QatarPhil

Hello November Nymphs, Some news to share and an update from me. My gastric band has been left alone for about six years without any doctor’s review or adjustment. During my annual health checks the x-ray always confirmed it was properly positioned. All this time I’ve been completely happy with it and my weight has been a stable 98-100kg with no real effort from me. Over the last six months or so I’d crept up 3kg and I’ve had some uncomfortable acidic feelings in my stomach which was easily remedied by an antacid tablet or a bite of food like a cracker biscuit. But I was munching more and more Rennies antacid tablets so sought some medical help via an upper GI x-ray and endoscopy. Turns out my band was extremely tight and food was going through so slowly it was pouching in my esophagus. Stomach acid had been leaking out too; my esophagus was irritated and had grown some nodules. These were removed and sent for pathology which showed atypical cells. Left untreated this could progress to esophageal cancer. The treatment plan is to empty my gastric band, take Prevacid medicine and Gaviscom. For three months I'm avoiding irritating, spicy and salty foods plus alcohol completely. They then want to do another endoscopy and more pathology sampling. Hope is my esophagus will have healed up. Otherwise they have far more drastic treatment options. My doctor is concerned about GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus developing if left untreated. My follow up endoscopy is booked for early October and I’ll let you know how I get on. Regards to you all. Cheers, Phil.

Hello Team, Was just looking up the LBT URL for a friend who is interested and thought I'd check our old November 2007 board. Apologies for not keeping in contact but I hardly ever think about my LapBand anymore. Fortunately I am able to just get on. My weight stabilised at 95 kg, 11 kg above goal and happily just stays there. Doesn't seem to matter what I eat or drink, just stable +/- 1kg. So that's a 38kg loss over all and I'm thrilled with the outcome. With effort I can go lower, but my face becomes gaunt and I just don't like the look. Love buying clothes, especially ones on offer. Really enjoy sitting comfortably in an airline seat. My tennis game has improved. Before I sit down I don't automatically check the chair is strong enough. I'm not obsessed by food, if I miss a meal I don't even care. Lots of positives. Oh and I stopped snoring too. Downsides. Sometimes my stomach gets an uncomfortable acidic feeling. Some food usually fixes that. Don't enjoy orange juice any more, too acidic. Two years ago I moved to a malarial area and need to take Malarone prophylactic tablets daily, they don't go down too well. All in all my gastric band continues to be a marvelous success and I'd never want to have it removed. One concern is I lost my support doctor by moving countries. Enquiries I made when in Britain have been disappointing, clinics there are reluctant to take on anyone they didn't operate on. Haven't had a fill for about three years, but I would like to know I have support should something ever go wrong. Cheers to you all. Enjoyed your support over the years. QatarPhil.

Hi everyone, almost a year now since we were banded. Still occasionally around lapbandtalk.com, but generally I am an infrequent visitor to the site. My weight loss has been successful and I’m down 28.9 kg (63 lbs). My initial 100 kg goal weight is only 3.8kg away. Wearing 38” trousers and XL shirts; I’m feeling good about my size. Easily fitting into an airline seat or effortlessly getting into a small car are enjoyable reminders of my progress. In the past I avoided looking at my reflection or getting photographed, but now I’m quite intrigued to see myself. Fairly sure 100kg will not be right for me, so I may adjust my goal to 95kg. Loose skin hasn’t been an issue for me yet and I don’t think it will be a major issue when I am at goal. My wardrobe is all new and I quite enjoy buying clothes, something I really disliked in the past. No major issues to share. One over-fill, where my stomach was completely closed off for a day; but a slight unfill easily fixed that. Haven’t worked out why, but I am extra tight in the mornings. First bite syndrome can be an issue, so I start out with small bites. When I am particularly hungry this is a challenge for me. We have all read about reaching the restriction sweet spot and I think I’m there. My restriction seems excellent and hunger management seems ideal. Interestingly my weight loss has been inconsistent, several long plateaus and then unexpected weight drops. I’m surprised how little food I need to maintain my weight or even make small gains. My portions seem miniscule and I leave food uneaten. Our bodies are efficient and need so little food, aren’t they? Mine would be brilliant for a siege or famine; I’d be a last survivor for sure. My palate has changed too, the old Phil would hardly ever eat dessert but now I quite enjoy a few mouthfuls. Unlike the old days, I’m simply not particularly interested in red meat, rice or bread. Carbonated drinks make me feel uncomfortable, so I avoid them. Orange juice seems acidic and I pass on that too. I’m regularly exercising in the gym and enjoying some tennis lessons and matches. My tennis game and stamina have improved. Aspects of the old Phil’s behaviors are still around and I occasionally enjoy small ice creams. Recognising what I am like; I don’t try and completely eliminate my favorites. On the weekends or when we are out socially I enjoy wine too. So far so good, getting my band has been a life changing experience and I recommend it to anyone who asks. Thanks for all your messages and encouragement to each other. Cheers, QatarPhil.

