bbrecruiter2000

Hi Alexandra/Donali, I have also been a little skittish the last few days racking my brain to add up all the people I know who are banded that have issues like erosion, slippage, overfilled bands, GERD, gastritis etc. I have also been evaluating how many times while I was away on vacation that I was stuffing my face and overeating and potentially what damage I could have done to my band over the last year. I have had a relatively painless journey. In my mnd, even the most successful bandsters I know have issues, mostly small ones like minor reflux or occasional PBing etc. Here in my area, there are a large population of bandsters ( I think 2nd to NY) so I have a chance to meet with some at least once or twice a month. THe general consensus is that the majority love their band. However, there is a lot of educating oneself that needs to happen when banded. I am really glad that Jessie Ahroni has published her book and it is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and a few other web sites. In my opinion, it is a must read for all bandsters. Here is the book title: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery by Jessie H. Ahroni PH. D. A. R. N. P. I am getting at least 5 copies and I think all the docs offices should offer them to their patients in my opinion. But even still, the more you know doesnt mean you can avoid a problem like erosion, but in some instances knowledge can be a very powerful tool. Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Donali, I posted a message to you on Smart bandsters. I am really really sorry about this. Just know that you are loved and everyone will do anything they can to help you through this. Please email me if you need anything. babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Hi everyone, I have been pretty quiet lately. Trying to get back to the job of living and working and less time on the support boards! LOL . Lately, I have been going through some changes that are very disturbing. Well, here it is. I am bored. Bored with my work, bored with my marriage, bored with my life yet I am afraid of welcoming change. I am 38 with two children (2 and 8). I am afraid of the attention I now get from the opposite sex for fear that I will want to act on it. I am afraid to be alone and I am afraid to change careers. I feel like I have been living in a cocoon for the last 10 years. My brain says it wants to party and be a wild child again. The functioning part of me knows that I am a mother, business woman, wife (not necessarily in this order). Despite losing 111 lbs so far, it doesnt make me feel less lonely or more accepted. Now I just feel naked and vulnerable . I am not clinically depressed. I started seeing a shrink about 6 weeks ago to help me with the lethargy and boredom issues. Basically I feel that I want to explode out and expend some of the bottled up energy I have inside me. I want to have fun. I want to flirt. I want to travel. There are so many things that I want to do, but basically I feel trapped. I also feel sexy again despite the low self esteem and body dysmorphia issues I have. Now I realize that all of these issues are normal when someone loses a lot of weight. But I feel completely out of control like I want to do something crazy, wild and fun. I also dont trust that if I go away with the girlfriends or go on a business trip that I might not go too far. So I am doing nothing except getting angry with myself for being such a wuss and racked with guilt about the alternative lifestyle I dream about. I am frustrated and reaching out for help. I guess I'm just craving attention (male). I want someone to tell me I'm beautiful. I want to get back out in the real world and meet people. I have shared some of this with the hubby and I asked him for help making changes in our relationship to improve communication. But he's never been the wishy washy sentimental sort and right now I need my hand held. Well, what do you guys think? Am I totally messed up? Babs in TX 334/223/180 -111 6/23/03

Lucy, Thanks for you post. I am doing some repair work on our relationship. My husband went with me to one of my therapy sessions. We both know the relationship is troubled, but I will not give up on it yet. My husband is a good man, but we need to put a little spice back in the relationship. We are working on the communication skills and things are getting a little better in that dept. Thanks for your words of advice. I will heed them. Babs in Tx 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Francesca, I am so glad that she is doing well! Thank you for the update. Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Hi Guys, I took pics but havent had them developed yet. They are still in the ole camera. Once I get them developed, I will get my hubby to put them up on the internet. Give me a couple of days OK? Babs in TX 334/218/180 -116 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, Missed all of you while I was gone on vacation in the Dominican Republic. I ate and drank too much which was to be expected, since I really need a fill, but was afraid to get one before I went away. I gained three pounds, but considering last year at this time when I went on vacation and gained 10 or so, I am feeling OK with this. I still hope to make -120 by my one year bandiversary next week, so for now, I am mostly on a liquid diet to get myself back on track. SOme of the things I learned while on vacation: Tough meats do not go down even with less restriction! I had a barfing session one day at lunch while on monster safari. When you drink less Water during the day, you have more restriction. (At least I found this to be so for me!) Pina coladas go down very easy! If you sit and graze long enough at buffets, you can eat a lot more in a hour than you can in 20 minutes at home. I think I violated every bandster rule like drinking while I was eating and not stopping when I got the "full" signal etc. I was totally wicked, but now I am back on track!!! Babs in TX 334/218/180 -116 6/23/03

