sue11

How did they know you had a leak and who paid for the replacement? I'm a self-pay and they want over $500 for the test to find out if I have a leak.Sue

RedTulpis3... Where you self-pay or did you have insurance to cover your band and the replacement? It's not so much haveing another surgery that bothers me...I just can't afford another $13,000. Sue

Miles2empty...I think I was supposed to have the leak test done the same day as you, but I never vgot the message from Dr Oh's office that they had scheduled mefor the test. Oh says I have a slow leak too. What made you (Oh) come to the concludion that you have a leak, did you have unsucessful fills and how do you think it started? Is your insuance covering the leak test (mine will not)?Sue

I enjoy salads, I think if I couldn't eat a salad I would definitely feel my band was too tight...I wish it was a little tight now...I've got no restriction either :smile2:

fleminld... Alot of the lean cuisine are pasta and rice, but I choose the ones that are meat and veggie, I'm having Turkey and gr beans for lunch today. Try the salad, I've enjoyed salad all along...makes a great "filler" as opposed to the starches. Gives you something to crunch, and is great nutrition. Just beware of the oily dressings, there are some really good low-fat/fat-free ones out there...makes a salad nearly a "free food", eat as much as you want. I find if I'm having trouble getting something down, alternating textures (bite of protien, bite of salad...) helps things go down better. When you're hungry drink a bottle of water before you eat, helps you get that water in and sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger. Sue

Oh ya...speaking of fills. I went for my follow-up on Gallbladder test (which was fine...cool!) and also to see if my last fill stuck...I seem to have a leak. There was nothing in my band (2nd time) so we were pretty sure I have a leak. But...he put me back to 3.0 and I am feeling some restriction for the first time since July! Maybe my prayers have been answered and I won't have to have surgery again to replace a leaky port!!! Never would have thougth I'd be so happy to feel that pain in my chest again! Sue

Shellshock... I had port pain ofr quite some time after my banding. They stitch it to the muscle, so it takes some time for it to settle in and "root" itself. I had to wear softer waistbands for months. Try different pants too, it made a big difference when I wore pants that sat lower so that the preasure wasn't on my port when I sat. Hang in there, just when you think it will hurt forever you'll realize you've gone all day an not noticed it. fleminld... I get the side salad with my small chili from Wendy's, fills me up and gives a little more "chew satifaction" to the meal without a lot of extra calories...just watch the dressing, amazing how much oil is in salad dressings. I love cottage cheese, sometimes top it with pepper or french/catalina (lite) dressing...cause I like it savory (eating some right now). I find "Lean Cuisine" type meals are great, and I try to keep to the ones that are protien & vegetable rather than the ones with a large starch (carb) serving. PS...it took me 4 fills to feel restriction...hang in there!

CindySue... Sounds like you're pretty swollen inside. I didn't feel restriction from the time of surgery, so I can't speak to the diffaculty swallowing, except that it's probably swelling and should go down. The shoulder pain is usually gas (traped from the lap surgery). It puts presure on the diaphram and diaphram pain is refered to the sholder. This was the major source of my discomfort after surgery...hurts like *$%# sometimes, but it will get better. The best "treatment" I found was walking and a heating pad. By the way...that same pain (on a smaller scale) lets me know when I've eaten too much now. fleminld... I take the calcium chews too. I hated the powder (gag), so I would never take it. I figure the lesser absorbed calcium carbonate taken 100% of the time is better than the calcium citrate taken 10% of the time. I use the Kirkland (Costco) chews, they're not bad. The chews do leave a little aftertaste, but I just follow it up with something else. Shellshock... I find alot of Docs treat all their gastric patients like by-pass patients. By-pass have absorption problems, so they have to take mega doses. That's not necessary for lap-band, we absorb fine. Too much calcium can contribute to things like kidney and gall stones. Don't be afraid to question your Doc and look to other resources, such as a nutritionist. Sue

fleminld...i know exactly where you're at. It took me 4 fills to feel restriction. It's frustrating to go through all this and still feel like you're just "white knuckling it". You will get there, you'll get to that sweet spot and you'll be so glad you have your band as a tool. You'll also know that you can suceed and you are in control...you're proving that right now. Hang in there, "bandster hell" is not forever.Sue

fleminld...I think I used my band a little differently than what some do. My doc always says I should be able to eat 2-4 oz and be full. There were times that I was that tight, but it didn't work well for me. If all I could eat was a few bites & I would feel full, but then I was hungry in less than an hour after eating. I kept my band a little looser so that I could eat a little "bigger" meals.I have a protien drink for breakfast then about 10-11am I'd have a cup of cottage cheese. I ate 2 meals (lunch & dinner) that would be about the size of a "lean cuisine" (probably 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food). I also had afternoon and evening snacks...Fiber One bars are one of my favorites. I certainly didn't starve, In fact when my calories were too low I plateaued (starvation mode).I found that the system of protien first then veggies...fruit...and carbs last worked best (keeping that carbs real low). I also tried to keep most of my carbs earlier in the day. My band was never so thight that I couldn't eat good food (meat & vegetables...lots of salad).Everybody's got to find what works for themselves...but this is what worked for me, 100 lbs in 9 months...20 from goal, and I've felt sooooo healthy the whole time. People keep telling me "You don't look like you've had gastsric surgery...you don't look sick"This is probably more info than you really wanted, but I can't sleep tonight & I need to remind myself of how I should be eating. My band is totallly unfilled right now and I've fallen off the wagon...I need my band back!