Hi everyone and November 07 Bandsters in particular, Day 13 today for me and tomorrow will be my two week anniversary since banding. Like most of you, my experience has been positive as I learn to live with my band. As a general comment I am thrilled with it and can’t imagine life without my band. Normally by about now in a diet I’d be pleased with my success, relax my guard and slip off the diet regime. But not this time, because of my band, slipping back isn’t an option for me. Now back in the gym and on the tennis court, I’m now fully recovered. How little food I eat and how satisfied I am after small meals is amazing. For the first time in ages I feel real hunger before meals. Most of my weight loss was in week-1 but my loss during week-2 has been satisfactory too. So far I have lost 7 kg (15 lbs) since the operation. My belt is in two notches and I am wearing clothes that were too tight two weeks ago. My doctor doesn’t believe in prescriptive post op diets, so luckily no mush and liquids phases for me. He says there is no way my band can slip the way he has it stitched around my stomach. After one week I could eat what I liked as long as it was chewed completely. So I have had an easier time than some of you. Today was my first PB, just like I’d read on these pages. Salivating like mad, I made for the toilet and stood there wondering what to do when I just burped up the food into the toilet bowl. As easy as that. That’s an experience I don’t want to repeat, so I’ve learnt from it and will be even more careful in future. December 1 I am scheduled for my first fill. Not sure I need it, but maybe things will have changed by them. Thanks for all your posts and shared information. Keep up the good progress everyone. Regards, Phil

Hi Ghannouge, apologies for the late response to your post. Hope your surgery went smoothly and you are well on the way to a slim new you. My surgery was done at Al Ahli hospital in Doha and I am looked after by Dr Fawzi Jadallah.

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%...............32.2 (39.6) Foofy...............40.5..................15%..................37.6 Sades...............35....................15.2%...............35.6 Shalee04...........66.....................26.6................30.3 Bandpal.............77.66..................27%................34.1(47) Skinny_Jill..........50.....................22.5%..............32.7 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........100.....................27%.................37.7 linda.................46.5...................20.5..................31 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......63.6...................24%................32.2 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............101...................25.25%.........52.8 to 39.4 Cindyg...............49.....................19%.................37 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....71.....................23%.................51.3 to 39.4 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 stranger138........40......................17.4%.................33.7 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 Robin_Bird............85.....................27.8%................33.4 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........45....................16.4%..............40.6 lindseyann2u........63......................?%.................? BarbBee..............57.......................19%...............42.1 Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........90.....................30%.............33.9 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) TOTAL: 1861.66

Hello November 07 Bandsters, Apologies for being neglectful over the past while; time I updated you on my progress and issues. Weight Loss Plateau. After a fill in early February I enjoyed a few kg of weight loss, but then a long plateau with no loss. Noted I was eating and drinking slightly more; but nothing like the old pre-band Phil. Anyway a weight gain of 1 or 2 kg spurred me on to get another fill on Saturday 26 April. Loss of Restriction. While I was in for the fill, my doctor and I were discussing why we loose restriction after a fill. You know, feeling tight with great weight loss for one or two weeks then gradually the restriction lessens. Anyway we wondered if the band wasn’t holding the saline solution and if it was leaking out. To test this he syringed out the 5 cc already added to check it was still there and confirmed it was, at the same time he added 2 cc. Over Filled Experience. Interestingly the 2 cc on Saturday made me so tight that even a mouthful of Water made me sick. As soon as I left his office, while I was paying the account, I vomited up the test water (we don’t do fluro, just drink water to test the restriction). But I thought things would settle down and wasn’t too worried. Mind you I was uncomfortable. But by Monday afternoon I was feeling no different and was worried about dehydration, so I came in for an un-fill. Straight away I was able to drink water with no issues. The difference was immediate and quite dramatic. Since then I am still on liquids, but will try some well chewed solids this evening or tomorrow. Even with 1 cc extra (total 6 cc rather than 7cc) I feel tight; so I am expecting some good weight loss over the next few weeks. So we know the band is working, small adjustments are effective and it certainly holds pressure. Over All Weight Loss. I’m down 21.8 kg (48 lbs) so far and wearing size 97 cm (38”) trousers and shorts. Was able to buy some inexpensive sport shorts from a supermarket on the weekend. The old Phil used to struggle to find clothes to fit and they were premium price. I’ve been dumping old shirts and trousers and happily buying new smaller ones; what a nice problem. All the best with your own weight loss journey. QatarPhil.

Yes quite correct Cindy; I should have gone straight back in for an un-fill. Hope others of us can learn from experiences we post. Anyway, other than the cost and inconvenience, no damage done. Thanks for the message. Phil.

As far as I know Jack, I was the first lap band patient in Qatar. Previous to November 07 people travelled to Dubai for surgery and follow up. Seems like the process is main stream in Qatar now; there are certainly many potential candidates. Cheers, Phil.

Well done November Nymphs – some sensational results there. Personally I’ve lost 13 kg (28.6 lbs) since I commenced my pre-op diet before I was banded on 4 November. People are starting to comment and I have thrown away some too big pairs of trousers and shorts. My belt is in four notches and there are no more holes left on it. My tennis game has improved, especially court coverage and my stamina is far better. Work outs in the gym are the same, but I am going more often and doing extra long sessions on the weekends. I’m drinking some wine on weekends when we are out socially, but haven’t had a beer or any carbonated drinks since banding. I’m fussy about what I eat and quite selective, no rice, bread or other “nothing” foods for me anymore. Early in December I’ve had a 4 cc fill, but am still to reach my sweet spot. Next appointment with my Doctor is in early January and I’ll be looking a few more cc in my band. Keep up the good work everyone and be careful not to overeat during the Christmas and New Year time. Cheers, Phil

Other than I live in Doha in Qatar and work in the oil industry, I won't say too much publicly in case I identify myself. It is a small community here. Cheers, Phil.

Hi everyone, Thanks for the updates on your own progress, comments and questions. Longhorn I understand your rationale for not weighing yourself. Do let us know how you are going when you do have an official weigh-in won’t you? lindata you asked how much do you eat at one sitting? About 2/3 to 1 cup of food. After which I am completely satisfied. >I'm curious how your tummy felt too, just out of post-op, when you were eating solids. For the first week I primarily had liquids only. My doctor had said start with clear Soups, then thicker more substantial soups and work through mush and onto sold food. Because of all the posts here and a good challenge from Longhorn, I stayed on liquids until my follow up after week-1. My doctor drew a sketch of the band and how it was attached to my stomach and assured me it would not be slipping anywhere. After he re-confirmed I could eat small quantities of solid foods, I carefully and gingerly started. Felt fine, tasted great and very satisfying. >there's so much variation between doctors in diets Yes wonder if surgical techniques are different or if the liquids/mush diet is to jump start weight loss? I’ll ask when I have my fill on 1 December and report back to you all. jelbel asked how can you have the energy for exercise already? Seems like I am completely back to normal, if anything I am exercising more than pre-op because I am more motivated. >Did you have your pita bread toasted or soft? Was it dry or did you have hummus on it? Well, I am a bit sheepish about this but I know I can tell you all. I was at a work social function and there were waiters passing around trays of food and bringing drinks. Everyone was chatting and I was enjoying a few glasses of Water, but would have preferred wine. The item in question was a Middle Eastern dish called a Shawarma. Shawarma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and I thought I’d just have one bite. Never again! Great weather in the Middle East after the long blisteringly hot summer. We are enjoying bright sunny warm days and cool evenings. Days are short though, sunset is about 5 PM. Bye for now. Phil

Thanks for the messages Longhorn, wnt2lose and sunshiny. Well done wnt2lose on getting through the Mexican restaurant situation without over eating. Power to you Longhorn. How on earth have you avoided weighing yourself? For me a daily weigh in is a positive reinforcement that I really benefit from. My weigh in at the doctors is my official weight though and I know I am 0.7 kg (1½ lbs) heavier on his scales. As for the PB cause – it was a bite of stringy chicken in pita bread. As soon as I bit into it I knew it would be trouble and I was carefully chewing it, but someone talking to me was waiting for a response - so I swallowed hurriedly and too soon and ….. you know the rest! Well done everyone. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Phil

Thanks Stephanie for a good tip. Makes perfect sense. I'm very cautious and am sticking to soup in the immediate term. Back at work today, Tuesday (Surgery Sunday, recuperated Monday) and feeling somewhat tender but quite able to work effectively. Appreciate the support and best wishes from everyone in the group. Cheers Phil.

Hi everyone, QatarPhil is successfully banded and home again. Thanks to all your posts I was quite confident about the process and knew what to expect. Al Ahli hospital in Doha Qatar looked after me well and I’d recommend the facility to anyone in Qatar thinking about gastric banding. Mine was the first gastric banding they had ever done in the hospital. The second gastric banding is today. A visiting German laparoscopic lap banding specialist is there four days per month for consultations, lap banding procedures and fills. He is charming, very impressive and since 1994 he has done over 1000 lap bandings. Interestingly there was no rigid pre-operation diet and I can set my own pace through clear liquids, more substantial liquids and onto solids. I’ve made a log of my experience and included it below. Fortunately I had no gas pain unlike some of you. No hiatal hernia either. Good luck to you all. Cheers, Phil 0000 hours 4 November fasting. No food, drink or smoking 0730 Check-in to hospital. Wait in my room. 1200 IV drip, pre-meds and anti coagulant. 1400 Theatre / Recovery. 1800 Back in my room. IV back in. 1900 Surgeons visit me in the room. Sipping water. 0000 hours 5 November Pethidine pain killer. Fantastic relief, straight off to sleep. 0600 cup of weak black tea, IV finished. 0710 minor dry retching, quite painful and quickly passed. 0800 served clear soup, sweats and jelly (that is jello for you U.S. readers). 0800 Surgeons visit. Come back in one week to remove the stiches. Reinforced I should drink liquids for a few days before progressing to small portions of normal foods. 0900 more minor dry retching, quite painful. 1100 Shower and change dressing. My wounds are neat but bigger than I expected. 1230 future appointments card delivered with a prescription for pain killers. 1230 lunch clear salty soup, plain yoghurt, tea and sweets. 1300 pay the balance and discharged. …and here I am at my PC, feeling somewhat tender around the port area but otherwise remarkably good. If I keep still there is no pain, but movement makes me aware of the surgery.

Hello Everyone, I’ve been lurking for a few months. This is my first post. Thanks for sharing all your experiences for us to all benefit from. I'm being banded tomorrow 5unday 4 November at Al Ahli Hospital in Doha Qatar in the Middle East. Sunday is a normal work day here, Friday and Saturday are weekend days. This is a newly available procedure here in Qatar and I am one of the first patients. Regards, QatarPhil.