serious

Good morning everybody!, Just got back from Mexico. I had my first fill with Dr Rumbaut. I saw my band and my pouch under Flouro, and everything looks good. I didn't realize my pouch was up so high, so where I thought I was getting stuck, it is actually where my pouch is...interesting. I had some restriction from the surgery, and now I have a little more. Had a serious PB last night, because I was at the airport so late, and tried to eat chicken wings in about 3 bites, (I allowed myself to get too hungry), luckily, I made it to the bathroom. Am eating slower, practicing those bandster rules. Elsa, Dr. Rumbaut's nutritionist, went over everything with me again. She's great with visuals. I think I am going to follow her advise, and put a bandster portion on my plate, then eat that. Even though the PB happened last night, I put myself back on liquids this am. They say everytime you PB, you should go back to liquids for at least one meal because the stoma is irritated. Genius and everybody else, have you heard of papaya enzyme tablets? They are great when you're stuck, they're chewable and taste good, help with digestion, and will help you get unstuck. They sell them at GNC. I feel wonderful this am. Am going for a walk, then shopping. Will check back later on.

Hello everybody!, Just got back from Mexico. Had my first fill with Dr. Rumbaut. Had a lot of fun in Mexico. I just love Dr Rumbaut and his ofc staff. Also, he and all the surgeons that work with him are serious Eye candy, wow!. My goal for this year is to learn spanish. They did my fill under flouro, and my band looks fine. Fill went perfectly. I feel really good this morning. Going for a walk in about an hour, then shopping. Great to read all your posts. Will check back later and catch up!

KristiB, That has happened to me before, pre lapband. I hired a personal trainer, worked out religiously, ate right, the whole nine. Then I weighed myself after a month, no change. I felt better physically, but it through me into a depression. I talked with a clinical nutritionist about it and she said one of two things could be happening. First, some of the lean cuisine products I was choosing were full of sodium, so just because they were low fat and portioned controlled, my body was holding onto the weight. Second, because I had been at that weight for a while, my body considered it my set point and was going to take a while to budge from that number. So, I continued the working out, and after 6 weeks, I finally saw a 5# wt loss. But, I got depressed, fell off the wagon and gained back 15, the story of my life with diets it seems, pre lapband. So, continue what your doing, you're doing great, and give it a little more time. You are probably just at your setpoint for right now. I heard it happens a lot with bandsters, (the body kind of fights the whole thing), then they drop.

Audree, Wow, 130#. How old was she? Did she have a lot of loose skin? Did she need any plastic surgery? That is amazing. Just shows what you can do if you put your mind to it. She must of followed the bandster rules 100% of the time.

Susannah, Hey! I have been dating a couple of guys for the last few months. Both of them are nice, but...I have decided to step back for a while, work on losing at least 30# by summer, (goal is to lose 50-60#), and get my look together. Dating is so competitive these days. I just want to be on top of my game, and I am having body image issues right now that prevent me from going after the guys I really want. One of the great things about being single is you don't have to settle. I think I might want a baby one day too, I guess, just one, I vacillate back and forth on that.

Wootsie73, You know, that is good question, because, no she is not in a bad mood when I see her socially...Just in the shop. I used to to think that maybe her period coincided with my hair appointments, because I'm usually irritable and weepy that time of month, but I don't know. Like at Christmas time, the owner put a plant with a red bow on her station, it was cute, I thought. When I came for my appointment, she said, "Great now I have to worry about some spider crawling out of that plant!" Then Thursday, one of the other stylists said he was out of some product and was asking her how do they go about getting more, (she's been there the longest). She told him to just wait until the rep comes, sweetie. When he left, she said,"why is he asking me, do I look like the manager? I am so sick of him!" It's always some drama over the least little thing.

hi Guys, Have a question. Need help. I have been going to the same hair stylist for the past two years. She does a good job and we sometimes hang out, meeting for lunch or dinner. The problem is, everytime I go, she is always complaining about something. It becomes depressing to hear her latest rant about the least little thing. There is another stylist in that same shop, a guy, he also does a great job, (I've seen his clients). This hair stylist is always upbeat, having a good time. I would love to switch, but I don't want to hurt my stylists' feelings. Suggestions?

Hi Single Bandsters, need your help! My hairstylist who has been doing my hair for the past couple of years is very good. She has become somewhat of an associate of mine in that we meet for lunch or dinner. The problem is there is another hair stylist who works in that shop who I would love to go to have do my hair. My hairstylist is always in a bad mood (with the other stylists), always complaining about the least little thing. Like I said, I like the way she does my hair, but it's discouraging to have to sit there and listen to her latest gripe about anything and everything. She's nice to me, but some of the things she gets upset about, I'm like what is the matter with you? Anyway, the other stylist, who also does a good job, is always upbeat, fun, cheerful. I want to switch, but don't know how to gracefully do it without hurting my current stylists' feelings. We do see each other socially. I am also going to post this under lower BMIs, I need lots of feedback.

