happygirl02

i was banded by dr.ortiz 2.5 years ago and have not had any complications. have not had any fills for 8 months. today i started feeling some discomfort in my lower left abdomen area (which is pretty much where my port is) and felt some odd "clicking" sort of movement. was driving at the time and figured it was just a rib laying weird or something. when i got out of the car, i felt some more discomfort and when i went to gently press on the area, realized it was my port are and noticed that my port feels quite different than it usually does. its always felt rather flat at the site but today it feels more protruding and very much like the edge or the side of the port is now facing forward. i've recently lost 25lbs quite quickly and i'm wondering if something like that can cause enough change in body shape/ stomach shape that it could cause a shift in the port. i know that the standard response would usually be to go get it checked out, but i live in canada and have to fly 2 provinces away to see a fill doctor. very expensive and time consuming if not necessary. especially when i don't even need a fill! is it possibly that my port could have rotated after all this time?? and if so, is that something i should be concerned about or would it just be left as is.

i was banded by dr.ortiz 2.5 years ago and have not had any complications. have not had any fills for 8 months. today i started feeling some discomfort in my lower left abdomen area (which is pretty much where my port is) and felt some odd "clicking" sort of movement. was driving at the time and figured it was just a rib laying weird or something. when i got out of the car, i felt some more discomfort and when i went to gently press on the area, realized it was my port are and noticed that my port feels quite different than it usually does. its always felt rather flat at the site but today it feels more protruding and very much like the edge or the side of the port is now facing forward. i've recently lost 25lbs quite quickly and i'm wondering if something like that can cause enough change in body shape/ stomach shape that it could cause a shift in the port. i know that the standard response would usually be to go get it checked out, but i live in canada and have to fly 2 provinces away to see a fill doctor. very expensive and time consuming if not necessary. especially when i don't even need a fill! is it possibly that my port could have rotated after all this time?? and if so, is that something i should be concerned about or would it just be left as is.

i've had 3 fills and am definitely in need of a 4th. the trip to tijuana is ridiculous for me cause i'm travelling from central canada so it's very pricey and time consuming. BUT hubby and i may make it into a mini-holiday. couldn't find the info i was looking for on the website and am wondering if anyone knows... -how much for a fill at the occ -do they get a deal at lucerna or other hotels? i can book privately for 85US. -i've heard of many overfills there and that concerns me cause there's no way i can come back and no one here to do an unfill. will they respect my wishes to be conservative with the fill? any other info you think would help me in making my decision would be great! thanks all.

well, i'm not going to give you my exercise or eating habits because i've seen way too many folks verbally beaten up or chastised if they don't meet someone else's personal criteria. fact is, we all deal with weight problems stemming from poor eating habits and exercise habits. this is WHY we have the lapband in the first place - that's not to have you all assume that i eat horribly or lay around all day... i just don't want it to be a factor in your answers at this point. over one year with band. have lost very little. have had 3 fills. very rarely feel true restriction but OFTEN have things get stuck. i chew the heck out of all my food and don't drink with my meals. my question is this... if i am not losing even with proper diet and exercise, am NOT feeling restriction but AM having things get stuck, should i consider another fill? the fact that i am getting stuck fairly often but not feeling restriction concerns me - does this mean my band may have slipped upwards? in no way do i want to become one of the bandsters that is thrilled to eat 4 bites of food and call it a meal. it's not because i am unwilling to give up my food, it is because i am a firm believer in nutrition and not pushing my body into self-preservation mode (ie - storing up calories/fat because it's not sure when the next fuel-up will come). thanks for your thoughts!

"I realize others pushed for a fill, but if you rely 90% on the band and only 10% on will power, then you will be miserable. You have invested lots of time and money on this, make sure you put in your 50% and the band will put in 50%. " seems to me that right now you are doing exactly the opposite of this statement. you are relying primarily on your will power and very slightly on the band (if at all). if what you should be aiming for is truly that 50/50, sounds like your band needs to be working a little better for ya!

holy smokes lady! that is amazing!! although... me at 160lbs is no where near a size 6 ( such an inspiration you are... thanks!

