fabfatgrl

OMG! This reminds me of my very first fill... over six years ago. I was with a seasoned Bandster and we went out after for lunch. We went to Olive Garden and they blended the pasta e fabioli soup for me... and I thought it was incredible. Up until that point, I had been on liquids and mushies so this was a treat.

So, it's finally time for me to get my refill after my third Band pregnancy. Prior to this last pregnancy, I had been considering a revision to a VSG. Why? I've never been able to handle a fill after any pregnancy. BUT, I'm willing to try this one last time. I so want this to work. I don't want to deal with a revision. I'm hopeful that by seeing a very experienced Doc, I may have a better experience. So... keep your fingers crossed.

Hi Candy! I'm getting my first fill after my third Lap-Band pregnancy tomorrow. I've had trouble keeping a fill since my first pregnancy, because I PB all the time. I have no idea if it's psychological or something different mechanically because of the pregnancies. I've met a few other post-pregnancy Bandsters with the same issues IMHO, it sounds like you're too tight if you're waking up with acid reflux. Your surgeon may be able to remove just a tiny bit... and that might make all of the difference. "Yesterday I had this to eat: and it all went down Breakfast: Protein shake & 3 TBS of oatmeal Lunch: 1 veggie & cheese stuffed mushroom (the size circle of top of a soup can) Dinner: 2 TBS Lean Steak & 2 TBS Salad" When I was super restricted, I could eat a little bit more than this. I could never do much in the mornings except warm liquids... so always had a hot chocolate like protein shake... then around 11ish, I'd move on to some cottage cheese. lunch might be almost all of a small container of Wendy's chilli. Then dinner might be 1/2 - 3/4s of a Lean Cuisine. But that was me... who knows how things will be this time around. Are you breastfeeding?

"The Biggest Loser" is my guilty pleasure. I especially find the season finales inspirational...because it shows just how much exercise can play a role in shaping how one's body looks. They wouldn't look half as good had they only lost weight from dieting alone. I use TBL as my motivation to exercise. Of course, the contestants have trouble maintaining their weight loss and exercise regime long-term... but hey, we have our Bands. Now, we just need to keep up with the exercise. Actually, that's one thing my Band gave me... I discovered I really loved working out. I hated gym class as a fat kid... but I love lifting weights, yoga, and doing very easy choreography aerobic tapes. :Banane20:

Hi Rumar: I love exercise Bands! I have a few DVDs that use them. I first used them in a Leslie Sansone DVD and liked them so much I bought a total body Band workout. It's called 10 Minute Solutions: Tone Trouble Zones. FFG

There have been some studies regarding diabetes and the Band. Obes Surg. 2004 Nov-Dec;14(10):1335-42.Links Effect of Lap-Band-induced weight loss on type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Ponce J, Haynes B, Paynter S, Fromm R, Lindsey B, Shafer A, Manahan E, Sutterfield C. Dalton Surgical Group, P. C. and Hamilton Medical Center, Dalton, GA 30720, USA. jponce@dalton.net BACKGROUND: Severe obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Improvement in these comorbidities after surgically-induced weight loss has been documented, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective weight loss operation. METHODS: Of 840 patients who underwent Lap-Band, data are available in 402 out of 413 patients whose surgery took place at >/= 1 year ago. Preoperative and follow-up data were studied retrospectively to examine the effect of Lap-Band-induced weight loss on diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: Of 413 patients with at least 1 year postoperative follow-up, 53 (12.8%) were taking medications for type 2 diabetes preoperatively and 189 (45.7%) were on antihypertensive medications. 66% (n=35) of diabetic patients were also hypertensive. Resolution of diabetes was observed in 66% at 1-year and 80% at 2-year follow-up. HbA1c dropped from 7.25% (5.6-11.0, n=53) preoperatively to 5.58% (5.0-6.2, n=15) at 2 years after surgery. Hypertension resolved in 59.8% and 74% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was lower for diabetic patients than for our cohort population (39.2% vs 41.2% at 1 year, 46.7% vs 54.2% at 18 months, and 52.6% vs 63.3% at 2 years, respectively). Patients in whom diabetes was improved but not resolved had lower %EWL than did those whose diabetes went into remission (27.0% at 1 year and 26.5% at 2 years). Patients with the shortest duration of diabetes (<5 years) and better weight loss after surgery achieved higher resolution rates. CONCLUSIONS: Dramatic improvement in - and frequent resolution of - diabetes and hypertension have been observed as a result of weight loss after Lap-Band surgery. PMID: 15603648 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Diabetes Care. 2005 Nov;28(11):2703-9.Click here to read Links Laparoscopic gastric banding prevents type 2 diabetes and arterial hypertension and induces their remission in morbid obesity: a 4-year case-controlled study. Pontiroli AE, Folli F, Paganelli M, Micheletto G, Pizzocri P, Vedani P, Luisi F, Perego L, Morabito A, Bressani Doldi S. Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Cattedra di Medicina Interna, Ospedale San Paolo, via a di Rudini, 8, 20142 Milano, Italy. antonio.pontiroli@unimi.it OBJECTIVE: Lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions can prevent type 2 diabetes in obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and conventional diet (No-LAGB) in the prevention (primary intervention study; 56 vs. 29 patients) and remission (secondary intervention study; 17 vs. 20 patients) of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in grade 3 obesity in a 4-year study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The subjects (n = 122; age 48.5 +/- 1.05 years; BMI 45.7 +/- 0.67 kg/m2) underwent a diagnostic workup, including psychological and psychiatric assessments, in preparation for the LAGB procedure. Of the 122 subjects, 73 had the surgery (LAGB group). The control group (No-LAGB group) consisted of the 49 subjects who refused the surgery but agreed to be followed up; 6 of these subjects dropped out by the 2nd year of the study, so that the final number of patients was 73 and 43 in the LAGB and No-LAGB groups, respectively. All patients had a yearly visit and oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: From baseline to the end of the 4-year follow-up, BMI decreased from 45.9 +/- 0.89 at baseline to 37.7 +/- 0.71 kg/m2 in the LAGB group and remained steady in the No-LAGB group (from 45.2 +/- 1.04 to 46.5 +/- 1.37 kg/m2), with no significant differences between the primary and secondary intervention groups. In the primary intervention study, five of the No-LAGB subjects (17.2%) and none of the LAGB subjects (0.0%; P = 0.0001) progressed to type 2 diabetes; in the secondary intervention study, type 2 diabetes remitted in one No-LAGB patient (4.0%) and seven LAGB patients (45.0%; P = 0.0052). Hypertension occurred in 11 No-LAGB patients (25.6%) and 1 LAGB patient (1.4%; P = 0.0001) and remitted in 1 No-LAGB (2.3%) and 15 LAGB patients (20.5%; P = 0.0001). A study of body mass composition revealed a significant reduction of fat mass and a transitory, but not significant, decrease of fat-free mass in LAGB patients. CONCLUSIONS: In morbid obesity, sustained and long-lasting weight loss obtained through LAGB prevents the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension and decreases the prevalence of these disorders. PMID: 16249543 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

I love peppermint tea with one or two packets of splenda in it. Totally takes away any sweet cravings. I also love to make sweet egg white omelettes... and put fruit on them. Usually, I blend 3-4 egg whites with a bit of cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Then I fold in 3-4 packets of splenda... and either cook it on the stove... in the nuker... or in the oven. Top with fresh fruit. It's delish. Low calories, lots of Protein... fiber from the berries. Low GI.

ActiTrainer Online Data Analysis - ActiGraph, LLC. It's made by Actigraph. Seems to be the same thing, only a bit cheaper. Used by Harvard, the CDC, Columbia, Cleveland Clinic, etc. ActiTrainer Online Data Analysis - ActiGraph, LLC.

