NewSho

Wonderful! Great pics, great loss. Happy Band Journeys to all...

Hey, Vines. Just wanted to let you know. You know I'm trying to start getting second opinions on what I should do next. I'm kind of bummed to be starting over but I might as well try and pick up the pieces and see what's what. So I (finally) got to meet with another WLS surgeon today - he's a RnY specialist but is now doing Lap Bands. (As if enough surgeons haven't gotten a chance to practice on me :rolleyes ) Anyway I presented my full medical file (that clipboard soap opera that is also known as "As The LapBand Turns" ) and he didn't even run out of the room screaming, LOL. He thinks my original LapBand surgeon is one of the best around and concedes that my former surgeon knows WAYYYYY more about LapBands than he does. In fact, tomorrow he is observing and later being proctored by my original LapBand surgeon. (Oh boy isn't life ironic?) But he also agreed with me that my ex-surgeon is one of the most conservative around, and as he's been doing bands much longer than most U.S. doctors, he admittedly has some of least successful LapBand stats. It's an enigma. Anyway, we're trying to figure out what I can do to continue my weight loss. He also conceded that with my current BMI - a revision surgery will be probably not an option unless there is something wrong with my band. (And believe me, there is probably something wrong with my band. It's like a household appliance that has just gone out of warranty, LOL, and five years seems to be the "let's act up" point for LapBands.) Even then, his hospital requires 35 BMI for any surgery. But he fully understands why after 5 years of ridiculously slow weight loss, I'm trying to decide what I need to do to finally have some success. But he said he'd hate for me to have another surgical procedure just to lose 20 lbs. {I forgot to tell him that if I were to have to be revised to the dreaded RnY, I sure as H-LL plan to lose more than those unambitious <18 lbs that my Lap Band surgeon set as a goal weight for me.} Once he has some data in his hands he'll see what he thinks will be next - whether I have a working band that can be coaxed into being filled a bit, or whether the band is having issues, and I need to consider being revised to another form of WLS. Anyway, he thinks he's willing to explore options with me but first he wants me to have an Upper G.I., an analysis and a full nutritional workup with (drum roll) a basal metabolic test and probably a body/fat analysis. There, Vines. Are you happy? :clap2: I'm going to go let a licensed professional officially announce what we all know: My metabolism is remedial, if not downright dormant. As soon as they schedule me and I have my results - I promise to let you know. I have no idea what's next for me, but I sure don't want to spend the rest of 2006 at a BMI that defines me as 'obese.' Happy Band Journeys to all...

Call your doctor's office. Immediately. Tell them exactly what you've told us - also tell them specifically how much you threw up and whether it seemed to be the lower stomach contents, rather than what was on top or in the esophagus area. Don't mince words, they've heard it all. They might want you to come in relatively soon or even schedule you for some tests. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

Exactly - Strawarts - it's the dang super-sensitive hand wand that does it. I can walk thru the X-ray metal detector all day but if they hand wand me.... The band beeps immediately. ( *sigh*) As if going thru airport security isn't already a fun procedure nowadays... Happy Band Journeys to all...

Looking for nutritional help & counseling with the LapBand in Houston? OK, I'll go ahead and plug my Banded pals. (They don't need my help though, they are doing extremely well). I he Houston area Yahoo Bandsters group has a face-to-face support group that meets once a month on the third Saturday of each month. (Next month they meet on Saturday March 18th at 2:30 p.m. ) and the two support group 'leaders' provide a nutrition/counseling/training service for surgery patients. The support group meetings are open to any pre-band or post -op LapBand patients and you can see their services and facilities during the free support meeting. The location is at H3 (Hope, Health, Happiness) which is located in the Twelve Oaks Center in Greenway Plaza, just inside the Loop. The center was founded by two women - both who are banded and have lost 100+ lbs each. One is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Nutritionist and the other one is a Certified Fitness Trainer. (Whew, lots of certifications there!) Anyway, you can read about their services here at this web link which has all the information and directions. http://h3wellness.com/index.html Happy Band Journeys to all...

