stevek

I have heard of people getting their ports repositioned after losing weight. I would recommend you contact the Dr. to see about getting this done.

Thanks for the response- planned to talk to the Doctor- hoping not to have to go back but... se la vie!

Hey Steve,

She's right, and you may want to talk to Dolittle on of our moderators, he just had a LBL and he had his repositioned then. I'm sure he's got some info as well.

Congrats on your weight loss!

Lisa

thanks for the help- how do I contact dolittle?

Hi everyone

Does anyone have information on issues with the port protruding out of the abdomen and what can be done about it? I've had good weight loss success and have been regularly exercising so the abs are tightening and the stomach fat is dropping off. The result is that the port is definately visible and obvious. Any help would be much appreciated- thanks!

It should be tolerable in another week or so and healed up 3-4 weeks out. I still feel it a little sometimes during strenuos acivity but for the mos part, it's not an issue. Good luck on the weight loss-that will help make everything better!

Hello all!!! I'm in horrible pain!!!! My tummy itself doesn't feel bad at all...its the pain I have from my waist all the way up to my neck...I haven't been able to burp at all!!!!! Any suggestions????

Probably felling better now but if pain persists, the walking is key but you may get some relief from sucking on peppermint hard candy. Not the artificial kind but something that actaully has peppermint as an ingredient. A nurse I know told me about it when I had the pains and it worked pretty well as a temporary relief. Oncve you can burp a bit, that will help as well.

Good luck!

Hello Everyone,

Are there any other secret lap banders out there?

I got my lap band in TJ on 4/17/07. I haven't told any of my family or friends yet. I fell a great since of shame that I had to resort to the lap band to get control of my poor eating habits.

I live in Northern Calif and just about everyone in my life in very healthy and fit. My daughter is a nutritionist and she's always tried to help with my food issue's. I just can not tell her I did this.

It's been 3 years of working out with a personal trainer, hiking 4 or more miles a day in the forest, riding my bike whenever I can, trying to eat right but I saw so little results that I needed something more to help control the eating.

I weighed 203 the day of the surgery, I'm 190 lbs today. I don't remember what my BMI

I've had a few bad episodes that really scared me when I first started eating solid foods, i.e. choking then throwing up, bad gas, choking, pain in the chest or shoulder. I live alone and no-one knows about this so I have no-one to talk it thru when it's happen.

I've gotten very careful about how and what I eat. When I'm eating with friends and family I've told them I'm trying to healthier and slower, using a small spoon when eating really helps. Since I've been battling my weight for years they don't question my new efforts.

I've also been very careful of someone seeing my incisions, there healing really well to my suprise. One of them I can't even see and it's only been three weeks.

I was very happy with the doctor and staff in TJ considering I went down there without anyone knowing I was going let alone going for surgery. I'm going to be going back soon to get my first fill.

Well thats my story. I would love to meet other lap banders, I look forward to your replies.

Another secret bander - It fine for you as it's a personal choice and a personal jouney! For me, I decided to tell only a few people, my wife, my kids and my best friend. I trust them to kepp it in the family and that's it. It really isn't anyone else's business right? As far as being ashamed about getting the band, you shouldn't be at all. It's a tool to help you change your life. Anyone who has this will tell you that it takes work and effort to achieve results, the lap band is not a magic pill or an automatic success. It's just an aid. There are a million improvements that come around everyday that make our lives better- where would we be without tupperware or sonograms or laproscopic surgery for that matter- this is just a better way for those of us who are weight challenged! Nothing to be ashamed of- but you can still choose to tell or not to tell.

As far as talking to people- this is a great place to do that and everyone here gets what you are going through. We have all had those whoops moments and we all learn real quick what and how much to eat. When eating out, stick with soups and "wet dishes" and as the weight comes off, they will all want to know what you are doing to get so thin (pretty cool, right?) I just tell them i'm kind of doing a mix between weight watchers and Atkins- that usually makes them give up and changes the subject!

