bbrecruiter2000

Hey ALexandra/Coal, You beat me to the punch on the same response!!!! Many doctors perceive Atkins to be an unhealthy diet. I have been on a high protein/low carb intake for the last 10 weeks. (Atkins!!!!!) Even at my gym (Curves) they endorse an Atkins like diet plan with about 50 carbs permitted per day and about 1200-1400 calories. Now I rarely get to 1100 in a day, and I always make sure I keep my carbs under 20. I am very metabolically resistant and my endocrinologist reccomended an Atkins like diet as a lifestyle. The key is to integrate some carbs in your diet, so you do not become so metabolically resistant that you no longer lose weight, so every few weeks it is good to go off a ketogenic diet and eat some carbs as long as they are the healthy kind. Ketones are great, except for your breath!!!! Babs in TX 334/296/180 6/23/03

Jeunesse, Leo My husbands parents now live in FLA in St. Augustine. THey retired there a few years ago, but they are from Den Haag. My husbands brother lives in Maine near the Canadian border. I met my husband in the American Hotel in Amsterdam in the Leidseplein. We were the only two people having a Heineken and started talking to eachother. My husband worked for IBM both in Uithoorn and also in the US. He now works at Motorola. I miss gevulde koekjes and oude kaas. I also miss sate, but I do make my own version of it here in the US. My husband misses dubbel Zout licorice. Yuccchhhh! I notice from your diary that you eat very little!!!! YOu definitely eat less than I do. I exercise about three times a week at the gym, but not as long as you do. Go girl!!!!

Jeunesse, Leo Hello! I saw you posting on obesityhelp as well. Hoe gaat het met jou? As I mentioned, I also lived in Holland for 10 years 89-99. My husband is a Nederlander and I lived in Amstelveen and Amsterdam most of the time I was there. I worked in production, television and live shows. Some of the people I worked with are Carlo Stijk, Jacqueline Aaronson, Joop van de Ende, RTL 4, Tros, SOny etc... I really enjoyed my time there. My oldest son was born in the Amstelveense Ziekenhuis. Let s stay in touch. Congratulations on your success with the band!!! By the way, I have lots of Dutch friend here in TX. We are part of a Dutch club in Dallas and still Celebrate Sinter Klaas here and Zwarte Piet.

Bright/Sarah Bright: SOunds like things will work out for you. I am very glad about this. You'll just have to get through the Frenchlish!! Sarah, Hang in there. I now have restriction and it helps a lot. I feel like I am not eating enough now!! So the struggle is the opposite to convince myself to eat enough!!!. Never had this problem before..... Even though I do not notice a whole lot of loss despite the fact that I am almost 16 kilos lighter (37 pounds), I can see the inches. Small victory: I am now 5 inches from the steering wheel instead of 1. I fit in the chairs at my doctors office. I no longer have edema (swelling in my ankles) and I can run up two flights of stairs without passing out!!! Yes, it was very hot here for several weeks, but now the temperature is much lower. We have had rain for three days on and off! Babs in TX

Bright, Thats fantastic. Not terribly expensive. Does it cover a place to stay before and after the surgery? Fills? A lapband companion? Airport pickup etc..? You could probably have your band within the next month!! I am very excited for you. SOunds like a good option. Lets stay in touch!!! Babs in TX 334/297/180

Dear Bright, Sarah The midband is the French version of the band. THe lapband is manufactured by Inamed and is the only band that is FDA approved for use in the US. Many Lapband patients in the US have the Swedish band if they went to Mexico to have it done. I don't think you should worry to much about which band you get, but if you are getting the operation is France, it seems that it would be more likely that you would get the French band. When you finally get to the stage where you are talking to Dr.'s ask them which band they use and what the differences are if any. At least you have a telephone number for the consultant even though the message was quite dyslexic. Also I noticed she was an RN with a Masters, so at least you are talking to a real medical person. Sarah, Sorry you did not get a fill. I am sure it will be coming soon. I have been doing well with my fill. I have not spit up or barfed yet. I have really been taking my time when I eat, like a half hour or more to chew my food properly. I am disappointed because I have not dropped any weight in the last 11 days despite my efforts to be diligent and regimented with food and exercise. I think I am retaining Water. I am waiting for my monthly friend to come and nothing is happening with that either. I am sure once it does, I will drop4 or five pounds. Lets all stay in touch!!! Babs in TX -37 and counting 334/297/180

Hey Bright/Sarah, I know the consultant I sent you gets a cut, but it should not be too significant because the two doctors that are doing the procedure pay her to market them. The one doctor has over 3,000 lapband procedures under his belt. This is very significant since there have only been 60-100,000 lapband procedures done altogether worldwide. It would probably be worth the extra expense to have someone hold your hand through the whole process. Sarah, Glad your fill went well. Makes a difference heh? I am working today, so I will try to reach you both in the evening. Babs in TX

