donali

Teresa - you eat it/drink it. I don't think it has any topical benefits.

Wow, Vera. I would have thought your procedure would have produced weightloss in and of itself. I had a friend in the late 70's that had one of the very last bowel bypasses done for WLS. She lost a ton of weight, but was very miserable for a long time with vomiting, diarrhea, etc. We've lost touch, so I don't know how well this has worked as a long term solution. I know that by the time we parted ways, she had not changed her eating habits - eating tons of candy, I think because subconsciously she felt like she was starving because the weight was dropping off so fast. Of course I have no idea what specific differences there are between the bowel bypass and what you had done, but in my mind it seems like your bowel was totally bypassed... I can't imagine how much that must have hurt - was it horrible? **hugs**

I have never heard that the esophagus becomes smaller... However, the band rests just below the esophagus, and when you get a fill, the space between the band and the bottom of your esophagus (your pouch) fills up with food/water more quickly, and can back up and push against the bottom of your esophagus, causing pain/discomfort. If anything, a possible complication would be dilatation of the esophagus, where it gets stretched out because of food not being able to pass into the pouch because the pouch is already full. Stretching the esophagus weakens the sphincter that keeps stomach acid from coming into the esophagus, resulting in reflux. So it is important not to get too tight of a fill where you get a lot of food backing up, and to stop eating when your pouch is full.

ROTFLMAO! Good to know I will NOT be in H3LL alone!!!

Jennye!!!! So good to hear from you!! You've been missed. CONGRATS on the condo sale, and the new house. When's the housewarming? lol So come to Vegas with us, 10/8, 9 & 11! You know you want to....

SHELLY!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic job, girl!!! You must be so proud of yourself. Gosh, you look SO slender!!! Whooo hoooo!!!! :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana

No need to worry - as teeny of an amount 1cc is, it makes a HUGE amount of difference in the band. I doubt you would need 4ccs to be totally closed off.

Terry - you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I won't even say anything else. Just let us know what happens, and we'll go from there!!!! (((((((((((Terry))))))))))))))))

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not crying, but I love all you guys too. Penni, did you slip in "NEXT MONTH"?!?!?! OMG - I can't imagine doing this EVERY MONTH!! No, my mind just can't wrap around that concept... owwww it's like brain freeze, only warmer... lol lol

Normal phenomen. No, it isn't permanent. There's a lot of debate about what, if anything can be done about it. I personally tend to side with the "nothing you do will make a difference" camp, but then I'm lazy and hate taking Vitamins and spending money on super fancy specialized stuff that never seems to work for me anyway. It will eventually stop - honest.

How did I miss this post?!?!?! Sorry Penni! You are well over the first fill hump by now... How's it going? lol

Hi Sultana!! Welcome back, and I'm doing great!! Thanks for all your kind thoughts. Glad you had a lovely vacation! Whoo hooo! Losing a pound on vacation???? Awesome!!

Hi Blossom, and welcome!!! Congrats on your steps to a new and healthier life. I hope all goes smoothly with your insurance. Keep us posted!!

And since the thickness of the walls of everyone's stomach varies, due to body fat and genetics, the "tightness" of the band is very individual. There are only three types of fill amount: just right, too little, and too much. And only YOU can decide which of those applies to your fill. Knowing your fill level is only helpful as a point of reference for yourself - other than that, it's pretty meaningless.

Speedy recovery!! Welcome to bandland!!!

Hi Ruth - I didn't think you were being negative!! The horror story comment was basically aimed towards your friend who said she'd heard horror stories about the band, and therefore decided on the bypass. It is EXTREMELY important to know ALL the things that can possibly go wrong, the likelihood of those complications, and whether or not you can accept the risks and the financial implications that complications involve. I think one of the reasons why I am not angry/bitter about my erosion is because I did my research, I knew it was a possibility, and I accepted the risk. Sure, I wish I hadn't fallen into the 1-3%, but to me it was a risk worth taking. I take full responsibility for my decision. So although I am disappointed, of course, those are the breaks. Sometimes your number comes up - for good and for bad. I have no right to complain. And as much as I needed and relied on the band, having it removed was not the end of my life - it is just another opportunity to use other tools I have acquired along the way. I edited my post of list of complications to include "obstruction" - I forgot about that. You could get something stuck in the stoma, and have to have the offending piece removed by scope, or by having your band emptied of all fill. Again, that could quickly become an emergent situation if you were completely obstructed, but the solution is relatively easy, particularly if removal of fill rectifies the problem. Best of luck with your banding - I think you will love the results. I know I did!

