babsintx3

Hi photonut, My goal and my docs goal was 180 lbs at almost 5ft 7 inches. I reached goal less than 2 years post op starting at a weight of 334 and a BMI of 53.9. I reached my goal and then tried to lose 10-15 more and my body just didnt want to lose more.To me, it wasnt really worth the effort to torture my way to 165 which would put me in a normal BMI range. I am 40 years old and happy in a size 14. I have always been very rubenesque since birth and most people think its a great look for me anyway. I have since gained 10 lbs, but it was due to the fact that I had a total unfill with plastic surgery and I also quit smoking and started grazing. I am in the same clothes for the last 1 1/2 now, although they are a little tighter. I am back on the band wagon again and seem to be losing since all my clothes seem less tight than before. Its hard maintaining without proper restriction and I now have more in my band than I ever had before and still dont have the restriction I had pre plastic surgery. No leak and no reflux, so as long as I dont have problems, I am ok as long as I dont gain. Babs in TX 334/180/190 -154 Started at tight size 28 and now a 14 on bottom and ladies regular large on top!!!!

Hi, I had a tummy tuck last August. My insurance paid for the hospital stay and paid only for a panniculectomy. I covered the rest. My surgeon got about 1,000 dollars from insurance and I upgrade to full TT which cost 5750. I gave him the difference which was 4750. I also had a deductable of up to 2,000. I had the TT and medial thighplasty done at the same time which would have cost me about 8 or 9K in surgical fees and around 15K if I had to pay for my 4 day hospital stay and anesthesia. So altogether I paid about 5750 for all of the work that was done to me. Still cheaper than self pay for two procedures. Also my plastic surgeon removed a mole on my face and lasered some discoloration around my eyes for free. It was worth it. Babs in TX 334/180/190 -154

Clementine, Have you had a leak test? With 11cc in your band, you should feel very restricted since it is my understanding that the Vanguard band holds 11 cc. None of this sounds OK to me. Maybe you have a port disconnect, puncture in tubing etc that could be corrected and get you on your way. Beleive me, you will know when you have restriction. Sounds like you have none and need to see another doc to get your band checked out. Or you just need another fill. Hang in there. Be your own advocate and please get a second opinion. Babs in TX 334/180/190 -154

Hi Alex, Glad to hear that you are doing better. Is it possible that your doc is partially right? That the bronchitis you caught from your kids was exacerbated by mild reflux from being too tight??? I understand the allergies though. I do get really restricted when I have an allergy attack... Babs in TX 334/180/190 ish

Hi Donna, I am almost 3 years out and sometimes still get a stinging or stabbing pain at the port site (which was also moved during my plastic surgery). It could be anything from eating too much (sometimes my port will feel like it is popping out of my stomach) to pulling a stitch to overexertion to the area etc... Dont assume infection. Besides, you are only banded a short time and you are still healing. Take it easy on yourself OK? P.S. I would think it would be less likely to have a port infection the further you are out from surgery, but I dont have any data that supports this. Maybe someelse does?? Babs in TX 334/180/190

Hi Bandedshopgirl, What you are experiencing is called "first bite pain". Many bandsters have this problem when they have good restriction and are eating solid Protein. First piece of advice is to drink at least one - two cups of warm liquids like coffee, tea or just really warm Water before you eat a meal or attempt the first bite of your food. This will relax the esophagus and help you to eat well chewed protein. Second, I would lubricate all my meat with some kind of low carb sauce. I quite frequently use low carb barbecue sauce to lube my meats or some low calorie gravy or even some juice from the meat will help it go down. Third, ask your doctor about medication to help this problem as a last resort. There are medications that will help you with the esophagus function. The only thing that disturbs me is why are you geting another fill in 1.5 weeks? How is this going to help your present situation? If you can swallow as it is without pain, why get more restriction? Babs in TX 334/180/190 -154

Hi Wheetsin, To answer your question about how fast I lost the weight: 80 lbs the first 6 months 120 lbs lost by the end of the first year 34 pounds in the 2nd year I had one day where I achieved 180, struggled to get below this and plateaued for 6 months at 182-189 on a bad day. I quit smoking in May 2005 and gained 10 lbs and hung out around 189-192. Had plastic surgery in August 2005 and had all my fill removed. I have not had good restriction since then and I have had two fills in the last 3 fills taking me from 0 to 1.00 to 2.25 to 2.50 and still I need more restriction. I am taking it slow and really watching what I am eating and I am trying to get back on track. I dont know what I weigh, but my two size 14's are tight but still barely fit, my 16's are fitting fine like before, but are not as loose as they used to be. I am guessing my weight is sitting in the 190's but I am afraid to weigh, so instead, I will wait until I diet for the next 3 weeks and then get on the scale when I am closer to the 180's. So thats about it!!! Babs in TX 334/180/190 ish now

