meachie

I like body fortress, but the costco stuff is good too.
Scoop of vanilla with half cup o% milk, half cup oj and about a cup of frozen bananas and strawberries.. Through in some milled flax too. Good kickstart before a workout.

Feel free to friend me on Facebook at hely lb. I have a group with tons of recipes, ideas and suggestions. I have tons of stuff including crock pots, skillets, vegetarian, seafood, and anything you want I will find for you. The group is open to anyone. It is not a support group.

I think that when our bands are working great, we're losing, complication free and enjoying doing things we haven't done in years, we are willing defend our tool and our choice vigorously against "band bashing".
The problem is that often the signs that things are getting off track are confusing, feel like other minor issues, until we hit a wall, so to speak. The problems I'm hearing about with bands and motility often feel like something else (esophageal spasms feel like angina) or something commonplace, such as Constipation. The other big red flag is when you hear of someone stuck on Water or other liquid. They think their band has randomly tightened, though they haven't had a fill in months or years. In this case, they might be experiencing what I am...achalasia, failure of the LES to open in response to swallowing. This is above the band, food, liquids back up in the esophagus causing dilation and damage.
When I post of complications I've had, it is purely to educate, inform and help someone else who might not realize they're experiencing the early warning signs of band complications. Knowing these signs, reacting quickly could mean they reduce the pressure in their band, lessen the damage and save their GI tract from permanent and painful damage. The intent is not to bash, just to inform.

Pouch enlargement

Pouch enlargement (type-III prolapse) is diagnosed when dilation of the proximal gastric pouch is present with or without change in the angle of the band and in the absence of signs of obstruction.
The lower esophagus may or may not be dilated. Pouch enlargement is a pressure-related phenomenon that may be surgically induced by band over inflation or overeating with resulting high pressure in the pouch.
Symptoms of pouch enlargement include lack of satiety, heartburn, regurgitation and occasional chest pain. The diagnosis is made with an upper gastrointestinal series
Nonoperative treatment includes complete band deflation, low-calorie diet, re-enforcement of portion size and follow-up contrast study in 4–6 weeks. If the band position and the pouch size return to normal, then the band can be incrementally re inflated. A study by Moser and colleagues demonstrated that this conservative approach to pouch enlargement was successful in up to 77% of patients. Conservative treatment is considered unsuccessful when the pouch fails to recover its original size after 8–10 weeks. In this circumstance, surgical treatment with either band removal or replacement is indicated.

Band slip

Band slip may be defined as cephalad prolapse of the body of the stomach or caudal movement of the band. Other published literature report an incidence of slip of 1%–22%.
Since the cross-sectional area of the stomach is larger at the body than at the level of the angle of His (normal band position), complete obstruction of the stomach can occur when the band slips. Band slip can be posterior or anterior, depending on whether the anterior or posterior region of the stomach herniates through the band.

Anterior slip (type-I prolapse)


Anterior slip results from upward migration of the anterior wall of the stomach through the band. This can be due to insufficient anterior fixation and disruption of the fixation sutures. The second cause may be related to increased pressure in the pouch due to early solid food, vomiting, overeating or early (< 4 wk) band fill.

Posterior slip (type-II prolapse)

Posterior slip is defined as a herniation of the posterior wall of the stomach through the band. This is usually related to the surgical technique but is less frequent now with adoption of the pars flaccida approach instead of the perigastric approach
In both types of slip, the patient usually presents with dysphagia, vomiting, regurgitation and food intolerance. The diagnosis is made by upper gastrointestinal series. Complications related to band slip include gastric perforation, necrosis of the slipped stomach (type-V prolapse), upper gastrointestinal bleeding and aspiration pneumonia.
Type-IV prolapse

A type-IV prolapse is defined as an immediate postoperative prolapse and is usually due to placing the band too low on the stomach.
Band slip types (I, II, IV and V) are acute and always require surgical intervention. Laparoscopic removal or repositioning of the band is the preferred method of treatment. Pouch enlargement is a chronic complication that should be managed nonoperatively in the first instance, and surgical readjustment is reserved only for those patients in whom conservative treatment fails.
Band erosion

Band erosion is an uncommon complication of LAGB. In this scenario, the band gradually erodes through the stomach wall and into the gastric lumen. The incidence is less than 1%, with a reported prevalence varying from 0% to 11%.
The etiology of band erosion may be the result of gastric-wall injury during band placement or tight anterior fixation, especially around the band buckle.
A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of band erosion as most patients are asymptomatic. When symptomatic, complaints related to erosion include loss of restriction, nonspecific epigastric pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, intra-abdominal abscesses or port-site infection. The diagnosis is often made at the time of gastroscopy.
The recommended treatment is complete removal of the eroded gastric band laparoscopically or via laparotomy.

