Band_Groupie

WELCOME to LBT! Suggestions- Spend some time here looking at the stories and all the stickies on the home page. Call your insurance company now and ask for a copy of your bariatric policy so you know your requirements for approval. Attend more than one places seminar so you can make the best choice for you. Good luck! -BG

207 this morning. Happy Friday all! Another head coming off! First fill Tues. (Lingling- what are you on, fill #5?!!!!...so jealous!), no big change yet but 2 days of liquids helped the weight move again. Seven weeks until fill #2. Congrats Maddison! ...and Kaner!

Just wanted to say everyone's BCBS policies are different. I have BCBS Highmark of Western PA and I found that BCBS is different in every state and even within my own state. If you have a copy of your policy, you should know if you're meeting all their requirements. Your surgeon's office (person who deals with ins.) should be a good source for if you're a good candidate for approval as well. Good luck! -BG

*bump* Anyone?

I've officially joined the 'Boys Club' at my house (well, that's what I called it before DD moved back home recently). There's no required secret handshake, just gas explosions needed from either end to enter. Yes, you heard right. I'm not one of those gals who has a sense of humor about farts or belches (or the Three Stooges), so I'm going to have a hard time discussing this, but here goes ('goes'…hee-hee-hee). I've never been a loud farter…even post-op with all that gas coming out, but ('butt' hee-hee-hee) I think I had 'lift-off' at one point. I'm more the 'silent but deadly' type. I can make it through days, weeks even, never noticing whether I ever farted. I know I do, everyone does. Now, onto everything you always wanted to know about farts, but were afraid to ask. Did you know: - The average person farts (depending on who's statistics you believe) 7-25 times per day (WebMD says at least 14), producing about 45 ml of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and 45 ml of CH4 (Methane). - Methane has 21 times the Global Warming Potential as Carbon Dioxide and the average person produces 12.7 Liters of it a year. A tree would only have to spend only 17 days per year 'sniffing' the greenhouse gases in your farts to carbon neutralize it. - Farting gas is created by bacteria in the large intestines. - Farting volume and composition is directly linked to your diet and changes day by day. If you consume a high-fiber diet, which is healthier, you produce more gases that actually do damage the environment. Methane production in a fart is often hereditary so not all people create methane, but the average figures above compensates for this. The only way to eliminate your own greenhouse gas emissions is to eat almost no fiber, but then you probably die much younger than you should so forget about it. - Steer clear of artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol and xylitol, found in many sugar-free gums and candies, have a reputation for causing flatulence. Avoid gas-producing foods and beverages. Foods that are high in complex carbohydrates (some vegetable and legumes as well as high-fiber foods like prunes) are the most likely to cause flatulence. I'm thinking I'm doing my part for the environment, because I'm not getting enough fiber…and, of course, I just know I'm not one of those 'Methane producers' (you know who you are!). Now, onto belches. I could hardly conjure up a burp before even when guzzling a pop (soda for you non-Midwesterners). Post-band I can't stop burping…every single time I eat or drink! - Less than 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from livestock are produced by animal flatulence; most emissions are produced by animal burping. Belches and, to a far lesser degree, farts from sheep, cows and other farm animals account for around 20% of all global methane emissions. - Livestock in New Zealand account for 60% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. There is a global scientific effort to keep lifestock from belching (Silence of the Lambs). Some think there will new legislation to control or tax lifestock emissions (belches and farts) in the future. Cow farts/burps are a source of greenhouse gases, while kangaroo farts are methane free thanks to a particular bacteria in their stomachs. An average cow is thought to emit between 542 litres (if located in a barn) and 600 litres (if in a field) of methane per day through burping and exhalation, making commercially farmed cattle a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. 95% of this gas is emitted through belching. - In some animals, a failure to burp successfully can be fatal (I hope that's not true of humans! What's going to happen when they tighten my band?!!!). This is particularly common among domesticated ruminants that are allowed to gorge themselves on very rich spring clover or alfalfa. The condition, known as bloat is basically a high pressure build up of gastric gasses and requires immediate veterinary treatment, usually the insertion of a flexible rubber hose down the esophagus or in extreme cases the lancing of the animal's side with a scalpel to expel the build up of gas. So if you're feeling bloated, be careful! -The average person belches about 15 times per day, slightly more than they fart. Belching from people is mainly swallowed air from the stomach and esophagus so it's mainly Nitrogen and Oxygen, or CO2 from the carbonated beverages themselves. We don't have the same kind of digestive track and double stomachs like cattle, so the Methane doesn't come up, just down. The sound of burping is caused by the vibration of the upper esophageal sphincter as the gas passes through it. The current Guinness world record for the loudest burp is 107.1 dB, set by Paul Hunn in 2008. (This would be noticeably louder than a chainsaw at a distance of 1 metre.). So, no greenhouse gases from my belches! Better 'up and out'! Good to know! Now, stand back…BEEEEEEELCH! Burp trapping backpack- The methane collecting tanks were utilized by Argentina's National Institute for Agricultural Technology as part of a a study to determine the atmospheric impact of methane released by cows. The findings were startling, as researcher Guillermo Berro estimated that "30% of Argentina's total greenhouse gases could be generated by cattle."

