Poodles

The EGD will allow the doctor to look inside your tummy to see if everything is ok. I had one last year, and it was no big deal. They stick a small camera down your throat (while you are asleep) and then they look around. If they see anything wrong with the placement or an erosion they will call the lapband dr to come fix things. At least that is what I was told. I have mine tomorrow so I will let you know if I find out anything different.

Just wanted to pop in here and ease your mind a little. From what I have read a slip does not necessarily hurt. The swallow should show the placement of the band, and how much is going thru the band. If it looks unusual the doctor may order an EGD. My doctor wants the EGD done every year anyway, so I have mine this week. I know it is not easy to do... but don't worry until they tell you there is something to worry about. :tt1:

So tell me girls... I am having a different feeling since my last fill. It does not hurt to eat any time of day. I had 1/2 cup of cottage cheese for breakfast, 2 boiled chicken tenders for lunch, 5 oz meat loaf and one large strawberry for dinner, and all went down with no pain. I just got the hiccup when I was full. After two years of feeling nothing but pain, this is abnormal for me. Does it hurt any time of day for you??

Ok, so I am not a political scientist, but this discussion reminds me of Langston Hughes. He had Native American, and White grandparents and he was celebrated as a black poet. And somewhere in one of his works, he said that the half breeds will soon rule the world. May be some truth to that. (He was a democrat, btw). Now I don't have anything against anybody, but history has shown that the black male will receive more respect than a female of any color (just look at the right to vote issue). So in that Obama has the upper hand. The fact that McCain is white does not help him in my book. I look at his age, and honestly will not look at either until I know who is running as VP. Because they have a chance of being president. And as sad as it is to say, I don't think either Obama or Hillary has a chance of survival for two terms. Some redneck hick from somewhere will come out of the woods and try to take them out. Our country is filled with such small minded people as that. And besides, white men have done such a wonderful job running this country for the past 200 years, right??? As for the war on terror, I think the terrorists are winning. The price of oil and the profit margins for the oil companies are proof of that. Gas prices hit EVERY American worker and business. They have the upper hand right now, because our lovely government let them.

Hello all! My two year anniversary was on 6/5. I am still trying to work with my band, but have only lost 15 lbs. I had a complete unfill a few months back, and found that I don't like being unfilled. I am used to the pain now. I am going in for a fill on Wednesday. They are filling me up .2cc's at a time to see if I can make it to the sweet spot. I can't eat anything until late afternoon and then at night it seems I can eat everything. Bread/Pasta/Rice/Meat you name it. This thing is so weird. I refuse to have the bypass, so either this thing is going to work, or my butt is going to be wide forever. I would just get it unfilled and forget it, but it is a part of my life now. I have accepted it and with the help of Zoloft I am not depressed about it. :thumbup: I am happy to see that everyone is doing well with their bands. And Ms. Regina I wish you the best in your new life. It is a sad thought that someone you loved could forget you, but new adventures are out there for you both. Keep up the good work girls!!

Here is a link to a site with multiple carnitine reviews. It is also good for info on Atkins/low carb... http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1641.html My favorite information post from it: L-Carnitine is known in ‘Vita-Nutrient’ circles as the ‘fat buster’ This amino acid enables your body to burn more fats as fuel; converts them into fuel for your body. Carnitine also elevates levels of certain enzymes in your body needed to metabolize starches, sugars & other carbohydrates. For regular exercisers L-carnitine taken optimally about one hour prior to exercise will give an energy boost & also the carnitine reduces the accumulation of lactic acid, a by product of heavy exercise, that’s responsible for the burn & soreness of muscles after heavy exercise, because of this some muscle-heads call L-Carnitine the 'Gain without Pain; supplement. It is also well known an the most effective nutrient for overcoming metabolic resistance to weight loss. Atkins recommends 500-1000Mg a day as a supplement; double that amount for those doing Atkins properly but experiencing ‘stalls’ Atkins himself was a big believer in L-Carnitine, saying repeatedly that 'he always took his Carnitine daily'

