Bensmum1109

I wasn't sure where to post this thread, Complications or Life After LapBand, but hopefully I will get my answers here :rolleyes. I will actually post this in two forums (Moderators, I hope that's ok??) As you all can see by my ticker I am really not that far from my goal, and although I have had some complications, there is currently no evidence of a slipped band. Bear in mind that my goal weight is MY goal weight and brings me into a normal weight BMI. My doc would like to see me at 122 lbs, but he's nuts. I am neither 20 years old NOR a fashion model. So my question- in the event of a slip, will most surgeons consider doing a conversion to a VG, RNY (something I would NOT consider), or this mini-bypass I have been reading about (something I would consider), if your BMI is no longer in the "danger zone" (ie 35 and up)?? It wouldn't make sense to me if you were, say halfway to your goal and your band had to come out, for you to be REQUIRED to put your weight back on before you could have another procedure done. I hope it never comes to this for me, but hopefully your answers may help those that are in that very situation!

You will NEVER WEAR THESE CLOTHES AGAIN. You will NEVER WEAR THESE CLOTHES AGAIN. You will NEVER WEAR THESE CLOTHES AGAIN. You will NEVER WEAR THESE CLOTHES AGAIN. Sell them on Ebay.:biggrin1:

I was a self-pay anyway. I got the surgery with (GASP) a 34.9 BMI. But I had lots of co-morbidities. Hope you are doing well!

I wasn't sure where to post this thread, Complications or Life After LapBand, but hopefully I will get my answers here :rolleyes. I will actually post this in two forums (Moderators, I hope that's ok??) As you all can see by my ticker I am really not that far from my goal, and although I have had some complications, there is currently no evidence of a slipped band. Bear in mind that my goal weight is MY goal weight and brings me into a normal weight BMI. My doc would like to see me at 122 lbs, but he's nuts. I am neither 20 years old NOR a fashion model. I am a 5'5" 40 year old woman, for God's sake! So my question- in the event of a slip, will most surgeons consider doing a conversion to a VG, RNY (something I would NOT consider), or this mini-bypass I have been reading about (something I would consider), if your BMI is no longer in the "danger zone" (ie 35 and up)?? It wouldn't make sense to me if you were, say halfway to your goal and your band had to come out, for you to be REQUIRED to put your weight back on before you could have another procedure done. I hope it never comes to this for me, but hopefully your answers may help those that are in that very situation!

Leigh Ann, you have done an amazing job with your weight loss! I would highly recommend you have a partial or complete unfill for a little while and let your body rest. You are not going to start packing the pounds back on as long as you remember what you have learned about the right way to eat, and if you do start to gain, you can get refilled. But it sounds like you need a little break.

I have had it. In my late 30's I developed the dreaded "old lady chin hairs". I only get 4 of them- I know this because they grow back now, but I had laser hair removal on them and also my upper lip hair. I am sure that people have different experiences but it hurt like hell. The woman who did it gave me no numbing gel or anything. It only hurt while it was happening and not afterwards. My hairs did not grow back for almost 6 months, but I think I will just pluck and wax from now on.

Alexandra, your weight loss has been incredible. Great job. In a way you must be kind of relieved. And you still have your band, and therefore some restriction anyway, right?? Anyway, I applaud your attitude. And believe me, a size 14/16 is still HOT.:clap2:

Well, it has been a year. I have lost 50 pounds slowly and steadily and have gone from a tight size 18 to a 12!!! And a 1X to a L!!!:clap2: I have had minimal complications. Lots of pbs, but I am used to them and really know how to avoid them. I just have times where I am not paying attention enough to how I am eating. I also tighten up with stress and airplane travel. Every time we fly somewhere I know the next day is liquids, soft foods if I'm lucky! I have been suffering from some pretty severe heartburn and reflux but my Dr. has me on some good meds for it. And again, I know how to avoid it and I really need to start paying attention (I know- I already said that. Repetition is learning.). My arthritis in both hips and one of my knees is GONE. I have energy I never knew before, which is good because I have a darling 22 month old son who is a complete spaz (I say that lovingly). GUYS FLIRT WITH ME THAT ARE NOT MY HUSBAND. Has this been easy?? No. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat and for twice what I paid. This is the longest time I have been on a continuous, consistent weight loss path and even though it may take another year, I will reach my goal. I never would have gotten through this year without the support of the people on this board. NEWBIES LISTEN UP- this is a great crew and you can get good advice 24/7. Know that no one has a flawless ride with the band but the bumps are worth it!! Thanks guys!! Love you all:kiss2:

