shellyj

it really surprised me that it her Dr. didnt call inamed or at least another bariatric surgeon. i have decided if i have an emergency i will insist on going to the hospital my dr works in. at least they could call him in, and atleast they will have heard of the band. i know of 2 hospitals here in nash. that do not do bariatric surgery at all. one of thos is closest to my home- it would have been my first choice. i hope EVERYONE on this board reads this and keeps it in the back of their head in the event of an emergency. this is the kind of thing (complications) i looked for pre-band doing research and i have only come across this one and 2 others (also posted) i feel sooo bad for the family, an unexpected death is never easy to deal with:(

i copied this from extraordinary bandsters Most of the time when we've had scares about deaths related to the band, it's turned out to be someone new posting to the boards trying to scare potential bandsters away from this as a weight loss surgery option. However, I think I've been around long enough so that I have some credibility and you'll believe and learn from this experience. We lost a bandster from my local group who was banded about a year ago in Mexico. Unfortunately, she had swelling from the beginning and was always tight, so she'd never had a flouro and never had a fill and had no band-related medical care after leaving her surgeon. A month ago she was admitted to the hospital because she couldn't keep anything down. She had x-rays, ultrasounds, even an endoscopy but unfortunately these were done by medical professionals who had no experience with the band. She had the Inamed medical card which she showed them and tried to explain about the band, but they did no follow-up with Inamed nor would they consult with any bariatric surgeons not affiliated with the hospital (much less the Mexican surgeon). By the time she got out of that hospital and under the care of a lap-band doctor, her stomach was septic and she had to have her band removed. Her band was at the bottom of her stomach! Unfortunately she also had a very bad respiratory infection, presumably the result of aspirating the reflux in to the lungs. The respiratory infection was too much for her and she died Saturday night. Normally the treatment for reflux is to have some (or all) of your fill removed and let the stomach heal for a while. But fill or no, it would be prudent to have a regular checkup of the band, especially if you are having reflux or pain that can't be associated to post-op healing. If you have any concerns, get them checked out either by a flouro or an ultrasound, but MAKE SURE THIS IS PERFORMED BY SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH THE BAND and knows what they should be looking for. If you can't return to your surgeon, make sure you have some form of support - or at least a primary doctor who is willing to consult with a doctor performing lap band surgeries and is knowledgeable about potential complications. Deaths are incredibly rare with the band and most have been the same type of complications that can arise from any surgical procedure. This death could have been prevented with proper follow-up care. While complications are rare with the band, they can happen and need to be ruled out if you are having problems. Something else that I'd like to point out is that this occurred in the Pacific Northwest which has a plethora of banding surgeons when compared to the rest of the country. Unfortunately, most only treat their own patients unless it's an emergency. I know that there are several bandsters on this board who live in isolated areas and are a long ways away from a banding surgeon. Being close by didn't help this poor bandster because the medical team she had trusted weren't willing to consult with doctors even in the next county. Their arrogence and ignorance kept her from getting the timely care she needed when it was an emergency. But had she gone to one of the doctors willing to see other surgeon's patients BEFORE the symptoms were so severe, the outcome might have been much different. So please, make sure you have access to medical support that will take the risks associated with the band into consideration when they address any symptoms you might have. I really don't want to hear of any more deaths due to improper follow-up care. Please, please take care of yourself and your band. I still think it's the safest weight loss surgery available, but that doesn't help the family who is blaming the band for the loss of their mother. This certainly happens more frequently in the bypass community, but that's of little consolation right now to her loved ones.

ohh kelly i forgot to mention that these are accompanied by the hiccups...

Hey kelly! i dont think i'll be of any help as i am having the food stuck thing too. this weekend i had another (2nd) pb episode and the golf ball thing 3 times... it happens when i first start to eat usually with the first bite or two. i think it is from 1. to big of bites 2. throat needs lubricant to help it slide down. it happened to me with chicken all 3 times. i know i am not overeating as it only happens the first bite or two. i DID NOT enjoy the PB it made me feel panic-y even though i knew it was a PB. definitally want to aviod that one! it almost felt like the food would slide down some then just get lodged...if i take tiny sips of Water it kinda pushes it down. after the first bite thing i have no problems with the rest of my meal.

hi bright! sorry i dont get online on the weekend at all! i completely understand your *nerves* with surgery. if was my first surgery, i've never even broke a bone so i was a bit nervous. the thing that got to me the most was the anesthesia...i had heard stories about peoples bodies reacting differently and since i had never had it i figured i would have a bad reaction. (i didnt- when i woke up though i told the nurses i felt like crying they said it was the anesthesia. i never cried though just felt like it for about 5 minutes) O i just remembered i told them i was feeling anxious and they gave me something for my nerves. (pre-op) you will have a lot of people sending you well wishes on a speedy recovery!

