VegasGrace

Hi, I've surpassed my goal by 9 pounds. I would like to get my nose done...have thought about that my whole adult life. But, why bother. The Lord gave it to me so I have to appreciate it as much as He does, right?

No. I've thought that diet to be hogwash.... until I looked into it. It's been a while but I think my type was like a low carb diet. Funny! I was on Atkins at the time and was 136lbs. So there must be some truth to it. Of course, Atkins is a lifestyle and I wasn't able to keep it up.

Sorry for your frustrations and yes, vent away! Insurance is another story with WLS. I've always felt 'less than' because I am not insured. All the times I've been sick but didn't get medical attention because of the costs. But perhaps that has saved me. I'm fine, so no catastrophic event has happened (yet). So when I wanted lapband, I just got it w/o hassel of trying to get someone else to pay for it. But those w/ insurance pay their premiums each and every payday...and it has to be frustrating when it's time to get a benefit...the hoops that have to be jumped. Hang in and hang on! Believe me, when you get to where I am...it's so worth it!

Congrats....never thought we'd ever see the day... where a tag said "6". Great Job!

Congrats!!!

pizza buffet is my favorite. Just had that for lunch today. With the band I was able to enjoy a salad, a slice of pepperoni, a slice of sausage, 2 breadsticks and a Mt. Dew. That's what the band has done for me.... I enjoyed it. (couldn't eat all of that of course and still have the Mt. Dew-getting watery now)

Sliming is my stop signal. And it doesn't hurt a bit...as in pain. Some will tell you that sliming is bad and bad for the band. No, vomiting is not the same as sliming. Everyone has slime, banded or not. But those w/ restriction feel it more as the food sits there longer, causing slime to build up...rather than take the food on down to the stomach. I just cut me off a piece of Turtle pie...icecream, caramel, chocolate, and a cookie crumb....oooh pecans, too. After 4 bites it to the sink. Slimed it up...but boy was it good! The only food I avoid like the plague is : Crunchwraps from Taco Bell...now add the Cheesy Beefy Melt to that list. Hamburgers from anywhere Pepsi Roast Beef Sandwiches from Arbys those things get stuck and hurt! Pepsi just foams up...irritating but whatever, I can live without it.

Carrabas -don't go there Outback Steakhouse - sweet potatoes when in season A Chinese Restaurant- the buffet, of course...but slime it up later Applebees-Ribs..but slime it up later Macaroni Grill - don't go there Red Robin- won't go there Ruby Tuesday - don't go there Wendy's- Ceasar salad, chili. McDonalds- not a thing! Stuck or slime so I gave up on them Chick F La - don't go there Panera's-not Atlanta Bread Company-never heard of it Subway- Yum and my favorite! Meatball sub or a Ham & Cheese sub Can you Eat Pizza? NY Style Just had Pizza Hut buffet for lunch- slimed it up

What happens is.... once you reach your goal determine if you continue to lose weight/gain, or what. If you determine that you still lose weight you would go to your doc for a slight unfill. Somewhere between .2 and .5cc depending upon many factors. After a while, like 1,2,3, or 4 weeks you reaccess...are you gaining again? If so, go back for that fill. Are you losing still? Go back for a slight untill. Are you maintaining? Then you are done. I've often wondered what happens now. I met goal and had an unfill in January of the .3cc. I'm maintaining. I see the scales go up a few pounds but they tend to come right back off without dieting or exercise...just a fluke of sorts. But those extra pounds, like those w/o WLS...tell me to watch what I eat or drink. When I gain a few pounds the first thing I do is watch the soda pop intake. That usually does it for me. Fill Centers USA called to check up on me as they haven't heard from me in 3 months...but all is well. I'll call them when I need them!

Can't make a decision...then that in itself is the answer....No, or not right now, or not this way. Gather all the info you need on dieting, exercising, and WLS, etc. Once you choose WLS then gather all the info on the different procedures. Talk to patients of each. They are probably at your local support group...practices have them and they would welcome you to attend...ask questions. Most would have already had the procedure done and others are pre-op or just like you...curious. Anyways, after you gather all the info. Walk away! Step back! pray about it. Then come back to the table and make a decision. Can't make one...then don't do it! It's not time yet or the answer is no.