Hi Lisa, I go away for a couple of weeks and all hell breaks loose!. Tubing popping out of open wounds, slutty gloves, trouble with pimps and uncooperative docs and assistants! Honey, I would dead faint on the spot if I had tubing coming out of my body. I cant believe how strong you are about this. I am realy sorry you have had all these problems and despite all of this you are able to keep your sense of humor. Doc Kuri will take good care of you. It sounds like all the good folks here have taken care of you. I am livid about the way you have been treated. Crappy aftercare really pisses me off. You would think since most of the business he is getting is coming from the US, his office would be more on the ball about a real problem. I am sorry that this has happened to you. Babs in TX 334/218/180 -116 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, I am excited to say that I no longer qualify for weight loss surgery. I have gone from super/morbidly obese to severely obese to just obese today!!! Starting with a BMI of 53.9, it was hard to imagine that I would ever get her. I am so excited to think in a few months I will be just overweight! Now I have a BMI that is 34.7. Thirty more pounds to overweight. Babs in TX 334/215/180 -119 pounds in 11 months and one week!!! 6/23/03

Hey Bright, You are looking fantastic. Your husband is a stud muffin. Cute as a button. I missed you here. I havent been posting as much. I am going on vacation on the 1st of June through the middle of June. I need a fill, but I am going to wait until I get back . I hear that the hospitals in 3rd world Domincan Republic leave a lot to be desired and I dont want to be too tight during my vacation. Come to the states and stay with me!!! We would have a blast. Babs in TX 334/218/180 -116 pounds in less than 11 months!!! 6/23/03

Ginger, I have been banded almost 11 months and I have had two incidences where I have PB'ed. I have had several golf ball incidences, but thats about it. I have a good fill level, but when I eat foods like steak etc.. I have to be very careful to chew it to a pulp. Anyway, be very careful and chew chew chew! Babs in TX 334/219/180 -115 6/23/03

Hi Cindy, Sorry that your band slipped and you had to have a second operation. That is why post op care and pre op instructions as well as having a good banding surgeon are so important. I know you are reaching out for help and really want to get back on the "band wagon" again, so I will shoot from the hip here! Stop drinking the soft drinks. Please dont do anything to jeopardize your band. Get some counseling from a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. Sounds like that would really benefit you. Try to join a group like Weight Watchers or Overeaters etc. or go to your new docs post op support group meetings. The weekly accountability will get you back on track. Be careful not to overfill your band. Make sure that you go to someone who really knows how to do a fill/adjustment. I know it cost money to get fills for a lot of folks here, but there is nothing worse than having your band too tight. It sounds more like you need to work on your eating habits. A sample of what I eat during the day: 2 cups of coffee Protein shake in the morning (low carb) lunch Scrambled eggs, some lean ham, 1 oz of cheese, tuna, a grilled chicken roll up, turkey chili, Low carb tortilla with ham lettuce tomato, cucumber. Today I had a Cajun dish at Applebys with grilled shrimp, blackened chicken and a very small piece of Andoille sausage over dirty rice. I ate 2 tb of the rice and polished off the meat, which was about 5 oz total. dinner is some form of meat, veggies or salad. Dessert is a Skinny Cow Ice Cream bar, Jello, 1 cup of popcorn or a low carb chocolate bar. I only eat dessert once or twice a week. My total caloric intake is always less than 1200, but usually closer to 1100 per day. Very very once in a while, I will exceed 1200. This is usually when I go to a party or out to eat for dinner. I exercise at least 3 times a week. Two forty minute cardio days and one or two days a week of circuit training. SOmetimes weight lifting with a personal trainer 1x a week. THis has worked for me. There are days I violate the rules and eat things I shouldnt, but most of the time I am pretty good with my new regimen. I do like tortilla chips very much and have been known to eat those once a week. I take a serving of chips and split it in half if I really want them. I do not deny myself anything. I do not feel deprived. I will admit that sometimes I know that I could eat more than I do. I also get caught up with that one more bite scenario when something taste really good. I sometimes even lose the battle of mind over matter. There are some days I have more restriction than others. I do eat bread ( low carb) , but I have no problem to eat a couple of bites of real bread and butter when I go to a restaurant. I take two bites and I am finished. The craving goes away when I allow myself to have what I want. So please start from the beginning and try looking at this a different way. What you have done so far is outstanding. You have done better than average with your banding despite the fact you have had some issues and a less than supportive doc. I know you can do this if you focus and set some real tangible goals for yourself. GOOD luck!!! Babs in TX 334/219/180 -115 pounds in 10 1/2 months.

