kma87

Hi everyone. I see people asking if getting a band for BMI 30-35 is drastic and I wanted to share my story. I am 25 years old. I started my lap band journey at 79kgs (174lbs) and I am 165cm tall (5"5) ... I went into my surgeons office as my Mum had successful banding 3 years ago and I have struggled with body image and depression for 4/5 years.. My weight fluctuated constantly but was at the heaviest I had ever been due to antidepressant medication. For those who haven't experienced the effects of this medication it causes significant carbohydrate cravings and also can slow the metabolism. So I was eating a lot of sugar and bread etc. I was exercising approx 3 times a week but It was not enough to budge the weight I was gaining. Initially my surgeon was hesitant to consider surgery, but when I expressed the amount of grief my weight was causing he really listened and understood that the surgery could be the key to Turning a life of depression and low self esteem around.... Which it has!! With the understanding that there would be careful monitoring so that i dont end up under weight he said to me that "he is in no position to play god" and if it was goin to improve my quality of life then he would do it so long as I had time to go away and really think about it properly. I had my surgery a month ago and I am already (10kgs) 15lbs down and I feel like a new person. I am taking less medication, I am excersizing more. And am so much happier for it. Those with lower BMI who feel like it could make you happier, go for it. It is drastic, but in my case. So very worth it! Best of luck to you! X

Hi there. I wanted to comment because although people say it is uncommon. I did in fact have a port that flipped over. The doc said to me that it occurs when ur body doesn't produce enough scar tissue surrounding the port to hold it in place. He spent about 20 mins poking around trying to gain access and finally got it eventually. But did explain that it is important to get it addresses quite urgently as if anything was to happen to me medically and he wasn't around to do an emergency unfill it could be quite dangerous as most would not know the correct angle to remove fluid. He booked me back in for surgery within 2 weeks and replaced my port to the older style and stitched it to the muscle really well. I haven't had port problems since. But my suggestion to u is to go back and have a chat to them. At least for ur own safety if u feel like something isn't right

I just need to vent. I'm Havin a day where nothing goes down, everything I attempt gets stuck, even my 'go to' foods. I'm sick of shakes and liquids and I would just about KILL for a nice chicken and salad sandwich! I started as a low BMI bandster last November. I'm not far off my goals but I have days where I get so frustrated that I can't eat seemingly 'normal' foods without some Form of discomfort. I know today is just an off day and tomoro will be better. I just need to get it out to those who understand and who have times where they just wanna resort to bad things that don't cause any grief! Tell me you all feel my Pain!

just need to vent. I'm Havin a day where nothing goes down, everything I attempt gets stuck, even my 'go to' foods. I'm sick of shakes and liquids and I would just about KILL for a nice chicken and salad sandwich! I started as a low BMI bandster last November. I'm not far off my goals but I have days where I get so frustrated that I can't eat seemingly 'normal' foods without some Form of discomfort. I know today is just an off day and tomoro will be better. I just need to get it out to those who understand and who have times where they just wanna resort to bad things that don't cause any grief! Tell me you all feel my Pain!

Do you all find stress effects your ability to eat on certain days?

I think it's important to share your experience if you can relate. That's what this forum is for. Support. Your never going to agree with everything everyone says. There will be times where you may think someone is doin all the wrong things. But I don't think it's anyone's place to criticise or 'troll' simply because you don't agree. If someone asks for tips or advice. That's the time to post your thoughts. But I know half the time I come on here to vent and seek out others who are feelin **** too. And it's nice to know I'm Not on my own when I have a bad day with it. No one wants to feel patronised by people who have done it a long time and think they know it all. Everyone is at different stages with their journey.

