princess_n_thep

No breakfast for me since my fill in Sept. Only warm liquids. I miss breakfast foods, but I just eat them for dinner if I really want them that bad. Who says you can't have hashbrowns and eggs at dinner?

Ohhhhhhhh, where did I put that link??? Oh, here it is... off to buy me some panties all!

www.SlumberPartiesByLisaB.com

Hmmmmmmmm, I need me a pair of new panties. Now where did I put that link? Ohhhhhh, here it is....www.SlumberPartiesByLisaB.com

He had you on a preop diet at 210 pre surgery? Geez. The reason, that I have been told, is to lessen the size of the liver and fat around the liver to make surgery easier. I think some surgeons just like to test us I swear.

I didn't have to do a pre op diet. So I pigged it out!

Well I called Inamed and spoke to Mr. Mills. I swear these people can now officially SUCK MY TOE! He stated it is a "gray sale" and he turned it over the legal department last time it was reported to him but the legal department has decided not to act due to the fact that it is not part of their liability. He was aloof about the situation and said that he is aware that the seller is selling them. He said that their is nothing he or Inamed can really do to stop the selling and they would be spinning their wheels and wasting money to try because they would just be sold another way. So basically, NOT THEIR PROBLEM. He didn't even want the information.

UNFREAKINGREAL!!!

Hmmmpf... and to think... I have one of their implants inside of my body. REAL comforting.

Well, I guess Inamed didn't solve the problem afterall since the last issue a few months ago.

This is just plain scarey.

However, I do wish to buy one so that way I can better explain my band when people ask. Maybe I will bid.

Dr. Ortiz is around $9,500 in MX

Remember that when you are looking at US self pay, ask them if that includes all of the pre op tests (EKG, bloodwork, Psych, nutritionist, etc) That can all add up.

Everyone seems to be different. Just keep on movin' in the direction your going!

Welcome to LBT!!!!

Nope, my son is pure athlete. He has always been lean. I was very strict on his meals though. I fed him healthy while I ate the crap. My son thought a Ritz cracker was a cookie until he got into Kindergarten. Damn teacher ruined it for me!!! Even still, he isn't much of a candy, chocolate or junk eater. He loves those sweet tarts though. He won't touch a soda, only gatorade/water/lemonade/milk.

And by the way Kryssa, you are NOT a failure with the band. You just haven't found your band "niche" yet. You will find it!

I have MANY words coming to mind. Fantastic, amazing, unreal, wonderful, mind-blowing, inspiring, encouraging, etc etc... I am so glad you have come to join us. We are a great group. At times we are heated and can be in big debates (oh, the drama) but when it comes down to nuts and bolts we all really love each other! I hope you really enjoy it here. It is kinda like, no it IS, a whole 'nother family! WELCOME TO THE LBT FAMILY!

Congratulations on your loss! I think you have done mahhhhhhhvelous!

I hope you stay and post often with advice and tips as well as share in our many discussions of various topics.

As for the extra skin I have been pondering.... my mom's surgeon (she was US insurance paid) said that if you complain of rashes and rubbing and chaffing then the insurance is likely to pay for all or a portion of the plastic surgery to remove the skin. If that is not an option, maybe going to Mexico as a self pay? Many people here have done it successfully and are thrilled with the results. I would guess it would take some research but I know you may be able to talk to some who have already done a lot of the legwork involved for research (ie MariposaBella). I am wondering... if you had all of the extra skin removed you would most likely be AT goal, not 33 lbs from it!

Congrats again!

No no no to carbonation for me. Doc says the carbonation "can" be uncomfortable but the main reason is that the carbonation gasses can expand your pouch. Also some of the acids in sodas (ie Coke) can lend a hand to erosions.

As for Chocolate.... ((sigh)) I only wish I couldn't eat it. Why does all the crap food go down so easy?

Any bread, and I am stuck.

I don't eat steak. Not because I can't, just don't know because I don't eat it. Didn't before band, don't now.

I was a 35 I believe. No co morbidities at all. I was healthy as a horse, I just ate like one. My stats are below. Self pay in Mexico was my only option. Banding was nearly my only option.

I had my jaw wired shut for 12 weeks one time. Seriously. Well, they basically put braces on your back molars and wire your mouth shut. The grossest part is not being able to brush your teeth but you can get pretty good with a waterpik. Talking is a bit tough--but you can double as a ventriloquist.

...

Ummmmmmm, I would sooooooo cheat that! Blended Twinkies through the straw would still work for me! :speechles

The Mary Kay Timewise solutions are ROCKIN'!!! I love them. Cost a bit more, but SOOOOOOOO worth it. After using it religiously for 2 months I DO notice fine lines going away and my skin is much healthier and blemish free.

Darn, I would have bet dime to dollar that it was the too tight of a fill! I mean, geez, you have had 5 fills in 3 months!!! Did the doctor do a flouro on you (drinking the barium under xray)????

Hmmmmmmm, maybe you are stressed? Try some deep breathing exercises to destress before eating? I agree with the warm liquid idea too.

Keep us updated!!

Alas, I thought my fill level was perfect too. I had my last one last September. Recently (the past week) I have been chowing and constantly hungry. Not sure if is the shift (graveyard) or needing a fill though. I am just grazing all the damn time. I think I will give it until March and see and then make a decision.

Hmmmm, I suggest maybe shopping around some more??? But I bet you probably already have. Geez, that just sucks sucks sucks.

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