kgranite79

I had the worst habit of drinking while eating. My Dr told me it was ok to drink while eating but take only very small sips at a time so it would be absorbed into the food that was sitting in my pouch and wouldn't push it through into the larger stomach. This has helped the physical habit, since it still gives me the satisfaction of the motion of drinking still.

My port area was sore for a while, every once in a while it would start aching again out of no where, even weeks after the surgery.

Has anyone else has their port replaced more than one time? I had my surgery August 08, had my port replaced January 09, and now I think I may have yet another leak in my port and may need to have it replaced. Has this happened to anyone else, if so did your insurance cover the 2nd port replacement surgery?? Ugh I am so frustrated!!!!! How many times am I going to have to get surgery?! Everything has been great, I have lost almost 90lbs, recently gained 10lbs back due to having ZERO restriction since October. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Hi guys,

I am having an issue with my hair thinning. Now I know that its from lack of Protein (because I don't take a protein supplement or shakes like I should be) I didn't think it was a big deal, until slowly I started noticing my hair thinning. I had the surgery last august and have lost about 80lbs. I am wondering if I start making sure I am getting my 50g of protein daily, will this help my hair grow back? I know either way I need to be making that 50g of protein mark, and I am going to really try to do it. Its just something I haven't really given much thought about. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to stop it from getting worse, and how to help get my hair to grow back. Any feedback is greatly appreciated! :-)

I remember sitting here thinking man I can't wait to be one of those people posting about their weight loss success, well here I am! August 20th will be a year, got port replaced in Jan of 09..... 79lbs down!!! WHOOO HOOO!! Congrats to everyone, keep up the good work. You should all be very very proud of yourselves!

I have noticed that gradually over the last month since my last fill I have been having heartburn after eating. I have heard that this could be a sign of my band being too tight. I did have acid reflux before the surgery but since then it has completely gone away. I could even drink orange juice (which I was NEVER able to do) without a problem at all. I am having some pbing and getting food stuck every once in a while but I know its because I am not chewing enough, I am working on that and everything seems to be great. I am losing weight again at a steady pace and things seem good other then this heartburn. My fiance thinks I need an unfill, but I don't want to get one if this could be my sweet spot. Any advice? It doesn't matter what I eat, it can be anything and it seems to be happening more and more.

Thanks :-)

a little history- was banded on August 20th 2008- had to have my port revised in January...this is my 1st real fill since my 2nd surgery (had them put 4cc's in during surgery) went up from 4 to 5 previously the most I had in my band before the puncture in my port was 4.5.

First off I have to say that I can't believe I just sat here and read 10 pages of posts regarding leaking and or complications. I am sorry for everyone who has had to deal with complications (some worse than others)

So here is my story and dilemma....

I got banded on August 20th, I have lost 37lbs and am thrilled. I have gone for 4 fills so far. For some reason I see the PA and not the doctor for my fills. On my 3rd fill the PA had to poke me more then onc (prior had always gotten in on 1 shot) and had a hard time getting my port. She told me that my port was "wobbly". After a few minutes of playing around she "got in" I was already up to 4.5cc's in a 10cc band. I was feeling good restriction but wanted just a little bit more. She filled me .5cc's so now I am supposed to be at 5 total. She says I have 5cc's in my band and 1cc in the tubing (whatever that means) Immediately that night I feel ZERO restriction while eating. This was so strange since I had been feeling quite a bit of restriction (even getting some things stuck for a min or so) I knew right away something was wrong. I waited 3 days still feeling no restriction- I finally called. She (the PA) told me to come back in so she can see whats going on. This time she poked me yet again more then once and finally "got in" again. She removed less then 3cc's of liquid. She told me that she might have "missed" the port at the last fill and apologized. She put me back up to 5cc's. Again that night I feel ZERO restriction.....WTF??? So in the meantime Thanksgiving comes, office is closed and now I have to wait until tomorrow (Monday 12/1) to call. I know I have a leak, and after reading 10 pages of posts I realize that it either happened the first time she poked me a million times, OR that it was leaking before then and we just happened to notice it around that time. So I am waiting to call the office first thing tomorrow. My question is, do you guys think I should make another appointment with the PA or should I demand to see the Dr?? I asked her if I had a leak what they would do. She told me they sometimes do the fluroscope with the dye to see the leak BUT that since the dye is thicker then the saline alot of times all it does is plug the leak (if there is one) and sometimes you can't see it leak anyway SO most likely they would skip that step all together and just replace the port. I am confused because how will they know if it is my port of my tubing or my band that is leaking???? UGH this is so friggen frustrating! I was having such success with it, until she went and punctured my port ( I JUST KNOW IT) She (the PA) also told me that she thought the revision surgery was covered by my insurance- I have a feeling this is NOT the case. BUT if it is not covered then I feel like the office should cover it, if it was in fact her fault for punturing it to begin with. They always do a "blind fill" and I hear the risk of puncturing it is much higher this way. I am frustrated, nervous and angry. I just thought I would vent to the best people out there- people who have been through this crap too!!! Thanks for listening to be babble!! :-)

I have my first fill on Saturday and I am very excited. Can someone please tell me what to expect and will i notice a difference in my band?

