Sultana

Sue, Teresa, Michelle, and Whipple D (a real MAN!!), Truly, you are all wonderful and supportive. I so appreciate your beautiful, witty, inspiring words. This site is all about the people who live here, and their generosity. You have really helped, and tomorrow (apologies to Scarlett) is another day!! Thanks! I will keep you posted. Michelle, my doctor does not do fluoroscopy; she believes that it is a "flawed" procedure (and she is in the very front lines of this field) because it only shows the progression of liquids--not food. I know there are many doctors who disagree! Luckily (in light of all my fills) she has never had a problem accessing my port. It has always been quick and painless. I do have some difficulty drinking cold liquids, and have had some come back up a little. I usually warm them in my mouth a little before swallowing. Cold liquids are a little difficult--moreso than food! Also, I believe that the Wellbutrin that I will be taking is a newer one. My Dr. told me that the main side effect would be jitters to start out with. He did tell me to take it with food. I hope I don't get the nausea--I'm inclined that way. We'll see....

Aw, thanks Michelle! I really am a mess. Your very kind response made me feel teary. I can hardly wait to start the Wellbutrin next week. I have been constantly working to stay positive, and it was hard WITH drugs!! Can you believe I have 3.5 fill and I don't even have trouble drinking (still on liquids)??? You are right; I would never have lost this weight without the band-- a very positive thought. Thanks!

Hi Queen, Congratulations! Wow, if your stomach can tolerate Advil, coffee, and tomato juice, you'll be fine. I guess I have a real acidic stomach, and those three things would do me in. Walking really helps, doesn't it? You are on your way!

Hi All, I meant my previous post to be addressed to LISA!! Sorry Neicy.

Well Niecy, I know that it is very different for everyone, so I can only tell you my experience. I had four fills before I felt anything, and I think my most recent one (my fifth) really restricted me. I have a slightly larger band which holds 4.2, and I am now filled to 3.2. My last fill did kick in about two weeks after I got it. I have had some people tell me that they would be shut off at 3.2. It is really a mystery, and the why could drive you NUTS! Ugh....speaking of which, it was eating nuts too fast that caused my first and only PB. It took me 7 months to get to a decent fill, and I was very frustrated. Everyone here was so encouraging, even when I whined. Here's hoping for you!!

Donali, I love that you are still hanging out with us; we NEED you! I hope that all is going well for you, and congrats on maintaining your weight loss. You are a better man than I am Gunga Din!

Alex, I have been thinking about you! Congratulations on your weight loss; it seems like maybe you have that stubborn ball rolling a little! I just had my 5th fill and I finally have some restriction too. I have lost more pounds recently, and last night I had my first PB. It wasn't from eating too much, but from not chewing well and eating too fast. A lesson well learned!!! I am hoping that the pounds will keep coming off. Today I am going to stick to liquids and mushies to let my stomach recuperate from the PB last night. It was nice to hear from you, and I like your new picture. I cannot make my picture small enough to insert; I did try.

Hi, I haven't been on board for a couple of weeks, and when I signed in today I saw your e-mail that you were having surgery today! You are probably having it as I type this. I'm sure the breathing tube will be fine; I had one too. After surgery you will be too busy trying to walk the gas off. Hunger and doctor instructions about when and what to eat differ. The worst is over now, and you have lots of help here. You are on your way to a healthier you! Keep in touch!

Hi All, Donali I am so glad that you are doing well, and even happier that you continue to share your advice and experience. I hope you are not struggling with food issues. Please keep us posted, and let us support you! I had my fifth fill on Wed., and now I am at 3.3 which amazes me. I was so worried that something was wrong, but I took my Upper GI x-rays, and my Dr. says that all looks well. I am still on liquids so I don't know what to expect. The good news is that I lost 5 pounds since my visit a month ago. That is only a total of about 28 pounds in 7 months, but I am trying to remain positive and hope that I might finally be properly restricted. I really feel like a freak. My Dr. told me that I have more fill than any other of her MANY patients. My Dr. was running quite late (unusual) and a group of about 8 of us had quite a support meeting for hours. Luckily there was at least one other bandster there. I was sharing with her my discouragement about my very slow weight loss, and she told me that once she stopped taking a certain a antidepressant that the weight started coming off. Does anyone know anything about this? I do take Prozaz (menopause). Well, here's hoping. Thanks to all of you. I agree with what most of you said about Ahroni's book. It is excellent for someone who is just starting to research, but there was not much new there for me, and I thought that it was not very in-depth. I did like the personal stories. Regards,

