BabyGotBack

Someone asked their doctor questions about the life of the band. I just wanted to post it here, just in case you didn't read it. Quote " Periodic band replacement - reporting back from my doc visit <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->This is a followup to a thread I started a couple of days ago about periodic band replacement. I saw my doctor yesterday and asked him about this and a few other things. I go to Cedars, which is the same place where Sharon Osbourne got banded. In fact, I think my doc assisted during her surgery. They've been doing the band at cedars-sinai a lot longer than the majority of programs in this country. Anyway, my doctor is a great guy. Here's what he had to say: - When Sharon O. says the band can only be in your body for ten years, she's basically talking out of her rear end. (He didn't say it that way, of course). Obviously he couldn't give me details (patient confidentiality) but he said Sharon an atypical case because of her other health issues like chemotherapy, bulimia, etc. - The band is for life. Barring unexpected issues or complications, once it is in there, it stays in there. Period. - I asked why it is then that things like breast implants have to be replaced periodically but the band doesn't. He said those are more fragile, move around a lot more, and are more vulnerable to outside forces like car accidents, someone hitting you in the chest, etc. Those types of things aren't major issues for the band. - I asked what about erosion over the long term from the band rubbing against the outside of your stomach. He said that the band is stitched on and doesn't move much at all. It's not like your stomach is in constant motion like your heart, so there's not a constant rubbing rubbing rubbing going on. He also said that erosion is very rare in their practice. - I asked how often he had to convert the band to bypass because of things like having to have the band replaced, erosion, etc. He said he has only rarely had to do that procedure. In the few cases where he has done it, it was because the person learned how to cheat the band. They try to catch people who take in a lot of liquid calories during the screening processs and steer them towards GB rather than the band, but people can also defeat the screening process if they try. - He said people usually have several fills during the weight-loss period because their innards are changing. (This was only my second since last May) The stomach shrinks, there's less fat pressing against it, hormone changes, etc. So you may have great restriction at one point, but that will probably change over time and you will need another adjustment. (I imagine this is less of an issue for low BMI bandsters. It also makes me wonder how many people have to have adjustments after tummy tuck, lipo, breast implants, other procedures, etc.) - He said you have to be aware of your restriction level for the rest of your life. This is something that always perplexed me because if you're at your goal weight for years, you'd think your body would be used to eating a certain amount. He said nope, that's not the case. You could be banded for ten years, and the minute you take that band out, the weight will probably start creeping back on. It's not that you'll all of a sudden start bingeing, but your body does realize that there's a lot more room in there than there was before and send that message to your brain. You are likely to increase your caloric intake gradually, without even realizing it. Ten pounds can slowly creep up on you in a year. And if you gain ten pounds a year every year for ten years, you'll eventually wind up right back where you started. (He wasn't trying to scare me or preach gloom and doom, just explain that this is really a lifelong process that doesn't end once you've reached goal weight. Obviously, you don't have to be as vigilant after that point, but don't expect that you can simply have the band removed or forget about it entirely - unless future medicine brings us some great new drug or other weight control method we can use instead of the band)" <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

Yes I have done it. I tell you, I have done it all!! It is called the maple syrup and lemon detox. There is a lot of info on the internet. What I had to do, which I did through an herbalist, is drink that drink for 3 days, nothing else. Then I got to add veggies and other foods gradually in the next 30 days. Only organic, whole foods. I also had to take a bunch of pills. I didn't really lose much and can't say it did anything for me.

I am feeling good! On the South Beach, your sugar and while flour products cravings goes away at abou 4 days and that is where I am. I was starting to crave sweets, but I am not now. Hope you are doing better!

I am so sorry!!! I guess my support group was not overreacting when I told them I wasn't getting enough water. They told me that the stomach could swell around the band due to dehydration, but I guess I really believe it now. She told me in extreme cases they'd have to remove the band. I am glad you are okay now. Just sip all day. I have a 24 ounces bottle by my bed and drink it in the morning. I have one at midday and one at night. for a total of 72 ounces a day. I also let the sipper bottle drip into my mouth when it was harder to keep liquids down.

