marsha

Thanks Jack for your great post. THe doctor who put me on the metformin is an endocrinologist. I'm afarid though that he might not be a very good one. He a little strange to say the least. But, that's another story. I think I get a second opinion. Just wanted to say thanks for the info!

Leatha, I was diagnosed by blood work. I have PCOS (Poly cystic ovarian syndrome)and insulin resistance sometimes is a side effect of PCOS. I'm not exactly sure which blood test was the determining factor because I had several including a thyroid function test, thyroid level tests and a glucose tolerence test. Thanks to all who responded...I appreciate your advise.

Babs, I'm havent taken any medication for the insulin resistance since my banding because of the stomach pain from the metformin. I've been stuck with my weight loss and my doctor told me that it may be because of the insulin resistance. My fasting blood sugars remain in the "high normal" range (110's to 120's) and the doctor thinks it's hindering my weight loss. I was hopeing there was something else out there I could try to get my blood sugars a little more controlled. I'm eating low carb and exercising daily.

Hi Everyone, Just wondering if anyone here has had a leak? What was the procedure to determine that you actually had a leak? I've been banded for a year now and I've only lost 35lbs. My first fill was in May of last year of 1.8cc's. On my second fill, the doctor was only able to withdraw 1.2cc's of fluid from the band. She said was normal for a small amount to disappear after a fill. She filled me to 2.6cc. I was restricted for about 1 month and then suddenly, I lost most of my restriction. I thought it was "just me" and figured I'd try working the band for a while. On February 15th, I went for another fill because I actually gained 5 lbs! THis time, the doctor was only able to withdraw 1.5cc's! He said we should try to fill again and see what happens. He filled me to 2.5cc. I was restricted pretty well. I couldn't eat in the mornings (only warm liquids slowly). At lunch, I had to eat soft foods and at dinner I could eat a small meal of more solid foods chewed well. I was so excited. I've lost 7lbs! The last 2 days, I have just about NO restriction. I can eat almost anything (even in the morning) and dont have to chew well. Has anyone had this happen to them? It seems weird that the liquid doesnt leak out right after the fill. I'd appreciate any advice.

Big T I also dont go to fast food very often anymore. I usually go home for lunch or bring something with me to work. At times, I travel alot too. During my travel days, I usually go to boston chicken or taco bell. Boston chicken has lots of sides that are mushy. I usually order 1 small side and I can eat about 1/2 of it at lunch time (I can eat more later in the day). Some of the sides are lots of calories, fat and salt so I don't do this everyday. At taco bell either a crunchy taco or pintos and cheese. Sometimes, salads will go down fine (and sometimes they wont). I cant do hamburgers or fries...they just wont go down. Basicly, you just have to see what works for you once you're banded because everyone's different. Good Luck! Marsha

Dylansmon, I had electrolysis once a week for 4 YEARS! Yes, 4 YEARS! And I still had hair! Maybe it's worked for someone, but not me! I still had hair!

Hi everyone, I too have pcos and lots of facial hair. I had my upper lip done last year. It took 4 treatments (1 month apart for each visit). It cost me $300 per treatment (seems like I paid too much after hearing from you all). Most importantly, It was extreamly painful for me! My lip was red and swollen for a week and I didn't have any kind of numbing gel! (I wish I knew about that numbing gel :-) I was going to have my chin done but changed my mind because of the pain. Mine was done my a dermatologist. Well, that's my story.

Estella, Dr. Jessee is located in Largo, FLorida (near Tampa). She was the first doctor I used for a fill because I didn't know of anyone closer (I live in Boca Raton). Dr. Jessee was trained by Dr. Gomez and she recommended that I see him since he was closer (it took me 5 hours to drive to Dr. Jessee). They were both soooo nice. Dr. Gomez actually thinks I may have a leak in my band. Dr. Jessee filled me to 2.6 cc's (under fluro). I was restricted for about 3 months then suddenly, I lost my restriction. I tried for another 3 months to stick to the plan but I just had no restriction. When I saw Dr. GOmez, he started by removing my previous fill and he could only get out 1.5cc's. He refilled me to 2.5cc's and told me to try this for a while. Right now, I'm still very restricted. I'm hoping to stay that way! Marsha