I used to see Dr. Ponce back in 2001 when he was one of the few doctors who would do fills on Mexican patients. (Of course, there were very few doctors doing Bands at all then as it had just been approved in June.) He participated in the trials--and was even considered quite experienced back in 2001. I had no issues dealing with his office staff, although his price for fills (at the time) was expensive... over $600! If you're looking for an extremely experienced doctor, then I think you'll be quite happy with Dr. Ponce.

Are all of you BodyBugg users? Anybody use the ActiTrainer?

I have in the past. I think it's great to have the accountability. With a fill, I've never been able to eat all of my points... but some days get closer than one would think. Another advantage is that if you become a lifetime member, you can use that for continued support. Remember, maintenance is the difficult part of the journey... although weight loss seems tough enough as it is.

Banded six-1/2 years ago in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. No complications. Always very easy to get in touch with my doctor's office and staff--even 6-1/2 years later, I still get amazing customer service. (For example, I needed a copy of my surgery report a month or so ago... had it within 24 hours.) No issues with follow-up care stateside... it's gotten much easier since I was first Banded. You do need to arrange that in advance, though.

See if your surgeon will fill you with omnipaq. It's more dense than saline and is less likely to leak out. Another issue could be the fill technique of whomever is doing your fills. There's a specific way that one is supposed to of push down on the needle and such... if it's not done right, I suppose it's conceivable that you're losing a bit of Fluid when they remove the needle.

I was always told to eat normally up until the day of the fill... then to try and stick to liquids immediately before the fill. After the fill, it all depended on me... what I felt I could follow.

Just accept it. It's completely normal to have no restriction at this point. You may also find that you don't keep the restriction you get with your first fill for very long. That's normal too. It sounds like you're eating just fine. If you're determined to diet at this point, you could also go on any diet that has worked for you in the past. It's unlikely you'll have any food intolerances yet.. as those usually come with restriction. The Band is not designed to offer much, if any, restriction without a fill... so don't beat yourself up if you can't stick to a prescribed diet. Once you begin having fills (which I'm assuming you will soon), things will get much easier.

Here is a 12 year study from Favretti Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in 1,791 c...[Obes Surg. 2007] - PubMed Result Obes Surg. 2007 Feb;17(2):168-75.Links Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in 1,791 consecutive obese patients: 12-year results. Favretti F, Segato G, Ashton D, Busetto L, De Luca M, Mazza M, Ceoloni A, Banzato O, Calo E, Enzi G. Department of Surgery, Regional Hospital - Vicenza, Italy. ffavret@tin.it BACKGROUND: This study examines 1,791 consecutive laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures with up to 12 years follow-up. Long-term results of LAGB with a high follow-up rate are not common. METHODS: Between September 1993 and December 2005, 1,791 consecutive patients (75.1% women, mean age 38.7 years, mean weight 127.7 +/- 24 kg, mean BMI 46.2 +/- 7.7) underwent LAGB by the same surgical team. Perigastric dissection was used in 77.8% of the patients, while subsequently pars flaccida was used in 21.5% and a mixed approach in 0.8%. Data were analyzed according to co-morbidities, conversion, short- and long-term complications and weight loss. Fluoroscopy-guided band adjustments were performed and patients received intensive follow-up. The effects of LAGB on life expectancy were measured in a case/control study involving 821 surgically-treated patients versus 821 treated by medical therapy. RESULTS: Most common baseline co-morbidities (%) were hypertension (35.6), osteoarthritis (57.8), diabetes (22), dyslipidemia (27.1), sleep apnea syndrome (31.4), depression (21.2), sweet eating (22.5) and binge eating (18.5). Conversion to open was 1.7%: due to technical difficulties (1.2) and due to intraoperative complications (0.5). Together with the re-positioning of the band, additional surgery was performed in 11.9% of the patients: hiatal hernia repair (2.4), cholecystectomy (7.8) and other procedures (1.7). There was no mortality. Reoperation was required in 106 patients (5.9%): band removal 55 (3.7%), band repositioning 50 (2.7 %), and other 1 (0.05 %). Port-related complications occurred in 200 patients (11.2%). 41 patients (2.3%) underwent further surgery due to unsatisfactory results: removal of the band in 12 (0.7%), biliopancreatic diversion in 5 (0.27%) and a biliopancreatic diversion with gastric preservation ("bandinaro") in 24 (1.3%). Weight in kg was 103.7 +/- 21.6, 102.5 +/- 22.5, 105.0 +/- 23.6, 106.8 +/- 24.3, 103.3 +/- 26.2 and 101.4 +/- 27.1 at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 years after LAGB. BMI at the same intervals was 37.7 +/- 7.1, 37.2 +/- 7.2, 38.1 +/- 7.6, 38.5 +/- 7.9, 37.5 +/- 8.5 and 37.7 +/- 9.1. The case/control study found a statistically significant difference in survival in favor of the surgically-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: LAGB can achieve effective, safe and stable long-term weight loss. In experienced hands, the complication rate is low. Follow-up is paramount. PMID: 17476867 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

