labwalker

I've been told that digestive juices will eventually move most stuck items through--and stomach muscles are there to help move food in the right direction. But, if it doesn't you may end up needing an emergency unfill to avoid becoming dehydrated. I've found that rubbing my stomach (pressing just below the chest bone) seems to help with massaging food through the stomach. Standing and walking are the first two things I will do if I feel any discomfort. If I screw up, it results in sliming and a few visits to the bathroom. Not pleasant! I think the worst feeling is when you realize that you just swallowed something that needed to be chewed a bit more--you know you screwed up before it happens.

Don't feel bad! It is a hard time of year for most of us. I've noticed that I have also put on a few pounds! Too cold to hit the gym everyday, and too much tempting holiday treats and bigger meals than I like to see. Just keep positive and get back on track. But, don't feel like you're the only one! You can get rid of those pounds as fast as you put them on.

Hi Sorry to hear of your problems with the band... but, there is a special forum that was set up for band to VSG revision surgery.. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/ You should find plenty of help and info in that section.

The Kirkland softgels are about the size of Tic Tac. Best to ask the doctor.

Mine were glued, and the doctor said to keep them dry for a few weeks, and that the glue would wear off eventually. I had five incisions, the largest, and the one that is still the most noticeable, is where the port is placed. I imagine they placed the band through that spot as well.

sleeping on your side will be painful for a few weeks, or longer. Especially on the port side! I felt twinges in that area for a few months. If your comfortable in the recliner, I'd use it.

I have a band, and the gels have never been an issue... Kirkland D3, 2000 i.u. I only use one pill a day, too much D3 is toxic. The gels are tiny, I am surprised that your doctor advised against them?

Unfortunately, when a lap band discussion degenerates as this thread has, to the point where lap band patients have to defend their personal decision to have WLS, and to have their choice of surgery and the professionalism of their healthcare providers questioned, shows some of the folly of mixing the various WLS groups into one forum. B-52 asked a reasonable question in the lap band forum. I guess he has his answers... folks are no longer interested in posting questions or asking advice in the band forums for fear of ridicule or being made to feel that they had the wrong surgery. And, they shouldn't be put in positions where they have to justify their procedure. As I said before, I know quite a few folks who have had all of the most popular WLS surgeries... only one has had some problems related to long term issues with malabsorption, and that was a bypass surgery. But, what surgery doesn't have some risk?

Steve, the problem is you are quoting failure rates for the band that still go back to the early 4cc band, and old surgical procedures. There is a world of difference in the success rate depending on the age of the data that is used to determine the efficacy for band success. I doubt you will see more than than a 3 to 5 percent failure rate going forward for band procedures that were performed in the past decade. The band has changed, the surgical procedures for securing the band has changed, and surgeons are becoming more skilled and adept. If the band is failing out of favor, it most likely because other surgeries are becoming more popular. I can only tell you this... my surgeon did NOT want do a sleeve on me due to my age and health issues, but he recommended the a sleeve for my wife based on her medical needs. He has done well by both of us. I personally know at least ten folks who have had the band, and all are satisfied with the results. Saying one procedure is better than another, or that one is doomed to 50% failure is outrageous and does not serve any benefit to this community.

QUOTE: first off I do not Allege my surgeon said what he did. This is not a trial. He said what he said, you can believe it or not that's your right, but please do not cast aspersions on ME. thank you. I have never put the band down. I will say this I have Never heard of any person getting a band on top of their sleeve, a band on top of a full bypass is similarly moronic. B Now as to that data : The following 3 studies directly reported on the percentage of failures, which were as low as 14% and as high as 68% of patients... % of patients with unsuccessful weight loss after a specified amount of time Studies # of lap band patients in study % with unsuccessful weight Year tudy Study A 201 After 14 years - 68% 2014 Study B 32 After 3.6 years - 62.5% 2014 Study C 200 28.8% 2014 - See more at: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-surgery-failure.html#2_Types and The percentage of patients requiring reoperation is extremely high... up to 50% of all patients require lap band removal. - See more at: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/lap-band-problems-lap-band-complications.html#sthash.oAYNeJuq.dpuf According to ABC news Nearly half of patients who have laparoscopic gastric banding for obesity eventually need to have the devices removed because of erosion or some other malfunction, researchers say. Among 82 patients followed for at least 12 years after lap-band surgery at a single institution, 49 had at least one reoperation for complications or device failure, according to Dr. Jacques Himpens, of Saint Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, end quote Steve, Steve, Steve... just because you never heard of "it" doesn't it is not being done. Had you bothered to do a Google search for "band over sleeve" you would have had a ton of website hits, such as this one.. http://www.weightlossagents.com/lap-band-over-existing-sleeve.php Besides, you are quoting data for band procedures and devices that are went of with high button shoes. Do a bit more research, please. Quoting hack articles from ABC would be the same as my using similar poorly researched tripe from CBS... such as this one: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gastric-bypass-surgery-gone-bad/

