tammyj

Thank you and good luck to everyone having TT surgery soon...you will not regret it!!!!

Good Luck Elcee! Jean I haven't been very active on this site so I don't know who she is but I can recall one particular member awhile back who constantly make negative comments about everything. Those types of people are usually very miserable in their own personal lives.

Well I just returned from having having my second upper GI and my band is still in the wrong position so revision surgery is inevitable I am waiting for my surgeon to review the x-ray to make a final determination. I can't wait to talk to him to find out when, what, and how all this is going to happen. I am feeling a little anxious right now. I am not looking forward to having another surgery, but I know that everything will be okay afterward. Elcee I went through the same thing you are going through during my second year. My first year was perfect...no problems whatsoever. Then out of the blue I started having acid reflux at night. I would wake up out of my sleep choking on gross acidy saliva. I was fine during the day and could eat normally, but the acid reflux would happen every single night if I tried to lay down flat. I had not had a fill in almost a year when this started happening so I did not understand how I could possibly be too tight. My restriction level was perfect as it had been for the past year, but I still decided to have a slight unfill to see if it would fix the problem and so I could sleep like a normal person. The unfill stopped the acid reflux, but at the same time I had less restriction and therefore started gaining some weight back. After gaining back 20lbs and going back and forth to the doctor having fills and unfills trying to get back to the restriction that I needed to start losing again I got so frustrated and just gave up. I never went back for another fill. I still had 2cc in my band and left it at that. That was in Oct 2010. I lost the last 40lbs on my own so to speak by working out...HARD!!! Since I truly believe my ordeal was the works of a "slipping" not slipped band I advise you to please be careful. Another symptom to look out for is heartburn. Even though the acid reflux was resolved I started having occasional heartburn. Not often and not severe...I would take a prevacid once or twice a week to control the bouts, but since my band has been completely unfilled for the last 6 weeks the heartburn is completely gone. I really hope your issue gets resolved quickly. May I ask what kind/size band do you have? Jean who and why would anyone gloat about you having to revise?? Bayougirl I was given the okay to wear a stage 2 garment like Flexees or Spanx at my 2 week follow-up. I still wore my compression garment at night until about 4 weeks. Your PS will probably give you the okay soon.

Thank you ladies!!!

Thank you!

Jean your information has been very helpful...thanks so much!

Thanks so much everybody!!! Even though I dealing with a slipped band right now I have no regrets about having tt surgery. I am thrilled with my results...I do double takes in the mirror because I still can't believe that it's me!!!!

Thanks ladies I appreciate the support. Bayougirl, did your surgeon say why he needed to unfill your band for your tummytuck? My PS did not unfill my band before my tummy tuck surgery...he said it wasn't necessary. Since it is not clear as to what caused my band to slip I am wondering if the tt surgery had anything to do with it. My band slipped 4 months post tt surgery. My insurance will pay for the lapband revision so I am grateful for that. Thanks for sharing your experience Jean. Having more problems is what I am afraid of if I keep the same band. Is your dialated esophogus issue possibly related to the previous band slip? I understand your point about the 4cc band being too small for some people, but I actually thought it was the perfect size for me. I always thought the bigger bands would be too big for me. I have lots of questions for my surgeon regarding the different bands as well as the gastric sleeve procedure. I plan to have answers by the end of this week so I have some idea of how I want to proceed. Thanks again ladies!

Thanks everyone! I feel great!!! 10 days post op and I already have most of my energy back. The first few days were tough but soooo worth it! Posting another pic taken today at 10 days post op.

Yes he did! Thanks Sue!

I did not have my band unfilled and I have not experienced any swelling or tightness around my band. I am only 9 days post-op so I could be talking to soon. I bought Bromelain, but I try to avoid swallowing pills if possible. I took the Bromelain one day, but the pineapple juice seemed to work just as well to help the swelling. Bromelain is in pineapple. Just make sure you get the 'not from concentrate' pineapple juice or eat fresh pineapples to get more of the nutrients. Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!

Medicaid covered my panni removal, but I had to pay for the muscle tightening involved in the tummy tuck. This reduced my cost because medicaid covered the anesthesia and hosptial stay.

HELLO ALL!!! I know there aren't many of us left from this group, but I thought I would still leave an update while I'm here. I went through a slump for quite some time with my band. The first year was great, but year 2 and 3 was very discouraging. I was back and forth with fills and gaining weight. At one point I even thought I had a leak?!? After I while I just gave up and stopped going back for fills because nothing seemed to be working. I decided to work with what I had. Year 4, things have really turned around. I still have not been back for a fill in well over a year. I started taking phentermine in January of this year. It helped control my appetite and I lost 10lbs. I was happy with that. I was exercising, but not consistently. In the past 3 months I started taking classes at the gym instead of working out on my own. The classes have really made a big difference!!! I started out doing Zumba. I lost a few more lbs but nothing significant until I started taking a Body Pump class. Then the weight just started melting off and I lost another 15lbs. I am now 4lbs from goal. I do Body Pump 3x a week and Zumba 1 day a week. I still take phentermine, but I scaled back to every other day. I am now scheduled to have my tummy tuck on September 30th. I told myself that I would not have it done until I was closer to my goal weight and now I'm almost there. I am very nervous about the surgery because I know it will be very painful. I am still very grateful for my band. I don't know where I would be without it! At 4 years banded, I know most of us have experienced some trying times at one point or another as I have read in your posts. Hang in there ladies, it can get better. I had to step out of the box and try something different to get things moving in the right direction. The band only took me so far. Even if you don't go any further, just think about where you COULD be as Karen stated. Be proud of yourself for coming this far because we have come a long way! Be blessed ladies and take care! Tammy :-)

