Elisabethsew

Don't have the MD put back ALL the fill. Try half the amount and then schedule an appt. for another fill when you're back from vacation. As far as medical help goes, simply go to ANY emergency room. The Inamed port is identical to mediports and chemoports (also made by Inamed) and they are accessed in the same manner as the lapband port. The only difference is what you put in them. Help IS available IF you need it so enjoy your vacation.

Yes, exercises do work. You have lots of facial muscles and they can be firmed up just like any other muscle in your body. Yo firm the neck, close your mouth and then try to smile as wide as you can. If you look in the mirror, you will see the neck wobble kind of suck up and nearly disappear. Hold this for 5 seconds and then relax. Repeat it several times and then "do it" when you're driving or watching TV, etc. You'll notice a difference in a few weeks.

I wouldn't wait too long. My surgeon told me the swelling that MIGHT occur from a fill is gone in 48-72 hours.

Reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus can cause scarring and narrowing of the opening as well as ulceration. The test of restriction is with real solid food. If you're too tight, you will start to move away from solid foods to softer foods so you avoid the golfball feeling of pain in your chest and heartburn. This can actually cause weight gain as you drink your calories down or let them melt down as in the case with ice-cream.

By today the swelling should be down. If you are still feeling the same way, you should call your MD and go in for a slight unfill. Tolerating constant negative symptoms can lead to damage so make the call. I hope you feel better soon.

Welcome, Carl. One of my male friends was banded last July 1 at 359 pounds and is now at 180 pounds and looking into plastic surgery for a tummy tuck. There's tons of info here so feel free to ask questions and jump in with replies.

I posted to you on another thread but a 4cc band holds 4 cc's of AIR. The MD should aspirate the air out of the port the first time you have a fill. My 4cc Inamed Vanguard band holds 10 or 11 cc's of saline but even that can be "stretched" to more. I felt no restriction with the first fill of 1.5 cc's. The second one was 3 cc's for a total of 4.5 cc's and that did the trick. You need another fill.

I'll join also. I weighed in at 314 this AM... goal is 303 but 299 sure sounds better.

I think most people who are obese are the best nutritionists in the world. Having been on most diet plans known to man and read tons of books on diet and nutrition, I know what constitutes a healthy diet. I have eliminated process foods, take-out foods, and empty carbs from my diet and eat a balanced, healthy diet... fruits and lite cheese for breakfast, a salad or soup for lunch and a dinner consisting of a protein source, fresh steamed veggies, and a small starch. I even allow for dessert.

Anya, You won't get ANY surgeon in the U.S. to band you for eating disorders. You need to be in therapy so that your problem can be managed. Please don't waste your efforts trying to be banded. You'll lose valuable time getting the real help you need.

I was told that the 4 cc band is a company measurement that has nothing to do with fill amounts but rather air in the system. I have the Inamed Vanguard band that I believe holds 11 cc's of fill. When I went for my first fill, the surgeon inserted a large 10 cc syringe into the port with a stop-cock attached. He pulled back on the syringe until he got all the air out and then turned the stop-cock so more air could not get in. Next, he filled the syringe with 1.5 cc's of saline, attached it to the stop-cock, opened it, and instilled the saline. The second fill was a lot less procedure. He simply filled a 3 cc syringe with saline and injected it into the port. Both times I was given a local anesthetic. I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.

I would present your Mom with a gift certificate for the surgery and tell her that it's not refundable. Give it to her on a special day... like her birthday and tell her the greatest gift she can give you is living a long life.

I hope you're recovering well and pray that the next surgery goes well.

Congratulations on reaching your goal and for realizing that the journey to STAY healthy is a battle we'll fight in for as long as we're alive. You're an inspiration.

Thanks everyone. Linda, if I had to go through this 4-5 days a day I'd be back in the surgeon's office for an unfill so fast his head would spin. LOL. My throat and chest are a little sore but otherwise I am fine. I had cantaloupe for breakfast at 8 AM and then nothing until the 2 slices of deli turkey so I was VERY surprised that a first PB resulted. I'll be even more deligent with the chewing now.

After being banded for exactly 3 months, I experienced my first PB and THAT is something I don't care to ever repeat. The culprit was deli turkey, thinly sliced. The problem was that I did not take off the outer ring of skin or whatever that is. I ate 2 pieces and a few minutes later felt like I was having a heart attack with pain across my chest. I made the brilliant decision to "wash" it down with some water and that sent me running to the bathroom just in time. After 2 trips with subsequent PBs, the pain in my chest went away and I felt live I would live to see tomorrow. I did not experience restriction until a week and a half ago when I had my second fill. Needless to say, I will do everything in my power to avoid having a PB in the future. My back and chest are sore so I'm going to do soft foods for a day or two until I feel human again.

Good luck with the surgeries. I had the knee surgery you're having and the recovery is not bad but I would have to say the Lapband surgery was a much faster recovery.

Congratulations on getting halfway to goal and Happy Anniversary. You should like you're ready to move forward and continue with your losing streak after a difficult year. Best of luck to you.

Lite ricotta cheese saved me. You might also call your MD and see if you can progress to soft fish or a mashed up meatball.

I'm in the health care field (RN) and my best friend is an OB/GYN. There really is no reason NOT to have daughters vaccinated.

I am not sorry to see Star go but Elizabeth would have been my first choice to see gone. I heard a rumor on the radio that Star's replacement might be Oprah's friend, Gale.

CYPRESS TREE (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

I struggled until this second fill which finally gave me restriction. Hang in there and try to stick to the diet. It will be much better once you get a fill or two and experience restriction.

"I have to have a hiatal hernia repaired. The MD says I need to shrink my liver so he/she can do a lap approach to the surgery. To accomplish this, I need to be on a liquid diet for _________ days. After surgery, I need to be on a liquid diet to protect the sutures and allow for healing."

Congratulations on your wonderful milestone!