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Fking PORT....GRRR!!!



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Ok, so I am 4 weeks out from getting my band (aka "Chewy") and went in for my first fill today. My doctor usually doesn't do fills until 6 weeks after, but he is going on vacation so his nurse scheduled me sooner. I felt lucky until I went to my appt today. My port has FLIPPED!!! Yep, that's right, came loose from my muscle that it was attached to apparently and flipped over so my doctor couldn't get the needle in. I know i am one of MANY that has had this problem, but my doctor said it's an easy fix. I have lost 18 lbs since my surgery (counting pre op) but haven't lose ANY in the past 2 1/2 weeks! I had actually GAINED 4 lbs back and then lost those this past week again!

I need to vent mostly, because I was really looking forward to feeling full again (more) since before surgery. I still have some restriction, I can't eat as much as I used to and don't drink with my meals or eat when I am not hungry anymore, so in that case my "empty" chewy is working to this day.

The game plan is I am having an outpatient procedure (port flipped back) Thursday morning before my doc leaves for vacation for 14 days! He said he usually fills by having you drink Water and when you can fill it go through the band you are "sweet"! I trust my doctor, he's been doing this for years and was featured on one of the national news stations, but I don't like that he's going to be gone for 14 days after I get my first fill. I also WILL NOT wait for him to get back before I get a fill....that's just working too much on my patience! I wanted my fill today....and feel like throwing a fit like a two year old! LOL! I have goals set that I feel like I need restriction in order to accomplish. The first one being I want to lose 7 lbs by March 30th. That's 7000 calories less each week! 500 less food calories and 500 calories burned through exercise EVERY DAY of the week until my birthday! I can't do that without good restriction! If I could I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place....grr!

Anyway, he's planning to just give me 4 cc's for my first fill since I won't be concious enough to tell him if I can swallow the water (like he's gonna give me some anyway!) LOL so he's just "winging it" I guess. He said he's given people as much as 6 cc's the first fill and I think that is alot, but he also said more often then not his patient's get to their sweet spot early and live there "happily ever after" with that method.

I'm worried I'll be either too full or not have enough restriction and have to wait another 14 days for him to return! UGH...I'm not a happy camper tonight...I did buy a new treadmill today and worked out on it for 53 minutes. I jogged through two songs (total of 7 minutes) but once I get this port flipped back I won't be able to do ANY exercise for 6 weeks since the first time around I probably over worked out and it flipped!

Contrary to what a lot of people think, not all fat people are lazy, so I worked out and did physical things around my house almost every day EVEN BEFORE I GOT CHEWY! Sitting around for another 6 weeks (actually doing it to the T this time is gonna drive me INSANE and if I gain weight....Im gonna scream!!!!)

Thanks for letting me vent! :) Fking PORT! GRRRRRRRR!!!!

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If u say he's a well known bariatric surgeon, then u should trust him. I'm sure he's not going to do anything that will be harmful. Believe me, this venture takes a lot of patience. Trust your doctor as mush as u trust yourself. If u don't trust yourself, it's time to get another dr.

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Thanks! The nurse called me today and said my surgery is cancelled now because they need pre authorization from my insurance company...again! So, I'm being forced to be patient...but I've dieted before for a month straight, so I'll do it again! The difference is at the end of this month I'll be filled hopefully!

This is not going like I want...I'm fat because I'm not patient! I want it and I want it now. I guess that's a topic to discuss with my therapist in a week...lol

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Hi Thinsista,

How did you port repair go? I understand your frustration.Was banded Sept 29,2010. Had my first fill in November. Seems that I am the 1 in 10,000 who have a faulty port. Saline goes in but can't be drawn out. Had a flourscopy (xray) showed no problems. Am going in on the 23rd for another flourscopy and to inject dye to see if there is a kink somewhere. I have lost about 50 pounds so far, but I am in need of a fill and they won't be able to give me one till they repair the port. Just roll with the punches sista :rolleyes:

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Sorry. did not see your post that your surgery was cancelled. Keep your head up. it will come together soon.

P.S. I am computer challenged as you can see. How in the heck do you get your weight ticker to post properly?

Rg in HB

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Rg, thanks for your encouragement! Its crazy how bad I feel before hearing about others issues. I hate that we go thru this but it sure is nice to know I'm not alone!

The ticker is tricky...to be honest I haven't updated mine for quite some time cuz I don't remember how! I know there's a post on the board with instructions...we'll have to both read that one! Lol

Thanks again for the encouragement!!!

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Thinsistasoon,

Thanks so much for replying. I have not said alot in these forums. But surprisingly enough you are the first person who has replied to me. Thanks. Keep us all posted as how things go for you, and keep up the good work.

PS. I will soon figure out the silly ticker. If I do i will let you know.

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RG, LOL I have a Droid so my messages come to me! Glad I made u feel included :) still waiting for approval and for my doc to get back from vacation...I am at 285 still though ... maintaining minus 1! :)

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It's unfortunate that your port flipped. :( You seem to be in good spirits despite the setback.

Unfortunately, for me, it's situations like this that make me wish I would've gone with the gastric sleeve as opposed to the band. My port gets in the way of my daily activities all the time and will sometimes hurt. It's very frustrating. I've had to learn to move around differently because of it. Thankfully, my port hasn't flipped and I pray to God that it never does.

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I'm glad I did the band still cuz u put weight back on with the others most of the time in my experience. I like the adjustable factor but if I can't get adjusted that's a def minus! My doc says this is a 5 year weight loss plan so two months in and I'm doing ok-not bad...

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I'm going in for my port flip surgery and 4cc fill on Monday March 28th! I'm excited! I can't wait until 1-1 1/2 cups of food is all I need to fill me up for 4-5 hours! :)

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Good luck with your port revision! Let us know how you're doing afterwards. :)

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MAy I Ask what band you guys have the realize or the Lap-band?

Same thing happened too me today. Unable to access my port. I am meeting with the doctor in two days. How are you doing?

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      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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