Oh Barb, I am so sorry to hear that you need to have your band removed. That has always been a worry for me. Hopefully the sleeve will be a better option for you when you are ready for it. I don't check back here very often, but I often wonder how all of my band sisters are doing. Please check back and let us know how you are doing after surgery for those that get a chance to check in. You hold a special place in our hearts as well )))

Hello Marchies, Here we are in May guys!!! April has been a tough month for some of us, but better days are ahead of us in MAY! :girl_hug: On the road to reaching our "sweet spot" there may be some road blocks,:think but it's nothing that we Marchies can't handle! :girl_hug: So, let's get our bodies moving and let's see those pounds drop! :girl_hug: Challenges: MaRcHiEs MaY ChAllEnGe Exercise: 30 min. sessions 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 40 min. sessions 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 100 crunches/day 0 of 20 days completed Water: 64oz or more/day 0 of 20 days completed Choose which challenge(s) you want to do, or make up your own, and cut and paste it into your signature. Let's cheer each other along! :cheer2: Stay positive and have fun!!!

Hi Everyone! It's so good to see some of you here 3 years later! Today is my Bandiversary and I started thinking about you guys and my journey the past 3 years. I must say I am very happy with myself and my band even if I don't lose another pound. Right now I weigh 195lbs. My lowest weight after banding was 182lbs and my highest was 210lbs. I've had some problems, but overall I am happy with my progress and still in love with my band!!! :wub:

Hello Everyone! Glad to see our thread is still alive with no help from slackers like me! Of course I come back only when I have problems....:crying: Well, I went in for a fill last Monday only to find out that my band was empty again. I have a leak somewhere...:thumbdown: The good news is my Dr. finally acknowledged that there is a problem and will run some tests in 6 weeks at my next appt to find out where the leak is. My current problem is I was filled to 1.5cc last Monday and was absolutely miserable all last week. I was barely getting down liquids, threw up twice, chest pain, etc. I tried to stick it out since I have a leak figuring this tightness will not last very long. On Friday, just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore I called the nurse. She advised me to go to the emergency room if it was unbearable or I could come in on Monday to have some taken out. I decided not go to the ER on Friday and I actually felt pretty good all weekend. I was able to drink more liquids and have been eating a few bites of Protein as well. The only problem is I have to sit up at night to sleep because I spit up whenever I lay flat. I know this may sound crazy but with all the weight I've gained and not feeling any restriction for the past 6 months I'd rather spit up at night then end up back at square one again with no restriction. All the pain is gone, I am able to eat, and the spitting up at night is subsiding as well. To be safe, I know I should be going in today to have some taken out but I think I'm just going to ride this one out because this restriction and weight loss is fantastic and something I haven't had in a long time. Since I have a leaking issue this restriction will be short lived anyway until that problem is resolved. Last Monday 210lbs...today 196lbs!!!!!! Well, thanks for letting me vent! Have a great week all!!! :biggrin:

Hello Fellow Marchies! Just checking in to see how everyone is doing and to gain some motivation! I am so frustrated and depressed right now. :wub: I went in for yet another fill on Monday and my band was empty again. This is the second time! Why is my band empty again??? My last fill was 1.25cc. My Doc filled me with 1cc this time (why only 1cc when my previous fill was 1.25???). I have to wait 8 weeks to have my band checked (insurance purposes) to see if there is a problem. I posted my concerns on the yahoo group the hospital's lapband dietician started and here is her response: It is possible for the band to leak but very rare (<1% of the time); oftentimes there is variation +/- 1 cc (or ml) in your band due to air pockets (the band holds a lot of air in addition to saline). But don't worry the surgeons are experts in identifying if your band or port has a leak in it. WTF??? 1cc is alot to lose from a 4cc band and when you only have 1-2cc's in your band. Somehow this just doesn't sound right. I'm struggling with my weight right now and using appetite suppresants to keep it under control. I'm glad you guys are still here to keep me motivated cuz that other group sucks! My5grlz, Glad to see you here again! I think I remember your name on our original list of Marchies. You've done a great job...100lbs WOW!!! :tt2: Jeni and Juli, I'm so envious of you two! I bet you guys are some hotties now! I can't wait to see pics! :eek: Mrs. Husker, I hope are feeling better now... :ohmy: Janine and Carol, I see you! Way to Go on the exercising! Keep it up! :smile2:

Hey there Marchies!!! Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Jen...can't wait to see those pics! Thanks Whitepants! I'm still exercising just having trouble resisting sweets! I'm a junk food junkie...always have been! I also work for an appetizer company and we just added a new dessert line and I just can't resist all the sampling we've been doing. Only 2 more weeks to my cruise...UGH!!!