Hugs, BBKellie..:eek: . I know how you feel. But quitting smoking will make ALL the difference with your PS. My own PSurgeon won't even touch a patient whose smoked within 4 wks before surgery and if you look at photos of smoking patients who have had Plastic Surgery, it might inspire you to put the pack down. Those seromas (more common with smokers) and other plastic surgery complications are way too scary to risk. We want you healthy & happy! _________________ And for others with TT hefore goal questions - if BBKellie is within 20# to 25# of her goal weight many many PS will still consider her a good candidate. In fact since the LapBand is not malabsorptive, and since our weight loss is much slower (and sometimes incremental) that even when we continue to lose, it's not at a rate that usually threatens a well-done Tummy Tuck. Most of the "wait until XXX months after goal weight" was developed with bypass patients whose weight loss is a bit more difficult to predict. Since malabsorptive procedures lose weight so quickly, those patients do have to be more careful about sudden quick weight loss swings. Most LapBand patients are not quite in the same situation, so slower weight loss (even if it continues) does not necessarily affect a TT or Body Lift. In fact one of the prominent PS MD's said he wished that more WLS patients would at least CONSULT with him when they are before goal so they can sit down together and develop a clear plan of what weight loss is necessary, what procedures will be needed, what financial planning will be done - etc. He absolutely advises WLS patients to come to him before goal and other PS's echoed his sentiments. The biggest mistake some patients make, according to this particular surgeon is waiting too long for their initial consults - and then they find out they could have saved themselves some time and money with getting procedures done in a certain order. I had my TT not long ago and since I'm (*sigh*) within 20# of goal (so says my WLS surgeon) then it was acceptable for me to go ahead and go forward with my TT. On the slim chance that I lose some exceptional amount of weight and maintain that loss I'll be more than happy to go back for a small tweak of my TT but most likely this will not be the case. Plus I got to get my LapBand port moved with my TT so I am happy that it's in a most appropriate position now that I've lost a bit of weight. Just an FYI. Happy Band Journeys to all.

OH THAT IS EXCELLENT NEWS. These tricky little suckers can really act up - but if it's in place then hopefully your doc will be able to help you do better with it. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All...

Geez, Geezer - you've been through it, eh? I had never heard that stat on the MO population for abdominoplasties. I just survived my Christmas time Tummy Tuck, but I still have to brace myself for a Boob Lift and some much-needed Lipo in the next year. EEK - as if we didn't have enough to worry about, LOL. And for those who don't think MRSA's are serious: Think of motorcycle dare devil Evel Knievel. He didn't die from the dozens of serious wrecks or accidents he had, or from the hundreds of broken bones and fractures. Nope, it was staph infection which weakened his immune system and eventually helped kill him. It wasn't the injuries from being in the hospital - but the staph infection that he caught from being in the hospital that damaged his liver and killed him. And Rosie O'Donnell nearly lost her hand to a staph infection. It's serious business. Now that everyone has been scared witless - but honestly, it's important to know all the risks. MSRA happens and it's scary but all we can do is cross our fingers and hope our medical facilities utilize the highest level of sanitation at all possible. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All...

I love sushi, but some is easier to eat than others after Lap-Banding. I do well with any of the diced typed sushi's and hand rolls (cuz before they hand roll it I ask them to not make it so thick and skip some of the rice.) I find the tigers' eye, iko types seem to do well. (Sea bass, urchin, calamari sushi seems to be easier to handle.) Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All

I'm at 2.8 and that definitely held me for a while but now it's time for a bit more restriction. [ Even at this level, Dry meat is a definite no-no, and the only way I do meat usually is in seafood (which I tolerate fine) or if it's chopped/diced like tuna or chicken salad.] I was hoping to get to 2.9 or just under 3.0, but my surgeon (Dr. No) doesn't believe in higher end fills anymore as of Jan 1st. So I'm having to find a new fill doc. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All !

This is my own opinion. But I know a ton of Mexican Banded patients. I am absolutely not impressed with the Tijuana based docs or facilities. I love San Diego so Tijuana seemed like it would be cool - but medically even the newer facilities are closer to 'tourist' clinics rather than full fledged medical centers. Monterrey, as mentioned, is more of a cosmopolitan city. The San Jose hospital that Dr Rumbaut uses is state-of-the-art. It has ICU and trauma level care available. It's the hospital that is on call whenever President Bush flies into Mexico so its' facilities are not just 'acceptable' by Mexican standards but by international standards. No Tijuana facilty comes close. The medical professionals I know within the Weight Loss surgery standards would only consider Dr Rumbaut for their doctor, and they won't go anywhere other than his home hospital. Hope this helps. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All !