Hi Penni, I hope it is not latex. That is a serious allergy. My allergist has scared me to death about it because I am allergic to bananas, and there seems to be a big carryover to being allergic to latex. I don't think that I am, but she insisted that I have a latex free operating room when I was banded, and my Dr. does not use any gloves (at my request) when doing fills. If your site is hot, it might be an infection; watch it closely! I wish I was as restricted as you. I can eat too much still---at 3ccs!!! I have been thinking of Donali too! I hope she is well.

Hi Alex and everyone, I just returned from a two week vacation, and I was wondering if anyone has heard about how Donali is doing? I thought of her often. Alex, are you sure that the Inamend band (I know I have a larger one--a 10, I believe) only holds 4ccs?? Someone from Dr. Ren's support group told me that Dr. Ren stated that she is willing to fill to 4 and 5 ccs if the patient does not have proper restriction??? I am still not really losing too much weight. However, I was happy that when I was on vacation for 2 weeks, I did lose one pound! I can still chug Water and eat too much. I had an upper GI, and I will be taking the the xrays to my Dr. on Wednesday. I am hoping that there is not a problem like pouch dialation or slippage. It can be discouraging. I ordered and read Ahroni's book, and I am curious about what others think of it??? Reviews please!!

Hi, I was just wondering what determines member status?? What differentiates between "member" and "senior member"? I suspect it is the number of posts? I KNOW it isn't age or my 50 year old carcass would be a "senior member"!! Sultana

Thanks Donali, That's what I figured. I know that tomorrow is the day you are having your band removed. I will be thinking of you. I hope all goes well, and that you will be abe to be banded again soon. Sultana

Hi Kimber-lilly, Here's hoping that things go just as you wish them to so that you will be on your way! Please keep us all posted, and know that we are pulling for you. Sultana

Hi All, I just read Leatha's intro on roll call, and she says that she is currently unfilled because she was diagnosed with band slippage which they also called "Pouch dialation". Are they the same? It makes sense to me, because why would the pouch be too big unless the band slipped? I just had an upper GI, and that is what my Dr. is checking for--pouch dialation because I seem to be able to eat so much even with four fills. She also said that the treatment would be to unfill to let the pouch recede to where it should be?? I am now at 3.0, and I do eat less, but I have no trouble eating. Anyone knowledgeable? This makes me nervous. Sultana

Hi, Whew! This is confusing. I hope I don't have ANY of these scenarios. I had an upper GI today, and the Dr. was freaked--never even heard of a Lapband! I was like a living advertisement; he was intrigued. I have the films because I need to take them to my Dr. on my next visit. I see my little pouch, but is it in the right place?? too big?? Who knows. I ordered the new book on Lapbanding. I sure hope it arrives soon. It is about time! Thanks for the info guys. U rock! Sultana:D

Hi All, I sure have to agree with Alex that this fill journey is a mystery. I felt very tight after my fourth fill, and even had heartburn for about a day and a half. In retrospect I think part of that may have been because I was hungry! Now I am back to feeling pretty normal, and I can still eat pretty well. I am at 3.0. I do notice that mornings are tighter, but the consistent restriction that I expected does not seem to be there. Again, agreeing with Alex, I am definitely eating less, but I think it is because I am afraid of PBing! Yesterday I ate at an Indian restaurant and this is what I had: 5 quarter size chunks of chicken in tikka masla (tomatoish) sauce, about 8 same size hunks of squash, a little salad, and one gulab jamin which is a dough ball soaked in a sweet watery sauce. It is about the size of a golf ball. I had no bread or rice, and all went down well. Does that seem like a lot? I have lost a few pounds, so I hope that continues. I can't wait for the day when all of this becomes second nature! Sultana

