lindseyann2u

Hi, my port flipped, and I had to have another surgery to fix it. The doctor said it was probably because I lost weight and settled so oddly -- and I have noticed my body is shaped oddly, I lost more on one side than another. The new port is really secure (I recently saw it in an upper GI). Bad news was as a self-pay it cost me another $5 grand (it would have cost more, but the surgeon didn't charge for her services. However, the anethesiologist and clinic did, as well as I had to purchase an entirely new band).

Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%...............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........141.9..........49.6%...........23.6 BarbBee...........154............51%.............25.0 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........67.............27%.............30.2 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.......69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......115............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 Melanie1972.......80.............30%.............29.7 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......123............46.1%...........22.7 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%...............28.3 Robin_Bird........132.2.........43.3%............26.3 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........67.5...........29%.............25.9 strangeratx.......63.............27%.............29.6 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........122............31.5%...........36.7 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 lisawach.........104.0...........29%.............?? Just checking in for the first time since February. Moved my weight marker from 100 lbs to 115 lbs lost. Not bad for two years. I'm having a bit of a struggle right now because I had an upper GI and discovered I had complete blockage from the band, so they've let the Fluid out and I can eat about 75 to 80 percent normally. I've gained about 10 pounds and have taken 2 of that off. Can't wait until December, when hopefully I'll get a bit refilled.

I'm jumping in this morning! I can't believe I hit just over 100 pounds. (About 100.6) Thank God for the band, it saved my life. Life is good.

I've reached a lifetime goal this morning! 100 lbs! I've hit a few bumps in the road with my band, but I couldn't have done this without it. :thumbup: Name.....Lbs Lost...% of orig. wgt lost.....BMI Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............%..............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........126.72..........44.3%...........26.1 BarbBee...........122............40%.............30.4 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........45.............19%.............33.5 Foofy.............50.5...........18.5%...........35.5 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 HoppingToIt.....69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......100............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...86.............40%.............36.9 Melanie1972.......80.............30%.............29.7 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......99.............36.8%...........26.6 NYGirl1...........102............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............%..............28.3 Robin_Bird........116............38%.............28.7 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 scarecrow.........125............40%.............27.3 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......71.............32.4%...........28.5 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........64.............27%.............26.5 strangeratx.......60.............26%...........30.1 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........103............25.75%..........39.2 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31

I found out the hard way that I absolutely CANNOT drink Diet Coke from a can. I was getting ready to give a training session to a group of paralegals at a law firm, and there were cans of soda available for everyone, so I helped myself. I hadn't had a can of soda for more than a year. I swear I took only a couple of sips -- not gulps -- and the gas was instantly horrific. I got up in front of the group, and every time I opened my mouth, a big, long gassy belch came out. It must have happened at least 7 or 8 times. I felt compelled to tell everyone I'd had surgery, because not explaining was far worse. I can drink diet soda from the fountain with lots of ice, and I've tried to drink out of bottles, but it's way too uncomfortable, and I end up throwing all but an ounce or two away.

Name..........Lbs Lost...% of orig. wgt lost.....BMI Abbisgood.........53.............23%.............?? Aubrie............65.............?%..............31 BandChick64.......104............34.67%..........31.6 Bandpal...........113.82.........39.8%...........28.2 (47) BarbBee...........94.............31%.............35.7 Cherlita..........60.............20%.............55 Cindyg............62.............24.5%...........34.5 Close.............50.............20%.............33.1 Firebolt..........45.............19%.............33.5 Foofy.............48.............17.7%...........36.4 gabeekeeper.......101............30% ............40.2 Hajohnson1........49.8...........18.2%...........39.8 Hollyberries......113............31%.............36.2 Hopping To It.....69.............19.7%...........49.1 Huskerette........54.............22%.............30.5 kandiceb..........63.............26%.............27.6 linda.............52.............23%.............29.9 lindseyann2u......82.............N/A.............N/A Maincat...........141............46.5%...........22 Mariegabrieleee...73.............24%.............39.1 MollyBrown........36.............12.5%...........36.5 Momto1plus1.......84.2...........31.2%...........29 NYGirl1...........02.............33%.............32.6 plump_princess....57.............22%.............36 QatarPhil.........55.............19%.............32.2 Rachel............63.............?%..............28.3 Robin_Bird........116............38%.............28.7 Sades.............44.8...........19.5%...........33.7 Shalee04..........70.............28%.............29.2 Shortgal..........44.5...........20.5%...........32.9 Skinny_Jill.......59.5...........26.8%...........30.8 Staysee...........70.............20%.............48.4 Stephanie.........60.............26%.............27.1 strangeratx.......58.............25.2%...........30.5 Teresajo..........93.............36%.............27.3 Tmusicmaker123....73.............19%.............48.7 TxArcher..........103............25.75%..........39.2 tyman311..........61.............31%.............28 want2lose.........91.8...........32%.............31 TOTAL..............2816.62(Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list) This makes me SOOO happy.

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................48....................17.7%...............36.4 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........68.....................27.4.................30.0 Bandpal.............101.21 ..............35.4%...............30.4 (47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......78.6...................29.2%..............29.9 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............60.....................24%.................35 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 strangeratx........53......................23%.................31.4 Shortgal..............44.5...................20.5%.................32. 9 Robin_Bird............103.....................33.8%................30. 7 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........80......................N/A!.................N/A! Cherlita...............60.......................20%...............65 to 55 BandChick64..........104.....................34.67%.............31.6 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................91......................30%.................36. 2 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................?%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 Aubrie.................65........................?%................31 TOTAL..............2465 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list) So happy to report I've hit the 80 lb mark today! BTW, I DON'T list my BMI or % of weight lost because it is NOT motivating to me! I just like looking at the plain old pounds dropping off.

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................43....................15.5%...............37.2 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........68.....................27.4.................30.0 Bandpal.............88.11..................30.%...............32.4(47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......74.4...................27.6%..............30.5 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............58.....................23%.................35 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........49......................21.3%.................32.1 hortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............90.....................29.5%................32.7 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........73......................*%.................* Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........94.5.....................31.5%.............33.2 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................80......................26%.................37. 5 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................72%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 TOTAL..............2199.91 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list) Am so happy to be losing again -- after having a port replaced. My restriction is finally working. Yeah! Good job everyone!

My port flipped due to the way I was losing weight and the shifting of my stomach area. I had to have the port replaced, because of the damage done to the port while the doctors were trying to get to it with the needle. This led to my band losing it's Fluid, with no restriction since at least March. So, after about three months, I finally have full resriction. (I had been working up to full restriction. but never fully reached it until now.) It's a wonderful feeling. AND I'M LOSING WEIGHT AGAIN. I had to have the surgery done in a surgical clinic, and was put under some sort of anesthesia called "MEC." Evidently, it's not a general anesthesia, but you are put completely under. I was hoping I wouldn't have difficulty with the anesthesia, but as usual, I was violently ill for several hours afterwards. (Every time I come out of anethesia, it's like a horribly bad drug trip -- starkly terrifying.) But, once it was over, it was over, about 8 hours later. I'm self pay, so had to come up with the cash myself. My doctor didn't charge for the surgery, but I had to pay the clinic charge, pay for the port, and pay for the anesthesiologist. It came to about $3,000. So, at this point, I have to tell myself, it's just money. And I can turn over in bed, get up off the sofa without hoisting myself off, and I can put on pantyhose. I can stand while I brush my teeth, and can walk to the bus stop. So, I'm quite happy.

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%...............32.2 (39.6) Foofy...............43....................15.5%..................37.2 Sades...............35....................15.2%...............35.6 Shalee04...........66.....................26.6................30.3 Bandpal.............84.50..................29%................33(47) Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........106.....................30%.................36.6 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......69.8...................25.9%..............31.4 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............101...................25.25%.........52.8 to 39.4 Cindyg...............50.....................20%.................36.5 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........45......................19.56%.................32.8 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............90.....................29.5%................32.7 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........70......................?%.................? Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........90.....................30%.............33.9 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................69......................23%...............39.4 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Total 2082.5 lbs lost! BTW, does the % of weight lost mean % of your total weight, or % of the weight you want to lose?

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy...............37.5..................14%.................38 Sades...............31.5..................14%.................36 Shalee04...........61.....................24%................31.1 Bandpal.............66.8..................24%................36 Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........97.....................27%.................38 linda.................42.5..................19%.................31.6 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......59.2...................22%................32.9 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............94.....................23%..............52.8 to 40.6 Cindyg...............45.....................18%.................37.5 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....71.....................23%.................51.3 to 39.4 gabeekeeper.......89......................27%....................?? stranger138........36......................15%.................35 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............76.....................25%................? Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........40.2..................14.6%..............41.5 lindseyann2u........63......................34%.................? TOTAL:::::::::::: 1538.1 LBS Hard to believe I'm just over 1/3 of the way to goal. It seems to go so slowly, but really, it's a miracle!

I'm surprised to see so many others are having the same problem. Each fill has gotten worse and worse. This time, after about 15 or so pokes (and digging around each time) the doctor finally gave up. I was so excited today, because I thought it was my old fill doctor's fault (sorry Dr.) :thumbup:, and today I was seen by a new doctor. She said it may be a scar tissue problem. I could actually hear the metal needle clicking on the port. So, I have to go in for an ultrasound next week, and get the fill with a radiologist. Hopefully this time it will be successful.

Three weeks ago, I was in your shoes. I'd had three fills, and could eat at least a cup of food at each meal. The worst is I had gone 8 weeks without any weight loss. Then, all of a sudden, I started losing again. I've lost 5 pounds in the past 2 1/2 weeks. And I hit the 60 pound mark. I'm thrilled. Everyone on this board says, just be patient, and they're right. I'm not even at full restriction yet, and this is ALL GOOD.

Please forgive this vent. I don't know where else to go. If you're looking for a feel-good message, skip this post. When I was considering this surgery, I would have avoided a post like this like the plague, and I only ever wanted to post upbeat messages, but this morning I've hit a wall. I'm back on this board and DEEPLY frustrated. I haven't lost a single pound in 8 weeks. Two weeks ago, I had my third fill and have been keeping my food intake to about 1200 calories a day. Pre-band this would have been IMPOSSIBLE, as I used to eat about 3000 calories per day. So I know I have a minimal restriction, but the "full" feeling I finally get when eating is the most subtle, almost imperceptible feeling you can imagine. I have to convince myself I'm feeling full, because, after all I paid over $20,000 cash to feel full. I've lost 53 pounds altogether, but frankly, I lost 23 of those pounds in six weeks before my surgery, and 11 pounds in the week after surgery. I'm losing much more slowly SINCE the surgery. Slowly -- hah! that's a laugh, weight loss has ground to a stone-cold halt. These feelings of frustration, helplessness, and despair are exactly the way I felt before the lap band. I never expected that! I only weigh on Saturday mornings, and I don't know how I can make it through the week feeling this low about not losing any weight. I probably told at least 50 people about this surgery, and they're all looking at me like I'm a big fat failure -- AGAIN. I keep telling them, "Oh, it's going slow but sure.' NOT.... And my fill doctor can't find my port. I keep telling him where it is, but he goes at it about 2 inches away, and digs and digs around till I almost want to scream -- and I have a high tolerance for pain. I honestly think that this last time, after 30 minutes and going through three needles -- they were BENT when he took them out, he gave up and just SAID he gave me a fill. I feel absolutely NO difference from this fill (am supposed to be at 6ml). Then, my surgeon came in after the fill, said she had reamed the other doctor over the coals for not telling her he was having a problem finding the port, and she said I didn't need to come in for 2 months. Two more months of no weight loss and I'll be beside myself. Anyway, thanks for listening. If you have anything to share, I'd appreciate it, but BE KIND -- you have no idea how frazzled I am right now.

You never know . . . anesthesia makes me desperately ill. For my lapband they had to give me FOUR anti-nausea medications. The first three didn't help a bit. Finally, the nurse said, "this fourth medication is all we have left, if that doesn't work, you'll just have to live through it." Fortunately, it worked -- basically by putting me asleep, even with the nausea. So, I would definitely follow the doctor's orders, if it were me.

Everyone is doing so well. :clap2: I just had my second fill yesterday. It was a bit early, but my doctor is so busy, it was either three weeks or six weeks to wait, and I we decided to go with sooner. I was shocked to discover I'd lost 8 pounds in that time -- what with the holidays and all. I feel like so far this weight loss is effortless. I don't feel like I have a full restriction, and it seems like I'm eating whatever I want. But when I take time to figure out the calories, I've only eaten about 1100. Anyway -- weight loss to date is 47 pounds. Fifty pounds is right around the corner. I'm extremely happy!

I had my first fill this morning. Gradually, over the past five days, I realized I had no restriction, and could basically eat anything I wanted. My weight loss had come to a stop. So, my doctor's appointment came just in time for me. I'm not sure how much the doctor filled. After he finished, he asked me to drink some Water, and then left the room. I had my water bottle with me, so I took a couple of swigs, having forgotten about small sips, and WOW! I jumped to my feet and tried not to panic, as I could feel the water immediately welling back up. I forced myself to be calm, and the water moved down pretty quickly. Since then, I've been able to drink the liquids with small sips. My doctor says two days of liquids, two days of pureed foods, then back to soft foods. I'm feeling a very light sensation of heart burn, but I think that's just because the fill irritated my stomach.

I've had three surgeries as an adult: tonsillectomy, gall bladder (laproscopic), and lap band. I'd say the lap band and the gall bladder were similar in terms of pain and recovery. Not so bad at all. Now the tonsillectomy -- by far that was the worst, most excruciating, hellish pain for eight straight days that I've ever experienced. And that was with Vicodin or Percocet every three hours 24-hours a day (up several times a night for pain meds). It felt like someone took a blow torch to my throat and kept it going without stop. The pain moved to my ears and shoulders. The two weeks following the first eight days were only moderately better. It was gruesome -- can you tell I love to talk about it? If I can take that I can take anything! I was on Vicodin/Percocet non-stop for three weeks with the tonsillectomy, but only once or twice a day for three days with both the gall bladder and the lap band.

What Andrea ate sounded pretty much like what my RD is recommending (except for the ice cream). Definitely no fresh fruit or green salad at two weeks. Protein, protein, protein! She says eat the protein before moving on to the vegetables (well cooked), to make sure I get the protein in before I get too full. I had some low-fat icecream sandwiches in the house after my surgery, and had to throw them out. Too much of a temptation.

I use my-calorie-counter.com. It's pretty good, there seem to be a lot of brand-name foods in the system. There is a charge for the full featured program, however. I can't compare it to other sites.

As to the tube down the throat, I've been intubated for two different surgeries, and both times it was put in and removed while I was out, so I have absolutely no memory of it. So, I think you can not worry about that, at least.

My surgery was 11/2/07. I get very hungry, but I almost like the feeling -- it's been YEARS since I felt a real hunger pang. Thankfully, I have NO cravings, so I can completely ignore the hunger. I'm just back to being able to tolerate the protein drinks without plugging my nose, so it's easy to get the protein in at the beginning of the day, which immediately eliminates the hunger.

Are you drinking your 48 - 64 ounces of Water a day? I had one day since surgery when I didn't manage to get much water in (on my first day back at work) and by the end of the day my tongue was completely dry and I couldn't even swallow. The next day I drank all of my water, and the problem went away. I understand a dry tongue is also a sign of diabetes, but I don't have it, so I don't know much more than that.

Okay, I know these things are different for everyone, and the weight loss can be a slow go at first, but I'm so excited, I hope no one minds me sharing that since my surgery on Friday, Nov 2, I've lost 11 pounds. Of course,I know this will have to slow down soon, but it's been a happy, surprising boost for me.

It's been so many days since my surgery that I'll just lump my surgery story in with my recovery story. (I've been recovering at my mom's house since surgery, with no access to my computer.) Surgery was 11/2/07. Went in earlier than expected because there was a cancellation -- one lady before me had not lost the required weight, and also hadn't made arrangements to be taken home, because she didn't know up until the very last day that her insurance would kick in, so she had to cancel. My surgery went well, except I was desperately nauseated from the anesthesia. :sick My doctor wasn't sure why the anesthesiologist used the anesthesia he did, because evidently, it didn't have to be that way. After four different anti-nausea injections, I finally felt better. But time has a way of making those experiences fade, so I won't dwell on the hours of abject agony. My surgery was at 10:00 a.m and I was out of the hospital by 7:30 p.m. I've had gas, but not that bad. Recovery has been way easier than my laproscopic gall bladder operation. No pain in the left shoulder this time, although it took 3 or 4 days for all of the gas to pass. I was put on liquid Percocet (Vicodin makes me nauseous) and am off of that now. I've basically just laid on the sofa or easy chair for five days. I feel fine, but have been quite tired. I took a one-hour trip to run an errand on day three and was exhausted. Day four went to pick up cream Soup and flavorless whey Protein, and was drained. I HAVE to go to work tomorrow, because I just learned that they've laid off five legal secretaries where I work, and it's not a good time to be off work right now. :paranoid I was surprised that the Protein drinks I drank before the surgery taste horribly sweet and rich to me now. I'm watering them down (having to drink more to get my protein in). I also prefer plain Water to Crystal Light. I'm definitely in the zone now -- just figured out my "gas" pains are actually probably hunger pangs, but WHO CARES!!! I feel GREAT, and have NO cravings. I can handle a rumbling tummy, and this liquid diet phase is easy to stick to. (And no, I won't be too proud to take this back, if in a couple of days, I'm ready to gnaw my right arm off in hunger.) Good luck to all!!