princess_n_thep

Jen? Well, don't keep us hangin'!! What did the doc say???

--Are you self pay, partial insurance covereage, or full/most insurance covered? Self pay --How long have you been banded? (in number of months) 11 --What is your AVERAGE weight loss since banding? (total weight loss divided by number of months banded) 5 lbs per month --Have you had any complications? None --Have you had your band removed? No --What country was your band placed in? Mexico --What is your age? (I know...touchy. LOL But it does go along with the question.) 31 at time of banding.

Wow, that sucks. Is this private insurance or work insurance?

I am in too. Don't forget to tell people to PM you their addresses and such. Unless maybe Kelly has it on a word document that she can share with you????? Also, you might want to change the wording of the title of the thread, some won't click on it if they don't know it is the exchange. Easter is Sunday, April 16th.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, this sounds interesting. It is a newly introduced form of surgery they are performing now in study trials. The band WITH RNY bypass. Geez, could you imagine the list of things that can go wrong? Side effects of the band AND RNY? How would I know if I was going to PB or dump? Or maybe both? Oh the confusion!! Just give me one or the other please. BANDED GASTRIC BYPASS This procedure is a combination of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the once common Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. In this operation, the implantation of a plastic band around the stomach pouch (resulting in significant restriction of food intake) in addition to the changes of absorption seen from the gastric bypass, may have been associated with 20% more excess weight loss than one would expect from gastric bypass alone. Therefore, expected weight loss is 60-90% of a patient's excess weight. Banded Gastric Bypass is being offered as a prospective randomized and double blind trial to patients who are suffering from malignant obesity. Malignant obesity, defined as a body mass index of 50 or greater (approximately 200 pounds or more over ideal body weight) is associated with decreased quality of life, many illnesses and an increased risk of dying that has been estimated at 5-10 times greater than normal weight patients. This research study involves the implantation of a plastic band around the stomach pouch during a standard gastric bypass procedure. The band is made of polypropylene mesh, commonly used for hernia repair as well as in Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. Patients are assigned at random (like the flip of a coin) to have the standard gastric bypass operation or the experimental procedure with a band around the stomach pouch. Patients are not told which operative group they belong to until two years after surgery. The Nurse Practitioner conducting follow-up evaluations will also be uninformed as to which group patients belong. At this time, Banded Gastric Bypass is only being offered at our center as part of this study. If results from this study show a benefit, this may be offered outside the study in the future http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_banded.html

What I don't understand about the "sleeve" is that it is designed to be a 1st phase before the RNY. So for severely morbidly obese, they have this surgery first, then follow up with a normal bypass operation when they are within better levels for surgery. Why would this be a conversion option? I don't understand why Dr. Pleatman would say this is recommended for someone banded in a conversion. If someone had the band for 2 years, then chances are they are not severely morbidly obese anymore. So why would this be the preferred surgery when it is meant to be the first of two surgeries? I hope he comes and posts about this, I would like to know exactly what it is as I have definitely contemplated the "conversion" option. But, I think I would be a candidate for straight RNY rather than the sleeve. "Sleeve gastrectomy is a new procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake. With this procedure, the surgeon removes approximately 60 percent of the stomach laparoscopically so that the stomach takes the shape of a tube or "sleeve." This procedure is usually performed on superobese or high risk patients with the intention of performing another surgery at a later time. The second procedure can either be a gastric bypass or duodenal switch. This combined approach has tremendously decreased the risk of weight loss surgery for specific groups of patients, even when the risk of the two surgeries is added. Most patients can expect to lose 30 to 50% of their excess body weight over a 6 - 12 month period with the sleeve gastrectomy alone. The timing of the second procedure will vary according to the degree of weight loss, typically 6 - 18 months." http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_sleeve.html

There is little to be scared about (although it is natural reaction and we all had it). If you are taking care of the band, the throwing up should NOT be happening. This post is not indicative of how life is with the band under normal circumstances.

If you were banded in Mexico, closest thing is Tijuana. Believe me, I called them all. But I am glad.... I like the fills there anyways. Actually is cheaper for me.

I did a search on "attitude" and it came up. I was looking for a booster and I found this! It was far back in the pages of posts that came up, but I still found it!!! Also: Do a search for "lap band beginning" and click all the way back to the last page, has a ton of 2003 postings. Remember this one? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=94&highlight=lap+band+beginning it was one of your first postings here at LBT

My advice... run, don't walk, run to the doctor for an unfill. Constant wretching and throwing up is NOT good for the band and can cause serious harm resulting in band removal and loss. You don't have to be unfilled, just have them take some out. There is no time schedule on your weight loss. You didn't gain it in a few months, don't expect to lose it in a few months. But if you don't take care of this problem, you risk having dehydration, starvation symptoms, health risks, band problems with another surgery to remove your band for a minimum of 6 months!!! GO NOW!

I am bumping this. I am bumping this for me. I am bumping this for you. I am bumping this for everyone. I needed this story and I can't believe I found it. This posting was back in 2003 when Alex and Megan were baby bandsters! But the story is truly what I needed. Maybe it is what some of you need to.

I like to go to the lake and feed the birds bread pieces. Hey, at least SOMEONE can eat it. :hungry:

Hey lisa, POC2 is coming and you can watch that one!

Fantastic John! Now you are a published celebrity! wooot wooot!!

hop hop hop.... little bunnies to dance in Kel's head..... hint hint.

Okay, I got curious so I emailed the seller. They said offered to sell it to me privately. Ummmm, I don't think Inamed cured the issue. Penni, were you the winning bidder? Did they ever respond to your email?

The Vday exchange was chosen weeks ago. Dylansmom is the host of the exchanges. I think if we sweet talk her, we can get her to do a Secret Bunny exchange this spring!!! Kel?? Any thoughts on secret bunnies?

I re-thought about this question. And yes, I have used another lawyer as well. It was after my divorce, and he was sitting at a party I went to. I was lonely, needed some lovin', didn't want to dive into any other schematics, took him home, USED him, then... USED him again. And yes, it was successful. :eek: Thanks Matt. That lawyer said so too that night! tee hee hee :grouphug:

LOVE IT!! I love themed rooms! Every room in my house has one. I think it looks great and relaxing. Who says it isn't practical? Go to the basement and *poof* you are relaxing under a palm tree sipping a Margarita!

I love my lower hipster jeans. However, I HATE HATE HATE thongs. Don't see the point. If i don't want panty lines, I go commando.

Most organized bandster: dylansmom (Kelly) Best overall outlook on life: LaMadam (Michelle) Best though provoking/interesting/make ya think questions: Vinesqueen (Crystal) Hardest postings to read: Illsucceed (Christina) (but colorful!) Most diplomatic and neutral: Alexandra Best damn site owner: AlexB Longest signature line: either nana or penni Worst plant grower: thebestme (Kathy) Best eyes: TriciaK or Sunsett Best smile: Bushbaby or Illsucceed Best before and after photos for change: Alexandra/muffinbirdie

I told her the same thing. We had a long chat about it today. Do you see that he is only been banded 4 months and going on her 5th fill? Her doctor told her it was normal for some people to slime on the first bite of every meal!!! I was in shock. But she is going to really ask some good question of Dr. Feelgood now though. I armed her with a list of questions to ask.

My gosh..... Do we have a name yet?

Depends what for. Yes, I have used a lawyer. That son of a bitch didn't get me squat in the divorce of my asshole ex husband. Jerk STILL owes me $3k that I overpaid, and that was 7 years ago!

PM MariposaBella... she did a lot of research on PS in MX. She even went there for her TT.