Bright, Its Babs in TX!!! I found the web site I was telling you about. It is http://www.gastricbandservice.co.uk/. THey organized everything for you to have the band in France. They even give you a banding buddy when you arrive to help you with all of your needs. There are two surgeons that they are working with. ONe of them has done over 3,000 Lapbands. Also, the web site is in English.I was so excited to find this link. I think this is a solution for you. Let me know how it goes. On the web site, they also have a list of Lapband docs they work with. I hope this is a solution for you also for the fills. Kindest regards, Babs in TX -37 and counting

Bright, Its Babs in TX!!! I found the web site I was telling you about. It is http://www.gastricbandservice.co.uk/. THey organized everything for you to have the band in France. They even give you a banding buddy when you arrive to help you with all of your needs. I was so excited to find this link. I think this is a solution for you. Let me know how it goes. On the web site, they also have a list of Lapband docs they work with. I hope this is a solution for you also for the fills. Kindest regards, Babs in TX -37 and counting

Bright: I just wanted you to know that I am absolutely sure you are beautiful without the lapband and the weight loss. I know lots of people have said to me in the past that I would be stunning if I dropped the weight. I know how that can sting, so I guess I did not want you to misinterpret me which is easy to do on the internet. I had a boyfriend dump me many years ago and told me he would take me back when I weighed 75 kilos or less. Its a shame your mother died so young, but I am absolutely sure she loved you just the way you are today. Sarah: Regarding the fill, most of the Lapband surgeons do the fills in their office and do not need x-rays or flouroscopy to find and inject the port with saline. My doc tried 6 times and could not do it because my port is at an angle and he does not have these facilities in his office. The first time I went to my doc, there were 20 other people in the office for fills. Of the 20, three were sent to the hospital. THe others left with their fills. Unfortunately, at the hospital, the radiologist I had did not have a personality, nor had he done many fills. (maybe 25 or so). He gave me 1.25 CC, but he did not remove the air bubbles. Harmless to everyone, but not good as far as restriction is concerned. I had to go back last week to the same hospital, different radiologist. I told him how I wanted it done! First, find the port. Second, remove the saline from my first fill as much as possible. Then inject new saline 1.75 CC. Remove all air bubble to insure only liquid is in band. While needle is still in, do the barium swallow to make sure it is adequate restriction. Then remove needle and I do another barium swallow completing standing up. Well, it works. I have great restriction, but I am still able to eat about 5 ounces of food at a sitting. Had trouble with a hamburger today, but I was able to eat soft chicken SLOWLY>>> So to answer your question, if you have an experienced surgeon and your port is not in a strange position, fill can be done in less than 5 minutes in your doctors office without flouroscopy or X-ray. It is also possible that your surgeon might have these facilities in his office, so you would not need to go to the hospital to have it done. Babs in TX -37lbs and counting

I agree with Lori. YOu are so fortunate that they found this problem before it put you in the hospital or caused your demise. The Lapband will wait and even if you cant have it done now, with correction of the heart problem, it can certainly be done later. I know it is hard to look at the bright side, but the Lapband probably saved your life post op! I am sure that they will find a solution for you and you will be able to start your journey. Babs in TX 334/297/180

Larry, Bright, Sarah Larry: My office used to be in Weatherfordright across from Texas bank in the square. I moved it to NRH after having a baby, so I could be closer to home. ONe of the late life kids..... also helped me to sock on an extra 52 lbs ( or 24 kilos for Bright)!! Sarah: What a great idea!! I had not thought about France for the surgery, but you are absolutely correct. I find that some of the English doc's are conservative and a little resistant to change. THe French have a very laissez faire approach to all of this and I imagine with the low population of overweight French, it could be very uncomfortable being obese there, so surgery to them is not a radical thing and fills/adjustments should be easy to find in Paris. I used to go shopping in Paris (not for clothes I might add) and the sizes range from small to very small.!! Bright - What a great idea to have your surgery in France. I recently saw a web site for a French firm who handles banding in a package deal. I wish I could find it.... Ill keep trying to remember where I saw it and forward to you.!!! By the way, based on your photo you have a beautiful face and great spirit. Just think what will happen when you walk into a room a year from now. Jaws will drop!!!!! Your husband will have to keep hordes of chaps away from you!!! BB

Alex, Just playing devils advocate here.... Hypothetically, one could say it is medically necessary to replace the band otherwise the patient would blow up to 400 pounds in two years and die of a heart attack. Especially if the patient had co morbidities prior to banding. I think that the real trouble would be if you now had a diffferent insurance company other than the one you had when you were banded. The new one would be more difficult than the one who put it there and paid for it!!!! Either way, if that happened to me, I would jump my now (hopefully skinnier butt) on a plane and go to Mexico and have it replaced!!!! Babs in TX 6/23/03 -37 lbs and counting

