donali

You need to be very honest with yourself about what you are eating, and how much. Use www.fitday.com to track your usual intake for a few days. Is it within the correct range? Usually 1500-1700 is low enough to lose weight. I wouldn't recommend going below 1200. If your calories are okay, and you're eating mostly healthy stuff, is there any low key exercise you can do? It may be time to have some bloodwork done and make sure there isn't something else going on, like thyroid, cortisol, etc.

I'm shocked - most doctors just remove fill, if necessary. This is the first time I've heard of the band being removed only because of pregnancy... Also, I would think that surgically removing the band while pregnant would be more endangering to the unborn child, with the anesthetic and all... Can you give us more information? Is this your docs standard procedure?

I posted this info on the last dental thread. Personally, it sounds as though taking antibiotics prior to dental work when you have some sort of implant would be the "better safe than sorry" approach. The DMD below says most implants are safe... If my doc said antibiotics, for sure I'd insist that my dentist complied. http://www.dentistry.com/pdentalupdates_05.asp Most prosthetic implants safe during dental care by Dr. Jerry Gordon, DMD People who have artificial heart valves are required to take antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures to prevent a sometimes-fatal heart infection called subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE). The reason is that bacteria in the mouth during dental treatment can travel through the blood stream and infect the artificial valve. Those who have other prosthetic devices may be concerned whether their knee replacement or pin in their arm, for example, is also at an increased risk for infection after dental treatment. Fortunately, most prosthetic devices are safe from infection and do not require antibiotics prior to dental treatment....

Newbie bump...

{hijack}HI TERESA!!!!! :waves wildly: How the heck have you been??? We've missed you!!!! {/hijack}

This is everything I know about erosion: http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=2250 http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=2256 http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2274

Teresa, this would have been my first response, as well. There is no way for KT to know that you "know" this based on your initial post. I read many frightening posts where it sounds as though people have gotten banded with absolutely no prior research, because they ask some of the very most common and basic questions. There ARE people who, in spite of a lifetime of obesity, do not seem to understand the basics of nutrition. So when basic nutritional questions are asked, one assumes the poster is one of those. Just my two cents.

Okay, here's the big difference between the band and the bypass. MOST bandsters do not need to take a bunch of supplements/vitamins. ALL bypass patients MUST (to maintain their optimum health, anyway). The protocols for bandsters vs bypass are very different. If a bandster can't get in all the Vitamins etc that they need, and are NOT meeting their caloric requirements on a daily basis once they start back on solid food, then THEY ARE TOO TIGHT. Bypass patients, however, WILL have a major caloric/vitamin deficiency, because their surgery cuts out some of the small intestine. The caloric deficiency usually resolves itself after about two years, as the body learns to adjust. However, the Vitamin deficiency is PERMANENT It is unfortunate that some medical professionals still seem to be unaware of some of the major points of departure between the band and the bypass.

My fur babies - missed every single day.

Patti - Please note: The erosions on this board are from Mexican doctors that PROCTOR for Inamed - YES, THEY are teaching the U.S. docs how to do this procedure. Hence my rhetorical question above... If you can't trust the docs INAMED uses to teach other docs, who can you trust? We DID our research, and went with who we felt were the very best surgeons.

I was pretty sure that Lopez uses the pars flaccida technique - but I understand that technique is to reduce/eliminate slippage. I have never heard of it in connection with erosion prevention. And I have to disagree that Inamed has no control over what the surgeons who place their bands do with them. Inamed will NOT sell bands to docs that haven't been trained, and they could institute a policy that they would NOT sell bands to docs who don't report, or who have a significant deviance from the norm in complications. They could remove a doc from their "approved" list. Like I say, there's a lot they COULD do if they wanted to. But they don't.

I just posted on Lisa's erosion thread that I find it interesting that the U.S. docs are using a different placement technique from the Mexican docs, who proctor U.S. docs. Apparently there is not a standardized surgical procedure, and apparently these new techniques aren't passed on to ALL docs... ????

Heal up quick!! Truly amazing tubing pics...

Best wishes - may everything go smoothly and you heal up quickly!

