Cocoabean

Hi everyone, I had a band adjustment two weeks ago and I became too tight (I got stuck on mashed potatoes!). When the doc removed some Fluid, he said there was an air bubble in the band. I am wondering what the significance of this is, if any. Does it make the band tighter than you would expect at a certain fill level? I had 1 ml added, he took .5ml plus the air bubble out, so I should be tighter than I was before the 1ml addition, yes? Thanks! Denise

Hi bcarlton, I cannot eat bananas, and I love them. I found it out the hard way, too. I do liquids for 24 hours after a fill then softer foods for another day or two. Getting stuck is no fun at all, that is for sure. Hope you are feeling better now! Denise

Welcome to the world of slime :rolleyes2: Once the food passes or comes up, you should feel much better. In the mean time, walking helps the pain. Many say that sipping pineapple juice helps to break the food down to help it go through. After a bad sticking episode, I take it easy for a day or two and go with Protein shakes and liquids. If it continues, call your doctor. I had a fill two weeks ago and have gotten food stuck three times. I just had half of that fill removed. I feel much better now. Take care, Denise

How exciting for you! I couldn't believe it when I went from obese to overweight! Now I have 20 to go to reach normal land, I look forward to my celebration. Denise

Hi phenry, I referred to the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies quite a bit when researching my decision for surgery. The author provided a sample of an appeals letter, that is what I used to base my letter on. I also included in my appeal information included in the National Institutes of Health Consensus of 1991, it contains a lot of information. It also does not include a recommendation of a 6 month supervised program, so your WW stuff should suffice, IMHO: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity Here is what is says for BMI 35-40: In certain instances less severely obese patients (with BMI's between 35 and 40) also may be considered for surgery. Included in this category are patients with high-risk comorbid conditions such as life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, and obesity-related cardiomyopathy) or severe diabetes mellitus. Other possible indications for patients with BMI's between 35 and 40 include obesity-induced physical problems interfering with lifestyle (e.g., joint disease treatable but for the obesity, or body size problems precluding or severely interfering with employment, family function, and ambulation). Best wishes to you! Denise

I felt nothing on my first fill, second fill got me some restriction and my third fill last week got me a LOT of restirction. I am very happy with my surgeon in San Diego, see below:

Hi Phenry, I have BCBS California Care. I had a BMI of 38 when I started researching Lapband. I was denied a consult but appealed it and won. One of the things they stated in my denial letter was a lack of a 6 month supervised diet. I gave them my Weight Watchers records and other diet diaries I have and won the appeal. I was then approved for surgery without further denials. My co-morbidities were metabolic syndrome and joint pain in my legs. Metabolic syndrome includes: Abdominal obesity: a waist circumference over 102 cm (40 in) in men and over 88 cm (35 inches) in women. Serum triglycerides 150 mg/dl or above. HDL cholesterol 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women. Blood pressure of 130/85 or more. Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dl or above. (Some groups say 100mg/dl) The World Health Organization (WHO) has slightly different criteria for the metabolic syndrome: High insulin levels, an elevated fasting blood glucose or an elevated post meal glucose alone with at least 2 of the following criteria: Abdominal obesity as defined by a waist to hip ratio of greater than 0.9, a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m2 or a waist measurement over 37 inches. Cholesterol panel showing a triglyceride level of at least 150 mg/dl or an HDL cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dl. Blood pressure of 140/90 or above (or on treatment for high blood pressure). Best wishes!! Denise

I was naked and thought I was going to have a catheter. Fortunately, my doc had recently stopped doing catheters for lap banding and about the last thing I remember before being knocked out was the nurse asking if he wanted her to insert one and him responding in the negative...BIG smile as I drifted off to sleep!! Denise

I didn't feel anything after my first fill, had some restriction after second. Had my third on Thursday, got food stuck last night. Taking it VERY easy today. Hoping I am not too tight and just didn't chew enough. Restriction will come, just give it another fill or two. Denise

Thank you both for your replies. I am thinking it will all become clear when I get there, which I am very much looking foward to!

My pattern seems to be drop 3, stay still for a few weeks, drop 3 more, gain one, stay still for a few weeks. I keep a journal of my weight and measurements. It really helps to see inches go down when my weight has stalled. I don't like it, but I am trying to accept it and see the overall trend. It is going DOWN! YAY! Denise

Just remember, if we could diet successfully, we'd not need this powerful tool we have. I struggled with my eating before my first and second fills. After my second, I have restriction. Without any fill, it is like you don't have the band. They don't call that time between surgery and restriction "Bandster Hell" for nothing!! I have noticed that for me, weight-loss comes in bits and pieces. I lose a few pounds, then stall for a few weeks, maybe gain one back, then lose a few more...and on and on, but the overall trend is down, that is what counts! Denise

