judybellyband

Remember the scales are only one measurement of progress. The other is to compare your body measurements. SO if you are needing some postive feedback, or a aneil-retentive "professional scale whore" like Jacnut and I, go fall in love with your tape measure. IT works!!! Oh, don't forget to chart it.

Oh Lord, I want to do as GOOD as Carrot today!!!!!! Cause she ROCKS. So excited for us all!!! YEY....go all of us. Amen, amen

Beetle convoy...ok count me in the line-up. Toot-toot, move over world cause here we come! Well, I went there and have the itch but so far this morning, I am strong. But if I drive close to a VW dealer, I might get into temptation. Only a triple-white limited edition convertiable might do it. But I can't go there in my current sweet beetle as that just would hurt her feelings. Connie, my doctor did the same as you by giving me Prevacd SoluTab 30 mg to take 2x/day. I haven't had a problem I think because of that. Judy call your doctor ASAP. I prey you all have a very Blessed day regardless of what may come. And remember if we are feellibg low because of the lack of carbs, we can always take a ride in our wonderful Beetles. Voom-voom and toot-toot my banded/bug-sisters.

Wonderful pictures and I can't wait to see your new red Convert. Who would have guess we would have so much here to talk about. You both have me in the fever. I'm going over to the VW site to see their newest features and colors....if I can stick this liquid diet now for 19 days, I can be strong over on the VW site. Let's see.

Well cooking for six children and all those snacks...I'm hungry just thinking of it. I know it must be extra hard but you are doing this for yourself first and them. Love is all about sacrifice isn't it. I am glad you are also doing well.

OH no it should be 100% free... redownload.

Judy, to compress your pictures for emails or internet web you need "th" thumbnail the image file. Download this great tool which is free, be sure to save the new file as a different filenameTH.jpg and you are in business. Downloads - Easy Thumbnails 2.93 Freeware Software PICTURES,,,,I want pictures of Buggies~~~

Oh Judy, although I live near Greensboro, NC and I am orginally from Alabama, I can not believe how much we have in common. For example, I am now on my 3rd New Beetle and totally understand about the color issue. I am currently driving a 2006 harvest moon hardtop that I just love. But the new is wearing on it so I might join you and Cookie and go to a convertiable next. WE are buggie sisters.

PLease contact your doctor's office this morning and tell them about having pain and let them call it. However, I understand as I had on the very same spot significant discomfort that happen yesterday. I feel in my case (at day 4 yesterday) it might be from gereral down-ward pressure on internally very tinder, healing tissue. And like you, I don't have a fever but had done considerable seating and walking yesterday and last night boy did I feel it to the point it was very hard to sleep. PLEASE, contact your doc's nurse this morning...that is what we pay them for and you matter.

Thank-you so much Carrot. It's funny that I feel so-o-o like a newbie and excited about my 5 day old new Lap-band AP-s. This is even though I had been fairly successful as a bander before having loss 77lbs and getting to BMI of 27. However, as a food-aholic I regained 40lbs in the last 12 months. . . it was a tuff year. A very tuff year dealing with my lap-band lost and FIGHTing with my old WLS center and UHC to pay again for my continuity of care ... I lost the fight and am self-paided for my new band. Oh well, the Lord owns it all. I have done considerable research on many lap-band sites and have never known anyone to have this type of leak. I am the only one with a pinhole defect within the intertube to occur with a steady state of 9.1cc and 30 months out. Allergen had also said no this is uniquic; my old band is being sent to them for their analysis of the defect and hopefully they will help me pay for my new lap-band. But let me also say, I went a year without a band not knowing exactly where the leak was. This was even though it was initially determined as a 100% leak within the intertube with contrast fluoroscopy by the head or radiology at Duke University Medical. But they could not agree (doctors and Allergen) until they do a complete physical exam. So we'll see what Allergern hopefully can do for me. I feel sure they will because I know they are a responciable medical supply company who has a great focus and concern for the lap-band patients in general. Also, after all my research and my own personal success with my first band, I felt good enough to take the risk for a 2nd one. I knew I was safe, a new one would again be adjustable and it was not causing ANY physical (BUT HUGE MENTAL) issues just sitting there. I had an endoscope exam after 5 months with the leak and it proved that there was NO erosion and no slippage. IT was just 100% failure and not functioning. Sorry for the long message...but others have asked and I thought I'd just cover it here. Thanks again for the warm welcome. :eek:

Topdownbug, Does you name mean that you also are a VW Beattle owner. That is so funny as we may have a lot in common and I am one day behind you. I know what you mean. I was fixing a salad for my DH and came so close. It scared me when I started to pop a walnut into my mouth. That is why I also needed a band for my head. I wish you well.