Sue, You are totally a trip!!! Good luck with the upcoming plastic surgery. P.S. Better yet, in addition to the above data, doc should get all of the responses from this thread minus names!!! Babs in TX

Hey Sue, I stand corrected. Thank you for pointing that out!! I should know this since all of my kids meds are administered in CC's and based on my calculations I would be overdosing them!!! LOL. But it does support the case that the fills amounts are so small and done with the naked eye and there is room to error by as much as .25. Babs in TX 334/219/180 -115 6/23/03

Candy, Sounds like you need another fill doc. Since you had your bands in the US, (I am assuming) is it not possible to go somewhere else for your fills?. Sounds like your doc doesnt have a lot of experience with fills. The other thing you could try is to call Inamed the lapband manufacturer and see if they could place a call to your doc.'s office. Sounds like he is hording fills! Usually first fills dont take as well as second or third fills. I was at Texas Bandsters Bash and Dr. Rumbaut was explaining why first fills seem to evaporate and why they dont take as well as second or third fills. The rationale is that when the band is empty after surgery and a fill is performed, not all of the first fill goes to the band itself but may sit in the tubing . When you get a second fill, they remove the liquid and measure how much they pull out and then add an incremental amount like .25 CC. The new additional fill acts as a vacuum and pushes all the Fluid to its destination.So what I am saying is that they may have put 1.5 CC in your band, but when they remove it there is a chance that there is air being drawn out (which is good) and then they are putting it all back in. THere is also a chance that you will lose fluid by osmosis. When a fill is conducted they use a huber needle. Please understand how little a CC is. It is less or equal to a teaspoon, so when you get a fill of .25, we are talking about such a small quantity of fluid that even the slightest amount that doesnt reach the band and which may not be visible to the eye can change how much restriction you have. Fills are not rocket science, but an artform even with flouro. So what may look good under flouro can vastly change when you leave the docs office. Most people complain that their fills tighten up a bit a few days later. I would try to find someone more experienced to do your fills. Just a little of my history: First fill six weeks post op: 1.00 CC - no restriction at all Second fill was one week later because I complained: 1.75 CC (some restriction) Could still eat 8-10 oz of food at a sitting Third fill: 2;00 CC - Very good restriction for about 4 months Could eat about 6oz of food Fourth fill: 2.25 CC - Very very tight for about 2 months and then it loosened up some and I believe this is the sweet spot, but will probably loosen up a bit more in the oncoming months. I can eat about 5-6 oz of food, but earlier in the fill, could eat about 3-4 oz only. Now I know this is different for everyone, but other than the first or second fill, I waited about 3 1/2 months between fills because I thought I had adequate restriction and I was losing steadily. But there were moments that I could eat a horse and days where 1/2 boiled egg was too troublesome and I drank Protein shakes. Even good restriction varies from day to day. HOwever, I was lucky. My doc listened to what I had to say about restriction rather than let any kind of schedule dictate my success. Yoiu have to be your own advocate. Keep calling and track what you are eating in a diary and take it to your doc. If you are eating healthy food, protein and veggies and are able to eat 3 cups of this, then you truly do not have restriction. If you are able to eat one cup of healthy protein and a veggie and start getting full, then you probably have some restriction.The band even when you are very restricted wont keep you from downing milkshakes or eating mash potatoes, french fries etc. Even I can eat those and would not lose weight. For many months, I ate a cup or more of solid Proteins and complained to my doc I was eating too much. He said, are you happy and losing weight? I said yes. I also wasnt hungry between meals when I was sticking to the program. Good luck and I hope you find the solution you are looking for. Babs in TX 334/219/180 -115 6/23/03

Ginny, For most of us, the first two weeks post op there is swelling, so you dont feel as hungry as you did pre band. There are even some of us that had restriction right from the get go and did not have fills at all. I know of three people who lost more than 60 pounds without ever having one, but this is uncommon. All of us had to go through it and most of us were sure we would die of starvation! LOL I kinda wished that someone like my docs office would have told me how hungry I would be so soon after surgery. It would have been a relief to know I was normal and I also could have prepared my brain for this. You will not fail at this unless you are really out to sabotage yourself. Find a banding buddy online having surgery about the same time as you. Or get on this board daily and there will always be someone to help you. Dont worry, you will do fine. Six weeks til your first fill will go by very fast, believe it or not. Babs in TX 334/220/180 -114 6/23/03

Hi Alex and friends, I think that INAMED recently hired a new PR firm. Hopefully, the lapband message will get out there in a bigger way. I am frustrated with shows that push the RNY and even more frustrated with PCP's and bariatric surgeons who dont understand lapbanding. It is true that it takes more dedication to lose weight with banding, at least at the beginning. Later, things equal out anyway as far as weight loss is concerned. Of course the person I dislike the most is Dr. Phil. He is the worst hypocrite I have ever heard. Read an article how he just bought a 7 million dollar house for cash in Beverly Hills based on giving advice to people on how to lose weight and solve their money problems as well. He is overweight and could afford to drop a few pounds himself. Boy, is he out of the loop on reality. He also seems to think that all fat people got obese because they eat poorly. He never addresses the satiety issue as a genetic defect though. He is a wienie with a capital WWWW!!! Babs in TX 334/221/180 -113

Hey Bullit, You will do better in the long run if you stick with the bandster rules. Once you get used to not drinking with meals, you will think it odd that you ever missed it at all. I drink a cup of warm tea or a glass of Water about 20 minutes before I eat. THis way, I am not thirsty until one hour after. I dont sip or swish and sometimes I forget and I am really thirsty after a meal, but most of the time I remember to waterload before the meal. Babs in TX 334/221/180 -113 6/23/03

Hey Kellymoos, I am hanging in there. Taking things day by day. For the moment, I am not making any radical changes. My husband seems to be trying to do things to make improvements. Today, he went to the doc and had blood tests done. He is chronically tired all the time and wanted to be sure that he doesnt have any issues with his health. The doc thinks he might have some form of sleep apnea. He is not obese. (6 foot and 218). He is coming with me to my weekly therapy session on Monday. My shrink wants to see how we interact. Anyway, thanks for asking.!!!! Babs in TX 334/221/180 -113 6/23/03

Hi Jackie, When I started out, I did Atkins most of the time. Now as i get further along in my weight loss journey, I need some healthy carbs. I eat chili, Beans, whole wheat Pasta, low carb bread, some low carb pitas etc. I just dont eat much of any one thing. Sample day: 2 cups of coffee Water Protein shake lunch: chili, tuna, low carb toast, chicken, egg beaters with cheese and ham etc. dinner: meat of some kind, vegetable, sometimes a couple of tablespoons of rice or potato. Last night I had chicken soup and a low carb roll with ham, cheese and cucumbers with diet mayo. Snack: Skinny Cow Low carb Peanut Butter and chocolate ice cream, sometimes a low carb chocolate bar or Jello I know, sounds a little boring, but I do eat stuff when I am hungry. Babs in TX 334/221/180 -113 6/23/03

