Band_Groupie

Sorry, no leak here. I'm sure you realize this, but odds are this can't be a problem with two bands and if it's not where they could nick it with a fill then I'd wonder if it's the doc putting it in. Perhaps it's time for a second opinion before you go through this all again? So sorry for all your trouble, and best wishes! -BG

I couldn't agree more with the above. My doc offered both the Realize and both sizes of the Allergan LB-AP (APS or APL- he picks the size based on anatomy when he does the surgery). All of them are the new versions. It was my decision which brand I chose. He doesn't even carry the old styles from either manufacturer (at the time I started reasearching this it was spring of '08 and I'm not sure how long they'd been out, but they weren't brand new then). I would wonder about any doc that's still putting in older versions (I'm sure it's a $$ thing for him).

Just my experience...I thought I was chewing well...and I thought I was eating slowly enough. What I found out was that I wasn't doing either well enough. After every fill I have had to retrain myself on both of these things. Even chewing things to a pulp isn't good enough if you have too much in your mouth to begin with. I also didn't realize how much eating too fast can lead to being stuck. If you're having stuck problems and yet you say you're in 'bandster hell' then something is wrong. 'Bandster hell' means you DON'T have restriction yet and you certainly do have some. Just remember when you get that fill to really slow down and chew well. Like I said, I had to retrain myself with each fill. Sometimes it helps to add some sauce or alternate the items you're eating (ie. a bite of bread then a bite of veggie then a bite of chicken). Best wishes...you'll get that 'hungry button' turned off soon enough, just hang in there! -BG

I agree...it's as much a matter of choice as it is about fills. Read my blog (here on LBT) on reaching my sweet spot; Click HERE

Thanks, I'll have to give these a try. Their website nutrition facts aren't really good (under serving size it says 'varies'), but given the calories/protein you gave the chicken has 1070 mg of sodium/sv....yikes!!! But some of the other ones are half that.

I'm in...If I make my NYNY Goal I'll be 3/4 to my end goal!!! This will be my first 'holiday season' with the band...hope it helps with all the holiday food porn...I hate head hunger!!!

Just a brief update. As you know, the ancient laptop I've been using (used one we got for DD to use while she was in France since she has a desktop-now in her room) has been giving us fits all along. It has been in and out of 'computer rehab' for a year now and the latest intervention sent it to rehab for more psychotherapy about a month ago...there's a desktop in the basement, but I've been missing the convenience of the laptop. My family just called me downstairs (so I drug my bum out of bed). They'd gone out, bought me my very own new laptop, and set it all up for me (they wanted me to 'Give it a try!' so here I am)! DH said he'd found out Friday that the hard drive on the old one wasn't worth fixing this time (I hope the rehab facility gives it a nice memorial service). My first computer that's just mine (and they didn't even know it was my 6-mo. Bandiversary this week LOL)!!! My Family Rocks!:wink:

Just a brief update. As you know, the ancient laptop I've been using (used one we got for DD to use while she was in France since she has a desktop-now in her room) has been giving us fits all along. It has been in and out of 'computer rehab' for a year now and the latest intervention sent it to rehab for more psychotherapy about a month ago...there's a desktop in the basement, but I've been missing the convenience of the laptop. My family just called me downstairs (so I drug my bum out of bed). They'd gone out, bought me my very own new laptop, and set it all up for me (they wanted me to 'Give it a try!' so here I am)! DH said he'd found out Friday that the hard drive on the old one wasn't worth fixing this time (I hope the rehab facility gives it a nice memorial service). My first computer that's just mine (and they didn't even know it was my 6-mo. Bandiversary this week LOL)!!! My Family Rocks!:huh2:

Mine hasn't given me a goal, but I think most docs would love for us to be at/near the high end of the 'normal BMI' range (high normal is 25). We 'formerly obese' people usually carry some extra weight in skin and fat cells that others our weight who've never been fat don't have...ie. a former fatty that's now 140 may be/look much thinner everywhere else (and have some saggy fat/skin) then someone who's 140 and never been fat. Not sure if that makes sense. I'm just shooting for a normal BMI and then after that I'll decide/my body will decide where to stop. I also like using the 'BMI calculators'/and the 'suggested ideal weight calculators' that take into account your sex and your age.