Estela, I had a fill with Dr. Gomez on 2/15. He was really nice. Dr. Jessee in Tampa recommended him to me. She said he taught several local doctors to do fills and the actual lap band surgery. I had no problem with him at all (and he's not bad to look at either!) Marsha

Hi everyone, I've been gone for a long time due to the hurricanes here in Fla. Well, I'm back and have a question for you long timers. I've been banded for 8 months. I've lost 40 lbs! My first fill was in may and my 2nd fill was in July. I currently have 2.6cc's. I had been doing great loosing until about 8 weeks ago. Then I stopped. Since then I've gained and lost the same 2 lbs several times. Untill then, I had pretty good restriction. I would feel full quickly and if I didn't chew...I got stuck (although I never pb'd). I could eat everything (including bread and pizza) just chew, chew chew and of course only in small amounts. I started to be able to eat a little more especially at night and I could actually eat a few things in the morning (which I couldn't before). Then 1 week ago, I went out to dinner with dh. We had sushi (I ate about 4 pieces, carefully cut up and chewed) and a small salad). I guess I got a bad picece of sushi (but my hubby was perfectly fine). That night I got very ill. I was nauseas and very weak. I had a temp of 101 for about 10 hours. I never vomitted. I drank liquids for 2 days after that and am now eating regular foods again. Since then, I don't have ANY restriction. I can eat everything and I can eat fairly un chewed pieces! I stop myself (not my band)...and about 30 minutes after I eat, I get pain in my left chest and shoulder...IS THIS ANOTHER FORM OF RESTRICTION? Have I stretched my pouch? Do I have erosion? Am I just nuts? :laugh I think the thing I don't like about having a band is that I'm always worrying about it... I'd like to know if anyone else has this....is this bad, or ok? Thanks, Marsha

Well, I will actually have the fill removed today. But the upper gi will be done after thanksgiving. In the mean time, she has prescribed Nexium twice a day and my symptoms have improved greatly in just 1 day! Thanks for your concern. Marsha

Thanks Leatha. I forgot to say that I'm also having major acid reflux since the sushi incident. I called my fill doctor yesterday. She told me to come in for an unfill and an upper gi just to check everything out. I'm going to go after Thanksgiving. I'll let you all know what happens.

YOWZA! You look fantastic Shelly! I'm going to hang your picture on my fridge for inspiration! Marsha

My first pb was 1 week post op. I actually pb'd on JELLO! I was starving and ate too fast!

Kelly, This is an assessment I recently wrote of the 7 months of my banded life. I started with a low BMI too. I hope it helps you! 7 month post op assessment : Ok, so I should have done this at my 6 month bandiversary but I live in Florida and was dealing with hurricanes last month! My banding went very smoothly. I stuck to my liquid diet just after surgery and progressed to a regular diet as Dr. Kuri recommends. I was one of the lucky ones who only had about 2 days where I was really hungry. I had my first fill at 6 weeks with Dr. Kuri and my second fill at 12 weeks with Dr. Jessee in Florida. I have about 2.6cc in my band now. In the last 7 months, I’ve lost 42lbs. I’m about ½ way to my goal in a much shorter amount of time then I expected. My weight loss has slowed over the last month but I’ve attributed it to Hurricane Stress and not the need for another fill! I started with a BMI of 36/severely obese. Today, my BMI is 29.5 and I am mearly overweight! I started in a size 22 pants and an XL-XXL shirt and I now wear a size 16 pants and L shirts. I’ve even gone down ½ size in shoes! I’ve rid myself of diabetic medication and severe pain in my knees and ankles. I’ve gone from being a couch potato to one who walks 2 miles/day. I can wear my wedding ring again! At about 4 months, I started loosing some hair but it all grew back. I eat whatever I want. I don't diet but I do eat my protien first. I’ve only PB’d twice and I’ve learned to chew my food and eat slowly. The only thing I’ve given up (besides 42 lbs) is a chance of being on “Fear Factor” (I could never eat those bugs fast enough, LOL)! With all that said, I still struggle with “head hunger” and “eating the right foods”. I don't make the best choices all the time and I eat when I'm not hungry. I know this will be a long process for me but I have the confidence that I will win this battle. What is good about having the band is that although I’m struggling with theses issues, I’ve haven’t gained. I stay within 2lbs of my lowest weight. With previous diets, I’ve usually given up by the 7 month mark and gained back every pound I lost and then some. The band keeps me from doing that! Only my husband and mother know I had surgery. When people ask how I’m loosing weight…I tell them I’m eating less and walking everyday (that’s the truth). I didn’t want the pressure of everyone watching what I ate or waiting to see the weight loss. It took about 5 months before anyone noticed that I was loosing. If I had told them, I would have endured 5 months of them waiting to see a difference. I may tell someday, maybe when I reach goal. I love my band and Dr. Kuri. He gave me my health back, a longer life to spend with my family, confidence, self worth, smaller clothes, and ofcourse my band!