Hi All, Since the day after my fourth fill (3.0), I have had terrible heartburn, and it does not seem to get better no matter what I do. It seems pretty obvious to me now, because of the unrelenting nature, that I need to get some fill removed. Any suggestions for dealing with this until then? I am going to call my Dr. on Monday, but I don't think she had office hours until WEDNESDAY, because she does surgery 3 days a week. Her office is in the hospital, so maybe she can see me briefly. I am really miserable. I ate one scrambled egg, and after two hours I started drinking water. I have not vomited in any way, but the PAIN of heartburn is terrible. I even took one of the heavy duty prescription anti-acid capsules that she gave me after surgery--NADA. Will it help if I stop eating? It did go away briefly last night. Well, this sure brings to mind the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for". I so wished to be restricted, and now I AM!!! ...a sense of humor throught the pain! :sick Sultana

Hi Penni, That is exactly what I plan to do. I need some RELIEF! Thanks! Sultana

Hi, I could not look at your pictures! I definitely plan to attend to this problem if it is still a problem on Monday. I had episodes of heartburn before I was banded too. I am hoping it is just a digestive upset or something I ate. I also have LOTS of gas. I certainly could not put up with this. It is painful. I have had no reflux of any kind, thank goodness. Till Monday.... Sultana

Hi All, After my fourth fill (3.0), I started eating solid food today (small bites and chewing well), and I feel it going down--painful. I am also burping a lot as I eat and more when I drink. I do not feel like anything is trying to come up, but I have had heartburn all day. Now, I do have to say that I was having stomach problems (I have these episodes sometimes-I think stress related) BEFORE I had this last fill, and I did have some heartburn then. I think I may have some spasticity at times that affects my whole digestive system. I guess what I am asking here is if this heartburn could be just a too tight fill thing? I don't want to panic because it might just be a digestive upset or bug that is just worsened by the recent fill. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks. Sultana

Dear LA Yeah, I was thinking that. I would be more concerned if I didn't have it before I got the fill. I can eat and drink, and I have had no reflux, so I think I will wait until Monday to see if things improve. Thanks! Sultana

Hi All, I saw my Dr. today, and she did add .9cc to my band, filling it to 3.0. As she had instructed me prior to my appt., I brought a thick puree--an Atkins peach yogurt, and she was astounded that I could easily eat half of it (maybe more; I didn't try) after my fill?? She told me that I am only the second band patient (and she has done THOUSANDS) she has filled to 3.0??? She says most are at 1.4, 1.8 or 2.0 at most??? I felt like a freak! At my doctor's request, I am going to schedule an upper GI early next week. She says that it is a standard 6 month check, but she wants to make sure that I have not stretched my esophogus allowing me to eat so much??? Is this pouch stretching?? I can still drink Water easily, and I came home and ate some clear Soup with no problem. She did check, and all the previous saline (2.1) was still there. If I had esophogus problems wouldn't I have heartburn or other symptoms??? Do I need to worry about this? Does anyone know anything? She said that if that was the case that she would need to remove some fill to let the esophogus go back to normal. Since we were discussing this recently, I did ask her about the longevity of the band, and she said that it had been tested for 20 years, but was expected to last a life time. At the rate I have been going, I figure I can lose some weight in 20 years. I did lose ONE pound since last month.....so depressing. Thanks for the info about the new book....I ordered a copy. Any words of wisdom or encouragement? Sultana

Hi, I think it's great that you have a Dr. who is willing to accomodate you. As to whether 1.5 is too much who knows? It seems that we are all so individual. I remember Sue told us that with 2.0 she would be blocked. I currently have 3.0, and so far so good, although I have not tested it on solid food yet. I received a private e-mail today from a bandster who told me that Dr. Ren, in a support meeting said that she will fill to 4.0 and even 5.0 if a patient is lacking restriction. I wish (boy do I ever) that fill amount was completely objective, but, alas, it's not. Keep us posted, okay? Sultana

Hi All, I definitely feel this restriction since my fill yesterday and I am very excited hoping it will really start some serious weight loss, a bit apprehensive that I may be filled too tight, challenged at learning to eat all over again, and grateful to all of you. I have my upper GI scheduled for Tuesday of next week. Hey, I just invented this GREAT milkshake--especially for those who may not be able to "eat" Breakfast. Atkins has come out with low carb yogurt (12 grams of Protein and 80 calories). I spooned one in a glass, added milk and one packet of Sweet and Low, and it sure is yummy and not too many calories. It's not as much protein as the Protein drinks, but a lot cheaper! It's going down nicely too, so I am not too restricted I guess. I do feel like burping all the time I drink?? Thanks Donali, Alex, and others.