Ok girls, I still haven't got it. Scared to death at this point. I literally ended up in the hospital with chest pains, not a heart attack, but a scare none the less. (My heart is skipping beats and stressed causing the pains.) I am up tighter than ever in my band. I have figured out my restriction changes daily, but need to know how much is just right to eat. If I decided to eat out of a kids size tupperware bowl (Includes one 6-oz. section and two 2 ¼-oz. sections) would that be too much? Or just right? A start? My next fill is 2/25 but I have to do something now. I am so trying to make this stupid thing work. I refuse to have the bypass... I just refuse. They said they are going to treat me as a new patient since my band slipped back into place, so now I have to figure out what to do... again. The only good news is that the band does not hurt me anymore with the fills. I have a hard stop the first bite, but if I take a small bite then wait a few minutes, I can eat my meal. The only problem is, sometimes I can eat a MEAL. Guess what I am looking for is: Poodles you stupid twit, get the tupperware bowl, eat 6 oz protein, then 2 oz fruit, 2 oz veg and see how that works. (or 2 oz protein... whatever I need to do...) But for the life of me, I think that may be too much to lose weight. What do you think? (Sorry to be in panic mode, but the ER visit was an eye opener.)

Here is how I did it. First, start taking L-Carnitine (1000 mg a day) and a good Multivitamin. Do this for about a week, and forever afterwards. Second, eat only non sweet/sugar carbs for a day or so... like potatoes/bread/whatever you eat. Start substituting the sugar. Then one day don't eat any carbs for dinner. The following day cut out all carbs except for those found in fruits/veg. (And I mean mostly berries as the fruit.) Stay with fruit/veg/protein and add in some fat here and there. The fat/protein ratio helps satisfy hunger. Then in time, add whole grain items but nothing with white flour or sugar. I use Stevia as a sweetener, with some splenda. My man Jack (here on the forum) recommended stevia, and I have read that it helps blood pressure on top of being a sweetener. As for L-Carnitine, it is recommended by the Atkins plan, and I have found that it really does help. It is the #1 supplement Dr. Atkins took to keep away cravings. You can take up to 2000 mg a day, I believe, but I have found that 1000 works for me. If I get off of it the cravings return. I have been sugar free for 3 years before, but now I am on month 4 this go around. Made it thru Thanksgiving/Christmas, so it must work. Then don't take one bite of anything with real sugar. NOT ONE BITE!!! If you do, you have to start over. Now, I look at cakes/candies/stuff and think: do I really want to get addicted again? Do I really want to be on that rollercoaster? And now it is just habit to say no to sugar. I eat sugar free Jello, pudding, atkins endulge bars, and drink coffee with sugar free syrup. (For a real treat try Starbucks with SF syrup, they have it.) But I only eat these occasionally now. I enjoy berries with cream and a little stevia much better as a sweet treat. Good luck. I know exactly how you feel. It is not fun being addicted to something so good. But this is something we all have to let go. Remember: Sugar is the Devil!!!!

Oh Regina I am so sorry to hear your news. I will be praying for your family. No news on my lap band front or hind end for that matter...

Well good grief... I did not know my comments would insult anyone, and it was not meant to. Yes I did pick 80+ pounds, cause alot of you have lost that or more, but did not mean to pick on one person... or anyone for that matter. From what I have noticed everyone here complains about plateaus at one time or another... even when they have lost way more than me... so I don't feel sorry about a plateau 60,70,80, or 90 lbs down. I was not on the board for a while. I don't come here, because I KNOW I am a band loser. I could Whine/Gripe/Moan about what got me here, how the band has failed me, how my doctors have failed, and how I have failed myself, but I did not have anything to say. As for bipolar: more people have it than you think... and they don't use it as an excuse for anything. They have it and deal with it. But no matter what I say, someone is obviously going to be mad, but whatever... As for where we live Lacee... I didn't even realize you were from NY... so you just proved your own stereotype... as for you leaving... Hope you find what you are looking for with the other site. So sorry to have brought drama to this thread. It was unintenional. I hope everyone has a happy holiday season and a happy new year. Thank you very much and have a nice day...:eek:

Hmm... well I have been hiding from everyone, but thought I would reply to socalgals request for an update. I am still a total lapband loser, and not in a good way. I have officially lost 15 lbs since banding, and that is with alot of going back and forth. The band has slipped back to where it is supose to be, they are filling me up a little at a time now and I am back up to 1cc. I am totally off sugar, and doing Atkins again. I can eat meat, Beans, and salads... So I am doing that. My doctor has found another medical issue, that I do not want to share, that seems to be another block against weight loss. They still want to do the bypass, but I am not going to do it. I would like to do the sleeve if I had to do anything, but my insurance will not pay for it. So, there it is. Don't complain about a plateau 80+lbs down. I don't feel sorry for you. I wish I had that problem... My doctor says we need to start over now. Like I was brand new. New fill, new diet, new plan. So, I am a beginner again, I guess. I will try not to get overfilled, try not to slip again, and try to lose. But I am not holding my breath...

My doctor says my band is too high. What are the symptoms of this, and what causes it? Can it be fixed without surgery? (Think I know the answer to that already, as he wants to take it out... but thought I would ask.)

They want to remove it and do an RNY, but I won't go for the RNY. The Dr. removed all the fill, and I have been pain free for a few weeks, which makes my life alot better. I have noticed that if I follow the "rules" I have restriction. If I don't follow the rules, I can eat the house down. I started back low carb, and it seems to be working (although this is day ONE.) I had to get the "oh yeah I can eat with out pain" thing out of my system. Now I realize that since I can eat without pain, I should eat the right stuff...

I am in the "dealing with the hunger" zone. I admit without my fill, I am hungry. It is weird though, I am STILL tight in the mornings. I can eat something soft, without pain, so that is good. I can eat bread now, which is bad. Going to try and get on Atkins tomorrow. Have a turkey breast in the crock pot... my first in over a year... I am crossing my fingers that it will work, because turkey can get me back on low carb in a heartbeat. (I dip it in Alfredo sauce, put it in salads, pretty much do anything with it.) Since I have to wait until November to do anything fill wise, I think I am going to try my best the way I am. Since I still have restriction to a degree, I am going to use what I have. The biggest plus is I am pain free...

Well Maeses office is full of losers (in my opinion). They failed to notify me of a billing change and tried to charge me 200.00 for an office visit that should only cost a copay of 35.00. Then they said they started charging for an outpatient procedure instead of a specialist visit. So, they cost me a half day at work, and I did not get a fill. Called SCOR and they said they would only charge 35.00, but can't get me in until Nov. 1st. I cried and cried... then my hubby comes home and says, well I don't know why you are upset. It is like a stay of execution. You are miserable filled. But now, I don't have any more input as to where my band is, or what to do. I have already canceled my EGD, because I will not do a bypass. So, here I sit... Socalgal: congrats on your progress. How is that for a compliment...

Regina, I am so happy that you found your sister. You two look so pretty. I have an appointment with Dr. Maese tomorrow. I don't know exactly what I am going for, but I am grasping at straws. I know that he does flouro and can see the band, so I hope he says it is all good... because I do not think I can do the RNY. I just can't... So, I have to decide to live with the pain, or quit. So, I figure I will give it another round with a fill and see how it goes. Dr. Barker wants to do an EGD on Saturday, but my first EGD says that the band is in the right spot, pouch is not dialated, and no erosion. That was the end of July... and why would they lie? I know it would be easier to say the band failed, but WHAT if I just don't get it??? What if I just don't know how this thing is suppose to feel, and it is suppose to hurt and that is how it works??? Well, I have been unfilled for a few weeks now, and have not gained, but I sure am hungry. I hear Dr. Maese is agressive, so I will see what he has to say about it... and see how full he fills me. At this point I am thinking: The band has to work, I don't care how bad it hurts, if it doesn't work, I have no options. If it does not work, I will just be fat.