I think it all depends on how much they put in on the first fill. Mine was only 1cc but I have seen posts on here that people have gotten up to 4.5cc's. I had my surgery on August 20th and have had 3 fills since then. I am now up to 4.5 cc's in a 10cc band. I didn't feel any of the fills until this one. I couldn't believe what a difference 1-2cc's made but trust me it made a huge difference. As far as the fill itself, that is a breeze. I was shocked that it didn't hurt...you can barely feel a pinch. They have gotten my port everytime on the first try. I know that everyone's experience is different, but I am sure yours will go just fine. After my fills I am to be on liquids for the rest of the day and soft/mushies for the next day then back to normal. I have noticed that I really need to chew alot better because with this fill I have gotten food stuck a few times. It does move after a minute or so (or a sip of water) but it can be really uncomfortable. So thats pretty much what made me realize just how much of a difference my last fill made. Again everyone is different. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

I am 8 weeks post op today and down 45#. I am somewhat discouraged as I havent had a fill yet. There have been 3 attempts for a fill and they couldnt find the port. I go in on Nov. 10 for the 4th attempt. I do not feel any restriction and believe my weight would be more with a restriction. I have been very regimented in watching what I eat and exercising.

45lb weight loss and only 8 weeks post op is awesome! Whatever your doing, keep doing it. I am sure they will fix the port issue and once you get a fill you will do just fine with the weight loss. I had my surgery on August 20th and have lost 30lbs. I have had 3 fills. I am up to 4.5cc in a 10cc band. I think this might be my sweet spot, but only time will tell. Keep us updated on your progress.:eek:

I had my surgery in August and I have had 3 fills so far My third fill was just on thursday. Right now I am at 4.5 cc's in a 10cc band...the thing is, everyone else seems to have way less in their bands and are feeling really full. I am not sure if this is my sweet spot or not. It is alot harder to get stuff down (not throwing it up but I can feel it go down if I don't chew really good) but I feel like I can still eat more then I should at 1 time. I am not getting that full feeling early enough. It makes me wonder if I am going to need another fill? How will I know??

I was banded on January 17, 2002 in New Orleans by Louis Martin at the ripe old age of 22. I started at 225 lbs. and haven't had a fill in my band since March of 2002. In spite of that, I lost 65 lbs. but have plateaued at 160 lbs. and I know that I could eat more than I should be. I decided to get a fill here in Dallas last Monday by Dr. Maese and so far have lost 3 lbs. The only downside is that I am having bad reflux, mostly at night, in which I wake up several times with burning acid in the back of my mouth and sometimes wake up choking and coughing on it. I did not know if this would subside as my band loosens a little or if I should get some saline removed. I have the orginal 4cc band, and I think that I have around 3cc now in it. I still had 2cc left in it before my recent fill, even after 7 years! How often do most people get filled? Dr. Maese's office said most people come every 4-6 weeks, and I thought that it seemed extreme for someone who only has 30lbs to lose and was not recently banded.

I guess my question for you is, when you used to get fills back in the day did you have heartburn too? I was banded in August and my doctor told me that if I am starting to get heartburn or reflux that it can be a sign that band is too tight and the food is sitting there for a very long time, creating the acid. Have you called the doc to check with him if this is the case? I would think if you weren't having bad heartburn or reflux prior to this fill that perhaps its too tight?? Congrats on your previous weight loss. Oh and since its happening at night at bedtime, maybe you should make sure your eating a few hours at least before going to bed. That way you have some time for the food to digest before laying in a flat position. Good luck! :tongue_smilie:

you were too restricted with 2cc's? Wow I got 1cc my first fill, just had my second one yesterday of 2 so right now I have 3cc's and I feel nothing lol. I guess its different for everyone. Another member on here told me he had his first fill today and they put 4.5 cc's in the first time. I thought that sounded like alot for the first time. I guess each doctor does it differently.

I am 52 years old and was banded May 20, 2008 and have lost 40 pounds and TODAY I did a one hour BOOT CAMP at the Gym!!!!! WOOOOOOOO !!

I never dreamed I would ever be able to anything like this again but Praise be to GOd I did it. Just had to share!:smile2:

Congratulations!! That is great news, you should be extremely proud of yourself! Keep up the good work!:bored:

I was told to wait 2 days and stay on liquids for 2 days. Unfortunately I had used all my Protein drinks up, and got done at the doctor fairly late last night (6 pm) and couldn't spend the time crossing town and fighting traffic to get to the Vitamin Shoppe.

So I went ALL DAY with only a bottle of propel and some chicken broth... I finally got to the Vitamin Shoppe, got my drinks and headed home. Well, don't you know, I stopped at Taco Bell and got some Beans. I ate about half the container, which is about 80 calories. Nothing hurts and I feel fine but I hate that I am always trying to take short cuts!

Has anyone's doctor given the direction that they can eat after a fill, even mushie foods? I am hoping I didn't damage anything!!!!!

I just had my first fill today and I was told to stay on liquids for the rest of today and then mushies tomorrow...each doctor is different, but I would TRY to do what they tell you to. I assume there is a reason for it, although you are probably fine :-)

Had my surgery today. All went well. The dr said that 2 sides of the 4 sutures were undone.

I still dont know how that happened. I will see him in 2 weeks, if not before. And maybe he will have an idea about it.

Actually, the worse thing is going back to clear liquids.< /p>

I was in surgery a total of 30 minutes. And a little sore after I rode 40 miles home but feel good tonight.

jazie

Did your insurance company cover the port repair??

So I got my first fill today and let me tell you it was NOTHING. I was so worried that it was going to hurt. I barely felt it at all, seriously! What a breeze! I do have a question though. My doc wanted to put in 2cc's but he could only get 1cc in. I guess it started to come back in the syringe. I know they start off slow, but does anyone know the reason why they wouldn't be able to get more in at 1 time? I am worried that at my next fill, which is in 2 weeks that they will only be able to get 1cc in at a time. Can everyone tell me how much Fluid is in their band and how many fills it took to get them to their "sweet spot"

Thanks in advance!:smile2:

Also were you put on liquids for the first day and then allowed mushies the next day?

thanks for all of your feedback, I will call my doc tomorrow morning.

I have a reaction to the tape they use...even paper tape (for sensitive skin) as my husband says, it's the adhesive that causes it and they all use the same adhesive. Did you have tape around your sites, or just those steri strips? Try a little hydrocortisone cream and see if that helps. I'd just use it in one spot first to try it. If it doesn't respond to the cream, call you surgeon.

Thanks for your feedback. The only thing is, is that if it were from the tape wouldn't it have irritated sooner? I have had the tape off for almost a month now and it just started happening. :thumbup:

I have a question, has anyone else had a rash around their incision sites? I am a month post op and my incision sites started itching like crazy the last 2 weeks or so. Everyone keeps telling me that they are healing, but they have BEEN healed. I noticed this morning that there is a rash completely around each incision. Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, what is it and how can I get rid of it?

No, mine didn't puff up. But, the size of those are controlled by blood, so while I would never have noticed personally (since I couldn't see my mons).. it could be from sitting a lot post-surgery or if you were given a blood thinner and your blood is really pooling or somethin..in the mons.. and voila.

Just a theory.

LOL thanks, they are back to normal now :sad:

ok its called "before and after on the inside"

LOL I will try to locate the album, but I have NO clue where to look :thumbup:

thanks so much for all of the feedback, I will look for it today!

I am 17 days post op and wondering what kind of liquid pain medication is out there for adults. I had a headache last night, and had no liquid pain medicine except for my roxicett (sp?) that was prescribed to me after surgery. I was not about to take a narcotic for a headache lol. Also can I start taking Advil again? I know that the doc says no apsirin or ib profen for a while after surgery, just not sure how long thats for. Is there a liquid or chewable advil, tylenol or some other pain medicine? If so which works best? :shades_smile:

I am 18 days post op and I was wondering if anyone has these issues, after I eat (regardless of what I eat) I belch numerous of times, and for some reason, when I go lay down at night to go to sleep, I cant lay on my left side. I have really bad sharp pains. I know my surgeon cut me there but only minor cuts and I cant figure out why I hurt so bad there.

Anyway I am down 19 pounds since 08/27/08, not sure how much I am now, but Ill take what I can get....lol

Have a great day.:shades_smile:

I got banded on August 20th and I am not belching all the time BUT when I do belch I notice its alot louder and more powerful LOL Have you had an issues with hiccups? I noticed I seem to get the hiccups alot more, thankfully I get rid of them quickly because I HATE HICCUPS :teeth_smile:

hi all

i had my lap band surgery done on the Wed 3rd sept 2008 - in Tauranga New Zealand.

I was first up at 8.20am and back in recovery room and semi awake about 10.30ish Nursing staff were great, i had little or no pain, Keyhole surgery left me with six little stab marks with no stitches, Dr Cable gave me wicked pictures of my puku (stomach), before he hitched the band round it, and afterwards. ewww im never going to eat fat again ugh!, Im gonna keep those pictures to look at when i want to eat some pork crackle! Was up and walking round within the first 3 hrs. And next morning, i was able to shower and go home! Ive been home 3 days now, feeling good, and looking forward to going back to work on monday.

I like the idea of being able to monitor others progress on here! awesum

I wanna see the pics, I wanna see the pics! :shades_smile: