Search the Community

I also took your post as a conversation starter. That is a big issue sometimes with all of this 'written communication' is interpretation of tone and intent sometimes. My answers to your inquiry are as follows: 1) Vitamin query - I'm still on vitamin patches only and I have had 1 day each week where I've forgotten to put on a new patch. The 2nd time I forgot, I was back at the hospital getting IV fluids and find out my blood thinning levels were way too high. I let the vitamin patch slide when I got home as I momentarily was simply overwhelmed. I also have huge invested interest in trying to do anything to stave off as much hair loss as possible. I understand that I can still do all the very SMALL things that MAY have a slight impact (or not) on trying to reduce hair loss and it may not matter one iota. However, I will at least know that I did all that anyone has suggested/can think of/ dr input/ veteran input, etc. In the end, what will come...will come. And probably on Month 4 when I'm on a cruise ship! 2) Regarding NSAID's - ABSOLUTEY not cuz am on a blood thinner so I've been used to avoiding these since 2011. It would be a great threat to me physically, especially these days. I also remember a woman I worked with for 10 yrs who downed multiple doses of Ibuprofen throughout the day..way more than suggested & ended up with MAJOR issues in the hospital with her stomach/intestines and that sticks in the back of my mind. 3) Eating out - too afraid & am supposed to just start purees tomorrow. After my experience today, am going to throttle that back & talk to Dr. When time comes that I felt am ok with eating out, I'll go to places where I know I can order a healthy/clean meal. This is an area I identified as potential weakness as my emotional/mental wellbeing needs more work. I do however follow a fun thread of BEFORE & AFTER food/meal pics and have learned a lot of easy things. Also learned that I'm online with some AMAZINGLY gifted cooks and meal 'wonder workers'. There are also ppl like Fluffychix and others that will help out with ppl seeking easier ways to get their meals at home. One mental/or experience advantage I have is that I was a member of AA/NA for many yrs and I still keep at heart the warning to stay away from people, places and things that can jeopardize my 12 step program or 'insert goal here' Err..I forgot the other questions! LOL

My Gastric Band was eating me alive! It was December 2009 when I was at my heaviest, 18sone 8pounds appox 119 kg, i won’t bore you with my medical problems/history but, after one heart attack, type 1 diabetes, and a stroke I was a walking time bomb ! You get the picture My BMI was not enough to have a Gastric Band on the NHS. I tracked down a surgeon who was supposedly the best in the UK. After a few consultations he stated a lap band would help. He would not entertain any other option Surgery was performed no real problems, a bit sore but nothing unexpected i was in hospital for two days and was discharged. I had a few problems post surgery, vomiting because I was eating and drinking at the same time (my brain wasn’t in total sync) I was going to the gym and weighing myself every week. The weight came off very slowly. I could NOT get under 99 kgs for many months. I still had my appetite. I stayed a steady 99 kgs, it was a great day when i got under 99kg. In January 2011 i moved to Thailand for a short break. Whilst in Thailand my weight dropped to about 85 kg. I put this down to a change in food etc. Whilst in Thailand I had consultation with a Lap band specialist, i asked him to “loosen” the band as I felt I was losing a bit too much weight, I looked rather gaunt and felt very tired. He agreed and a week later I attended the hospital where he removed 2ml from the band. He told me that I had 8 ml in the band which in his opinion was far too tight and was very restrictive. I left the hospital feeling ok and carried on with normal day to day living. One day I felt unwell and attended a local doctors surgery, The Thai doctor who could not speak good English told me I needed a blood test (the results would be back it 24 hours) The following morning i had a phone call the doctor telling me to go straight to his surgery. I knew by the tone of his voice all was not well, I just had that feeling. I attended his surgery and he thrust a piece of paper in front of me. It was the blood test result. It was obviously in the Thai language but he carefully tried to explain the results. He said very calmly “Cholesterol good, INR good, indication of stomach cancer, everything else OK”. Somewhat shocked I asked what he meant “stomach cancer”. Indication of stomach cancer he tells me, you must go now to hospital for endoscopy and colonenspoy. I was somewhat shell shocked to say the least! I went to the Bangkok hospital where i was met by another doctor who performed the dreaded endoscopy and colonspoy. After coming round from the procedure my first question was “is it cancer” The doctor tells me she is 99.99% it isn’t cancer. She says that “something not right in your tummy plastic thing in colon and tummy”. It dawns on me that she must mean my gastric band. I am immediately sent to see the Gastric Band expert. I sit down and he scratches his head” Not seen before” he calmly smiles and I ask him what does he mean? He tells me “the band is eating into you must come out soon” What does he mean “eating into me” he tries to explain but with the language barrier I had difficulty understanding exactly what he was telling me? I asked again what had happened, he shakes his head and keeps looking at a DVD of the procedure, he was pointing at a small yellow tube saying “ it goes into your colon should not be there never seen before” I question him as one would, “what happens now” We remove, very complicated operation, me do for £16.000, you stay in hospital for about week. Whoa hang on, no way am I letting him near me, it wasn’t the money or lack of confidence in his ability it was maybe a second opinion was needed? He told me in his very charming way that this “not life threatening -yet”. What does that exactly mean I queried He says “Ah you could get fever; poison in body then very serious, could die if not removed” I thanked the kindly doctor and made my way home. I was in a daze, my head was spinning, what do I do. I had no insurance for this type of operation I didn’t particularly want to stay in Thailand and wait for the worse. Mind made up, no option back to UK ASAP. My flight was booked for two weeks later. During this time arrangements had been made for me to have a consultation with the surgeon in the UK who performed my initial gastric band surgery. At the meeting I explained everything that happened in Thailand and the findings/opinion of the Thai doctor. My surgeon seemed “sceptical” at this point, he wanted to do his own investigations and another endoscopy was booked for three weeks time. Come the day I attended hospital and was met by the surgeon, the endoscopy was performed and he confirmed that all was not well. The gastric band had eaten into stomach and the colon was invaded by a tube from the band. Erosion of the band is not uncommon, but eating into and through colon really is. There have only been two other people in the world who have had this problem I am told by my surgeon, he has never seen this condition before. This is a real eye opener for him! I am glad he finds this interesting! Last week i had the gastric band removed. The operation lasted two hours, no complications I am told. I was in hospital for 6 days. I don’t feel any different now at all. The ticking time bomb has been defused! I know weight just under 12 stone, still look gaunt, no appetite. BUT IAM STILL ALIVE! I do not blame anybody for this problem, it just happened to me