Bright, I understand the nervousness you have. But Dublin must have someone who can do your fills with flouroscopy? Don't let them fill you immediately post band. Wait two months and then have a fill. In the beginning, you won't need one. You may never need one. But be sure when you do, that you research how fills are supposed to be and what is to be expected. Today, I had to go to the hospital to have a 2nd fill. The first one did not work at 1.25 CC. I felt less restricted than before I went. I called my doctor to order the second and it was then that they told me that it is possible that the first radiologist did not remove the air bubbles which would mean that my restriction would be limited. SO they decided that rather than go to the same hospital and radiologist, they would send an order to a clinic here in the area that specializes in band fills. I knew that my insurance would not cover this,, so I said, who at the hospital where my procedure occurred, knows how to do a proper fill?. They gave me one doctors name and I was scheduled with him. When I got to the hospital, it turns out he was on vacation for a week and no one told me! I did not want the previous guy touching me, so I asked for a different person. I then explained to the radiologist how I wanted it to be done (whole other discussion...) minus the air bubbles, with the needle still in me when I did the barium swallow so in the event it was not enough he would be able to add more saline. I am happy to say that I think it worked this time. I oculd feel the liquid as he put it in and felt restriction which I did not feel the first time. I am quietly sipping on my Atkins Protein shake now and will try to see if I can eat tonight.!!!!! LESSON::: BE EDUCATED! Since all my fills will have to be done at the hospital under flouroscopy and it is hard to determine what level of experience each person has, know what a good fill is and know what it feels like. Dont be scared, just do your homework!!! Babs in TX 6/23/03 -37 and counting

Dear Bright, Thanks for the invitation. You might find me knocking at your door one day. My first goal is to get on an airplane without asking for an extender. That goal should be reached by Christmas!!! Babs in TX -37 and counting 6/23/03

Dear Bright, I forgot to say something and did not want you to think I was a total insensitive clod! THe first 4 weeks or longer after your surgery, you are not supposed to do any strenuous exercise anyway. Walking is a great thing to do, even a couple of hours after surgery. But other than walking, there really isn't opportunity to do much else until your doc is convinced that your body has healed sufficiently to start a real exercise regime. In the first two weeks, you will not have much energy because you are on a liquid diet and also because you are healing. By the way, I lived and worked in Europe from 89-99 and lived outside of Amsterdam, NL. My business partner was from County Cork. I have never been to Ireland, only Northern Ireland. Went to Belfast a few times for business. Traveled a lot for my work, mostly UK, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy Portugal, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Africa and Middle East. My hubbie is Dutch 100% and I am a Puerto Rican- Italian American. Decided to come back to US 3 years after my son was born. I started to miss my home after a decade!! I speak Dutch, spanish and English and I love to travel. We may have the opportunity to meet one day!!!! Babs in TX 6/23/03 -37 and counting

Dear Bright, I agree with Lisa. I like yourself have two children, own a company and have a huge house to manage. I never really like walking here in the hot sun of TX, so I swim with my kids, go to the gym 3x a week when my older one is in school and thats my regime. You would be surprised how you find the time when you are motivated. I started with a BMI of 54 and now I am at 47.8. I never exercised in my life and always found an excuse like I am tired, no time, bla bla bla. IF you really want to exercise, whether it be walking or something else you will MAKE the time. I notice the inches coming off, not just the lbs and it can make a big difference when you hit the plateaus that seem endless. Now I am assuming you live near Dublin where there are facilities, but if there isn't invest in a bike and ride around 3 x a week and stick the kids on the front and back!!!! Babs in TX -37 and counting 6/23/03

Bob, Thats a great question. I wondered that as well. I also wondered if you switched insurance companies and had the same problem, what could or would they do? I am sorry that I do not have the answers to these questions. You raise very good points and I hope someone out there can give the answer. Babs in TX 6/23/03 -37 lbs and counting

Alex, Don't worry about it. Everyone is different. I usually had 5-6 oz of creamy soup and then I would stop. If I needed more to be fill I would add more. THe best Soups that I felt the most full with the least amount was cream of asparagus and cream of mushroom. I would put a sprinkle of blue cheese on top and it made me feel like I was royalty!!! Don't expect any restriction on a creamy liquid diet!! Get used to lots of tupperware containers with bits of soup and stuff forever in your refrigerator.!!!! Babs in TX -37 and counting 334/297/180 6/23/03

