OlyHarleygirl

I am thinking of having a tummy tuck but am not sure how it works with the port. I had a consult and told the surgeon that I have the band. He didn't seem concerned over it but I still have some concerns about how the procedure will affect the port. I don't want to do anything to risk loosing my band. Has anyone had a tummy tuck and did it have any affect on your band and/or port?

Thank you so much Babs. This is very helpful. My PS didn't say anything about an unfill. I don't have such severe restriction that I wouldn't be able to eat enough after the surgery. It would definately be a deal-breaker if he decided he wouldn't do the surgery without an unfill. He did mention that I would likely need to come back to have the 'love handles'. I don't know if he's just looking to make more money or if he has a legitmate case for waiting. I think I need to get one more consult and make sure it's with someone that has done this procedure on banded patients. Again, thank you for your reply.

I went to Mexico for my LB surgery and took my CPAP with me. The outlets are the same as in the US. I've had several other surgeries and always took my machine with me. It is important, especially when on pain meds, to use your CPAP. The pain meds make you more likely to fall into a deep sleep where your apnea may become more severe so the machine is a must. If you are flying be sure to either check it or keep it where it is easy to inspect. I have a carrying case for mine and they (the security folks at the airport) always want to look at it. Also, as an aside, I no longer need to use my CPAP. My sleep specialist told me when I started using the machine that it was weight related and once the weight went below 165 I would no longer have a need for it. She was right! I sleep like a baby without it. Something to look forward to for you too!

I haven't visited the site in a while so am not sure how old this thread is but I would like to throw my 2 cents worth in anyway. I was banded January 2006 and have lost 60 pounds. I was doing great and loosing steadily until about 3 months ago. Then things slowed down. So I went in for my second fill 4 weeks ago. They put in a full 1 cc of fluid and had me try to swallow and nothing would go down. They backed off a little and still I had issues. So in the end I had .6 put in my band. I went home and thought everything would be fine. Ended up irritating my esophagus and stoma so went two weeks without being able to eat anything. I'm finally at the point where I can eat about 1/4 of a banana, 1/4 cup of steamed vegetables and about 2 bites of meat (not at the same time). I'm not hungry and I am loosing again (8 pounds in 4 weeks). I LOVE food, watch the food channel obesessively and love to cook. I now live vicarously through others by cooking for them. I have to say that at times I wish I could just eat 'normally' (which for me means very large amounts of high fat/calorie foods). But the old weight watchers motto of "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels" has proven true for me. I would do it again in a heart beat dispite everything.

Yuck! I have been banded since January 12, 2006 and had my first fill last Friday (March 17th.) Been able to eat as much and anything I want so far. Had some raw carrots this afternoon and felt just fine (chew, chew, chew.) Went out to eat and ate 4 (count 'em 4) tatertots and had the worst stomach ache. I sat there thinking it would pass but finally went into the public restroom (thank goodness it was a one-seater) and experienced my first episode of PB'ing. I had done lots of research on the lap band and read a lot about this aspect of being banded but didn't really understand it. Now I know... Yikes! The good news is that I feel much better now. The bad news is that I doubt I will ever be able to enjoy tater tots again. This is a valuable lesson for me. I am anxious to know if there are any other foods I need to watch out for. I avoid Pasta just because I have heard so much about problems with it. But the tater tot thing caught me completely off guard!

This is all sounding so familar. I have been banded since January 12, 2006 and have lost 35 pounds. I have managed to do this because I set my mind to it and knew the band wasn't going to be much help until I'd had my first (or maybe even more than one) fill. So, I was very strict with myself and 'white knuckled' through it believing that as soon as I had restriction everything would magically fall into place. I had my first fill on Friday. What a disappointment. I expected the band to keep me from being hungry and to prevent me from being able to overeat. It's not. BUT I do feel full more quickly. My problem is that I keep eating after my stomach says it's full. I haven't experienced pb'ing but sometimes wish I would. It's a whole new learning curve and I'm not a quick study but I'll get there. Just seeing all the success stories on this site keeps me motivated to keep trying!