Glad to hear you are doing well!!! Be careful with the juice, it gives diahrea. I had crystal light instead

Dr. Ortiz had done over 4000 bands and he has a full trauma unit. They have not ever had to use it. I had a great experience with him!

I also sprikled shredded cheddar on my eggs!!! Yummy!

My husband took me out to eat for Breakfast. Breakfast: cheese omelette, bell peppers, onions, sausage. I ate about 3/4 of a 3 egg omlette. So, about 2 eggs. Lunch: 8 small chicken parmesan meatballs in marinara sauce Snack: 10 almonds and 2 Laughing Cow cheese Dinner: 3 eggs steamed in tomato sauce and cheddar cheese melted on top Liquids: 24 ounces Water, 24 ounces of crystal light Supplements: QuickSlim20 Exercise: it was raining and my husband was home. I may get on the elyptical later. I feel great, I am happy with my food choices. On the South Beach, appetite is naturally curbed after about 4 days or so. I also weigh in on Friday. I feel even thinner!!! I am also adding True Lemon to my water and it makes me pee,so I am not retaining water.

What is bandsterme.com Are you sure you were talking to me?

It is going great!!! When I was not banded, it was the only diet where I lost. It also helped me detox from sugar and white flour products. You can make some stews with meat, veggies, cheese and still be on the beach. We can also have V8. I weigh in on Friday! I am eating great and feeling great too!! My appetite is under control and I have good energy. This is what i ate today. Cheese omellette with sausage, onions, bell pepper (husband took me to breakfast) and had about 1/2 the omelette and ate the insides, 8 chicken mozerlla meatballs, 10 almonds, 2 Laughing cow, so far... 48 ounces of water and crystal light.

He is awesome!!! I was very happy with every aspect of my surgery! He has done over 4000 and has trained a lot of doctors in the US. He told me what I lost depended on me. That I could lose 28 or 58 in 6 months if I followed the bandster rules, exercised, etc. You are in great hands!!!

I bought the Protein Nectars. I ordered samples from bariatriceating.com The Fuzzy Navel tastes like Tang. You mix with water and they are clear so I had them post op. They are really tasty. More fruity flavors.

Thanks for sharing!! Even if I am not hungry I eat 3 meals and 2 protein snacks. If I don't I don't get enough calories or protein. Live and learn. And thanks for letting us learn from you!:clap2:

Sounds great! Glad you are doing well.

Congrats! How's it going?

I had the glue too and I like the results better than the alternative. Don't forget your water/crystal light!!

I am so glad to hear all went well. I'd say the gas was the worst for me too. The heating pad helped me too. Also massaging my tummy to push out the gas. One tip someone told me about the Carnation Good Start is they would put it in a water bottle with a big opening and put it in the freezer for a few hours and drink it like a smoothie. I tried it and it was good. Try creamy split pea soup too and creamy chicken. Jello, V8 too

BAND EATING GUIDELINES, NUTRITION, FOODS and TIPS FOR BAND SUCCESS Basic Lap-Band Eating Rules Goals: To prevent vomiting or PB’ing, which can endanger your band. To produce healthy, slow weight loss. To adopt improved eating habits that will last for life, so you can MAINTAIN your weight loss this time. To regain good nutritional status. <DIR><DIR>Choose only good band foods. (most of the time – no one is perfect!) Choose only high quality foods, since you are eating so little. You’re worth the best! Start with a tiny bite – the size of a PEA. Chunks of food, or swallowing larger amounts, will block or hurt the stoma. Chew very well – a minimum of 15-20 times per bite. Later, you can adjust this to your own needs. Eat slowly. Put the fork DOWN between bites and listen for your "full" signal. Learn to savor every bite. Wolfing food must be in the past. No fluids with meals, or for one hour after eating. (Some docs stress 2 hours) No carbonation, as it is related to pouch dilation and erosions. Beer has carbonation, too. Eat the protein first, then the veggies, then other things if you have room. With a good fill, aim for about 1 cup mostly-solid food per meal. More can stretch your pouch. Eat for a maximum of 20-30 minutes only. Longer than this, and food will be leaving the pouch as you put more in, and you will take in too many calories. Don’t lie down for 2 hours after a meal. If you nap after lunch, use a recliner. An excellent time for exercise is after eating. Aim for 3 small, regular and planned meals a day, with 2 small protein snacks, if needed. With a good fill, you should not be hungry between meals, if you are choosing good Band foods. Before a good fill, do the best you can to choose only healthy foods, and limit quantities. Avoid eating solids within 2-3 hrs of bedtime, as this encourages reflux. Avoid taking medications at bedtime – take them one hour before bedtime with a full glass of water, to get them through the pouch. Meds at bedtime also encourage reflux. NEVER get more fill if you are having ANY trouble. You MUST master one level of fill before going higher. AVOID ALL liquid calories, once you are back on soft or regular foods. This includes juices and protein drinks. See "FOODS TO AVOID" for more information on this. </DIR></DIR>Band Nutritional Needs Goals: To obtain the needed nutrition to lose slowly and safely, so you can MAINTAIN your loss. To replenish nutrients you may not have gotten with previous, futile diet attempts. To start to regain your Health and prevent future diet-related illnesses and disease. . THE AVERAGE LOSS WITH THE BAND IS 1-2 # A WEEK, AVERAGED OVER A MONTH’S TIME. DO NOT EXPECT MORE! (If you are getting ALL the nutrients you need, and still lose faster – GREAT!) We also will never lose at a steady rate, or lose every single week or month. Regular breaks are normal and expected! <DIR><DIR>At least 1200-1500 cal a day, as soon as you have recovered from surgery and are able. Less than this, and you will likely not lose well, and you will be nutritionally deficient. The Band is about regaining health, not simply weight loss. LESS is NOT BETTER, and will easily stall weight loss. A good goal for most women is 1200-1500 cal a day, with a good fill. For most men, about 1600-2000 cal a day. Heavier people may need more at first, like 1800-2200 cal or more a day. . Figure out your BMR if you want to be specific, but this is not needed. Women: 50-60 grams of solid protein daily. (averaged over a week is fine) </DIR>25 gm fiber. (You may need a supplement if unable to obtain through food.) 1200 mg Calcium – if under 50 yrs of age 1500 mg Calcium if 50 or over and NOT on Estrogen. (CA supplements like chewable Viactiv are excellent) Men: 60-80 grams of solid protein daily (averaged over a week is fine) 25 grams fiber. 1200 mg calcium 4. 64-100 oz per day MINIMUM of no-calorie fluid, more in hot weather or with heavy exercise. Crystal light and other VERY low-cal fluids are ok. 2 glasses of nonfat milk daily are fine, for the Calcium content 5. Minimize or delete alcohol and coffee. Both are known gastric irritants, and alcohol is full of useless calories. Perhaps "buffer" the coffee with a non-fat milk, which adds protein too. 6. One daily, adult, chewable multi-vitamin. One additional daily B complex (Biotin) may also be helpful, but other supplements are not needed. Bandsters absorb all vitamins and minerals in food normally. Good Band Foods <DIR>Soft, high-quality meat, fish, chicken. Keep moist with low-cal sauces, gravies, marinade, lowfat gravies, salsas. Lean pork is excellent, and has fewer calories than chicken. Cook foods gently over lower heat. BBQ may be too dry. Avoid frying and greasy foods. Crock pots, pot roasts and stews are excellent to cook slowly and retain moisture. </DIR></DIR>3. Fiber cereals and fiber crackers. Read labels – Kashi Go Lean "Crunch" is full of protein and fiber. <DIR><DIR>Veggies. Non-fat dairy – nonfat milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, lowfat cheese. Small quantities of lower-cal fruits. Veggies have ALL the vits and minerals of fruit, but far fewer calories. Calories DO count! Lettuce Salads are NOT good nutrition, or good Band foods. Really! They have few calories and next-to-no nutrition, despite what we thought! Eat REAL, solid, nutritious food that will fill you and leave the pouch slowly. We’re NOT trying to eat as few calories as possible but ENOUGH to lose well. A Nice Chef Salad is fine, but eat all the good protein first, then a few bites of lettuce if you have room. </DIR></DIR> Good Bandster Snacks <DIR><DIR>Soft beef jerky, like Tillamook brand String cheese (lowfat) Yogurt, like Dannon "Lite N, Fit" – only 60 cal a cup. Carrots and celery, maybe dipped in nonfat salad dressing like Miracle Whip Air-popped popcorn (only) – no fats or oils. Nice crunch! Rice cakes – 50 cal each, and great crunch Baked, lowfat crackers with fiber – Triscuit, Wheat Thins Fiber cereal and nonfat milk Small, peeled apple or other lower-calorie fruit Low-cal fruit pop or lowfat ice cream/fudgesickle treat Hard-boiled egg, dipped in a nonfat dressing if you like Calorie-free hard candy. (Be careful! Sugar-free does not mean Calorie–free!!) </DIR> </DIR>Foods to Avoid / Problem Foods <DIR>Goal: To use your small pouch space for only the best nutrition and foods that will advance your weight loss. To AVOID barfing, and/or plugging up your stoma. <DIR>Potatoes, rice, white pasta, all breads/bagels – they are poor nutrition, and often plug up the stoma. ( The soy-based pastas are great, and have great fiber and protein. www.nutritionkitchen.com ) DRY foods – dry meat, dry salmon, dry crackers, dry eggs. Use low-cal sauces, gravies, marinades, salsas to moisten foods. A crockpot or slow cooker is ideal for cooking soft meats and fish. Citrus and fruit membranes are hard to chew adequately – cross-cut into tiny pieces, chew very well. Poor quality meats with fat and gristle are often not tolerated. Choose a small, soft, high-quality steak or other meat instead. STRINGY foods can be hard to chew well – artichokes, broccoli STALKS AVOID peels – apple, pear, peach, tomato, grape etc – very hard to chew well enough. Peel fruits. Eat RAISINS individually and chew very well. NO LIQUID CALORIES – an important basic Band Rule. Avoid all juices, (nothing but sugar water) sodas (diet or not), and caloried fluids. VERY low-cal fluids like Crystal Light are fine. V8 is only 50 cal a glass, and full of vits. </DIR>You may also have 2 glasses of nonfat milk per day, if you like, to meet calcium needs. <DIR>Mimimize alcohol. Protein drinks are also just liquid calories and good to AVOID once you are back onto soft foods. The Band does not work with ANY FLUID. Solids require burning of calories to digest. Liquids do not. Liquids like protein drinks also do not keep you full. MOST foods will work fine, if you remember to start with pea-sized bites and then CHEW VERY WELL. This just takes time and practice to learn new habits. </DIR></DIR> Stop Eating at the First Sensation of "Full" 1. "Full" with the band is means: "comfortable, just enough, satisfied, not hungry any longer." It does NOT mean "stuffed, uncomfortable, way too much." (as before banding) If you get this full with the band, you will likely vomit and have problems. 2. Learn your own "soft stop" signals. They can be one or more of the following: a single burp, a single hiccup, a sudden sneeze, sudden runny nose, sinus pressure, pressure in the center of your chest, general uncomfortable feeling in your chest, abdomen, or back, shoulder pain. Stop eating! Even if you must spit out what is already in your mouth. A "hard stop" is when you have missed the "soft stop" signs, and continue to eat more so You vomit or "slime". 3. It may take awhile for your eyes and brain to accept that the small portion on your plate really is enough food. Just takes practice. Tips for Eating out <DIR><DIR>Consider ordering an appetizer for your entrée. Things like a shrimp cocktail are ideal. Then, </DIR>Maybe, nab a few bites of a veggie, if you have room, from your friend or spouse. <DIR>Don’t even go into fast food places. Avoid the temptation. One fatty, junk meal there will likely sabotage several day’s worth of good efforts. It will also not keep you full. </DIR>3. Plan your meals and choose only good places. Avoid "all you can eat" places. 