andyisbanned

I would say let's meet in Birmingham, but I am not familiar with Birmingham. I have no idea where or what is available to meet in or at down there. Is there a park or place we could meet?

Congrats Gone! I hope all is well. You are now a member of Band-Land. Welcome! Dr. Groves and Dr. Britt are awesome. I have enjoyed every minute of my time dealing with them and their staff. I am glad to have my band and glad to say Dr. Britt is my doctor. Things are going well with my band. This 2nd fill seems to be providing some restriction. I hope fill #3 does the trick and I hit my sweet spot. Just remember to walk all you can, sip Water, take a little gas-x and use a heating pad on you tummy to help with the gas. Gas and gas pain were my biggest problem after surgery, but the walking along with the other things I mentioned helped me a lot. The gas should only last 3-4 days. Good luck and please update us on your progress. Again welcome to the land of band!

Cullman is about 40 miles north of birmingham up I-65.

I would like to set-up a meet and greet for all of us Alabama bandsters and soon to be bandsters. I am open for suggestions on where to meet. I would like to see us do something in June or July this summer. So I am calling on all of the Bama bandsters to respond and contact me either here on this thread or email me through my profile here on LBT. I look forward to meeting you all in person. It would be great to actually meet some others that are banded. It would be good to know how far you are willing to drive to meet. I think we could meet in like Cullman. Cullman has a park that we could use and I think it would not be to far to drive too for most of us. What do you think?

Congrats Missy!!!! I hope you are doing well since surgery!

Southern Missy: I started my 6 month diet in June of 2007 and completed my diet in December 2007. I submit my paper work after my consults were completed in January. I was approved by BCBS on January 25th. I had my pre-op class with my surgeons office a few days after approval. We set my surgery date at the pre-op visit. I could have had my surgery with Dr. Britt the next week, but I choose to wait until Feb. 14th 2008, so my wife would be off work to be with me. I guess it really is up to you & your surgeon just how quickly to get you into surgery once approved. I had to have at least a week to complete my pre-op diet to help shrink my liver. This is key to help make surgery easier and quicker for my surgeon. So this is a factor to consider if your surgeon requires a pre-op diet. I hope this helps you.:welldoneclap:

Happy Mother's Day to all. We need to pause not only today, but everyday and thank the good Lord for our Mothers. Moms are the angel God porvided to watch over us as we grew up. Mom is still there to comfort us when we need it. So a special thank you to all mothers!

Happy Mother's Day to all. We need to pause not only today, but everyday and thank the good Lord for our Mothers. Moms are the angel God porvided to watch over us as we grew up. Mom is still there to comfort us when we need it. So a special thank you to all mothers!

My doctor follows the recommend guidelines from the manufacturer which is 6 weeks between fills. He will adjust the schedule based on individual needs of the patient. My fills have been every 6 weeks apart so far. My doctor did say this time after my fill, that if I needed to return early to just call the office. He did ask that I give this new fill 2-3 weeks to work. So if I need another fill, I will be going back early. Otherwise, my next fill will be in 6 weeks, which is June 12th. The following is information provided by my surgeon during my pre-op class concerning adjustments: The adjust-ability of the Lap-Band is one of the great advantages of the Lap-Band over the gastric bypass or duodenal switch. The Vertical Band Gastroplasty or VBG, is a restrictive operation but is not adjustable. After a period of 6 weeks following Lap-Band placement, a patient may require an adjustment known as a "fill" Three main factors are used to determine whether or not to add Fluid to the Lap-Band: 1. weight loss, 2. level of hunger, 3. degree of restriction. If the patient is not losing adequate weight (less than 1-2 lbs. per week), is ravenous, and seems to be able to eat more with meals, then it is time to do a fill. Most adjustments can be done in the office in less than 15 minutes. Fluoroscope or X-ray is only necessary if the adjustment port cannot be accessed in the office. My doctor uses the Fluoroscope over at X-ray for each fill, which makes a fill take less than 2 minutes. It takes longer to get on the table and the prep than the actual fill. It is so cool to watch your fill on the Fluoroscope. The 1st adjustment is done no sooner than 6 weeks post-operatively and is a 1cc volume fill. My 1st fill was a standard amount of 2cc. Subsequent adjustments are done at 4-6 week intervals based on the aforementioned criteria. The second and third fills may measure 0.5 cc to 3-4cc. My second fill was 2cc. I now have 4cc in my 14cc band. It is important to look out for negative symptoms after an adjustment. Symptoms of chest pain after eating and drinking, nausea, vomiting, and reflux can mean the Lap-Band is overly tight. More subtle signs can be night time coughing and choking, and inability to eat a range of foods. It is important that patients remember that weight loss is to be gentle and gradual. Patients must resist the temptation to be too tight too fast. This can lead to dysfunctional eating habits, in which the patients convert their diet to liquids calories. If obstructive symptoms are present, then fluid should be removed from the band. I just thought I would share this information with you. Each doctor is different in how he/she proceeds with your fill schedule and the amount of fill. Just remember to work with your doctor, you are a team working together to help you meet your goal!

