Bariatric did the same to me- $2500 for the P.A. and they want it up front.

This is the exact same thing that happened to me! My band was so messed up that I ended up revising to the sleeve. I had a slip too and my doctor felt the band would slip again since I also had a hernia. I thought I had appendicitis! I am so glad I am not the only one.

The really weird thing about all of this to me is that most of the people who have had this problem said they've had pain. I've never had pain with my 'leak'.

wow !!! I was never told about ibuprofin .went in yesterday because I lost all restrictin in my band . she pulled out 5cc that was red . really makes me think erosion I take ibuprofin all the time . I am going in tomarrow for a dye leek test . ,so sounds like there are no garenties on anybodys bands ? I have had pain in the middle of my chest off and on .I go in monday and find out the results .Sucky thing is these visits cost me 175.00 each time ! Sounds like Im screwed being self paying . My insurance does not cover any weight loss surgery .Anybody have a ballpark of cost to replace or remove the band ?

Oh my goodness, LBG, that's terrible! You shouldn't be paying for anything in my opinion- they put in a faulty device. If it was a hip replacement joint that was faulty you wouldn't be paying for it so why should you pay for this? They should be doing it at no cost to you and the band company should be paying the Doctor. That's that. Be sure to talk about this with them before going forward. It isnt your fault.

I

I think most people dont feel alot of restriction (if any) on their first fill. Just be sure you're going back once a month to continue your fills. I feel like had they filled me every month instead of every 8-12 weeks at the beginning, I would be in a much better place now. Instead, they waited till about after my 5th fill (because I had GAINED weight) to start filling me once a month.

Chin up and dont worry- you'll be where you need to be soon!

Does your doctor say Ibuprofen is okay to take? Mine is adement about NO ibuprofen.

I found out Monday when I went in for a fill that he thinks mine is leaking too. The last two fills I have had he has put in 9cc's and when I go back he always checks and there has only been 7ccs in my band. I go in next Monday for a port a gram. He said if it is in the port then just have to have the port replaced but if it isn't in the port then I may have to have the entire band replaced.. Bummer

Sound like my situation. I think it's interesting that your office is planning to do a 'graph' to be sure it's the port. My office is just assuming it's the port and replacing it. Kinda makes me wonder if the PA doesnt realize he punctured something. . .Hmmmmmmmm.

My doctor has never said anything about Ibuprofen and I take it often. I hope its just the port for your sake. Mine offered to fix it in the office for a reasonable fee but I waited too long and it started moving down into my belly so I had to go under and get it fixed. Yuck! Hope you don't have to do that! Good luck!

My Doctor also is adamant about NO ibruprofen/motrin. The reason? It causes the stomache to bleed. Now everything you take sits in your pouch before going to the stomache, thus causing the pouch to bleed. This will eventually cause erosion and irritation>

I have an injury due to my previous career that I was retired from. How did the Dr.'s treat it? They gave me 800mg ibuprofen to take 3 times a day. This was long before I had my lap band. I never had heatrburn or acid reflux before taking this stuff, and as a result I wont go near it. I have found that Tylenol arthritis works quite well (reg. tylenol and xtra strength didnt do much for me). The only thing it doesnt work on is my Migraines. Thank God I dont get them often. It takes the edge off but doesnt completely eleviate them, so now I just tough it out (sometimes up to 3 days). As long as the 'edge' is off, I can function to some degree.

My point in all of this yammering is to be careful. Most of these Doctors will tell you to stay away from ibuprofen/motrin.

I had my surgery on Jan 6.. I I had my first fill on Feb 19. I still have no restriction to this day.. I only lost 10 pds to begin with between the liquid diet and my first fill now I have gained that back. I was so excited for this Lapband and now I am REALLY discouraged.. I have another fill set up for March 15 I hope after that one that I feel a little restriction.. I wish you luck and hope it all works out for you!!

Hey, Nellie and Patiently!!!!!

Please don't get discouraged!!! You guys just need more restriction than most! I have a 10cc band and to feel ANY restriction I have to have mine filled to 9cc's. One of my friends has 6cc's in hers and she's lost like crazy. Everyone responds differently to this thing- that is why it's so great: because it can be tailored to each person.

As for your Doctor removing anything because she hears gurgling. . . .that's just doesn't make sense to me. After a year, they have finally figured out I have to drink from a straw- drinking from the cup traps too much air and causes gurgling and I have to wait FOREVER for the air bubbles to come up before the Water goes down! When I drink from a straw- I have no problem at all. Maybe you could try this next time?

Either way, ask for a cc at a time. That's what I did and they accomodated me and that's when my restriction began to show up- but realize this wasn't until like my 6th fill!