Hi Linda just wondering how the op went? I think it was you that was posting with queries about your preop diet and having to eat extra to get through, am i correct? Did you end up sticking to the preop diet in the end or not and did it have an effect on your surgery?

And I also do not drink, smoke or take NSAIDs any longer, to put it even more seriously I am not allowed to be in the,presence of an Active Smoker as the actual smoke as well as the residue,on their clothing could worsen mine.Makes me somewhat,of a Social Pariah, I now wear a jelly bracelet that states " Secondhand Smoke Kills" in case someone queries me. Ah, it is what it is, my friends!😭😪😥💦

Search the forum and you'll see this has been queried and answered many, many times. Make sure you supplement some sources of fiber (Benefiber, Metamucil - unflavored powders), drink lots and lots of fluids and walk/exercise!

just a query here how the heck do you find a bike where the tyres don't look like they are flat the minute you sit on them i use to love bike riding but hav't done it for a long time if someone can give me the name of a good strong bike i think i might treat myself for chrissy

Oh yeah. I told my mother, even though I knew it would invite constant queries about my weight loss, because it seems like my weight is her constant concern. Turned out she was the only one to visit me in hospital, so it was a good thing. It's funny, the things we have to put up with.

Where is inner surfer girl? She always posts her previous thread which is so well written an calming Nibria56- query " embrace the stall" and see what comes up -- all your questions will be answered Good luck Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My initial weight nearly three years ago was the BMI they registered. When I queried the weight loss, I was told that "I had surplus". I went weeks with no nutrition at all. They did give me saline with glucose once while in hospital. They only weighed me in once! Lol And whenever I go in, no one mentions weightloss. The guy with the tracheotomy is much worse off. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi to you all I've been reading through lots of posts researching the VSG which I am hoping to get....its been so informative and I must say a huge thank you all for sharing. I'm English but living in Spain, have done for the past 7 yrs now, and am researching having the op done either here in Spain or maybe back in the UK. I've got so many queries, but am answering some the more I read....but a quick general one regarding food post op for the long termers... Are you still able to eat everything? Spicy food? Sushi? Rare steak etc? I understand the quantities will change dramatically, but just wondered about those as they are my favs..... Also what happens when you reach your goal, how do you go about maintaining without keeping on loosing? I have a BMI of 35.6, (having lost 17lbs since October) and would ideally like to be about the 20 level instead. But think the VSG could be the answer to a lifetime of yoyo dieting and bad eating habits.