OK, it's been a month-two months for everyone now. I've noticed a wide diversity of how people are doing, but it seems like many of us are still in 'Bandster Hell' even though some of us have gotten 4 or more fills already. Thought it would be good for us to have a first 'CHECK-UP' and share where we are for support so we don't feel alone (feel free to leave some blank if you don't want to share them). How are you doing? You can copy and paste these 5 headers to get started: ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. WEIGHT- 2. FILLS- 3. RESTRICTION- 4. RULES- 5. ANYTHING ELSE- ---------------------------------------------------------- Here's the explanation of the above: 1. WEIGHT- Losing weight at the rate of 1.5-2 lbs. per week or more now, OR I'm hardly losing anything, stalled or gaining. 2. FILLS- Band Capacity/Total # of cc's in my band now/# of fills I've had (if you had a fill during surgery count that as a seperate first fill too). 3. RESTRICTION- Have any, how much, anyone at their Sweet Spot already? OR are you still in Bandster Hell? 4. RULES- I'm doing well following all my Bandster food rules, OR I'm having a hard time with them, specifics? 5. ANYTHING ELSE- Whatever else you want to share about where you are on your path now; positive or negative. --------------------------------------------------------- I'll start... 1. WEIGHT-Still losing very slowly, but lowest week was 1lb. 2. FILLS-10cc band/3cc total in/1 fill 3. RESTRICTION- Maybe the tiniest bit of restriction (fill 2 days ago), but I've been in Bandster Hell for a month so the weight loss is all me, no band help. 4. RULES-Following most of them, but I have a hard time remembering waiting to drink long enough after (I need a timer on a watch), and haven't needed to chew much lately. 5. ANYTHING ELSE- I need to get more consistent with exercise! Even with Bandster Hell now...I love my band.

Congratulations....keep us posted! -BG

It pushes the food through your pouch too fast and into the stomach. It doesn't get digested in your pouch it just sits there (there aren't any stomach acids in the pouch) and gravity takes it through, which is the whole point of the band-to get it to sit there as long as possible so you feel full...if you drink it just washes it through faster. Same reason you don't want liquids or slider food calories. Drinking before lubricates the pouch, so some docs set a time before meals for the same reason. Really, they want your pouch dry and your food as dry, solid and as big of pieces as can get through your pouch stoma for the band to do what it is supposed to for you.

You've been humming that tune all day, haven't you...LOL...thanks.

There's a 'Pregnancy with the Lap-Band' group right here on LBT...you might want to start a new thread there asking...Click HERE. -BG

YAY! Congratulations Bandster! Each day will get better and then all the sudden you'll be back to normal. Take those meds before you need them and sleep when you can. Thanks for posting! Best wishes! -BG

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Oh, got it...mine is 30/0/60. LOL...I was in business process improvement...we're all about making changes to get better results, huh (so why didn't we map out this process and make changes before now LOL?). You'll do great! Best wishes! -BG

Congrats! ...and hooray for being able to lose weight now LOL! Things will start speeding up soon! -BG

Hooray for the gurgle! Congratulations on your first fill!

First fill (FINALLY) yesterday. 3cc's, one stick, and about 2 min. of my time tops...easy (no pillow, no xray, no fluoro). Haven't noticed a difference, but I never do anything the easy way...I'll be the one who needs 14 fills/unfills to get there. If you want the details I blogged here on LBT yesterday...click HERE. ...and if you're in the mood for a song, I thought I'd share my 'fill' song from the blog before I went: I'm going for my first fill this morning and wanted to Celebrate...Here's hoping my Doc isn't an hour and forty min. late (thus the verse is fitting) for my appointment again! Sing to the tune of (play it as you read- Click here): Why do you fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up, baby just to let me down (Let me down) And mess me around And then worst of all (Worst of all) You never fill, baby When you say you will (Say you will) But I love you still I need you (I need you) More than anyone darlin' You know that I have from the start So fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up Don't break my heart ”I'll be over at ten”, You told me time and again But you're late, I wait around and then (bah-da-dah) I run to the door I can't take any more It's not you, You let me down again (hey, hey, hey) Baby, Baby, try to find (hey, hey, hey) a little time, And I'll make you happy (hey, hey, hey) I'll be home I’ll be beside the phone Waiting for you ooo-ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo Why do you fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up, baby just to let me down (Let me down) And mess me around And then worst of all (Worst of all) You never fill, baby When you say you will (Say you will) But I love you still I need you (I need you) More than anyone darlin' You know that I have from the start So fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up Don't break my heart

Ooops, sorry! I see I made your hair stick out (avatar)...sorry I gave you a bad hair day. Note to self add 'graphic content' to the list of warnings (with 'spew alert'). My blog is going to have a restricted audience soon...at least PG-13 LOL!

*Jumping up and down cheering you on* Best Wishes tomorrow...saving a seat for you on the Banders Bench. -BG

Mine is through a big hospital so all my pre-op docs were there. I don't expect to need them again, but I can make appointments with any of them (Psych, Nut, pulmonary, cardio, etc) if needed and I expect when I talk with my doc at my fills that he would send me if he felt it was needed. They have a monthly support group meeting that combines both RNY and LB patients, but I haven't been yet...I've been thinking about giving it a try sometime (I think the June meeting has an exercise physiologist speaker). Honestly, I look at the time I spend here with my blog and posts as my support system.

Keep sharing those tidbits of info from your 'book'! I was lucky to get a few sheets of paper LOL! You're going to do great! -BG

I'm also allergic to adhesives on most bandaids/tapes. My doc told me that I could take any steri-strips that hadn't fallen off on their own at the end of one week-10 days. Mine did not fall off because they covered the steri's with big clear patch tape over each incision. I'd call the surgeon and ask when you can take them off.

WELCOME to LBT! If you go to the home page you can do a search for opinions on LB vs RNY as there have been lots of threads asking this. You can also start a thread there if you want. Here's a copy of a post I answered awhile back with my reasons. Good luck on your decision! LB vs RNY I think it's all about doing research and seeing what fits you best, and there's no right or wrong answer...I think I could find success with several of them. My youngest sister is bigger than me, and with her food/diet pattern I'd suggest RNY or the Sleeve for her. This was my list vs. RNY. My reasons for the LB: - Safer surgery (no cutting other than the Laproscopic incisions, and fat tissue around where the band will go) - Unfill at any point needed and Reversible if needed for other health reasons - Less complications (dumping, hair loss, etc.) - Slower weight loss (easy to explain when you're not 'telling' everyone. I’m a lower BMI without severe comorbidities, so I don’t need to get healthy FAST. I have another sister who has diabetes and has had 2 strokes...I'd recommend RNY to her as she has life threatening obesity issues and would benefit from getting heathy as fast as possible.) - Easy to get proper nutrition- I don't EVER have to drink a protein shake and don’t have to take a ton of supplements. - Continued interaction/accountability to the surgeon (ie. I had to sign that I would continue seeing my surgeon for 5 yrs. post-op, he covers 6 fills as part of the package so it's not for more $, he really wants you to be successful long-term) - Continued adjustments to stoma for life (RNY/some others- can stretch the stoma, some need revision surgery) - I'm more interested in a slow significant weight loss and keeping it off than a huge weight loss...in other words, if I don't lose all 100 pounds as long as I get to healthy and stay there that's OK with me. It's the keeping it off I'm most interested in. - I need portion control, not reactions to bad foods. I already know I can diet pretty successfully (I'm a professional dieter, just can't keep it off and I feel like I'm starving) so I'm not worried about counting calories etc. (I don't think I need the malabsorption, my sister who can’t stick to a diet would need the help of malabsorption and the feedback of dumping). Talk this over with your doc and I'm sure you'll find the right fit for you...weight loss is weight loss...it's all good!

Do you have a copy of your bariatric policy with the list of requirements and do you meet all those? I'm not sure who the 'insurance verifier' is, but have you talked directly to the person who works with the insurance companies to get your approval at the surgeon's office? When you say 'my medical group has been denying people' are you talking about your insurance company or your surgeon? -BG

What's 30/30? Good for you...I did the same thing, adding one new change at a time to practice (wish I'd done the same with more exercise). Best wishes! -BG

Wiggly?...no dear, that was the meds you were on, remember...the whole room was wiggly. LOL, just kidding...I have no idea. I was afraid to look the first few seconds and by the time I looked down he was pulling the needle out, but I do remember it being a very thin needle and long.