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About abphilippi
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Advanced Member
- Birthday 06/26/1967
About Me
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RiaRia reacted to a post in a topic: Lap Band Needles
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abphilippi started following Lap Band Needles, Eating After Band, Starting To Panic... and and 7 others
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At two weeks you are still healing. Up until my second adjustment I was able to eat normally. Take your time and chew very well. Go slowly on your diet, but only you will be able to determine what is "normal". All the information you receive is a sum total of a variety of responses to foods after surgery, none of which came from you, obviously. You will know the moment you eat too fast, don't chew enough or that the food is not compatable with your band. Do not expect weight loss during this time. As frustrating as it is the weight loss will not start until you feel restriction. Until then, it is on the individual to maintain and just to heal. Pain is how you will know to back off. No matter what you eat just be very cautious, especially after an adjustment. Your stomach is traumatized all over again when the band is expanded. Once you settle in you will feel food more moving down through your stoma. Get used to eating cool food. I start out with a hot meal and 45 mins later it is cold and I usually give up or have given up before then, mostly around 30 mins. Good luck with everything and try to find a smaller support group. It really helps. This forum is too large and too many people are way too critical of others.
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Ok, so everyone's green zone is acheived differently. If surgeons did the first adjustment correctly this would be a non issue. Unfortunately, mine included, surgeons play this "let's just put some in and see what happens" trial and error game. As previously pointed out, it does not matter how much is in your band. What matters is that if it is working for you or not. I am in a support group where people are losing tens of lbs before their first fill, some are even under 200lbs already. Me, I have only lost 10lbs. I have turned some fat into muscle, but not enough to justify surgery at this point. I am stuck with a surgeon that adjusts by a schedule, whether you have a 10cc band or 15cc band. Insert band empty, six weeks later 3 ccs, then 2 ccs every 4 wks until you hit the green zone. I have a 15 cc large band. So that relates to 20% then 33% then 46% then 60% then 73%. Normally, not scientific researchable information, around 70% or so is where the band is most effective. In my case, surgery was in early November and I may hit my green zone around the middle of April or July. Very frustrating indeed! Had I known what to research and what questions to ask I would have found another doctor. Unfortunately the band is like a bad tattoo, not many people will touch you after someone else has. Some doctors charge an additional $1,000.00 for the first visit if they did not do the surgery. Any way that being said, keep in touch with your doctor's office and keep letting them know your concerns. This isn't a race. Only compare yourself to yourself. One last point, you are not alone a very good percent of banders don't feel the band at first. Keep your chin up!
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screeden reacted to a post in a topic: Excercise Induced Asthma
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No Restriction After Lap Band Surgery
abphilippi replied to crushingstorm's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Bands vary in sizes. 5cc may not provide enough restriction for your band. You will continue to get adjustments until you are able to eat small portions, you are not hungry for 4 to 5 hours after a meal and you are losing 1-2 lbs a week. Hang in there you are not alone. -
I feel your pain. Alot of people on this site are ubercritical and make this a lousy place for advice. Luckily I have found a group of 70 people and we are supportive of each other. Not like the "experts" on this site. As far as someone "adjusting" anyone's band; most physicians will not touch you period, unless it is life threatening or you "bribe" them with a large office visit fee. I did not research my surgeon and now I am paying the price. It's my fault and I take the full blame on this one. Good luck getting your needles.
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Chest Pain / Vomiting...please Help.
abphilippi replied to cbeterror's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Don't play around with the chest pain. See your doctor and while you are there have a 12 lead run to check your heart function. This only takes less than a minute to run and the results are available imediately. Throwing up is bad for the body and it gets rid of needed acids in the stomach, burns your esophagus, maybe your trachea and your losing valuable nutrients as well. Please see your physician. They are more trained than we are,(although some aren't as up to date as others). Good luck with this. -
To fill or not to fill
abphilippi replied to JinTx's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Those of us banded recently are still in the recovery phase. I had learned that even though I can eat something, that does not mean I should. Try to stay with well cooked foods and make chicken or fish your best friend. Once the swelling goes down the stoma is large, not as large as before, but bigger than it will be. After our first fill, I'm probably looking at Dec 21st, we begin a new starting with full liquids and working back up. During this time we need to use a little willpower to make the right choices. My biggest things are red meat, cream sauces and breads. I limit carbs as before, just not so strictly. -
Who Knows And What Do You Tell People After Lap Band Surgery...