thanks ya'll!! i highly recomend taking some photos for yourself... i have been a little down because i am struggling with no restriction and eating to much....but now i can look at my photos and say snap out of it!! Bright....Are you doing a countdown??? I know your exited. there's really not much to it! all you have to do is let them poke you with a few needles and go night night! you'll do great! i have heard of some dr's partially filling at the time of surgery, will you be getting any fill? will you have to go back to france for fills?

for some reason it doesnt like the photo as a jpeg... just flick on the 10-6-03 to open pic

these still show the same 50 lbs gone. i am still at 308. my bmi is down from 51.7 at 350 to drumroll please...45.5 at 308 HOLY COW!! i was in a 28/30 now i can wear a 24 pretty comfortably and EVEN sqeezed into a 22 skirt!!!!!!!!!(I couldnt have worn it out but by god the buttons all closed LOL!!) i went to the movies this weekend and when i saw the seats my heart was pounding...no fun squeezing in the seats and pretending to be comfy...but no squeeze i fit!! this is a big one... not eating the most. when i used to eat around other people i always noticed i ate the most...saturday night i made veggie pizza for some friends i only ate 2 pieces...to there 6, 4,and 3 pieces... i do feel so much better! i am so close to being under 300!!! i will be so happy because then i will only be 100 away from under 200!!!! I LOVE MY BAND!!!!

hey mkcarpen i think we used the same dr., dr charles morton from southern hills. when you go for your fill or before you go you might want to schedule your 2nd fill from 2 weeks from your 1st fill. if you wait till after you have had the appt. the wait is about 3 weeks. i had to wait 3 weeks for 2nd and 3rd fill. i scheduled the fourth one today and if i AM feeling restriction i can always cancel the appt.

hey alexandra! i cant believe your dr will only do fills once a month!! they take 5 minutes... my physicains assist does the fills. they do them whenever (at least 2 weeks apart) but they are booked usually 3-4 weeks in advance. i have had 2 fills and STILL able to eat about what i did before. i have 2.2 cc in my band. i was reading a journal someone kept with the band (specifically till she reached 1/2 cup restriction) and she said EVEN when she ate ice cream she HAD to stop with a 1/2 cup!!! I CANT WAIT!!! oh i guess i have to. lol. i am glad you were able to talk your dr in to letting you have a fill.

just click on the 10-6-03 that is underlined in the above post and it will bring up the photos...SORRY!

well this sucks...one more time...

let me try again...

hey guys! i finally got some photos in clothes that fit a little better. i still havent lost anymore weight banded 8-18-03 2nd fill 10-2 still not at my sweet spot or even close but i can really tell a difference from my 'all time high'. glad i wont EVER be there again!!! my bmi is down from 51.7 at 350 to drumroll please...45.5 at 308 HOLY COW!! i was in a 28/30 now i can wear a 24 pretty comfortably and EVEN sqeezed into a 22 skirt!!!!!!!!!(I couldnt have worn it out but by god the buttons all closed LOL!!) i went to the movies this weekend and when i saw the seats my heart was pounding...no fun squeezing in the seats and pretending to be comfy...but no squeeze i fit!! this is a big one... not eating the most. when i used to eat around other people i always noticed i ate the most...saturday night i made veggie pizza for some friends i only ate 2 pieces...to there 6, 4,and 3 pieces... i do feel so much better! i am so close to being under 300!!! i will be so happy because then i will only be 100 away from under 200!!!!

thanks guys! when i was told those i was like NO WAY but i was reassured it was the truth and always said i would try it...i have always been to lazy and not mechanilcally inclined enough to try the car battery thing and i never wanted a sugary toilet!!!

well we'll chalk that one up to me being a yungsta!!! LOL!!!!

33 POUNDS!!!!!!!!! THATS AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i had lost 15 pounds from the liquid diet but i gained back 4... i can completly admit that i havent been dieting since surgery. i dieted all summer with no carbs so having surgery and being told not to diet my body needs calories to heal- i have just eaten what i wanted potatoes, chili, bread, pizza (veggie), hot wings, potatoe salad... and i have enjoyed every bite! but all things must come to an end and it is time for me to cut out carbs because while i didnt gain anymore than the original 4 back i sure as heck would have liked to seen the scale drop! instead i had relief because i thought i had gained... i am going back on the atkins starting tommorrow...tonight my best (skinny) friend is coming over and she'll be leaving with any food that has more than 5 carbs per serving! i did this last time i started and she got 6 bags of groceries...

hey lori! i think the reason some foods hurt when going into the pouch is because it is to big of a bite. i notice i get the golfball feeling sometimes when i am just starting to eat...what i do drink 12 oz Water before eating, this lubes the throat then the first few bites take super small bites and chew extra well. i notice i dont have near the problem when i do this... if you dont chew well enough the food cant pass through the band into the stomache, thats why steak, pork (for me) are harder to get down. they are harder to chew into pieces they are more like chunks and the meat (to me) ends up being dry. i also mix my meat bites with veggies to add extra moisture! i hope this helps!

i am at 2.2 cc's with some restriction (not 1/2 cup) and i asked my dr the same question. he said he has never filled anyone to 4 cc's. from what i understand once you get close to the sweet spot the .1 of a cc make a huge difference like you may be to loose at 2.8 but maybe 3 will be perfect. it is pretty common to have doubts/worries/concerns at the stage you and i and alot of the others on the board are at. we have all of this pre-surgery build-up and even though i was told dont expect to lose until you are properly restricted. i expected it. (lost 11) but then all of the swelling goes down, there may be a few weeks/months before 1st fill and we are able to eat...some people can eat the same as before surgery... i think i could have but stopped after 2 cups from GUILT. but anyhow this is a hard time for us...we are used to all diets failing so our brain is telling us fail fail fail you have to keep the prize (skinny-healthy you) in your mind because until we are at 1/2 cup restriction the band isnt working to its full potential! i had lost about 20-30 before surgery and let me tell you without this band i would have done gave up and i'd be sitting at home with a pizza, 2 liter coke, and a bag of hershey kisses. we've made it this far...we just have to tough it out a little longer!!!

hi ya'll i had my second fill on thursday and have been worried that i didnt get any restriction with this one either but... I PB'D TODAY! now mind you it was a little scary as it was my first real PB. i was eating lunch and i must have not chewed enough before i swallowed because... PB. thank god i was alone!!!! i am eating about 1 cup of food with this 2nd fill. i have 2.2 cc's. i am scheduled another fill for 10-23 but if i cant get the eating/chewing thing right i will postpone a few weeks!

i was told avoid soda first 2 weeks. after that its ok. i have been able to drink soda once in a while pre 2nd fill. had 2nd fill thursday and tried 1 sip of soda i could feel it bubble in the back of throat let the soda get partially flat and it still did it so...bye bye soda because i am still not at the level of restriction i need and if i am having problems now i am sure it would only be worse with more restriction. did you know if you have a crusty car battery and pour soda on it it will clean off the crust...and if your tiolet is nasty pour in a 20 oz and let it sit over night then flush and i guess its clean... things i have heard but never tried!

here are some of my non scale victories... my bmi is down from 51.7 at 350 to drumroll please...45.5 at 308 HOLY COW!! i was in a 28/30 now i can wear a 24 pretty comfortably and EVEN sqeezed into a 22 skirt!!!!!!!!!(I couldnt have worn it out but by god the buttons all closed LOL!!) i went to the movies this weekend and when i saw the seats my heart was pounding...no fun squeezing in the seats and pretending to be comfy...but no squeeze i fit!! this is a big one... not eating the most. when i used to eat around other people i always noticed i ate the most...saturday night i made veggie pizza for some friends i only ate 2 pieces...to there 6, 4,and 3 pieces... i do feel so much better! i am so close to being under 300!!! i will be so happy because then i will only be 100 away from under 200!!!! I LOVE MY BAND!!!!

i did the chew spit thing with steak!!! i never thought i would waste a new york stip but i enjoyed the taste maybe it wasnt a waste. i am not at the sweet spot so i guess i'll deal with this more now that i am getting more restriction...2nd fill yesterday i am at 2.2 cc.

i think this thread needs some more replies since i am pretty sure alot of us go through this!!! lend your experience!

hey christi! Donali is right! i was banded 8-20 and i have been posting what i can eat 2 - 1 1/2 cups of food per serving and halt in weight loss so other newlie banded people will read these and know that it happens to almost everyone! from the post op diet i have been eating carbs which i didnt do for 3 1/2 months so my body is gettting used to the carb overoad! i have 200% confidence that my will to lose combined with the band will have me slim and trim before i hit 30!!! i am 26 now so really probably 28... i am going to do the atkins diet once i reach proper restriction. my goal is to get to 199.99 then i will introduce the carbs...and plan to take my time loosing the last 35!