babsintx3

Hi Geezer, Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the Water..... Hows the DS treating you? I am kinda jealous at the moment since I have an empty band. Went on the DS web site on obesityhelp recently and all I saw was all kinds of talk about how much yall were eating and still losing. None of this bandster drama there with them DS folks... but a few that seem to whine when they are not losing after eating 4000 calories... Well I don't feel sorry ! LOL With all my problems as of late with my band and throat, I am ready for conversion... Beam me up Scotty..... I think the problem is that I will probably lose too much if I did that... (Wait did I say too much loss?) Another lifetime perhaps....! Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Geezer, I am kinda glad that most newbies dont know me and the oldsters don't hear from me because I havent been around much, so no one gives a crap about me anymore!!! .Way cool!!! Means I don't get PM's, no one asks my opinion, no one values my opinion and I dont have to put up with anyone's Bull@$#$. Oh happy days..... Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish 3 + years out and I don't give a HOOT anymore!

Hi, i just posted this on another thread and wanted to add it here as well: Hi Beacheegirl, I dig what you are saying. ITs been all drama and soap opera here. I have been coming to this board for about 3 years now and I personally know Lisa and about another dozen bandsters personally. Had drinks with them, visited them at a Vegas Bash, celebrated NSV's, commisurated with eachother, suffered together etc... You have to understand this kind of bond. Some of the new folks (or quasi new) really need to appreciate the kinship that some of us had that really got this board up and running and spent lots of time helping those who needed help both with tough love and also kindness. Delarla (Lisa) rocks. She is a true friend to me and many others and she has been ousted wrongly. There are some folks here who should get the axe, but they haven't. The post under the guide of being helpful, but their tongues are double edge swords and they continue to fuel fires. If it were me, I would also defend my position. I would never let anyone walk on me or talk poorly of me. If it wasn't for this board, I never would have been as successful as I have been with my band. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Beacheegirl, I dig what you are saying. ITs been all drama and soap opera here. I have been coming to this board for about 3 years now and I personally know Lisa and about another dozen bandsters personally. Had drinks with them, visited them at a Vegas Bash, celebrated NSV's, commisurated with eachother, suffered together etc... You have to understand this kind of bond. Some of the new folks (or quasi new) really need to appreciate the kinship that some of us had that really got this board up and running and spent lots of time helping those who needed help both with tough love and also kindness. Delarla (Lisa) rocks. She is a true friend to me and many others and she has been ousted wrongly. There are some folks here who should get the axe, but they haven't. The post under the guide of being helpful, but their tongues are double edge swords and they continue to fuel fires. If it were me, I would also defend my position. I would never let anyone walk on me or talk poorly of me. If it wasn't for this board, I never would have been as successful as I have been with my band. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi, Please let Trish know that we are praying for her and hope she feels better soon. Babs in TX

Fitter, Thanks for making me feel better! LOL :cry Sorry to hear that you have little sensation there. I dont think I am quite there yet, but who knows??? Babs In TX

Hi Julie, As long as its not red and you dont have a fever and it isnt oozing anything funky, then it doesnt sound like a medical emergency. However, keep taking pictures to make sure it isnt worse and if it really freaks you out or causes you lots of pain in any way then you should see your doc as soon as you can. Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Leatha, :clap2: :clap2: Very true!!! Maybe we can contact some of the Australian Docs... Whaddya think??? Babs in TX

