bluegirly

I'll play too!! I'm a former band, went through hell, prolapse, and emergency removal. 6 months later I got my RNY so I've seen the good the bad and the ugly of 2 out if the three choices.
The funny thing is, so much of what we do and what we need is the same, yet we tend to be sooo sharply defined by the surgery we had. I was nearly chased off lapbandtalk because I had the gall to say I was doing well with my RNY on the 'life after lapband' board....I no longer had a band so I wasn't suppose to be there...even though that's what that board was for.
Anyway! We're here and it'll work out and hopefully we'll all just have more crazy dysfunctional weight loss surgery family to love (and secretly gripe about)
PS I talk...a lot....I've already invaded the sleeve forums, sorry . I'll try to behave

I got my first fill yesterday. My surgeon does his fill in the hospital radiology dept, and OMG that was cool!! Drinking the yucky chalky stuff was totally worth it to see what actually goes on in my banded belly! He had me take a drink, and we watched the liquid just pool at the top of the band. He said "too tight", took some saline out, and I took another drink. This time the Fluid slowly ran through the stoma, and we were good! It was so awesome to see!

My birthday is in 17 weeks (March 13) and all I want for my birthday is to be OVERWEIGHT!! Here me out!! I am still obese for the next 20 lbs (which is a whole 'nother rant, f those dumb bmi charts) I need to lose and being overweight never looked like such a great goal. Can I loose 20 lbs in 17 weeks, I think yes, if I really stay on track through the Holidays. March will also be my 1 year Bandiversary.
As a reward my husband and I are going to run the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8K on March 30, 2014...whoo hoo!! It's all about setting goals, right?
Me today at 190 lbs...."Obese". at 5'4'' I need to weigh 170 to be "Overweight"

What are some of YOUR goals?? Maybe if we document them together and call make them more real!!

Oh, and another thing...how fast you lose weight depends on more than just your fill level. Men usually lose weight faster because they have greater muscle mass than women (but we women compensate with greater wisdom). Heavier people of either gender usually lose faster than lighter people because their bodies need more calories just to stay alive. And weight loss slows down for most of us as we get lighter, because we have less to lose and because our bodies are trying to fight the weight loss.
Hang in there!

My 10-year-old Goddaughter said the funniest thing over the weekend. She knows about my surgery and she's been the best little cheerleader...except when she holds the Peanut Butter cups under my nose for me to smell and then reminds me "oh, you can't have that..." and laughs her evil little laugh.
This weekend she looked at me and sheepishly said "Aunt Di, your butt used to stick way out in the back...no offense. But, now it doesn't. You look good!" I hugged her so tight! And danced around in my new jeans that are 2 or 3 sizes smaller than the ones I was wearing before my surgery in September.
Gotta love her

There is NO WAY to say thank you for what you have done for our country. I'm deeply sorry that you feel the way you do about Veteran's Day. It should be your favorite day of the year...a day you are treated like the hero you are. I wish there was something I could do, and if there is, PLEASE tell me what it is!
Just know that there are those of us who are truly thankful for your brave service and sacrifice. I hope you enjoy the day as much as you can.

Thanks for your support!! My husband is extremely supportive and that's been a huge help. While I was out one big the hid all of the Halloween candy and put a bag of almonds in its place. He and my kids are eating it and it's so helpful that it isn't sitting on the counter just staring at me!! Between your kind words and him hiding the sweets, I've lost 3 pounds! It's so nice to have so many supportive people in my life, even if it is a virtual relationship!

Don't you worry yourself sick now....You have not failed.It is not the candy which has been calling you,but your brain playing games.Try and keep your mind away from the candy.I am sure you can do that.You know the right path so you can follow it. Wavering once in a while is excusable.Do away with the candy if you still have it sitting on the table and then start all over again. I am sure everything will be just fine if you stop feeling guilty about it.

Big deal! You know what you did and now Correct it. Immediately! Give the rest of the candy to a neighbor. Start again by eating healthy foods and do a little walking. We will all go up and down, but we are in control of our bodies.
Best wishes and Keep the Faiith.

it is cool to see it when it happens....i find it amazing

It's not silly, it's AWESOME!!!!!! Great job!!!

I got my first fill yesterday. My surgeon does his fill in the hospital radiology dept, and OMG that was cool!! Drinking the yucky chalky stuff was totally worth it to see what actually goes on in my banded belly! He had me take a drink, and we watched the liquid just pool at the top of the band. He said "too tight", took some saline out, and I took another drink. This time the Fluid slowly ran through the stoma, and we were good! It was so awesome to see!

Cool. Glad all went well

We did the swallow thing on Wednesday, the morning after my surgery. The radiologist showed me the pictures of the band and announced, "perfectly placed." I loved that moment!

