AngieB2009

B_G - the Chemo nurse is familiar with the needles and the ports. They are similar if not the same type of ports they use for cancer patients. They have plenty of experience and would be the best choice if a bariatric surgeon/nurse was not available. Intersting huh! Learn something helpful all the time. So now when I travel, I will feel better knowing there are more people who can help me in a pickle if I need it.

Ebonymc - I understand, my fills have been progressive. I am glad I've been creeping up on my "sweet spot" but it so hard to be grateful and not impatient. Four fills and four months later.....I really hope I am there now. (not to mention $1200, bucks in fills.) Sometimes I wish my fills would be more agressive, then I think, each one I or my body went through an adjustment phase. It's been one of those waiting games for me. I wish you the best and also hope you reach your s.p. fast!

Fill # 4 - 4 Fills in 4 months! Let this be the one! Posted by AngieB, Today, 10:31 AM Admin/Owner Options Make This Entry A Draft

I drank a beer. Yes, that is right, I did it. 4 months out of surgery and I decided to tip one back. Took my sweet time with it, had no issues that I know of. It did take me an hour before I finished it. Tasted good! Anyone else take a walk on the wild side.... My paperwork said to wait for 6 months. I am a bad bandster. Don't plan on picking up my ol' Diet Coke addiction again. But a beer every now and again....I'll do that. Anyone else???

Right on! At least it was worth it. Since this post I have shared a beer with hubby and he drank most of it. To bad I love the taste of beer....boo

I had a fill apt today. They added .4 cc's. I now have 2 cc's in my band! Let's hope fill #4 does the trick for a while! 4 fills in 4 months....

I went up....248....hmmm. Maybe I will have better news next week, as I got a fill today! I have 2 cc's in my band now.

Tell me that beer tasted good! Mine sure the heck did! It took me a while to drink it too. I'd a loved to just tip it back and drink a good drink, but figured I had better not. No straws huh....well can't say I have used to many of them any way....good to know though.

I had my first meeting with Dr. McBride on Monday. She took me on as a patient and did my first fill! YAY! McBride and her staff were very nice. I've heard good things about her and wanted to post in her forum.

The dietician I met with asked my what my lowest weight had been as an adult. I told her 170. After we discussed it, we set my goal at 170, which would be a touch over 100 lbs for me to loose. Now, my dream goal would be 130-140 range. Since I am beginning this journey, we will have to wait to see where I end up.

I hear that BG. My Dr. has 24hr availability. Which is nice to know I can call at any time and get the help I need. P.S. I don't have the supplies to do an unfill.

So I was reading on LBT and came across a thread about doing your own fill/unfill in a pinch/EMERGENCY. It was actually a poll with discussion. I voted, and then took the time to read through the posts. I have to admit it was interesting banter. I am a DIY kind’a gal in most circumstance. I have done some limited reading on the topic and have discussed this subject with my family. My husband thinks it is CRAZY as does my mother. My father and I have a slightly different perspective. During my pregnancy I administered my own shots. Although this is completely different than accessing a port, I mention this fact only to relay that I am capable of poking a large needle into my stomach. Although, I will say I have not done a 19 gauge needle in the tummy. Confidently, I do feel like I could do my own UNFILL in an emergency. That being said, I can say pretty confidently that my husband in an EMERGENCY would NOT be able to do it for me. Nope, he does not have what it takes. He can’t stand to see me in pain and it would bother him soo much. It would have to be in a situation where no one knew how to do it and I had the right equipment ect. Safety First! Also, I can forsee the situatiuon happening. Like when I visit my family in Wyoming. I would find it easier to trust myself over many of the health care providers there. Most likely I would walk someone through how to do it. I would also have to evaluate how bad off I was.....so many variables.... Here is how the question was posed. There are pages of responses. “Be honest.... Have you ever done your own fill/unfill? Even in a pinch? Scenario; it's late at night, your fill is too much, you are barfing your guts out, you can't even keep saliva down. You can't reach your doc (maybe he's not returning phone calls, perhaps he's in Mexico, etc.) and you are getting dehydrated. Many ER's don't have docs working that have a clue about a band. What do you do? Or, what have you done? BTW, this is a private poll, nobody will be able to see your response.”

I understand where you are coming from. It's important for us to step out of the lapband bubble from time to time to actually see the results. You are actually loosing faster than the average bandster, so that is a huge success. Sounds to me like you are getting a tinsy bit ahead of yourself. The lapband is known for it's slow rate of loss. Hang in there and give yourself a break. You are doing great!

Good luck!

Wow, I am sorry to hear your story. I'd think your Dr would want to be compassionate towards you, and help you during this time. He released you as a patient!? Is it because you objected loudly about the situation?? I can bet the Dr who did my surgery would have fixed the punctured tubing and gave me a fill for free if he had cause the problem. Dr. Ortiz is a good man and I have witnessed him do amazing things with his patients! Anyway, sorry to hear of your troubles. Post the link to the story when it come out! I'd like to watch or read it!

The science of a fill! Mad science! Posted by AngieB, Today, 08:22 AM Admin/Owner Options Make This Entry A Draft

The science of a fill! Mad science! Posted by AngieB, Today, 08:22 AM Admin/Owner Options Make This Entry A Draft

Here is my reply to the post referenced. I voted, "In a pinch I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had all the right supplies." I voted first, then cruised the posts that followed. I was suprised to find so many people against it. My mentality is different I suppose. Thinking about the question posed, my main concern about doing it comes down to my level of discomfort. It would take some focus on my part, and if I was so tight I was unable to swallow my own spit, I'd hope to be able to pull it together enough to do the deed. I mean after all we are talking an emergency situation here. Here is an analogy, What would you do if you were short on breath and gasping for air? Setting next to you there was an ozygen tank and mask. Would you ignore it? My answer is for petes sake NO! I would put the mask on and huff the air into my lungs. Of course I am going to help myself! I agree full heartedly that safety should come first. Fill party.....hmmm I don't see myself attending one.... Doing my own fills. Now, that is another subject all together.

I voted, "In a pinch I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had all the right supplies." I voted first, then cruised the posts that followed. I was suprised to find so many people against it. My mentality is different I suppose. Thinking about the question posed, my main concern about doing it comes down to my level of discomfort. It would take some focus on my part, and if I was so tight I was unable to swallow my own spit, I'd hope to be able to pull it together enough to do the deed. I mean after all we are talking an emergency situation here. Here is an analogy, What would you do if you were short on breath and gasping for air? Setting next to you there was an ozygen tank and mask. Would you ignore it? My answer is for petes sake NO! I would put the mask on and huff the air into my lungs. Of course I am going to help myself! I agree full heartedly that safety should come first. Fill party.....hmmm I don't see myself attending one.... Doing my own fills. Now, that is another subject all together. Edit * I went in for a fill today. Since I read this topic, I payed special attention to the process. I asked questions and we even talked about this topic while I was being filled. I don't see me doing an unfill, not unless I was in a 3rd world contry. My Dr can be reached 24/7 or someone on her staff. Even if I was in a area where they knew nothing of the band, I could call my surgeon and have her walk someone through the process, or as I learned from this thread, ask for a chemo nurse. That is my update.

Glad to hear you are nearing goal! That is very impressive. Time is on your side and I am sure you will adjust to the new and improved you in no time! Way to Go!

I know, you think, ahh maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Then you really think it over and realize you would be in pain, and most likely not able to SWALLOW your own spit. Could you do an unfill under those circumstances??? Good Lord!

So I was reading on LBT and came across a thread about doing your own fill/unfill in a pinch/EMERGENCY. It was actually a poll with discussion. I voted, and then took the time to read through the posts. I have to admit it was interesting banter. I am a DIY kind’a gal in most circumstance. I have done some limited reading on the topic and have discussed this subject with my family. My husband thinks it is CRAZY as does my mother. My father and I have a slightly different perspective. During my pregnancy I administered my own shots. Although this is completely different than accessing a port, I mention this fact only to relay that I am capable of poking a large needle into my stomach. Although, I will say I have not done a 19 gauge needle in the tummy. Confidently, I do feel like I could do my own UNFILL in an emergency. That being said, I can say pretty confidently that my husband in an EMERGENCY would NOT be able to do it for me. Nope, he does not have what it takes. He can’t stand to see me in pain and it would bother him soo much. It would have to be in a situation where no one knew how to do it and I had the right equipment ect. Safety First! Also, I can forsee the situatiuon happening. Like when I visit my family in Wyoming. I would find it easier to trust myself over many of the health care providers there. Most likely I would walk someone through how to do it. I would also have to evaluate how bad off I was.....so many variables.... Here is how the question was posed. There are pages of responses. “Be honest.... Have you ever done your own fill/unfill? Even in a pinch? Scenario; it's late at night, your fill is too much, you are barfing your guts out, you can't even keep saliva down. You can't reach your doc (maybe he's not returning phone calls, perhaps he's in Mexico, etc.) and you are getting dehydrated. Many ER's don't have docs working that have a clue about a band. What do you do? Or, what have you done? BTW, this is a private poll, nobody will be able to see your response.”

How awesome!! You are really doing well! I love reading your posts BG. Keep on dropping those lbs! You are inspiring!

If it were me, I would go in to get it checked. Not feeling the port in the same area would be cause for concern on my part. With the added sorness, it sounds like something has happened. That being said, when I lay down, my port feels lower than it does if I am upright.

Great read. I was upset yesterday at work. This gal I work with is always talking about her DIL. Each time she does, she puts a disclaimer on the end of her statement. You know, Becca is a big girl, or for a larger gal she did look nice in that outfit. It gets under my skin. I feel the urge to say to her, "have you looked in the mirror lately, you are no skinny minnie!" I manage to keep my mouth shut, but it gets hard sometimes. Write on girl...right on!