Hi Everyone, Started with a BMI of 53.9 at 334 at 5' 6". My lowest weight since being banded was 180 lbs. I now sit at about 190 ish. I dont know what I weigh because I refuse to get on the scale. My clothes still fit me, although tighter than they once were, so I am back to dieting again to try to lose 20 lbs by the summer so I can enjoy myself without worrying too much. I am working with my band, but really need to get back in the gym. I gain weight even on 1400 calories a day, so it is a struggle even with the band. I will be three years out on June 23rd. Babs in TX 334/180ish or 190 I dunno cause I dont weigh myself anymore.!!! NSV

Hi JesseJ and welcome!! It sounds like you have good restriction and some swelling and you will have to be more careful eating meats and stay away from bread for a while. Most bandsters have trouble with bread because it is gummy and when it hits the esophagus it can expand when the saliva mixes with the bread. It can feel like a huge golf ball in your chest and since we dont drink and eat at the same times as banded people, this can be extremely painful since you have no way to wash it down and adding liquids just adds to the expansion process!!. Now, I can eat pretty much anything but for some reason I have trouble with dark meat turkey even if its tender. It really has something to do with the texture. Every bandster is different. I still have trouble with steak too, yet I can eat most anything if I sit long enough and chew it to a pulp. If there is any grizzle on the meat or it is stringy, I also have problems and get the golfball/deer in the headlight look on my face!! LOL I am sure the reason that your doctor was suggesting a warm drink is because it will relax the esophagus and gets things lubed and relaxed in there before you start on the meat!! Trust me when I tell you that it really helps to drink a warm cup of coffee, tea or just warm Water before a meal. Take really small bites and chew it to a pulp before you swallow. Consider yourself lucky to have such good restriction from the get go. Some of us had to wait a while to get the restriction you are getting now. OK, you have to learn quicker and dont have the adjustment time to get used to the restriction and that is the trade off to having none!!! You are doing great. Hang in there!!! As you lose weight your band will loosen up a little and I guarantee you will be coming here asking why dont I have restriction anymore? I can now eat a horse!!! Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish but I dont weigh anymore so I am not completely sure......

Hi Diane, I will be banded almost 3 years in June. No problems at all!!! Babs in TX 334/180ish -150 ish

Hi, I am in the DFW area and I researched this subject extensively. My PS was Dr. Lavine in Fort Worth. Their office filed the insurance (Humana Choicecare) through Motorola. I was turned down initially and then appealed and won. I had a full TT and a medial thighplasty. My hospital was covered for 4 days, anesthesia, etc.. but I still had to cough up a total of about $5,500 out of pocket. My annual deductable is a max of $2,000 and my surgeon wanted the difference between a panniculectomy and a full tummy tuck . INsurance hardly pays anything to the plastic surgeon. Negotiated rates are quite low for these procedures. I didnt beleive my doc at first until I saw that he only received 964.00 negotiated rate for a panniculectomy and 1,100 for a medial thighplasty. The two procedures together if you were to self pay would be more than 8K just for the surgeon excluding all other costs even if you were outpatient. Quite frankly, I cant see how anyone would be able to go home the same day after these two procedures combined, although some go home the next day with a tummy tuck only. Please feel free to email me privately for a list of surgeons that I contacted. I saw a total of three before I made my decision and these were in network folks that I researched on other boards like obesityhelp.com where they have a list of plastic surgeons who have experience with weight loss patients. I wanted someone who had done lapband patients because of port location etc... I am happy with the results of my surgery, but it was very painful, long recovery etc, so think about this carefully!!! Babs in TX 334/180ish -150 ish

Hi Eficka, I have been banded 2 years and 8 months and only can remember one time where I was eating 1/2 cup and getting full. Even now, I eat about 6-8 oz at a sitting 4-5 oz of meat and a couple oz of veggies. Everyone is different. As long as you are losing weight and making smarter choices and eating less than you did before (less than 1/2) usually you will lose at a nice steady pace of 1-2 pounds a week if you are making Protein choices which fill you up when you have a band. Dont stress. I still love and enjoy food and get much fuller with a smaller quantity. Babs in TX 334/180ish

Michelle, I know how frustrating it can be to have to wait between fills. I did not have restriction my first fill, but did my second fill. My doc let me have another one a week after the first one at 6 weeks post op. I dont think its bad advice to see the dietician anyway, but if your doc wont give you another one within a month of the first one and expects you to do this with only dietary compliance, then i would whine a little. Its too early in the game to give up. Hang in there. Babs in TX 334/180ish -154 ish give or take a few... I dont weigh anymore!!!!

Hi Samee, Dont panic. The streaking coffee like grounds in the saliva is dried blood. It happens when you have reflux and irritate the esophagus. The pain is probably associated with the reflux as well. Afterall, reflux is stomach acid and you would could feel tightness in the jaws, burning when you eat and allover pain from the swelling from barfing. It sounds like you need an unfill and maybe some reflux medication. Please let us know how it goes. Hugs, babs in TX 334/180ish

Hi, I lost 120 lbs my first year, but I worked really really hard to get it off and I also started at a high BMI. Babs in TX 334/180ish -150 ish

Hi Susan, I think YOU are missing the point. Not all of the basic questions are answered by surgeons or their assistants. So much of the information out there is incorrect or anecedotal and only can be gleaned from experienced bandsters who have been there and done that. And even then, the banding experience is different for all. Therefore, what I am saying is until it happens to you, even though you may expect it, you self want affirmation that you are normal even if the question has been repeated thousands of times with the same answer.. Now if you come to this site and complain you are not losing weight because you are eating 6 chocolate bars for Breakfast and want to know why your band isnt working, then I think logically you should know better. As an example, NO ONE told me that I would be so hungry after banding and PRE-fill. I dont see this information listed anywhere in the INAMED handbook or my doctors handouts..... MMM, does that make me less intelligent or does that mean I did not do enough research preband cause I come here and ask the question.. why am I so hungry.? Well, DUH your band is not filled, so therefore you may not have restriction after post op swelling goes down. But ya know there are some people who dont even need a fill and have immediate restriction from the get go. So if you can tell me where my research should point me to that answer other than through other bandsters, then I can concur with Tricia. Until then I stick to my guns that MOST questions are not the result of stupidity or lack of research. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Vine, I have a close friend that had Cushings. She had a tumor in the pituitary gland. They surgically removed it and the first surgeons could not get all of it, so she had a second surgery. She is doing well now. I am sorry that this has happened to such a nice person like you. Hugs, Babs in TX

Hi, I looked back to my posts of 3 years ago on obesityhelp and thought "Wow", my questions were so stupid. Of course back then, no one had the answers either! LOL I looked back in the archives of DFW bandsters where I asked the same dumb questions about plateaus, why am I so hungry with the band unfilled yadda yadda yadda..... I deferred to the very few bandsters out there that actually KNEW something about the band. Based on the tone of this post, I must be a stupid or lazy person for asking so many dumb questions............!!! I can assure you the doctors were not very informative back then in 2003 and many of them still are not and that is part of where the problem lies. As an earlier poster mentioned, I think generally speaking folks know the answers to some of those DUMB questions and are just looking for positive affirmation, support and agreement. Or maybe they are just looking to purge or need accountabilty. Like I said in an earlier post, obese people are harder on each other than thin folks are to us, which is so sad cause we are harder on each other than we need to be. As a tenured bandster, I do get frustrated sometimes to hear the same questions over and over which we should logically know the answers to if we are having major surgery and a medical device implanted in our bodies. And yes, there are some folks that dont take responsibility for their own actions and do the necessary research. I think in the case of the obese, we are many times so desperate to be of normal size that we may sometimes plow forward without completely doing due diligence and the research. I mean look how many drugs for weight loss and different diet plans many of us have tried before the lapband. To me, the lapband was not a scary decision that required a year of research. When compared to the option of staying obese or having a bypass, I plowed forward and made the decision to have the band with only a month or so of research. And yet I have been successful with the band, so who determines who the stupid or lazy folks are? Whats the criteria??? Babs in TX 334/180ish -150 ish 6/23/03