Yes... it easy to eat around the band... and, folks have failed the sleeve for the same reason. The band requires a bit of work--you have to listen to what it is telling you. Many folks simply don't learn how to live with a band, or they don't, or can't, do the requisite follow up visits. sometimes it is the fault of the surgeon, sometimes the fault lays with the patient. With the sleeve, it is a bit harder to cheat, but folks have managed to figure out they can graze all day, or simply eat beyond what their stomachs can hold,and finally they stretch the small stomach to to a point where the surgery is no longer effective. I've seen a lot of posts where folks have gone from the band, to the sleeve, and from the sleeve to RNY bypass. I've seen folks who lived in misery with a procedure for years, and you have wonder why in the world the problem wasn't addressed immediately? That isn't a fault of the surgery if it is allowed go on that long without medical intervention. I've seen posts where WLS patients are asking about drinking alcohol, and not in moderation... really? And they would expect to receive absolution from strangers in order to justify imbibing hundreds of extra calories and sabotaging what they have worked for? As Pogo wisely said, I've I meet the enemy, and he is us.

My comment was directed at the comments you alleged that your doctor made. I was asking for something more tangible than his "opinion," but I guess he didn't bother to substantiate his assertions with verifiable information. There are a lot of studies that that showed poor results for the band, but that is dated information and based on 4 cc bands that are no longer used in the US, and for early surgical techniques that have been refined over the past few decades. For a doctor to say the band offers less efficacy compared to other procedures raises a red flag. It is true that on average, the weight loss for gastric banding is usually about 10 to 20 percent less than for the sleeve. But, that doesn't mean that the band is not the best procedure for particular patient. Doctors do not like the band for one reason: it requires follow up care, which means lost revenue and the need for a much larger staff to handle the future needs of band patients. Medicare does not pay for fills or follow up visits, because it is considered a follow up visit for surgery. Did your doctor explain that to you? The practice I visit has four APRNs on staff who are there for follow up support the band patients. My doctor would not do a sleeve on me, and that is what I had wanted, because it was not the safest surgery based on my age and related conditions. I'm glad he put my health above his own needs. A surgeon does the sleeve, and he is done with that patient... clean and simple. I know folks who have had all of the popular surgeries. They have all had some good amount of success. Have you ever asked your doctor why some folks have revisions to place a band over sleeves, or a band over plication? Or, why a person with a sleeve would ever need a revision to RNY???? I 've asked the APRNs in my doctor's office about some of those avant guarde procedures, but I would NEVER repeat their responses since it would hearsay, and not proper for me to repeat, their comments on a public forum.

My understanding is that your doctors are quacks.... whatever. The band works. There are many success stories. Can you back their assertions that the band has high complication rates--and please, don't use dated studies. I am sick of this crap being posted on these forums. It was a sad day when the various WLS surgeries were melded into one group. I am sick of this crap. If you have sleeve complications, and it happens, would you like it if successful band patients come back and give you a bunch of crap??

Once upon a time.... Several years ago a company named Keravision developed Intacs, a corneal ring implant for mild myopia. The rings worked, and were reversible. There were complications in some patients.... but when the rings were removed they regained their presurgical vision. Sound familiar At the same time Companies like Visik were promoting Lasik vision correction. Alas, there websites full of horror stories about Lask gone bad! Like any procedure, the problems were due to improper presurgical screening. But once the tissue was ablated, there was no going back for those patients suffering with severe dry eyes or thinned corneas. Keravison as company failed, although Intacs found a niche market for patients who needed treatment for keratonconus. They didn't fail because the devices were at fault, but because doctors were able to achieve similar results using laser surgery, without leaving implants in the patient. There was a learning curve for Intacs, and it was a small market since the rings offered a very limited range for diopter or astigmatism correction. Now, I am nearsighted, and I would have consider Intacs, but the idea of someone ablating my eye tissue with a laser bothers me. I would opt for reversible, but surgeons promote what works for them, and their business model. There are many surgeons who still promote gastric banding. I would not use that as a gauge to determine which surgery worked best for my needs. I was comfortable with the band, my doctor advocates the band, but I would not want to have my plumping rerouted or most of my stomach removed unless there was no other viable option. And regardless, I suspect twenty years from now bands, sleeves and RNY surgery will be considered to be archaic an barbaric. You can't live in the future.

Anyone having WLS should realize that no surgeries are guaranteed, and that you can die as a result of elective surgery complication. I was scared to undergo surgery, but after a point you have to weight the risks vs. the rewards. My doctor laid out the risks, and the chances for success and what I could realistically expect based on averages. I'm glad I did NOT have the band 15 years ago--there have been too many advances in that time and problems with the band have diminished over time. I am glad I carefully researched where, and who, would do my surgery. They need to be there when I need them in the future. I'm glad I had the band when I did. If it fails, i would consider another surgery, perhaps a sleeve, if the doctor is comfortable doing the procedure. Regressing back to my old self is not an option. I honestly believe than any WLS is an attempt to mask over underlying problems that will be unraveled as medical research continues and when there is a better understanding of the underlying problems that lead to obesity. Simple advice based on stereotypes (eat less, be more active, etc) do little to help. Maybe someday a cure will be as simple as taking a pill twice a day. But, at a certain age you realize that future cures will be decades in the future before they are developed, tested and FDA approved. And then the real learning curve begins.

