Hi there

I had my op about 10 weeks ago and since then have been slowly losing weight (about 25lbs) My appetite has seriously decreased and I do have restriction. There are certain foods I don't seem to be able to eat without bringing them up. I am thrilled to feel like I am no longer binge eating as I did before.

My dilema is that I had a traumatic op requiring over 80 stiches and since having the stiches removed have not wanted to go back to see my specialist. Is there any reason why i should go and see him if the band seems to be working without a fill?

Has anyone else experienced this and how long did it work for you without needing a fill?

BTW I had this done overseas and did not have insurance cover so am not answerable to anyone.

Thanks all :eek:

Where did you have your surgery and why did it required that many stiches??

At some point, once the swelling goes down and you are completely healed, your restriction will probably decrease significantly and you may want a fill at that time. For now, so long as you feel retricted and are happy with the rate of your weight loss, I say leave well enough alone.

If your specialist has not requested you go back to see him then I dont see why you should. I am almost a year out and still have not had a fill so it is possible for it to work without a fill. Im sure I will need a fill eventually and I have been thinking about one for about a month now but Im still losing so I dont think its needed yet.

Where did you have your surgery and why did it required that many stiches??

Hi Esmerelda. I had the surgery in the Middle East and complications meant that it became open surgery. I have lost faith in my surgeon because of this (and some other factors).

Thanks Donna - I hadn't thought about swelling. i wonder how long it takes for that to fully heal?

Jetti - wow, that is great to hear! Hope I will be the same.

Even if you’re not getting a fill you should start looking for a Doctor you trust. That way if something happens or if you get ready for a fill, you have rapport with your treating physician.

That makes sense. thank you.

Wow shasha sorry to hear about your surgery, but you it does make sense to start looking for a doctor soon so when you are ready for a fill you can get it. What kind of complications would require open surgery??? I don't think this happens to alot of people does it??

Part of the liver lobe and the Heptic (sp??) artery were crossing the stomach - too close to operate via keyhole. I am not sure of the statistics but I hadn't heard of this when researching before my op.

It does make a lot of sense to find another specialist. I have email contact with a woman here who has had the surgery and will get details of her specialist and take it from there I think.

Cheers

good luck on finding another doctor...its always good to have one just in case you want to go for a check up, fill or if something doesnt seem right

I had to have a full incision, too, but for different reasons. I had too much scar tissue from previous surgeries. I'm still healing (surgery was 8-21) and still have port pain that radiates to my back. I think it getss a little better all the time. I'm just getting over a bad cold with lots of coughing and that sure wasn't fun. I'm so sore in the midriff area..... I haven't had a fill either and am down 50 pounds now. I'm not getting one until I feel it's right. As long as my mind stays in the right place I think I can do this for myself. I have some restriction now and like you said, certain foods don't go down well at all.. Chicken breast is one for me. It gets stuck every time.... But oh, well.

I was very glad to hear about someone else not having a fill and even more glad to know there are those who haven't had one at all.. It's encouraging for me...

Good luck to all..... Julie

I went 12 weeks without a fill, I have now had 3 fills, 2cc in a 4cc band, and I think I won't need one. when I had my band I actually has .5cc of fill in (when they tested it at the manufacture), and things have worked out fine. look for a dr close or a fill center, and it will be there when you need it.

good luck.