Hi there, I 've been sincerely enjoying your messages so much. So I thought tonight I would stop lurking and introduce myself. I am now at day 4 post-op and day 18 into my liquid diet. So far I am doing perfect plus I have lost 15lbs. I am so excited to be back into bandland after a year without a functioning band. I pray all here will have a great exsperence and all of us will far exceed our goals to loss weight and run from our food bondage. I look forward to getting to know more of you and gaining your support as well. Sincerely,:clap2:

Oh, let me address the second question first. This is just my view of lap-band world...but I have had a lap-band for 40 months and have read/researched it a lot. It is the exception not the rule that complications like a leak, erroson, or a slipped band does occur. When you read here on the forums about these happening, it is because more of us are more likely to come to a forum to seek support, help or information when it happens. It is a disportionate online group of people who are writting and having this issues. I believe that if you seek the most exsperenced Doctor you can, a slip almost never happens anymore because of the ~3 year method they use where they tac/sew a overlap over the band. Why an errosion happen can be several things like your own body reaction to the added pressure of the band around the stomach, taking NSAIDS, overfilling the band, or consistantly over eatting or vommiting. But the newer bands like the vanguard and the newer AP band are softer/more forgiving than the smaller 4cc model band. Therefore, it's less likely errosion might occur. Now the leak issue sometimes happens more frequently at the port. IF this happens 98% of the time it is because of missing the port and hitting the tube when getting a fill. This is a simple 15 min. surgerical fix because it in the superficial layers above the adomonial wall. The only other issues I know of are a flipped port, which can happen because of a persons exceptionally thin tissue where the port is located doesn't hold before the port has time to "scar or heal" in place correctly, or you get an infection at the port just after surgery. Now with all that said, I am going for my second band because I know how well it works, how to live with the band and loss weight with it, and I can't be healthy without one. Things happen all the time in life and complications are just part of life. IF they happen, you do your best to deal with the facts and make the best choices you can when they occur....right? Having a lap-band is a tool that is not for those, who are afraid of risk and understand that living with it is not easy. IT is life changing because it takes work and significant changes in what you are eatting. Having the surgery and getting over the surgery is the smallest part of the process (15%). But getting to the correct level of restriction and maintaining that fill level is 70% and then the other part (15%) is your having discipline to eat like a good bander (not putting more pressure on the band than is needed) and excercise. Having a lap-band and making it succussful for you is not easy ...it's just not. But for me, it is the best way to get and stay healthy. I sincerely appreciate your responce on Dr. Marsden and I hope this helps you to also gain more insight. I like to know going into things all I can. I want you to know that this is a safe surgery that can be reversed or changed down stream. Who knows, we might want this radio control band when it comes through trails in a few years and as we wait for that magic pill. What do you think? Again, this is my view of lap-band world.

Imerritt ... just FYI, There is J&J who will be releasing their lap-band this year in the US and other Allergan developments down the road. But here is the information on the current state-of-the-art new Allergan AP band it comes in two sizes; a large that is the same size as the Vanuard and a standard which is smaller. I have a Vanguard which has to be replaced because of a leak. So I want to be sure to get the best proven technology. I am not sure of the AP band's track record yet. But it should be like the vanguard and have improved performance in terms of not causing erosion and more forgiving or softer to the stomach by providing more even pressure. You can learn more here: Product Description Also in the future Allergan, who in Feb'07 purchased Endoart a Swiss company for their "Easy Band" technoloy, will be training doctors and going into us trials. The Easy band is a non-port type, next generation gastric implant. Here is more information on it: endoart - > Easyband Regardless, I want to hear from others who use Dr. MArsden and see what they have to say about him and their bands performance. Thanks

First, I am sorry that you feel such dispair... I understand that. BUT even if you have the band removed you are in no danger. For example, my own band leaked out at the band but has been sitting fine for 10 months. IF you can't get comfortable with your band, why don't you have yours unfilled and give yourself time to test if you can maintain or lost weight without it. If it doesn't work for you then just fill your band to a level that will. FYI: my 10 mth trail has resulted in my regaining 45% of my weight loss.

OK, need to hear from my fellows here who have used Dr. Marsden. If so, please let me know about your experience; good or bad (but PM me if it's bad). What size band is he currently installing; is it the new APS or APL Allergan lap-band? Thank-you for your caring and time to respond.