I was 320, I am 285. Weighed 300 on surgery day. I have BC/BS PPO, and it will cost me about $4000.00 out of pocket for the revision. I don't want it... every time I think about it I want to cry. I just wish this band would work. I keep praying that my unfill will allow the band to somehow magically slip back into position and work. I think I am going to go to get filled back up and see if that will work. If not... I just don't know.

I have been unfilled for the past few weeks, and I miss it. The band made every bite hurt, but I wasn't hungry. My DH says he is going to knock me in the head. I have until next weekend to decide if I am going to do the RnY, and I am scared. I don't want to do it. I have heard all kinds of horrible stories about it, and I don't want to die, wear carbon filters in my underwear, or never eat sweets again (in any amount). A coworker had it done a few months ago and she looks great, losing 70lbs in 4 months, but what if it does not work for me? You can't just revise that one, remove the device, or go back. My hubby says that if the insurance will pay for it, that means I am screwed anyway, so I need to do it. (We have BC/BS, so he is right, they don't pay for anything.) My PCP says the same thing, and she wants me to do it. I emailed Dr. C and he said that he would remove it and convert. If it is in the wrong place it can do damage even unfilled. I feel like such a failure. Please tell me again, if it were you, what would you do? I know you can't tell me what to do, but I want to know your honest opinions. You have been going thru the same fight the past year as I have, but if you were told what I have been told what would you think/do?

Regina: Just wanted to post how extremely proud I am of you for hitting your goal. You have had a rough year and have still made it thru. Congrats!!!

No EGD yet. The one I had in July is being "faxed" to see if it shows anything of value. You know, I think I am just screwed. Forgive the way I put that, but I have been on the OH boards reading about RNY and I just don't think I can do it. Removing a band is one thing, but you can not redo the RNY... just can't do it. As I sit bawling about the whole thing, I don't know what to do. Guess my only option is to remove the band (if I absolutely have to) and be fat. Maybe I need a third opinion...

Has anyone heard of the Atkins Fat Fast? There is a list of food you can eat to total 1000 calories a day for three days. This is to break past a plateau. The foods you can eat have the perfect fat to Protein ratio. One of these foods is cream cheese. I was wondering if on the Mushie stage you could eat cream cheese? Since it has the perfect ratio wouldn't it be good to eat during that stage? Just wondering. I do think I could actually stick to the 1000 calories after being banded!

As most of you know, I have had a terrible 15 months with my band. Went to get a 2nd opinion and that Dr recommends removing the band and doing RNY. I would like to know if you revise can you keep the band? Or, if you just want to quit all this mess, can you leave the band in with no fill or will there be complications?

Yep, insurance should pay either way. I just hate not knowing if the band will work after it is repositioned. If it doesn't then I face yet another surgery. I am scared of the RNY, but it will work.

Well Guys/Gals, I am back... with a question. I have gone to see Dr. Barker in Dallas, he does revisions, rny, and the band. He says that it "sounds like my band is too high"... and we have three options. He wants to see my EGD to be sure, but from what I have experienced he thinks that is it. Here are the options: 1) Go in and replace/reset the band. 2) Go in remove the band and convert to RNY. 3) Remove the band and leave it alone. He says that alot of my issues could be "band failure" and will all of my issues, he would recommend revision, but it would be totally up to me. He unfilled my band today so that I can "take a break". What would you do?

My doctor charges an 1100.00 "revision fee" and then charges my regular 20% of my 80/20 split. Do you know if insurance will put that toward my out of pocket max? Or, can someone somewhere tell me what I am looking at total? I have a $2000.00 out of pocket max, deductibles of $500.00 each for inpatient and outpatient, and copays of $100.00 a day for each thing. I am thinking it will cost me: $2000.00 out of pocket $1000.00 for all of the deductables $1100.00 for revision fee Sound right?