jarvis

I spoke with the doctor today and scheduled surgery for 4/26. They can move the port interior, down and next to the muscle. Thank you everyone!

Wow, It has been so long since I had been on this site I forgot how supportive you all are! Thank you for the information and all of the kind words! Still no word from the clinic, I guess I'll call them on Monday. Dr. Doolittle, Are you sure the port can't be moved behind the muscle? I don't know where else it could be moved to. Lori (my patient rep at occ) said it could and the cost would be $350. Thank you, Jarvis

Has anyone ever had their port surgically moved? I got the band 15 months ago, and have lost all the weight I needed to, plus more (55 pounds). A year ago I started w a personal trainer 5x a week. I have no fat, and have built up good core muscles. Now the port is sticking out about a half inch. I wrote to OCC a week ago and sent photos, but yet to hear back from Dr Martinez. I was told that sometimes the port can be moved behind the muscles. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Jarvis

Trav, that's exactly what I was thinking. Typically us bigger girls are not iron deficient. A few years back I was also cold all the time (along with a few other symptoms), we found out I was anemic and now get iron infusions every 6 months, now my body temp is normal.

Even though you say "you are not trying to do cyber therapy"..you are a size 2, why are you on this board? have you had a band? And if not, why are you here asking?

I am 2 months post op with 1 fill. I can eat anything, all veggies, pasta, potatoes, chicken. I'm wondering if with my 2nd fill, I might find things different. Cindy

Well said Jennifer!

My mom and I (we had our surgeries 12/12/08) are scheduled for our 2nd fill 3/13/09. We both still feel very little restriction.

could it be your port?

where in washington do you live? My son has had his fills with Dr Kelly Fitzpatrick in Portland....she knows what shes doing!

I feel your pain! I was also fine until about 12 days.....then food was driving me crazy. I really don't have any tips to offer, just encouragement to hang in there! Forget about the scale weight....any gain is water. You can do it!!!! Cindy

I originally thought.."that's no big deal", well it turns out it is for me too. And I have not been able to do it successfully, yet....working on it though. This goes hand in hand also with the fact that I am a salt-a-holic. I have had to try and cut out the salt (now I am using salt substitute). The lack of salt has helped me a lot in training myself not to drink with food. Cindy

Thanks Jude. No coffee that morning it is....dang!

Thanks girls, that helps a lot. What about liquids.....coffee up until an hour prior?

Thanks vangirl....I did find that article, but it said nothing about before the fill.

Cindylou, Did you have your fill at OCC?

I found that we should go on a liquid diet (again...argh!) for 3 days after our fill (this will be my first), But are we able to eat and drink (not together, of course) the morning of the fill?

My mother has severe arthritis. I know this is different, but similar. We had the surgery together 12/12. She has lost 30 pounds and says her knees feel a lot better. The weight will not make the arthritis go away, but the dr has said is will make it feel better...which it has. Good Luck, Cindy

jenn, I'm sorry I didn't give you the answer you wanted. I was not "offended"...just concerned about well meant, but inacurate support (ie; if he jumps off a bridge, would you). Very few on here are medical professionals, and you are on a medical liquid diet....this is important!! you are on vicodin (i knew you didn't get it from Dr O, because I had a discussion with him, he said if you needed anything stronger than what he gave, you need to see a doctor), AND especially the fact that you are on a liquid diet and just had a major stomach surgery, NO One but a dr should be answering that question, and certainly shouldn't be telling you wine is better than prescribed medicine. I'm so glad someone here gave you advice straight from a doctors mouth. Again, I am not a prude, I drink occasionally (however, not since the surgery).... I was just concerned that you were getting the wrong advice. Please follow Dr Miranda's advice! I have received outstanding advice and support on this board, but was shocked ( with a couple of exceptions), that you were getting such support for drinking alcohol during the liquid only phase of this journey (turns out against doctors advice). Best Regards, Cindy

Thanks all. I have decided, due to not just border crossing but airport security with it being Superbowl weekend....I'm going to keep my 7pm flight...maybe I'll get my teeth cleaned to kill a little time.

hate to sound like a prude here....but, I am SHOCKED at the support for drinking after WLS. I'm not talking about an occasional (to me this would be once a week, or so) glass of wine.....I'm talking about someone who says "to stop drinking is just not an option"....This statement says volumes to me..... And the statement "drinking wine is healthier than pain killers" is absurd. We were prescribed about 6 pills when we left (not told to drink to relax)....which they do because that should be all you need. If you need more than that I would assume you should see a doctor, not drink alcohol after WLS. The advice to drink any alcohol while on a medical fast, I'm quite sure, would be frowned upon by any MD.

Thanks for the info....I guess I'll play it safe and keep my 7pm flight...argh!

A question for all of you that have crossed back over the border (to US) I want to schedule my flight for an earlier time (currently 7pm). We are parking at the border, walking over and getting a taxi to OCC. My fill is at 11am on 1/30, which is a Friday (and Superbowl weekend if that matters), I would like to take the 4pm flight out of San Diego. Do you think this is enough time (I'll have no check in luggage) For border crossing and airport security? Thanks, Cindy

Becca, First, you're not a failure. And you have had back surgery, which is completely out of your control, which could be a large part of your weight regain. To answer your question, I am more fortunate than some that I had the money in the bank to pay for this. I didn't even try to get my insurance to pay, simply because I could not find a US doctor that would do the procedure due to a low 31.5 (i think) BMI. I read a thread in "general discussions" on this board ;ast week that talked about special financing deals for medical procedures. Sounds like a lot of people finance this procedure. Had I not had the funds, I would've too. Hang in there and know there is a lot of support on this board, even if you haven't had the lapband procedure......we're all here for the same reason, being overweight and having a problem with food. Best Regards, Cindy