Cocoabean

Hi Again, Nice to know I am not alone! Little bit more of my Band history. I had high BP prior to surgery. Was on meds. They stopped it right before I got my band. It came down quickly as my weight went down. My weight has been pretty stable for several months. Just a few lbs. lost. My pressure is usally in the 110/70 range. When the last bout happened I had my BP taken and it was 80/50. Yeah, I felt awsome! So, how do we combat this? I drink my Water like a good patient should. We cannot always avoid standing for longish periods of time. In my case when this happened, I had been moving around a bit. I was chatting with friends leaning against a wall or counter. Nothing stressful. I'd really prefer to not collapse in front of a bunch of people, I'm just odd that way :thumbup: Thanks!

Best wishes Sashay! I had mine down the road at Sharp Memorial.

MY EYES!! OH MY EYES!!!! Aaaagghhhh!!!! Leigha, not sure how potassium figures into the blood pressure thing. They told me it was probably a factor in why my pulse was so high, and that I could have started getting arythmias from it. I was very glad I went in. I am feeling much better today :thumbup: I go see my primary doc in just a little bit. My blood pressure is still low, but I feel ok. Not much pizzaz, but hey, I am upright! The low potassium was from losing so much fluids out the back end from the c. diff. What I found fantastic is that the PA who saw me Saturday actually kept a copy of my paperwork and called me this morning to follow-up with me and be sure I made an appoinment and see how I am doing. I don't believe that is a normal part of the urgent care process. I was touched. He treated me so well, everyone did. All you gardeners kill me. I can't even grow weeds. Plus we have a concrete yard. It is all pool deck. Ah well, I can enjoy everyone's pictures!! Ok, time to leave for the doc's. Here goes nuthin'!!

It sounds like a stuck episode to me. I sometimes have a delayed reaction. Usually it is immediate, but not always. Since the food stays in the pouch for a while and slowly empties, it is possible for something to get stuck a while down the road after you finish eating. Pork chops can be killer. Be sure to take very small bites. I love them, but they are very dry. I also eat them with applesauce to moisten them. Yummy!

Hi Gorainy, I'd think that should count, bring all the paperwork with you to your surgeon's or PCP's office. Also, bring it to the seminar. They usually have someone there you can speak to about your specific issues. Make sure you have extra copies, never give over your only copy! You don't have to write anything up, your surgeon's insurance person does the submission. Just provide them with copies of the records or the name of the nutritionist so that they can request copies. If Aetna denies it, I'd appeal. That was a supervised diet. The book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies has some great appeals letters examples. Best wishes!

Christie! Wow! BIG Congrats!!! On the old doctors' scales, that is a big clunk down, when they'd move that 50 lb marker another clunk one direction or the other. Liegha, You go girl! You just have victories coming all over the place! Yay!!! Bobbie, I think theoretically, a calorie is a calorie, it is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. But in reality, the way they make us feel and the foods that we consume to get them make a big difference. You can get 2000 calories of sugar and get hardly any nutrition, or eat 2000 calories of protein, complex carbs, and a little bit of fat, and feel satisfied. I am far from qualified to speak on the topic though, as far as the inner workings of the body. And I can't address the difference between eating it all at once or over the course of a day. But I will anyway, :thumbup: Something in my pea brain is saying there is a different reaction that goes on when we eat way more calories than we can use in the near future-something to do with fat storage vs. glycogen storage. I think Betsy could address that better than I can.

Amy: my surgeon is relatively conservative when it comes to fills. The first one was pretty large though, but they got smaller as things went along. His reason is that he prefers to "sneak up" on the sweat spot instead of chasing it by filling, unfilling, filling, unfilling. He said in his experience with the second route, patients don't tend to find the sweet spot as easily. But, restriction is such an odd creature! Even with his take on it, I ended up overfilled once. I've lost track of my fills and amounts, I think it was 3rd or 4th. He had put in 1cc. I went back he took out .5cc. A month later I was HUNGRY. So I went back and he put in another 1cc. That's where I am at now. I think it is 5.5cc total. So, I am good with my surgeon's approach to fills. I am not sure how I'd feel if he were more aggressive with them, because this is all I know.

With you on the restaurant thing. What I have done in the past, but not often, is ask them to add some ice in a baggie to the to go bag. It worked. But to ask someone to go the extra mile like that, the food has to be really, really good. In my case, it was PF Changs! I have learned to consider porability and share-ability in what I order. Last time I got stuck on something, I had chosen a dish my hubby did not like, and we weren't going home right away. Plus it would not have traveled well, anyway. So, I had to trash it. I felt horrible leaving the wonderful food, but had no choice. Oh well. That is why I am down nearly 70 lbs! Yay! From now on, I will be ordering stuff hubby will eat if he wants some, or that will be more portable than what I chose last time. :thumbup: At least that will give me more options.

Hi Everyone! Bobbie: here's hoping the job works out AND becomes full-time super quick. Or at least holds you over until full-time comes along! Anne: How's this for ustabilizing......ugh Friday night about 2am I wake up nauseated. Couldn't vomit it out. Lay awake miserable in bed for an hour. Get up to try to bring it up again. Nothing. This wakes the hubby up. So I stay on the couch. Well, instead of vomiting, it starts out the other end. This was the first time since banding I have felt the need to truly vomit, dang it, that HURTS! Miserable the whole day, BP low 90/55 range, pulse 120. So, after about 12 hours of feeling like doo-doo, hubby took me to urgent care. I was dehydrated from the day's "events." They started IV fluids. Blood test showed an infection and low potassium. They think I have a bacterial infection called c. diff. caused by an upset of the normal bacteria in the gut from some antibiotics I was on last month due to a sinus infection. There are some cultures growing to confirm the diagnosis, but they are treating as if it is. After some potassium and 2 liters of fluid, I was feeling quite a bit better. They said this low blood pressure doesn't have anything to do with the drop last Tuesday, when I nearly passed out. It's just been a joy! :confused: On the good side, this takes away your appetite, and I don't have to go to work tomorrow. They want me to see my primary care to have the blood work run again to re-check the potassium and the white blood count.

I have flown several times with no troubles. Some people report they are a bit tighter after flying, so I think the shakes are a good precaution.

Hi Laura, I eat pretty well. I still struggle with choices sometimes. But I am now naturally taking small portions and small bites. I eat about 1200 calories per day and have just recently reached a normal BMI. My band is fairly loose (5.5cc in a 10cc band)which allows me to eat a wide variety of foods, and I don't get stuck too often. When I do get stuck it is usually from pilot error. My typical day: Cup of coffee on the way to work. Protein shake/bar/or graham crackers with Peanut Butter for Breakfast. note: my surgeon prefers I not do Protein shakes, he wants me to eat my calories. I recently started them because I was getting bored with my normal breakfasts. I start work at 6:30am, and cannot eat before I leave my house. lunch is a salad or sandwich (without most of the bread), or dinner leftovers. We have a cafeteria where I work. I'll sometimes get the special and break it into two meals. Dinner is often a meat dish with veggie side and a starch. I follow the band rule of eating protien and veggie first with the starch as more of an afterthought. I am allowed healthy in between meal foods. Just not brainless eating. I also spend a bit of time here to remind me of my band and to keep up the hard work! Best wishes to you!

Hey Everyone!! Bobbie! Best wishes for the job lead! Wowser! Way to go! Leigha! You've joined the ranks of normal with me! They won't know what hit them. Congratulations! Stacie: I've battled depression for years. I take Zoloft. Can't report any negative reaction with my weight and the medication. Also, I sometimes get some minor pain around my port area. Especially if the waistband of my clothing goes right over it. Or if I have eaten a lot. HB: Congrats on the MEDIUM scrubs! Awesome! So, I saw my endocrinologist today. First time in a long time, as I left this medical group for a while. He was astounded by my weight loss. His receptionist, who I dearly love. Saw me come up and said, "my goodness, look at you!! You've lost so much weight!" I was amazed she even remembered me, much less noticed my weight loss! That gave me a grin for the day. Anyway, he said the sudden drops in blood pressure are not related to thyroid issues. So, I made an appointment with my PCP. I am scared it might be heart related. But he did raise my thyroid hormone dosage. So maybe I won't be freezing any more. I'll see him again in 4 months to recheck things. I took my fasting blood sugar this morning, 112 :biggrin: The endo was happy that the pre-diabetes had not progressed into full-fledged diabetes over the past years. I am not happy that it isn't normal. So, Butters and I have recommitted to walking together. We went today. And the friend at work on whose desk I tried to pass out said I had best bring my walking shoes on Monday because we are starting to walk. So, I can do twice in a day. The more the better. We have a nice walking track around the building at work. It is flat, so won't hurt the knees and hips as much as around the house where we have hills. So, here's hoping I finally fall in love with exercise! bah!

You have a web cam or something? :biggrin: Guess it's those web Cookies your computer is eating, telling them you are coming here! I'd bet you have to fill out a bunch of surveys or "take advantage" of tons of free offers or something! Then end up on who knows how many mailing lists! I clicked one of those things once, made it about 85 pages through before I gave up. So, someone got a lot of research out of me without me getting my freebie! I'd prefer to pay for it, but that is me.

Hello Spartan, On what are you basing your statements? Educational expertise, web research, or opinion? I agree every person needs to make their own decision, and compliance is a very big factor in success of any procedure. But if I were researching, I'd want to know where your information came from in order to take it into consideration. Thanks.

Woodstock, I think if you'd had bypass, you would be having moments of, "I wish I would have had Lap Band!" It's the way we are. I do have moments where I second guess myself. Like last week when I was urping into a public toilet. I think you are having some fill issues right now. That is a rough time to question your choice. Hopefully when you feel better, you won't feel so bad about your choice.

I am wondering if this entire website was written in a language other than English and run through a translator. It speaks of "doze apnea" and "kind 2 diabetes" ..... And I am "less likely to retrieve the lost heaviness over time" than a gastric bypass patient.....ok! Does not instill me with confidence.

Don't bypass folk get food stuck from time to time? My PCP had bypass and we were talking about getting food stuck. He spoke of some incidents he'd had with chicken. Maybe not as often, but it sounds as if it occurs.

36 pounds in 6 months is a fantastic rate of loss! You are doing yourself a disservice thinking that is too slow. 1-2 pounds per week is what we should expect. As you lose more, the loss rate will slow down, it is mathmatics. The less you weigh, the harder it is to create a calorie deficit. Take it easy on yourself and concentrate on good eating habits and exercise. You are doing fantastic!

I read that only about 30% of bypass patients experience dumping with sugar. So, it isn't guaranteed that you could not eat sugar. But it was a strong contender for me in my decision. At 2 years out, the weight loss is similar, but bypass folk lose it quicker to start. When I am hanging over the sink trying to get something unstuck I wish I had gotten bypass, but other than that, I am very happy with my decision. That said, if the band fails me, I'd be OK with revising to bypass, also.

Hi Trish, I had BCBS California HMO through FEHB. I had to appeal my request to see the surgeon--the denial was from my medical group, not BCBS. After I won that, it took me a while to get all the requirements in order to submit to BCBS. They submitted in late November, I think. And I got word in Mid January that I was approved. Best wishes!

Woodstock, If you can't get Water down, go back to your doc, quickly. That can be dangerous due to dehydration. Vomiting will add to swelling and can become a vicious circle. Don't mess around with it. Sip, don't slug. If you can get water down, then it's OK to wait a bit. I burp and gurgle more when I am tighter. I, too, liken things to the water cooler. When you put a new 5 gallon bottle on it urps and bubbles like crazy. If you just trickle it out, it doesn't bubble so much. Thus sipping is better. I also think of it as a funnel. Try to pour a bunch of liquid down it and it fills up. Pour it slowly and it will drain more easily. Take it easy and keep us posted!!

Here are some studies you can show your doctor. Do a web search for "adolescent LAP-BAND®" The FDA found it safe for adolescents: Lap-Band® Surgery LAP-BAND® Surgery Shows Promise for Severely Overweight Teens - Dr. Paul O'Brien Research Study Study Shows that Lap-Band® Weight-Loss Surgery Can Reverse Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Teens - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork Presbyterian This is about a trial for teens, from 2006: http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cs/news/si/2006_obesity_teens.html Webside for adolescent obesity surgery: Adolescent Bariatric Surgery - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork Presbyterian

Hey Everyone!! I just have to share a NSV from this week. We had a ham on Monday. Hubby cooked it, he did a GREAT job. As I was making my plate (I took one of our larger plates, as I sometimes do, sometimes I use a smaller one to remind me to take smaller portions). I looked at my plate and it looked so sad and empty. I muttered something about how I REALLY need to keep using the smaller plates. My hubby asked if I was piling it too high, as I usually do, bigger or smaller, it doesn't matter. I said, "no, look at this thing, it is so pitiful looking, I actually put tiny portions on it, OUT OF HABIT THIS TIME!" First time in 2 years and 2 months I have not had to THINK about my portion size, I just naturally put a small bit of each dish on my plate. :thumbup: I asked the nurse at work today if she had time to take my pressure, she said yep, come on down. So I popped on down, and she had the doctor in today (I work at a large air traffic control facility--he was doing physicals for the controllers). She asked if he would check me over. So he did. He thinks it is related to my thyroid and that I need a full panel run. I don't have a thyroid as I had an overactive non-cancerous tumor several years ago. So, I already had an appt scheduled for Friday. I'll be sure to talk to him about this episode. I'd not be too upset if I had to up my metabolism a bit :mad: I also gave the doc (he is an ER doc by trade) a little band education and let him feel my port. I told him he might see someone who was overfilled some time. He decided if he did he'd call and get advice about how to exactly access the port to withdraw fluid. Bob! My goodness, HE LIVES! Glad to have you back! Dottie: That totally sucks that you got treated that way. My goodness, you were on vacation. You are allowed to relax your vigilance! Plus you had less fill than he thought you did, so he can stick it up his nose! But yes, they do keep stats and heaven forbid we skew them. You know, I heard the doctor from the show Big Medicine on Sirius Radio one morning saying that he has lost faith in the band, and his sister has one. That was kind of off-putting to me. But, I already had mine, so I am going to work it.

Duct tape and WD-40!