bj7523 For breakfast, I have my coffee and sometimes an Atkins muffin or piece of Atkins bread with one oz of cheese. Most of the time I do not eat breakfast except on weekends when I have egg and 2 pieces of bacon For lunch I eat a low carb tortilla with tuna, turkey, ham or chicken some lettuce, a little tomato and a low carb ranch salad dressing. For dinner, I eat 4-6 oz of meat and a little veggie For snack I have a Protein bar or Atkins breakfast bar. I usually get 50-90 protein grams, 1000-1200 calories and less than 20 carb grams. Since I am not much of a walker (hate walking in the heat in TX wth the bugs) I go to Curves 3-4 x a week, exercise in my swimming pool 1 x-2x aweek. I do Noodlerobics with the kids floating noodles and I find it to be entertaining without being too strenous. It stinks because I have very little restriction and I really force myself to eat slowly so I at least get the sensation of being full. I can eat anything, so I tend to be careful of everything I put in my mouth. Today I cheated for the first time on Atkins, (I ate some of my son's birthday cake at his party and 3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes and felt really guilty) But I know I will get back on the bandwagon tomorrow and start a new day! You gotta let yourself slip up once in a while, even if it is 1x a week. At least I did not eat the whole cake!! COulda though!! Babs in TX 334/297/180 6/23/003

Dear Posting nut, I lost 17 pound in 2 weeks after surgery and did NOT lose anything for almost three weeks after that. All of a sudden, when I wasn't looking I dropped another 10 pounds. Then another 8. Then 5 more. I am 2 months post op and I can tell you with certainty that you will plateau and then suddenly lose pounds when you are not paying attention! Cereal and crackers are high in carbs and although walking is better exercise than none, there are other forms of exercise that increase your metabolic rate faster such as a good cardio workout, swimming, dancing, bicycling. I think when you feel like this, you need to take a step back and reevaluate everything you are doing to see what you can do to improve. When I was at my doctors office recently, some of the lapband patients were complaining they were not losing enough. But when you talked to them indepth, they had pieces of the puzzle that were missing or things they were not complying with such as soft food syndrome, too many carbs, not enough exercise, NO exercise, etc... I think you need to watch everything if you want to succeed. Some people are happy with a 5 pound a month weight loss, some are not happy unless they see 8-10. SOme lose faster, some lose slower, but its very much up to you to decide what the pace is. GOOD LUCK, you are doing great even if you dont think so. Babs in TX -37 and counting 6/23/03

I had a crappy time with my first fill. It was attempted a week ago i nmy doctors office. He tried 6 x with no success. I then went to the hospital yesterday. It took them 2 floro machines ( the second one tilted better for a good view of my tilted port. ) The radiologist had 0 personality and it took them a half hour to finally give me 1.25 CC. Dont have any restriction with this and I came home and had 2 oz of white meat chicken and 1 hard boiled egg. -37 and counting 6/23/03

Dear Sportsmom, Sorry if I misunderstood, but I was wondering why you thought counting calories is an obsession for you? I know lots of bandsters who keep a log and count calories, carbs and Protein every day til they get into a habit of eating healthier and less food once they have good restriction. I think keeping and logging this kind of info is a good thing until you feel comfortable that you do not need this mechanism anymore. I feel a sense of comfort, security and some control when I really micro monitor my weight loss process. -36 and counting 6/23/03

Hi Sportsmom, I think it is great that your doctor has postive spirit and good intentions, but I do not agree that eating anything you want in small quantities is necessarily good for all people. Most surgeons are not nutritionists and many have never been overweight and do not understand that each of us bandsters have different nutritional needs and some of us are metabolically resistant to certain foods even in small quantities. How often do you hear an obese person say that they don't eat much but still gain weight rapidly? The band is an important tool to help with quantity, but the rule of eating less and losing weight does not apply to all. Some of us have to work harder at it than others. I am insulin resistant and even really small quantities of carbs blow me up a half dozen pounds. It is a rare treat for me to even have a potato, rice or Pasta. I cannot even have any kind of fruit and only have a few strawberries once a week. So I do have to watch my carbs, Protein, calories to lose weight. Then you have two other issues, slow metabolism and little band restriction. That is why the band does not work for all people. Any nutritionist will tell you that less calories (3500 less to lose a pd) will result in weight loss, but certain rich- in protein foods do produce a ketogenic state such as meat and cheese. I am willing to bet if I had 1200 calories of meat and cheese only vs 1200 calories a day of low fat pudding pops, that I would lose faster than the person eating the pops. Of course, all people who have the band should indulge in treats just like everyone else, but having an Apple Crisp Protein Bar vs 2 oz of apple pie could make a huge difference in the weight loss. -35 and counting 6/23/03

Bren, I hope I get restriction from this first fill. My doc only ordered 1.25 CC. Dunno if this is gonna do the trick!!! Hopefully it will be better than nothing. I am starting to get the early evening munchies. I have resisted and I am sticking to three Atkins meals a day and sometimes an Atkins snack, but its getting brutal to stay at 1100 calories and less than 20 carb grams. I m enjoying the gym, something I had never done in my life, but now I go 3-4 times a week and actually like it. Lets stay in touch and try to inspire eachother. 334/299/180 6/23/03