Alexandra

I'm sure that in general it's true that the more one has to lose the faster it comes off. You don't hear of people who only have 70 or so pounds to take off losing 30 in the first month, but people who have 150 or more may indeed lose that quickly in short bursts. But that's just nature at work, and perfectly understandable. As for how much weight "we" lose each month, that's a function of too many variables to say. The desired rate of loss is 4-10 lbs a month.

Francesca, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Strong thoughts for quick and total healing, and best wishes to you for the next step in your journey. You're going to be fine!!

I was very apprehensive about surgery--I'd only had one experience with general anaesthesia and it was more than 20 years ago. But after two babies I figured it couldn't be any worse than that!!

That's a good answer.

If by "size 10" you mean the VG band with a 10cc capacity, the answer is the same as with the 4cc band. The number of fills any one person needs for good restriction is...the number of fills that person needs for good restriction. I know that's not much help, but it is the answer. With the larger band the size of each fill is going to be larger, but the dynamic is the same. The first fill probably won't result in a significant increase of restriction, while fills # 2, 3, 4 and beyond probably will result in restriction. As you lose weight, your restriction will decrease and another fill (or, more properly, "adjustment") will be needed. Everyone's experience is different. So there really is no answer to your question.

I could be wrong, but I don't think the fluoroscope machine is used so much for locating the port. I'd imagine most if not all fill doctors can reliably locate that by touch, barring unusual circumstances. But the amount of fill is trickier, and there seems to be a growing consensus that it's more effective to do fills under fluoro.

Hi there, Shouldn't you be on liquids only for at least a week after surgery? Yogurt isn't really a "liquid." I'm not saying you've hurt yourself, but you might want to take it really easy if you have any concerns or if anything feels weird. Just because your doctor says it's OK for mushy food, for example, doesn't mean you HAVE to progress as quickly as indicated. If you have any discomfort at all, ease back on what you're eating or drinking and go slooooowww.

I definitely believe there is a genetic component. It's the only way to explain the seeming contradictions in the way different people metabolize calories. In my own family, there are isolated instances of obesity (my grandmother, an aunt, myself) but other people in the family have always been normal. This says "genetic component" to me in the same way that different-colored eyes would. We enter this world with a certain set of characteristics. A tendency toward obesity would definitely seem to be one of them. That's not to say it's the only reason for it, but there is no question in my mind that it plays a part in many people.

Hi Sunta, That's a good question. Not being a medical person I don't have any real answers, but MY guess is that the answer depends on a) how severe the dysfunction is, and how long it's been allowed to continue. Dysfunction probably accumulates over time--that is, the effectiveness of the esophagus in moving food along may diminish over time--rather than happening all at once. But once it's diagnosed I'd imagine taking action quickly could restore function, again, over time. Just a guess. As for hearing from people who have been banded more than ten years, I don't think you will. We don't many European bandsters here and as you may know, the band was only approved for use in the U.S. in 2001.

Yes, it's worth it. Yes, I'd do it again.

In the year before I was banded I lost 30 lbs "on my own." The losing of it wasn't really that hard, since having made the decision to be banded I had all sorts of new motivation to stick to a program. But it never made me waver in my decision to get banded, because for me the goal is to KEEP it off. I'd been over 300 lbs for more than 10 years and getting under that number seemed hard enough, but STAYING below 300 was the impossible dream. The band has given life to that dream, and I'd do it again in a minute.

You can get a good idea of the different issues people have faced with their insurers by browsing some of the old threads on the site. It's impossible to tell you which companies always cover the surgery, because all companies make decisions based on individual medical situations. Certainly there are carriers that are more band-friendly or less band-friendly, but so much depends on your own circumstances that generalizations are pointless. Which carriers are available to you?

Betty! I don't know how I missed this, but better late than never. CONGRATULATIONS!! That first year goes fast, but the subsequent years go even faster. You're doing wonderfully and I'm so glad you're here to share it with us!! :D

That would be my guess too. My doc's instructions are liquids for 24 hours and soft foods for another 24. Believe me, you didn't hurt yourself.

All RIGHT EILEEN!!! Wow, now you barely have time to catch your breath before you'll be a bandster! Have a great, calm weekend and try not to stress out. Monday is almost here! Best wishes for a totally safe and uneventful surgery and recovery. Check in soon! :D

Wow, Nykee. This is amazing to read and I'm so glad you are posting about it.

That's effing absurd, Lisa. Keri's right--just cover'em up!! Out of sight, out of mind.

Strong thoughts of health and an easy surgery/recovery for your sweet boy!! My heart breaks thinking of small children and surgery. Tell him we're all thinking of him. HUGS!!!

Jodi, I experience the same thing. When pounds are coming off I have a very hard time seeing the changes in the mirror. But when the scale is stopped, THAT'S when I am losing inches in clothing, rings, shoes, everything. Even now, when I've been at the same weight for well over 6 months, I am noticing new bones protruding and new definition in certain places. (Lately I've been very surprised at the way my wrist bones show up!) I think it's just the way nature works in some people, and maybe even in everyone if they watch closely enough. Maybe in some people the emphasis switches faster--like losing two pounds one week and two inches the following week--so they don't really notice the effect. But in me it seems to be losing pounds steadily for a month or two followed by a period in which the pounds stay on but I get slimmer. Hey, who cares? The end goal is achieved. A smaller, healthier me.

Robyn, please know that you can get in touch privately at any time. I have experience and would be happy to share if you aren't comfortable talking here.

I was told no carbonation, but no one ever said it had anything to do with slippage. It was a stretching issue, which makes sense to me.

I had surgery on Wednesday and was back at work on Monday. No problems.

Well, that all depends on who is making the decision. The prospect of losing 30-50% of my excess weight seemed WELL worth the risk and trouble to me, as long as I could be sure there was a good chance it would STAY off. Nothing else I'd ever tried gave more than temporary success. Overall the risks of banding here in the U.S. are really quite, quite low when compared to other kinds of WLS, so there really was no contest in my mind. And the possible outcomes were all made crystal clear to me from the start. I'd venture to say that the medical establishment here in the U.S. is steeped in rose fragrance, and is rather too reluctant to allow people who could benefit from being banded the opportunity to have it done. Certainly there are people for whom other sorts of WLS make sense as a first approach, but for the VAST majority of patients--no matter what the condition being treated--I believe doing the least invasive thing possible first makes the most sense.

Jini, the answer to your first question is NOTHING. Liquid-only diet means liquid only--that is, you may eat nothing "of substance." Not every doctor requires this pre-operatively, though, so you may not have to even think about it. If your doctor does require it of you, he or she should give you clear instructions about what to take in during this time.

NJCHick, my fingers are crossed for you.