Doula Lea

He didn't use to charge the $200 for an unfill the day after a $200 fill, but since my last visit he has started. No fluro. In office visit. It really sucks.

You bet I would do it if I had the fill needle. I am a nursing student and I figure if I know how to administer meds, draw blood, and sterile technique I could do an emergency unfill if necessary. I have thought about getting a syringe and needle for just such an emergency. My fill doc charges $200 per fill/ unfill too which is a pretty significant amount of money to a student with small children!

After thinking about things, I have an idea.... First, I joined the Spring Boot Camp. I made a commitment to myself to have a 45 min cardio session at least 3 days a week. Second, I think that I may try to train for a 5k fun run at the end of the month. I really enjoy sports, but it has been so long since I have had a chance to do anything. I think that the push to DO something rather than just get on the treadmill will make a difference for me. I am intimidated thinking about trying to go to a race at my current size, and am trying to motivate myself... I am my own worse enemy sometimes. The run that I am thinking of is at my local wonderful zoo and would benefit the animals there. My kids would have to come along with (so I would be pushing that stroller!) so I am thinking that would help to give me a get out of jail pass for still being so heavy trying to be in a race!

After 3 years of pregnancy and breastfeeding with a complete unfill I am ready to get back on the BAND wagon (teeheehee ). I just got a fill and I have a good restriction level, but the main component missing is exercise. I find myself making excuses. I am a nursing student and a mom of 2 kids under 5- so trust me there are plenty of potential excuses out there! But, my school has a gym, my home has a home gym and a treadmill, and there is just no reason why I shouldn't be working out every single day. I have a motto that I have lived my life by: Winners make plans, losers make excuses. Getting the band was part of my "plan" to win the war over my health, but I have fallen off track over the last few years. Thankfully, the band is a very forgiving WLS and it allows us flexibility to eat normally when necessary (having a healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding relationship a really great reason why I chose the band). Now, I need to start up again. I need to devise a starting plan/ schedule for myself that is maintainable with measured increases as my fitness level improves. Is there anything that anyone here recommends? Is there anyone else who is in a similiar boat of having a really busy life who is trying to get and stay motivated to exercise? I would like to find an e-exercise buddy to help keep me accountable.... Any takers?

Welcome! I'm in Justin (about 30 min North of Fort Worth) and I was self pay too. I went down to MX for my surgery with the late Dr. Sanchez. The band is a great solution for those who are as interested in health as they are in weight loss. Congratulations on a great decision!

Great! I am excited to have the support! Da da da dum! Now, to make it official.... I commit to at least fifteen 45 minute cardio sessions over the next month. I will strive for 10,000 steps a day. I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day. I will make healthful food choices whenever possible. And, finally my biggest goal is keep from thinking negative thoughts about myself. When I do catch myself dwelling on something negative I will stop right there and think at least 3x as many positive thoughts about myself as I was thinking negative... Winning the war in my mind is as important as winning the war on the treadmill. I have got to get motivation to step on that treadmill from somewhere- right?

Can I join the boot camp? I know that it is a little late in the game, but I am trying to get back on the band wagon (pun intended) after my first fill in 3 years. My main goal is to get the exercise in. I have 2 kids under 5 and I am a nursing student which gives me lots of excuses to use NOT to exercise, so I am trying to commit to myself to get in at least thress 45 minute cardio sessions a week for now. Once I make it 21 days with that, I will add in strength training. I lost 75-80 lbs before getting pregnant and in the last 3 years (pregnancy and breastfeeding) with no fill, I have gained 50 of that back! Eeekk! With summer coming up I will have more time, but I want to get my momentum going before I crash and burn after finals.

I got a fill 10 days ago after living nearly 3 years with next to nothing in my band because of pregnancy and breastfeeding. This fill is totally kicking my butt! I still cannot eat most food. Liquids are ok, soft foods (think baby food consistency) are <i>sometimes</i> okay. I am headed back to the doc tommorrow to get a little taken out to get me back to the "sweet spot". After being off of the "band" wagon for so long, have I forgotten what a fill feels like? I have the large Inamed band (10 or 11 ccs) and I am at 5 ccs right now which doesn't seem like much in comparison where some others are that have the same band. Regardless, I need to be able to eat solid food! Right?! Feeling very frustrated and slighly sick after eating a mashed up avacado is not where I want my life to be!

One of the big factors effecting my restriction level is the amount of weight I have lost. The more I lose, the loser the band gets. 9 lbs in a month is actually pretty great! Be happy! What is your activity level like? Are you fatigued? Are you taking a Multivitamin? Are you able to get enough Calcium?

We have been in the middle of the prairie in TX now for 6 years. We do not have an outdoor shelter and truthfully I don't think that we could even make it to one in time if there was a toronado. We live so far in the country, power goes out during big storms so we are relying on a battery powered radio. The closet under our staircase has been hollowed out and that is our emergency shelter. No outside doors, no windows, and I keep it stocked with supplies. The staircase is usually the most stable part of a 2 story home, so it will have to work for now. The shelters are just too expensive and I just don't see us getting to it in time if a tornado was approaching. All of that said, we have never in 6 years had to get in our little closet.:confused:

Good luch and best wishes!