my prayers are definitely with you heidi! 7 years ago my husband gave in to satan's lies in his life and believed that he was doing the "best thing for our kids and our family" by leaving for his own happiness. the combination of satan's lies and his own self-doubt had caused him to believe that another woman was more supportive and that his happiness was more important than his commitments to wife, kids and christ. it should have been the biggest hell in my life but instead of giving in to my own sin (hatred, anger, EATING ), i turned to God to be all that i needed in life. i had no choice - i couldn't control things - it was in god's hands. and i knew that i needed to be in a place that if everything was taken from me, i'd still be okay and i'd still praise god because he was and is all i'll ever need in this life. although my marriage was not restored because my husband was and is still so very blinded and drifted, god has been with me every step of the way. my daughter has been carried through this tragedy and remains strong in her trust of god. he brought me an amazing new husband that is an incredible father and we feel so very blessed to be together (he also had a christian spouse who left for another man). i tell you my story not to discourage you or have you thinking that your marriage may not be restored, but to let you know that whatever the outcome, god will be your everything if you will allow. he will provide in ways you never thought you even would need. i will continue to pray for you and i hope you'll keep us updated so that we can know how to pray. love julie

Name and Location: Julie from Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA Age: 36 Gender: F Band Date: July 18, 2008 Height: 5ft 2in Highest weight: 188 Current Weight: 169 (mid-oct/08) Goal Weight: 135

hey all! i had my 1st fill about 1 1/2 weeks ago... 1.3 in a 4cc band. he told me he figures i'll likely need a second one in 3-4 weeks because he does the gradual thing (no flouro). i am not really feeling much of anything. i haven't "tested" things because i have a feeling i could eat and eat and would never stop! so i just eat small portions because i know i have to. i definitely start to feel a bit of fullness earlier than i did before the band, but not to the point that i'd call it restriction. so here's the thing... i'd love to book a second fill but i have read on here that sometimes it can take some time for a fill to "kick in". i don't want to waste time sitting around waiting but i also don't want to be in a too tight situation (i am a $300 flight away from any fill center and the option to head back after a few days for an unfill is not really appealing to my wallet). how long does it usually take for that "kick in" point?? thanks

just an update on this topic... begged and begged and got dr. decouteaux's secretary to sneak me in as a patient!! yay! so i flew out there and had my first fill and HE IS WONDERFUL. got 1.2cc's in a 4cc band. i was so worried i would be overfilled and he assured me he has a strict policy of how much he puts in so that that can't happen. he found my port right away and said that it's actually easier because i waited awhile (3 months). i don't feel much restriction now but i didn't expect to on a first fill. will likely be back there for my second fill in 3-4 weeks. THANKS TO ALL WHO REFERRED ME TO HIM! I CAN'T SAY WHAT A RELIEF IT IS TO HAVE A DOCTOR WHO TRULY CARES AND HAS AMAZING BEDSIDE MANNER!

i never had the stomach to do the atkins (can't handle alot of meat) but i was on carb addicts for a long time. my fav small meal or snack was wings and veggie sticks. i found that when i was feeling sorry for myself for not being able to eat what everyone ate, the wings made me feel like i was one of those skinny chics who could eat whatever they want! yes, they're high in fat but having only 4 or so and veggies is not about to pack on the pounds

absolutely stunning. i hope that when you look back at your b4 pics, you are so proud of yourself! and your hubby best be proud too - he couldn't have a hotter woman on his arms! thanks for all your inspiration and help to us all =D>

hey julie! wow - i just can't even say how upsetting that all sounds. it almost seems as if they never even knew of your distress??!! i found a doc in calgary to do my fills (he's technically not taking any more patients but i begged enough!) and i'm so happy i don't have to travel all the way from up here in mid-canada to TJ just for a fill. i'm feeling nervous about the whole overfill thing. my appt is this fri afternoon for my first fill and the doc doesn't work sat. plus, until i've had my 24hr liquids and the swelling settles, i'm guessing i can't really know if i've been overfilled anyway! i'm thinking of telling him i'd rather be underfilled than over. slow weight loss is better than not keeping anything down! i totally agree with you about the surgery - dr. ortiz is great (as far as i can tell) but aftercare is absolutely crucial. i remember he pretty much guaranteed me that if i would pay the 700 each time to come for my fills, i'd only need 1... maybe 2 at the most. he said that if i went elsewhere i may end up needing 4 or 5 because they're just not as good as him! he said i need to keep my priorities straight and not worry about saving some money. LOL. must be easy to say when you are taking in $7000 from 10 people per day!!! i'm assuming that you are at a good fill level now? i hope it works for you and that you see the results you're looking for! take care van buddy, jules

hey kim! i emailed rene at occ and what he sent me was a receipt! i don't think that's what they are looking for. i asked him for an operations report (which is what the receptionist said i need to have). when you got your paperwork, what specifically did you ask for? thanks

wow - this is so frustrating. i've called all 3 doctors in calgary, a doc in mississauga and 2 in toronto. "we don't take mexico patients". aaarg!! i'd really like to stay in canada cause it's just plain cheaper! sorry, cujo, but there doesn't seem to be any fill docs in regina help!