Good Luck on your journey... it's all good!!

Hi all,

I've been through most of the posts on the forum and I feel safe in making the following observations:

1) Everyone is unanimous about Dr. Ortiz and his staff's professionalism.

2) Almost everyone has an extremely positive attitude and are remarkably upbeat.

3) Given the chance, almost everyone would do the surgery again.

However, when I look at the results that even the most happy and positive-sounding patients report, they seem fairly disappointing especially when compared to individual goals and the time that has passed since their surgeries. Am I missing something here?

Has anyone actually reached their goal weight?

Failing that, is anyone even actually closer to their goal weight than their starting weight (I.e. have lost more than 1/2 their target weight loss)?

Has anyone had just 1 (or 2) fills and reached their sweet spot? Or is it essential to get many more fills to reach that target?

I'm scheduled for surgery next week and as delighted as I am about everyone's positive messages here, I'd like to think that I have a very good shot at getting to my target weight without numerous fills, many setbacks or a lot of hunger, pain and discomfort.

Perhaps it's just the nature of things that only people who have problems post messages and the real successes are silent and simply enjoying their success. But I'd really love to hear a few out-and-out success stories please.

Sanjay

The journey is different for everyone and alot of people only come to the forum when they need something like advice, motivation or companionship for a time. I'm sure there are countless success stories out there but you're right, people won't usually come on just to say how great everything is help to others. It's great that we have this place to be able to discuss these things, isn't it?

Good luck on your upcoming surgery and best wishes for a successful journey!!!

Hi all,

This is my first post and it took a while before I was able to maneuver around this board, finally made it. Okay, I am at the surfing the internet phase and was hoping some of you might give me some friendly advice. I am not chronically overweight, I weigh 180 at 5'2" but like many have not been able to loose it for many years and I feel it in my knees. What I wish to know is this: do you honestly feel it is worth the permanent life style change with food and gas pains etc. for me to take off 50 pounds? How many follow up fills are involved and do you ever reach a point when no follow up is required?

Looking forward to your response, thank you.

It's the best money you'll ever spend as it will change the rest of your life for the better ! If you have struggled with the weight for almost all of your lifeof life as most of us have, it will probably continue unless you do something drastic, right? For me, the lap band is a tool that I use to keep myself in check and keep me from binging which is my weakness. In the beginning it's a little tough- you need to keep your mind on the goal and learn how to eat right. Once you start feeling satisfied with less it gets easy and as the weight comes off and you need to go get those new clothes, you'll be hooked. The really neat thing is that you can be confident that it's not going to come back as it has with past diets as the band will act as a watchdog to help you stay with it.

As far as fills go- I have only needed one so far and may one or 2 more to get to goal. Everybody is different on those- check out what you are going to do for fills beforehand so you have everything in place. You can always go back to Dr Ortiz for these but I found a local doctor willing to do them near me so it's easier.

Best of luck in your decsion making process!!!

Hi All...

Looking for advice or thoughts. Have been following the program for 3 mos post op. I have been exercising but avoided ab work as directed. Played golf the other day (not the first time since surgery- have played a number of times before) and came back with a slight pain in the lower abdomen below and just to the right of the belly button. Thoughts it was just an ache and took some aspirin. It's still there 5 days later and seems to be a little worse. It's sharp any time I do something where that muscle contracts- did a treadmill walk the other night and no real issue-( knew it was there but not terrible)

I don't recall but wondered if this was a possible site for one of the incisions or possibly something called an "adhesion" breaking free? Another thought was that as I was over weight all the years, perhaps this has something to do with skin attaching itself in this area (I have no clue). Obviously it could be a hernia has possibly developed due to weakness in the abdomenal muscles. Hoping for someone to say " it's normal, happens all the time and it will pass, there's nothing to worry about" as we are all experiencing new things as we go through the journey.

Even with this minor hiccup- everything is beautiful after the weight starts coming off- it's all good!

Thanks for your comments... Best to all!

Steve K

I was banded Tuesday. Everything is going well. I am feeling a little tightness in my chest. Not when breathing, just like a dull little pressure feeling. Not really bad, just a little. I was just wondering if this is normal? I'm still on clear liquids, so I wouldn't think I'm feeling restriction yet. Anybody else feel this?

Thanks,

Donna

This is normal as you suspected- they have moved a few things around getting the band in place so you need to heal a bit. You may also have some shoulder pain due to air inside that has to work itself out. If that happens, try to walk alot and also, sucking on a peppermint candy will help - it has to be something made with real peppermint, not just flavoring. (an RN told me about this when I had the problem and it does provide some relief) Both of these things pass pretty quickly and then you start the fun stuff... starting to lose the weight, feeling better physically and mentally, getting rid of the "oversized" clothes ( really cool) and people starting to notice your positive changes.

Have a great journey!

Steve

Banded 2/1/2007- lost 43 pounds so far

Good for you- this will be the best of all investments... one made for yourself! Have a great journey!!

I too have my doubts, my surgery is scheduled about a month away, but mostly I'm concerned that it won't be effective, I've been a grazer for so long it will be hard to stop, and I don't think the

lap band will be effective if I keep the pouch full all the time. The difference will be in that I cannot eat a large meal any more. That should cut out a bunch of calories but will it be enough?

The trick is to really want to lose the weight- the band is there and acts as a deterent against over-eating. I was a huge grazer and now it's different. First, the weight starts to come off and you get motivated to keep it going. If you do feel like binging- you can't because the band won't let you. It alot to do with attitude- The band will work as a tool to help you change your habits and that will get the weight off- you have to want it!

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR UPCOMING SURGERY!!!!!

Thank you, Steve. I'm wondering why I'm having such a hard time making a decision. A little fear, a little unsure whether I can change or really want to bad enough.

Seems like a lot of people use Dr. Ortiz, but I'm in the Midwest, and that's a long ways from home. Did you have to have a passport? I also worry whether the doctor's here would be as helpful, or if they'd resent that I didn't have them perform the surgery. I doubt I could afford to keep going back to Mexico for fills. I'd have to have those done locally. The cost of surgery in my area is about $15,000, and maybe that's not too unreasonable.

No passport needed if you fly to San Diego and drive to the Hospital- it's about 20 minutes from the airport. The surgery costs a little more than half what you were quoted. Suggest you speak to OCC about a doctor that they may know in your area and contact them about getting fills locally vs. going to Mexico. I checked out some places locally on my own first and found an obesity clinic that knew Dr Ortiz and said they would do the fills. It is a big trip to mex (I live in NY) but I had a great experience so far and have heard that OCC really knows what they are doing and get the fills right with less visits (2 or 3 instead of 5 or 6 some people have to go through. Still - I may do the first one locally to save some $$ and go to Mex for the second -make a little vacation out of the trip so it won't seem as expensive.

Good luck in your decision process!

Hi! Welcome...

I had surgery 3 weeks ago today with Dr. Ortiz. No regrets at all- it has worked out beautifully. I also had to pay out of pocket but I have to say, I am very satisfied with my "purchase"... Well worth the money ( I took a loan and will pay it off over 2-3 years)

It's been a bit of work to get through the first few weeks but if your eye is on the prize- you can make it through easy enough. So far with the pre-op diet, the surgery and the last three weeks on liquids, I've lost 27 lbs and I feel terrific. I haven't been able to get that weight off in years of diets and also have alot of motivation and confidence in knowing that this is just the start of the journey back to that person I used to be. It's like that old cliche'... Getting yourself a gift that will keep on giving and this one gets better and better.

Hope this has been helpful. Good luck to you in your decision making process.

Steve

Great job on the loss! I'm sure that felt pretty good!

it will get better! If you ever have any symptoms that are worrisome - just call me - if its after hours I have Dr. Martinez cell # on my outgoing message = you can always reach him!

Thanks for the response- You have a great group on your board and everyone has had great advice. I'll try some of the suggestions and work on making it get better. It's great to know that we can reach help if we need it and I will certainly contact you if these things persist.

Regards,

Steve

Hi there! I am sure you have enough information from the responses, however, I just wanted to add my experience to maybe help you feel more normal. The pain in my shoulder (most common in the right side) was SO bad that I was close to tears many times. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. After a week, I called the office and Dr. Martinez told me how normal it was. He said to just take some mild pain meds (liquid form) and walk. I had it for about 10 days straight, then it subsided. However, I am 4 weeks post surgery and ONCE in a while, it comes back. I have seen that it comes more when it is cold outside, which is another thing Dr. Martinez told me. Hope that helps! It gets better, I PROMISE!

Thanks for the advice.

How are you doing with the band after 4 weeks?

Steve

The shoulder pain is common and normal. It usually disappears after a week or so. Belching frequently helped me almost totally avoid this pain. Walking also has been reported to help.

As to pain at the 'band site', this is more vague. It is common to have slight pain/discomfort at the port placement site, which is the longer incision. This is normal, however is only an emergency if it appears to turn red, or shows other signs of infection. Unless you are knowledgable in anatomy, you may not know where the band actually is. I sure do not, however the actual stomach and thus the 'band site' is much higher than most would imagine. When people refer to having a stomach ache, it is usually an intestinal ache.

The bowel movement issue is one rarely discussed. I can report I had minimal BM's during the clear liquid stage. The stomach does create gastric digestive juices in response to consuming even just clear liquids. For me, this small amount of digestive fluid was my only BM during the first week after surgery.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the great and candid advice. I'm hoping the pain disappears shortly and will try the walking right away. Thanks for the advice on the other issue- you're right- it is not mentioned much and I felt the answer was going to be that since not much is going in, not much needs to come out.

How has your experience been with the band as time has gone on?

Steve

Steve,

It sounds to me like you are experiencing gas pains--left over from the air that was pumped into you during surgery. The way to fix it...WALK, WALK, and then WALK some more. I walked tons after surgery to prevent this, and so I never got the shoulder pains. But, I know I've heard from folks who have had the gas pains in the shoulder that walking helps, even if you already are having problems.

So, my non-expert advice (as I am not a doctor--only a fellow bandster)...get to walking. Hope that helps! Oh, and did I mention WALK??

Kris

Thanks for the advice- I've been back to work since day 4 and moving around but haven't had much of a chance to just walk for any length of time- will definately start tomorrow.

How has the band worked out for you?

Steve

Hi Steve. I have not been banded, but am hoping that a doctor will approve me for the process soon. I have done loads of research on the procedure. From what I've read, the gas pain/shoulder pain is normal. During surgery a lot of air is in your abdomen (I think they pump air in to make it easier to perform the surgery). It may take a while for this air to work its way out of your system. The air unfortunately puts pressure on a nerve that goes straight to the left shoulder causing the shoulder pain you are experiencing. From what I've read, this is completely normal. As for the constipation, that also seems to be a normal thing and something you'll probably always deal with b/c of less nutrients in your diet. The most common 'fix' seems to be a fiber supplement such as benefiber. An austrailian forum I've found helpful has LOADS of posts about this (and many other issues). The web address for that is.... http://au.messages.yahoo.com/health/lap-band/?p=1

Good luck with your band! Hope this info helps....

Hollie

Thanks for the advice and website info- it was a great help. Good luck on getting it approved- in spite of the discomfort- the weight has already started to come off and feeling better everyday.

Hi All!

I'm new to the site and was banded by Dr. Ortiz last Friday. I'm having a couple of problems and was wondering if anyone has any advice to offer.

When I drink fluids, I feel a restriction and some pressure like a gas pain at the band site. I assume this is normal on newly banded patients. I'm drinking very slowly but can't seen to avoid this discomfort. Recently, I've had sharp pain in my shoulder that stays there for 10-20 minutes after I drink water. It's almost like I feel the pressure in the band area and immediately start to feel the pain in the shoulder.

Is this something to be concerned about or do i just have to suck it up through the first couple of weeks during the recovery period?

Another issue is... (gulp!)... Bowel Movements or should I say lack there of. I imagine this too is normal due to the fact that nothing but clear fluids is being taken in. Any advice on this?

Regarding the surgery, I was very pleased with the treatment I received at OCC and would recommend them to anyone. Everyone there was great- very professional and supportive. My wife and I were also lucky to have met some wonderful fellow bandees during our trip and are looking forward to sharing the journey with them and also you folks on the site as well.

Thanks to all for any advice that you can offer.

Thanks for sharing your experience!!! I'm having surgery on February 2nd with Dr Ortiz- I chose him due to a recommendation but have become more and more confident in the choice after reading so many positive experiences. I'm really looking forward to getting this done and taking that step toward a more positive life. I look forward to sharing experiences with folks who are going through the same thing. Best of luck to you!!!

Hi, I just had my surgery on 12/12 with Dr. Ortiz. I had been thinking about it for a while, felt this was a much safer way to go than gastric bypass, which I don't think I would ever consider. I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and went to my husband with all my research. He agreed to let me do it and told me to call soon, as he wanted to use the medical deduction for this years taxes. I knew that was a stretch, as it was already 12/11, and I was expecting lots of out of town company from 12/20 through the New Year! I called that afternoon and was told that there weren't any openings until 12/20 (that wouldn't work) or into January. Carolyn called back soon after that and told me there was an opening the following morning due to a cancellation, and wanted to know if I could make it there by 8:00 am!!!!! I almost freaked, but decided to just go for it! This meant I wasn't able to do the pre-diet, but with my statistics, they thought it would be okay. It was a mad shuffle to fax all the paperwork back and forth, get to the bank, pack and make a few phone calls to family members, but at 5:30 the next morning, my husband and I were on our way, driving to TJ. We live in Riverside County, So. Calif., so that part was fairly easy.

I chose Dr. Ortiz partly because of the cost, which was much less than here in the states, but after all my research, I know that I would have gone to him anyway because of his experience with this surgery. I was reluctant to go to TJ, I hadn't been there in years, mostly because I always wind up in the wrong areas of the town, but they gave us great directions and we had no problem finding the clinic. Just as I've read here from others, everyone that I met there was absolutely wonderful, caring knowledgable. It was a beautifully clean and comfortable clinic, and I can truthfully say, that I have never received such care in a facility here! The surgery went smoothly, Dr. Ortiz even fixed the hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux for more years than I can even remember. I haven't had to take meds for that since! I was pretty groggy the rest of the afternoon and evening, some soreness, but not too bad. I did have pain from the gas they use, in my shoulders, neck and collarbone area, which I wasn't expecting, but that went away in a few days. My husband spent the night in the hotel while I stayed at the clinic that night. He said the hotel was very nice, but I opted not to go there the next night and we headed home the following day around 11:30 am.

I spent another day resting at home, and my tummy area became very black and purple with bruising, but then I bruise easily. I was out grocery shopping by the next day, and within a few days was running around like crazy, getting ready for the holidays. I followed the liquid diet pretty well, with just a tiny bit of cheating, but only with things I could pretty much liquify in my mouth. I will tell you, it was pretty hard when I was cooking all the yummy holiday things for everyone else! I did do that b-ping thing a couple times, but it wasn't bad. I really haven't had much problem, have been able to eat pretty much what I've wanted, but I am trying to eat healthy, get plenty of protein and watch my portions. It's now been just over a month and I've lost 18lbs. It's been a struggle at times, as I don't feel like I have much restriction, but I'm hanging in there and feeling better already. I have also noticed that my allergies have not been as bad, so maybe some of them are food related. My bruising is finally gone and I have 4 tiny scars and one about an inch long. They don't look too bad and are starting to fade already. I'm a little nervous about having the fill, but also looking forward to the next phase of this process and hoping to kick it up a notch!

This is my first time ever even looking at any sort of chat room type of site, but I figured we can all help each other by sharing our experiences here. I'm very happy I took this step, even though I felt like I was taking the wussy way out , and I know that it's going to lead me to a healthy life! It's gonna be interesting!!

Kim

Hi, I just had my surgery on 12/12 with Dr. Ortiz. I had been thinking about it for a while, felt this was a much safer way to go than gastric bypass, which I don't think I would ever consider. I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and went to my husband with all my research. He agreed to let me do it and told me to call soon, as he wanted to use the medical deduction for this years taxes. I knew that was a stretch, as it was already 12/11, and I was expecting lots of out of town company from 12/20 through the New Year! I called that afternoon and was told that there weren't any openings until 12/20 (that wouldn't work) or into January. Carolyn called back soon after that and told me there was an opening the following morning due to a cancellation, and wanted to know if I could make it there by 8:00 am!!!!! I almost freaked, but decided to just go for it! This meant I wasn't able to do the pre-diet, but with my statistics, they thought it would be okay. It was a mad shuffle to fax all the paperwork back and forth, get to the bank, pack and make a few phone calls to family members, but at 5:30 the next morning, my husband and I were on our way, driving to TJ. We live in Riverside County, So. Calif., so that part was fairly easy.

I chose Dr. Ortiz partly because of the cost, which was much less than here in the states, but after all my research, I know that I would have gone to him anyway because of his experience with this surgery. I was reluctant to go to TJ, I hadn't been there in years, mostly because I always wind up in the wrong areas of the town, but they gave us great directions and we had no problem finding the clinic. Just as I've read here from others, everyone that I met there was absolutely wonderful, caring knowledgable. It was a beautifully clean and comfortable clinic, and I can truthfully say, that I have never received such care in a facility here! The surgery went smoothly, Dr. Ortiz even fixed the hiatal hernia that was causing my acid reflux for more years than I can even remember. I haven't had to take meds for that since! I was pretty groggy the rest of the afternoon and evening, some soreness, but not too bad. I did have pain from the gas they use, in my shoulders, neck and collarbone area, which I wasn't expecting, but that went away in a few days. My husband spent the night in the hotel while I stayed at the clinic that night. He said the hotel was very nice, but I opted not to go there the next night and we headed home the following day around 11:30 am.

I spent another day resting at home, and my tummy area became very black and purple with bruising, but then I bruise easily. I was out grocery shopping by the next day, and within a few days was running around like crazy, getting ready for the holidays. I followed the liquid diet pretty well, with just a tiny bit of cheating, but only with things I could pretty much liquify in my mouth. I will tell you, it was pretty hard when I was cooking all the yummy holiday things for everyone else! I did do that b-ping thing a couple times, but it wasn't bad. I really haven't had much problem, have been able to eat pretty much what I've wanted, but I am trying to eat healthy, get plenty of protein and watch my portions. It's now been just over a month and I've lost 18lbs. It's been a struggle at times, as I don't feel like I have much restriction, but I'm hanging in there and feeling better already. I have also noticed that my allergies have not been as bad, so maybe some of them are food related. My bruising is finally gone and I have 4 tiny scars and one about an inch long. They don't look too bad and are starting to fade already. I'm a little nervous about having the fill, but also looking forward to the next phase of this process and hoping to kick it up a notch!

This is my first time ever even looking at any sort of chat room type of site, but I figured we can all help each other by sharing our experiences here. I'm very happy I took this step, even though I felt like I was taking the wussy way out , and I know that it's going to lead me to a healthy life! It's gonna be interesting!!

Kim