Port-site infection

Port-site infections can be classified as early and late. Early infections will manifest with the cardinal signs of erythema, swelling and pain. These infections typically occur within the immediate postoperative period and may be reduced by the use of perioperative antibiotics. Early infection with cellulitis alone may be treated with oral antibiotics. If the response is inadequate, then intravenous antibiotic use is warranted. When the infection does not respond to intravenous antibiotics and is limited to the port, the port should be removed and the tubing knotted and left inside the abdomen. Once the local infection is resolved, a new port may be placed and tubing connected with laparoscopic guidance. Late port site infections are often caused by delayed band erosion with ascending infection. This usually manifests several months after surgery and can be associated with loss of restriction. These infections typically do not respond well to antibiotic treatment. If left undetected, band infection can evolve into potentially life-threatening intra-abdominal sepsis. Gastroscopy will confirm the diagnosis of band erosion. This complex clinical scenario is treated most expeditiously by removal of the band.

Port breakage

Breakage or damage of the port typically refers to leakage through a damaged port septum or tubing leading into the port. The use of a standard coring needle is strongly discouraged, and only Huber (noncoring) needles should be used to access the port. If port access is difficult or if the tubing connected to the port is at risk of perforation, then band adjustment under fluoroscopy is advised. Port breakage usually manifests as a slow leak with the loss of the injected Fluid volume on aspiration and the absence of restriction. It can be difficult to identify the leak site but local exploration of the port site can confirm the diagnosis.
I'm posting this because these are things we as Lap Band Patients should be aware of, I'm a firm believer of "Being forewarned is being Forearmed

Anyone else get thoughts of chickening out cold feet?

Several people asked specifically how fast the weight fell off...when I hit plateaus etc.... so I decided to post my weight tracker of my journey from my phone ap. There was no particular way I tracked it... just when ever I thought about it I entered it. I am obsessed with the scale... but the results are worth it. So here it is.... my loss by the numbers...so far
Goal: 160.0 lb Start: 377.0 lb
Date Weight
2-Sep-12 169.0 lb
25-Aug-12 170.0 lb
14-Aug-12 173.0 lb
12-Aug-12 177.0 lb
9-Aug-12 179.0 lb
1-Aug-12 180.0 lb
22-Jul-12 182.0 lb
21-Jul-12 183.0 lb
19-Jul-12 183.0 lb
14-Jul-12 184.0 lb
16-Jun-12 187.0 lb
11-Jun-12 188.0 lb
28-Apr-12 191.0 lb
20-Apr-12 199.0 lb
17-Apr-12 201.0 lb
14-Mar-12 206.0 lb
11-Mar-12 207.0 lb
27-Feb-12 209.0 lb
30-Jan-12 214.0 lb
25-Jan-12 216.0 lb
22-Jan-12 218.0 lb
16-Jan-12 220.0 lb
12-Jan-12 222.0 lb
10-Jan-12 224.0 lb
31-Dec-11 225.0 lb
24-Dec-11 227.0 lb
16-Dec-11 228.0 lb
9-Dec-11 229.0 lb
5-Dec-11 230.0 lb
4-Dec-11 231.0 lb
1-Dec-11 233.0 lb
30-Nov-11 234.0 lb
29-Nov-11 234.0 lb
26-Nov-11 236.0 lb
20-Nov-11 237.0 lb
28-Oct-11 241.0 lb
27-Oct-11 241.0 lb
24-Oct-11 245.0 lb
21-Oct-11 247.0 lb
19-Oct-11 249.0 lb
27-Sep-11 252.0 lb
19-Sep-11 254.0 lb
12-Sep-11 255.0 lb
9-Sep-11 257.0 lb
7-Sep-11 259.0 lb
31-Aug-11 261.0 lb
30-Aug-11 262.0 lb
22-Aug-11 264.0 lb
15-Aug-11 266.0 lb
12-Aug-11 267.0 lb
4-Aug-11 268.0 lb
2-Aug-11 269.0 lb
30-Jul-11 270.0 lb
29-Jul-11 271.0 lb
27-Jul-11 272.0 lb
26-Jul-11 273.0 lb
23-Jul-11 274.0 lb
14-Jul-11 275.0 lb
8-Jul-11 277.0 lb
5-Jul-11 279.0 lb
4-Jul-11 280.0 lb
2-Jul-11 281.0 lb
25-Jun-11 282.0 lb
15-Jun-11 283.0 lb
11-Jun-11 284.0 lb
9-Jun-11 285.0 lb
7-Jun-11 286.0 lb
29-May-11 287.0 lb
28-May-11 288.0 lb
26-May-11 289.0 lb
19-May-11 291.0 lb
14-May-11 293.0 lb
10-May-11 295.0 lb
9-May-11 297.0 lb
6-May-11 298.0 lb
30-Apr-11 299.0 lb
28-Apr-11 300.0 lb
21-Apr-11 301.0 lb
17-Apr-11 302.0 lb
12-Apr-11 305.0 lb
13-Mar-11 308.0 lb
11-Mar-11 309.0 lb
8-Mar-11 311.0 lb
6-Mar-11 312.0 lb
4-Mar-11 313.0 lb
27-Feb-11 316.0 lb
16-Feb-11 318.0 lb
13-Feb-11 319.0 lb
11-Feb-11 320.0 lb
9-Feb-11 321.0 lb
5-Feb-11 322.0 lb
29-Jan-11 324.0 lb
20-Jan-11 326.0 lb
16-Jan-11 327.0 lb
15-Jan-11 328.0 lb
12-Jan-11 329.0 lb
5-Jan-11 332.0 lb
1-Jan-11 334.0 lb
31-Dec-10 334.0 lb
9-Dec-10 352.0 lb
24-Nov-10 377.0 lb