I've often felt that melding several WLS sites into the bariatricpal would end up like this. I know the band works for me, and I know other WLS works for others. The incessant drum beating by a few band haters wears thin. That is one reason I've slowed down and visit here less often. I'm here for support, and not to listen to some b***h drama queen diss the band because it makes them feel superior. Sorry, but this is a support group, or it was supposed to be.

WLS is elective surgery, and all surgeries carry risks. But, not taking any action will eventually take its toll on your health as well. You can find horror stories for any kind of WLS, and you can bet the folks who have had problems will be the most vocal. Also, gastric banding techniques, and the bands themselves, have evolved over time. Would you want to compare surgical complications for gall bladder or appendix removal between 2014 and back say, to 1940? A lot of band detractors base their opinions on outdated, archaic surgical data. In my humble opinion, the best decision you can make is to choose a WLS surgeon that is part of a circle of excellence. The lap band requires follow up care; and you want to be confident that you will have the needed support for years to come. If you do have problems, you want to be sure your surgeon and his practice will be there for YOU for years to come, to resolve any problems quickly and professionally. Also, as a lap band patient, you will have to do the required follow up visits. I have a gastric band, but I went into the surgery with my eyes open, and knew the risks. I had the band on the recommendation of my surgeon. I am satisfied with my results and my decision. I hope you will do well with whatever path you take.

I'm pasting what you should be seeing at the bottom right side of a post. Notice the three boxes: report, multiquote and quote. Click the report button, and report the terms of service violation. Quote MultiQuote Report Back to Website Assistance & Suggestions · Next Unread Topic →

And there will be times when the scale does not move! When it doesn't for an extended time, it may be time re-evaluate your eating habits. I've noticed that extended stalls (more than a few months) are often a signal that I may need a small fill to get me back into the game.

LisaC is spot on... It would be hard to explain it better!

Well spoken! That is the way the band is supposed to work!

You really can't counter ignorance... people who tell you that have no clue what you are going through, or what others have gone through. Just smile, and ignore their comments. Arguing won't do any good, explaining why you need surgery won't do any good. Take their "advice" with a good nature, and then do what is BEST FOR YOU. In the end, you have to answer to yourself, and no one else. They may mean well, but trust that you know what is best, and don't bother engaging in useless debates. This is one reason I kept my surgery private!

Yesterday while I was eating dinner I got depressed because I started having that feeling of I am going to miss food. As you can see from my other post, I have been doing the Protein and liquids during the day and eating a normal dinner at night. End Quote: I don't miss food... mostly because I can everything that I can still eat before being banded, except in smaller portions... much smaller portions. I've learned to eat slower, and to enjoy what I eat. A meal at a restaurant means a doggy bag, and maybe two or three more meals... instead of pigging out, I am able to enjoy a nice meal for the next few days. My band is probably set a bit on the looser side of the green zone. Sometimes I'll miss a certain food (cheese and bacon burger) but I won't order one since I know I'd never be able to eat it or enjoy it. We took a cruise a few months back. I ordered a hot dog with the works and french fries at the outdoor grill. I used a knife and fork and only took a few bites of the hot dog and condiments, leaving most of the dog and 90% of the bun behind. I was full, and completely satisfied. Three or four french fries filled me up, and that was that. That's what a band can do for you. You can enjoy food, in moderation. I was able to enjoy a two week land and sea cruise, and only temporarily gained two pounds, which were quickly lost.Being able to say no to junk foods like rolls and butter, and concentrating on good protein foods makes a difference. I had some great meals, but I never over indulged, as I would have in the past. When you learn that you have to chew eat bite twenty or thirty times, and leave 30 seconds between bites, you will start to enjoy eating and appreciate flavors, without the need to be in an eating marathon. And being satisfied with a lot less food with leave you happier and thinner!!! The band doesn't mean you will deprived, if it is adjusted properly, and once you learn how to live with it. It means a new beginning, and better health, and you won't feel deprived.

If your doctor will give you a letter stating it is medically necessary, the TSA should allow it to pass through security; although it could be subject to additional security. And, it is really up to the TSA agent that screens you. Formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers are permitted to be brought on board the aircraft. As with other medically necessary liquids, travelers must tell the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that they wish to bring formula, breast milk and juice in excess of 3.4 ounces in their carry-on bag. These liquids are typically screened by X-ray, and formula, breast milk and juice in excess of 3.4 ounces will receive additional screening.

I choose the best surgeon and practice in our area, and I listened to his advice. He strongly advocated the lap band, based on my age, weight and other health issues. My wife had the sleeve, but was considering the band. Again, the surgeon made the suggestion as to what would work best. But, you really have to trust that the surgeon is experienced and knows his stuff.