Elisabethsew

What I would have liked to seen addressed more fully pre-op is the frustration of getting to a proper level of restriction. Gastric bypass patients begin losing right away whereas lapband patients have to go through a healing process and get a first fill 4-8 weeks post-op. Because I have the largest band and because my surgeon tends to prefer 6 weeks inbetween fills, it took me until now to get proper restriction. Patience is definitely called for when you opt for the band but I don't regret opting for it over gastric bypass. Do your research and ask LOTS of questions.

Questions: 1. Once a person gets to "proper" restriction, what is the average time before he/she will need another fill. 2. Do you advise yearly esophagrams as a precautionary measure? 3. How many cc's of saline does the tubing hold and why does some of the saline seem to dissipate over time? Thank you!

The first non-prescription drug to treat obesity in American adults was approved Wednesday by the U.S. food and Drug Administration. The drug, called alli (orlistat), is designed to be used only in tandem with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet by overweight adults aged 18 and older. According to manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, the drug helps people lose 50 percent more weight than dieting alone, should cost consumers $12 to $25 a week, and is expected to be available by this summer. "This is the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter weight-loss drug product," Dr. Charles J. Ganley, the FDA's director of the Division of Over-The-Counter Drug Products, said during a teleconference. "There are some products, primarily dietary supplements, that make weight-loss claims and those are not FDA-approved, although they are permitted to make these claims." The drug will be available in 60 milligram capsules, to be taken three times a day with meals that contain fat. The company said the drug works by "blocking about 25 percent of the fat in food a person eats. Because of the way it works, alli must be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet containing about 15 grams of fat per meal." Eating a meal with too much fat while taking the drug can result in bowel changes such as loose stools, according to the FDA. These side effects typically occur in the first weeks of treatment, they aren't harmful, and can be managed by following the recommended diet of about 15 grams of fat per meal, GlaxoSmithKline said. It's also recommended that users take a Multivitamin once a day, at bedtime, because the drug can interfere with the absorption of some Vitamins, GlaxoSmithKline said. People who have had an organ transplant shouldn't take the drug. And anyone taking blood-thinning medicines or being treated for diabetes or thyroid disease should consult a physician before using the drug, the FDA said. "This drug is only going to be effective if it's used along with a weight-loss program," Ganley said. "That means a reduced-fat diet, decreased calories and an exercise program." "If someone uses the drug without a weight-loss program, it's not going to be very effective," he added. A higher dose of orlistat (120 milligram capsules) has been marketed as the prescription drug Xenical in the United States since 1999. While the company claims Xenical's safety has been demonstrated by nine years of worldwide use in 146 countries, the consumer-advocacy group Public Citizen last year petitioned the FDA to remove Xenical from the U.S. market. Public Citizen contended that the higher-dose drug might increase the risk of aberrant crypt foci, which are widely believed to be precursors to colon cancer. Late Wednesday, the advocacy group issued a statement criticizing the FDA's approval of the over-the-counter version of the drug. "At a time when colon cancer is a leading cause of death and disease in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve, for over-the-counter use, a diet drug that clearly causes precancerous lesions of the colon is the height of recklessness and shows a profound lack of concern for the public's health," Dr. Sidney M. Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, said in the statement. One obesity expert isn't sure the new OTC drug will be effective for most people. "The drug is probably safe," said Dr. Raj Padwal, an assistant professor of general internal medicine at the University of Alberta. "However, I'm not sure the half-strength dosage will have much effect." Full-strength dosage reduces weight by less than 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds), on average, Padwal said. "People may only lose 1 to 2 kilograms (2.2 to 4.4 pounds) on this half-strength dose. Whether that is worthwhile is questionable. The occasional patient may benefit, but many patients may not. For those patients who need extra incentive to adhere to a low-fat diet, the drug may help," Padwal said. Padwal and a colleague recently published an article in The Lancet that noted precious little evidence exists that proves weight-loss drugs such as orlistat actually reduce the risks of heart attack, stroke and diabetes associated with being overweight or obese. The FDA's approval of the first over-the-counter drug for weight loss comes as the United States and other western nations are struggling with an unprecedented obesity epidemic. According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, 30 percent of American adults 20 years of age and older -- more than 60 million people -- are obese. And another 36 percent are considered overweight. Overall, this drug is likely to be limited in the direct harm it causes, but also in the good it does, said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. "It is a relatively ineffective weight-loss aid," he said. "If availability of the drug distracts people from the tried-and-true approach to weight control, eating well and being active, then the FDA decision could prove more harmful than helpful, in spite of good intentions." SOURCES: Feb. 7, 2007, U.S. Food and Drug Administration teleconference with Charles J. Ganley, M.D., director, Division of Over-The-Counter Drug Products, Washington, D.C.; Raj Padwal, M.D., assistant professor, general internal medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; David L. Katz, M.D., associate professor, public health, and director, Prevention Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. Publish Date: February 08, 2007

I have no problem swallowing any medications or getting down liquid medication. Once you're healed (6 weeks) you should be able to "swill" your cold medicine. Good luck and feel better!

By giving your friend money, you're feeding her addiction. Call the bank and see if there is enough money in her account to cover it. If there is, cash it! Since you believe your friendship will suffer but are worried about her committing suicide, supply her with the names and number of people and places where she can get help. Perhaps the former gambler that you mentioned would be willing to speak with her. Once you've offered her a way to recover, the rest is up to her.

