stella

My port sticks out too and is sore off and on. I was also banded by Dr Ortiz (great Dr.). Have you called him? You will be seeing him soon so you'll find out whats going on. good luck

My port sticks out too and is sore off and on. I was also banded by Dr Ortiz (great Dr.). Have you called him? You will be seeing him soon so you'll find out whats going on. good luck

I can absolutely relate to all of you and find this so weird that most of us share the same issues. This band is crazy and scares me sometimes (i worry about Vitamins I'm missing-my hair is thinning) but I wouldn't change it for anything. You NEVER know what or when you can eat, you waste money on food and I eat way too much bad food (sweets, mashed potatoes, chips, fried foods) because they almost always go down. I would love to eat a steak, sandwich or an diner Breakfast again! I've been unfilled since Feb now and feel as tight as when I had 1.9 in..... Scared to go see whats going on since I dont think I should be this tight or pbing if I'm unfilled. Just dont want to lose the band it is such a great tool! Glad I found this thread! Cheryl

Haven't posted in a very long time but wanted to wish you all the best on this 1st milestone. I recognize most of the names from when I joined! What a loyal group. This band is crazy and scares me sometimes but I wouldn't change it for anything. You NEVER know what or when you can eat, you waste money on food and I eat way too much bad foo sweets, mashed potatoes, chips, fried foods) because they almost always go down. I would love to eat a steak, sandwich or an diner breakfast again! I've been unfilled since Feb now and feel as tight as when I had 1.9 in..... Scared to go see whats going on since I dont think I should be this tight or pbing if I'm unfilled. Just dont want to lose the band it is such a great tool! Nice to see you are all still here and have a great weekend here in Vegas. The weather is wonderful right now. Actually chilly.... Take care, Cheryl (stella)

Hello, Has anyone experienced "movement" feelings under your rib where the port was placed? Suddenly I feel "something" that feels like it gets caught for a moment and then goes away under my left rib. Kind of like a baby's elbow (not as strong) or foot moving when you are pregnant. I'm wondering if it could be the port tibe getting caught. Thanks! Cheryl

I started with a BMI of 32-33. I'm 5'6 1/2 and weighed 210. I lost the weight very fast. Not like in the past but my body has shown it as well. I havent been working out and my skin is very saggy. I suggest you workout with weights while you are losing. I really havent stuck to a diet because I've been too tight to eat even a small meal. I eat lots of junk food, mashed potatoes, soup, cookies candy etc. Not good.

"They couldn't understand why I wanted to unfill since I had lost 27 pounds in the last two months and the barium went through with no restriction. I can't explain why it looks good on the fluoro and feels so bad in my gut........but I knew I couldn't stand it one more day." I feel your pain. I can't eat anything without it golf balling. I'd like to be able to eat a small meal of good food, not the junk that is the only stuff I can get down or keep down, i.e., Cookies, Soup, mashed potatoes! I feel like i am not getting the nutrients I need but I dont want to fix or order those kinds of food (salad, fish, veg) because it will be a waste. I am going back for another unfill to .5. If that doesn't work it's a total unfill and start over. I know I can diet if I could just eat those kinds of food. Good luck......

Tru, My first fill was 1.8 and I suffered with the same thing you complain of, not being able to eat more than a tablespoon or 2 of food and then throwing up. I just went back to the Dr and they unfilled me to 1.1. Honestly I thought that was going to be to low, but I think its still too tight. I'm still having problems keeping anything down. I also forget to chew, chew, chew...... My advice is go lower and build back up.....

I too was unable to eat solid foods after a fill and was eating junk food...... I finally went for an unfill and so far so good! I hope I can start eating fruits, veg etc and start losing again. Have you looked at Fill Centers USA? They may have someone in your area. Doesnt sound like you should go back to your old dr. Good luck........

I had terrible gas pains in my left shoulder for at least 6 weeks.... Sometimes it comes back. I did go and have an MRI just to be sure. They said I have tendonosis but in the joints but the gas pain is in between, not in my joints. I read someone elses post who said it was a sign that they were full or needed to stop eating (for me my mouth starts drooling). Gasx really didnt help much but give it a try. Good luck, seems there are lots of us who suffer.....