Lexi, I am not a qualified medical professional. (This is my disclaimer! LOL) HOWEVER, It doesnt really matter how big your tummy is from the outside, but rather how big your actual stomach is on the inside. The VG band is bigger and is usually used on larger folks with high BMI 's and many times men who tend to have a bigger stomach and larger fat pad. But once again, this is the size on the inside, not the outside. Also the VG band takes a little longer to adjust and may even take more fills, but for those where the 9.75 inamed band is too small, VG is a great option. You are a relative lightweight and if the surgeon who removed your band because of a slip thinks it is because the 9.75 band was too small for you, I would really question that and seek a second opinion. Its not that one size fits all, but before the VG, there were very few patients that had problems with a misfit band. I know a few folks that had to stay in the hospital a couple of extra days and even as long as a week due to post op swelling, large stomach, large fat pad that caused their esophagus to totally shut down cause the band was pretty tight from the get go, but these folks were few and far between and I cant think of even one woman who ever posted here about this prior to you with a BMI of low 30's. I am NOT saying its not possible, just saying highly unusual. Based on what you have told us in previous posts,this surgeon removed your band because he thought you had a slip and instead of taking all the fill out and letting your esophagus and stomach rest a while, chose to take the band out completely. Will you ever really know what happened?? Is it possible that it was due to high band placement or incorrect band placement??? If it were me, I would get a second opinion and let a very experienced band surgeon who only does bands look at you, look at some X-rays and see what their opinion is. As an example maybe talk to Dr. Curry personally??? He seems quite knowledgeable and interested in us bandsters. There is also a really good doc in Dallas named Dr. Fox who does rebanding. THere is also Dr. Jayselean, Dr. Richard Carter, Dr. Robert Snow, Dr. Adam Smith (who is banded himself), all in Dallas/Ft Worth. If Mexico is an option if you are self pay, there is Dr. Roberto Rumbaut who in my opinion is awesome and really cares about his patients, there is Dr. Ortiz, (very experienced and not hard on the eyes). There is also Dr. Cirangle in CA. If I were going for a second opinion, these would be the folks I would consider. I am sure there are lots more, but these folks do lapbands only (as far as I know). Might be better to consider someone who has done more than a 1000 bands and has done some rebanding on patients that might have had issues like yours. Good luck and hugs, Babs in TX 334/180 ish

HI Shelly, Earlier in the week I was taking cough medicine with a decongestant. This seemed to work. Last night was different though. I had some burning in my throat and just a little bit of coughing. There was no congestion involved. IT felt like reflux. Today, I have a little bit of burning all day in my throat. Not enough that its disruptive, but enough I know its there. I am gonna call and get a gastroenterologist because I also have lots of noise going on in my intestines, gurgling in my esophagus and what appears to be some kind of dymotility issue as well. Maybe an EGD would help resolve any questions I have about my throat issues..... I go to see the new doc for my followup on the 6th of September. They have me scheduled for a barium swallow and flouro. If things are looking good, they will add half my saline back to my band. I dont want to jinx myself, but I am not completely convinced everything is alright... Becky: I think too tight of a fill and then an unfill and then a refill messes with the balance of the band and then things are never right again. Its either that or our esophagus turns to rubber causing all kinds of problems like achalasia which is what you described. Who knows?? I never see docs posting the answers to our questions relating to esophagus issues long term!! I wish there was some new data.... Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Michele, All week, I have been coughing a lot and attributed it to allergies. I am sure some of it was, but last night I noticed that I woke up coughing after falling asleep for a half hour. I am pretty sure it is reflux. Since my band has now been empty for 3 weeks, it would seem that this is a new problem associated with the unfill. I did not have reflux before the unfill, so now I am really worried. food is going down fine, but I guess I am concerned cause my band is empty. Things aint lookin too good for me either. I have been on a liquid diet for most of the three weeks and if I am having problems with reflux on liquids, I am not too optimistic that I have a pouch dilatation. It seems like a slippage might be more like it..... Something new to worry about.... Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Pianoman, Lost 120 my first year and 34 my second year. Nothing in my third year and gained back some weight after plastic surgery. But I had less to lose than you do, so you should be able to lose more. Why not??? As long as your expectations are rational and you are willing to do your part, you should be able to get to goal.... Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Everyone, I need some help. A few years ago when I was on vacation in Mexico, I bought some C-Light which we call Crystal Lite in the US. It is manufactured by Kraft Foods, but they do not sell C-Light (Clight) in the US because Americans prefer the flavors of Crystal Lite they buy here (this is what Kraft claims). C-Lite is so much better because they have flavors like Guava, tropical, coconut, lime and they are all calorie free like Crystal Lite, but really are superior because of the variety they offer in Mexico vs here. They cost 15 cents a package like you buy Koolaid in powder form and make a liter and a half. The last batch I bought at Walmart in Cancun and I have been nursing my supply for a while. I am all out and I am miserable. If anyone is going to Tijuana or any other part of Mexico for banding or fills, I would gladly write a check to cover the postage and cost to purchase me 40-50 packages. They hardly take up any space at all in a suitcase and I cant live without them. I looked on ebay and some guy in Mexico was selling them for 5 times the regular price, so that would not be an option. If I get really desperate I might consider! LOL If anyone is willing to do this for me, I would be eternally grateful. I called Kraft Customer service and they acted like I had the plague. They claim that their products manufactured for Mexico and Latin America have different product codes and they are not able to tell me where I can buy them in the US. So please someone let me know if they are going to Mexico and I will immediately send $ . Thanks Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi , I guess I must have missed something. I am not a newbie (3 years post op). Did someone who is an oldie start some trouble? LOL Babs in TX 334/180 ish Am I not welcome????

Hi Shelly, I didnt think you were giving up. Afterall, you are a fighter. I know my throat is @#$#% up and thats what caused the pouch dilatation. I have been eating more and more, but if the band can't tell me when to stop, then what good is it to me?? I have noticed that regardless of the fact that my band is empty, I still have restriction. I know this will dwindle as I get further along with no liquid, but nevertheless, I am fighting the demons and winning since I have lost a significant amount since the unfill. #%$% the band for the moment. I am just doing this on sheer will power. Next week is the docs appointment. I am curiously optimistic of the outcome, but still I know that even with a refill, the band has done all it can for me. Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Michelle, I am sorry that your band is not working for you anymore. As I sit here with an empty band and suck down liquids because of pouch dilatation, I understand how you feel. I have not given up on my band yet though. So far, the liquids (15 days worth) a break and now 9 more til next wednesday are doing me some good. I have dropped some of the weight i have gained and hope to get back to goal in the next 3 -4 weeks. Of course, when I go back, I know that they will not refill me and if I am lucky will get only a partial fill or be told I need another operation. I still have hope, but I understand the diet mentality and I REFUSE to gain any more weight regardless of my situation. Please hang in there !!!!! Hugs from TX Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Mia, You are not a pin cushion. If a practitioner can hit the spot by 3 tries, then they are not qualified to do fills and can really damage your port and tubing. You have a right to be worried. Keep the pictures. If something happens and your band is damaged, you will have a way to prove how many times you were stabbed by this doc to access the port. Not trying to scare you, just concerned. Please DO NOT let him do another fill on you ever. Babs in TX 334/180 -150 ish

