babsyintx

Cindy, Its either time for a fill or an attitude adjustment. If you are doing all the things that you are supposed to and still not losing weight, get the fill. For some reason us folks who start at over 300 pounds seem to get stuck at the low 200 range. The body rebels for a while, needs time to accept the new weight and then continues on with the losing if you are following bandster protocol. Track your calorie intake and make sure you are getting enough Protein. I was stuck in the 207-210 range for a long while and now I am stuck in the 180's. I noticed that I was eating just a little more, a litttle more everyday without really even noticing. I also slowed down on my exercise and that hurt my progress. Hang in there and dont be a martyr if you really need a fill!!!! Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150 6/23/03

Joan, THis really pisses me off. Some of these docs dont deserve our business. But since the date is coming up, theres not much you can do, but try to lose the weight. Unless you are prepared to consider a more compassionate doc and wait it out a little longer. What kind of post op care is this numbskull going to be able to give you? Is he gonna withhold fills and adjustments because you dont meet some kind of weight loss criteria? These are things you do need to think about cause having the band is a long time maintenance proposition. I feel your pain though and I wish you the best in trying to lose the 6lbs. We are all rooting for you!!! Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150 6/23/03

Hi Jonathan, I missed this post completely. Wow, sounds like you had super restriction and lots of post op swelling. Now I know you are not feeling lucky now, but it will get better. THe 4CC Inamed band is sometimes very tight for men who have a lot of fat padding around the stomach. There are some rare cases where it doesnt loosen up until you drop some pounds, but it sounds like you are on the road to recovery. Once you are able to handle creamy liquids and Soups, it will be much better. The great news is that you will superaccelerate your weight loss. The bad news is you will feel weak in the absence of getting enough Protein. Try some of the suggestion Leatha gave you. Stay away from anything cold. Instead of coffee which is dehydrating, try sipping on warm Water, low sodium broth, and liquids which will not dehydrate you. Hang in there. It will get better. Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150

Hi Alex, Amen Sister! As I struggle to lose the last pounds, I also realize that it will be a neverending challenge to keep the weight off permanently. THe band is helping me, but I also feel empowered cause I have to do a lot of the work myself. Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150

Julie, I have been banded 19 months and I have not PB'ed since May last year. In total, I have PBed 5 times, 3 times with chicken and 2x with tough steak. So no, it is not normal to barf on a regular basis. I tolerate popcorn very well. I eat the heatlhy choice variety about 3x a week as a snack. Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150

Hi, I have never heard of such a thing!!! You really need to get in touch with Inamed. How did you get the first set of x-rays? Did the other doc /surgeon just give them to you? I hope you will take appropriate action. I cant see how a surgeon could make this kind of mistake. Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150 6/23/03

Hi Again! Bright: Southern Bandgal (Michelle) has some pics of me when I went to see her in Nashville a few weeks ago. I dont know the link to her picture trail, but you can see some of me there. Babs in TX

Hi Everyone, Well, I finally made it. The elusive Century and a Half Club. One hundred fifty pounds gone forever! I have been sitting at 185-186 for two weeks and finally got to 184!!! Its been a struggle. I have been back at the gym 3 hours this week and I am attempting to keep this pace going and add a martial arts class as well. I want to be able to kick some booty if I ever need to! Plus I thnk it will help my sense of balance as well. My body is rebelling to get these last pounds off. I think it is happy here, but I am not!!!! Dont expect to ever see a Double Century Club from me. I have no aspirations to be 134 pounds and I am pretty sure that my body will never get there unless I become bulimic or anorexic! Dont need any new food disorders!!! Babs in TX 334/184/170 -150 and counting 6/23/03

Penni, Dr. Billy, yeah hes the man...... He can fix my port like nobody can..... Ya better not send him these messages! LOL Hubba, Hubba Hubba He would make me want to have a lapband even if I didnt need one!!! LOL Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Lisa, I lost your telephone number. Could you please send it to me? I want to call you. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

HI Lisa, I go away for a few days and you start creating havoc all over again! LOL I am so glad that you went to see a competent doc and that you are in good hands. Sorry I wasnt here to hold yours, but I have been out of town since mid last week. Just checking messages. Hugs from Texas and I am glad you are doing better. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

Audrey, You guys look great. Keep up the great work!!! Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Lisa, I am going to the Vegas Bash anyway, but I can always use an excuse to come to Vegas twice this year..... Babs in TX