I was going to stay out of this, but this thread is getting way too infuriating to remain silent.
Nana, unless you are a licensed bariatric surgeon, you are no more an expert or infallible than anyone else on these boards. Being banded 8 years means you have had a band inside you without messing it up. Nothing more.
I think most of the time, you have good information to share. However when you take the stance of arrogant, confrontational know-it-all, it negates anything and everything you say. No one will listen to you because they're too busy wishing you'd get off your unjust high horse.
Just look at this thread- you have a lot of intelligent, successful bandsters coming down on you. They can't all be wrong, so if you're half as smart as you'd like us to believe, I'd take a long hard look at your behavior before you dig yourself any deeper into that hole you're standing in.

Wow, this thread took a nasty turn.
Time to chime in. Nana, I'm going to argue some points you've made. In no way take any of this personal. It is merely to exchange information. I just happen to disagree. I have read your article AND watched OBriens video and will cite them to further share my viewpoint.
First, anatomy. It is critical that everyone has a comprehensive understanding of basic anatomy if you want to argue anatomical semantics. I am attaching pictures (if LBT will work with me) to give visual illustrations for those not privy to GI anatomy.
If you look at your picutre:
from the article it suggests the band is on the lower portion of the esophagus opposed to the upper portion of the stomach. However, the inference is wrong for 2 reasons: 1) Do you see the lines coming from the right and left above the band. That is the line of your diaphragm. It is also the same placement of the cardiac sphincter. The cardiac sphincter is what separates the esophagus and stomach. It is what is normally responsible for the final push of food into the stomach and it closes shut to keep the contents within the stomach during digestion. Those who suffer from GERD/reflux typicaly have a lax cardiac sphincter. Additionally, in OBriens video (first video at 3:20) he says you can see inside the stomach from above the lapband. This cannot be accomplished if the band is on the esophagus.
I encourage everyone to see this real time video of a labband being placed surgically. It shows the upper stomach being pulled above the band and not simply clasped around the esophagus
With that being said, technically, the upper portion of the stomach is what is banded. The medical arena is who designated the term "pouch" to refer to the upper stomach pouch that was created by the band. This pouch, like bypass, is created and thus is appropriately labeled as such. Additionally, it a layman term that can be universally understood. I am not a fan of all the verbal semantic arguments that go on. As long as you understand the concept, call it what you will. However, there is an "area" and it is NOT JUST the esophagus. This is misinformation.
Next, if we are going to cite OBrien than we must be prepared to receive ALL of his advice and not the parts that suit our arguments. In his 2nd video (4:09) he emphasizes eating slowly. Waiting 30-60 seconds between bites to allow for food to pass before adding additional food to avoid stretching. At 1:10 he also says to take your time and recommends eating up to 20 mins but no more than 30 mins.
And to address his position on drinking while eating which you can watch in his 3rd video 2:08. He does say the old belief was that the medical community feared fluids would dilate the pouch. He says through new education they are aware the food takes only 30-60 seconds (per small bite) to pass. And therefore there is no risk to drink with meals. However, he stipulates, that if you do drink that you should wait 60 seconds after a bite to give it ample time to pass through the stoma and than have a SIP of Water.
Distinctions need to be made:
1) He is not encouraging drinking with the food but between food bites. The inference is if you drink WITH your bite that you could risk stretching just like he infers the same if you take too big of a bite. Volume is volume and if you put too much of it in the pouch you put yourself at risk for complications
2) He does not mention anything about 'washing' the food away after a meal to decrease the risk of dilatation. Again, I refuse to take contradicting doctor's opinions and than personally select which advice most suits my life plan or my preference with living with the band. It's not appropriate.
Now, personal notes-
When I drink w/ meals I have a tendency to not feel satiated longer. The waiting 30 mins business helps my stomach churn on solids and it takes it longer to do so thus keeping me satiated longer. If I drink too readily with my meals I also never get feedback that I am full (or what others call satisfied because that's another vocab semantic argument).
I think if you have a true comprehension of how the band works, your anatomy and how the GI system works (banded or not) you can make informed educated decisions on which 'rules' you can be modified. But it is very important to recognize, that we have a very large BANDED community who demonstrate on a daily basis that they do not have that knowledge. To subject them to this kind of information, without first educating them, can be negligant. I encourage everyone has a partnership with their physician. When you receive contradicting advice, don't follow it blindly. Rather, bring it to the doc for clarification. They are not as uneducated or inexperienced as one may think.
And on a most personal note, Nana, Dr. Amir Moazzez was my doctor as well. I was banded 4, opposed to your 8, years ago and his education is the same. This man literally saved my life and his program is demonstrated through my success that his information is sound and good. Call me protective, but I just cannot allow for you to sabotage his good name inadvertently because you have adopted new practices or a new physician. I am in no way telling you to not live with your band the way you please, it's everyone's perogative. But he is NOT one of the bad ones and whether you see it or not there's almost an inference he was. Not so
Now, I am not being hasty, I am not criticizing. So I won't entertain personal **** slinging. But this is MY rationale for myself as to why I am NOT endorsing or adopting your practices

I got my first fill yesterday. My surgeon does his fill in the hospital radiology dept, and OMG that was cool!! Drinking the yucky chalky stuff was totally worth it to see what actually goes on in my banded belly! He had me take a drink, and we watched the liquid just pool at the top of the band. He said "too tight", took some saline out, and I took another drink. This time the Fluid slowly ran through the stoma, and we were good! It was so awesome to see!