Congrats, Kel!!! Marriage is a wonderful thing. My hubby and I Celebrate our third wedding anniversary tomorrow, and after five years together he BARELY annoys me at all and mostly still just makes my heart flutter. I'm very grateful for him. Tell your hubby every day if you can that you are lucky to have him, or feel blessed to be his wife, or that you appreciate him. You should feel that way every day, although some days it may only be for a few minutes :heh:

My husband is out of town moving his parents up here. He has been gone since Friday and will be home tonight. I have been home alone with our 20 month old son. Yesterday afternoon I began to experience searing, burning chest pain that has not let up. I have taken Prilosec (which I take regularly anyway), and Carafate (a liquid stomach coater and ulcer healer). The pain won't go away. At first I thought something might be stuck, but liquids are passing easily. I have been afraid to eat much since the pain started, and have only had a few oz of cream of wheat and a spoonful of Peanut Butter since the pain started. I had no problem getting this down. If my husband had been here last night, I would have gone to the ER. I was only able to sleep a little and had to do it sitting up. The pain is much worse when I lay down. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I am miserable!!!!:think

Thank you all so much for your support. I spoke to my Dr. and got my butt chewed for stopping the Carafate and Prilosec the last time my (more minor) symptoms went away. He wants me on the stuff for no less that three months. He suspects a possible ulcer and is certain I have bad reflux. I am at 10 months banded, so I plan to have an endoscospy before my one year "maintenance plan" that I paid for is up. At this point I think I will go ahead and schedule it to see if everything else is in good shape. Good news is the pain has let up. I haven't eaten much (just soft stuff and liquids) and I am slamming the meds. I lost 1.5 pounds over the weekend, but under the circumstances I am not as thrilled about it as I normally would be. I love you guys! Your support got me through a scary time when my main source of comfort was 300 miles away!! I will keep you all posted!

Hubby should be here any minute.I have also placed a call to my surgeon to see if he wants me to drive to San Francisco, where he is.

Is it normal to miss a period after being banded?? I am very regular, but have not had one since August 23. I was banded September 16.

Hi guys- I just wanted to tell you a little trick I have learned. I have been at a weight loss standstill for several weeks and was contemplating another fill. But I was concerned that a fill would not solve my problem because my restriction is still pretty good and I was barely eating as it was. I talked to a friend of mine who is a nutritionist and she had me do a food journal for a week. After I showed it to her, she said she thought my metabolism was slowing down because I wasn't eating enough. I have really gotten in the habit of going for a long time without eating and eating very little, and this was hurting me. I am not eating six very small meals and/or Snacks a day. Some examples of what I am eating are: 15 dry roasted almonds 1 tablespoon of Peanut Butter with 1/2 an apple 2 tablespoons hummus with 12 reduced fat wheat thins 3 oz salmon with 2/3 cup snap peas and 3 tbs rice 1 Clif Bar 1/2 Reduced Fat cheese quesadilla 1 container of Trader Joe's yogurt 2 pieces shrimp sushi 1/2 chicken breast with 1/4 cup mashed potatoes 3 oz steak with 6 pieces of Tempura vegetables (so good and my only remaining tribute to fried food- you can get these at Trader Joes) salad with Raspberry walnut viniagrette, shredded carrots, sliced almonds, snap peas Protein shake See, lots of yummy things:hungry: Anyway, since I have started doing this (two weeks) I have lost 3 1/2 pounds. The motto?? Eat More and more often!! If you have hit a plateau, give this a try!

I always say- the complications and risks of having health problems and diseases when I was obese were far more dangerous than the risks the band presents. Problems with the band can be resolved one way or another. Focus on your weight loss. You made the right decision!