Hi Roswell, I quit two years after being banded and gained 15 pounds in 6 months. I so wish that I had quit before being banded, but better late than never. I spoked for 24 years.....!!!!! I have bee ciggie free for about 15 months now. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Bright, I also wished I saw this post sooner. First off, the doc you went to see is full of crap. YOu DO NOT have a banding emergency. He doesnt even sound like he knows how to give a fill properly and doesnt understand the dynamics or infrastructure of the band.. The first fill (since you only had one a year and a half ago) may have just dissapeared by osmosis. We are talking spit drops here when you talk less than a CC. First fills usually dont do much anyway and most bandsters need more than one to get to a sweet spot. It seemed like at some point you had restriction even with the little amount you received, but as you lost some weight you started to also lose restriction (which is normal) and now you are back on the bandwagon again. When I had PS last year, my PS surgeon accidently removed all my fill. He was supposed to take out a little pre op so I could eat more post op, but took it all by accident. I had nothing in the band, but I did not know it til I went to my lapband surgeon for a refill. He was able to pull out some blue crystalline colored micro specks of saline, but the fill was no longer there. The blue coloring means that my PS surgeon was testing to see how much he had taken out. I went to my regular surgeon who didnt seem too concerned that I had nothing in my band. I thought I had a leak since no one could tell me where the fill had gone and I personally did not know how to check for a leak if there indeed was one. I was scared my band was not working and I had a leak and would require another surgery. Not the case. My band is fine. There are two ways to test this: Wait a couple of weeks and see if you have restriction. Dwindling restriction COULD be an indicator of a leak or kink and you will only know if the fill worked if you feel more restricted. But then again, who knows if you even have any saline in the band?? For all anyone knows, this guy could have totally missed the mark and you have nothing in your band. If the barium is free flowing and not slowly dripping into the lower pouch, you have no restriction. If the pouch size is normal and this is happening, you need more saline. If there is a leak or kink, you will not see that at the band, it would be seen at the tubing or port. The only way to test the tubing would be to do what Vera suggested and that is adding some kind of ominiplaque solution into the port and up the tubing so they can see on x-ray where the leak is.. if indeed there is one. I guess I am not buying this bypass docs opinion. You need to see a lapband specialist who does not do bypasses and only bands. I am here with you in spirit!! FYI: I have been on a liquid diet for 15 days due to pouch dilation, which hopefully will resolve itself without the need for surgery!!! Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Ms. Buttercup, I hear ya loud and clear and I am sending you hugs. But please read this: I had excess skin after losing 155 pounds and I had a full abdominoplasty and medial thighplasty last August. I too, was depressed about the hanging pannus and my thigh skin that slapped together and got infected a lot. My insurance paid for 70%, I paid the other 30%. It was not a short battle to get them to pay what they did. I had to appeal, show them all kinds of documents from doctors who supported my claim of medical necessity, quit smoking ( I smoked for 24 years at age 40), etc.. The recovery times was huge. 4 days in the hospital, one month hunched over, drainage tubes, delayed healing in the groin area and below the belly button. Yadda yadda. I did not have lipo or a breast augmentation due to money constraints at the time, so I still have saggy boobs and a big ass!!! LOL Was the stomach worth it?? Absolutely. I have a wonderful flat tummy because I worked out for 2 years prior to the surgery and the results were beautiful.Were the thighs worth the pain?? Hell no, but I dont have excess skin bothering me there anymore and I am grateful for this but I wish that I had lipo done as well since the end result was they only removed 2 lbs of skin from the thighs and a few more from the stomach totaling around 5 -6 pounds. I guess what I am trying to say is that having plastic surgery is the roughest thing I had ever done in my life. I have two children age 4 and 10 , had two C-sections (so I get surgery) and I own a company and work fulltime. Yes, I am married so I did have someone to help me at nighttime, but I had no family to help me in the daytime. Some days I was too weak to make it to the kitchen for Soup. My husband would leave the phone, a drink, my meds and stuff right by the recliner and basically from day 5, I was on my own at home completely alone. The PS is a major commitment, but please understand that you trade hanging skin for very large scars. This summer, I did not spend much time at the pool because I was still a little uncomfortable about the thigh scars. It takes a little getting used to. If you correct the bat wings, the scar will be significant. If you get a TT, you will have a hip to hip scar and a new bellybutton. If you have a thighplasty, let me assure you that the tradeoff is huge from a scar standpoint and the pain is excruciating during the healing process since thigh and groin skin must heal from the inside out. I am not trying to discourage you from PS. I myself am completely thrilled with the flat stomach especially. I may even go back and have a boob job at some stage, but I have been married for 12 years, breastfed two kids and there isnt anyone other than my hubby that sees my boobs on a daily basis, so there is no hurry. I hate the fact that I have the saggy skin, the bat wings, the boobies hanging etc, but they are part of me and if others dont like what they see, they shouldnt look. I can say with certainty that men dont care about this. If they do, they are totally superficial and probably wouldnt be a soul mate for you anyway. Please learn to love yourself, scars, war wounds etc... I recommend you do this anyway before you even consider plastic surgery because you will be disappointed with the results if your expectations are too high. Plastics will not change who you are if you are insecure about yourself anyway. Not saying that is the case here at all. Just be happy OK??? You are an amazing person and thats all that counts. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Everyone, This subject has come up a lot in the 3 + years I have been banded. At least for me, part of being normal means that I eat like a thin person and make wiser more healthy choices. First of all, I love buffets. I can eat a nice salad, followed by a lean piece of meat, followed by a sugar free desert, a few spoonfuls of carbs and I am Thanksgiving full. I like choices especially since when I go to a regular restaurant, the appetizers are usually 8-9 dollars and very unhealthy anyway and the kids meals at most restaurants are s%*$&* and with a drink cost 5-7 bucks anyway. So I really dont mind paying 10.00 to eat at Golden Corral. I dont think anyone owes me anything and I dont want any special treatment from any restaurant. I just want to be NORMAL and being normal means not drawing attention to myself and seeing myself as different or exceptional when I am among the masses. I would just like to make a point that when I go to Golden Corral ,my fussy kids sometimes will eat some rice, a little bit of green Beans or corn, a slice of pizza and softserve icecream. Is this worth the 5 bucks I am paying for my 10 year old to eat so little? Sometimes I go and my kids actually eat, but for the most my part kids are ornery dont always eat at a programmed time and many times dont eat much at buffets or at least not my moneys worth. I know when money is an issue for me, I just don't go out. Its cheaper and healthier to eat at home and I don't have to bother anyone to make concessions for me because I eat less than most others. Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Lisa, Glad you had a great time and made oodles of money. IT seems like you found your niche!!! I hope to come to Vegas soon and lets party!!!! Babs in TX 334/180 ish