4. Ask for a "doggie bag" when you order. When the meal comes, put everything except a small Bandster portion into the doggie bag and out of sight. General tips <DIR>Plan healthy meals ahead of time. This helps avoid grabbing whatever is in sight. Stick to your grocery list. Never shop for food when you are hungry. A good time is right after breakfast or lunch. Aim for 3 meals a day, with possibly 1-2 small PLANNED protein snacks. Avoid grazing all day. The band will not work with grazing, or with soft or liquid calories. Eat more veggies and less fruit. Fruit is largely sugar, and veggies have all the same vitamins and minerals, with far fewer calories. Put only a small Bandster portion of food on your plate. Don’t eat from a large platter. Try new foods, and foods you didn’t like before. After banding, our tastes often change, and you’ll find you really like some new things. Try fish –Talapia, especially, is delicious and excellent, soft protein in an easy-to-eat form. Try all veggies again, and with good sauces. Be creative! Try using a salad-sized plate and a cocktail-sized fork and spoon, if you have trouble accepting that that small portion is all you need. Drink a full glass of cold water right before eating, as this will help fill you, as well as lubricating your throat and mouth so it is easier not to drink with meals. If you have pain with the first few bites, this may be esophageal spasms. Try drinking a cup of hot fluid right before you start to eat, to relax the stoma. If not better, ask for help online and from your doctor. There is medication that can be used, if needed, and possibly a very small unfill. Any good Heart-Healthy cookbook will have great recipes, if you choose those with good Band foods. </DIR>Eating tips: <DIR>Don’t expect to change old habits overnight. It took us many years to become obese, and it will take weeks and months to change those bad habits for the better. No one is perfect. Just continue to do better and better every day. Make a small sign to put in front of you at the table: TINY BITES! CHEW! These will become automatic with time and practice, and are very essential. Turn off the TV and distractions. Concentrate on eating correctly. Remove glasses of fluid from your place at the table, to avoid temptation. Drink a big glass of water shortly before eating, to lubricate your mouth and throat. Then you will not need to drink with meals. This is called "Water Loading" and will help fill you – for NO calories. Use a cocktail-sized fork and spoon to help you remember "tiny bites." Use a salad plate to make your meals look bigger. Make it a point to sit down at the table for all meals, where you can eat consciously and pay attention to what you are doing. Turn off the TV and other distractions. Stews and crockpots are ideal – moist, soft meat and veggies. Avoid the potatoes and rice. Some frozen entrees are good for lunches, as long as you choose the ones with no potatoes, rice, or pasta. Watch the salt, too, as it causes water retention. The Weight Watchers Smart Choice meals with meat and veggies only are excellent. Plan healthy meals and include regular small treats. Don’t grab whatever is in sight for dinner. Enlist the help of your family so you are all eating healthier and avoiding junk and sweets, except for the occasional treat. Children, especially, need a good diet, as there is a great increase in young children developing diabetes from poor diet and lack of exercise. Don’t even have junk in the house. Don’t buy a gallon of ice cream. Avoid the temptation. If you decide to have an ice cream treat, GO OUT to get one cone or dish. </DIR>Medications <DIR>All meds should be smaller than an aspirin, which is about the size of the stoma. You may need to use liquid meds, or a different brand, or cut up tabs. Be sure the meds you take CAN safely be cut – your pharmacist is a good resource for this. Be especially careful of antibiotics, as they are very irritating to the stoma and have caused many problems. Liquid antibiotics are safest, but SMALL capsules or cut-up tabs are ok if washed through. Follow ALL meds with a full glass of water or milk, to wash them completely through the pouch. Generally, all NSAIDS should be avoided, as they are severe gastric irritants. A few days may be allowed by your doc, if there is no choice – but be very cautious. A few people may have no choice but to take NSAIDs, for severe arthritis, for instance. They should be carefully followed. Avoid taking any medications right at bedtime – take them one hour before, to avoid reflux. </DIR>Problems <DIR>If you vomit, stop eating. Have nothing more for 1-2 hours, then you may have liquids again. Have liquids only for the next meal, to allow your