Hi Megret, I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Aceves last month. I had a wonderful exerience. I looked at several doctors before deciding on Dr. Aceves. There were lots of reasons why I went with him and I'd be happy to talk with you about my experience. Dr. Aceves' web site is http://www.mexicolapband.com/index1.php

Hi, I'm in Olympia and was banded in Mexicali Mexico on January 12, 2006. I don't see anyone so far that's down my way, anyone out there in the Olympia area? My Doctor was Dr. Aceves and I have nothing but good things to say about him and his staff. I've been hoping to find some local bandsters that I could get together with once in a while. If there is any interest out there in the South Puget Sound area let me know!

Reading your post brought tears to my eyes, you have no idea how lucky you are to have someone like that in your life. Boss or not. He is one in a million! Don't ever give up your job (or if you do, tell me when you do and I'll apply!).

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel really good about what I've acomplished and have plans for my first fill the first of March which isn't too far away. Even a little restriction will help I'm sure. I've stuck with chicken, eggs, non-fat cottage cheese, no hard cheese or bread. I drink a lot of water between meals to keep me full. So far it seems to be working. I've saved up enough to have my first fill. I guess I'll need to start saving for the future now... Thanks!

I too had a nosy boss when I had my breast reduction. He asked what the surgery was for and I hem-hawed around saying something vague about having back problems (which was the reason for the surgery) so he says "So, you're having back surgery"... I said no and then told him it was a breast reduction. I thought he swallowed his tongue! He turned red, supttered a bit and then excused himself. I felt it served him right for being so nosy. He couldn't look me in the eye for several days and the day before I left for my time off he said "So, you're really going through with it, huh?" - GAWD, you would have thought that I was having an arm cut off ("how can you live without your boobs?!?"). Cave man... Anyway, that taught me a lesson. It's no one's business what I do with my body and the law is on my side. Don't loose any sleep over it.

I was banded on January 12th of this year. I have not gotten a fill yet and will have to pay each time I have one. I'm concerned when I read that people have 4 or 5 fills before they feel restriction. Doing the math that equates to about $1500. I'm self paying and had not counted on having to spend that much right out of the shoot. I have lost about 20 pounds but it's because I'v 'white knuckled' through it. I can loose a little that way but without restriction I'm not sure how long I can hang in there. Is it common for people to need several fills before feeling restriction?

Hi Cristan, where do you go in Olympia for your fills? I'm in Olympia, had my surgery Jan 12th and am looking for a good doctor in the area to do the fills. I found a doctor in Tacoma but would prefer to have one here in town.

It's too bad your doctor isn't more attentive to you. I'm only 3 weeks post band and so far I've had contact with my doctor or his staff every week. According to him I will have ongoing support but I haven't had a need to test it yet. More and more doctors are doing this procedure so it's only a matter of time before there's one in your area. Keep your chin up and keep looking. Yes, I ride a Harley, although at this point I'm still a passenger. After I've dropped some weight I'll get a bike of my own. Right now I'm not confident I can pick myself up off the ground if I fall let alone an 800 pound bike! I would attach a picture but I don't know how.

How fun! I'm on there now too. I posted a picture from over a year ago. You can tell I'm sticking my head forward to hide the double chin!

Hang in there Jane, you'll get there. Has the GI distress abated since you had the fill? Who did your surgery? Can you call get a phone consultation with them? Nothing worse than worrying if something is 'normal' or not. I am a natural worrier and always feel better if I can get assurance from my doctor.

I have found a doctor in my area to do the fills. I found him through the Fill Center USA web site. I don't know if there are any doctors in your area but you could check the web site and see. The web address to locate a doctor is http://fillcentersusa.com/locator/ When I went there I couldn't find a doctor in my area but when I called the 800 number they had a doctor in the process if signing up so I'll use him. There is a rather pricey annual plan ($1200) but you don't have to sign up for that. You can just go for the initial consult (which includes a fill if you need it) for $299 and each fill after that is $155, not too bad. Good luck!

