Carrie M.

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Went last week to check the port, as I had an odd feeling that something was still wrong. We were able to confirm that the port has indeed ripped loose, and is now floating around all over the place, (no longer painful, just really awkward) which wouldn't have been as horrible as it sounds, except for the fact that it has flipped over a few times, and the back is now faced up.  Unable to get fills, unable to see if they even fixed the original leak - though it does feel as though it is holding some fluid (could also be from the kink in the line), I am still unsure as I have not had much restriction. Unfortunately too - I am already at a 3mm fill in a 4 mm band. So almost at my limit anyhow.

The one question I get is - is it really worth all of this - and yes, I think it is. Sad that I depend on a little piece of technology to keep me on the straight and narrow, but such is life.  We are working on planning the next surgery for early December, and hoping all goes well for that one, and that I won't have to wait for hours on end this round. I am still happy with the weight I have already lost and know that most of that is due to my own increased activity. Excercise and mobility are the biggies with this surgery. You have to want it bad enough to work through the pain and push your limits. Something I do on a regular basis. I actually lost 7 lbs before they even filled the band after surgery (about a week later), but easy as we are working on fall cleanup and I need to help out or it won't be done in time for the first snow fall. Just doing a little extra every day will help obtain your goals, so keep with it. Push to do just a little more every day, as you never know what you are capable of until you try.

Best of luck to everyone..

Well, headed back again today due to the complications that are still not letting up. Kinda missing my original procedure at this point, as everthing went wonderfully, not as much pain, very motivated to "jump on the wagon"! Needless to say with this round, the pain has been pretty rough to handle, and still am unable to really excercise - which for walking three miles a day normally - has made a bit of a strain on the whole cabin fever syndrome. LOL 

Just try to keep busy for the time being and work on projects that were needing finishing up. Also have gotten addicted to the whole Biscornu pincushion things, and have been having fun while being restricted with movement. Have to post one of them up here. Really cute litte things. Other than that - just trying to keep positive. Some of the swelling is finally beginning to come down, though still unable to wear my jeans (yeah, used to live in those), and I have never been a "sweats" kinda gal. Guessing all things change through life.

Praying it all clears up. I believe we were only giving it a couple more weeks before repeating the procedure, and really am not up for yet another surgery. Of course too, I will have copays with all of this as it goes. Thinking I was up around $1000 last I checked - hard to believe, as none of this was my fault. Already talking with the hospital too - figure if I would have put a hole in their window, I would have had to pay for it. Not sure why if they put the hole in my port tubing, why I am having to pay for all of this and deal with all of the pain as well. Kinda bites.

Well, keep your fingers crossed for me! I figure if I give it long enough, something has gotta give!

Best wishes for all of you!
C~

Well a week out of the revision surgery, have a new port and some tubing, but he didn't want to replace the original band - which just means more work for me when I get to max fill again. Praying through it all that we were actually able to find the leak, otherwise this was a bit of a waste of resources.

Have had quite a few problems since the morphine wore off - sure do miss the morphine! LOL There was quite a bit of scar tissue that had to be dissected and removed before the new port could be inserted, which has caused quite a bit more pain than I am used to. I have been in and out of the ER, poked, prodded and scanned (CT) till I just couldn't handle any more. Now I get the call today that there may be an infection (small one at least) and may have to go back in. If they are unable to resolve the pain issues, I may have to go back under in the next couple of weeks to have it redone yet again.

Thing is - even with all of the issues I am having now - and have had in the past, I think I would be willing to give it another shot or even upgrade to a verticle sleeve or something similiar. The pain that (usually) passes is nothing compared to how much my health has improved, along with the improvement of my quality of life - the real kicker for me.

The surgery has allowed me to enjoy time with my family, allowing us to vacation at Disney World (even the coasters!) Playa del Carmen, Mexico (parasailing and snorkeling); and I even made a trip to attend a conference in Florence, Italy - where I was able to put in 200 MILES in one week of walking  (needless to say it took me two weeks to recover from that one)! I never would have been able to do these things with a weight of over 300lbs! It was completely incredible and fascinating to be able to live life so fully! We already have a trip planning now for Rome with the kids, so I guess it is back to work on getting back in vacationing shape! 

I just keep reminding myself that the things we want most in life - usually take the most work to make them happen. Hanging in there for now and hope all of the rest of you all are too. No one said it would be an easy road - but I , for one, really want to make it to the end of this one! 

Best of luck all
C~

Went in at 8:30 yesterday morning, third in line for surgery, and unfortunately didn't get into the OR until 4pm due to other "emergencies" that the doc had to take care of.( Better than the last one of going in at 6am and not getting worked on until something like 6 or 7 pm!)  Due to time constraints (mostly), instead of replacing the whole band unit, they ended up just replacing the port and tubing in hopes that the leak was somewhere affiliated with that. Bummer since I was around max fill for this one at just around 206#. Guessing now I will just have to make more of a concious effort to do more on my own and make it work!

So far so good - haven't even needed the pain meds. Getting around good, eating alright. Just have to give it time now and see where we are at. Praying Dr Edwards actually did fix the issue and that I won't have to do this again anytime soon. So now the struggle begins again. My mother is coming in today to help out while my husband is at work - funny enough, she was all against the procedure until she started seeing my success, and ended up getting banded back in summer. So thinking we could both use a good walk today and work on getting her remotivated! She is doing great and now coming off her diabetic medications! She was able to lower her blood pressure enough to get off her pills, lowerd her cholesterol by a whopping 60pts, and doing great over all! Great to see her success too!

Oh yeah - and ended up meeting one of the OH members breifly while in for her surgery -  it was great to meet you "Bea!" I will pray for you and pray you find such great success and quick recovery! It looked like you were handling things well yesterday when you left and hope the pain stays minimal for you as well. Congratulations on such an important step towards health - and Happy Re-Birthday!

Carrie M.

I was originally banded late Feb. of 2006, and went from approximately 325lbs (heaviest) to 206 (lowest). During my second year, my band sustained a prick and began leaking fluid. I am scheduled for a band replacement as of 10/14/09. Looking forward to the surgery, as I have gained a few lbs each month over the past year...which the mobility limitation issues have not helped.

I am hoping to obtain my original goal weight of approximately 150 and really hope to see as much success (and more!) as my first round. I was up to walking 3 mi a day and feeling great. It really is the excercise for me that makes the success, and hoping to get back on the track within the next couple months.

Figured OH helped me a great deal in the early days and looking forward to getting to know everyone again. Nice too that my husband won't be in Iraq for this round!