Morsaille, I think what you eat and how much is key. And breakfast was the biggest change I made. I was a notorius non-breakfast eater because I tend to be pretty tight in the mornings, and there were days when I didn't eat until 3 o'clock. I am pretty much following a Zone-type diet in regards to my Protein, fat and carb percentages, and I am at about 1200 calories a day. And I have stepped up the exercise, too (pretty easy to increase from NONE). I have an MP3 player that hubby has put all of my music on and I just dance all over the house until I am panting and sweaty. Had my husband and son in stitches today because they actually watched me for the first time!

:kiss2: My stomach is concave now. Well at least when I'm lying down. I can groom my nether regions and actually see what I am doing. I can run around Disneyland for 12-14 hours, three or four days in a row with no pain in my feet or knees. Men check me out and flirt with me!! (Sorry guys, happily married)

Hi all- I know there has been a lot of discussion about Star Jones and the "did she or didn't she???" question. I am traveling, and when I travel, I always buy the cheesy tabloids because I get bored in hotel rooms. In this weeks issue of STAR magazine, there is a picture of Star on vacation, and she is wearing a bikini top and sarong. Guess what is very visible on her belly???? Laproscopic surgery scars!! Maybe she should just go ahead and come clean now:heh:

I use American Health Chewable Super Enzyme Plus tablets. Papaya enzyme is actually the main ingredient in meat tenderizer, and when I get food stuck, especially meat, chewing a couple of these will usually break up the meat and push it down, creating relief within ten minutes or so. A warning though- using these too frequently can upset your tummy. I had gotten into the habit of taking a few after every meal whether my food was stuck or not, and after a few weeks I ended up with horrible stomach pains. My doctor determined that excessive use of papaya enzyme was probably what was causing it. I had to stop using them for a while and was put on a double dose of Prilosec and carafate (a stomach coater) four times a day. My tummy is fine now, but I only do the papaya enzyme when I am painfully stuck. So don't overdo it!!

I love chocolate too. I have a jar full of little minis, like Hershey's kisses, and bite sized Snickers, Three Musketeers, etc. I never have more than one piece, and never more than one a day. I'm still losing weight so I am not going to beat myself up over it, and neither should you, as long as you can avoid overindulging! Just try to learn to enjoy loving the taste and sensation instead of using chocolate to fill your tummy (it's not easy, but you can do it!). That's why I always have my piece after I have eaten my meal.

I would only use it when you get stuck. I recently had a scary episode with pain and cramps in my upper abdomen (stomach area), and when I told my surgeon that I had recently been taking a lot of papaya enzyme he warned me that it could definitely be causing some irritation. I stopped taking it for a few weeks altogether and now only in an emergency. I also am on Carafate and Prevacid daily. My problems have disappeared, and although it may be just from the medication I would proceed with caution. I agree, though, that the stuff ROCKS when you have pain or a golfball. It really breaks down the stuck food!

:sick I am going to call my doctor's office today but value opinions here (sometimes more than his!) For the past two or three days my stomach has been a little swollen and tender, and randomly, maybe every 30 minutes to an hour, I get a burning, intense cramp in my lower stomach. Kind of like a bad gas pain, but gas pains don't usually last for days, right?? I have been taking Prilosec daily for the last few weeks because I have been afraid that I have not been getting enough food into my stomach and I have been worried about the stomach acid. I have not had any reflux in my throat and only one PB in the last two weeks. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Update: Doc put me on Calfate (a stomach coater- not simethicone) and doubled my Prevacid. I feel lots better. But ironically, my Mom was just diagnosed with diverticulitis. That makes Mom and brother and diverticular disease is genetic(hereditary??Not sure which term is correct). So in addition to everything else, my doc wants me to cut out anything with nuts, hulls seeds, and very spicy foods. SIGH. Just preventative, but I saw what Mom and bro went through and I'll pass on that pain and suffering!

They are not that good unless they are hot and just pulled off the line. When you go into a KK shop and get a hot glazed donut it's like biting into donut flavored cotton candy. They just melt in your mouth. They sell them in the grocery stores here in CA and my husband likes them, but I can't eat them out of the box like that. They really do lose their appeal if the donut is less than a minute or two old. Fortunately for me the actual Krispy Kreme shops are quite a distance away!

You are swollen. This happens to me too frequently. Stick to liquids for at least a day and soft foods for another day. Make sure everything you intake is bland so you don't irritate your self further. This is like aversion therapy. You will learn to eat the right way and avoid certain foods forever!