abphilippi replied to sunshine_x's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
I am like most people in that I did not tell everyone. My wife knows and my neighbors know, because I wear large t-shirts with the sleeves cut out and they have seen the seri-strips. My Dad suffers from early onset dementia, so he doesnt need the extra hassle. My stepmother and the people in my church knew I had surgery, but I just told them it was a stomach procedure. I was suprised at how snippy one woman got when I would not say what I was having done. No one needs to know why I'm losing weight. Just be happy for me that I am. -
Hair Loss After Lap Band Surgery...is There A Way Around It?
abphilippi replied to hotpink7's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Keep up on the vitamins. What ever you call it, losing hair, breaking hair or thinning hair it can be a big problem and one that lasts. You may want to shorten it to take the stress off the shafts and cut down on breakage. -
First and most importantly, go see your doctor now. He/She should run blood work, ECG and a chest X-ray. First they need to rule out cardiac issues. Secondly, it does sound much like a slipped band. We are all different and the best source for information regarding you is your doctor. Coughing may also indicate that it is too tight. Sounds like you are on the border. Whatever you do don't try to "fix" it by just changing your diet. See your doctor. Even an emergency room, express care if you have one, visit can take care of this. Cardiac issues are nothing to be ignored. Hope all goes well.
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Hello Banded 11/09/2011
abphilippi replied to ShirleyJean's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Welcome, I too was banded on the 9th of November and likewise I have my first post op check up on the 23rd. As well as you, I had a hiatal hernia. Fortunately mine was minor and did not require any additional work done. The brief journey afterwards has been a breeze, maybe too easy breezy. Once the gas pain disappeared, I fell in love with my heating pad for a few days, the only pain I get is some back pain after I eat or been walking for too long. I started soft foods yesterday for two meals wihout a stitch of discomfort. My surgeon said to go through each phase atleast three days before moving on if I had no problems. I may get a fill by Christmas, but I have been losing weight with the restricted diet putting me in the yellow zone, so it may be next year before my fill. Good luck with your journey SJ, I wish you all the best. -
It is currently thought that the inflammatory response that is natural in the healing for cuts, bruises or wounds, is the same biological cascade that you are experiencing. Since you do have exercise induced asthma, it's just the name that stuck and not asthma, you should be careful when excercising in cold, dry, high pollen or windy days. You have done the most important step and got a pulmonary function study done. Since your inhaler works you are in luck. For a more effective method of using the inhaler get a spacer from your doctor or pharmacy store. If you are like me, frugal or cheap, use a toilet paper tube instead. This allows the mist to make the turn down your throat instead of hitting the back of your throat. Just put the inhaler on one end of the tube and the other end around your mouth. Start inhaling and hit the button. Slow deep breath. Hold for a count of 10 and exhale. Wait 60 seconds and repeat.
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Some post op questions for my fellow Bandsters :)
abphilippi replied to Zaviticus's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Some people take a little longer than others to normalize. Cuz we're all different. Keep the water bottle, heating pad and Gas X strips near at all times. During every commerical break I got up and did a lap around the house. It seems to help move gas around. Shallow, rapid belly breathing helped me as well. The kind mothers do while giving birth, God bless em. If you think you should call your doctor don't hesitate. Mine has a nurse in charge of his bariatric patients and I have spent more time talking to her than him. -
Extreme Pain in the Roof of your Mouth with first meal
abphilippi replied to Justin's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
That definitely is not a common problem. My first guess would be that it had something to do with being intubated. I have not heard of this during my line of work. I am in the medical field. I would suggest seeing your personal doctor. You may have to see an ear, nose and throat doctor.