shellyj

another photo... i have only lost about 10 more...i guess my shape is changing though...

3 more days to go!!! Woohoo! congrats on the pre-op weight loss!

WOOOOHOOO! Congrats! let us know how your doing as soon as you can! Michelle

hair loss Leo!!! it makes you hair and nails GROW! I take one a day chewable with Iron added or 2 Flinstones Vitamins. on fiber right now its not an issue i do have some correctal gel tabs (didnt work when i did take them just made me have GAS) and ex-lax for extreme cases. i just love my veggies though and can usually tell when i need more broccoli! or salad! i also love spinach dip but i think;) the cheese would offset the fiberous value from the spinach. he he no problems YET with any veggies i have tried. most problems come from chicken breast. i have to eat it either with sauce of some sort or have to cook it on the bone to retain miosture. i am opting more and more to just go straight for the dark meat. good luck gabby! Michelle

i find myself... throwing away left overs! not cleaning my plate! rearanging my closet and dresser by size! trying on clothes i know will be to small to see if they fit yet! and giving a fashion show to my boyfriend when they do! Checking myself out in windows, mirrors etc.! pampering myself more! facials, manicures, massages! donating or consigning clothes are to big rather than holding on to them for when i gain the weight back!!! saying 'thank you' when people comment on my weight loss!

on web md the this is what i found it is the announcement that the band approval is delayed...i could not find anything about doctors refusing to do surgery anymore... Antonio: could you tell me what words you used in your search? i did lapband, lap band, Lap band doctors, lap band complications, WLS , Weight loss surgery FDA Panel Rejects New Obesity Treatment By Ori Twersky WebMD Medical News Archive Jun. 19, 2000 (Washington) -- While recognizing the need for a less invasive type of surgery to treat severe obesity, a panel of FDA advisors decided Monday against recommending approval of the LAP-BAND System until more information is available about possible long-term complications. BioEnterics Corp's LAP-BAND System consists of an adjustable silicone band that is placed around the upper part of the stomach via a scope inserted through a small opening in the belly. This forms a small pouch that slows the passage of food so the stomach feels full for longer periods of time. An estimated 30,000 people a year could benefit from a surgical procedure to help with weight loss. But a mere handful of these people actually have such surgery, largely because of the complications of current invasive procedures such as a gastric bypass -- which requires a large abdominal incision as well as the cutting, stapling, and bypassing of the stomach. While everyone agrees that a less invasive option is needed, "history has taught us that we must have as much data as necessary," says Mark Talamini, MD, a member of the panel and a professor of surgery at John Hopkins University School of Medicine. Talamini, along with several other panel members, wanted results from 36 months of follow-up study in the U.S. before deciding whether to recommend approval of the LAP-BAND system. The application for the device's approval was based on results from one U.S. clinical trial that followed 300 patients 24 months after the surgery, information from international studies looking about 450 patients up to 36 months after surgery, and an analysis of the existing literature. The researchers looked primarily at weight loss but also measured changes in body mass index (BMI) as well as in the patients' quality of life, as measured by their mental condition and other factors. BMI is a measure for roughly determining a person's ideal weight that is derived by dividing their weight by their height. A normal BMI is about 25. Patients included in the U.S. study were required to have a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with at least one other condition, such as high blood pressure. Study participants were also required to be at least 100 pounds overweight, and to have failed with a more conservative weight-reduction program. Participants in the U.S. study saw a mean 38% loss of 38% of their excess weight at 24 months after surgery, and a mean decrease in BMI from approximately 47 to about 38. In the international studies, patients lost up to 50% of their excess weight in 24 to 36 months. The weight loss in both studies peaked at about 12 months, and stayed fairly consistent for up to 36 months, the longest time frame for which data was available, according to the FDA's analysis. The FDA expert committee was primarily concerned about the high rate of complications, rather than the device's effectiveness. About 88% of the U.S. study participants had at least one side effect, and about 33% of these were severe. The study also indicated that complications continued to occur more than two years after the surgery was done. Complications included slippage of the band, expansion of the pouch, and blockage of the stomach. Further, about a third of the patients needed additional surgery, and about half of these patients needed to have the device removed, either because the band slipped or because they did not lose enough weight. In answer to these concerns, representative of BioEnterics Corp. said that the rate of complications varied widely from hospital to hospital, suggesting that physician training and the selection of patients were largely to blame. The rate of side effects also decreased over time, indicating that the procedure became more manageable as physicians got more comfortable with it, said David Munjal, PhD, RAC, director of clinical research for BioEntrics Corp. But considering that some complications, such as dilation of the esophagus, are just now becoming apparent, it is imperative to wait before approving the device, says Harvey Sugerman, MD, FACS, who served as a clinical investigator and who supported the panel's decision. "Early approval, prior to three-year follow-up, would be reasonable if there were no complication," Sugerman, a professor of surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University, tells WebMD. Still, some people will undoubtedly regard the decision as bad news. Patricia McGraw is a mother of two who has a family history of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. At 31, she weighed 260 pounds. Despite her family background, McGraw says, she rarely -- if ever -- visited a doctor. But after she had LAP-BAND surgery, she was able to lose 97 pounds, she told the FDA panel. "I was never satisfied and always frustrated," she says of her life before the LAP-BAND system. © 2000 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

i could not use the link provided do you have to be a member? i went to site and did a search. most of the studies i came across were referring to the banding but they dont CLARIFY what type???? the article below reffers to an adjustable gastric band but in the last paragraph it says 2 patients who were in this study had the AGB removed and a lapband placed. im a little confused! this is the article i found: Abstracts 1997 Digestive Disease Week Prospective investigation of complications, reoperations and sustained weight loss with an adjustable gastric banding device for treatment of morbid obesity. C Doherty, JW Maher, DS Heitshusen. Department of Surgery, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This investigative study reports on the complications, reoperations and sustained weight loss observed over a 5 year experience with an adjustable gastric banding device. Methods: The adjustable gastric band was placed at laparotomy around the proximal fundus and tightened to create an outlet channel of 12 millimeters using a pressure sensor. The upper gastric pouch was sized using a peroral 25 ml balloon on a calibration tube. The adjustable bladder of the band was connected by tubing to a small reservoir implanted in the rectus sheath. Results: Between March 17, 1992 and May 1, 1995, 26 females and 14 males entered the study. Mean age was 34 years, (range 19-51 years). Mean height 171 centimeters, (range 152-190 centimeters); mean weight 147 kilograms (range 100-214 kilograms); mean Body Mass Index 50 (range 39-75). There was no operative mortality. Weight loss observed during the followup periods were the following: Time Preop 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years Mean Wt. 147 kg. 113 kg. * 112 kg. * 119 * 121 kg. * Mean BMI 50.0 38.5 38.0 40.2 42.4 Number 40 39 34 23 10 Followup 100% 97.5% 100% 95.5% 90% *p < 0.001 by paired t-test compared to preop. Thirty-two reoperations (12 intrabdominal procedures and 20 abdominal wall procedures) have been necessary to maintain efficacy or correct complications. Problems identified include: reservoir leakage 37.5%, posterior hemiation of the stomach through the band 30%, aneurysmal dilatation of the inflatable bladder 7.5%, enlarged pouch 10%, infected reservoir 5%, inaccessible reservoir malposition 7.5%. After fifty-seven months 28 subjects remain in the study. Twelve individuals have withdrawn from the study. Three did not want an ineffective ASGB removed operatively; two had an ASGB removed operatively; five had an ASGB removed and a vertical banded gastroplasty performed at the same operation, and two had an ASGB removed and a LapBand implanted at the same operation. Conclusion: Forty severely obese adults have had an adjustable silicone gastric band safely placed by laparotomy. Weight loss has been acceptable, but 32 reoperations have been necessary to maintain efficacy of the adjustable gastric band or correct problems associated with this implantable device.

i didnt get one but am interested in finding why one was given!

when i am properly restricted and i eat 1 egg scrambled for breakfast as the first bite makes its way down and reaches the band...pain- it is more like discomfort, like i can feel the egg sitting on my band. i eat lunch 2 hours later and same thing when the food hits my band i feel it sitting there. its not horrendous pain just disomfort. when i eat dinner same thing. it kind of keeps me from wanting to eat so i guess its a good thing? since you only have 16 lbs till goal maybe you could get a tiny unfill when you reach goal. even a 1/2 cc can make a huge difference!

hi antonio- i am so sorry you have had to go through these complications. i have not had any complications (a slight mishap with a fill) it does sound like your daughter may have a little to much fill. i know it is a very fine line- having the perfect fill and being to tight. i hope things work out for ya'll. michelle

hey misty! my dr charges 22,000 for surgery and i am pretty sure that covers everything anesthesia, hospital and surgeon fee. if you are self pay have you thought about Mexico dr's? i know you can pay around 10,000 for surgery there. good luck!

i told and really i guess i wish i hadnt. people ask me all the time how much i have lost and i get sick of it! when i lose a chunk i'll tell ya (if i think you should know) the band sometimes has a slower start with the loss and having people eyeing you and monitoring your food is not fun. you could tell your oldest you are having gallbladder removed. (???) i would have still told my friends and family but not my co0workers (although my bosses wife is who got me looking into WLS she lost 200 lbs with gastric bypass) do what you feel is right- you will be the one dealing with it!

well i went ahead and got a little more fill putting me at 3.4 cc i think this will be my sweeeet spot! i lost 8 lbs since my last fill (yipeee!) and that puts me under 300!!!! so now i only have 100 to lose to be under 200!!! it seems more attainable now!

your soooo close!! OUTSTANDING LOSS!!!!

i had my 5th fill yesterday bringing me to 3.4 cc and i ate Soup last night. today for Breakfast i ate 1 scrambled egg and noticed i did not have any discomfort with it going down (usually evey morning when it 'hits' the band i can FEEL it) then for lunch i brought 2 pieces of chicken- a leg and a thigh and was able to eat BOTH of them PLUS some broccoli WITHOUT getting full. (and i never felt it 'hit' my band and stop) i could NOT have eaten this much before the fill and i am worried that my port is leaking!!!! i brought the 2nd peice to have for dinner and now i am dinnerless and worried???? i know it has only been 24 hours but it seems i am actually looser with this fill:( :D

i am but since some dr's say no post fill diet i thought i would eat the chicken- it was baked and very tender...excuses excuses

i have 'blind fills' and they did check to see that all the fill was there from before. i was at 3.2 before and felt pretty tight but i was hungry in about 2-3 hours so i thought i needed just a little more so i would only want 3 meals a day. i am just a little nervous i guess... PLEASE LET ME TIGHTEN BACK UP!!!!!

you sound like you are pretty tight right now. at 3 1/2 weeks you may stilll have some swelling which could be causing the restriction. you may just be a lucky one who doesnt need a fill till you lose some more weight! (lucky thing) i am at 3 months out and just now reaching proper restriction! you definitaly dont have to have a fill some people wait months...as long as they are losing why get more restriction! as you finish healing and get back to your normal eating habits youll be able to tell if need a fill or if you can work it with the restriction from the band alone!

i would call your ins co. and see if they and what the criteria is. i would also get your consult shceduled with surgeon and go on and schedule the tests as well. some dr's may have a long wait so its best to go on and get on the list! when you talk to the ins co you should ask them to mail you your policy so you dont get any last minute hoops tp jump through! good luck

thanks you guys for all your well wishes, it really helps. i am sure he will be fine and we will grow old together just as planned! i am also proud to report i havent touched a high cal. or high carb item since my monday crash! also i get weighed today!!! cant wait to report- hopefully my signature stats will change! thanks again! this is really a great group and i appreciate all the support!

my dr's diet is 1-2 days liquid 1-2 mush 1-2 soft foods and then regular food. its like a 1 week post op diet. i usually am eating regularly by day 4. i am going in for fill # 5 today this should put me at my oh so sweet spot!!!! some dr's have no post fill diet at all! also i cant eat the day of a fill. i actually want to be cinched up tight before thanksgiving! i'll be thankful i have the band!

yes! you may want to take smaller bites. sometimes if i get to big of bite that will happen and when your restricted properly it can cause some pain. like a tightness where the band is. the first time this happens youll likely not forget again to chew chew chew! congrats on your upcoming banding!

thank you donali i am trying to keep my chin up and keep a positve outlook until we know something for sure. yesterday i obviously wasnt able to do it but by the end of the day i was a little irritated with myself for 'falling into that mindset' i wanted to add a ps to the above quote for newbies... that may sound like alot but they were TINY portions thats why it only added to 1800 calories. the carbs and sugar were the not so good part of my choices. i have had a low calorie day today (anyone reading coffee wench's journal will appreciate that) and wont use this stress as an excuse to eat. of course having restriction wont allow me to eat much!

i have my fifth 11-20! i'm looking foreward to my mini plate with mini tastes and soon to be mini me!

yes the port is stitched into place. you may have popped one or two loose... :D :eek: dont fret though from what i understand the port revisions can sometimes be done in office. i do believe that DONALI another poster on this board has had a port revision. i am sure your doc will want to take a look!