(((Lisa))) I find all the comments about "new" techniques interesting, as well as speculation on the band itself. As far as I understand, Lopez and Ortiz are proctors for placing the Inamed band - they're TRAINING stateside docs how to place the band. So how the heck is it that the U.S. docs are doing a different "better" technique?? And these other docs who are doing it a totally different way, with extra "skin" between the band and the stomach - uh... What, once you've been trained how to place a band you're allowed to make up your own techniques? I don't think the original lapband model has been changed/improved since I was banded in 1/2003, so these "newer" bands shouldn't be softer/smoother/better than the ones we recent erosions received. I'm not talking about the advent of the Vanguard band or the new smaller port - I'm talking about it's little original brother band itself. This is all very concerning, and frustrating as well when it seems unlikely that we'll ever know WHY exactly so many of us have eroded recently, and why we seem to belong to a couple of Mexican surgeons. I personally have to believe it's technique, but can't help wondering who passed on special info to the U.S. docs that their proctors don't have, like making sure there are layers of fat between the band and the stomach. :shakes her head:

(((Jane))) - so sorry to hear this.

I only just saw this post today. Complications: Port revision 10-11 months out. I had torn the sutures holding my port flat, and it flipped sideways and would not remain flat after physician manipulation. So I had to have it surgically returned to flat and resutured. 40% Erosion diagnosed 17 months out, resulting in band removal. I still have residual restriction 17 months out (band removal 7/2004) which mostly manifests itself as a slight "stuck" feeling if I eat too fast, or drink before food has passed all the way through the old banded site. I don't regret being banded, and if I knew 100% for sure that I wouldn't erode again I would get rebanded. But I don't want to risk another erosion at this point, as I consider myself lucky that I didn't suffer worse stomach damage than I obviously already have.

Glitter, you did right. I'm looking for responses to banded, was banded but had it removed, and not yet/never been banded. I wish I had broken the band removed category up into subcategories, but that can always be another post...

Sighing is a very common "soft stop" sign that you have had enough. I guess burping could be, as well, although a lot of bandsters burp waaaay more after being banded than ever before. Some people have a little sneeze, some people have a little hiccup. It's good that you're recognizing your soft stop early!

Roflmao!!!!

Dody, here's the info about why NSAIDs can be dangerous to the band, and some thoughts on carbonation. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12442 These types of medications can cause ulcerations in non-banded patients, so are particularly dangerous for banded patients where the medication in pill form has a chance to be caught in the upper pouch or stoma and lay against the stomach wall, burning a hole in the lining of your stomach and possibly increasing your risk of erosion. Also, it's not just the physical presence of the pill in the stomach that is problematic. There's something about the way the drug works in our bodies that causes increased susceptibility to ulcers and bleeding. liquid Tylenol is generally recommended as an aspirin substitute, but always check with your doc before taking any medications. ALWAYS check with your band doctor before taking any kind of medication. Many band docs will closely monitor those patients that must take NSAIDs for whatever reasons. http://lyberty.com/encyc/articles/nsaid.html NSAIDs : non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin) Choline and magnesium salicylates (CMT, Tricosal, Trilisate) Choline salicylate (Arthropan) Celecoxib (Celebrex) Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam) Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, Voltaren XR) Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec) Diflunisal (Dolobid) Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL) Fenoprofen Calcium (Nalfon) Flurbiprofen (Ansaid) Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Nuprin) Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR) Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail) Magnesium salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan's pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic) Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen) Mefenamic acid (Ponstel) Meloxicam (Mobic) Nabumetone (Relafen) Naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan*) Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox) Oxaprozin (Daypro) Piroxicam (Feldene) Rofecoxib (Vioxx) Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab) Sodium salicylate (various generics) Sulindac (Clinoril) Tolmetin sodium (Tolectin) Valdecoxib (Bextra)<O:p></O:p> Note: Some products, such as Excedrin, are combination drugs (Excedrin is acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine).<O:p></O:p> Note that acetaminophen (Paracetamol; Tylenol) is not on this list. Acetaminophen belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). The exact mechanism of action of acetaminophen is not known. Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold, that is, by requiring a greater amount of pain to develop before it is felt by a person. It reduces fever through its action on the heat-regulating center of the brain. Specifically, it tells the center to lower the body's temperature when the temperature is elevated. Acetaminophen relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation, redness and swelling of the joint. Paracetamol, unlike other common analgesics such as aspirin and ibuprofen, has no anti-inflammatory properties, and so it is not a member of the class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. <O:p * Naproxen Sodium " Naprelan contains naproxen sodium, a member of the arylacetic acid group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)" "The chemical name for naproxen sodium is 2-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-methoxy-a-methyl-sodium salt, (S)." No carbonation (CONTROVERSIAL - many do anyway) The number one reason cited for this is to avoid “stretching” the pouch, as carbonation expands. Personally I don’t buy that, since the pouch is not a closed system and gas can be belched up to relieve pressure. I would be more concerned about the high acid content and the possibility of that damaging the lining of the stomach. Regardless, some docs say “okay”, some say “never”, some say “as tolerated”. And regardless of what their docs say, some people indulge in carbonation. Some find they are unable to handle carbonation, as it is just too uncomfortable. Others have no problems with it, and still others will make some effort to eliminate at least some of the carbonation before drinking the beverage, either by letting it go flat naturally, or helping it along somewhat by stirring, shaking, etc.

