pickles123

I know everyone thinks there doctor is the best; but, I do have one of the best. But anything could happen. If you could see the picture a little bigger you can see that there is a plastic seal all around the port and there is just not plastic there. Not like a nick, kind of like there was a gap in the plastic. It reminds me of caulking and just a space where there was none. Doc did send it back because he said it was a defect; but, I don't expect any response. My thing is like with any manufactured product often there is a "lot" done. I sure hope there aren't a bunch of others out there. I have a feeling we will never know.

Congratulations Nean, You are doing great. I hate those posts that say this is the easy way out. Have a great evening!!!

If you have a Golden Spoon near you, and If you must have some ice cream, their Peanut Butter Cup is great. I haven't had it since surgery but I had it a lot on weight watchers. It is the best.

If anyone is interested I put up the surgery picture of the defective port during surgery. It is still attached to me but laying on my stomach while they try to figure out where the leak is. My doctor is very cool. I think I put it as "Surgery Picture of defective port" Neat to see where the actual seal is not there.

I think I got it this time.

I see the picture did not come up. I will try again. If anyone knows how to show pictures please private mail me. Thanks

This is my first time uploading a picture so I hope it works. I just posted earlier about "Am I the only one that thinks this is a diet" Here is the picture of my defective port. The doctor even said that it wasn't a full seal on the port. What you are seeing is the back of the port. This would have been placed toward my muscle not where we get our fills. The red is just a little blood and the blue is the dye. He didn't want to take it out but was unable to find the leak with just saline because it was in the back. It is said that this happens in only two percent of the people????? I guess I was one of the lucky ones. Enjoy. I thought it was an intersting picture.

Yes, I am the hiccup Queen. They start about 5 minutes after I am done eating.

I also agree that low carb is the way to go. My only problem is that I can not stick with it. I really give you all credit that do the low carb programs. It really takes some will power to get past that initial stage. Keep up the good work!!!

btrieger. Sounds like you have a great attitude going there. Keep up the good work and definitely take advantage of your age. As you get older the exercise is harder and the calories become fewer for weight loss. I know I had expectations of quicker weight loss and I think that is my problem. But as you well know the turtle wins the race. Thanks for the support. Have a great evening!!!

Thanks for the encouragement Shelly. That was a really nice post. I am not one to give up so I know I will get back on the wagon. Just disappointed in how I am doing right now. I am a perfrectionist type person so in the end I know I will lose these last 30 pounds, My motto is that you are not a failure unless you give up and I never do. (I just take breaks) Enjoy the recipe it is really good. Thanks again for the encouragement.

I had surgery in August 2009. About November I started telling my doctor that I didn't think the band was working. I did lose 50 pounds but I was just dieting as normal. After 7 fills and March 2010 my doctor came to the conclusion that my band had a problem. April 1 I had my port replaced. It was a defect in the port from the get go. I have the surgery pictures and the port has been sent back. Since then I have had fills but not much motivation. I think I am near my sweet spot; but it still feels like a diet to me. You need to watch what you eat just like any other diet; but I sometimes feel that I am not getting enought fruits, veggies etc that I would in a regular diet. Plus you have the getting stuck to worry about. I have done WW in the past and done just as well. I just could not keep it off. Thus the band. I know I have a attitude problem right now. I just don't want the pre-op patients to think this is easy in any way shape or form. Sorry just a little rant because I am having a hard time right now. I know I will get back on the wagon just like we did when we dieted; but, I expected so much more. If you have had any sort of revision, would you please respond and tell me if you had this same type of feeling? Or just respond with some good ideas. Thanks for listening!!! P.S. A great weight watchers recipe with o points. Of course calories but they balance Fiber with calories to get points. It is call Healthy salad and is really good if you like cole slaw or chinese childen salad 4 cups shredded red or green cabbbage 1/2 medium English cucumber thinly sliced 1/2 medium red onion thinly sliced (I used much less) 1 large garlic clove thinly sliced ( I didn't use any) 1 medium green peppper thinly sliced 1 medium carrot thickly shredded Dressing: 1/2 tsp salt (or to your taste) 1/2 tsp black pepper 2 1/2 T. Sugar (I used splenda) 1 1/2 T. Apple Cider Vinegar 1 T olive oil 1 T Water (I thought this a little old but added it) 1 T fresh dill, chopped, optional) I did add this In a large bowl, combine cabbage, cucumber, onion, garlic, green pepper and carrot. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients and pour over vegetables and toss to coat. Chill in refrigerator, tossing once or twice for about an hour. Yields 1/2 cup per serving. I think next time I will add a little chicken for the Protein and it will taste almost like Chinese chicken salad minus the noddles. It was really good. Have a great day!!!