Think "SWIMSUIT" "SWIMSUIT" "SWIMSUIT" Somehow the thought of appearing in a swimsuit:omg: makes even CAKE seem less appealing. Dang office parties - I lost 6# in the month after I quit my job and started working at home again. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All

Can't go wrong with the all purpose - Gall Stones or even with Abdominal Hernia It's great because NO ONE wants to know the details - very few folks will ask to hear more about it.... It also helps explain your changed diet, your abdominal binder (if you wear one post-op which I recommend) and any weight loss... Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All

I've always heard good things about the Portuguese nationalised health system, so a year wait is long but not unreasonable. It's so easy to say, go wait a year but that's a long time when it's YOU who is waiting. If you just had the money on hand, I'd say just pay cash for it, but it sounds like the extra money will be a bit of a stretch. Now if you wait for the government to approve you, but then again you could use this time to get some pre-op nutritional learning, some counseling and prepare yourself for this big life change. If the wait was two years or more, I know I couldn't do it. But if I thought I could get the government to pay for it this time next year, I think I'd make my year work for me. Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All.

I know your Cushings fight had a lot to do with this, I'll bet. I'm glad you know exactly what you're up against now, Vines. In my case, I did lose a bit of weight off my abdomen - but very few inches - because my stupid hanging belly skin totally blocked me from seeing much progress there. Once I was asking the doc why diet/exercise wasn't helping my belly much and he looked me over, touched the area, and announced flatly "Tummy Tuck." Oh, I see.:phanvan I made my appointments and had one by the end of the year. So those things that fit OK because they were baggy - totally didn't fit after the Tuck - and I had so much excess skin & flab that once it was taken off, I'm much smaller. YUCK! I've never been pregnant - that was all my body's own flab, I don't have any kids to blame it on. Anyway, I'm still healing but it looks like my belly flab was causing me to wear almost a size larger than I needed to. I don't exactly look like a swimsuit model but I look a bit more streamlined and clothes fit SO much better now. Now keep in mind, after I had the Tuck, I would go back for follow up's and my still-healing body was actually trying to replace that lost flab with new fat cells. :eek: I was like "No Way Buddy!" My body: The Ultimate Fat-Producing Machine. But I think it's going OK now. So I'm putting some gently worn name-brands duds on eBay again this week - I did really well with the last ones that I sold but I was so scared the Tummy Tuck wouldn't work that I held on to my baggy clothes 'til the last minute. Now they can go! [ A TIP for those planning to sell their too-big clothes on eBay - Take it from a veteran eBayer: Don't say in your auction description: "I lost a lot of weight so let my loss be your gain." BELIEVE ME, buyers hate to read that but I see it in a lot of new sellers' ads. No one wants to hear that their current size is your OLD size before you lost weight. And if you do it, guaranteed your items will sell for much less. Trust me.] Happy Band Journeys to all.

FABULOUS - JUST FABULOUS! Congrats to you, Brenda - you look like a million dollars! Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All

I speak Spanish fluently, don't live that far from Mexico and still have some reservations about being that far from my surgeon - whoever he would be, so I was banded locally. Now having said that - if I went to Mexico, it would (hopefully) be Dr. Rumbaut or bust. His experience, reputation, and the many patients of his that I know all have convinced me that he's the only one I'd go to. (I've heard good things about Dr Sanchez too but honestly Rumbaut is the champ.) And I would ONLY go to Monterrey - Tijuana is simply not even an option, in my opinion. (Which is just that - my opinion.) Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All.

Wow, I totally could not recommend gaining such a huge amount of weight. That would be another 17# to lose after being banded, and each and every pound you have to lose can be a struggle so why make it harder? OK not maybe if it were less than 5# I could see it - but 17# is literally a size or two in clothing. That's too high a price to pay, in my opinion. Instead I would use that effort to document my history of obesity and weight changes and failed diet attempts. I would literally list each and every diet I'd done - and all the dates if I could. Then I would also clearly note each and every overweight relative with their co-morbidities - all through out my family tree. So no, you might not have any co-morbidities yourself but if you can show both your grandmothers were overweight and high blood pressure and diabetes, then this could really help. I would gather all this documentation and present it to the insurance company with my written appeal (Your surgeon's office is planning to help you appeal, I hope?). That same effort can be successfully used to assist you in getting approval rather than going to such extreme measures as gaining a size or two. Good Luck!

