bigunc

Soup Girl I am also form Belle Chasse. I have just had my third fill. I felt good restriction after the 2nd fill but lost the restriction as I lost weight. I need to call Karen Monday and see if I can schedule another appointment to get a 4th fill. I have not had any real problems with the Lap Band. The best advice I can give you is to chew thoroughly and eat slowly. I can not eat drier, tougher foods ( untoasted bread, chicken breast or some beef etc...) You will just need to try differant foods for yourself and see what works for you.

I too was banded by Dr. Treen. I had my surgery this past Febuary. I live in Plaquemines Parish on the Westbank.

As I read this post I see everyone has differant reasons for hiding or sharing their LBS. I can relate, understand and agree with most of what everyone is saying. I personally have not kept it a secret. My family, friends and close co-workers knew about it as the process started. Everyone knew I needed to drastically change my weight or face more health problems ( 5 hospital visits in the last 14 months). Everyone has been totally supportive thru out my journey. I'm selfish. I did this for me and my family. At this stage of my life I could care less about how others percieve my weight loss and how I did it. I look at it like this; we really didn't worry what others thought as we became obese, why let their opinions affect how we become healthy. One last comment. In the last month, 2 co-workers and a close friend have all had the LBS. I have another friend and another co-worker in the pre-op diet stage of having the LBS. Everyone of these people would ask questions about my experience with the Lap band. I was happy that I could answer some of their questions. I would like to believe that being open has helped them decide to follow thru with the LBS. My Doctors office and Nursing staff often joke that they are going to have to start paying me a finders fee for the referals. Big Unc

LngRed Rose, I am from Plaquemines Parish below New Orleans. I had my surgery at West Jefferson Medical Center by Dr. David Treen and his Staff. The name of Dr. Treens clinic is "Surgical Clinic of Louisiana". They provide service at a couple of differant locations. You can check them out at www.sclaweightloss.com if you are interested.

Are you sure it didn't say Gastric Bypass patients lose 80% and LB patients lose 50% of their goal weight in the 1st year? GB patients will lose faster than LB patients but I haven't heard of a reason for limiting the amount you can lose if you follow the plan. This web site is proof that you can lose every bit of your goal weight and more if need be. I am only 3 months post op and have lost 31% of my goal weight since the 1st consult for LBS. Remember, LBS is still about the effort you are willing to put into it. If you don't eat properly and exercise you won't lose anything.

I had a similar experience 3 yrs ago. I asked my PCP about having a gastric bypass done. She was adamant in her response saying she was dead set against it. Of course someone 5 ft tall and 100 lbs doesn't see someone like me as having an issue losing weight. I guess she thought I just hadn't put enough effort into losing. At that time I had never even heard of a Lap Band. Fast forward to a year ago. I wound up in the hospital with congestive heart failure and Afibb. I was out of work a total of 5 months. My Cardiac Specialist told me I had to drastically loose weight or I wouldn't be around much longer. He recommended the LBS and wrote a letter to the PCP stating the same. After telling me she would reluctantly give me the required referals I am 3 months post op, 106 lbs lighter (68 lbs since 1st consult). No one has been more suprised than my PCP. Moral of my sermon is do what is best for you. Find another GP or try to convince the one you have to approve. Just don't give up trying to get the Lap Band. It is a life changing event.

Tyler as a obese male 46 yrs of age I couldn't care less who knows and who doesn't. I have had serious health issues for the past year that required three hospitalizations. At my highest I weighed 451lbs last April. I made the decision to have the Lap Band surgery last August for my family and me. I have had nothing but support from family, friends and co-workers. In the last year I have two co-workers and a personal friend that has begun the Lap band journey since I had my surgery. I have also given some info out to about 6 others who ask me about Lap Band surgery. It is a personal preference to tell people or not. You do what is best for you and your family and try not to worry what others may think. I have heard so many negative comments about my size my whole life that if some one wants to say something stupid now, more power to them. I don't care what they think. My kids tell all their friends that they won't be able to call me Big Unc for much longer. They are so proud of me and that's what matters to me. I would like to share one more thing before I go. I had a NSV yesterday that wasn't planned. As I was walking past my Daughter she hugged me and said "Pop, I can finally get my arms completely around you for the first time in my life". I had never really thought about it but she was right. I can't explain how great I felt at that exact moment in time. Life is Great!

How did everyone find out about Dr.Treen/Belott? I personally was recommended to go see Dr Treen by one of my Cardiologist. The seminar I attended in August was the best 1 hour of my life (after the births of my three kids). I wish I had done this ten years ago. I have been telling anyone who will listen about the Lab Band. I have two co-workers and 1 friend in the process of getting the Band.

I agree with you Abby. Dr Treen's staff has been great from the start. I don't think we could have picked a better Surgical group to do our surgery. It was helpful having a Nurse like Karen who is an actual Lap band Patient. In the last year I have spent a good amount of time seeing various Doctors for differant ailments. Dr. Treen's office has been by far the best experience I have had dealing with any of them.

When I had my surgery I too had trouble urinating also. I felt as if my bladder was goig to burst. When I was finally able to urinate I was unable to void my bladder completely. I told my Nurse I was having trouble going to the bathroom. She told me that sometimes when people are put under anesthesia(?) their bladders have more trouble "waking up" then the rest of your body. I was not able to urinate properly until approx. 16 hrs after surgery.

I am from Plaquemines Parish and was banded @ West Jeff by Dr Treen. Where were you banded and what Dr. did you use?

I am a Type II diabetic on Lantus, Byetta (injectables), Glyb/Metformin and Actos (oral meds). Since my surgery on 2/25/08 I have lowered my Lantus from 100 units down to 20 units a night. I have been having trouble maintaining a blood glucose level between 80 and 120 due to the weight loss. I am hoping to cut back on oral meds at my next appointment in June. My PCP told me she believes I will probably be off the Diabetic meds within 6 months at my present rate of weight loss.

I started out at 451 last year at this time. I weighed 435lbs for my 1st consult with the dietician ( 2 months prior to my surgical consult). Weighed in at 413lbs on my LBS consult. Weighed in at 390lbs the day of my surgery. I am now down to 367lbs 1 1/2 months post op. 84lbs lost in the last year. 46lbs lost since my surgical consult. 23lbs lost since 2/25/08 (LB surgery date).

I had minimal restriction after the first fill (2 cc's on 3-25-08) 1 month post op. I just had another fill of 3 cc's on 4/15/08 and now feel good restriction. I still am adjusting to the full sensation after eating very little compared to the past.

I'm having a real hard time sticking to the rule of no drinking before, during or 2 hrs after eating. I have always been one to drink alot during my meals. I am a diabetic who suffers thru dry mouth and drink fluids constantly. Has anyone else had trouble like this? I have just started introducing various food back into my diet (per Dr's guidelines) and feel a great urge to drink as I eat.

Fenton, I was banded on 2/25/08 and had my first fill (3cc's) on 3/25/08. I definately have restriction now. I am eating 1/4 of the food I previously did. My Wife is amazed that I stop eating even when I have food left on my plate. I agree with Jack, I find myself now stopping because I am not hungry in lieu of being full.

I have worked in the ship building industry for the last 28+ yrs. I spent most of that time in the Pipe Dept. I recently had to give up my job as a Superintendent for health reasons (lower back). I now work in Scheduling building various required schedules and tracking schedule progress for the duration of the ships construction.

I am curious about where all the Men are from that are having or had the Lap-Band. My name is Jeff I am from Louisiana. I live about 20 miles southeast of New Orleans.

I had to stop my Coumadin 7 days before the Surgery and start the Lovenox shots 5 days prior to the Surgery. My last shot of Lovenox was the night of the Surgery. 2 days post op I started my normal dose of Coumadin. The shots were not an issue for me as I have been an Insulin dependent diabetic and have been giving myself shots since 2003.

Its great to read everyone's excitement at the Lap Band journey process. I can honestly say I haven't been this excited since the birth of my kids. I found myself staying excited from the seminar thru to my first fill today. I have told anyone who will listen about how great the Lap Band has been for me. I know the Lap Band can only do so much and the rest is up to me. One of my co-workers has been very interested in my progress because she wants to get a Lap Band. I think she is as excited as I am every time I have an appointment with my Surgeon. I've convinced her to attend her first seminar next Monday.

I think most will tell you that you will have to try various foods to determine your own tolerances. My only problem with food post op has been un-toasted bread and chicken breast. It felt as if the bread was stuck in my throat and the chicken felt too dry to swallow. I have yet to try steak yet as per my post op diet. I still have a strong urge to drink while eating. Everything the surgical team has advised me to eat on my post op diet has been followed without incident. I had a catheter still in when I woke up. It didn't hurt but was a minor discomfort when removed. Had my first fill today 4 weeks post op, 2 cc's. Doctor said because I was losing weight and felt a slight restriction post op he wouldn't fill anymore than that. The fill was not really painful as much as a minor discomfort. I have lost a total of 17 lbs since my surgery date. I actually gained 3 lbs about 2 weeks post op while going thru the "mushies".

Archer my blood glucose levels were always high (200 -220) when I woke up in the morning (3:30 am). I had to take 100 units of Lantus at night, a shot of Byetta before Breakfast and dinner, 45 mg of Actos once a day and 2-5/500 Glyb/Metformin twice a day. I lost a total of 42 lbs and was able to lower my Lantus nightly to 30 units. I no longer take any more Byetta. This was all done during my 3 month diet before surgery. When I do Blood work next week I hope she will cut back on some of the oral diabetic meds as well. My Cardiologist has cut two of my BP meds (Cardizem & Metoporol) in half. I have lost 18 more since my 2/25 surgery. My highest weight was 435 ( 7/2007 ) and I am now at 375. I am on a total of 15 meds so I still have a ways to go, but its a start. I also had Afibb and a heart flutter that was corrected with an Ablation once I lost approx 40 lbs. My next check up I will probably have my Amiodarone cut in half.

No, thankfully I only have three meals a day and one of them is usually a Protein drink with some fresh fruit. Also my day starts pretty early (4:00 AM) so my meals are spread thru out the day. I usually have 6 or more hrs between every meal. My normal meal times are 6:00 AM, 12:00 noon & 7:00 PM.

Yes I do use sugar free gum and hard candy during the course of the day. My major problem is trying to swallow during a meal. Between meals is not an issue. When I started using the CPAP machine at night my mouth became extremely dry. I started using Orajel Dry Mouth Moisturizing Spray thru out the night. It really helped combat the dry mouth at night. I just started using the moisturizing spray before I started eating and again if needed while I was eating. It isn't like washing your food down with a drink but it has helped. I keep a bottle of the spray in my desk at work and in my truck to use as needed. I had a few people reply that 2 hrs after meals seemed too long. I had my first post op appointment with the Surgeon last Friday he and verified the 2 hr rule on drinking after meals. I was told that I should suck on some ice chips to combat the dry mouth sensation after meals. Not the same but better than nothing.