WormButterfly

Oh my god, it left a mark on your liver you poor thing! OMG! I am speechless. I think I will see if there is someone better than my dr... You are all right he should have known from the Xrays if it was needed or not before getting me that worried and making my OH take a day off work (money is really tight here) to take me in to surgery only to have to go home hours later!

You are all really nice people and really thank you all, I WISH i could hug each and every one of you.

Hello lovlies! I am sitting here smiling and sipping carrot, apple and ginger juice.. I just got back from hospital and I asked if it was really necessary My port is slightly flipped and she felt it really well and then spoke to my original Dr. N who did the original surgery and who is the lapband guy here in Australia and he said so long people can get into the port (even at the angle it is on) I dont need the surgery! So we drove home and I put on my Pyjamas and am here planning a day of bludge in front of the heater! So happy. Also I was told today if they had to go in again there is a huge risk of infection thaat can travel down all the way to the band and apparently that is a big risk. So my advice to anyone is not to have a port revision unless its 200% needed. Thank you all so much for your posts and kindness during my 'freak out' lol xx

Hello,

I will keep this quick, I am having a port revision surgery (seems everyone is). My question is that will I have a new scar? OR will they go in through an old scar from the original lapband insertion surgery?

I really need someone to let me know what happened with their own experience of a port revision. Some people are saying it was pain free some are saying they where in pain and bruised black and blue for weeks!

Really appreciate it..

WB xoxo

Thank you all so much, I will ask about the partial anesthesia, I didn't know it existed as such!

I feel the port all the time when I touch it or when I am rolling around in bed to get comfy, I have to lie a certain way or it feels like i am lying on a tenisball.

You know ladies I am so scared, I am depressed and mostly I think it is all about the scar.. I exavuated myself. I think it is because I dont want another scar but then again as you said above... its not likely ill be a bikini babe again (sadly) and another great point was that a lady was much more comfy after it was fixed.

I will go tomorrow morning and ask a lot of questions and see how I feel and in the end no one can make me do it hey. At least ill get my questions answered eitherway... I am so scared I wish you girls where in Melbourne!

LIndsay I need a revision because my port has ripped free on the bottom side and is facing up and virtually the only way to get a fill or unfill is from an angle that comes up directly from my nose down its mostly uncomfortable to be filled that way and when I sleep (tummy and side sleeper) I feel the port like an apple under my tummy.

Angie its just so upsetting, I dont want more scars and It is another general anasthetic, Im really scared. I know it probably will all be okay but it still scares me. I will try to talk to him tomorrow over the phone but this guy shits me because he is always too busy to talk to his patients in one way unless it is in a consult which takes months to get. Thanks for your nice message. x

Hi everyone,

I have not been here ages! Hope you are all well and happy and slimming down and loving life!

I had my lapband put in I think it was 2008 on Valentines day actually, and 1 year later in 09 i was told i needed a revision, so went on the waiting list (Public).

I got a call today and they want to do it next week (i forgot i needed it).

Guys I need your help! Please...

Do i 'need' this? Is it 'Vital' what are the benefits and cons? ATM they can access my port well one skillfull dr always does it perfectly. What happens if i just don't have the revision? Can a tilted port damage me or damage my band or anything?

They want me to undergo General anesthetic for this revision and you know this scares EVERYONE in their right mind. The scarring sucks we all know it does suck and will it leave me with MORE scarring? Will it need revision... again one day?

Im in two minds I really need your support right now ... I haven't been losing weight really im stuck at 90 kilos which is only 10 kilos down from my postop weight and my band is at its perfect level.

I feel like I need someone to sing me happy songs that it's going to be okay... anyone?

xoxoxo Thank you and I don't mean to sound negative. xx

Honestly, good on you for starting! I did and then i stopped. I struggle to excercise I dont know why! Maybe we could be exercise buddies and email etc? I think that if you do 5 minutes.. do 5 minutes its better than NO MINUTES! And then you can say to yourself you tried, you got up and DID some exercise.. Then after a couple of weeks do 10 minutes .. 15 minutes etc only do what your comfy with doing. I would hate you to hurt yourself or put more stress on your body etc.. If you like inbox me we should start a blog together..

