hillmama

Perfectly natural to be nervous! It's definitely a tough choice when it's an optional surgery. It took me three years to decide to have my surgery for the anxiety it gave me in making an optional surgery choice when I have children. I completely understand how you feel! It's going to be ok! Ultimately, I did it for my children. :scared2: Just focus on the positives of the surgery when talking to your little one about it. Hope all goes well!

I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I've read many different threads where people have had their ports in various places. My port is on my right side. I just had a port revision done when I had my lap band revisioned. I now have what's called a low profile port. I had lost so much weight that my original port was pretty noticeable.

Oh wow, thanks blackcherry! You do look great!!!

Here's two of me at my all time high of 282 pounds, before surgery. Like many of you, I always hid behind others in pictures so there aren't all true body shots of me when I was overweight. The last picture shows me at roughly 135 lbs. I got down to 128 lbs, but I had to have all the fluid released from the band and a revisional surgery performed three weeks ago due to a pouch dilitation/slip. I have gained about 15 lbs in a couple months due to the restriction level fluctuation, but I will get my fluid back next week and hopefully lose that weight gain. You all look amazing! congrats to everyone on their success!

I am in central Austin, TX. I was banded March 25, 2008. Congrats on your surgery!

Hi there! I am sorry you are struggling with your band. I was banded in March of 08 and just had a revisional surgery 11 days ago.I am also here in AUstin. I had a form of a slip - a dilitation - and the band had moved a little. I was very ill and symptomatic for about 8 months. I ended up with dehydration and in urgent care clinics several times for fluid. I just assumed my vomiting was a normal side effect of the band. It can be to some extent, but not the extent in which I was vomiting. It is my understanding that if the band fully slips and it's an emergency situation, you can not get ANYTHING to pass through. The nurse described it to me like a water hose being kinked. Of course you should contact a medical professional for advice on this, but you could be suffering from the dilitation like I was. But as long as you are staying hydrated and don't have any other problematic symptoms, it's probably not an emergency room situation.

Hi! I am now 28 but was banded at the age of 27. My surgery was March 31, 2008 and my weight was 282. I saw my surgeon today and weighed in at 130 lbs. Post op was not too bad for me. I took it easy for about a week. The most uncomfortable part for me was the gas pains following the few days post op. I never just made an announcement that I had the band, but my close family and friends knew. After a few months, I became more comfortable discussing it in the open and now I can discuss it with anyone. I did not have any problems with my band until this year. I now have a concentric dilatation. I actually had a barium swallow performed today. But I had a pretty smooth experience until approximately January of this year. I would still do it all over again. Good luck with your surgery! It's so exciting and life changing

It sounds like you have too much restriction. I would definitely let your surgeon know. I have been having the same problem since January - where I would have a fill, be fine, and then have to go back for an unfill. During these times, I felt in a sense that I had forced bulimia because I was vomiting all the time. Today, I had a barium swallow and was diagnosed with a concentric dilatation and a possible slip. Not sure what my course of treatment will be yet. But my point is, I believe it can lead to other problems. Just talk with your dr. Hill banded 3/31/08 - 282 lbs. 8/25/09 - 130 lbs.

Hi all! I'm in Austin and was also banded by Dr Fass March 31st of 2008. I LOVE Dr Fass. He has been fabulous!!! I have lost 90 pounds. 35 more pounds to my goal

I was banded in March '08 by Dr Fass. Dr Fass has been wonderful and I recommend him to everyone! He has a great bed side manner and has been extremely supportive to me in my weight loss process. I can't say enough good things about Dr Fass!