(((Vines))) The band already HAS helped you lose weight, but there are obviously other factors that MUST be addressed by a physician. Once the underlying problem(s) are identified and resolved, the pounds will start disappearing. The band helps people eat less without suffering hunger, which allows them to eat less long term, which keeps the weight the lose off. However, if your weight issues are not due to your eating habits, then a band is going to have little effect on your weight. The band is SCREAMING at the docs that there is something ELSE wrong, and the docs are so dense that they will not listen JUST to you (they're certain that if you are not losing weight it's because you eat "too" much). Now that you are banded, and they KNOW how tight you are, they have to really listen now, and seriously consider the fact that your excess weight just may be, JUST MAY BE due to some other reason. So if they finally pay attention and FIX that other problem, then the band did end up (indirectly) helping you to lose weight.... Sh*t. Okay, what I SHOULD have said was: Patient: "Doc, when I bang my head against the wall, it hurts." Doctor: "Stop banging your head against the wall." So in reality, though, it's good that you keep weighing and seeing that the weight is not going down so that you can demand that they fix the TRUE problem. If you had just listened to me it would have taken even longer to realize that your weightloss is not in proportion to calories in vs. calories out, and treatment of the true problem would have been even more delayed. (((Vines))) MAKE them look harder for the real reason for your obesity, now that you can prove that they CAN'T "blame" it on you.

Most level-headed voice of reason: Alexandra Most irresistable: Megan Most Missed: Bright Most welcomed back: WhippleDaddy Most incorrigible: DeLarla Most Sage: VinesQueen Most Upbeat: NJChick So many more that I simply adore... This site SO rocks!!

I'm not familiar with the tatertot casserole you refer to - potatos can be tricky, but without a fill you probably won't have problems if you go carefully, chew well, and mix in other food textures. As long as you're chewing, sauce with hamburger shouldn't be a problem. The bottom line is, though, you will have to see for yourself...

This journey is about HEALTH. If you focus on the weight part you will miss the beauty of regaining your health. So, you want to go back to nebulizers and oxygen tents? How on earth can you say that this is not working for you?? You are not gaining new weight, you have a list of NSVs a mile long. I know, I know, I know. Just about EVERYONE has gone into this thing with the intention of losing "weight". How much more rewarding, though, is it to be GAINING LIFE. And every single person here who has had an NSV is GAINING LIFE, regardless of what the scale says. I can't really tell what your total weightloss has been - your first post says 35 pounds came off before a full three months, and then a pound a month since. If you were banded in 3/05, and have lost 47 pounds (my best guess), then you are AVERAGING almost 4 pounds a month. That is nothing to sneeze at, and is a completely healthy rate of loss. Your BMI has gone from 47 to 39.6. How on earth can you say the band isn't working for you?!?!?! This fixation on the scale is your personal way of sabotaging yourself. You can argue as much as you want, but the truth is the scale is NOT a good indicator of your success, and if you really insist on using it that way then you must WANT to be disappointed in your progress, because girl, you have NOTHING to be disappointed about. The scale is one of the many reasons that "DIETS" DON'T "WORK". People rely on the scale for feedback on their progress, and as soon as the scale stops moving downwards they quit, give up, say "What's the point???" The POINT is your HEALTH. And Vines, if you can't take an honest look at the HEALTH you have gained then nothing I can say is going to make a difference. Patient: "Doc, it hurts when I press here." Doctor: "Don't press there." In a world without scales, can you honestly say that you would not be THRILLED at all the positive changes in your life since 3/05? In a world without scales, wouldn't you just be OVER THE MOON that you no longer carry a puffer? That you can run for the bus? YOU are in charge of your world. Make it a world without scales, and see the truth about the transformation you are making into a healthy being. The end.