Honestly, you guys sound like you're more like me: you need lots of restriction and while they're slowly trying to fill you so as not to overdue it too quickly, you guys are ready to eat a house (I was there too).

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be sure that you're getting the amount of Protein in yourselves that you need- it makes a HUGE difference in your hunger intensity.

Please keep your chins up- you WILL get there! Promise!!!!!!

I know there are rude people here. But hey, there's rude people everywhere! I came here to get information, not really to make friends. That being said I have seen some really great compassionate posts and it always surprises me when a stranger typing on a message board can make me feel better (or worse).

The thing I can stand least of all is condescension. Hey Cancun did I spell that right? When a poster is upset or has a problem why do some responders feel a need to be rude to them? Is it because the poster is perceived to be bashing something that the responder feels the need to defend? I think so. I try to realize that mosts rudeness here is because the defenders don't want anything to remind them that they too may have problems or (dare I say it?) fail in the future.

This is a fragile journey for all of us. If we were all without flaws we wouldn't be here. I'm just trying to learn all I can and if that means dealing with rudeness so be it. But along the way if I find a few friends, that would be a bonus.

I'll be your friend, Rainy!

Oh no! I am so sorry your port has been leaking, but at least you can deal with the problem. Bless your heart! Good luck!!!

Thank you for your encouraging words, Kab!

During this time did you go to your surgeon for fills? Because he should have removed the previous fill before giving a new one and if he did this he would have found out it was leaking. If he didn't then he is at fault. The port/tubing was also at fault.

But you are absolutely right. For those for whom the band works as promoted - many tend to be big defenders of the band and almost take it personally that anyone would dare say the whole process isn't working. There are far too many of them but there are also those who actually offer good advice and suggestions. We need more of them.

Hi, Cleo's Mom,

Yes, they've always removed the Fluid before giving me a fill. @ 9cc's I finally felt an amount of restriction that I felt would really make a difference. The problem is, when I was @ 8cc's, only 7cc's came out- but nothing was said to me about that. Then the time after I was at 9cc's. When I went in this last time I told them I was good for two weeks then I could eat larger amounts of food (6-8oz of meat). So. . .when he pulled the Fluid, he couldn't even get 7cc's out of it. I only heard him briefly mention to his 'nurse' that I was a short a cc at the last one too.

So I'll be back on track soon, I hope.

I totally understand, I know the response I would get from people if I shared that I am planning on the lapband. I have decided not to tell anyone except my hubby until I feel it is right to talk about. This has not been an easy decision for me, and I feel that it is right for me from the bottom of my heart. I have decided that it is personal and scary enough without other people adding to the pressure. I also did not want everyone in my life, watching to see if I lost weight or how fast or cause doubts when I am learning to live with the band. I am not a person who keeps secrets usually and I am usually an open book, but this time I feel strongly that this decision is MINE and it is personal and I will share my journey with others when I feel the time is right.

I admire your strength to stand firm in your decision supported or not, and I am quickly finding the other great thing is this board. SUPPORT at your finger tips!!

Dramamommy,

I also found that when I would try to talk to people about getting the band, they always wanted to try to talk me out of it. They just don't understand when you've done everything and can't keep it off. Like you, I finally chose to keep it to myself, only my immediate family knew.

I have found that when I talk about it now (No one can argue against me getting it because I already have it), people have lots of questions and genuinely want to discuss it instead of trying to change my mind based on their own lack of education.

Don't second guess yourself, you've been educated on it and if you still think it is right for you, then that is your decision. You can share with people AFTER you have had it 'installed' .

I wish you the very, very best!

Oh wow I'm so sorry! That is a big fear of mine that something will go wrong and they'll have to go back in. I really, really do not like having surgery of any kind. I hope it works out and finally you get a band that works right!

Thank you for the encouragement, Mattie, I just want to hurry up and get it done so I can get back on track. It's so disheartening to think you would have lost so much more than 20# in almost a year had the band been working with the proper restriction. .

Just curious: but how does a leaking port have an effect on weight loss? Thanks in advance

The Fluid they put into the band leaks back out so the restriction disappears.

So now what? If the port is leaking, do they have to replace it?

You are right about the judging....we never really know someone's intent. Behind a "negative" post could be a person struggling with a personal tragedy but all we see is the message board post. Leave the judging to GOD.

Yep! They have to replace it! Waiting to hear about that one! The thing is. he removed the Fluid last time and I guess I was a cc short but nothing was said. This time I watched him pull the Fluid out(normally I don't- not an easy thing for me to watch) and I was short 3 cc's. It will get me back on the right road and that's what important but i'm not looking forward to having it replaced.