NewGalWithABand

Sooo I was banded Feb 2008. I did awesome lost over 180 lbs. Bc/Bs stopped paying for any bariatric anything about a year in. I didn't care. My doctor cut me a deal on fills, etc. In Nov 2010 I had a panniculectomy and had 12 lbs of skin cut off my stomach. I believe during that surgery something happened to my band. I was still losing up to that point, but afterwards, I had no restriction. I filled and filled, and food still went down fine. However I had to have some removed because even though food went down liquids wouldn't. Weird I know. Sooooo now 2 years and 4 months later I have gained 70 lbs back. You.can imagine not being hungry for 2 1/2 years then suddenly STARVING all the time. Soooo disgusted with myself. Anyway, BS/BS if AL will not pay for any surgery to repair, replace, or even exploration to find out what the problem is. So sad. Anyone else had this problem?

I had to have a port revision in September 2009 due to my port being under my left breast, right on the bra line. It continued to become infected and once when I was getting a fill, my doctor withdrew pus and decided right then and there that I needed the revision. It is now 3 inches lower. I do hope though when I have my panniculectomy in Nov. 2010 that it can be moved even a little bit lower.

Dr. Freeman also did my surgery! I have had awesome results. He tells me that I am his #1 band patient! Sooooo excited that I am having a panniculectomy on November 12, 2010! Can't wait to see how different my body will be without all that hanging skin! YAY!

I haven't been on here in over a year! wow I didn't think it had been that long. Anyway I really need to update my ticker! My highest weight was 402 lbs. I was 375 lbs at surgery and I am currently 225 lbs. I am having a panniculectomy done on November 12th and am so excited to get all this hanging skin off of me! I still get adjustments done. Even though I am due for one because I have gained 6 pounds. My doctor wants me to wait until after my panniculectomy to get another adjustment so that I can heal better. So glad to be back on here!

I too have an apron. My highest weight was 402. At surgery I was 375 and now almost 11 months later I am 275. My apron is worse. I have gone from a 32 w in pants to a 26 or 28 depending on how they're made. If it weren't for the apron, I'm sure I'd wear a smaller size. Oh well, I'm holding out until I am under 200 lbs and then I'm having hernia surgery and a great tummy tuck. LOL

coolcrystal: I was 375 at the time of my surgery on 2/7/08. I have 6cc in a 10cc band. I just reached my 100 pound mark. I would like to lose another hundred. Hopefully since I still have 4cc left until I am completely filled it will get me through my whole weight loss.

hi china, First of all thank you. I do water aerobics and I walk. I also gave a Fast Track, it's sort of like a skiier. I used to be a member at Curves and wished I hadn't quit before I knew I was having the surgery. Curves is a great work out. Low impact and its only 30 minutes 3 x a weeks. The inches literally melt off. I lost more inches than pounds when i went and that was before surgery, so I am considering going back, now that I have the band as a tool to lose the pounds as well. As for food, I don't count calories. I can guess that I get in about 800 to 1000 calories per day. I am losing about 2 pounds a week now and my MD says that is perfect for how far out I am now. I cannot eat beef at all. It just will not go down no matter how well I chew. Chicken and fish have been good to me. lol. I no longer do my protein shakes unless it's a day when I feel I'm not getting enough in. I have had to add some fruits and orange juice because my 6 month lab work showed my folic acid was low. Also my B12 was low, so I started taking a supplement. Fortunately I don't have to take the sub lingual B12 like bypass patients. I also take a multi vitamin and a Calcium 600 plus D. I took those prior to surgery anyway, because I have had a total hysterectomy. My arthritis in my knees is MUCH better due to less weight being carried around. My cholesterol is lower, though it wasnt high anyway, but my triglycerides are lower which is awesome. I do occasionally have a treat of candy or ice cream. I dont feel it is good for my success to completely deny goodies ALL the time. Hope this helps you. I know its been he best thing I have ever done! Danielle

I was banded on 02/07/08. My highest weight was 402. I was 375 at surgery and now today on my 7th month bandiversary I'm at 297. I want to get down to around 150, but I am so excited to finally be below 300 for the first time in 11 years. My MD is very happy with my success so far. I was so scared of the bypass, but was considering it because I was afraid of not losing enough with the band. However, with 78 pounds down in 7 months, I am more than satisfied with my band. I think it just depends on how determined you are to lose. I truely believe that you can lose as much weight as you want with the band. It is an awesome tool. Best of luck to you all.

I was soooo excited the other day when I had to move my seat forward in my car because I could'nt reach the pedals. It was like overnight I just needed it moved up. I am a nurse and almost daily now one of my co-workers tells me I need new scrub tops because I look like little orphan annie. AND these were tops that used to be too tight. Congrats to everyone!

As of June 21st, my 4 1/2 month bandiversary, I have lost 60 lbs since surgery on 02/07/08. I have had 3 fills equalling 5.5cc in a 10cc Inamed Band. However, due to bringing up everything I ate, I had an emergency unfill of 0.5cc leaving me with 5cc which seems to be my sweet spot for now. Congratulations to all of our successes!

I have 5cc in a 10cc band. I had 5.5cc but was too tight and had to have 0.5cc removed. I'm hoping I continue to do well. 58.5 lbs lost since 2/7/08 banding. woohoo

I was also getting the pain you describe as well as the stuck feeling and daily PBing with everything I ate. I had to have 0.5cc removed from my band as I was too tight. My MD says that the "magic" number for most people is 7cc however I am only at 5 right how after having the unfill. You may be too tight since your fill. If it doesn't get better you may need to contact your MD.

I have 5cc in a 10cc band. I had 5.5cc but was overtight and EVERYTHING came back up evem liquids so I had to have an emergency unfill of 0.5cc. It helped thank goodness. I also cannot eat breads or steak/beef or pasta. I do very well with baked chicken, fish, and tuna.

My doctor says NO sodas EVER and NO CAFFEINE. I can have decaf coffee and teas with artificial sweetners, but the caffinated stuff cant count toward ur water intake. My best friend was a diet coke junkie and she has survived well. I became a crystal light drinker before surgery so I"ve had no problem with fluids. Crystal Light also has an awesome cranberry flavor, and I love to mix it with grape. Wal-mart brand is actually just s good and in some flavors taste better than Crystal Light.

my port is under my left breast. right in the crease there. its not tender except when my MD presses on it during a fill. it is very easy to find and makes it easy to fill in the office. my MD puts all of his ports in that area now because on some of his very large pts. he was having trouble filling them.