Thanks Crabcake, That is the Vanguard band. How are you doing with the fills? It took me a very long time to get into the restriction range. Hope you are there now but if not how long does his office make you wait in between fills? I really would appreciate knowing the answer to that last question. Thanks in advance.

I was wondering if anyone here might know if Dr. Miles & Schmitt were currently installing the newest AP band? I really hope so and would appreciate knowing what type/size band his patients have as I am looking! Thanks so much.

Ok, I have contacted Walter and Kelly Lindstrom paying/asking them formally to take my case. They are reviewing the documentation now for my 2nd UHC Appeal for the replacement of my defective/leaking 34.5 month old Inamed Vanguard Lap-band. UHC paid for the first band, my leak occured 3Nov06, took until january 23rd to submit to UHC for the limited (the port is functioning and in great shape) replacement, found out my policy changed on 1 January, 2007 so they only approved the removal of something (did not say the whole system or not), I did my 1st appeal on grounds of pre-exsisting condition and timeing of occurance, so now the Linstrom (hopefully) will sucessed where I have not. I have gained 25.5 pounds in 4.5 months dealing with this stress of lossing the band's fuction, testing, medical reviews, and delays in approval; but, it's ok cause I will get it off again with my new lap-band. But the difference is that this time, I will get to my 24 BMI goal; no more playing with the process. It's going to come off ASAP after I get my new lap-band. . . AMEN! S-o-o-o let's :cheer2: for the Lindstroms! Make UHC pay. . . . please!!!:faint:

Spectacularone, You can do this. It seems like an up-hill fight but you can . . . fight. After all it is your health and quality of life and you are only 2 BMI points from auto approval. UHC makes everyone wait because they can . . it's been two months this 2nd time for my replacement lap-band surgery and a 2nd appeal process for me. By the time UHC makes you wait, you may already be at 40 BMI. Now while that is not the ideal way to make it happen, it is what stress does to most of us. So if it is what happens, it's not if a lap-band is in your future but WHEN . . . am I right? I really do understand about what you said. IT can be completely overwhelming . . . but do not let UHC do that to you. . . they don't care about your health only their policy. They will make you appeal because of that policy and their baseline requirements, it's not personal. So what do you do to not go crazy . . . know that it's the Lord who is building your faith in Him so you can know He is in control and He loves you . He is going before you even now to give you a brighter future. It will happen and soon. So even if you do stress-up to a BMI of 40, you will have the operation and then be a normal BMI of 24. . . it's just time. So in the mean time, love your children and DH who need you to be content.

Mandy, Thanks for the insight. It was very helpful. I wish others here would also post their recommendations.

I am sure you have heard of the following Dr. But just in case: Gonzales Eduardo R Md PA 1000 South Park Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27127 (336) 784-8299

I too am in process of determining which way to go after UHC for a 2nd Appeal. I had my 1st letter for appeal denial yesterday. This is so difficult. I have approval for removal of my lap-band and denial for the replacement of the defective component. Have other experence in 2nd appeals?

At some risk of saying this to you cause you don't know me, I still have to say oh yes . . . I had my current band, placed 4/29/04 by Dr. McMahon, at Duke WLS Center and my last Doctor there was Dr. DeMaria. He has a great, great knowledge and exsperence with lap-band history from the eary trial days in Richmond; but he is not really pro-lap-band. Also, it is my exsperence and current knowledge that Duke has significant administrative problems in effective management of lap-band patients. Can they do a great surgery for you? . . . yes, if it is DeMaria personally. DEMAND that he does your surgery and no other. It's way too important to you to just allow anyone to do it. Also, if your BMI is less than 50, tell them that you do not want the Vanguard band. Please, remember that Duke and the WLS Center IS STILL a teaching hospitial. You can live with delays in getting your band filled but it is critical that the most exsperence possible do your surgery. . . . especially at Duke. There is more I could say but perhaps you might want to read this thread http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=1047. Also, there is a wonderful, very supportive group on this board but even more so on www.band2gether.com. Perhaps, you will also want to join us there in the NC support section at http://www.band2gether.net/forumdisplay.php?f=64. I wish you the best possible results. You can have that at Duke, especially if you go in with more knowledge. Please keep me posted and sincerely know I wish to HELP and not scare you. I totally believe in the lap-band technology and that is why I am having my leaking band replaced ASAP.

Hi Ready2Lose, Did you have lap-band surgery at Duke or are you thinking of doing so?