mellygirl

I have Tricare insurance and they covered everything. I was only out a $25 copay. Had I needed the actual band replaced I would have had to go through the entire approval process again, so I got lucky there.

I have the AP large

Yep, I had mine done a little over a month ago. I had a microleak in the elbow portion of the port. It was a minimal outpatient procedure and the recovery was really quick.

As much as it stinks to have to have the port replaced, it really isn't a difficult surgery. At least if I HAD to have a complication, it was this instead of something worse or something that would make me lose my band. I would have my port replaced again if it meant no further complications! Good luck to you all.

You should be fine. I was discharged around 1:00 pm and I went to church that night at 5:30. I was completely off my narcotic pain meds in 1 day. I just used them so I could sleep. After that some ibuprofen did the trick but I was in great shape to do whatever I wanted to do as long as I didn't lift anything over 10 pounds. If your job is mostly sedentary then you shouldn't have any problems.

I had to have mine replaced at the hospital, and was not given the option to do it in the office. It is an outpatient procedure as long as it is just the port, but I still had to have general anesthesia. Your issue sounds identical to mine as it appears you are able to maintain volume up to a point where it seems extra pressure forces the saline out. I could always maintain about 3.5 - 4 ccs, but the pressure of the additional saline caused it to leak out. Good luck. The procedure was not a big deal at all, but I don't know how it would be in the office.

I also have Tricare Prime and got my approval back in 2 days. My copay for a visit/fill is $12 after the first 90 days post-op. Feel free to ask me any questions you have. I'm 9 months out and haven't had the first issue with Tricare.

I have had chronic sinusitis my entire life and my surgeon suggested that I drink a glass of Water before meals (especially the first one of the day) to flush all the "snot" through the band. After drinking, I wait about 15 minutes for everything to pass on through before I eat, otherwise one bite and I am a sliming mess.

I hope it's okay to just jump into this thread. I was banded on 01/15/09 and have lost 75 lbs. I had a setback in July and have just started losing again as of 09/16/09 when I had a port replacement. I love my band, and even despite having to have a second surgery I would do it all over again in an instant.

Mine was inpatient (1 night) however I had a port replacement that was outpatient.

I take a Target brand prenatal Vitamin (not pregnant) and a Citrical petite.

My first fill was 4cc in the AP Large (14cc) band.

Karebare, who is your surgeon? I had surgery through the Norton's group in Louisville.

Thanks everyone. I am healing nicely and my port problem is quickly becoming ancient history now. I have already lost 4 lbs since surgery just having 6cc in my band. We are not sure if there was an issue with the band or if it was punctured during a fill. I have been banded since 01/15/09.

I figured I may as well post here in case anyone else is experiencing anything similar. Back in early July I noticed a loss of restriction and got in to my doctor who was only able to draw back 4.5cc instead of the 7cc I was supposed to have in my band. We monitored this over a couple of 2 week periods and each time I would go from 7cc to 3.5 or 4. He tried to check me under fluoro and was not able to see a leak at all, so I had surgery 09/16/09 to search for a micro leak. My doctor said he injected the dye into my band and nothing happened, so he had to clamp off the tubing and when he injected it again, the saline shot straight up to the ceiling in the operating room. He fit me with a brand new port and I am back in business. He also did a scope on me while I was under and said there is absolutely no sign of any sort of erosion or problems. The second surgery was minimal and only the port incision was re-opened. It was by far the complication that I wanted if I HAD to be the person to have one. Good luck to everyone!

Hey, just found ya! I am not in NKY, but I am familiar with that area. I am just S. of Louisville (about 2 hours from you) and I was banded in January. I looked for a buddy on here back when I was starting out and had NO LUCK. I'm not convinced there are a lot of us from KY on here, but anyhoo feel free to give me a shout with any questions and let me know how you are doing so far! Best of luck!

Hey everyone. Sorry I have not checked in recently, but I have been having some complications. I went out of town over 4th of July weekend and noticed a loss of TOTAL RESTRICTION. I went from great restriction to feeling like there was no band at all. When I get filled, I can maintain the fill and some restriction for about 1.5 days before it's open again and when he checks me, there is always about 3.5 - 4 ccs in the band, but it had been previously filled to 6.5-7. My doc checked me for a leak under fluoroscope and neither he, nor another surgeon who was reading it could see a leak. I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday the 16th to physically check the port and tubing for leaks using a blue dye. If that is the problem then he will replace port/tubing and I'll be good to go home the same day. If it is the band that is leaking (which my doc seems to doubt) then it's basically the whole process all over including the overnight stay in the hospital. He said there is a .01% chance that it has eroded because I am losing the volume to a point so he is leaning towards a slow micro leak. It's frustrating and I am losing/gaining the same 5 lbs over and over and over while I am waiting for surgery. I will keep everyone posted, and hope you are all doing well.

I just had to post....I can officially cross my legs again!! Some of you won't know how this feels, unless you've been where I am. I was just sitting at my desk and crossed my legs without thinking about it! I was like OMG, it's been years! I Heart this band!!!!

How exciting!! Good luck!

Hi all! Just checking in. I had my monthly appt. today and have lost 50 lbs! My weight slowed down in the last week or so, because my band loosened due to fat loss beneath it. I got another 1/2 cc fill, so I should lose more in the next few weeks. My doctor told me today that I am a perfect example of the band, and he said I am absolutely on track for "almost" 5 months post op. Hope you are all doing fabulously. I would love to hear any updates from you all!:wub:

Congrats on starting your journey, Terry! Which surgeon are you using?

Dr. Kehdy seemed kind and capable when I met him for the first time, but as time has gone on I have developed a deep respect for him. He is a wonderful surgeon and addresses all my concerns no matter how small. He is extremely thorough in gathering information about lifestyle and habits post operatively to help you be as successful as possible. He makes Norton's program look good. I feel blessed to have lucked out and gotten such a great surgeon. He is extremely competent and definitely knows his stuff and his bedside manner is fabulous. He also has a great sense of humor, something I find so rare in most physicians. The office staff is friendly, but takes their time while you are still in the "approval" and surgery scheduling phase. Some days they get a little backed up in the office and I may wait up to 20 minutes and the parking is ALWAYS full, but I consider myself lucky if those are the only complaints I've had.

Happy 4 month bandiversary everyone!! I have lost 45 pounds!! How is everyone else faring?

I had my 3 month post op appointment yesterday and have lost 16 lbs in the past month since I reached restriction. I am just over the 30 pound total loss mark. I took a vacation and ended up losing about 4 lbs in 5 days on it. That's something I would never have expected to do, ever in my life. This band is wonderful! My doctor asked me if I wanted a fill, but I declined. He said that as I lose a little more weight, the band will get a little loose, so he expects to have to give me a small fill in about 3 weeks. I hope you are all doing well! Best wishes to everyone!

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I had my second fill on the 17th. My first fill was not enough, so I only lost about 5 lbs in the last month. At LEAST I did lose and not gain, but seriously how frustrating!?! I asked my doc last time how much he would add each additional fill and he said we would increase by 1cc at a time up til 7, then 1/2cc at a time so I went in prepared to beg for 2ccs. He actually suggested that we go ahead with 2, and let me tell you I was too tight! I drank my little dixie cup full of Water and felt like I had to burp and up some of it came back up. He took out 1/2cc and the pressure was instantly relieved. It has felt quite a bit different than before and I have had a few sliming episodes getting used to the change. I know it's working though, because I already lost 5 lbs this week!! :tt1: How are the rest of you faring?