Hi I hope you don’t mind me posting like this, but I wondered if any of you might be able to help. To introduce myself, my name is Henry Austin and I am a North American Correspondent for Look magazine in the UK. Please see our website at www. Look.co.uk We are a large weekly women’s magazine, similar in style to People in North America and we pride ourselves on ensuring the welfare of people who are good enough to entrust us with their stories and experiences. My editors have asked me to find a young lady between the ages of 19 and 31 who has lost a large amount of weight after having a lap band. While maybe slightly unrealistic they asked for about 250lbs. We were hoping it might be possible to interview them and produce a feature for our magazine. Please rest assured that if someone decided to go ahead, everything would be treated with the utmost care and sensitivity. They would remain in control of the procedure throughout and I would not do anything without your prior agreement. As with everyone I write about, I would also guarantee to read everything back to you before publication to ensure both accuracy and your happiness with the piece. While I’m sure it is not a prime consideration, it is my duty to inform you that we do compensate everyone for their time in speaking with us or indeed make a donation to the charity of church of their choice. This is usually $1000, although this can rise at the editor’s discretion. If at any point you have any queries please by all means e-mail me at henry.austin@yahoo.ca and I will be happy to answe them for you. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and may I wish you all, all the best for the future. Kind regards Henry

Hi, I just read this article today. You said you had a 10cm band and it talks about that. Thought I would let you read it for yourself. Not sure it has anything to do with the problem you had but wanted to share it with you. I am so sorry you had to go through this. Praying for your complete recovery. Hugs, Deb <DT class=head id=head17303945><INPUT type=checkbox value=17303945 name=uid>1: Med Princ Pract. 2007;16(2):110-3. <SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var PopUpMenu2_LocalConfig_jsmenu3Config = [ ["ShowCloseIcon","yes"], ["Help","window.open('/entrez/query/static/popup.html','Links_Help','resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,status=no,menubar=no,copyhistory=no,alwaysRaised=no,depend=no,width=400,height=500');"], ["FrameTarget","_top"], ["TitleText"," Links "]]var jsmenu3Config = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""]]//--></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2><!--var Menu17303945 = [ ["UseLocalConfig","jsmenu3Config","",""], ["LinkOut","http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=pubmed_AbstractPlus&cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=17303945&dopt=ExternalLink","",""]]//--></SCRIPT> Links </DT><DD class=abstract id=abstract17303945>Slippage after Adjustable Gastric Banding according to the Pars Flaccida and the Perigastric Approach. Khoursheed M, Al-Bader I, Mohammad AI, Soliman MO, Dashti H. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. Objective: To evaluate laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the 'pars flaccida' techniques for treating morbidly obese patients. Subjects and Methods: Between May 1999 and July 2002, 64 patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The 'perigastric' technique was performed in the first 31 patients. From September 2000 the band was positioned according to the 'pars flaccida' technique in the remaining 33 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 - 'perigastric' technique using Lap-Band size 9.75 and 10 cm (31 patients); group 2 - 'pars flaccida' technique using Lap-Band size 10 cm (12 patients), and group 3 - 'pars flaccida' technique using the Swedish band (21 patients). There were 58 females and 6 males with a mean age of 36.6 years (range 17-56). The preoperative mean body mass index was 46.2 kg/m(2). Results: Band slippage occurred in 10/31 patients (32.2%) of group 1, 3/12 patients (25%) of group 2 and none in group 3 patients (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The 'pars flaccida' technique significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative slippage after gastric banding. This complication is further reduced in the Swedish band group. Furthermore, we do not recommend using the 10-cm Lap-Band in the 'pars flaccida' technique. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel. PMID: 17303945 [PubMed - in process] </DD>

Hi Blackanese, I'm impressed with your credentials. Would u google amazing meal Protein powder and give me your opinion? Its 110 calories but we aren't counting that. I wonder how my doc would've replied to your query. But he's very authoritarian and doesn't brook challenging questions. He has a scientific response to everything...even jokes. I happened to meet him in the hosp cafeteria where he was buying a small bottle of regular coke. "That's not on the list," I teased him. He grinned. But when we met in his office he launched into a tirade about how the media burns certain "facts" about products into our brains that we accept without question because everyone says it. And then justified his drinking the coke as nutritionally as good as orange juice. I can't win with him. And since I had the protein shakes 3 days in a row, my wt is frozen in place. Gah. Off to swim

