dishdiva

My surgeon gave me a spray Vitamin product called Vita Mist. The "taste" is less repulsive to me than Centrum liquid. Their web site is http://www.vitamist.com They have a link for bariatric patients, but he gave me the one formulated for women. Elizabeth 8/28/03

Certain types of slips can "self-repair" from an unfill. Some can't. Dr. Ponce said my type of slip would have to be surgically fixed. I did the unfill and waited six months, hoping for a miracle. Radiologist and my original surgeon (not Ponce) looked at my barium swallow results and said it looked okay. I was thrilled. When I went to get a fill a month later, my surgeon couldn't do it -- it had slipped. So, apparently there are some types of slippage that actually shift from time to time. I did end up doing the re-positioning surgery in March...it's been very frustrating... and I still haven't had a fill. But, I look at it as my band journey just taking a little (a lot!) longer than most...and that I have a second chance to learn the lessons from my first go-round with the band. Good luck to you. I know exactly what you're feeling. Keep us posted on what happens. And to answer another question... I don't think you can slip from a stretched pouch. Although my "anterior" slip (as Dr. Ponce called it) seemed like the pouch had lost its original "shape." But I think vomiting/overfills/excessive reflux and other issues that go along with a stretched pouch from overeating can cause a slip...

sometimes my asthma is activated if my restriction is too tight... or if i overeat...go figure... elizabeth

Kathy -- I'm so glad it's not slippage and you're improving. Relief! I tried and tried and tried to scan my pics from when my band slipped and I couldn't get my all-in-one scanner/printer/fax to scan the pic. Now I'm glad you don't need it. Epitomy -- Usually a slipped band doesn't have any symptoms. However, many people report reflux and an inability to keep food down -- which was the case with me.

I have pics of my slipped band...I'll try to scan and post and then we can all try and compare. To this day, I still can't quite "see" it. Which is why I'm not in the medical professional. Elizabeth

Chinese food is the one thing that I always have a problem with...I think it's the rice.

You look so wonderful...what a great color for you! What a cute thing for your husband to say....! It's great to have been privy to your transformation from your original photo... to the more recent ones. All I can say is: GO GIRL!

Missed the chat already -- but I feel ya'... Approaching 2 years out and have endured complications as (I think) you have... happy to have achieved some weight loss... but can get very depressed with the way I "use" food still. When my son was very young, after I'd get him to bed, I'd relax with food. He's now 15 and I still engage in the same behaviors!!! Good band restriction helped...but mandated unfills took care of that. I think -- after all I've been through -- two surgeries and on-again, off-again pain and/or discomfort -- why am I sabatoging my success??? The million dollar question, if ever there was one. Hang in there, girl, you are not alone. Elizabeth

Hi Laura -- I recently had my band re-positioned and am exactly the same way. No problems with any foods. Makes it that much harder to be mindful about what we're putting in our mouths. It's because you don't have any restriction after surgery -- the way you want it before the first fill. Sounds like you're doing great. Gas-X has been a trusted companion since I was banded! Elizabeth 8-28-03 re-positioning slipped band 03-10-05

...and don't beat yourself up about the Cookies...we've all done it! for every one story of "sticking to the rules" i bet there are five of us who are guilty of "testing" the band Elizabeth 8-28-03 Queen Band Tester

Infected ports. Lost ports. Slipped bands. Funky tubing. I know that with the band growing more popular, the number of complications will rise in relation to the increased number of bands out there. But just scanning through the boards tonight, I'm surprised by the number of port and other problems people have had or are having. Isn't the complication rate about 1 percent of all patients? Maybe it just seems higher to me because I had a slipped band (since corrected in a second surgery) and am on-guard for problems. It's just scary how many people (myself included) have gone to such great lengths to obtain the band only to be left with lots of bills...and short of weight loss goals. Has anyone seen any good data from Inamed recently on complications? When I called about a year ago after my band slipped, they said they were required to report any complications to the food & Drug Administration (FDA). Anyway -- to end on a lighter and more positive note: I continue to be amazed by the great wisdom, strength and courage of everyone at LBT. And there's not another group out there that can top this crowd's sense of humor!!! Elizabeth

Alex -- You are so right. Thanks for that perspective. I also think there are probably bandsters out there who never participate in online boards -- from pre-surgery and beyond... and there are probably some who don't get online UNTIl they have problems. Elizabeth

I don't know if anyone's posted this...might be worth investigating to make sure the company buying Inamed is committed to continuing the band. Here's what I found on Yahoo Elizabeth NEW YORK - Prescription skin medication maker Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. said Monday it agreed to purchase Inamed Corp., a maker of breast implants and obesity treatments, for about $2.8 billion in cash and stock. The deal will create a company with annual revenue of more than $700 million, operations in more than 12 countries and about 1,500 employees. Medicis, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., posted 2004 sales of $303.7 million, and Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Inamed reported revenue of $384.4 million. Under terms of the transaction, which has been approved by both companies' boards of directors, Inamed stockholders will receive 1.4205 shares of Medicis stock and $30 in cash for each Inamed common share held. That works out to about $75 a share, or a 13 percent premium over Inamed's share price as of Friday's close. Inamed shares rose $3.06, or 4.6 percent, to $69.30 in morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while Medicis shares fell 90 cents to $30.78, below its 52-week low of $31.27, on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites).