Great job!!!!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using LapBandTalk

Great job!!!!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using LapBandTalk

I got a pair of knee high boot!! Woot woot NSV!!!

All of you on the pre op diet - Hang in there. We have all been in your shoes and you can do this! It is truly a wake up call to see just how much power food has over us. The pre op and all the yucky emotions that come with it are no fun, but a necessary part of the process. So allow yourself to be sad, angry, scared, whatever you are feeling. Imagine how happy and healthy you'll be one year from now. It is SO worth it!

Congrats on having the courage to get the surgery before other medical problems occur and as I am sure you know or will find out - its NOT the easy way out. It requires among other things significant planning and choices and EXERCISE. The lap band won't get you up at 5 am and out to walk or to the gym etc...
I told family and work but not clients. For me work was very supportive - but being over 450 lbs I didn't face as much criticism as my lap band brothers n sisters with lower BMI's.
Regardless of your decision about whom to tell or not - one of the keys to my success was embracing and attitude that I was in a battle for my life and nothing/nobody would Impair my ability to make the best food, sleep and exercise choices. So when "aunt Sally" is offended because I won't have her famous potato salad or pecan pie then she just has to get over it and be supportive. You are either with me or against me in the fight for my life and freedom : )
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee
279 lbs Lost all diseases reversed

The Pre-op plan I followed is sometimes helpful to get that really "clean" feeling and eliminate all the conversations in my head about what to eat when to eat how much eat - if an extra tb of dressing on salad is Really a Big Deal or not yadda yadda
I drink Atkins shakes - almost no net carbs and sugar w/needed Protein.
It works like this:
Within 30 min of awakening drink a shake
Then every two hours no matter what drink a shake until bedtime
That should be about 7 or 8 shakes a day - do this for 7 days - nothing else just this. After 3 days you will feel better. It's hard to do - but it will free your mind and jump start you
Good luck,
Lee
279 lbs Lost all diseases reversed

I take Vitafusion MultiVites...love them!

My doc ok'd Vita fusion. They make Gummy everything. So I gave the multi Vitamin, Calcium and Fiber. All gummies that taste like gummy bears. :-)

Made these Low-fat version Crab Cakes, and I have to say they are pretty good!
Ingredients:
1 lb. Crabmeat (I used Louis Kemp) any kind of lump crabmeat will be fine
2 large eggs (beaten)
2 scallions (diced)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped fine)
1/4 cup cocktail sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 red pepper (diced fine)
1/2 cup Light Mayo
1 lemon, juiced (lemon juice will work just fine)
1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1 tsp. tabasco sauce
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat breadcrumbs instead)
3 tbs. cooking oil (I use canola)
**if you don't have all the ingredients you can substitute**
Directions:
In medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the panko breadcrumbs and Cooking Oil. When all of the ingredients are combined, gently mix in panko crumbs.
Form crab cake patties using 1/3-cup mixture per patty. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Place Cooking Oil in large, nonstick skillet, and brown patties over medium heat and sauté the patties until they are golden brown on each side. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts:
14 servings
Nutrition per serving
Calories 118
Protein 9g
Carbohydrates 5g
Fat 7g
Sodium 290mg
Dietary Fiber 1g


***You can find this recipe and many others*** @ www.smartbalance.com

Obviously this is my post band list...lol
1) sugar free carnation instant Breakfast
2) tuna fish
3) chicken noodle Soup
4) v8 juice
5) sugar free Jello instant pudding