With my first pregnancy, I gained 45 pounds. I lost 40 pounds within three weeks of giving birth... no fills. With my second and third pregnancies, I gained about 20-25 pounds. I was unfilled for all three pregnancies.

I've seen Stuart OTC at my local Rite-Aid... but I'm not sure if they are their regular prenatals or the chewable ones.

When I was preggers, I got a sample of some chewables called PreCare. I think Stuart also makes some chewable ones. I actually had no trouble swallowing the Rainbow Light Just One prenatals... and preferred those based on the Vitamin profile.

I've had my Band over six years. I was Banded literally a few days after it received FDA approval. When I was Banded, there was 5 year data available... so that makes it at least 11 years. I believe the first lap-bands were placed in 1994 in Europe.

It's a better choice than any solid item...even if it's a piece of fruit or protein. Heck, at this stage, Haagen-Dazs would be better for you than a chicken breast. Most important thing in the liquids and mushees stages is healing. So... if you're craving sweets, then yes, go for the sugar-free ice cream.

Looking for other Bandsters who are dealing with being refilled after a significant time of no fill. I haven't had a fill in a long time due to pregnancies, and am scheduled to be refilled in a week! I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to get back into good Bandster habits. I'm sure in a way it will be a struggle, in that with the initial surgery you have the post-op phase to sort of gear oneself up for Lap-Band life.

I totally understand where you're coming from... and I'm not trying to flame you. I was never ever to stick to any diet for more than one day prior to WLS. Never ever. (Guess it's a good thing I was a self-pay :car: ) My Band was the first time I ever felt full and satisfied in my life. Also, I think they recently did a study that showed whether or not a patient went on a pre-op diet had no bearing on success. Some people cannot stick to diets, but can still be very successful with WLS. KWIM? The only thing I would wonder about is whether or not a Duodenal Switch might be more appropriate for somebody with a BMI that high. She'd be able to eat more normally... but the greater absorption would still let her lose weight. The only concern would be whether or not she could be vigilant with Vitamins.

I have a sternal port. It's right in the middle, about a few cms lower than my xiphoid process. My bra band covers it. NOt sure if they do them like that anymore... but it makes fills quite easy.

On 99% of the episodes, Mary Jo has really bugged me. I don't really think she understands the psychological effects of morbid obesity. From what I can tell from her profile, she has no formal training in addictions, eating disorders, or anything to do with bariatrics. TLC :: Big Medicine :: Bios The Dr. Dad seems to be more knowledgable than she is... probably from having done bariatric surgery for xyz years. He's always like... patient X will feel better and be less depressed once s/he begins to lose weight. Duh! I like him. He gets it. Personally, I'd like to strap a 150 pound fat suit on Mary Jo and let her wear it around town for a week or even a month. Then let's see if she's depressed.