OK, this just hit me, 8 months to the day after banding! I am clueless how maintenance with the band works. I am familiar with the Weight Watchers maintenance plan of eating more when you lose and less when you gain. But so far with the band, I am eating at my appetite and losing slowly, but losing. I am now 2/3rds of the way there. So, those of you at or near goal, how does it happen? I know my doctor doesn't like to do fills often, "chasing the dream" as it were. But do you get a bit unfilled if your weight goes too low or is too low unlikely with proper restriction? I have 2cc in a 4cc band. I am seeing my surgeon next week for a possible fill and will ask him then, but I am curious and, I realize, uninformed. Thanks! Denise

Hi Ashley, I have BC/BS in California, I had to appeal just to see my surgeon for a consult. I won the appeal as have many others here, don't give up! It often seems to be standard procedure to deny, deny, deny!! I took advice from "Weight Loss for Dummies" they have a good appeals letter format. I followed it and added some of my own information. It worked. Best wishes, Denise

I opted not to tell my mother-in-law. She worries like there is no tomorrow, and if I have a cold she asks about it for months. So, I knew it would not be a fun discussion with her. Not to mention she cannot hear much Now, 35 lbs. lighter, she hasn't even noticed (or said anything, any way), all she has said is that I look so rested and good. Most of the other family members know, and someone might have told her. But I think I'd have gotten a lecture if she knew. I think it was much better all the way around, she wasn't worried and I didn't have to argue with her. It is a personal decision who to tell or who not to tell. I have been pretty open about it. She's about the only person who doesn't know! With those who have been less than supportive, I just don't discuss it with them again. Denise

I went to Dr. Callery in Poway, near San Diego. I like him very much! He operates out of Pomerado Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital (where I had my surgery). Denise

Hi Everyone, I just calculated my BMI, I am NOT obese any more!!! 29.9!! I am "just" overweight. Woohoo!! Denise

Dr. Callery did my surgery 2-15-08. He did it lap, I went home that evening, and did not have a catheter :party: I went to Dr. Mueller's seminar as well as Dr. Callery's. My PCP recommended Dr. Callery, so I went with him. I liked them both. Dr. Mueller's seminar was more formal than Dr. Callery's. It seems to me the biggest difference is that Dr. Mueller is much more structured in his program. Dr. Callery does not have stringent diet rules except for the pre-op fasting. Mostly I based my post-op diet on how I was feeling with general guidelines. I had my first fill yesterday, all went well. Denise

Did you ask why you have to do it in two surgeries? My guess would be that if your gallbladder is diseased the surgeon wants you to be as healthy as possible going into lapband surgery. If I had had gallstones, my surgeon would have removed my GB at the same time as my surgery. But my GB was nice and pink and healthy, so it has stayed put. But now, I am on actigall, a medicine to reduce the risk of gallstones. Denise

Hi Alli! Welcome to LBT. I am fairly recently banded (Feb. 15) and have not had a fill yet. I have postponed my fill to May 1 due to travel. So, I don't have much advice, but wanted to welcome you and wish you well on your journey! Denise

MollyMolly, thanks for posting that quote. 88% going back into surgery would not be worth it to me. smr001--adverse events don't mean surgery every time...I have vomited once since my surgery Feb 15, I believe it was due to a medication change, not my band. If I were in a study about the band, I would have reported it and it would have been recorded as an adverse event. All events go into the stats. I was involved in a drug study once, and I had to keep a journal of everything odd/bad that I felt. This includes headaches from which I suffer on a regular basis. Only you can decide if this is right for you. Go speak to a surgeon and talk over the complication rates so that you truly understand the risks. There are also support groups where you can talk with patients who have been through this surgery. Weigh out the pros and cons. You'll make the decision that is best for you. Denise

Just know that each person is different. Alot depends on your starting weight and the rules your surgeon has for pre- and post-op nutrition. My surgeon is less conservative than many I have seen written about here. I had to do a 2-week fasting program pre-op (which is fairly standard) but was on mushy foods a week post-op. I lost 8 lbs during the fasting program and have lost 11 since being banded Feb 15 for a total of 20 since Feb 1. Denise

Because of my pre-op BMI (38) I was not required to lose any weight before surgery. But if I had gained, I would have been canceled until I lost it. My surgeon does require some to lose weight, but it is patient specific, not a flat 5% for everyone. I did have to do a 2-week pre-op fasting program, I did Medifast. I lost 8 pounds during this 2-week phase. Denise

What kept me going was knowing it was for a short time only and that the surgery was near. My surgeon said it showed I did really well because my liver was nice and small and that made his job much easier. It is very worth it to stick with it!! It was horrible and I was a grump, I said I'm sorry to my DH every day, in advance, just in case. I don't recommend cheating, but I do admit to having pretzels from time to time, and the plan I was on allowed for a high protein and green veggie meal, that helped. Focus on the prize, having a surgery easier on your body from having a smaller liver! Take care, Denise

Hi Destynee, I was banded Feb 15, I am not limited to certain quantities. Maybe after my first fill, which I postponed until May 1, but the doc hasn't said anything about that so far. But, I am eating less and those little portable bowls would be useful. I got some similar ones for Christmas knowing my surgery was approaching. I carry Snacks to work in them, just because I don't need the room of bigger bowls. Denise Denise