No rice for me with the band, ever. Even when I had an "unfill" when it slipped and I could pretty much eat anything. Elizabeth 8-18-03

I feel your pain. After a slip, I had my band re-positioned this past Thurs. Recovery has been far more difficult than original surgery. My doctor asked before my surgery if he found any problems, what did I want to do...I said take it out. No problems found...except for lots of scar tissue that had to be removed. Was sent for a barium swallow Friday morning to check for leaks. Radiologist said it looked good...but Dr.'s office wanted me in for follow-up Monday. (I'm going Tuesday.) One more "incident" and out it comes. As for how we're paying for this...some of us are going into debt. Some of us are fortunate enough to have insurance cover it. I'm still a big fan of the band as being a good tool for weight loss. But, it's a personal decision about whether or not that tool is worth some of the pain and suffering some of us encounter. Different patients...different outcomes. I'm the first slip from my surgeon. And he has one patient that lost all her weight without a single fill...so there you have it. Good luck, patty48. Elizabeth

Lots of people go to Dr. Jaime Ponce in Dalton, Ga. I used Dr. Barry McKernan in Woodstock and was happy wiht him. Elizabeth in Atlanta 8-28-03

Christina, Even if insurance approves and you have a date, the actual date of surgery is YOUR choice. Also, weight loss with the band is not guaranteed...you have to utilize many of the strategies they'll use in the TV show program...and you don't even know if you'd get picked. I say pursue the show and band simultaneously. You may not get selected for TV...then you have your answer. If you get picked, then you can list the Pros and Cons of both and decide. Good luck to you. Elizabeth 8-28-03 -60 after 10 months -40 (gained 20 back) after 18 months following fill removal due to slipped band 3-10-03 band re-positioned

I also have a tough time keeping up with all the posts I've missed when I don't log in as often as I used to!! And, like you, I also noticed how much the site has grown. More users, more posts...hopefully, more visibility/information/knowledge for and about the lap band! Elizabeth 8-28-03

From what I understand from my nutritionist, people react differently to Meridia. Has to do with brain chemistry. A woman at my office lost tons of weight using it. When I had my fill removed b/c of slipped band and started gaining weight, I tried it and it didn't do a thing. But, it's worth a shot. It's expensive ($100+ for 30-day supply) and my insurance didn't cover it. I am VERY glad it works for you because you're flying solo, if I recall correctly. (I haven't posted in awhile b/c I'm too busy eating everything in sight while I'm un-filled! Missed ya'll.) Elizabeth 8-28-03 -60 w/three fills unfilled 6-04 due to slippage +20 re-positioning 3/10/05 A second chance!

Kelly -- I had bad reflux before an unfill...taking a Pepcid at night before going to bed helped. I feel your pain. You're doing all the right things... hang in there and keep getting liquids in as much as you can. I'm curious about the comments on the ports...my mom has a port for chemo and judging by the way it looks under her skin...the shape is way different than our ports. Maybe a question for Inamed. It would just be such a bummer if a nurse familiar with those types of ports took a stab at ours -- and missed -- risking possible damage to our band and/or port. Gotta run -- it's almost midnight. Happy New Year! Elizabeth 082803 -45

Michelle -- You are a great example of the band when it works right. As so many of us know, it's never a smooth road and there's always some work involved. Congratulations on your success -- try not to focus on the number(s) in terms of current weight! Elizabeth banded 8-28-03 -60 slipped band diagnosed 6-04, fill removed + 15 waiting/hoping band slipped back into place...

With all your port problems -- here you are inquiring about me. Bless you -- and loads of good wishes with Lopez & Co. The radiologist thought it looked good...but haven't heard back from my surgeon. I will call tomorrow and update you. Hopeful...for both of us! Elizabeth

Isn't it interesting how so many of us are in a similar place? On the surface, I appear to have a great gig. Working from home in broadcast news. Perfect for a single mom. But (and there's always a but), there's a trade-off. The hours are less than ideal; I could be making more money; and, I have a scary boss. I also have some professional needs that just aren't being met. It's all a big trade-off, isn't it? I'm a big believer in "doing what you love and the money will follow" and trusting that the Universe has bigger and better things in store for me. On a band note -- I haven't posted in a long time -- went to the radiologist today so my surgeon can take another look at my slipped band. Which has hopefully slipped back into place. Cross your fingers. My bad habits came back with a vengence after my fill was removed in June and I've gained back 15 pounds! It would be even more, I'm convinced, if it wasn't for regular exercise. Radiologist said it looked okay to him, but that doesn't really mean much. If my surgeon doesn't like the way it looks, there will be no fills for me this holiday season. Should know more in a few days. Elizabeth 08-28-03 -45

There are also lists of fill doctor's on the Mexican Bandsters site at yahoo...I believe there's a file that includes just Dr.'s in the Southeast. Good luck.

I'd definitely give the surgeon a heads up if the vomiting continues. Good luck. Reflux is a beast -- surgeone can recommend some remedies at this point in your post-op. elizabeth