Greetings from Ireland again - Well, I guess I'm about due for band issues - I will be three years banded in October - I have a 11cc Inamed band, with a 9cc fill capability - it was filled with 3cc during surgery, and I had one (my first!) fill last year - february 2005 - I had my surgery in Paris, France - and now see a surgeon in England for my post-op care, adjustments etc as the language difference was getting to be a problem.... Anyway, I got my first fill - up to 6cc in Feb 2005 - and everything was going sort of ok - I have lost 92lbs, and then started to put weight back on a little - I have gone up ten pounds as I have been suffering from depression - I got over that crappy 8 months, and decided to go for another fill to re-motivate me and get me back losing - I had purposly left my restriction low for this reason.

I went for a fill yesterday to my surgeon in the UK - he also does gastric bypass, and thinks this is a vastly superior surgery for weight loss - his first question to me was "Do you really think the band works? BE HONEST!" . He does the fills blind, so I lay on the couch thingy and he tried to aspirate my band to see how much of the 6cc he can get out - well, he got out NOTHING - I was thinking - "oh no, I have a leak" - then he had the idea of putting in 1cc and then trying to remove that - he put it in, but again could get nothing out...

So basically he thinks, I coud have a leak ( a big one ) or my tubing is kinked, where saline can go in, but not be removed - we couldn't stay any longer with him as we had flights booked to go home - I am to go get a barium swallow/fluoroscopy deal done and email him the images - how this will show us what the problem with the tubes beats me but that's what he wants. I asked what does he really feel is the issue? He answered (he's Belgian, so add an accent!) "deep in my heart I feel the band is trouble - get it out"

:faint:

Anyone have any ideas? I'd be so grateful :success1:

I agree with Babs, Bright. The endoscopy can go a long way toward easing any fears you have and that in itself can be a healing factor. You should be glad you have restriction this far out that feels as it always did! That's an excellent sign that your esophagus is working as it should be.

hi folks...me again....many years later!

I had my five year band-a-versary last week and despite some problems, I'm still really happy with my decision!

just wanted to update this post on my port/tubing issue...at long last there is now someone offering fills/band care in Dublin and I met with her yesterday to see what she could tell me about my port....

I haven't done anything about it since my last port - life is pretty busy and I tried to "get over it"! Still down 70+ lbs - but have gained and lost 20lbs over the past two years....I am still pretty unhappy with how much I weigh but am still delighted with my loss overall...

ANYWAY...the lovely band nurse tried to give me a fill and basically is sure that my port/tubing are disconnected. She has suggested i fly to the UK for a quick revision surgery to repair the port - after having an x-ray to confirm her suspicions - should only be there 24 hours all going well...

next available surgery date is 2 december, and I am torn between getting it over with, and scared/worried about the op...typical me! I am a final year psych student and have a lot of work to have finished by february and exams in Jan..(excuses, excuses!) but I guess i should just bite the bullet!

for anyone researching...the surgery will apparently cost around £1200 (sterling)= $1900 = €1450 - I am self pay so I guess general anaesthetic will be my christmas present!

I have the 11cc band, with a fill capacity of 9cc - and according to the fill nurse, i probably have no Fluid in my band - I still have subtle restriction and am actually feeling quite nervous about having tight restriction for the first time -five years after banding.....is that a record???

oh and love and hugs to any of the "oldies" here who may remember me - this "place" sure has changed...it's massive!

any comments/advice welcome

Bright xxxx

Hey, Bright!!

Whatever happened with your band? Hopefully all is well and you are back on track!

Sorry Ireland didn't happen this year, but a friend and I are determined to Celebrate our 50th birthdays there, so sometime early 2011 is the goal. I see crazy fares right now for slightly more than $600!

xxoo

(((((((((((((((((Donali!!))))))))))))))))))))))

miss you loads! So great to hear from you!

nothing new really with my band - turns out the revision surgery will cost £2000 (about $3300) so I am kinda putting it off for now...gaining weight by the day so must do something soon!

Can't wait til you get to Ireland - email me when you get the chance!

Bright xxxxxxxx:Banane20::Banane20: