BandAid

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. I appreciate it! :biggrin1:

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been here, so I suppose a re-intro is in order. I was banded in 2003 by the wonderful Dr. Spivak and although I've had my share of struggles, I'm still happy with my band. Here's a short update on my life, if anyone's interested. I was at approximately 260 when I was banded. I lost down to about 185 and was pretty content with that. In the fall of 2004, my dear Uncle passed away :cry and I, unfortunately, found comfort with food. At one point I had to have a complete unfill because I had pouch dilatation and I regained back up to 210. Needless to say, I felt like a failure at times and I'd longingly look at my size 14 button-fly jeans, hoping and praying to be able to wear them again. :embarassed: I finally got my act together, have good restriction again, and I'm motivated. I'm having to adjust to my recent adjustment, but I'm doing ok with that. Thank God I still have the band to help me! Well, there you have it. Life's about learning. It's about falling down and getting back up again. I'm on the lose and I feel hopeful again. ~Tonia Banded 2/2003 260/204/Goal???

You might want to check on the East Texas Bandsters board. A few people on there have used Dr. Thomas. You can find that board here: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EastTexasBandsters/

They stand between your legs. No worries though..bet none of us remember it. LOL This site has drawings. If you are a worrisome kind of person, you might not want to look. http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/tectec.html

Sue, You have hit on some of my biggest band pet peeves! Another one that I read was that Bandsters should avoid red meat for a year. Tonia

I believe the difference is in the width of the band. I don't believe any one is better or worse. There are only 3 levels of restriction, after all. Not enough, too much, and just right.

Good news! My band is fine!! No dilatation, no pouch formation, no nothing except a beautifully placed band that's working just as it's supposed to be. Dr. Spivak told me that an occasional occurrence of reflux is nothing to be concerned about. However, if it were to happen on a regular basis, especially when it wasn't a problem before, he'd want to check on things. I got a tiny adjustment while I was there and am now at 2.1cc. He's quite pleased with how I'm doing and complimented me on how healthy and happy I look. Thanks to everyone for your concern and support. Tonia PS The sharp pains could have been from tight jeans or gas. He didn't see anything alarming at all.

Kelly, Dilitation is where the gastric pouch stretches, causing part of the stomach to prolapse up through the band. (I believe this is an accurate description.) I've been banded since 2/17/03. One thing is certain no matter when the outcome of this situation. In the future, I will err on the side of not eating quite enough rather than possibly eating a little too much. I've never gorged myself or anything like that, but there have been times when I have eaten a little more food than might have been necessary because I was concerned that I wasn't eating enough. Tonia PS Thanks for the well wishes. I'll have an answer in a little over 24 hours. It's gonna be a long day!

Cross posting this to the Spotlight board too.. Hi y'all, I've had a weird pain a couple of times in the past few days. It's a kind of sharp pain, right in the middle of my chest where I picture my band is located. This morning I had coffee, then was drinking Water. The water slowed down a great deal, which isn't that unusual as I am sometimes pretty tight in the mornings. However, as soon as it went down, I had an episode of reflux of the coffee and water which is something I have never experienced before. I called my doc's office immediately and they want me to have a barium swallow tomorrow. If the fluoro shows what the nurse suspects, which is pouch dilatation, they'll empty my band. I am absolutely scared to death right now. My true hope is that this is just a fluke. I'll settle for dilatation. I hope and pray it's not an erosion. I could use your thoughts and prayers and if you want to cross your fingers for me, that's fine, too. Thanks, Tonia

Just wanted to say hello, Bright and welcome to the other side! Tonia

My husband says to tell him that he'll be happy in the long run. Hubby met my doctor and really felt a great deal of trust toward him. My husband also read a lot of the information that I found when I was researching the band and I believe that knowledge gave him the same peace of mind that it gave me. Best of luck to you!

Sue, I've never really been a breakfast person. I'd rather just have my coffee. I do sometimes eat a litttle something though. It might be a yogurt, it might be a small slice of cheese, or it might be a Protein shake. Even when I do eat, it's not usually when I first get up. It's usually about 2 hours later. Everything I've read says breakfast is very important, I just haven't developed a habit of eating it every day. In answer to your question, I have no answer. LOL Tonia