Hi Again, You guys are all totally nuts, but you rock!!! LOL Ole man: I have enough cricket friends to make a fricassee I have never tried to eat any bug even at my highest weight! LOL I saw an episode of the Amazing Race where they have to eat a bowl of fried crickets. EEEEWWW! I dont know how or why people want to participate on shows like Fear Factor and eat pig intestines or balls or plunge themselves into a vat of hissing cockroaches etc... No amount of money would be worth that to me!!! Babs in TX 334/180 -150 ish

Hi, I can speak from recent personal experience and 3+ years of being banded. I have a pouch dilatation and I am currently on liquids for 3 weeks to resolve the problem. THere is no way I could make it 3 weeks without an appetite suppressant. I asked my lapband surgeon and he told me to get it from my PCP which I did. I am not a martyr and I dont see any reason to suffer unnecessarily with hunger pangs all day. My primary reason to take one every other day is to get through this period and be compliant so my pouch can rest and shrink back to normal size. The secondary benefit is that I am losing weight because I am not eating as much. With an empty band I am very very hungry all the time, so the medication does help me but not without side effects like sleepnessless and some dizziness. I dont get why banded people are harder on eachother and more judgemental about this issue than unbanded folks are. It seems like some people expect that it is a "rite of passage" for a bandster to suffer because we caused on our obesity. Most bariatric centers of excellence have no problem providing their patients with an appetite suppressant to get through the pre - op or post op stage or to get through dilatation of the pouch issues etc.... But you wont know unless you ask!! Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Lucky, I just saw this string and I agree with you and wanted to add that at more than 3 years out, I lost the hard stop feeling at slightly less than 2 years out and I have been struggling with this since then, thus some regain as I eat more and more and the pouch has become larger and larger. I have been on liquids for almost 2 weeks now, but Saturday night went out to dinner with a friend who took me to a place where they had Soup and mushies so I could eat before we went out drinking and dancing. She did not want me to get totally trashed because of the liquid only diet I had been on, so I had some food. I had: 3 oz of shrimp bisque 3 tablespoons of hummus with 3 tiny crackers 3 tablespoons f crab dip I was so full since my stomach has probably shunken somewhat and I got the full signal right away. Not a distinct hard stop, just I'm really full feeling that I havent experienced in a while. It was amazing. What I realized with this experiment was that I really had to LISTEN for the signals because they are most definitely there. I think in addition to dilation that as Leatha once said, we also have esophageal dysmotility issues and achalasia issues to deal with as well that cause reflux and also mean we are able to eat more before the stop signal happens. In my case, I believe it to be my rubber esophagus that is getting me in trouble. I am using it as a 2nd pouch. I dont have reflux and I hardly ever vomit. When I do, its not a PB but a complete throwup situation which also pushes food from my lower stomach through the band. I am kinda unique this way cause a lot of bandsters say that they cant throw up like they used to and mostly just spit up slime and the offending object. So there ya go. Too much info! LOL The key to resolve some of these issues is to really focus on the quantities of what we are eating to make sure that we are not pouch packing and not to eat after 7:00 PM so that nothing remains in the pouch to give us trouble. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish