Chris S. - L.I.

I have been reading the posts and alot of people seem to be stuck at this weight loss. I am 5 months out from surgery and have lost 38 pounds but most of this was lost at the beginning. I have had my 3rd fill and I do have restriction although at night I can definitely eat more, but I am getting more sensitive to certain foods. Lasst time I had my fill I lost around 5 pounds. This time 2 pounds. My fill was on Jan. 28th. Anyone have anything to tell me???

One of the girls from the Long Island group I belong to just had this surgery. I'm sorry to tell you this but she has more pain from this surgery than from her original surgery. I think they stitched it to a muscle this time. She recently had this surgery done on Feb. 4th. They also gave her general anesthesia.

Mary,

Would you mind sharing what a typical daily menu is for you? I was banded about a week after you and have lost 38 pounds which I know is a wonderful thing but I seem to be stuck now even after my 3rd fill recently. During the day and especially in the morning I am definitely restricted, but at night I just seem to keep eating and I don't understand why I'm not as restricted then and I don't seem to get that full feeling. You must be eating alot to be getting in that much Protein. I know in order to lose weight you do have to eat so you obviously are doing the right thing. Thanks for sharing.

Wow. I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. I've had 3 fills so far and they all have been fine but I do have to admit to getting a little queesy and I'm not like that. The fill is a weird experience to go through but usually not a bad one. Now be careful as you go through the learning experience of having some restriction.

Sheryl,

That stinks! I bet you were all psyched too. DId you get a new date?

Sas,

What great news!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats and please let us know how you are doing. Wonderful wonderful news.

My doctor required an overnight stay and that morning scheduled a swallow test to see if barium would go through the band before he sent you home. My surgery was 10:30 and I was home (with an hour drive) by 1PM the next day. Good luck!

Congrats on your weight loss!!! Can you give me an example of how much and what you eat during a typical day? I had my surgery Sept. 2nd and have lost 36 pounds but seem to be stuck (actually I am supposed to get another fill today but with the snow storm I'm not sure it will happen) and I eat ALOT at night. I still have no problems with any food (only soda) and can eat bread and Pasta. Thanks for any info you can give me.

I also heard the reason that we shouldn't chew gum is in case we inadvertantly swallow it and it could get stuck in the stoma.

I called Don Mills at Inamed and asked him why people seemed to lose some Fluid when they went in for their second (or third) fill. He said that there are many factors that can contribute to this but it is definitely not through osmosis. The first thing that surprised me is the size of 5 cc's. 5cc's equal 1 teaspoon. I never realized it was such a small amount. Therefore even a small drop say going in or coming out of the port will make a big difference. He said it's hard to make this an exact science since doctors may be using different size syringes. The larger syringe the less accurate the fill will be. This all makes perfect sence to me. The doctors should also be using a "huber needle" which is a different shape then a regular needle. It is an oblique shape not round, therefore when it penetrates the port membrane it slices it rather then puntures it so it doesn't core out a piece of the membrane. (I hope I am explaining this so you understand.) I guess if the doc uses a round needle some of the fill could actually leak out a little.

As far as the band feeling different on different days or even different times of the day, there are many factors involved also. Allergies, eating, exercising, stress and hormones all play a factor. He was very helpful and said that if we really think we have a "leak" that the only way to know would be for the doc to inject a contract material and take Xrays.

Sorry this was so long but I thought it was good information.

I was just wondering if there is an average fill that gets us to the right place. I'm talking about the Inamed Band. My first fill was 1.5 and when I went for my second, there was only 1.1. They put me at 2.0 which was really great for the first 2 weeks but the restriction seemed to lesson over time. I called for another fill today. I was just wondering what the average fill is for everyone. 2.0, 2.5....etc.

Thanks

I have the same question about where the saline goes. In fact I tried to call Inamed today but Don Mills was out because of the holiday. I will be callling him with this question tomorrow. My first fill was 1.5 and when I went for the 2nd there was only 1.1. I had 2.0 (12/15/03) put in and at the beginning I was restricted not really bad but enought that I had to get used to it. Now, I feel as if most of my restriction has gone away. I can eat quite alot without getting the full feeling. I will probably be calling tomorrow to schedule another fill and I will be curious to see if I lost some more saline again.

I will let you know what I find out from Inamed.

Mary.

I'm just curious....did you have 100 pounds to lose and have you lose 90 of that since your surgery this past August? I didn't think this was possible. Are you still loing weight?

Thanks

Renee,

Nice to meet you and this is a great place to come for support. Where is Dr. Artuso? I am from Long Island. I had my surgery done Sept. 2nd by Dr. Alan Geiss in Syosset Hospital. He is wonderful and has a wonderful staff. Good luck!

Chris

What a great post!! Congrats on your new way of thinking and living!!!

I don't understand what your post is supposed to say. What do you want help with if you are losing about 10 lbs a month? That is fabulous so what is the problem?

I still have an appetite! I had my surgery on Sept. 2nd and a fill of 1.5 on Oct. 31st. Jennye, I can't believe you are eating cheeseburgers already. I was still on liquids at that point post surgery. I guess everyone's surgeon gives different instructions. I'm thinking of getting another little fill after Thanksgiving. I am down 31 pounds but it is leveling off now.

That's so weird that that you are eating salads mostly and that's about the one food I am afraid to try. I was told that if you don't chew it up good, that a piece can lay across the stoma and block you. I have not PBed yet since my surgery on Sept. 2nd and I am very much afraid to take the chance with a food I am afraid of. How funny is that! I'm afraid of food. LOL

I also feel that if I can only eat a small amount of food, why would I want to fill myself up with salad since there is basically no nutritional value. Don't forget, you really have to eat food to loose. It gets your metabolism going. I find that on the days that I eat more than I think I should, the next day I lose weight. I always try to go for the Protein first, veggies and then the carb.

BTW, how much do all of you chew your food? I'm chewing it until it is mush. Do most of you do the same or am I overdoing it? Thanks.

Try eating a little more then usual to kick up your metabolism. Eating less will not help you lose weight. Also try drinking more Water.< /p>

Did anyone get approved for the surgery with this insurance? I am trying to research this for a friend in Delaware. Thanks

Congrats and welcome to the other side! DOn't forget, if you get gas pains take some Gas X tablets and a heating pad also helps. Every day will get better!

Jadrad7,

I see we are starting at the same weight. That was what I weighed the day of surgery. I also see that you are from PA. May I ask where you had your surgery done? I have a girlfriend in Delaware and she is looking into this surgery. The surgeons by her seem to do mostly Bypass. Thanks

I am in the process of reading "Overcoming Overeating" to try to help me with these issues. Thanks Donali for your wonderful posts.

Congrats and Good Job!!!!! That is awesome!!!!!! Have fun in New York! (Where are you going? I live on Long Island)

Margaret,

Nice to see you here! I met you at the Sweet Hollow Diner the first time I came there to find out about the surgery. I'm so glad to hear you are doing well despite your life situations. You were one of the reasons I went with Dr. Geiss (Thank you) and I definitely am not sorry. I had the surgery on Sept. 2nd with him and I am down 26 1/2 pounds since the week before surgery. My weight loss has slowed down the past 2 weeks and I am finding out if I should get a fill or not.

Andy (you remember Andy don't you?) has lost.....(drum roll please).......117 lbs.!!!! He looks great!

I will be attending the get together at the diner this Tuesday.

Hope to talk to you again soon. Keep in touch.

Chris Simione