sara31

I have had my lap band for about 5 years - I just got a fill that I was hoping to be my final fill...but I don't know if it's right.

I got it yesterday at 2pm and I was able to drink liquids, but every drink I take I "silent belch" and have overproductive saliva (kind of like when you pb, but NOT that bad)...and with that, excessive swallowing.

I have read that sometimes this is because the stomach is swollen and that it will calm down after a bit.

My question is...I leave to go out of town Friday and will be gone for a week. I was able to get a protien drink down today, so I'm not going to starve....but in your opinion, is this something one of you have waited out before and it ended up perfect? OR do I need to go try to get Fluid taken out before I leave?

Same here. Upper GI showed nothing and a band unfill resolved the pain. I am not sure what mine was...maybe super irritated? I was at 8 on an 11cc band, back at 6 with hardly any feeling of restriction (and 15 extra lbs later).

Me too! I was banded in 2010. I had heartburn start about 6 months ago (never had it before) and this past week the burning pain is steady making my stomach tender. I can feel everything I eat when it passes that upper left burning spot. I had another problem on top of this I am treating first, then if it lasts another week or so I am going back to the dr.
I had an upper GI about 6 months ago that showed no issues.

It is so tender these past two days I am eating nothing but soft stuff.

Definitely want to hear updates on this post.

I am getting close! Banded 9/18/2010 - started at 286 and am holding steady at 185. I tend to only lose weight when I try really hard - but no longer overeat. So, over the years I have plateaued a few times. I have 35 pounds or more to go.

Excellent post. Wonderful read and GREAT inspiration to snap myself back into action! My doctor went REALLY slow with fills, so, two years later I am just now at restriction within the past month. It's reinvigorated me and I am finally seeing results. Because I started seeing results again, I've started eating right and really paying attention - which is what I should have been doing ALL along.

Anyway, thanks again for the kick!

S

Mine is actually at the hospital, booked like a regular surgery. In fact, they cleared it with insurance all the way up to a full removal and new band put in. Talk about something freaking you out!

I am so ready to get tomorrow over with so I can move on and get my band working right! I have only had it since September and only have been able to get one fill so far.

My "port fix" is scheduled for Tuesday. The drs office went ahead and got it approved for a complete removal (I guess just in case?!)

This is my dr's first time he has had a port flip.

They are giving me the option of either going fully under or under twilight.

But what happens if it's more than just the port flipped? If you were under twilight, were you aware of them cutting you? (EW / Scary!!)

How is it in comparison to the original surgery?

Just looking for some advice...

I too am a side sleeper and slept on my side the first night after surgery. It was the only way I could get comfortable.

I saw the "pins" when they were doing the xray. From what i could tell they looked like pig tails - corkscrew looking attachments.

I am going to ask about sutures when I go back.

Something important to note:

Even though this has happened, I am still extremely happy I got this band. To me, this is not really a big deal - more of an annoyance than anything. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I just found out today that I have to have surgery also to fix my port. Apparently the top two prongs (realize band) came loose and it's not anchored at the top anymore. They put me under the xray machine today and tried to fill it that way but could not get it to flip back correctly so they could fill me.

Apparently I am the first patient of his that has had this problem.

I had surgery 9/15 and my first fill 10/26. That first fill they pressed on it and it jumped when she did. She was still able to fill me though.

I asked then if it was ok for exercise, etc and she said that all the healing that will be done will be done in the first 6 weeks, so not to worry about it at all.

Since then, I have been heavy in exercising at the gym with various classes. One class in particular had a LOT of jumping and my port site was super sore the next day. I don't know if I really did it in then or what?

The other thing that was different between last time and this time was that I had a cold and was coughing a LOT.

She said the prongs probably tore through the muscle at some point but it could be a combination of things as to why it did what it did.

It hurts to the touch right now because of all the poking and prodding I have been through in the last few days. 9 needle sticks (and searching for the port with the needle) and bruising later...ouch!

TSALEEN:

How long did you stay out of work for this revision?

I was only out 3 days with the original surgery. Just curious.

Did you do twilight sedation and local anesthesia or did you go fully under?

I have been working out pretty steady since I was 6 weeks out from surgery. It was my second time taking a class called Total Body Tune up which is modeled after the Insanity program.