I'm going in for another fill on Tuesday and can relate to what you're experiencing. Because of the high volume of patients, I wait 6-8 weeks for a fill appointment. This time, the restriction was perfect for a few weeks and then slacked off. Regardless of what my level of restriction is, I stay on a healthy diet and don't allow myself to "pig out" or go crazy. For me, that sets off a chain reaction that can last days. Try joining one of the challenges to help stay motivated on on tract when you're waiting for a fill. Also, try taking up a hobby. If you're doing something with your hands, they can't pick up food! :-)

Before thinking we are "spoiled" here in the United States, you should know that, for the majority of us, health care is NOT free. I am a registered nurse and pay a hefty amount out of my paycheck every two weeks for my health insurance. Because most people can't get social security and medicare until they are 65+, a lot of people are forced to continue to work for the sole purpose of being able to afford medical care and their medications. Trust me, they don't consider themselves as "spoiled." I am glad you have achieved restriction and that you're losing weight. Hopefully, you won't suffer any complications from the use of a possibly contaminated needle.

Thank you! I am VERY happy. Now, to get into the 70's! :-)

Valentine's Challenge Check In Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................237.................... .10................Done! 5lbs Bonus Lapbandit.................231..................... 20..........................4 Libra....................... 251......................20....................... ...6 Indianlight................ 268......................20....................... ...9 JulieNYC.................. 215.....................215...................... ....0 Elisabethsew............ 282 (-12)..............282..........................0 The scale FINALLY moved this AM and, for the first time, I made my goal in a challenge! Maybe I can lose one more before 2/14.

I am not pregnant and I'm sure others will reply but I wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy.

A small hiatal hernia is very common in overweight/obese people and usually produces no symptoms. You should not have to worry about moving your surgery date up. If you have symptoms, you can do the following: 1. Don't lie down for 2-3 hours after eating. 2. Talk to your MD about being placed on an H2 blocker (nexium, previcid) 3. Elevate the head of your bed on wood blocks. 4. Sleep on 2 pillows. Good luck. Sorry the band did not work for you.

Have you experimented with other positions? If you're using the missionary position, try a pillow under you butt with your legs on your man's shoulders.

Hi Suzanne, I had pulmonary emboli in both lungs a few months before my surgery and have been on Coumadin ever since. I had to come off that drug to have the surgery and did fine. Let your surgeon and your anesthesiologist know that you are positive for Leiden Factor V. They will likely order a medication that is given in your stomach as a precaution (I got this before going into surgery, coming out of surgery, and the AM I left the hospital). I also let the anesthesiologist know that I have terrible nausea after surgery that is not responsive to Zofran. Sure enough, I had the nausea, got Zofran that failed to do a thing, and then was given Phenergan as the anesthesiologist promised pre-op. Communication is key and the person in charge of you in the OR is not the surgeon; it's the anesthesiologist (I'm an RN). During the operation, they will place alternating pressure booties on your feet and/or legs and they stay on until you're up walking. You'll do great!

I can palpate the port when I touch my stomach but can't "feel" a band around my stomach. The level of restriction that you feel when you eat is determined by the size of the band that you get and your anatomy. The only time I know I have the band is when I am eating and get that full feeling... something I never had prior to banding.

I did pretty well today drinking an hour AFTER meals. I'm looking forward to Tuesday when I hope to get a small fill to get back the restriction I felt on the last visit. Thank you for sharing your experiences on this issue.

I certainly hope none of us live our life the way she lived hers. Anna has a history of abusing alcohol and drugs and I think it's very likely that one, or a combination of the two, caused respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. I suppose we'll never know if it was intentional or not. I feel sorry for the daughter she left behind and hope her father (whomever that is) gives her unconditional love and a "normal" life.

Hi Hopeworks, I am going back on Tuesday for another fill and I know how you fill. The last fill I got gave me good restriction but it seems to have worn off a bit. I am hoping that another small fill will get me back to where I was a few weeks ago. See how the fill you just goes. If you don't notice improvement in 2 weeks, I would schedule another fill. Good luck!

Easter or tax day sounds good to me. How many people here drink with their meals? I have researched this and can't find a definitive answer for not drinking with meals. Is it so that you feel full sooner or eat less or stay fuller longer? I'd be interested in the experiences of the people here. Thank you!

Welcome back, Waterlily. My biggest offense is drinking with meals so I am going to try and work on that one. I have one pound to go to make my goal but have been stuck at 283.5 for a few days (bouncing between 283 and 284.5). My eating has been on track so I hope the plateau ends soon and the scale moves. I'm going back for a check on 2/13 and will likely need a small fill as I have noticed this last one "wearing off" quite a bit. You're doing great and have been through a lot. I'll work on knocking off the drinking with meals as a buddy support. Onward and downward!

Congratulations, Julie!!! You're doing wonderfully and will soon be in the 100's. You're so close and your progress is amazing.

You'll speak with an anesthesiologist, have an EKG, get a chest x-ray, pee in a cup, have a brief history and physical, and blood work. If any of this was done already, chances are you won't need to repeat it. My pre-op testing was only about 30 minutes long.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. It makes getting a year older a little less painful. LOL. Congratulations and welcome Shannonh.

Wow! Everyone is doing great in moving towards their goals. I've still got one pound to go and I'm hoping to get that scale moving downwards. Today's my birthday so I'm allowing myself a dinner out at a nice restaurant.

Molly, I am very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing and my prayers are with you. Take care of yourself and let us know how you're doing. Congratulations to everyone on their losses!

I would be interested in seeing your video.