I love the Accura commercial it is so funny! It starts with just hearing a sound of someone typing....then it opens on a coffee shop and everyone is at a table using their laptops etc., then it focuses on one guy, sitting at one of those tiny coffee house tables with a very old and big typewriter, typing, and everybody is staring at him, then the voiceover says, "Isn't it time for an Upgrade?

Kathyinca, I'm usually tighter when it's TOM. Also, the my port site is sore, and I get easily nauseated on just about anything I eat.

Hi Wootsie73, My blood pressure was borderline hypertension pre-band. I had my preop in Mexico with Dr. Rumbaut's internist. I told him the increase in blood pressure is from the increase in weight. He put me on a anti hypertensive and I still was able to get the surgery. You'll do fine. There are people on this board that have all kinds of co morbidities; sleep apnea, asthma etc. and they are still able to get the surgery. Go to the grocery and get your stuff ready for that two week liquid phase, I practically lived off of sugar free popsicles. Good Luck!

Hi Chrispygal, I was banded 12/5/06. I go for my first fill on Monday in Monterrey. I need it because my appetite has come back with a vengance, however, I have maintained a 10# weightloss since being banded.

Sophie 248, Of all the different weighloss surgeries currently on the market, the Lapband is easiest as far as the surgery, but the hardest as far as weightloss. With the lapband, you really have to be willing to put in the work. It sounds like from your previous post, that it will work for you. I know you've probably heard all of this before, but it bears repeating: the lapband is a restrictive device. It is designed to limit the amount of solid food that you can comfortably eat, thus it works best with volume eaters who follow the lapband rules. I have a friend who has opted for the gastric sleeve. She says she does not feel like following rules and having to be bothered with a port. She says that too many "bandsters" come to her doctor's ofc and basically live of off coffee and cigarettes. So it's true there are people who this surgery is not going to work for...bandsters who live off of coffee and cigarettes are keeping their bands too tight and are not going to lose much weight because their bodies will kick into starvation mode, besides that if you keep the band too tight there is a greater chance it will slip. Bandsters who don't follow the eating plan-solid protein first, veggies, carbs, stop when full, no drinking with meals, are also not going to lose much weight because they are eating around the band. The band is just a restrictive device around the stomach giving you a smaller pouch so that the vagal nerve can be stimulated when you fill the pouch, which gives you satiety. This then enables you to eat less, thus portion control, thus less calories in, more calories burned (If you exercise), thus weight loss. I suspect people who are not losing any weight are either not following the bandster way of life or possibly have some underlying health issue that is not allowing them to lose. In either case, weight loss with the band is slow, especially with active low BMI folks such as ourselves. But I would much rather work with the band than have 95% of my stomach removed, as my friend has opted.

Sophie248, I mainly do work with heart patients. So, I work with doctors who are cardiologists. Some are great at doing angioplastys, some are not, some are great at doing cabgs, some are not. The difference being that whoever performs something routinely is obviously going to be better at it than someone who does something on occasion, even though they are both cardiologists. Bypass and lapband are two different procedures. If I were you I would go on the main lapband board and post the surgeons name, (who ever it is you're considering), and see what kind of feedback you get. Look under the post about doctors here...and read the one about Spivak vs Speigel to get a perspective. Any surgeon can come up with a fancy website with testimonials from satisfied customers. That means nothing. The best people to ask when researching which doctor in my opinion is first the nurses who work in that specialty, (because they have access to inside info), and then patients. Since this is a lapband forum, you have easy access to lapband patients, some of who are also nurses. Here, you will hear the good and the bad.

Gizmo, Really think things through before you go to Canada for your lapband. I am a critical care nurse, and with any surgery, it comes down to the skill of the surgeon. There is definitely a learning curve attached to performing any kind of surgery, and the lapband is a relatively new surgery. I researched the lapband for three years before I decided on a surgeon. I chose Dr Rumbaut in Mexico. A lot of people go to Mexico who are self pay go not only for the price, but quite simply, that is where you will find the most experienced surgeons for this procedure. But I do understand you not wanting to go to Mexico because it is far away. So, If I were you, I would seriously look into the surgeons here, ( research the one there in Ohio that Ladyleo is talking about, looks like he has a lot of experience). If you go to the general lapband board, you can put a shout out and let people know you are self pay and looking for an affordable but experienced surgeon in the states, and you will definitely get feedback. What's great about your situation is that even if you have to travel out of Ohio, you have Dr. Curry in Cincinnati who will do your aftercare, as I said before, he comes highly recommended. i would definitely use him if for some reason I could not get back to Mexico. I am not downing Canadian surgeons by any means, I just want this surgery to be as flawless for you as mine has been for me. Of course, any doctor can make mistakes, including Dr Rumbaut, my surgeon. But, I belong to another lapband forum and some of the problems other people are reporting on the boards I am not experiencing. When I look at who did their surgery and look at that surgeon's stats, than I see why. I am 6 weeks out. I have no pain. My scars are healed to the point where only my port site is barely visible, and sometimes I forget I have the band until I eat something solid without chewing it well, then the band reminds me, and I have not had a fill yet. I attribute my success so far to the skill of my surgeon. The after care I realize, is another story. That is why I am going back to Dr Rumbaut for my fills, because you have to be careful about that too. Some people are having to endure multiple sticks, excessive bruising, punctured tubing etc. There is a fill center here in Georgia, but the person who does the fills simply does not have enough experience for me. There are also doctors here who perform WLS, but being an insider, I don't like what I hear. This is my two cents and of course you have support here whatever you decide.