My doctor follows the recommend guidelines from the manufacturer which is 6 weeks between fills. He will adjust the schedule based on individual needs of the patient. My fills have been every 6 weeks apart so far. My doctor did say this time after my fill, that if I needed to return early to just call the office. He did ask that I give this new fill 2-3 weeks to work. So if I need another fill, I will be going back early. Otherwise, my next fill will be in 6 weeks, which is June 12th. The following is information provided by my surgeon during my pre-op class concerning adjustments: The adjust-ability of the Lap-Band is one of the great advantages of the Lap-Band over the gastric bypass or duodenal switch. The Vertical Band Gastroplasty or VBG, is a restrictive operation but is not adjustable. After a period of 6 weeks following Lap-Band placement, a patient may require an adjustment known as a "fill" Three main factors are used to determine whether or not to add Fluid to the Lap-Band: 1. weight loss, 2. level of hunger, 3. degree of restriction. If the patient is not losing adequate weight (less than 1-2 lbs. per week), is ravenous, and seems to be able to eat more with meals, then it is time to do a fill. Most adjustments can be done in the office in less than 15 minutes. Fluoroscope or X-ray is only necessary if the adjustment port cannot be accessed in the office. My doctor uses the Fluoroscope over at X-ray for each fill, which makes a fill take less than 2 minutes. It takes longer to get on the table and the prep than the actual fill. It is so cool to watch your fill on the Fluoroscope. The 1st adjustment is done no sooner than 6 weeks post-operatively and is a 1cc volume fill. My 1st fill was a standard amount of 2cc. Subsequent adjustments are done at 4-6 week intervals based on the aforementioned criteria. The second and third fills may measure 0.5 cc to 3-4cc. My second fill was 2cc. I now have 4cc in my 14cc band. It is important to look out for negative symptoms after an adjustment. Symptoms of chest pain after eating and drinking, nausea, vomiting, and reflux can mean the Lap-Band is overly tight. More subtle signs can be night time coughing and choking, and inability to eat a range of foods. It is important that patients remember that weight loss is to be gentle and gradual. Patients must resist the temptation to be too tight too fast. This can lead to dysfunctional eating habits, in which the patients convert their diet to liquids calories. If obstructive symptoms are present, then fluid should be removed from the band. I just thought I would share this information with you. Each doctor is different in how he/she proceeds with your fill schedule and the amount of fill. Just remember to work with your doctor, you are a team working together to help you meet your goal!

I agree. Exercise is absolutely critical to obtaining maximal success following bariatric surgery. Durability of weight loss is predicated on compliance of diet but predominately on exercise habits. This is even more true for the Lap-Band than with gastric bypass or duodenal switch because these surgeries have a malabsorptive component. We should exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week. Any activity that increases the heart rate for an extended period of time can be chosen. This can include walking, swimming, running, aerobics, or hiking. The key is to find something that is enjoyable to you and make it part of your daily routine. I realize this is sometimes easier said than done, but it is most critical to our success and meeting our goals.

Here are few techniques to help you with modification of your behavior and attitude toward food. Do not eat in front of the TV Do not read while eating Pre-portion food and pot the box or package away Keep tempting goods out of the house Do not go to the grocery store hungry Make a shopping list and stick to it Use smaller plates and bowls Keep healthy foods available Focus on activities other than eating Brush your teeth after meals or if feeling the desire to eat Do not eat standing up at parties or buffets Do not stand at the food table at parties Offer to bring a healthy food item to a party Park you car far away from your destination Take the stairs instead of the elevator Keep a food and exercise journal