Hi Karen, When I was banded in 2003, I was still smoking cigarettes. My surgeon did not ask me about it and I didnt offer the information. I did have pre op testing and my lung capacity was fine, so no problems there. I smoked between 8-20 cigs a day with an average of about 12-15. I smoked for 24 years, so I didnt want to quit. Last year, I had plastic surgery and the surgeon said he would not operate on me if I smoked. I quit May 4th 2005 and have not picked up a cigarette since. I did have a prescription to Wellbutrin. I believe it helped me to quit, but I cant be sure since I hadnt made an attempt before this ever. The first two days were bad and then I was fine. I am still amazed that I was able to quit on my first attempt. I did gain about 10 pounds and I have not been able to get these pounds off my body. I really wish I would have quit prior to banding because once you lose the weight and regain some, it makes you feel very pannicky and if I was accustomed before banding then I would have been at goal and not fighting these pounds. So best of luck to you, but if you cant quit before banding, then I would wait until you lose most of the weight before you attempt to do so because the cravings will kill you and you might be more tempted to eat crap you know you shouldnt eat because you need the oral fixation. Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150 ish

Hi Tabbi, You are welcome to grill me about PS. I had my last August. Had a TT and medial thighplasty. I started looking into plastic surgeons when I was about 20-30 lbs from goal. If I were you, I would defintely see as many surgeons as you can til you feel comfortable with one of them. Congratulations. You have done wonderfully. Babs in TX 334/180 -150 ish

HI Everyone, It took me a while to read through all of these posts and I can relate best to (the Best me) Kathy when she says that after being here more than a year, she still feels like she hasn't found a niche and she still feels like the outsider, much like high school. I have been coming here even longer than this and I feel much the same way. In my case, I am a byproduct of low self esteem caused by being ostracized by thinner folks some of the time and the pain of seeing less intelligent and sometimes thinner folks getting jobs that I wanted or a guy that I wanted etc.. You get the picture. I hated being obese and I hated myself for continuing the behaviors that kept me obese. I know you get it. The self loathing, but many times being successful in every other part of my life. This is usually the profile of an obese person. Many of us are classic overachievers, OCD ish, and control freaks! LOL but mostly true! Now this is a broad sweeping generalization, but sometimes I think that part of the obese dynamic can be our dependence on the strength of our personalities and our intelligence to thrive in a society where obesity is taboo. As a result of us asserting this strength, I believe that many of us who do depend on the strength of our personality feel easily slighted and offended when someone challenges our intelligence in any way. And then you add the "perceived" caste system of pre-bander, spouses of bandsters, newbies, 3-6 monthers all the way up to bandsters of tenure more than 18 months out and then add the tight friendships of those of us who have been lucky enough to meet , you create a problem with some new folks who really feel left out. Its bad enough that many of us are discriminated everywhere else in the universe, we certaintly don't need to bring the animosity and discrimation here. Now I will say that although everyone should be entitled to an opinion, there are folks here that do need to be corrected when they offer medical advice which they are not qualified to give or just poor advice that could be detrimental to someone's health. I hope that the posters and the postees know that the disclaimer is if a problem is causing you physical pain, then you should always defer to a doctor and look at the advice as only a suggestion and not the rule. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/180 -154

Hi TIna, I have lost 154 pounds and it has changed my life. I used to weigh 334 pounds and I was morbidly obese. I can do lots of stuff now and I dont get tired. Its nice to shop in a normal store for clothes. I wear 14-16 on bottom and large/extra large womens shirts which are about 12-14. I had plastic surgery in August last year and had a complete tummy tuck and thighplasty. This year, we will hit the rides at Disneyworld , something I really couldnt do before. Babs in TX 334/180ish

HI, I thought you coulde have it at the hospital if the doctor was cute and willing, you were single and both were consenting! LOL Truthfully, I could not even fathom sex the first week after banding, but as long as you feel like it, hey all the more power to ya!! You definitely do want to protect the port area which is the most tender part and likely to be painful if bumped or grabbed at.... Babs in TX 334/180ish -150 ish

Hi Jonathan, Very very tough decision. I am sure you will do what is best. If I could no longer have a lapband, I would consider RNY or VG. I once said I wouldnt, but I dont ever want to weight 334 pounds again. So I dunno what I would do in your shoes. I was not a self pay and only had to cough up $2000 for my surgery. My insurance covered the rest. I thought you had mentioned earlier that you were a cash pay. I know there is a surgeon in Dallas that we call Dr. Angel that helped another bandster at no cost or little cost with a replacement. Maybe he could look at some pics and determine if he can work with what you have or whether you really need the VG at all. I would be happy to give you his info if you PM me.... Babs in TX 334/180 ish

HI!!! Congratulations on your two year bandiversary and weight loss!!!! You go girl!!! Babs in TX 334/180 ish -150ish