This was SO hard for me - especially when I'm in a hot/humid climate or in summertime. What I had to learn to do at first may sound simplistic but: If I'm at home (this is rare, as I do most of my eating while I'm out) I literally put my drink of Water or Crystal Lite in the freezer and then take it out only after 45+ minutes to an hour after eating. It helps because as when I'm properly restricted (wait - I remember good restriction, :eek: ) then I can NOT drink anything lukewarm, tepid or room temperature. For me to drink any amount of something it has to be either ice cold or very hot. Room temp is not an option. Weird, eh? If I'm at a restaurant, I either drink all or most of my ice water glass before the meal begins (and then just wave them off if they come to refill it while I'm eating) or I literally move the water glass end of the table, by my dining companion. That way if I accidentally go for the glass - it's out of reach. Reaching for it immediately makes me remember not to drink it with my meal. (Now if my dining companion is also a LapBander too, then we scoot our drinks to the far end of the table away from both of us! ) These sound elementary - but they really helped me to cure the "drink while eating" habit. That was the biggest dietary change after LapBanding I think I had to make. Also later when I'm more restricted - it's too hard to drink when I've just eaten anyway. There simply isn't enough room for solid food/protein + liquid in a smaller space. Good Luck & Happy Band Journeys To All

Oh, please. One of my favourite Plastic Surgeons spends a LOT of time on online boards talking, advising and speaking with patients who are thousands of miles away and would never be his patients. Does he do it just to troll for business? Doubtful - the man is booked solid months in advance. Is he passionate about Cosmetic Surgery? Yes and he thinks the Internet is a great tool - so he does post when he has time. I don't think that Cosmetic surgeon does it due to lack of available patients so I wouldn't think that of ANY doctor who posts online - not even one I don't agree with. What the heck are you talking about? You insulted an entire geographic area - Geez!?! Oh, gee. Never thought of that - neither have the other hundreds of LapBand patients registered here. Thanks for the reminder. I was actually being facetious. It was a concession to saying that I've totally zinged the man for things that he's said that I thought were tactless and condescending to all LapBand patients. But when someone is right, they're right and I admit it. Oh and thank you for your inquiry on my personal problems. Actually the only really big one I have is the extra weight I'm carrying. You seem to be so full of answers (or full of something else ) so maybe you can help with that one. And why don't you also give an answer to the millions of obese and overweight adults in America. We're all listening... go right ahead. Gee, what a loss to the entire profession of nursing. Enjoy your retirement. Oh and just so you'll know - it may have been a while since you left nursing. (Certainly it was a while since you started.) There have been much progress within the medical field including bariatric surgery and even revision/reversal of RnY surgeries now. It does happen. It's not common, but it happens and has been documented. Read up! And, just to catch you up on other advances in the medical profession since you were in it - barbers can no longer do surgery now and they longer use leeches much anymore. Oh, good news - the bubonic plague is virtually cured now. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. Happy Band Journeys to all

WOO HOO Good for you, Nykee. That's so cool! 80 pounds? Wow, you lost a Hilton Sister, LOL. Happy Band Journeys to all.

What a great series of NSV's. And I love Vegas - so that makes it even better. Good for you. Happy Band Journeys to all.

Here's hoping you feel better but I agree with those who believe your band has probably not slipped. It's never fun to irritate your pouch or esophagus - but since you are such a new pre-op I think it's probably just a case of you overdoing it. Band slippage is a serious occurence but I believe (and I'm hoping) this is just irritation. PLEASE let us know what your doctor says. We'll be here for you. Happy Band Journeys to all.

Omigawd, how? I don't get it. You've kicked butt to go from 47 BMI to your current 39.9. You can still wear your Pre-Op stuff? How? I will accept being clothes-obsessed but I can barely wear anything that's a few sizes too big. I've only gone from about a BMI of 38 to my current 30 BMI. I mean that's just 50# I'm down at least 5 sizes. So nothing fits now. I just realized I have no suits in my current size. I had to wear one of my pre-op suits the other day and I was beside myself. I know I'm still fat but when I wear my older clothes from a size or two up, I feel so crappy! I feel swollen, blubbery, and even more fat. I have also noticed I'm much more introverted if I wear something older from my closet. But if I wear something more fitting or something in my actual size, I feel better.:rolleyes I donated a ton of my too-big clothing (especially after Hurricane Katrina) as those are always needed by charities. However, a lot of the name brand, designer, nicer stuff went right on eBay. (Remember that national name brand clothing almost always sells better online than unknown brand names. If you have some higher- end clothes, nicer store labels or name brands - sell those first.) eBay is a godsend to me - and its how I made my living for a couple years until recently so it seems like as soon as I sell some of my older, too big clothes, I'm rushing to buy newer ones. During my "active losing" period last year, I couldn't buy clothes fast enough it seemed - eBay allowed me to not have wasted my money on those clothes that I barely wore before realizing they were too big. Happy Band Journeys to all.

Hmmm, this may be. It's a great concept, Anthony. I wish there were some biomedical engineers who had insight on this - but from this non-professional's view, it seemed like a big difference.