@@FrankiesGirl Fantastic response to the OP's query... And still losing 6-10 pounds per month is great. Well done to you... @@TmmyC Apologies for hijacking your thread... I've nothing to add to the above post... Good luck to you... Kinda

I had a RNY so I try and answer some of the queries from this type of surgery. Since you had a DS, you can add valuable insight for others going through this surgical process. It is not that common, so your insight could be very valuable.

Galfriday--like you, i am not a sweets person pre surgery, but an eat too much person (loved bread). Not having a sweet tooth makes the rules a bit easier I think. Michigangirl--interesting timing for me on your query. I have been on plateau for 10 days at 202 lbs., but lost 4 lbs the last 4 days. During which time I ate 2 slices pizza, blueberries, extra yogurt, some m and m's at val party. All in moderation. I am insulin dependent diabetic, so usually no fruit or bread. It is nice not to feel deprived and lose weight. All things in moderation!

I don't think my opinion is more valuable than yours but what I do try to do is present facts in a balanced manner without scaring the crap out of people.If you read the original post I made on this thread you should be able to see that that is what I have tried to do. On the other hand whenever I get an email notification with the name formerlyfluffy I know before I even read it that it will be some kind of antiband rant. It is obvious that you have had a bad experience with the band, however that should not mean that you try to turn everyone off having a band. Bands have been very successfull for many people. My father had a very bad experience with hip replacement surgery. So bad that he was reoperated on many times and came close to dying. Does that mean that I should now advise people against having hip replacement surgery as they may be the unlucky person that has something go wrong? You are also keen to promote the sleeve yet it appears that you don't yet have one.Maybe you should hesitate to sing it's praises until you know for sure that it is as wonderful as you think it is. When it comes to statistics one also has to be very careful of the source. It is a well known fact that the same set of statistics can be manipulated in such a way as to prove whatever the person using the stats wants to prove.When searching on the internet lots of different stats can come up for the same query. There are also far fewer people on the VSG board than on the band board. And you would probably be pushed to find any other than Tiffykins that has been banded for more than 2 years. So yes some have been through both surgeries and have found the sleeve more to their satisfaction, but the question is will they still be happy in 2 or 3 years time? It has frequently been said that there is no one size suits all surgery. It is important for each person to look at themselves and evaluate what they are and aren't prepared to do in order to achieve success.This decision combined with the advice of the Dr should be the best guide. Sometimes however mistakes are made. people with bands discover they need the malabsorption from a bypass, people with bypasses discover how to eat around it and decide to get a band over bypass etc. There is no one size suits all absolute solution. But the best way to make an informed decision is with solid facts rather than scaremongering.

I didnt answer your main query - i eventually hit a permanent plateau after a couple of months long ones. The last ten pounds took me a year to lose, i wasnt a driven dieter with a weekly weight loss goal. My body just stopped at a bmi of around 21

Thats Ok Argon. I love the fact she is looking for aftercare. You can't imagine how I have been jumped on for mentioning aftercare. Seems there are a few sensitive people out there that don't like me reminding potential bandsters to ensure they have good aftercare. The perception of after care on people starting their research is much different to the reality. Can't imagine why there is such pressure for me to be quiet, unless of course, they represent a particular clinic. Anyway, Argon I think or hope we have helper this person on the start of her queries.

I am taking notes - what a great come back to an ignorant indiviual. What courage you have!!!! Best wishes on your journey!!!! you will be very successful. This is not an easy or wreckless journey we take upon ourselves and our families. From the posts on this site, one can see that the people here have fought long and hard to do something that comes easy to others (I never can trust people who's legs don't rub together). We research, ask questions, query doctors and fight ourselves over this decision that is for the rest of our lives. Nothing about the surgery is easy, we will be focused, determined and SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!! YEAH FOR US!!!!!! THE DOERS OF THE WORLD!!!!