Count me in to the half-century group! I turned 50 in April, five days after banding.

Welcome to LBT! We used to live out near you (West Chester). Call your insurance co. and get a copy of your bariatric policy if you haven't done that already (many can direct you how to print them online). Good luck with your start! -BG

Yes, I started having problems with heartburn/reflux this week and did some research I was surprised that yogurt or any cultured/femented food is very high in acid (take a peek at my blog here on LBT-link in sig; from a few days ago for what I'm doing about it). I'd been eating a lot of Greek yogurt, but I'm putting that to a halt until this heals. Reflux with the band is the most common side effect (I've never had it before) and unless you get treatment it can result in some very serious issues. Just Google 'foods that are high in acid' and you'll find lots of lists...some of them really surprised me.

Sounds like you need a TINY unfill, but you also mentioned eating fast food, so maybe not. You're too tight if: you can't eat solid proteins first (without drinking) at every meal. Many that are just a little too tight get into 'soft food syndrome' because it's the only stuff that goes easily through their tight band (obviously liquids and ice cream, but this also includes non-soft things like chips...they go through easily too). If you're saying you can eat too much though, then maybe you actually need a slight fill. Check out the nutrition section in the home page...lots of ideas and recipes there to get you back on track...and hey, that's all weight you'll never see again...don't beat yourself up...you'll get there!

Try posting this under 'groups' in the 'ny' one and maybe you'll find someone from there. You might try the Canadian one for ideas from others too

Hang in there, and CONGRATS! Keep those fluids going!

It might be a good thing...in his new plan he's being very aggressive with both the fills and the amounts! Most don't reach their sweet spot for a long time. You'll get there!

Sounds like just what you need!

Thanks so much friends!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

LOL...I didn't even know what a blog was when I started here. There's a nice group of people in that section here though (and everywhere). Just a journal and I try to share things I find out (I've learned more specifics from this site than all my pre-op visits combined...and my doc's a great one). Continued success with the enzymes!!! -BG

If that doesn't work, then make sure the PCP has 'coded' the visit correctly (needs the numbers that show it's a PCP supervised diet. If you have a bariatric policy then these should be covered. FYI- make sure you NEVER combine a sick/other visit with these diet visits...I saw someone here have to do more months of the diet (start over) because she was sick when she went in and that's how it was coded. The other thing to check is have you met your yearly deductible yet? I had to pay 100% of any type of visit until the deductible was paid; then I paid 10% of the next batch until I reached our family cap. for the year. Just some thoughts, but I'm sure the ins. co. will tell you.

I think it was 184.5...sorry Swine Flu got me and I'm not all here (yes, even more so than my usual blonde moments). All I remember is that it was a small gain (gallons of Cranberry Juice gals).

if JT's doesn't work for you, here's the actual thread here on LBT (and the link is down the page on post #12): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/turkey-day-challenge-2009-a-100905/ You can 'subscribe' to it at the top of the thread under 'thread tools' and that way it will always be there in your 'User CP' under your 'subscribed threads' (if it's not there, just click the 'view all subscribed threads' at the bottom of that section).

Sorry, I should have been more clear, but I'd said it all in my blog so I didn't want to get wordy here. I don't need an unfill at this point either. I am taking 2-3 papaya enzyme chewables (along with other things to remedy this) with meals 3x day. As I stated in the blog, there are lots of sites that say enzymes do help some people with reflux (and pineapple enzymes as well as kiwi are other choices and some seem to work better for some people). Many here use the papaya when they get stuck to help break down the protein...it can't hurt to give it a try for the reflux. Let us know how you do! Best wishes! -BG

If they weren't any thicker or lumpier than your protein shake then it's not likely that you did any damage. You need to be more careful during this first 6 weeks then any other period of banding as this is when you can most easily cause problems. Those stitches on you stomach/band and the port need to heal. Congrats on the banding! -BG