Staceylca, Actually 25# is a good weight loss from when you were banded. Dr. C says that in his experience, lower BMI bandsters do lose the weight, but usually only 25 -30# the 1st year, then the rest the second year. The reason some of the other bandsters seem to lose so much more is because they started out weighing so much more. It's different for the lower BMIs....that is why it's good Audree started this thread. Like me for instance, I already was walking, riding a bike, I had a personal trainer at one time, but was still packing on weight because I love to eat. Working out only increased my appetite. Also, I eat pretty healthy, just too much and I have a sweet tooth. The band for me is a way to have portion control, to curb my bottomless pit of an appetite. So I will incorporate it into what I was doing before. You said you lost 25# and you're not even following the bandster rules yet, so that's awesome.

Yeah, I will be going back to Dr Rumbaut for all of my fills. I'll let you know when I get back on Tuesday.

Oh Gizmo, I forgot to tell you Dr. Curry is in Cincinnati, Ohio. That is why I wanted him as a backup, because I live in Georgia, but am from Ohio and have a lot of family there. So email him and ask him about fills and such. He is very sweet.

Hi Gizmo, I can't answer your question but I know who can; Dr. Trace Curry, or people call him Dr. C. He contributes alot to the lapband sites as far as answering questions. I have personally gone to his website and emailed him, (under where it says contact us), and he has emailed me right back, and he is not even my surgeon. I plan on going back to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey for all my fills, but I just wanted Dr. Curry as a back up. He does fills for Mexican Bandsters and he is very approachable.

I had my surgery 12/5/06 by Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. I have an Inamed 9.75cm band in.

Amen, Clickersister! There is a RNyer on another Obesity related site I belong to who is slowly dying...her doctor wants to reroute her and give her a lapband. She was on the lapband site looking for others with similar experiences, unfortunately, she couldn't find any.

Maurdan, You are so funny! YOU almost made me swallow my food without chewing enough. I tend to be obsessive, so I chew between 15-20 times and that seems to suffice. To answer your question, I think the whole point of giving bandsters a number is to remind us that the food has to be chewed to a fine consistency so as not to stuck. Obese people like us got obese in the first place, (especially me), because we "wolf" down our food, mindlessly. So, whether you chew 15-20-40, if the food is sliding down your throat you're acheiving the right consistency and you should be fine. By the way, I was banded right before you by Dr. Rumbaut, and will be seeing him and Elsa, (the nutritionist), on Monday. But you know you can always email her if you have concerns. She responds promptly.

Audree, I don't think you will have a problem with restriction....we seem to be following the same course from reading some of your posts,hmm, you are almost my bandster twin. I have to have coffee first thing, cannot eat anything in the am, have to wait until later in the day. But I will tell you, when you first go to solids, it will be an eye opener. My first day, I went to my favorite breakfast place. Sat down to a cheese omelete, grits and coffee. Drank the coffee first, took two bites of the omelete, and was full, I literally could not continue. The waittress asked me, "Is there something wrong with the food?" She is so used to me cleaning my plate. So, I think, even without a fill you will still have some restriction, I know I do. By the way, what size is your band?

Hi everybody, I sat down to a "bandster meal", started with my solid protein, was only able to eat a couple of bites, ate some veggies, ate a couple of bites of that and some starch, again, a couple of bites. Guess what? I'm full. I'm amazed. Before, I would have wolfed it all down and been ready for dessert. I have not even had a fill yet.

I am a new bandster, banded 12/5/06. I have not had my first fill yet, but If I follow the bandster rules, solid protein first, veggies, etc, I get full on smaller portions. I agree with everthing Cindy said so eloquently. The band does exactly what it is intended and advertised to do; if you follow the bandster way of eating, it limits the amount of solid food you can comfortably consume. Therefore, it works great for people who are volume eaters of solids. I have a friend who does not want to be bothered with the work involved with the lapband. She has opted for the gastric sleeve. She states there are too many "bandsters" who come to her doctors ofc who live off of coffee and cigarettes. I explained to her that those people are "too tight." The lapband can't stop you from living off of coffee and cigarettes, it doesn't make moral judgements about what you put in your mouth. I would much rather have a tool that I work with, as opposed to having 95% of my stomach removed to lose weight as my friend has chosen. Someone said the lapband is not a bus, where you pay your fare, get on and kick back. It is more like a bicycle, you do have to pedal to reach your destination.