Wow... This thread has had some very interesting comments. I agree. Very drastic step to take. But what others fail to understand is that this wasn't a matter of just 'losing a few pounds' no GOOD surgeon would do it for that sole purpose. This was a decision based on my personal situation. My struggle with depression. My seemingly endless battle with my weight because of the medication I had to take to function normally. Depression is a crippling disease. I am 25. Have a career have a loving family and the world at my feet but at the time of my illness I felt I had nothing and no one and that I was worth nothing. I feel taking this step HAS saved my life in more ways then one. Firstly I come from a family of obesity and diabetes it killed my grandmother a year ago. This surgery has at least halved my risk of becoming a type II diabetic. I can not change any genetic predisposition but I can control my environment and that is where a band has been a great tool for me. Secondly. I was headed down a very dark path. I had never considered self harm or suicide throughout my depression BUT had I continued to battle on my own, who knows if I would be here today. I no longer take anti depressants I no longer suffer anxiety Within 6 months I am down to a healthy 65kgs (from approx 80kg) I am strictly monitored by my surgeon to ensure I do not become "under weight" I am a new person Some of the comments on here appear to be all about the facts and the figures but its quite ignorant to think that weigh loss is just about numbers. Something to think about

Yeah my understanding is that it's just a very individual body response to having something foreign there, I think the its more likely to happen if there is an initial post op infection at the port incision site... The body goes into overdrive producing too much of this scar tissue and it somehow flips... I thought it was more common then what it sounds like it actually is. But I can assure u, the replacement fricken hurts!

I need to whinge to people who understand my pain! I was banded in nov 12, in early feb my port had flipped so 4 days ago (happy valentines to me) I had more surgery to replace the port. And it's KILLING ME. They have given me morphine based pain relief which sends me totally cray, and I'm a school dentist and back at work today so I can't take that stuff while treating kids (as much as it would probably make my day easier haha) so I'm alternating neurofen and paracetamol+codine. Who has has this done? How long should it take to heal? Does everyone's Hurt this much? ..... I felt really bad having to get the girl at work who is 7 months pregnant to pick up anything I dropped on the floor today |

Oh gosh... I had my port replaced into the same place as my old one 4 days ago..... I went back To work today ...I'm in total agony ........ Too soon?!?! I hope ur feeling better

I need to whinge to people who understand my pain! I was banded in nov 12, in early feb my port had flipped so 4 days ago (happy valentines to me) I had more surgery to replace the port. And it's KILLING ME. They have given me morphine based pain relief which sends me totally cray, and I'm a school dentist and back at work today so I can't take that stuff while treating kids (as much as it would probably make my day easier haha) so I'm alternating neurofen and paracetamol+codine. Who has has this done? How long should it take to heal? Does everyone's Hurt this much? ..... I felt really bad having to get the girl at work who is 7 months pregnant to pick up anything I dropped on the floor today |

Thankyou! I believe it flips over due to the excess scar tissue that is produced. Everyone's body copes differently to having a foreign object inside them. I Hve had problems with healing from any other unrelated surgery I have ever had. So my guess is that my body doesn't cope well with being tampered with

Hi everyone. I posted a month or so ago about the troubles I was having with healing around my port site and the difficulties that my surgeon has had getting fills into my band. I have been to get my second fill and apparently due to the excess scar tissue surrounding my port, it has forced the port to actually flip completely over making it practically impossible to manipulate from over the skin to get my fills in. He did however after about 30 minutes of extremely uncomfortable poking and prodding did manage to get some liquid in, but has requested a fairly urgent surgery date next week to replace my port from the new style back to the older version.... I have every faith in my doctor, but I had some questions for other people who may have been through this kinds of things.. Firstly) who has had these problems with their port flipping? And secondly) is it possible for to miss the port and inject saline into the tissues, I ask this because as my doc was injecting the last lost of saline It was as though I felt every little bit that was being injected. My replacement surgery has been booked any how, some encouraging thoughts are needed!