I asked my dermatologist for some lidocaine. He gave me a prescription. I rub it on one hour before my appointment. Then he said to cover it with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap makes it work a little better. About 10 minutes before the fill I rub on just a little more. No pain at all. My doctor is very good at fills anyway. One time I forgot the lidocaine. It did hurt but not really bad. He does use the smaller needles, not the large one that some of you talk about. I think most any PCP or doctor might give a prescription for lidocaine. It works great and no need for the extra needle stick. It can't hurt to ask. I am of the no pain approach!!!!! Have a great day guys,

You all are doing great. Phyll sorry about the bump in the road but you will beat that. I am very impressed with the over sixty group losing so much weight and sticking with it. I have been at my weight since April 1 so I am going to have to do something to get it going also. I haven't changed the weight loss eating but I think it is time for something drastic like more of that sweat stuff. I do tend to keep my band a little on the loose side but that is how I like it. Good luck to you all and have a great day!!!!! I don't post much but I am on here a lot lurking and you guys are great inspirations.

Thanks ladies: I am trying but the motivation is not what it was when I first got the band. I am trying and will continue. I just hope I get that really great motivation back.

I am so tired of everyone thinking it is them not doing the right thing, I had a defect in my port. My doctor told me it is not me it is a band problem. The defect in my port was a factory problem. It never did work. It did however take six months to convince my doctor that the lap band was not working. After six months he took out the Fluid and there was none there. I had port replacement. Now I am just not doing as good. I think it takes something out of you if you have problems. I have pictures taken in surgery of the defective port. One day I will post them. The leak was in the part that sat against my insides. He had a hard time finding the leak. You could definitely see there was a defect in the port. It has been sent back to Allergan. I expect nothing from them because that is what I will get. So some of tests that are being done to you all would not show this type of leak. A floro would show the saline going in but he said it would not show the leak because it was tight against my insides rather than the port top. So it just slowly leaked out until the next fill. He does the pressure thing. It shows great pressure going in the band and then slowly leaks out over about 3 days. Never to be seen in these tests. He tried to check the port while it was in me during surgery and finally had to remove it just to find the leak. New one on him. My point is don't blame yourself. You may have a lap band problem that hasn't been found. If the doctor said not to blame myself I can go along with that. My only problem is that I lost 50 pounds with a defective band (port) I am a great dieter so he thought it worked even though I was dieting really good. We all seem to diet good. But it was just me,no band. Now I am just depressed after all that work. For six months I did the program and lost weight on my own. Sounds great but you develop bad habits because none of the bad stuff that is suppose with the band happens to you so you think it is working and you are doing what you are suppose to. I did better on weight watchers and wish I had the band taken out rather than repaired. Some of you may feel you want to keep the band just remember they can't see anything until they get in there. So after a long speech. IT REALLY MAY NO BE YOU. Sorry for the long post.

You have had your band out by now. How are you feeling. I hope you do well. I think WW is a great idea. Good luck!

Mine was just where we pick up our regular cups that he recommends we use. I just took the plate because that was all I was interested in. I didn't think I needed the bowl, etc.

Mine was free for the taking at my doctors office. I hope you didn't pay for this.

You have gotten a lot of good advice here; but, it does sound like a new doctor might be in order. I think I would go to some other groups in your area and see if there is a doctor that might be better for you. Just my opinion but I feel that you have to have a good relationship with your doctor. This means to me mutual respect on both sides and it sounds like he might not be listening to you.

All I can tell you is that your doctors skills, number of bands etc and aftercare are of most importance. Without adequate after care you might as well not get the band. If you feel the least hesitation, go to another surgeon. I did and did not regret it.

I had the same problem. My PCP prescribed Amitiza. Works like a charm with none of the problems that you get with laxatives and no dependency.

If you get a new band you are paying for the port also. Are you sure you want a new band?

Just a thought but, I think, around Dec? Jan? the non coring needles were found to be making holes. It is all over the internet. Check it out and make sure your doctor is not using the old ones. Just a suggestions but that might be what happened.

Good luck!! I hope all goes well. They have to take blood anyway, so couldn't you just go today for a blood check to make sure you are okay. That way you would not have to go tomorrow and have the IV and everything and be disappointed again. I have had many surgeries where I went a day or two ahead for the blood draw.