54Shirley

You and me both have something in common. A Leak for starts, that;s why the weight gain, and your surgeon can keep filling you, and it's gone. I have the same problem..... But you describe extreme pain. That's usually associated with Band Slippage. "BUT I AM NO DOCTOR !" talk to your Dr. about fluoroscopy, and replacement. They can see the leak with fluoroscopy, and they can then tell if the band slid down around the stomach "very painful." As far as a different surgeon?? you won't find to many that will touch someone else's work. I know this because I am still trying to find one. We moved, and we are a long way away from him, but if i have to,,, then i guess I'll go back, or have it taken out. I was banded 10/31/06 with a 4cc band, It blew with 2cc's in it????? How is that possible??? Had to be defective. I lost over 120lbs. only to put it all back on. You don't want to even go there.. When your Dr. puts the needle in the Port, take a look and see whats in it if anything. Ask him if you have to, to find out. Let him know that the fills aren't working at all, and whats next? This is a serious situation. If that band stays deflated, and food gets hung up on it, you could choke. If you have to go to the E.R. where he works, and tell them you are in pain. When they know you are his patient, they will find out whats wrong. If not the next day go to a different E.R. until someone tells you what's wrong. Like me I'm thinking total replacement. Don't let them repair it ! "it's like a flat tire, only gonna go again." Tell them to replace it. I wish you Luck, Shirley

Consider Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, It is a Center of Excellence. All there equipment including the surgical are for people up to 500lbs. DR. Jeffrey Genaw is Chief Surgeon. Sending this your way.

I try to stayunder 1200 calories a day. I give myself a window so that i try not to overdue it 800 - 1200 calories a day.

Look for a "EXCELLENT SURGEON" in your state or area. When you look up the Hospitals, Look for whats called "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE'" in Bariatric surgery. A lot of your Ins Companies will require that you go to a Center Of Excellence only ! After you have figured out who you want to go to "people here can give you feedback in your area, if you say were you are from" Give them a call, and you will attend a Orientation. In the meantime check out if your Ins. covers this, or maybe you are self pay? Let your family Doctor know so you can be set up for monthly visits Weigh inns. Your Ins. company could be a couple months of visits or up to 2 yrs. If you are self pay? You will still have to talk to your Doctor to see about tests that you might have had done that are under a year old. The surgeon will set it all up. But you still need to find out so you know what this whole process consists of. I wouldn't suggest Mexico... Because if anything goes wrong ! You have to travel back to the surgeon that worked on you. It can be hard to find a surgeon to re-do someone else's work. I know,, I am going threw that now. My Port or Tube leaks, and I have moved, so I am trying to get this surgeon to look at it, and hope he will re-do the whole thing. That way I can go to him for my fills... There are fill centers to go to, but if you see a surgeon in your area, they will do all your fills. Hope this helps. You will enjoy your journey. I'm sure. Just remember, this is a plastic tool, and it will break in time. So be prepared for Revision or Repair Surgery. It might take years, but eventually things need to be replaced. Welcome to Lap Land. Shirley Banded 10/31/06 Dr Genaw Henry Ford Hospital "Center of Excellence" Michigan

If you are looking for excellent Bariatric Surgeons. Then look into Henry Fords. They are a Center of Excellence Dr. Genaw, and Carlin are at the one on W. Grand Blvd.. In the Suburbs Henry Ford Hospitals also have the surgery there, like in Warren, Michigan. I went to Harper in 2006, and Dr. Weiner wanted to cut me open like a fish, and in exchange I would recieve a free tummy tuck ! I said no, I would rather have it done Laparoscopically. So I saw a specialist at the U of M, for something else, and he recommended Henry Fords. Said they have the Monopoly on it. So if anyone is in the state or area, or willing to travel to Detroit. Check them out. Shirley.

I had a Bone Density Test, and the radiologist swore I had a belly button ring in "I'm 56, so I don't think so" finally she said yep it's your Lap Band. Thought you would like to hear it.

Flintstone chewables with choline. That is the secret at Henry Fords Bariatric clinic in Michigan. Also it works. Check out MUSCLE MILK for different protein drinks. I buy mine on ebay. I like COOKIES N CREME, and CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER. G. L., Shirley

It's really not that hard.. I fill up a gallon ice tea jug "you know the ones with the spout and button to push down on." Every night I put that in the fridge for the next day. Any water that you use at all for jello, soup, taking pills, or drinking should come from that jug. When it's 1/2 gone your done. I even educated my surgeon with this plan, and it works. If you have a 1/2 gallon jug, use that if you want,but for your protein shakes,and more. G L, Shirley.

I have to see a surgeon about revision surgery next week. I am not interested in it unless I can get the FOBI POUCH "look that one up, and watch the difference on you tube. Otherwise I'm hoping they offer the sleeve. It does what the band said it was suppose to do. I'm not into Dumping and not getting your medication in if you need it, "AND YOU WILL" does not make me happy. Also I asked my surgeon about longevity 5 years ago when I chose the band. He just chuckled and said it's to new to tell. Every one that I new except for 2 people are dead ! Please take that into consideration. Also like he told me there's no going back. Long as he gets paid, it doesn't matter to him. People are in line to have surgery. I hope this helps some, But google Lap Band failures or mistakes, and see what comes up. Believe me we are not alone. They make it look like it's are fault, and it's not. The stuff is defective. Good Luck, I hope I hear what your choice is. Shirley.