Here is a list of common foods that can get stuck or cause problems. Some or all of these my effect you. This is only a short list. You will have to go through trial and error to discover if any of these foods you can tolerate. Just remember to chew, chew, chew your food really well. 1. Red meat such as steak, roast beef, and pork. Red meat is high in muscle Fiber, which is difficult to separate even with a great deal of chewing. Always be careful and chew well. 2. Dry meat. 3. Shrimp. 4. Untoasted bread or doughy breads. 5. Pasta. 6. Rice. 7. Peanut Butter. 8. Membrane of citrus fruits. 9. Seeds and skin of fruits and vegetables. 10. Dried fruits. 11. Fibrous vegetables such as corn, asparagus & celery. 12. Nuts. 13. Coconut. 14. Popcorn. 15. Greasy or fried foods. I have only tried Pasta, Peanut butter, and some hot wings. These items went down okay before my second fill. I have had pasta since my second fill and it seems to do okay if I remember to chew well. I realize I should have skipped the hot wings, but they are my weakness. With this new fill, I will be avoiding fried foods. Just a note on fiber. Constipation may occur after surgery and is most often attributable to decreases intake of food, fiber, and fluids. In order to prevent constipation it is important to drink plenty of fluids. It is recommended to consume a minimum of 64 ounces daily. It may be helpful to try baby prunes or unsweetened prune juice. High fiber foods may slow down stomach emptying.

Eat 3 meals per day. Do not skip meals. Avoid snacking. Snacking or gazing throughout the day may prevent you from losing weight or cause weight gain due to excess calorie intake. Eat small amounts. Eat Slowly. Each meal should last 30-45 minutes. Do not gulp foods or fluids. Remember to chew, chew, chew your foods. Chew all to a paste consistency. Sallowing chucks of food may obstruct the outlet of the pouch. Use a small fork or spoon to help control your portion size. Put your utensil down between each bite. Wait for 1 minute between bites. Stop eating as soon as you feel fill. Signs of fullness include nausea, pain in upper chest, or pressure (sense of) fullness below the rib cage. Do not drink with meals. Liquids will cause the food to pass or wash through your stomach to quickly. You may consume liquids 30-45 minutes prior to a meal and 45-60 minutes after a meal. Drink plenty of non-caloric liquids (i.e. Water) between meals. Remember to sip, sip, sip your fluids slowly. Avoid high calorie liquids, which provide absorb-able calories without providing the feeling of fullness. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat. Eat a well-balanced diet.

Hi all: Just wondering if we have had any luck with finding a place to host a support group meeting in Madison or Huntsville yet? I know Moon was checking a few places out. I would consider asking my boss if we could use the company break-room after hours in Madison, if everyone is interested and I could get some help to organize the meeting. How often would we like to meet? Once a month? Then when would we like to meet? I would have to make arrangements for my children if my wife is working on our meeting nights. I am sure others would need some time to plan and schedule to make room to attend as well. Just some food for thought. I saw the mention of the Parkway group in Decatur. When is their next meeting? If it is the second Monday of each month, is the next meeting May 12th? The Parkway meeting may be a good alternative than trying to start a new group in Madison or Huntsville. I still think a meeting in Madison would be good to get people to drive in from Decatur, Hartselle, Athens and Huntsville to meet. Madison is a little more centrally located to all of us. What do you all think? I would like to hear your input. It would be great to get into a group support meeting. I am surviving on the forums and chat rooms here now. My doctor does a monthly meeting but it is in Albertville or Guntersville. I would prefer to meet some where closer to home. Driving to Madison or Huntsville would not bother me. I look forward to hearing from you all.:frown:

I am from Hartselle, Alabama over in Morgan county and I work in Madison.

Devana: Yes I have. I am now banded. I am 79 days post-op. I have lost 29 lbs since surgery. I have 2 fills so far. Each were 2cc. !st fill on MArch 20th and the second fill on May 1st, 2008. So I have 4 cc in my 14cc band. Things are going well. This second fill has provided some restriction at least it appear to have. I am not able to eat as much as before the fill. Of course, I am only a few days post fill and I know it will take a week or two before I can really tell how well the fill is working.

Gigi: I take my regular meds that are pills, one at a time with a sip of Water as directed by my surgeon. As for Vitamins, I was instructed to take Centrum Chew-ables (Orange flavored and available at Wal-marts/Walgreen/etc.) Most of your over the counter pain meds like Tylenol are available in liquids, which are easier to take than a pill. You really need to discuss this with your surgeon. Each surgeon is different and some will not allow you to take a pill unless you crush it. I hope this helps.

Yvonne: I purchased a Magic Bullet at Wal-Mart. I love my bullet. It does a good job and it is easy to clean.

Thanks Ready

Gibson: You are welcome.

jbcohenpa: An AP Largee band is 14cc. The Ap standard band is 10cc. I too have the AP Large. I have only had one fill of 2cc. I will get my 2nd fill on May 1st.

Congrats Kerri Marie. I am glad things are finally working out for you. Just think you will be a member of the banded.

Congrats on the weight loss!