Hi everyone! I wanted to let u all know that I had sutures removed from my port incision site today that had been placed 2 weeks post op after a staph infection at that site. The site has still not completely healed up but very slowly getting there. I am now 4 weeks post op and was due for my first fill today, but because there is so much scar tissue in that area, my surgeon struggled to pierce the tissue to access the correct section of the port to add the saline. After fiddling and poking and prodding for about 15/20 mins he eventually got to where he needed and put the liquid (4mls?/cc's) my question to everyone is had u had a similar experience with scar tissue at the port site? What did ur surgeons tell you about it? Does it mean I will eventually need to get the port moved again? Any help is appreciated!

My Only response to this without reading all the comments.... Yes.... But so worth it! Good luck xoxoxox

Hi there! I wanted to let u know. I'm 6 weeks post op. and still enjoying my drinks. I'm 25 and we still go out and party a bit and drink more then I should a bit too. The only change I have made is cutting out cider (which I love) its too gassy and upsets the works a little. I'm a wine girl anyway so it was fine for me. Just stay away from carbonated stuff. Stick with spirits mixed with juice, vodka lime and waters, wine. And eat before you go out! I do notice I get drunker quicker then I used to. Ohhhh to be young <3 I can see some of the older people shakin their heads at me. But u only live once

It's so nice to see some Aussies here!!! My weight and currency converter has been gettin a solid workout!!!!

Hi everyone! I wanted to get a feel for how much everyone's bands cost and the total expenses for everyone with and without insurance.... I ask because a few people have mentioned paying it off. So I reckon we should compare haha (sorry if this isnt the correct area for this discussion btw) We can lay it out like: Country: (I'm in australia) State: Western Aus Total costs: (anaesthetist, the actual surgery, hospital stay) -for me that was around $2,700AUD (banding procedure was $1,250 of that $2,700) Insurance: YES they covered about $500 in total Fills: $170AUD per fill. ($110AUD after insurance) So feel free to join and share! Kylie x

Hi there! Wanted to let you know that I am about 6 weeks In also... I have had one fill and have stil managed to put a bit of weight on over Chrissy. I feel little to no restriction. But everyone is assuring me this is pretty standard ... This is the time we got to work extra hard on fixin up our diet and gettin in as much excersize as possible! Be good to the band and the band will be good to you, EVENTUALLY haha

Are u a gen Y by any chance? I say this in the kindest possible way, as a gen Y girl myself we are wayyyyy too sensitive and far too concerned about being nice and politically correct. This is a forum, there are people of all ages and from all walks of life here. And when I post I expect to get Honest answers no matter how harsh they may seem. We are all here for the same reason. If u get a seemingly harsh response from someone older take it in ur stride, everyone is just trying to help you

Hi everyone... I have had my band just over a month. I have had one fill and haven't really experienced true restriction (I don't think). I have been pretty naughty over Christmas, and eaten anything I have wanted. I have the feeling of "I've eaten too much" but have not experienced PB'ing at all. My concern is that I am causing my pouch to stretch by over eating the last week or two... Can it happen that fast? I'm usually quite good with diet. But I'm definatly concerned that I've done damage | I need to get back to following the rules... Has anyone experienced the stretched pouch... Are there signs or symptoms?

Wow.... I'm assuming u are in America? I'd say Aussies have it pretty easy! My insurance don't even ask questions about weight or health conditions.. I wasn't really a proper candidate for surgery given I started with a BMI of 27. And no questions were asked at all. I'm glad u got approved. all the best with ur weight loss journey

Hi everyone. I hope someone can help. my surgery 4 weeks ago and have lost around 5kgs (11 lbs) I had an infection occur at my port site 2 weeks post op and my surgeon had to re suture after draining it and it's taking so long to heal. I have been on antibiotics for 10 days. I'm off to get my stitches out on Monday bit for the last few days I have has prefuse sweating and nausea every time I even drink something. my mum who has also been banded doesn't seem too concerned. but I'm not gonna lie it's scaring me cos I have had amazing results and don't want to have to part with my band. Is this normal what I'm experiencing? Is it my body adjusting to the band? Any help or advise is greatly appreciated!