Hi my wise friends, Donali: Your post was brilliant and insightful. There was a time that I was madly in love with my husband. My husband is Dutch and we met in Holland. We were thrown together by fate and then after dating 9 months I became pregnant with our first child. We married when I was 7 months pregnant. I would have been happy to stay living together. ( I had come out of a relationship of 5 years and did not want to marry again). I was very young when I met my first husband who was German and more of a father figure than a husband. For obvious and (unobvious) reasons, we had to marry before the baby was born. I have always been unsure how he has truly felt about me or if out of loyalty and obligation he married me. It is true what you say. If I want to fall in love again, I probably could. And it is a relationship worth salvaging. Alex: Kudos to you as well. I dont really want to be single, but I realllllly need attention and romance. I dont want to have to get it from others. I have a good life and most people would say I am extremely fortunate. Beautiful children, loyal husband, gorgeous house and a successful business. Unfortunately, I still feel there is a large empty void. Megan: Your idea is wonderful. Unfortunately, we do not have family or friends that can take care of our children for a weekend. But our former nanny lives in the area and I trust her to take care of my children for a weekend, so if we truly want to do something, I suppose we could. We are going on a family vacation in 4 weeks to the Dominican Republic. This might be a time to rekindle lost feelings. It seems I have a lot of headwork to do. For now, I am going to keep things status quo. I had another chat with my husband yesterday and told him about the low self esteem issues and my lack of faith in myself. I also let him know that I really dont know what I want to do and I am not sure it can work, but I'm still here so that is a positive sign. No promises, but I have not packed my bags. Thanks so much for all of your advice. It is really appreciated. Babs in TX 334/223/180 -111 6/23/03

Megan, Thats a great idea. Except with two problems. I really dont want to spend alone time with my husband. I am kinda angry with him right now about lots of things. I had a long talk with him and let him know he needs to take steps to help himself. He has adult ADD and as a result I have to be a mother to him all the time. He is easily distracted and the problem lies there. I can not do any more to help him with this. Also, he is not very romantic and he rarely can say how he feels about me. We have been together for 10 years and I think he has told me once that he loves me. He is a great father, good provider and he is extremely loyal and dedicated, but sometimes I am convinced he is not the right person for me. We were kinda thrown together by circumstance and not design right from the beginning of our relationship. THe truth is I am not sure how I feel for him. I care for him, but I dont know if thats enough. He has always been very supportive, but when I ask him a simple question like how do I look in this outfit etc.. his answers are monotone and practical, not that I look beautiful or that I am attractive to him. THe other thing is this feeling of wanderlust I have. I am finding myself attracted to other people, but not him. Of course the biggest problem right now is that I dont trust myself. So in addition to the boredom, I also have the low self esteem issue and the need for someone to tell me they cant live without me. Whoo! My brain hurts from that confession.!!! LOL Babs

Hi Big dog, Was your wife banded in the US or Mexico? I guess a doc put a band in me that wasnt registered and wasn't an Inamed band, I would be pissed off too. Sounds like the doc is the source of the problem by putting in an unregistered and defective band. Rumbaut is a wonderful doc and kind person. I am sure that you will be doing fine!!! Babs in TX 334/227/180 -107 6/23/03

Hi Sunnivale, Getting a lapband is the best decision I have ever made for myself. I was told by many docs that I would have a hard time to lose weight. I have hyperinsulinemia (insulin resistance) and the associated problem of gaining weight rapidly and having a hard time to take it off. I tried dieticians and spent a year on Atkins. I lost 47 pounds, but gained back 60 in less than 6 months. I truly felt that I would not lose fast, but that if I had a tool that would help me with the quantity issue, I would do my due diligence to eat healthy food and exercise. Well, so far I have lost 106 pounds in less than 10 months. Have I had any problems with the band? Not really. I pb'ed one time since being banded and had some mild gastritis which lasted about 1 month after a tight fill which eventually loosened up. Other than that, it has been pretty smooth sailing. When I go to a restaurant, I eat whatever I want, just in small quantities. I eat ice cream once a week or a low carb chocolate bar or some other treat. I take a few bites of dessert if I want. I really really like popcorn and tortilla chips, but now I eat a normal serving or half of one at the movies or with some turkey chili. Life is wonderful with the band. I am finally in control of my eating and eat to live, not live to eat. Babs in TX 334/228/180 -106 6/23/03

Hi, I agree with Alexandra. Wait a week or two. After almost all my fills, I went home and ate regular food and was convinced that it wasn't working. Within a week, the restriction kicked in for me. It was very surprising to say the least. My big question is if you wait, is the doc prepared to do the fill again since he is not sure if he hit it? Unfortunately, you may be one of the unlucky ones that has a tilted port and will have to have your fills done with flouro until you drop some pounds and the port is closer to the skin. My first three fills were done with flouro. Doc could not access the port manually. My last fill was done in his office with no troubles whatsover. I would be concerned with a doc who is not sure whether he accessed the port or not. If he didn't where did the Fluid go? To me this does not make sense. Either he got it in, or he didn't. Babs in TX 334/229/180 -105 6/23/03