Leo, You look great! You must feel great too! THanks for sharing and for inspiring us to keep going! Marsha

Julie, Did you have your fill under fluro? Did the doctor explain to you why he gave you 4cc? What type of band do you have? It seems like a lot of fill but may not be if you have an 11cc balloon.

I'm normal, dammit! I better get to work! :D

Cindy, First I want to say DONT GIVE UP! Loosing 55lbs without a good fill is excellent! Everyone here have given you great ideas! PLEASE get some blood work to check your thyroid function, hormone levels and your blood sugar and have them check for insulin resistance. If they find an inbalance it could be easily fixed with medication and you'll be on your way to loosing again! DId you know that one of the side effects of birth control pills is weight gain? This could be hindering your efforts. I know the pills are important for you to have but maybe you need a different kind of pill. I also think you need a good fill. Making better choices is much easier when you can only fit a little food in your pouch! I was making bad choices too before I was restricted. Sometimes we have a little tinkering to do with our band before it works well! Hang in there. Please let us know how you're doing. Marsha, RN

I take metformin. I usually break them in half and take it with a warm drink. I wait 15 minutes before I take the second half. They both go down without any problem. I'm pretty restricted in the morning especially. They only go down if I take them with a warm or hot drink, cold or room temp just doesn't work. I hope this helps! Marsha

Donali, (((((big hugs))))) I'm glad this is over for you and you can start your recovery. You've been in my thoughts and prayers! I'm sorry you had sooooo much pain! Feel better, Marsha

Birdee, I am lactose intolerant too! I drink soy milk (it is lactose free). Soysilk is a brand of soy milk that comes in many flavors (latte flavor, vanilla, chocolate, and regular milk flavor). I buy it in the grocery store near the real milk. There are several protien powders that are lactose free as well (the actual powder can have lactose too, so you have to read the label). I use ISO 90. It is made by Dymatize nutrition and I mix it with Soy silk and ice. There are many others that are lactose free...I just cant remember the names right now. I'll see if I can find my list somewhere. Marsha

Donali, You make me laugh...but it also makes sence to me ...which makes it even more funny! I did notice that in spite of " eating as much as you want" , you are almost ready to join the century club!!!!!!!!!! Marsha

Donali, When I read Dan's post it made me sooooo angry. As usual, you handeled the situation with restraint and grace (far better then I would have done). YOU ARE JUST THAT SPECIAL! Now, you must move on. Don't spend your time agonizing over his comments....consider the source!!! You KNOW (and we do too) that you did NOTHING to cause your erosion!! It just happens! We support you and Love you...so just hang around here and forget about Dan! Erosion Just happens, it's no one's fault! Just my 2 cents! Marsha

Oh Donali, I just dont know what to say. I'm so sorry. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Please don't leave us! Let us support you through this as you have ALWAYS supported us! Maybe we could take up a collection for your rebanding! Marsha