I was banded in October of 2006. I have had nothing but problems with this band????? Started out that it felt like someone was choking me to death. Then how you eat, no water involved for a while. I couldn't do it, it felt like a heart attack every time I ate. My food was carefully measured out so I would eat under 1200 calories a day. I had a 4cc band, and I went to my Dr.'s office for a fill. I only had 1.8cc's in it so I felt like I was starving. He put in 0.2cc's, and it blew the band ! ! Now how can 2cc's blow a 4cc Band? Had to be defective. That's why all the problems... So I go in Next week to have it looked at, and see what they are going to do.. I hope they either replace the complete thing. Or I wouldn't mind switching to the sleeve. I now look at it as a tire on a car ! "SOMETHING IS BOUND TO GO EVENTUALLY, IF NOT,,, YOUR DAMN LUCKY".

It won''t hold a fill ! So I have to go in for testing next week, and see if they replace the port, the whole band, or go with something different all together.That even includes removal of the band. I had mine since !0/2006. I hate to see it go, but now it's useless, and everything gets hung up on it, even water ! if you can imagine that..

Research is always good. Have you considered the sleeve ! You loose weight a little faster, you can eventually eat what you like "BUT A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FOOD" , you are no longer hungry "That's my thing" I had my knees replaced do to weight gain, I lost 120lbs. by myself in order to get those knees replaced. Then Banded. Lost 28lbs., and the band blew on a fill. 4cc band blew on 2cc's "defective" I now have insurance again and will be going in this month to see what they want to do or change to. Just remember it is like a tire, it can go bad at any time. Then gl with getting it fixed especially if you have it done in Mexico. You have to go back to your original surgeon to fix there mistakes. "THAT'S THE WAY THE SURGEONS THREWOUT THIS STATE EXPLAINED IT TO ME ! So I'm letting you know that somewhere you will need follow up work. Check this with your surgeon.. Shirley.

Or if you eat something that's dry, and drink water then swallow the food so it slides down with the water.

If this helps ! My Doc has me g u l p a 12 oz. glass of water, if it can't go down, then to tight. But gulping was the key.

I stumbled on this, and have some advice that might help. "CHECK THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST" At Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan, we were taught that this is all new plumbing. "LAP BAND" and there are times when your plumbing gets clogged up ! So we have a solution... Mix Adolphe's meat tenderiser, and some water together, Swallow a shot glass full no more then that ! let it sit and eat its way through the clog.. Now,,I am not kidding on this, have not had to do it myself, "I HAVE A HOLE IN MY PORT, SEEING A DOCTOR ON THE 13th" But I still remember there version of liquid plumber.. Again,,, check this with your Doctor. Also with the swelling that you feel try ice cold liquids. If you like to chew or suck on crushed ice, that's a big help. Good Luck ! Shirley.

How about the St. Helen Area... I have a place for the summer up ther. Nice area..

Thats a old one!!! The meetings are the first Wednesday of every month. Are you on the East Side??

sorry,, thats talk to text for you. my mistake. Yes i meant FDA. It was explained to me by the Fill Center that more and more are not FDA approved! These, they will not touch. I apologise for the error.

I definitely agree with you! That is why I go to a Fil Center. From what I understand, a lot of these doctors are going to do surgery only, and then it will be up to you to maintain your fill. The doctor might start you off at first, just so you can learn how much your band can hold. Then it will be up to you to maintain it. That's why they call them surgeons, so they can make their money in the surgical room only. I hope it doesn't come to that, but you never know will see in the future. In the meantime, give them a call if you want, they can tell you what they're all about, and then you can decide what you'd like to do. At least it's a choice! Take care, get back if you need to. Is your band FDA approved? If it is, then you shouldn't have any problem. That's the way I understand it, that's the way it was explained to me. A lot of them in Mexico are not FDA approved. I guess those, they will not touch. Mine was FDA approved, and no problem. Shirley.

I can't tell you how to get your money back? Except for talking to billing, and or management, and I'm sure you've done all of that. What I can tell you, is go to a fill center usa. They can manage all of your fills. Since you have a flexible spending account, you can pay on your charge, and pay for your fills with the money. Look them up on the Internet, and see if they're in your state, city, or town. I know I go to one, and they're very good there. They treat you like you're a human being. Not like cattle." Out ith the old and in with the new." So take a look on the Internet. Shirley....

Got cha.....

If it feels like someone's got thear hand around your throat, and is just at a steady squeese. That's how I new I was to tight. Not to mention couldn't swallow saliva. Our surgeon from the hospital puts all his patients on [PEPCID COMPLETE] one twice a day, and it works. We took a poll at our support group to see who is still suffering from Acid Reflux. Not a one of us. So thear has to be something to this. It's got to be complete though, or it won't work. You also have to give your body a chance to get use to it. I had no problem. It worked for me from day one. This is for the rest of your life, same as the chewable vitamins. Hope you feel better. Good Luck to you. Remember,, what ever you do check with your Dr. first. Thats the safest way. Shirley...

I'm not a Dr.! You should ask your Dr. that. Sounds a little tight to me. Thats just an opinion.

For the peoplein Michigan, ticker factory.com is where you want to go to get your ticker. The first thing you will see once you click on is the front page and click on for weight loss. Then go ahead and select your ticker ruler if you don't like what you see hit the next button and more rulers will appear now select your ticker slighter browse through the pages below by hitting next and pick your design. Now comes set up, fill all the information in, then go to next. Your ticker is now done, now you have to make it work you will see a bb code click in that box right-click and hit select all and while it is all highlighted hit copy. Now opening your lapband talk windows, you did it! you now have a ticker press save signature hit the upload button on preview signature and the ticker will come up then press save signature. With that information you should have your new ticker. Good luck, hope you enjoy it!! Shirley...

That support meeting in Saint Clair Shores is this Wednesday. Starts about 6:00 or 6:30. It's at Little Mack and Frasho Rd.. Beth Lutheran church. If you don't know the area? Thean I would Map Quest it. Hope to see some of you there. Shirley...