A few years ago I was looking into Duke...as Durham is the diet capital of the world. The net didn't offer alot of good information as sources were all over the place...wasn't user friendly. But you are in good hands if you are at Duke!

Mine was stitches. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you. Let us know how the insurance thing goes!

I've not ever PBd before. Sometimes I wish I could burp...that it would relieve the pressure...but nothing. I do; however, slime like the dickens. That is my stop signal. And sometimes it doesn't happen and I stop at a serving...but sometimes it happens after 2-3 bites. I've learned to embrace this occurence, this is what tells me to stop or if I overeat, it helps me to expell the food. The band is a lifetime system and my addiction to food will always be with me...just like those w/ crack, heroin, cocaine, alcohol additions....my food addiction will never go away. The band helps me to control it. You have done wonderfully! Congrats.

I'm with you, I'd like to know as well. Will everything just be fine now that I'm on maintenance? Will I have any issues that may come up out of the blue in a year or so? 10 years? I'll keep an eye on this thread, too if you don't mind.

Ask your doc. But even though you are yucky right now...embrace that as a time for weightloss.

Funny! Thanks for sharing that..... oooooh you must have had it done when you disappeared last week. hahahahha

When I learned of the band and how it works...it was a no brainer for me. But that's for me. Keep up your search.... WLS may not be right for you. But if it is...you'll know it with every Fiber of your being. And when you learn of a WLS procedure and then you get that feeling...you'll know which one is right. Good luck on your Quest.

Buffets are my favorite! A teaspoon of EVERYTHING and then just eat til I'm satisfied. Except Vegas, I don't sit down to eat anymore...I get the takeout buffet. I've found at pizza Hut it's cheaper than dining in and they boxes they give for pizza and container for salad...well, that's enough to feed my entire family!

Yes, start over. That's what I'd do. And this time you will succeed because you will understand this is a lapband system...not just get a band put in and you're done. The system comes in with fills til you reach restriction. This is your goal now. Good luck! Keep us posted on how things go.

Straight from the manual: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: BAND ADJUSTMENT Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occur 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2 cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND, and 4 cc to the 11 cm LAP-BAND. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1 lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 - 0.5 ml) 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient's chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient my have a leaking band system, or may have a pouch enlargement or esophageal dilation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. Band system patency can be conformed by injecting saline into the band system, then immediately withdrawing it. An absence or decrease in fluid volume indicates a leak in the system may exist. The band may be evaluated for a leak using a radiopaque solution, such as Hypaque or Conray-43, flushing it from the band system after the evaluation. If pouch enlargement or band/stomach slippage is suspected, a limited upper GI with a samll amount of barium or gastrograffin can be used to evaluate the size of the pouch, the gastric stoma and the position of the band. CAUTION: Insufficient weight loss may be a symptom of inadequate restriction (band too loose). Or, it may be a symptom of pouch or esohpageal enlargement, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation or vomiting. If this is the case, inflation of the band would not be appropriate. The band internal diameter may be decreased approximately 0.5mm by adding an additional 0.4 cc of sterile saline. Excessive restriction may result in a closed stoma. Because of the possible complications that can occur with excessive restriction, a doctor familiar with the adjustment procedure must be available for several days post-adjustment to adjust the stoma in case of emergency. Deflation (an increase in stoma size) is considered if the patient experiences frequent episodes of vomiting, is unable to swallow liquids or appropriate foods, or if there are medical indications for increasing nutrient intake. the internal diameter of the band can be increased approximatley 0.5mm by withdrawing 0.4 cc of the fluid. Elective deflation of the band is advisable in the following situations: Pregnancy Significant concurrent illness General anesthesia Remote Travel Travel to areas where food or Water contamination is endemic.