Hi Ruth - If you're interested in horror stories you'd have much more fodder reading RnY sites (NOT bashing RnY, just being truthful). Slippage and erosion are considered the worst complications. The other things like vomiting are generally things the patient has control over, and also affects RnYers as well. There is also chances of port infections, and some general discomfort due to the port itself. Many people can forget all about the equipment installed inside of them, others may always have a twinge here and there. My port was almost always a little uncomfortable, and I did tear the sutures and have to have the port repositioned. That required another surgery. Slippage and erosion generally require another surgery - for slippage, either to reposition or remove the band, for erosion to remove the band. Sometimes these complications are extremely painful, and can be an emergent-type situation. Vomiting is always a concern once you're banded, as it can cause slippage, or even in severe cases it can twist the stomach, cutting off blood flow and requiring emergency surgery. I have only heard of that happening once, but I'm sure it has happened more often. These types of complications are generally rare - slippage occurs more frequently than erosion. Erosion rates are listed as 1-3%. It is possible that in a severe slippage or erosion case that permanent damage could be done to the stomach - but generally that is not the case. I think the VAST majority of people do well with the band, with minor to no unpleasant side effects. I am unaware of any other possible complications besides: vomiting (usually under patient control) equipment failure (port disconnects, leaking tubing) infection obstruction reflux slippage erosion Of course, there is always the possibility of surgeon error, regardless of the type of surgery. Hope this helps. As far as why do I think the band works? 1. The band rests on the vagal nerve, stimulating a full feeling. 2. It restricts the passage of food from the pouch to the lower stomach, creating stomach "stretch" on a smaller amount of food, which also turns on the "full" signal. 3. With good restriction, it becomes impossible to overeat solid food. 4. The band MAKES you eat slower, and chew better - habits recommended to all people. Patient behaviour can defeat the band - it is just a tool. The patient has to be willing to work with the band, and make permanent lifestyle changes. This is not about changing until you lose the weight you want to lose (dieting), it is about PERMANENTLY changing your relationship with food, and being willing to do that. You'll learn a lot about yourself and your eating habits once the band is there making you eat less. Undoubtedly you will experience frustration and anger at least once when you are unable to eat either the quantity of type of food you want. But that is quickly replaced with gratitude when you realize that you can have almost anything in moderation. And the things that you are unable to tolerate usually are not missed THAT much once you are well into your journey and experiencing success.

Hi Lisa - Here are links to my info (rather than bore everyone who has already read all about it). Hope this helps! This is everything I know about erosion: http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showth...=&threadid=2250 http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showth...=&threadid=2256 http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showth...=&threadid=2274

I proclaim you normal!! Congrats on your banding - you may feel bloated for two weeks, even - that's how long it lasted for me. Please be conscientious about sticking to your doc's food plan while you're in the healing phase - this is no time to be non-compliant. Your number one focus is HEALING, and letting the band seat itself firmly and completely before making your stomach work with real food. Hope you're feeling better soon!

YOWZA!!! Oh, that looks absolutely awful!!! I love these little trophy photos - we'll have to have some prize categories in Vegas... lol Heal fast, my friend!

Congrats on your upcoming date, and welcome!!! The band is a wonderful gift to give yourself. Make sure you read as much as possible so you know what to expect. Ask a lot of questions here. Good luck!!

LOL

Thanks... I am so jealous of your brother-in-law. I would love to be more back to nature, and off the grid. Sigh...

Tasha, welcome!!! Your puppy is SO adoreable, and you are doing GREAT!!! So glad you found us!! Join in all the fun the wonderful people here create. Struggling with food choices - a common theme. I believe it usually has to do with diet mentality. Once you throw away dieting FOREVER, it is easier to make healthier choices more often, because you know nothing is off limits if you're DYING to have it. It is truly astounding how much a little thing like changing a mindset can help us on our journeys. Best of luck!

Jeannie!! Super congrats!!! Whoo hooo!!! I LOVE Rebecca's "Mexwave", so here it is again!!