Oh wow, well done girl! I cant sit on santas lap just yet.. but maybe next year

You look so so so good! Its a lovely photo!

"I WILL SAVOR THE SWEET TREAT OF THE SCALE"

These are wise words to live by for us bandsters! Thanks for that quote you have totally inspired me even more Merry Christmas! Lets all enjoy our sweet treats this year! Im looking forward to my 1st Christmas as a bandster... losing weight while everyone else is a piggy *grins*

I was banded 10-7-09. I've been filled 3 times - I'm at a 6 now. I feel some restriction, but I can still eat quite a bit. I have to be honest and say I haven't been watching my calorie intake, and I know that's alot of my problem. But what's the most one can be filled? I've lost 35 pounds so far, but I haven't lost anything in the last 2 weeks since my last fill. Any suggestions??

Hi and welcome!

Im a bit confused, what do you mean your at a '6'? A size 6? If so a size 6 is teeny tiny.. at least it is here in oz. Im not sure what you mean. The most one can be filled should be discussed with your specialist who put the band in as he/she knows what size band you have etc... (to be safe and all). Congratulations on your 35 pound loss though that is WONDERFUL! If you have not lost in 2 weeks you said it yourself try to watch your calories and quantities and above all exercise! Best of luck, i know its easier said than done .. xoxo

I have been a diabetic since 2001. I have been on insulin since 2002. My endocrinologist put me on Byetta and I lost 50 lbs. However, since I stopped losing weight with Byetta and my A1c was less than desirable, she took me off of it. Now that I've been put back on insulin along with taking the oral medication Glyburide, I'm gaining the weight back.

I have an appointment on Jan. 21 (previously Jan 7, but she will not be in her office) and I plan to discuss the lap band with her. She originally suggested gastric bypass, but that's a bit over the top for me.

My questions are

1. Is there anyone out there who has/had diabetes and the lap band helped them?

2. Will I still have to take insulin?

3. Also, we have excellent insurance. My husband is employed by The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas and if I have the surgery there, the co-pay will be waived. Does it take a long time to get approved for the surgery by the insuuracne and once approved, what are the pre-procedural steps before actually having the surgery?

I know these are general questions that depend on the individual, but I really would like to know how if the lap band will help me in this area of losing weight and helping with the diabetes. I'm so tired of al lthe medications until I could just scream!!! I really would to know what everyone's opinion is. Please help.

Thanks

Klee

Hi there, I can sort of answer the first 2 questions a little bit. If you watch 60 minutes and ACA (A current Affair) these well respected shows had segments on diabetics who take insulin and that 60% did NOT need insulin a few months after their surgeries ever again! I dont personally know from experience but found that fact very fabulous as i have friends who are in insulin. While 60% is a good chance, it would sill be worth talking to your dr and or endocrinologist about.

Well its the 18th here in Australia! I just wanted to wish you the very best with your surgery and recovery. Thinking of you and remembering my surgery now too lol. Its an amazing feeling waking up and knowing you have made this huge positive choice, it may be sore but that will be blown away by the feeling of positivity, believe me. Best luck sweetie xoxo.

Very inspiring photos, I look forward to the day that I will be posting lovely photos like that again. Thank you for sharing your achievements. xo

Please phone your Doctor or go and see him/her. I didnt have pain that sounds any where near as bad as yours and as hope2lose said we are all different but if your worried and it sounds you are call your dr asap. Hope your better soon hun.

All I'm going to say is 'GREAT GREAT GREAT WORK' You look so happy and amazing and beautiful and your montage is very inspiring! THANK YOU!

The Miso soup idea is great! (as mentioned by bogies mum). I feel that is so thin and deliciouse and I know i liked it. After my op they gave me clear Jelly in the hospital and some plain broth and apple juice for the 2 nights I was in there. When I got home my partner made me have so much fluids as I wasnt able to eat, so try have the optifast or optislim type products on hand just in case and to be safe. Also vitamin waters are a good chance, good luck xx

It sounds like to me you need a slight amount taken out if you cannot have anything but liquids. Don't get me wrong, I like liquids just as much as the next guy and I can't imagine what it is going to be like when I am back on solids but either way I want the option to choose.

You might be too tight and need a slight unfill of say .5 to 1 cc? The original poster of this post, Beth was too tight and ended up stretching her pouch. I would hate for you to find yourself in the same situation.

Please be careful.

Oh my god really, i didnt know that. Is she allright now? Oh sending Beth love xoxo

The dr said that i get a dramatic reaction to even teh smallest fill .. hyper something? He said I need to wait a week or so and if its not comfy with fluids then I may need a small amount out. I just had .3cc put in so maybe if he takes out .2cc could be the world of difference. Im willing to wait though for the week. Just one question it may sound dumb though.. can i stretch my pouch if im not eating anything? Only a bit of water etc? Thank you for your post it really had made me be careful now. xx WB

Honestly your breasts look lovely, I hope they are healing well. Your so brave to have gone through that operation and posted the photo here. Thank you for sharing.

Hi everyone,

My mum phoned me and said the chances of having cancer of the esophagus was very high in lapband patients, this is because of the food sitting in the pouch longer than normal as well as the heart burn etc. Does anyone know more about this? I dont want to scare myself until I know more facts.

Thanks

Can I ask a dumb question... what age is young? What is old?

I mean 20 years is younger than 30 years etc.. does that mean a 30 year old would have more excess skin or are the chances still as good as a 20 year old?

Hi there, I also have about 7.5cc in a 10cc band and since my last fill of .3cc I have had total restriction, almost too much i would say. I am down to only soups, cant have solids honestly (unless i want it to sit in my pouch all-day) (and i dont lol).

I have to wait for some swelling to go down and i might be able to eat small portions not just soup but if i where you I would try to have another fill just a small one lime me .3cc and see how it goes. Also the lapband only does 50% of the work.. the other 50% comes from what is between your ears...

Good luck

These are great tips oh gosh this is just what im looking for lol! Thanks!

It tends that every time i get a fill my band causes my stomach to hyper swell so my band feels much tighter than it actually is untill the swelling goes down. I just had .3ml put in on Monday and now the swellings started I cant eat really anything until this swelling goes down.

I had 1 waterthin cracker with dip that was ok afterward s but now it sits there and wont go down and i had to vomit. Believe me i am no advocate for vomiting. My dr said he is happy to take the fill out but recommends i wait a week if i can and stick to optifast etc...

Does anyone here have any other food recommendations? I made a great broth for lunch 0_o lol!!!!!

In my favor i did 30 minutes on teh treadmill today and feel super sexy and proud because of it for some reason

Now to eat im thinking of a teaspoon of peanut butter to suck on or something with more flavour than an icky broth. For some reason i cant even have the yogurt drink this time round and dairy makes my saliva all thick and strange. You know how sometimes you have to spit cause of the band and the feeling in your pouch my saliva is like a spider web its long and wont break its thin and clear but really odd! Does anyone else have this?

Anyway I cant wait till this swelling goes down so i can eat more normally again, I am enlisting you to help me

Thank you x

Breakfast: A cookie I know its bad but it was home made and then sadly I vomited because it was to early and tight.

Lunch: A cup of hot broth (stock-cube and water) and chopped parsley.

Dinner: Maybe it will be a tomato soup

Hi there, Im the laziest typer so Ill keep it short lol! Great topic btw!

My band is tight in the mornings, and its very very tight anyway, i can only have liquids mostly. Even Cream consistancy is oretty tough on me. Last night i had a table spoon of Salmon at an event and i managed that but that was scary because the soups are the norm for me now. As for drinking its okay sort of but like you i have to pause and i cant chug chug it down lol. I dont do the ice cube thing lol! Thankfully! But I also dont do the food thing, Breakfasts arent till after 9am when it loosens and then its a small or half a singe yogurt.

xxxxxxxx