bullpen87

Last two visits to the fill doc didn't go so well. Needle couldn't go into the port...wrong position. It figures. My luck. I asked doc how often this happens. He tells me he has done hundreds of band surgeries and that I am the third to need a port fixed. It figures. My luck. Doc's office contacts insurance as necessary to see if they will pay for procedure. I'm STILL waiting. It figures. My luck. Do I sound a bit down? Perhaps so. I'm about to come up on my year anniversary with the band (Nov 07) and expected myself perhaps to be finishing up my last ten pounds. Instaead, I'm halfway. SO NOT FAIR..It figures. MY luck.

My port has fell over as well..used to stand up like this ( l )..now it looks like this ( ) with most of the port under my rib cage. I'm waiting for approval from my insurance to pay to have it positioned correctly. Doc says it is caused from loss of fat in that area..probably true..I have lost most of the inches from my middle. Good luck!

My doc doesn't do flouro in the office. I must go to the local hospital for him to provide flouro and/or x-ray and he does it there. I am just hoping Sept 23rd with be a good day for me and my band.

I go back to the doc Sept. 23rd for a fill under flouro because my port is shifting. I have lost no more weight but haven't gained either. I am just feeling sorry for myself. Problem with that is, that I am the encourager of those I talk to. I should know better. I know that things may probably get better in time and keep up working on myself but these days, it's hard to keep your chin up. I'm hoping for brighter days ahead.

I have to go under x-ray to find out how much my port has turned. Normally, doc just fills in office by feeling around. It hasn't been easy to find my port to last two fills. Amy..I understand..boy do I understand about the same for me. And I haven't felt like coming to LBT for the same reason. I take it personal that I (or my band) are failing. Who feels like ever sharing that kind of news...? But I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone. Good Luck to all...

Thank you all for the kind responses. Encouragement always takes you farther than a chocolate donut ever could. I find out on Sept 23rd about fixing my port or just doing fills in this awkward manner for a while. The doc is currently having to "search" for the opening whenever I need a fill. Ouchy....dig and repoke. I'm tough though...

My previous fills were a problem too. My doc couldn't get the needle to line up with the hole in my port. Today, during my third fill, doc feels like instead of my port straight up against my muscle wall like this- | - it is now like this- -which means the top is almost too close to my ribs and hard to fill. My next fill will be under x-ray and flouro to make sure of its positioning and therefore, less discomfort. I have been VERY stuck over the last month without any weight loss, so I am hoping the is the "sweet spot" we all speak of. Thank you all for posting and being here...I appreciate you all.:sad:

It never occured to me that I had changed that much. But I had. I saw a picture of me at Christmas, a month after my band surgery..I was so swelled up! I can't believe that I hadn't noticed it as time has went by. But you know what? It sure was a pleasant surprise. I don't think I'll be hiding so much from the camera anymore.

It never occured to me that I had changed that much. But I had. I saw a picture of me at Christmas, a month after my band surgery..I was so swelled up! I can't believe that I hadn't noticed it as time has went by. But you know what? It sure was a pleasant surprise. I don't think I'll be hiding so much from the camera anymore.

I get my third fill on Monday the 16th of June. I am hoping for some weight loss after this next fill. I have been so very stuck. I wish you all the best!

I really am grateful for the weight that the band has helped me to lose so far. 40 pounds is about halfway to my goal weight. I haven't been able to lose a pound for two months. I am incredibly discouraged but still happy that I got the band. I go back to my doc June 16th 2008 and hope he feels the need to give me a sufficient fill. Has anyone else gotten stuck this long? I really need a lift from any bandsters who have been where I'm at. Thanks all...

I was really loving this band a couple of months ago! It has been six weeks since I have lost any more weight. I have went back on my liquid diet for three days..nothing. I increased my exercise workout..nothing. I changed the foods I was eating( more greens, less meat, more protein shakes)...nothing. My doc told me on my last visit that he doesn't see me losing much more weight with the band and that the rest would be up to me. How can I lose if it just refuses to come off no matter what I do? I need another 40 ponds off...jeepers..I am bummed today...:crying:

Several days have gone by since my original post of in a slump and in the dumps. I managed to lose two pounds over the last few days! I am happy and my hope is renewed. I am under that 180 mark. Praise the Lord!

Dr. Michael Hodge. Johnson City TN did mine. I was satisfied.

I am a realist as well. I sometimes wonder how this band journey is going to end for me. Will I be another success story? Yes, It's up to me but I gained all of my weight over a long time and it may be a long time before I can get it off. The band isn't a quick fix and that was part of the reason me and my doc chose it for me. TY all for all the support!

ty all who replied. I am not giving up. I've come this far on pounds lost and surgery to quit now. I wish you all many happy days ahead! Happy losing!

aggie, believe me, I am! Not only am I walking every day but also lifting weights 3 times a week. I recently started playing tennis twice a week as well. I really watch what i eat because I want this to work.

I was really loving this band a couple of months ago! It has been six weeks since I have lost any more weight. I have went back on my liquid diet for three days..nothing. I increased my exercise workout..nothing. I changed the foods I was eating( more greens, less meat, more protein shakes)...nothing. My doc told me on my last visit that he doesn't see me losing much more weight with the band and that the rest would be up to me. How can I lose if it just refuses to come off no matter what I do? I need another 40 ponds off...jeepers..I am bummed today...:rolleyes2:

I've had fibro since 1993. My mobility has greatly improved since the weight loss as has my strength. Living with fibro isn't easy so if we can help ourselves out some by losing the weight..then...God help us all lose so we can win some of our life back. Good luck!

Although your comments about the band may not be enjoyable and supportive for us to read, your knowledge is grounded and accurate and your wording is well placed and sincere. I appreciate you and most all of us hope that we don't end up in a worse place than just obese like we began before our band. God bless and thank you.

My port is a great conversation piece! I ask people if they want to feel my port when I have been talking to them about my surgery and weight loss. It just cracks me up when they feel of it and say EEWWW...!

It's your dream to make come true...good luck emmers!

All these points are interconnected. So very true..so very well said.

I've aggrivated my port site as well once or twice. It really does hurt when it happens! Good blogs..I enjoy them..