We did a LOT of jumping in this particular class and I noticed my port site was starting to feel really tender during and after class so I calmed down the jumping - but have any of you ever had this problem?

My dr. said that there should be no problems with any exercise, just stop if it hurts.

Thoughts? I don't want to mess something up.

It's so hard to get into a habit. I am trying my hardest to make it sink in...anyway, last night I did cardio fiesta at the gym (think latin zumba or latin dance) and it was so much fun!! Next week they do it with the lights real dim and you wear a white shirt and glow sticks. I can't tell you when I have been more excited about a class! When it's fun, its easier to do.

Tonight is total body tune up (think Insanity / P90X in a gym class). Those make me sore as all get out but since you are switching up the movements so quickly, it goes by really fast.

Mona,

I just watched the show - I think you voiced how a lot of us feel! You did so good and were so brave. Thanks for sharing your story.

One day at a time right?

The pictures discussion really has me excited to go do that at home...take all the old pictures I took front and sideways to mark "the start of the new diet" and with my current ones and see how they compare.

For some reason I just can't get enough. I don't know if its because I amazed of my changing looks or if its because it's all new (I have been heavy all my life).

Guys are starting to notice me, which is weird all in itself.

I guess this is why people go to therapy. Its probably a good idea....

That google spreadsheet is awesome!

I think I am on track so far.

How did everyone do over the Halloween weekend?

At what point do you not feel like you have to dress like your old fat self? Or look in the mirror and see your old body?

Halloween costume last night was MaryAnn from True Blood, so that required sleeveless. It took a LOT to get to suck it up and go without the jacket. Of course on the outside I showed confidence because it's what I do but on the inside I was thinking, these people are looking at my arms. They are wondering why the fat girl wondered why it was ok to wear sleeveless. What is she thinking?

I did have a NSV today though - one of my friends posted pics from the party and a young rather cute guy said "whos the raven haired hottie? I am married and SO not looking, but it totally was a big NSV!!

I want too also!! I have always had this thought in the back of my mind that I would love to just take up running. Just go outside and run a couple miles and crash on the couch when I got home.

I did a boot camp program and they made us run a mile - well of course this is before I had surgery / before I lost any weight and my mile was 17 mins and some change (yuk). By the end of the boot camp it was down to 14 and some change, but I want to get to the point where I actually JOG the whole entire mile. Then two miles, etc.

I had no idea I was so out of shape when it came to running.

I couldn't keep up with anyone! But that is why we are here - to improve ourselves! We can do it!

Wow! That's a lot for your first day!

Do you already have Fluid in your band or something?

When I go to restaurants, I order a "to-go" Water. I never put the straw in it. That way I have something with me 30 mins later to drink and no one ever looks at me funny.

I only had a two week appt and a 6 week appt.

My two week appt from day of surgery: -15 lbs

My 6 week appt from day of surgery: -5 more lbs (total of -20)

I lost 8 lbs the week of the pre-op diet.

I lost 33 in the 7 months before that.

Total of -56 up until today.

I dvr'd the show when it first started airing and I was really wondering if they were going to show the other side of the spectrum with people that are more like me.

I was just banded 9/15 but my eyes were opened after I had my psych test - showing that I had an eating disorder - something I never even thought about since I didn't fall into the category of anorexic or bulimic.

You are so brave to talk about your journey. I hope it helps you with healing and moving forward, it sounds like it already has.

I think you will find that you will have many supporters that wish you well after the episode airs.

Last week went great - 2 miles on the weight loss program on the elliptical, 4 days a week.

Tonight is the 2nd night this week, will do two more this week.

My Fridays have been packed as of late. I need to find a way to get more exercise in though.

Mine has too! I get my first fill today. I am pretty nervous. How much did you lose after your fill?

After trying many (from powder to premade) I have come to the conclusion that EAS Myoplex Lite tastes the best (the chocolate). It doesn't have an aftertaste. In fact it tastes just like chocolate milk.

The other thing I like about it is that I can run into any Target or Walmart and buy it.

I still drink one or two a day and have been banded for about 6 weeks now. Its been my Breakfast every day (its something easy to grab on the way out of the door)

How is everyone doing so far?

I never thought that might be why my nose was running!

Interesting!