BJ I have the IMED band, 4 cc.....

NewSho, Glad you posted! I was filled on 8/4/06 and have not been able to eat anything solid since. If I do take a bite of something, chiken, egg, whatever, it can only be one bite and most of the time it gets stuck and is painful or turns into a PB. I can keep soup and goldfish crackers down ok but am sick of that and want to eat veggies! I cant get to my Dr. for at least 3-4 more weeks. Do you think I should just hang in there and hope for weight loss to loosen the unpredictable band up?

Need Advice: I had my first fill on 8/4/2006 and have not been able to eat anything solid other than veg soup and goldfish crackers. I pb almost daily if I try anything else. I can't get back to my Dr. (in Mexico) for an unfill for another couple of weeks. What does the PBing do to the band. I try not to eat anything solid but then get tempted and up it comes. I just dont want a slip. And what is a golfball?

Road Queen , Are you saying we shouldn't be eating mushies? Is there 1 food that everyone agrees on is a quarantee to go down; where you can at least enjoy the portion:)

Anotherme, I noticed you have a fill every 2-3 months. Did your Dr say it will be that way until you get to your goal weight? Just curious. My Dr said I would only have 1 or maybe 2 more fills ever. Stella

I was on a LOA when I had my surgery but will gladly tell anyone who asks how I lost the weight. It think it's a good incentive for those who want to do it themselves. From past experience - everyone finds out anyway and lying about it or being evasive, only makes nosey people keep the conversation going.

Great Question Poodles and just what i've been wondering about since my first fill last week. I have had the hardest time trying to keep down more than 2 bites of anything. No 3 meals a day for me, I can barely get split pea soup down. The problem I notice since the fill (before the fill I could eat like before) is, if I make a bowl of soup, lean cuisine, etc, I want to eat it. It is impossible now. I'm hoping the restiction will go away as I lose weight. Like someone said before even water can start the PBing.....I dont want to go back for an unfil lso soon but I'm also not sure how long I can look at food I cannot eat and the PB thing is driving me nuts!

Randi, Boy I absolutley can relate to your post and feel the pain! Just had my first fill. Can feel the restriction. I wondered if anyone else can feel their tube/port sloshing around? Mine feels like it's got gas bubbles around and I swear I can feel it move. I still have gas pains in my left shoulder - any one else? and what do you do for it?

Monk, I have a friend, stephanie who is being banded by Dr Ortiz on Friday July 14.... You may see her and her friend Judy by the pool or in the lobby.... Good luck to you.

BLJ, I have been drinking Soups from a box, since the 2nd week. I was suppose to drink onlu Clear liquids but found I was going nuts listening to my stomach rumble. I have not eaten anything mushie or solid yet, just creamy Soup. I hope I havent screwed anything up :confused: My first solid meal is Tuesday 7/11 !!!!! My first fill is 8/5/06. Also, I cant feel my port anymore either..... hope it's there somewhere!

Randi, I'm starving all the time to but I believe it is because we are not eating solids yet. You aren't are you? ===

After reading through most of the boards, it looks like most people DO NOT diet (or change their diet) after being banded. I assumed and will change my eating habits to eat more clean (Sonoma, Michael Thurmond etc) as soon as I can eat solids. My question is, what diet do you follow if any Post Op? If not dieting and you eat all foods you did prior to banding, do you feel healthy and how long did it take to lose the weight? Also, any complications with the band because of food choices? Thanks!

AIleen, Dr. Miranda told me Mirida (sp?) was the anti depresesant that they started using as a weight loss drug. She also said to use Wellbutrin if I needed it. No weight gain.

So cal and Liz, I too did it on my own. Met up with 2 other banders when I got there. It would have been nice to have someone in the room when the Dr.s come in to speak to you. I had just taken the pre surgery pill and was a little dope so I didnt quite hear everything..... I'm glad for Dr. Ortiz's diet instructions! I am down 17 pounds the first week! Yoo Hoo........ Liz - The hotel has internet connections for the room and they have a computer in the lobby......