Hey Mer... How was your meeting last night. I was in the harbor that afternoon and really wanted to stay, but it's swim season (there's either water polo or swim meat almost every Thursday PM). I had my vein surgery on Tuesday at the Doc across the street from Borders. I'll be really glad when I get all this over with. They did a bunch of 1/4" incisions to get the veins out...28 of them to be exact...ouch. I get to do the other leg (which is by far the worst) in 2 weeks. Oh weel, it's all covered by insurance...on my way to "?pretty?" legs! I still don't feel any restriction from my fill...I'm beginning to worry about a leak!?! I might have to get my gallbladder out after-all...to pay for repair surgery. Hope to see you soon! Sue

Well...finally had my fill today (a week later than I thought) and was very surprised to find out I had NOTHING in my band. I'm hoping it's not a leak...Doc tested it in the office and it didn't show a leak (though the test is not conclusive). I think the doc must have dislodged the needle after he pulled out all the fluid (to measure), he thought he put back 2.8 out of the 3.3 he removed, but he eveidently didn't put any back.I have had NO restriction since the unfill, and I am SO convinced that I made the absolute right decision when deciding to get the band. I did OK on the scale for the first 2 weeks, but then a car accident keep me from exercizing...9 #'s in 4 weeks!!! I'm back to walking now, and my band is at 3.0, I know I can get control back now...I'm SOOOOOOOO glad I banded!Sue

Hey Mer... Did you make it to St Joe's last week, I'm really curious who's leading now. My daughter was leaving for college the next AM, so I needed to be home. Not sure yeat what I'm doing tomorrow night, but maybe I'll be able to head to the harbor. Sue

By the way... I had my EGD yesterday and my band has not moved. :smile2: I should be to get a fill on Sept 1 when I go in to get the full results from my test, but he did tell me the band look fine. I'll be so glad to re-fill...I can literally eat ANYTHING and it scares me. I'm still bouncing within a few lbs in my weight, so I'm please that I haven't gained while being unfilled, but I am so convinced that my band is the best decision I ever made for myself, and I will use it for life, I am and always will be a food adict...but my band helps me not be an obese food adict Sue

fleminld... How's the "real food" going, I bet it tastes WONDERFUL! My "sweet spot" was where I could eat about 1 - 1 1/2 cup(s) of food for 2 meals a day, I had a protien drink for breakfast and 2 other snacks. At that point I could eat really healthy food (protien, then veg/fruit) and I felt satisfied for several hours after eating. That is the routien I had when I was dropping steadily. It took me 4 fills to get to that point, so be patient with yourself and your band. It might take a little while and a few fills to get the point where your band is really working as a great tool. Make sure you make good choices and exercise as you get there, and you WILL get there! Sue

fleminld... You are experiencing exactly what I & my freind went through (and everyone I've talked to). If I go under 1000 calories my body goes into starvation mode, I can eat 400 calories and won't loos an ounce. The body is amazing and will protect itself from famine. In my experience you have to eat more to loose. Your metabolism slows down to match the severly low calory intake. When you get your calories up (and exercise) you will most likely find that you will kick in your metabolism and start loosing big-time. Don't worry, what you're going through is frustrating, but sounds perfectly normal to me. The good news is that you get to eat more soon. Make certain that you make good food choices when the time comes...protien first, then veggies, I'm sure you will see great results soon! :wink2: Hang in there! Sue

I had a partial unfill a few weeks ago, I was suddenly so tight I was PBing water (my last fill was in November). I've got a EDG next week to check for a slip, but I'm doing fine now, so I don't think a slip is the problem. I unfilled from 3.3 to 2.8, and I'm feeling NO restriction...I can totally relate to the food adiction. I NEED my band back! I'm really fighting to not gain (I'm not winning this battle). I'll be able to fill again in a couple weeks, I want my "sweet spot" back. I admit I can't do it on my own, I too will always be an obese person on my own...thank God I'm not on my own! It's encouraging to hear that you can jump back in, My plan is to really hit it again in the fall, after my fill, work off that last 15 (actually it's 20 now). It sure is wonderful to be able to adjust the band, it's a life-long tool. I think this is the really huge advantage of the band over by-pass, you can get what you need, when you need it...for LIFE! Sue

