mkmelissag

The same thing happened to me. After 3 difficult fill attempts under flouro, doc realized my port was flipped and there was a leak. It was frustrating, and I felt that I wasted 4 months. Keep the faith - it will get better! :thumbup: The port revision surgery was a breeze. It took three fills after the revision to get to really good restriction. Now the weight is coming off consistently, and I am so happy!! Don't let it get you down. Just keep moving forward. Good luck!

stl - You are not alone. After 3 difficult fills (under flouro) and my restriction fading so quickly, my surgeon suspected an issue. Sure enough, my band flipped, and all the poking around to access it caused a leak. It was late March by the time we figured this out, and because my ins changed Jan2010, I had to pay cash for my port revision. I was not able to get the revision until late May. So I, too, feel way behind the game. I so much wanted to be under 300 by this time, and can't seem to crack 320. Having to revise all my goals was so disheartening, I stopping logging/graphing my weight. It has been a slow go to "get back on the wagon", since I has essentially been living like I didn't have the band from March until my revision. I'm still re-learning the "rules." I'm due for a fill - definitely have some restriction, but not enough. I had my first EVER sliming/PB episode and i was so happy! :tongue_smilie:At least I know my band is working and I'm figuring out my limits. I read the posts occasionally for inspiration. I know I will get there eventually - and so will you!

My port revision was really easy. I had it done under "twilight" sedation and a local. I was up and about and felt great 30 mins after the surgery. It was strange to feel him tugging and messing around, listening to the surgeon and nurses chatting it up. Interesting experience. The "twilight' was kind of fun. I would say the soreness-wise, it was like after the initial surgery minus the first few days. I took the heavy duty painkillers and slept in the recliner for 2 days, and then just general soreness. The most painful part was paying for it! I had it done on a Tuesday, and I actually put in a few hours at work on Thursday and Friday. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.

I'm not sure when my port "flipped". My first fill attempt was unsuccessful - couldn't access the port after going through 4 needles. (not fun, btw) My second and third fills were a challenge even under flouro. At my third fill appt, the doc injected dye to check for a leak in my tubing.(I never had much restriction and weight was yo-yoing) Sure enough, a leak - most likely from him poking around to find the port. I'm currently working with ins and the doctor figure out how to pay for the port revision. Did you have to go under general anesthetic or just a local with sedation?

Thank you Viv!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. :thumbup: Today was a good news/bad news day. The good news is that I'm not crazy - there is a reason for my lack of restriction. The bad news is that I have a leak in the port tubing. :laugh: Went in for my fill - the last two were done under flouro b/c the doc had difficulty accessing the port. Today we went straight to radiology. Instead of saline, he injected dye into the port - sure enough, a small leak right where the tubing connects to the port. This totally explains why I feel initial restriction after a fill, lose well for a week, then after a week or two I end up gaining and losing the same couple of lbs. I suppose I could/should be angry. But, I was already prepared for a port revision because my port was flipped and sort of upside down. So, I guess its another surgery for me. I hear it is much less involved - going in only through the port incision, but still under general anesthesia. Keeping my fingers crossed that the ins approval goes through - and quickly! I am so glad my doc did not mess around and make me go though numerous fill before investigating for the leak. It's back to the "old fashioned" way for a bit. I am determined not to re-gain what I have lost.

You are not alone, Happy. I lurk here, but don't post much. I'll lose a few pounds right after a fill, and then spend a couple of weeks gaining and losing those same few pounds. I, too, have never PB'd, slimed or got stuck. (not that I really WANT to, LOL) I can eat whatever. Last week I ate 3 slices of pizza with absolutely no trouble. :cool: My net loss is about .5 lb per week avg. I know, a loss is a loss. I AM happy that I have lost some, but I know I could/should be doing way better. I have a heck of a lot to lose - at least 150 lbs. I thought because I am starting at such a high BMI the weight loss would be easy at first, THEN slow. Ugh. I'm behind in my fills, which I know is part of it. I may be looking at port revision soon - my port is at a funny angle and I have to have all my fills under flouro. My surgeon does not typically do the flouro, and he is not happy about it. I'm afraid my ins will not cover it. Anyway, I don't mean to be too negative. I do have hope and faith that this will work for me eventually.

My struggle with water has little to do with the band itself, other than the waiting a minimum of one hour after eating. I was terrible with drinking water before the band - it was not unusual for me to have my Grande Vanilla Latte in the morning and not drink anything more until late afternoon. Now, I have to make an effort to have my water bottle with me at all times. If it is not right next to me, I will completely forget to drink until it's mealtime, then it's too late. I have to say that I do notice a difference with the weight loss when I get my water in. It really does help.

Glad to hear it! :tt1:

Have you been able to get in for your fill yet? How are you doing? I just had my 2nd fill - flouro required again. Doc still saying after I lose 20-30 lbs, he may be able to access it better. But, he also said that if after 4 fills it is still difficult, he'll consider port revision surgery. I hope yours goes much better! :tt1:

Thank you so much, Eric. I really needed that today.

Whoa boy, I hope its a coincidence and not the beans!:sad: I'm not a big meat eater and I rely on beans for protein. Maybe try Beano? Good luck, and I hope everything goes well, and you can get back on track easily.

The same thing happened to me. Having it done under flouro should not be a problem - the surgeon will be able to see exactly how the port is sitting in you and should get it on the first try. My port is somewhat twisted - I have to lay on my side and the doc goes in at an angle. He told me that there was no way he could have found it without the flouro, but that surgery to correct it will not be required at this time. It may be required in the future, or with weightloss, the port may re-orient itself. Actually it was pretty cool to do the flouro thing... you can see your band, and he was able to do a really precise and aggressive fill, since you can see how quickly the pouch empties. Good luck - and keep us posted!

For me, this has been the greatest NSV! Before surgery, I was on 4 different BP meds, at really high dosages. I've been working with my cardiologist to wean off of them. As of today, 2.5 months after surgery and 40 lbs down from my highest (consultation) weight, I completely dropped one med (norvasc). Dosage for Metoprolol down to 50mg from 150mg. Diovan is down to 80mg from 360mg, hoping to lose that one at my next check in. Diazide unchanged. This is amazing to me since I still have over 150 lbs to lose! I most likely will never be completely free of meds due to non-obesity related heart issues, but I am ecstatic over how even a relatively small amount of weightloss has caused such amazing improvement! Oh yeah, my swollen ankles are gone too! :biggrin: I have had a couple of low readings, i.e. 100/58. I'm averaging 110s/65-75, and I have noticed that I get dizzy easier when getting up too fast or bending over. Re cuffs: I have a wrist cuff and my doc is OK with it. I bring it in with me to test it against theirs every so often, and its never more than a couple points off.

Coffee 6:30am B-fast: 7:30am -always egg and bacon, all protein in the morning keeps me fuller longer Lunch: I try to hold out as long a I can - 1:30-2 if I can make it. If I eat too early then I'm ravenous before dinner. I keep a protein shake at work for emergencies. Snacking mid afternoon gets me in trouble. Dinner: 6:30-7ish Post-dinner: If I feel the need, and can afford it :smile2:.....either a handful of dark chocolate covered almonds or a homemade protein smoothie.