Hello All: At this point I consider myself the guru to the guru of BCBS's policy for gastric surgery. I will share everything I know. (background, I have been at this since September) an exclusion in the policy reads like this: Blue Care for Large Groups Member Handbook: Section 15: Covered Services Introduction "Covered Services Expenses for the health care services listed below will be covered under the Group Plan only if the services are: 4. not specifically limited or exluded..." Section 22: Exclusions and Limitations "Exclusions 49. Weight control services including any service to lose, gain, or maintain weight, including without limitation: any weight control/loss program; appetite suppressants; dietary regimens; food or food supplements; excercise programs, equipment or memberships; or surgical procedures." ..........................................SNIP That is what my policy reads like. I'm going to my employer to the medical insurance committee and appealing for a purchase of a rider to specifically include gastric surgery ( Lap Band ). That meeting for me is January 31st. My position is I pay for insurance, I have a condition my physician has deemed medically necessary, the insurance I pay for does not cover it because my company purchased that exclusion in the contract. Now on to the other questions and comments. About that "investigational" argument and that it is NOT covered because it is still investigational. That is incorrect. You want to call them back and speak to a supervisor and tell them you were told it was excluded because it is investigation and referr them to this memo from BCBS Corporate which changes it out of investigative to approved. This is the Press Release regarding the procedure from BCBS in November of 2006, it reads: http://www.bcbs.com/betterknowledge/tec/press/ The following Assessments and Special Reports were acted on at the November 2, 2006, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Advisory Panel (MAP) meeting: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity The MAP concluded that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity meets the TEC criteria, when performed in appropriately selected patients, by surgeons who are adequately trained and experienced in the specific techniques used, and in institutions that support a comprehensive bariatric surgery program, including long-term monitoring and follow-up post-surgery. Articles from BCBS about gastric surgery: http://www.bluecares.com/about/search.jsp?query=gastric Find your BCBS company for your state where you can go to the search engine and look up GASTRIC for hits on information for their policy. http://www.bcbs.com/coverage/find/plan/ Hey Airwayman.....might want to PRINT this and fax it to your insurance company. It's BCBS of NC's policy for medical code 43770 Adjustable Gastric Banding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( you do have to meet the criteria which is there to read) https://www.bcbsnc.com/services/medical-policy/pdf/surgery_for_morbid_obesity.pdf

on that same note.... I'm a Canadian and on some of my travels to the US I have gotten some strange queries. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying all Americans are this "daft" but these ones certainly were!!! When some Americans find out I'm Canadian, they assume the strangest things about Canada. I've been asked the fol (the scary thing being that they were indeed, serious!): - "do you live in an Igloo?" - " do you eat whale blubber?" - " do you have grass"? - "oh, you live in Canada? You must know my cousin, twice removed..." (yeah, cause there is ONLY 300 people who live in Canada and so the chances are good....) -"Your King rules Canada doesn't he" I've had Americans think the capitol of Canada is Quebec. Quebec is a PROVINCE, not a city (altho there is Quebec City). The funniest was..."oh Canada. Ya, I heard you have a mall up there now". "A mall?", says I. "Ummmmm, yeah, we actually have a lot of malls in Canada...now that we have roads and such". "That's good...malls are good for the economy", he says. "errrr ya, we're not gonna be part of the 3rd world anymore". AAAARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Hi Guys There is certainly some clear explanations that can help you. It is quite an answer, t help I have developed a 20min master class video which will certainly answer your queries. The link is following https://helen-bauzon1.aweb.page/p/d4ff1c92-6d88-4860-bd57-cc44aaa50e3a Please take a look and then feel free to ask any question to clarify I find the biggest issue, is that most people actually forget how the band works, this may sounds odd. The band does not create a small stomach but rather a 30ml funnel.

Bolingbrook, wow isn't that where Drew Peterson is from? Yikes, stay away from him. I know that is off topic but hope you get a good response from your query. Support is the name of the game.

Blownaway, YODA has some very good points. Niserine will guide you thru it but you do have to ask - you can e-mail or call her - I found I often received a reply within hours of e-mailing her. I too was on the 2 week pre-op diet and the first week was chicken and yogurt (I can't even stand the smell of cottage cheese) and the second week was yogurt and TONS of Water. It sure works after the first few "headache" days. This board is a great meeting place and so is the reception area of the TLBC so use it to your advantage. If others aren't talking strike up a conversation - chances are they have been thru it before or have the same questions you do and someone there will be sure to answer all your queries. I love "visiting" when I go down for a fill - and that's another story! Have a great Christmas and let us know how you're doing.