stoma time to rest and heal. Vomiting causes irritation and swelling of the stoma. Think of why you vomited, so you can prevent it the next time: Eating too fast? Too big a bite? Not chewing well enough? Drinking with or within an hour after eating? Choosing poor band foods? Didn’t stop eating soon enough? If you feel as if something is really stuck in your stoma, don’t panic. There is no immediate danger. DO NOT try to eat or drink anything more, as this will make it worse. Put a warm heating pad on your chest to relax the stoma. If you continue with problems for more than a few hours, call your surgeon. </DIR></DIR>PLEASE Don’t Despair! These may seem like a lot of rules and guidelines, but they will all become automatic, with time and practice. Most of us have many years of poor eating habits to change, and this cannot be done overnight. Remember, what you WERE doing led to your obesity, so there must be changes made if you want to lose weight and get healthy again, and then MAINTAIN your loss. These goals are all the IDEAL – but No one can do everything perfectly, and the Band does not require perfection. YOU CAN DO THIS!! A few of these points may differ slightly from your own doctor’s suggestions, so discuss them with him/her. All the above incorporates all the basic band rules from the manufacturer, from the Inamed Patient Guide, from the Inamed classes for Band professionals, from general nutritiona basic needs, and from my own successful band journey, as well as the great many Bandsters I have both taught and learned from over the past 3+ years. Band knowledge is still evolving and improving every day. The Period Before the First Fill Most people find that their hunger returns a few days after surgery. This is entirely normal. The band is not working, for most, until they get to a good fill level. You may be unable to eat much at a time for a few days or even a few weeks, until the surgical swelling goes down. It’s essential, still, to get in enough fluids – at least 64 oz a day. If you cannot, please call your surgeon. You also need some good calories and protein to heal and have good energy, so choose good foods as allowed on your post-op diet. Many are able to eat as much as before banding, until they have a good fill. Many do not lose weight in the first 6-8 weeks, unless they are very careful to choose low-cal foods and start with good exercise. Before a good fill, you will probably be able to eat the foods that will cause trouble later. But start to learn and practice all the Band rules even now, so there are fewer sudden changes needed later. C Sandy Richards, BA, BSN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist Dr. Pedro Kuri, banded 3/25/03 Maintaining at goal for> 2.5 years as of July, 2006 www.BandsterME.com - Bandster Motivation and Education Site, and "LapBand Success" Guide Imagery CD’s for Bandster behavioral changes http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SmarterBandsters/ - Sandy and Dan’s online Band teaching forum – personal answers to all band questions and concerns http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr_Kuri/ - Dr. Kuri’s private online teaching and support Forum MoonshadowRN@yahoo.com - Sandy’s email address <DIR> </DIR>

I don't necessarily take it for appetite for now, but it helps with energy and supports weight loss, metabolism, etc. But, it doesn suppress the apptite very well!

I got sick to and started popping the Airbornne. That is the only thing that helped me.

Welcome to the Beach!!! If you look at the beginning of the thread there are different menus and recipes. You can take cheese, cold cuts rolled with cream cheese are a couple of examples. Let's just encourage each other! I am barely getting my butt back on the workout train! I belong to a gym and have gone once. I also have an elyptical trainer I got on. Just start slow and with what you have at home. I also have some dance videos and aerobic videos. I usually post what I eat, drink, supplements, and exercise. I also do it so I can look back and see what I ate and what worked for me. Aslo what I ate that kept me at a plateau. Talk to you soon!:clap2:

Thats cool!!!

The water intake is really important so I just sipped little sips all day. I just tried to get in as much as I could. I also held the tip of a water sipper and let the water drip,drip,drip down my throat. That didn't back up on me. I just also laid straight in my bed with lots of fluffy pillows. I also laid on my heating pad and that felt good.

Yeah, I tried not to weigh in the beginning just because of all the Fluid fluctuation. Relax and have fun!!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I can't wait to hear how you do!!!