Vera

Here's a few pic's of my band during a Barium swallow just 2 days after banding. This pic was taken while I was lying on the table at a 45 degree angle taken from above.

I read some talk about the Gastric Sleeve on another board and became very curious so I did some research. I bring it up cause with the potential erosion with any band this is a very possible alternative for me. The Gastric Sleeve is not a sleeve/tube or a devise, but a type of stomach reducing surgery. A precursor to the DS. In the DS (Duodenal Switch) the stomach is reduce to the size and shape of about a small banana, then part of the intestines are reroute. With the Gastric Sleeve the stomach is reduced to the same shape and size as the DS but no intestines are rerouted, but if the sleeve/stomach becomes enlarged or weight-loss subsides a second surgery can be preformed to re-route the intestines. I personally would only have the sleeve done. What I noted was that there is no malabsorbstion issues with the sleeve, it’s just a smaller stomach and has a lot of the same rules as banding such as chew well, no drinking with meals, small food portions, no carbonation. Most of the rules are to avoid enlarging or stretching the new pouch. And of course this is an irreversible surgery. I’m just wondering if anyone else has done research on the Gastric Sleeve and your inputs?? My description may not be accurate, I’m just starting my research so don’t quote me. For ref. http://www.obesitymd.org/surgical_sleeve.html http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_ob.html

Hi Sweety, The baby is so cute! You sound so happy, everything seems great for you now. Congratulations

Wow Sue I bet your so trilled, and so is Mr. Sue....I can just amagine your face by the way your neck and shoulders looks! My sister just had RNY, I tried to talk her into the DS but her doc dosen't perform them. Also she had it open not lap with hernia repair removed.

Happy Birthday

What a sweet husband you are. Everyone has great suggestions, I love the tivo and cut out all the comercials idea. All I have to share is...I love my presure cooker and crock pot! Tender meats without eating mush. Have a great vacation.

Most leaks are in the port or tubing. I agree with DrewsLou The contrast is called Omniplaque to be used during a flouroscopy/live X-ray. Here's a bit of my story... My old band was an AMI-swedish band that was installed 8/14/03 by Dr. Sanchez. After about 6 months and 4 fills I had a flouro/X-ray check which revealed a kink in the tubing. Well I suspected a leak, then confirmed it over 4 months later in mex, cause Dr. Sanchez recomended I go see him. At that visit the tubing was repaired and I was given a 7cc fill (big band), a month later my doctor (McKeen) here in Calif. did a flouro fill and that's when we saw that the repair didn't work. Back to mex I went and Dr. Sanchez decided to reband me, free (the makers of the AMI band is paying for it). I was rebanded with the 9.75 (smaller) Inamed band, big difference. I felt restriction right away. I couldn't gulp anymore either. I'm very happy with my new band. I've only had one fill in 8/05 of 1.3cc's and to this day I can barely eat more than a cup of anything, if that. It is RARE to be rebanded due to a leak! I also want to suggest that some saline can come out of the port when they pull out the needle while doing a fill. Good luck to you and you too DrewsLou

Stomping here! We will ROCK YOU

Hello momof4 I'm doing some research for my sister and I've never heard about MGB I guess I don't understand the part about "It is completely reversible" there is some cutting and rerouting isn't there? Thanks

With all you've been through, I'm so glad you've got your restriction back!

I'm at goal and feel great. 3 years to drop 90 lbs. I've only had one fill with this band done on 8-17-05, over a year ago. I think I'm just right at 1.3cc's. I enjoy eating small salads, lean meats and even small amounts of bread. I just have to chew extremly well, and havn't had a PB in weeks.

I was Dr. McKeen's first Blind fill (without flouro) and still use him here in Calif. Hi Angel, How are you? down to 168 I see:clap2:

I don't want to talk about school, I was misrable. If I could sue the district I wouild for all the pain, harasment, bulling and just plain suffering. I know that the school my kids are in now have a code of conduct that everyone must follow.

BJean, realistically you must take all aspects, complications, realities. The band is only a tool, there is work involved, and many bandsters including myself deal with reflex and heartburn. I will state what happen to me in this regard because I think the information is valuable. I was banded 8/03 with an AMI Swedish band (larger capacity band similar to the VG in size) with that band I never experienced heartburn or reflex ever. Then it developed a kink in the tubing and a slow leak that was repaired. I was re-banded in 3/05 with a 9.75 Inamed band because the repair failed. Within weeks of re-banding I’ve had heartburn almost every day since. I have completely changed the way I look at food. Protein Water Protein. I do get hunger; I do fight the food demons and I fail. Lastly I have accepted that I will not loose any more weight. I am maintaining and that is all I hope to do. I do wish to keep the band for my life time, but if the heartburn gets worse or I were to develop gastritis or even erosion I have faced reality and would have to have it removed.

This is all very good information! I sat here at lunch, soup and sliced turkey meat with a slice of cheese wanting some chocolate....reading this thread. I'm 3 years out and down 88 lbs, yes those first 20 lbs droped in the first 2 months but it's been work ever since. Thanks for being truthful and honest.

I had a super-cervical hysterectomy last summer without any problems. same here. Now that I think of it, I didn't have a fill then either, but I don't see any reason to be un-filled unless your real tight. The best to you.

That's great Lisa, I was wondering about Chloe. Rememeber I was sitting in the back seat of your bronco with her talking about school and such while the whole time thinking about my Roxanne...geeze I get so much guilt when I leave my kids, I want to take them everywhere I go. I don't know about the north pole (been to British Columbia) but I am planning a trip to Maui!!! I'll get you a shirt from there...beter yet want to come?

Quote by Dody dated 7-24-06 __________________If I knew how to hyper-link I would have cause the thread is interresting

Wasn't that girl Erin? Lisa you are a sexcess in everything you do.

I use to get them when I was first banded back in 03', that's when I was loosing 8 lbs' a month. cute dimples now

Beautiful T The pose, the smile, your eyes, that suttle red and even the background.

Relax, your in great hands! Even though I know you'll be fine still wishing you the best! Give Alma a kiss for me (everyone there is very loving). Your in my thoughts this afternoon.

Iv'e got 2 doc's in the bayarea and I'm sure I could find more that will do fills. anything for a price here.

The one thing I can't understand Dody (sorry for going off T) is why you were eating, even mushy foods one week after surgery? didn't your doc instruct you to stay on fluilds for at least 2 weeks? Back to topic.. I adore Dr. Sanchez! he has taken very good care of me and we speak over the phone when ever I feel the need, If I ever have a problem, he'll be there for me. There are problems with bandsters all over the place not just the mexican bandsters, even in europe and here in the states, don't be blind...hope you find a good fill/follow-up doctor

I still don't see the proof, but I'll let it go...