Karin... So great to hear some long-term sucess...that's where we all want to be. Would you share a little about your journey...settiing goals, did you get there, how long did it take, what's "maintenance" like? I'm really happy with my decision too, never thought I'd be this HEALTHY again. I'm stuck here with about 15 lbs to go to goal (Healthy on the charts), though weight is not my primary concern. My health is improved and I feel like I'm living now (except for the pain in my neck...described in my ranting above). Did you see much weight loss after 18 months? I feel like I can maintain where I am, but would still like to loose some 15-20 (I guess that makes me a normal, most everyone I know wants to loose 15-20!!!) Sue

OK...I need to vent! I feel like crud, and there seems to be no place to "hide". I was rear-ended last week, and there is problems with every aspect of it all. Don't know yet if the other driver was insured, yes he is, not he's not...just give me an answer! Hassles over the salvage value of my car (totaled), and who do we deal with for that and the rental car, because the other driver's insurance won't accept liability until they contact the vehicle owner (she was not the driver and she's refusing to respond to the insurance co.). I want to go curl up in a ball, but I'm the only one in my office this week, so there are some major things that need attention. If I take the muscle relaxer I want to curl in a ball and sleep...too fuzzy to realy think straight, if I don't my back/neck are so tight & painful I can't think straight. If I go home then I have to deal with no water at my house (water main broke last night for the 2nd time in 1 month). There's more...so much more, but I can't fo on forever! OK...I've vented now! Thanks for listening! Now if I could just decide whether to scream or cry...maybe I'll do both!!! Sue PS...I'm so glad I loosened my band a couple weeks ago, I think the stress & the overtight band would have put me over the edge! Though I'm sure I'm going to gain a few...can't exercise and no matter how hard I try I still want to eat my way through the stress. Dark Chocolate covered almonds are good for you ...right!?!

Hey Dawn...so good to hear from you! Thanks on the Pic...been many years since I've had a pic of myself that I would even look at. I'm feeling really good now that my band has been loosened...makes me quite wure that I was just tight, not slipped. Just so strange that it happened on it's own, unrelated to a fill. Actually, I'm feeling too good, I can eat anything! I'm definitely going to have to get re-filled when I can. Really proves that I will always be a food adict, and the band was really the right choice for me, I need that life-long tool! Congrats on your fresh start! I'm a firm beliver in changing things up from time to time. I think we have to keep our bodies guessing in both diet and exercise. Our bodies are really good at homeostasis (sp?) Did you hear that Laura has resigned :biggrin: I don't know they've hired, so we'll have to wait to see who's running the St Joes SG. Hope you can make it out soon, Love to see you. Come out to Merillee's group on Thursday, I pop out there occasionally, I'll be going this week :smile: Sue

Well, after weeks of PB and slime (even on water at times) I had a partial unfill (from 3.3 to 2.8) on Friday. Instant relief!!! I was sliming on water on my way in and guzzling on my way out. Doc insisted on a EGD, because there is no explanation why I suddenly became so tight...I havn't had a fill since November. We're hoping it's not a slip, we'll see on August 20th. Good news is I can eat...bad news is I can eat! I've got some really bad habits to break now (carbs, sugar and fats...that was all that really wanted to go down). Time to show myself that I can maintain. I'm feeling no real restriction, though I do fill up on 1 cup of food, so I know the band is doing something. I've got 6 weeks before I can get a fill, so it's time for some self-control. Sue

PS...good news is I can actually eat some again after a couple weeks of totally unexplained tightness. Still tighter than normal, gurggling on H2O in the AM's, but can eat some by mid to late day. So strange, my last fill was in November, and I've NEVER been this tight. I almost called to get an unfill, we're headed to Chelan & Idaho for 2 weeks and I'm a little concerned about Hydration in the heat. To top it off TOM will be visiting while I'm gone, which always tightens me up. Oh well, I just might spend 2 weeks working on getting water down...it will keep me from gaining while vacationing, might even loose, though I know I will eventually stall big time if I'm not eating enough. I've been at such a sweet spot for so ling, I really don't want to unfill. Sue

Hey Mer... Can't make it Thurs, we're going to the Rainier's game with my brother & his "girlfriend". He's been single for 6 years and has his 1st girlfriend...too funny, watching your 47 yr old brother dating like a teenager...LOL!!! They are so cute & giggly LOL!!! Any how, we're going with she & her son, getting the kids together for the 1st time...fun! We've got a couple of get-togthers on the 4th, but if we can get away we will pop in (if I can remember which street to turn on). Hopefully we can, but don't count on us, the kids usually get busy swimming & such and it's hard to tear them away. See ya soon, Sue

Tara... Thanks for the info. Do you know the cost of fills, and the initial apt? Does the Doc do the filles or is it s Tech/Nurse/PA? Sue

Has anybody used Fill Centers USA? I'm thinking checking them out, I see there is an office in Auburn. fleminlid... Congrats! Do you have a pre-op diet? Maybe I missed it...who's your Doc? Sue