Hi Cynthia, my geography sucks so I'm not sure how close it is to Boise but there is a doctor that does fills in Eagle, Idaho. They are signed up with Fill Center USA and you can check them out by going to the following web address: http://fillcentersusa.com/locator/ You can put in your zip code and it should come up with the address, phone, etc. for the office. I cannot recommend them since I've never used them but it's a start.

How common is it for the port to twist or tilt? Is the procedure to correct this done under general anesthesia or can it be fixed in the doctors office? I am very new at this and terrified of needles. The very idea of having a doctor stick a needle in me more than once is enough to require medication.

This is my first post and I am a little nervous, not too familar with how these forums work so here goes... I was banded by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico on January 12, 2006. I just finished the Clear liquids stage, wasn't too bad although I never thought that chicken broth could taste so good (little bit of heaven after nothing but Water and apple juice.) :hungry: I have lost 12 pounds since the surgery but am worried about what will happen now that I'm on soft foods. I don't want to gain it back. It's all so new. I'm so pleased to have found a place where I can 'meet' other bandsters. My surgery sister, Michelle, has been a godsend to me and shared this site with me. Thanks Michelle!

I too went on the Fill Center USA site and put in my zip code to see if there was a doctor in my area. The web site came up empty but I called the 800 number and found out there are several doctors in the process of getting certified through Fill Center USA. There is a doctor within 25 miles of my house that I will be seeing. The great thing about using this service is that once you sign up (which is cheaper than paying for one fill here in my area) all future fills are only $155 (less than half the cost of a fill in my area). One of my concerns was what would happen if I'm on vacation and get sick or have some complication. What would I do? With Fill Center USA they set you up in a database that allows you to see any doctor in their network. I'm just a worrier and this put my mind at ease.

I had my lap band surgery by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico on January 12, 2006. I cannot say enough about him and his staff. They are very thorough and professional. Going to Mexico was my only option since my insurance would not cover the surgery either. What I really like about Dr. Aceves is that he talks to you realistically about the surgery and what to expect. He tells about the potential complications and explains that the lap band is just a tool, not a magic pill that will make the weight just fall off. He was also more strict that some other doctors about pre- and post-op diets and I'm the type that needs specific instructions to follow. He was not the cheapest doctor I found (although it was only $300 more), but I felt the most comfortable with him. Some of the doctors only had patients stay one night in the hospital, Dr. Aceves keeps you for two, which I like for two reasons. First, because I wanted to keep the pain meds option open, and second, it allows for monitoring longer after surgery (in case something comes up the next day - you do not want to be 35,000 feet in the air flying home and have a problem). If you want to talk to me more about my experience I can call you if you give me your number. It's depressing that health insurance companies don't recognize the stupidity of denying this treatment. It would save them millions in the long run.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I'm so glad to have 'met' you all. This is exactly what I was looking for. DeLarla, I'd love to see a picture of your bike. It sounds beautiful. I can tell you are in love with it, I hope I find something I love just as much. Now I have to go look at the street glide, haven't sat on that one yet. I like the Dyna just because I can reach the ground when I'm sitting on it. At 5' 3" I have some trouble with the handlebars and height on most bikes. I like Betty's idea of an easy pull clutch, I've never heard of that before. Looks like I have some homework to do. Oh well, keeps my mind off food! Betty, you are my new roll model...92 pounds, wow! Congratulations, I know you worked hard to get there.

Awesome, from my browse this morning I could see there were a few bikers. I'm just a passenger on my husbands hog for now but plan on getting my own as soon as I loose some weight. I don't feel confident about handling a bike on my own until I'm a little less bulky. I like the Dyna but hubby wants me to get a Road King (like his). Where is the Banded Bikers section?