Hi Carol, My big weakness is tortilla chips. I cant go a whole day without eating 8-10 of those ! I so wish I could say no, but just like you, the evenings are when I violate. I can go all day and not eat (but dont) and then bam, the floodgates are open at 5:30 pm or so. I do fine with my dinner portion, but find myself grazing. Popcorn, pudding, crackers with Peanut Butter. I really try to watch the portions but can't seem to just say no! I am back up two pounds from my low and I notice lately even one indiscretion sets me back 4-5 days. Ugggggh! Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Tony, Regarding your weight and high BMI, an experienced proctored lapband surgeon should be able to band someone your size with no issues other than using longer trocars. It might be advisable for you to try to go on a liquid diet a few days before banding to help shrink your liver. My doc here in Texas has banded patients close to 600 pounds laparoscopically. There are many docs doing banding in Mexico. I was banded in the US, but considered Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. He was very kind to me and even gave me his cell phone number while he was on vacation with his family so I could call him personally to ask questions. Many people like Dr. Kuri in Tijuana. I think Rumbaut charges 10K and Kuri around the same. I know that Dr. Cirangle in CA charges 12K ish and here in Dallas you could be banded for about 13K-15K including some fills/adjustments. I started out at a BMI of 53.9 and a weight of 334 at 5' 6". My biggest concern was that my stomach might be too fat to do the surgery laparoscopically. i addressed my concerns with the surgeon, who thought I was nuts. Dr. C (my surgeon) said that he had banded folks much bigger than me laparoscopically. He said I am a lap surgeon and if I cant do it lap, then I wont do an open procedure. he gave me his word and that was good enough for me. My point is that you should find someone you are comfortable with and not look at the difference of one or two thousand dollars. Good luck and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask away. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

I wasnt 380, but I was 334. I am older than you, so weight loss is usually slower as you get up in the upper 30's and 40's. I lost 120 pounds my first year with the band and I am still losing. If you want to talk with bandsters that started out at higher BMI's, I recommend you go to extraordinarybandsters@yahoogroups.com. All of these bandsters started with a BMI of 50 or higher like myself. I have a friend Kiimberly who started at 384. She now weighs 220 at 5' 10" , lost 165 pounds in 10 months and is moving closer to goal. So it can be done. Please email me privately if you have more questions. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

Pati, Heres my take on the situation. My husband has been very supportive of my weight loss. He is a kind and loving person, but he can not communicate how he feels about my weight loss. If there are problems in the relationship before banding they will become more apparent (which is my case). If your relationship is strong, it will survive the changes. Make sure that you have a therapist lined up to help you deal with the changes. My husband has come to therapy with me on occasion. I know this has helped us, but there are still issues. As long as you are aware that things can change and you are prepared to deal with the issues, you should be just fine. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Pati, Oops I saw the $2,000 price tag for the two years. SO I change my opinion. I would go for the per fill price then. I cant see you needing more than 5-7 fills, although no one can tell you for certain. I cant say that I know any bandsters except for Southern Bandgal that has had more than this. If there is anyone out there that has had more, now is the time to speak! LOL And Nancy is right. THe post op support from most of the docs as far as dietician and meetings and such is not worth the extra money. But if you opt to go for the per fill price, then I would put away at least $1,000 dollars as a contingency budget so you dont have to worry about whether you have the cash for a fill (or unfill ) if you really need one. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

Pati, You didnt say how much he charges for the two year plan. Do you know how much this is? babs in TX

Pati, I would go for the two year deal. No one knows how many fills you will need. I have had 5 fills and one unfill in 19 months. You would be better off with someone who will offer you a program for your first two years that is local. You may not need more than 1-2, but most bandsters need 3-5 in their first year during ongoing weight loss. The need for a fill should slow down as you get closer to goal. So that would be my advice. Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

Hi Guys, After my cyberwhining of recent, I got on the scale and finally made it to 185!!! Yeah!!! I am no longer obese and now I am just overweight! I know its just an arbitrary number, but I did feel pretty good about it nonetheless. So apparently I still on the road to goal. I will change my ticker tape later. My next goal is to get to the Century and a Half mark. ONE MORE POUND!!! Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, Thanks for the kind words. I am going to try to set some new goals for myself. I need to exercise more and eat less. I didnt come this far not to get where I want to go. So I will keep trying! Babs in TX

Leatha, I am sorry you have been sick all week. I have had a house full of sick ones this week. Husband, 2 sons and pray that I dont catch it myself! I hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Lisa, This incision looks so much cleaner and neater than the last time. I am crossing my fingers for you!! Babs in TX 334/185/170 -149

Hi Penni, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I know that I am not at goal. I think I am afraid to get there. Your are right. I need to adjust mentally to this weight and not worry about the numbers on the scale. I am having trouble with the "not being invisible issue". Lots of attention that I am not comfortable with or feel I need to prove my own self worth. I have not been to happy with myself lately. I am not focused and I need another challenge. I have also been looking at the choices I have made so far in my life, why I made them and what the pro and cons are as well as consequences. Its tougher doing the mental work now that I have lost the weight. Babs in TX 334/186/170 -148 6/23/03