Blood Clots are an altogether not uncommon side effect of any surgery or debilitating condition. Thankfully, you took the necessary steps to care for yourself by seeking out medical attention. Is the clot in an area where it could be surgically removed or are your docs focusing on medication to try and control it? With meds your main concern (although not as much of a concern as a pulmonary embolism to be sure!) is that the blood thinners are typically NSAIDS which can cause GI problems for most people without a band and are generally not recommended for those folks with a band. Are you still in ICU? If I am too nosey please just ignore my message. I am a nursing student and this is very interesting to me... Take care and keep your chin up. You sought out medical attention and because of that you will be just fine.

Proof that my band has a mind of her own. (and yes it is a she because only a woman could change her mind this much in such a short period of time) So I made an appointment for yesterday which my doc had to bump up to today because he was running behind and I decided this morning to cancel my appointment. In the time between originally posting this thread topic and now, the amount that I can eat has dramatically changed. Now, I haven't tried true solid foods such as veggies or meats, but I am able to eat Pasta and this morning I was able to have a scrambled egg with no problem (first thing in the morning too!). I am thinking that the restriction was mainly inflammation and that may have subsided at this time. In addition, (although I haven't weighed yet) I am pretty certain that I have lost at least 7-10 lbs in the last week just off of the fit of my clothes which would make a huge difference in the restriction level of this fill. Basically, I am trying this fill on for size for a few more days before spending another $200 to have some removed. The BAND is a fickel fickel thing.

It is on my Amazon list... I love Flylady. She has shown me not only HOW to declutter my home, but why it got like that to begin with. I have heard nothing but good things about it on my Flylady newsgroup.

It is on my Amazon list... I love Flylady. She has shown me not only HOW to declutter my home, but why it got like that to begin with. I have heard nothing but good things about it on my Flylady newsgroup.

I feel very strongly that nutrition during pregnancy is absolutely essential if you want a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby, and a healthy mom. I follow the Brewer diet while pregnant (www.blueribbonbaby.org), I recommend this diet to my clients, and to my students. I do not believe that a mother can get adequate nutritional intake with the band filled during pregnancy. I do not believe that a mother can get adequate nutritional intake with the band filled while breastfeeding. A gain of up to 40 lbs while pregnant is well within the realm of "normal" no matter WHAT your begining weight is. When blood volume, Fluid, placenta, and baby are all added together they equal AT LEAST 25-30 lbs on their own. Good Luck!

I went through a pregnancy pre-band and post-band. My top weight at the pre-band pregnancy was 272. I had some BP issues, but still had a vaginal out of hospital birth. My second pregnancy was after a 70 lb weight loss. I had to have an unfill immedietly because my morning sickness was so bad I was afraid that the band would slip. I stayed unfilled for 3 years while breastfeeding my son. He is coming up on 2 and I just got refilled. I gained more weight with the second pregnancy, but had no BP issues and had the homebirth that I wanted with NO complications. I had more energy during that pregnancy that I did with my 1st and overall- I just felt healthier. Pregnancy and childbirth are kinda "my thing". I am a labor doula, a childbirth educator, a lactation consultant, and a nursing student hoping to one day become a midwife. I chose the lapband because I knew that I could have a healthy pregnancy and breastfeed my babies with it. More important than what you weigh before getting pregnant is what you eat while pregnant...

Just want to add that for the first 2-3 days, you should be on only clear liquids, then 2-3 days of thicker drinks (soups, protein drinks, et),and soft foods (yogurt and such) for another 2 days before moving on to the real stuff. Sounds like you may have taxed an already inflammed band with too thick of foods too soon.

I am in Justin TX if that is where you are from! I had surgery with Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey. Great experience, I highly recommend him.

Well after getting back from surgery in MX I have found out that the doc that I had lined up to do my fills is no longer taking Mexican band patients. Anybody have any recommendations for a fill doc in N. TX or Southern OK? I am north of Ft. Worth. Thanks, ~Lea 11/8 Dr. Sanchez 253/249/219 mini goal (less then my hubby)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are an inspiration to a newly banded bandster like me. I can't wait to see your post about meeting your next goal!

I just want to add that you need to be careful of *any* product containing either ibuprofren or asprin. Both of these medicines are very had on the lining of the stomach and can cause erosion of the stomach tissue if trapped at the band site. Acetametaphin is a much safer alternative, but should still be taken with caution and with a LOT of Water to wash it through the band. Pretty much from this point on any and all oral meds need to have the approval of your band doc before you take them. It's terrible to say, but there are even some antibiotics that can cause problems for the band.

I just want to add that I really like the EAS Avent/ Low Carb Protein drinks. It's only 15 gm of protein, 2 carbs, and 110 cal. I know that the protein content is not as high as some others, but it is the one whose tast that I prefer the most. Just make sure to shake it first!

I'm so sorry to hear about your night Alicia! That is just awful. You know, if you have been a chronic dieter your metabolism is probably effected and the weight will come off slower. But, take comfort in the fact that if it comes off of you it will STAY off of you. Time will tell if your friend on Medifast (a terrible diet and what I believe was responsible for my mother developing and dying from actue pancreatitis) actually keeps the weight off. Same goes for WW. Reassess your situation in another 6 months- put it on your calendar. I guarantee that things will be different.

Best of luck to you hodegard! It really ended up being an easier recovery then I could have imagined. I hope that all goes well with your surgery and I am looking forward to welcoming you over to BandLand!