Madeline's mom

I have the 11cm Ionamed band (with 9 cc fill capacity).

TRISH, I am so happy for you that you are now banded! Hope you have a super fast recovery.

JAMIE, Congrats on your weight loss so far! I am glad that your fill went great and you are properly restricted. Keep up the good work! Let me know when you go to solids what your portion sizes are cause I want to compare!

I guess it depends on the surgeon but my surgeon generally spends 35- 45 minutes doing the procedure. He said if the liver is enlarged it makes the procedure take longer. But unless there are complications I think the surgery generallly is done under an hour. Bypass surgery or RNY does take 4 - 5 hours because the stomach and intestines are cut and rerouted. The recovery time is much longer as well.

I am glad that you are doing so well. Keep drinking that water and walking helps with the gas.

Trish, I will be thinking about you this week and hope that your surgery goes smoothly and you have a super fast recovery. See ya in bandland!

I had to do some convincing but he finally agreed it was the best tool available to help me loose the weight. When he found out I could go to Europe and have it done he was much more agreeable because he has always wanted to go there. So we made the trip into a mini-vacation and had a blast!

Ted hose are put on your legs to force the blood out of the veins and improve circulation to decrease your risk of a clot in legs. I had to wear them for 10 days when I slept and I was given 5 days worth of Lovenox injections as well.

Don't worry if it is a PE it can be treated. But the quicker it is diagnosed the better the outcome will be.

The strong hungar pains are definately gas. But I am concerned about the coughing and shortness of breath. After surgery you are more at risk for getting blood clots in your legs. If a blood clot goes from you legs to the lungs(pulmonary embolism) it causes SOB, Dizziness and Coughing. So Please try to go to the ER if you still have these symtoms. If your surgeon wont see you go to the ER. Did you wear TED hose after your surgery?

Beautiful pictures thanks for sharing! I think I need to go to Fort Worth next St. Patricks Day! Looks like ya'll through a great parade!

I often make that mistake. Apparently my brain still does not know that my stomach is banded. With all that walking you are doing I am sure that you will drop the weight reallyl fast!

That is truly fantastic! I am so happy for you!

I am very glad that you are doing better now. You really have had a rough experience but it sounds like the worst if over. I had trouble getting out out of bed also. You might find it easier to sleep in a recliner or futon that is not fully reclined. Hopefully, the second time will be the charm for you! And I wish you a super speedy recovery!

Robin, is Ionamed the manufacturer of your band? If so I would email Don Mills or one of the Ionamed reps concerning the matter. Also, Vera just had to have her band replaced due to a similar problem. You might want to find out what route she took for starters.

My BMI was 33 when I had surgery in March. I had lost 8 pounds prior to surgery following the pro-op diet. Since banding I have lost 20 pounds. So there are people out there with BMI 's less than 40 that are getting weight loss surgery. I especially disagree with anyone that is being critical of someone looking at their options or trying to get information. A person with a BMI of 33 to 35 is by definition obese and if nothing is done to correct that obesity then it is just a matter of time until they are severely obese and after a BMI of 40 they will be morbidly obese. Unfortunately, most insurance companies will only pay for the surgery if the patient is classified as severely obese(BMI>35 with comorbidities). However, if your insurance company only requires a letter of medical necessity why not have your PCP write one stating all of your problems related to weight. Most people don't know this but if you overweight you more that likely suffer from Metabolic syndrome. This is like pre-diabetes and every type II diabetic out there had metabolic syndrome prior being a diabetic. If you have Metabolic syndrome long enough guess what you become a full blown diabetic. Do you suffer from reflux, joint pain or stress incontince? I did and these symptoms are already getting better. My point is please don't let others that don't know your situation discourage you. Have some blood work up done- ask to be checked for metabolic syndrome most endocrinologist will gladly test you for this! Find out what is required for approval and submit them. You will never get approved without trying! So what if you get turned down then you can appeal also! Best of luck to you!

Wishing you a Very Happy Birthday and (((Hugs))))!!!!!

Before I was banded I had much more frequent trips to the "loo". Now I just have more flatulent episodes(if you know what I mean)

Alex, You look absolutely stunning in your new blouse! That is a great color on you and you look so skinny!

I certainly hope that this surgery fixes your dehydration problem! So sorrry that you have had to endure so much!

Penni, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of life from those young girls. I will pray for strength for Amber and Elena's family as well as yours!

Thanks for showing us with a little patience that we can be as succesful as you!

Welcome to Band Land! Hope you have a super fast recovery.

Well that cholesterol level has really taken a nose dive! That is really great in such a short period of time. I need to have my Triglyceriedes checked because mine were elevated prior to surgery!. I have been stuck at 205 for the last week. I think our bodies allow us to loose about 20 pounds pretty easily and then it goes" hold on wait a minute I am not going to let go of these pounds that easily!" But if we keep on going it does drop again! Keeping your calories that low and drinking all that water you are bound to loose more weight soon!

Penni, I hope your mom is doing better soon! I know that Stadol can cause significant nausea and vomiting. If was given to me while in labor and I got so nauseated that I had to be given IV Zofran. Stadol caused me to feel like the room was spinning and when you feel like that throwing up is the next step. I hope that all this resolves for her very soon!