Cocoabean

Hello All, I just found this study on Pub Med. It's the first long-term data I've seen on bands. http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22219011 Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the United States. Spivak H, Abdelmelek MF, Beltran OR, Ng AW, Kitahama S. Source HS Laparoscopy, Weight-Loss Surgery Program, Park Plaza Hospital, 1313 Hermann Drive, 1200 Binz Suite 930, Houston, TX, 77004, USA, hadarspivak@gmail.com. Abstract BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are the most common bariatric procedures performed in the past decade, little is known about their long-term (>5 years) outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective outcome study investigated 148 consecutive patients from a single practice who underwent LAGB from November 2000 to March 2002. The group was matched with 175 consecutive patients who underwent LRYGB from June 2000 to March 2005. Follow-up data for 5 years or longer was available for 127 LAGB patients (86%) and 105 LRYGB patients (60%). RESULTS: After an initial 4 years of progressive weight loss, body mass index (BMI) loss stabilized at 5-7 years at approximately 15 kg/m(2) for the LRYGB patients and at about 9 kg/m(2) for the LAGB patients with band in place (P < 0.01). At 7 years, the excess weight loss (EWL) was 58.6% for LRYGB and 46.3% for LAGB with band in place (P < 0.01). By 7 years, 19 LAGB patients (15%) had had their bands removed, bringing the failure rate forLAGB (including patients with less than 25% EWL) to 48.3% versus 10.7% for LRYGB (P < 0.01). By 10 years, 29 (22.8%) of the bands had been removed, bringing the total LAGBfailure rate to 51.1%. In 10 years, 67 LAGB (52.8%) and 43 LRYGB (41%) adverse events had occurred. However, over time, the LRYGB group experienced 9 (8.6%) serious, potentially life-threatening complications, whereas the LAGB group had none (P < 0.001). One procedure-related death occurred in the LRYGB group. CONCLUSIONS: Over the long term, LRYGB had an approximate reduction of 15 kg/m(2) BMI and 60% EWL, a significantly better outcome than LAGB patients experienced with band intact. The main issue with LAGB was its 50% failure rate in the long term, as defined by poor weight loss and percentage of band removal. Nevertheless, LAGB had a remarkably safe course, and it may therefore be considered for motivated and informed patients.

The band surgery does nothing to affect how we metabolize alcohol. Perhaps your tolerance has decreased as you are no longer drinking what you once did?

http://www.thinnertimes.com/weight-loss-surgery/wls-basics/weight-loss-surgery-comparison.html Above is a chart comparing various WLS procedures. Bypass and sleeve have a higher excess weight loss percentage than banding. They are also a "set it and forget it" procedure, not needing the aftercare that a band needs. On the flip side, they have higher rates of severe complications.

I am 3 years 11 months out. I've had no troubles at all so far. Hoping it stays that way.

Daphne's Greek Cafe now has a wrap sandwich that is available in gyros, chicken, and something else..steak maybe? Very good! They will also let you order off of the child's menu with no questions.

My surgeon planned 1st fill at 6 weeks post. But I had a 10 day cruise planned, so I waited until after I returned. I am a Federal employee -- I have BCBS, but an H M O. My surgeon's contract with the H M O provided me with easy access to him for the first year. After that I need prior authorization for fills. Also after the first year, he has me do an upper GI and esophogram prior to a fill. That needs prior approval as well. The authorizations come through in about a week for me. Regular Fed BCBS, I am not sure.

(raises hand) I am a beer lover. I am aware of the calories. The carbonation sometimes gives me the hiccups. I didn't drink much during the weight loss phase, and if I gain a tad it's a first like of defense for cutting out excess calories.

Some insurance companies require proof of a history of obesity for x number of years. If you haven't been to a doctor in 2 years, that is something to be aware of. You don't say how tall you are, but the requirements are based on BMI, you can find a calculator online. Most insurance requirements are a BMI of 35-39 with 1 or 2 co-morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. Or BMI 40 and over qualifies. Many companies require a 6 month medically supervised diet program. You'll have to check for a pre-exisisting condition clause, see if you need to be covered for a certain amount of time before they will cover bariatric surgery. Be certain there is not an exclusion of it. All the insurance companies are slightly different. These are generalizations. Most have their plan brochures online and a google search will bring you to them. Good luck and best wishes! Welcome to LBT, keep asking questions!

If liquids are coming back up, call your surgeon ASAP. Even if it is swelling, you'll need a slight unfill. Gurgling is OK if the liquids are going down. Warm liquids might increase swelling. Try room temperature, as cold can trigger a spasm. As kll suggested, try liquids only and see how it goes.

Awesome post, Michele. Stole the words right from my keyboard! :-)

Is the facilitator of the meeting a medical professional? Does he have any clue what your weight history is? It's one thing for a support leader to give a short background so you can connect. Pretty rude to comment like that, if you ask me. Goal setting should be between you and your surgeon or primary care doc, in my opinion. And ultimately, it is up to you. At one of my pre-op classes, the leader (not sure of her qualifications) cautioned that many bariatric patients do not get to a normal BMI post-op. She went on to say that it is because for many they start at a very high BMI. Excess skin sometimes does not allow for enough pounds lost to enter a normal BMI range. For others, they just don't lose it all. Studies of ALL bariatric procedures show that none of them provide 100% of excess weight loss. So, those of us that do lose 100% have done something right to get there, or there is someone in the background who has not lost near enough to make the average less than 100%...does that make sense? It was a nicer way of saying what was said at your meeting, and not directed at anyone. But, I am sorry, at a support group, when someone says they have questions, the questions should have been addressed. You should not have been told you are going to fail. Did you get your questions answered?

Night coughing is a sign of reflux, which is a symptom of a band that is too tight. Are you eating sugar and "crap" foods because they go down easily and you can't eat solids? If so, that is another sign of a too tight band. When is the last time you saw your surgeon? Unfortunately, only we can make the choice not to eat the sugar. Sometimes that addiction is very strong. The migraines are probably withdrawal symptoms. For me, the band helps control my physical appetite, which in turn helps me control my junk food desires. I hope you can find the way to make it work for you. YOU are not a failure. The band is not working for you.

Feb 15 is my 4th Bandiversary!! Must be a very good date!

If you are satisfied on a meal with 2-3 oz. of solid Protein some veggies and some starch if there is room, then don't worry. Does a meal hold you for 3 to 4 hours? Then you are good to go. Being banded does not mean pain or pressure when eating. My done signal is that I am no longer hungry. If I am in pain, I have eaten too much or not chewed well enough or done something else not quite right.

Are you supposed to be on soft foods due to the fill? They don't do much for satiety. Neither do pretzels, really. But you say you are on soft foods just to stay mentally in the game. Solid Proteins are what will help you to feel full. Once cleared for solids after the fill, eat plenty of solid proteins and complex carbs. Those are what will keep hungry at bay.

Can they move the port to a different location? I am not sure where might be better, but my bariatric surgeon said there are any number of locations that can be used.

For starters, don't panic. Life happens. It should be enjoyed! The 4 pounds could well be Water retention from eating out on your trip. Dehydration also leads to water retention, as backwards as that sounds. I always come back from a trip bloated. So, you extended your enjoyment once you got home. Pat yourself on the back for recognizing it. Bandsters who have been successful in the long-term have learned that we do not have to be perfect. We just have to do well the majority of the time. You were skiing while on a trip, that's total calorie burn! You might do some post-trip food journaling and see if you really did 4 pounds worth of damage. 4 pounds is 14,000 calories. Did you really eat that much excess after what you need to maintain your weight and all you expended skiing all those hours? If not, it is water retention. I know it is hard to remember everything you ate after-the-fact, but it might bring you some perspective. Doing liquids to de-tox is not a bad idea. Anything to break the cycle you have fallen into. Going back to bandster basics is always a great fall-back for us! Also, consider if you might need a fill. Maybe you don't. But when I start grazing, that's when I start thinking perhaps a fill is in order. Congrats on your losses so far! You've done great!

If you can tolerate a sip, nothing tragic will happen. At my current fill level, if I take too big of a drink while eating, it will cause things to jumble up in my pouch and cause a stuck episode. Within a few minutes after my last bite, I can sip something without incident. Personally, for me, the no drinking while eating is because it can cause me to get stuck, it has nothing to do with washing food through quicker. Prior to this last fill I'd drink with my meal without consequence. There was no difference in my satiety level. My doctor was aware of my penchant for liquids with food. Your mileage may vary, of course.

If you are saving $5k, spend some of that savings and contact a medical aid company in San Diego. You might be able to hire someone to go with you to Tijuana as an escort. There might even be someone here on LBT who lives in this area (San Diego) who was banded in Tijuana who might be willing to serve as an escort. In this economy, lots of people are looking for work. I know you don't know the people here at LBT, but it's a thought.

Most surgeon's say no NSAIDs like Ibuprofen or aspirin. Otherwise, I've not heard a problem with cold medicines. You can always give your surgeon a call to be sure.

Thanks Alex! The 'that sucks' comment was not a ding at you! Just sadness that I could not follow my favorite threads. I don't do email notifications. You do great work keeping LBT up and running.

I appologize if I in anyway minimized your experience. That was not my intent. I also did not indicate that you should not call your surgeon. They are our first line of defense if we are not feeling right. No one's band experiences will be the same, but we can certainly all meet her and try to support each other and exchange information.

Oh, I see, it is over in "Content I Follow" now! Yay! She can be taught!

I still don't have anything in the "My Content" link, so I cannot follow the threads I am subscribed to. That sucks.

I think we all had doubts. If we hadn't dieted and failed, we would not have been seeking surgical intervention. With so many failed diet/exercise attempts behind me, I was terrified this would not work either. But as I sit here in my size 10 pants with normal blood pressure, I have to say it was the easiest weight loss/maintenance I have ever done. For some, it is a harder challenge. For me, it was very easy. My band is awesome. But you have to have the attitude that I will work with it, and go with the flow. You also have to keep your sense of humor.