So this morning I woke up at 5 a.m. and decided since I was up and couldn't go back to bed I would go for a run. It felt great to start my work day off right. Then I found out around 10 a.m. my project on DonorsChoose was fully funded (almost a $1,000 project) which really made my day. I made the mistake of telling my special ed students that I was so excited for our class that I might pee my pants. We all had a good laugh...THEN I heard one of my precious children was telling other students and teachers that I peed my pants because I was so excited. Lol, love these kids!
And finally, I lost another 1.5 lbs! Just when I was starting to get discouraged from my plateau it broke! Phew!
Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Wednesdays are my weigh-in days. I weigh myself and take measurements. This week I was up a little over a pound. My measurements are the same, so I guess that's good. Why am I not surprised??? The FREAKING HALLOWEEN candy has been calling my name since last Thursday!!! And I've been answering. Like a moth to a flame. The band didn't fail me this week. I failed it. Eating crap (and a lot of it) has changed the numbers on the scale and now I am mad at myself for being so weak! Tomorrow is my first fill and it couldn't come at a better time! I fell off the damn horse, but I'm on my way back in the saddle. I WILL be successful. I WILL not fail my band. But holy sh*t this feeling sucks!

You got this. The Halloween candy is a bad thing. It is tempting just sitting there in a bowl, everytime you walk by..
You have a few choices, Throw it away, (which may make your kids upset) Put it in a cabinet in a ziplock bag or tupper ware container..If you make it harder to just ****** a piece, you are less likely to eat it,
or you can give to a place that sends it over seas to soldiers.
The fill will help you feel full, it will not help with the cravings.. sorry to say. will power is the only thing that works..
BUT YOU CAN DO IT..
-Debbi

Blue - We all mess up. Don't beat yourself up! You were probably hungry because it was time for your fill and you are taking care of that. Just get back on track. Please don't beat yourself up! I've been through a time where I wasn't losing weight and it finally started coming off again. Everything is going to be OK

The chemicals put into those candies are crafted with the specific purpose of addictive eating behavior. And of course culturally Halloween is candy-centered, all in the name of selling more bags of crap candy. Sometimes to get off a sweets jag I have used Steevia -- I put it my way-diluted cranberry juice. I know what I can't have in the house -- candy, brownies, Cookies, etc. It's like they talk to me.

Wednesdays are my weigh-in days. I weigh myself and take measurements. This week I was up a little over a pound. My measurements are the same, so I guess that's good. Why am I not surprised??? The FREAKING HALLOWEEN candy has been calling my name since last Thursday!!! And I've been answering. Like a moth to a flame. The band didn't fail me this week. I failed it. Eating crap (and a lot of it) has changed the numbers on the scale and now I am mad at myself for being so weak! Tomorrow is my first fill and it couldn't come at a better time! I fell off the damn horse, but I'm on my way back in the saddle. I WILL be successful. I WILL not fail my band. But holy sh*t this feeling sucks!

you didnt fail the band, nor did you mess up or any other of that woe is me nonsense...so you ate the wrong (high calorie/not so great for you items)... you acknowledged it, its over and here you are on the path to better health...eat better food choices and stay on it but def talk more positive about yourself.

have no fear....! you can do this. if you can, dispose of the candy. give it away, throw it away. you don't need it. empty calories. think about this, for what you can eat for 2 full size candy bars, which will make you not loose, nor keep you full. you can eat an omelet, with some fruit, which will keep you full for hours. and more than likely have calories to spare. i will admit, i did indeed indulge. hey we're human. but you know what, the next day, i didn't and haven't since. it's just easier for me, if i don't go there. mainly, because it's like entering a deep dark vortex of evilness, and i have trouble finding the door to come out. so, i just try to avoid it. it's easier for me to avoid it, than have one or two bites, because then it becomes candy bar after candy bar. almost as if an alien entered my body and took over. trust me, it isn't a pretty site! hahaha. on a more serious note, find what works for you. i know, i want this and for me to get there, i have to avoid some things like the plague. i hope this helps. and good luck. YOU CAN DO IT!!