Straight from the manual: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: BAND ADJUSTMENT Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occur 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2 cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND, and 4 cc to the 11 cm LAP-BAND. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1 lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 - 0.5 ml) 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient's chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient my have a leaking band system, or may have a pouch enlargement or esophageal dilation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. Band system patency can be conformed by injecting saline into the band system, then immediately withdrawing it. An absence or decrease in fluid volume indicates a leak in the system may exist. The band may be evaluated for a leak using a radiopaque solution, such as Hypaque or Conray-43, flushing it from the band system after the evaluation. If pouch enlargement or band/stomach slippage is suspected, a limited upper GI with a samll amount of barium or gastrograffin can be used to evaluate the size of the pouch, the gastric stoma and the position of the band. CAUTION: Insufficient weight loss may be a symptom of inadequate restriction (band too loose). Or, it may be a symptom of pouch or esohpageal enlargement, and may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as heartburn, regurgitation or vomiting. If this is the case, inflation of the band would not be appropriate. The band internal diameter may be decreased approximately 0.5mm by adding an additional 0.4 cc of sterile saline. Excessive restriction may result in a closed stoma. Because of the possible complications that can occur with excessive restriction, a doctor familiar with the adjustment procedure must be available for several days post-adjustment to adjust the stoma in case of emergency. Deflation (an increase in stoma size) is considered if the patient experiences frequent episodes of vomiting, is unable to swallow liquids or appropriate foods, or if there are medical indications for increasing nutrient intake. the internal diameter of the band can be increased approximatley 0.5mm by withdrawing 0.4 cc of the fluid. Elective deflation of the band is advisable in the following situations: Pregnancy Significant concurrent illness General anesthesia Remote Travel Travel to areas where food or Water contamination is endemic.

I don't drink water. But I do have plenty of fluids. As your doc but even koolaid w/ splenda is better than nothing.

Can't answer about alcohol, but as for soda pop....sure. But ask your doc. Some will swear their doc said absolutely not, as in their stomach will blow up or something. However, mine said no such thing and I can enjoy my pop when I want...it's about choices.

Luckily I didn't have that restriction on food. Good luck!

I was banded on 2/13. What I thought was restriction after the surgery was just swelling. After that went down in about one week, I could eat to the same proportions as before banding. That is the way it is supposed to be. I went to the doc at 3 weeks and they said they would give me my first fill. I could still eat a car if I wanted to!! That is the way it is supposed to be. Well, today they had me go for an upper gi then come to their office. They said that everything looked great. That first fill was 3cc's in my 10cc band. My doc is pretty agressive so she gave me another 3cc's for my second fill. I couldn't get the Water down so she took out 1cc leaving me with a total of 5cc. She said to have just liquids/mushies today and tomorrow then I can go back to solid food. You've got a great doc! Well, for dinner I had broccoli/cheese soup to go from Applebees and was still starving (only had a yoghurt today since I couldn't eat for the upper gi) so I then had some cottage cheese, then I mashed up an avocado and ate that. To me, that STILL seems more than I should be able to eat after a fill. Nope, you are on target. You don't reduce the quantity of food until AFTER restriction....not just because you got the band or a fill. I keep hearing about how we're supposed to eat about 1/2 cup food per meal and I ate more than that after my fill. I'm thinking maybe 1/2 cc more. Ignore that...unless that's what your own doctor said. Mine said no such thing. Anyway, so my first fill was at 3 weeks, and this, my second, was at 5 weeks. Pretty good, you are on track. They said I can come back when I want for another fill if I'm not restricted. I originally had lost 13 pounds afer surgery and now that loss is only at 5 pounds so I seem to be gaining! Yikes! Yes, make your appointment for 4 weeks out...need it-go. Don't - cancel. If I could have done this w/out the band I would have, but I need restriction. And no, it's not head hunger. I'm certain of that. I really tune in and see where I'm at. If you can eat a cup or half a cup...you wouldn't have gotten the band...doctors know this. So they don't really expect a patient to do that. Should I get another fill? Again, make your appointment and go if you need to. Good luck and keep us posted.