miro

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of Mesotherapy? It is a spot reduction treatment in which a medication mixture is injected under the skin into the fat...it supposedly encourages the fat cells to let go of the fat they are holding and at the same time increases blood circulation to the area thus encouraging the tightening of skin. I'm being long winded but let me continue. It is supposed to be able to reduce celulite. They are also touting it as the complementary treatment for lipo because Meso is supposed to return very SMOOTH results whereas Lipo sometimes gives uneven results. Don't have to go under the knife, but it takes between 5-15 sets of injections (some contraversy on the number of visits it takes because I did read on one Dr. site that it shouldn't take more than 7 and to be ware of those who tell you 7-15 visits) I first heard of this treatment via a web forum (I can't remember which one) about 24+ months ago. I looked it up on the internet and found little to nothing so wrote it off as Hogwash. Some months later (maybe 12 months), one of the TV News Magazines did a profile on Meso although I didn't pay much attention then either. This past week I got an e-mail from WebMD where they were talking about both Meso and a new type of "lipo" for lack of a better word. Looked it up once again on the web and VOILA there are TONS of Dr. sites now...Here is the link to the article... http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/112/110454.htm Has anyone heard of this, know anyone who has undergone it? Love to hear your impressions and it's appropriateness for those having lost SIGNIFICANT weight...

Hey there Glitterqueen, I read your post...I'm wondering if Meso is maybe something you would look into again after you are banded and have lost a good amount of weight? That was what I was thinking when I started this thread. To be honest, I don't really know much about it...only what I've read on the internet. I did read that it helps tighten up skin. Personally, I'm hoping that it will prove to be an answer to tightening up any loose skin which results from my weight loss. So few people have any experience with this...I'm hoping that over time, more people will come forward with info. so that we all can judge whether this might be an option for us and our post weight loss bodies. One thing cought my eye in your post...the price. Mesotherapy is quoted on the internet as being between $250-$450 per visit, so your Dr. rate of $85 per visit is significantly below domestic pricing. Of course, it requires multiple visits, so crossing the border is only an option for those of us who live along the border. I'm wondering, though, what did your doctor say to you about Mesotherapy? Any details would be helpful...let's build our own little info file via e-mails. Miro

Anyone thinking about Plastic Surgery...Look up Mesotherapy (I listed a link in the thread "Mesotherapy the new Lipo?"). I haven't spoken to anyone in the Medical field about it and it's applicability to those of us who have lost significant wieght, HOWEVER, in my own reading, one of the things which is mentioned is that it may offer good results for people who either need to tighten up skin (helps with cologen production or something) and/or might be considered a good COMPLIMENTARY proceedure for other Plastic Surgery because it produces such smooth results in the skin. Also noted as a good solution for evening out celulite. I myself, am not eager, although somewhat resigned, to "go under the knife" again and am really wondering what Plastic Surgeons have to say about this treatment. Anyone going to a PS in the near future, maybe you could ask about Mesotherapy and write a little something about the response you get.

NO BREAD in soft form...toast is ok if I remember to eat slowly, take small bites and chew well. The saving grace of bread is PITA BREAD. It isn't fluffy like other breads and is great for sandwiches. Still (and this applies to eating in general) always take small bites and chew thoroughly. I eat Triskets also. Don't have a desire for anything else. I've heard of people avoiding some veges too, but I haven't run into any problems with them as long as I abide by the golden rule of Banding...small bites, chew chew chew and take it slowly. Banded 03-05 weight at surgery 245 currently 208 goal 170

Ooohh...I know the answer to this one! OK, maybe a possible answer...I mapped out my weight loss totally! Calculated the calories I ate, the calories I burned at DAILY workouts...didn't work too well. Not that it didn't work at all, no I was loosing weight but not at the rate that my calculations said I should be. I signed up for a personal trainer on-line. Sent a few e-mails to her and asked about the issue. She recommended several things which I'm following now. 1-increase your calorie intake (I was doing between 800-1000daily and I was getting a whole lot of bubkis/nothing in return) to around 1300-1500 a day. She said not to view food as the enemy but to consume it at strategic times to give you the energy you need to be active. So, always eat something within 45 minutes of waking up...this is a RULE. Never eat late at night. Don't go to the Gym hungery because you need the energy...have a little nibble. Also, this keeps you from consuming too much after workouts and leaves you able to consume the Water you need to replace that which you just sweated out. 2-Walk, walk, walk. She suggested 30 minutes two times daily (once in the first part of the day and once in the latter part of the day). I get this right about 50% of the time but that's better than nothing! 3 - take up a weight regime. Doing weights for some reason is really positive for weight reduction...especially when combined with Cardio. In your workout warm up for 10-20 minutes, then do weights and finally finish with your cardio. Do the cardio last so that you maximize your calorie loss (first 20 minutes of a workout is utilizing energy which is readily available in the blood rather than that which is stored in your thighs). 4- Finally, revamp the diet. If you have't already done so, cut out anything which remains from the prepackaged, high salt, high whatever, full of preservatives foods. I wrote down everything I ate for a month, day by day. Boring, boring, boring but useful for the following reason, I was able to ID just a few things which I do which I could change. I am making these changes to my diet every time I feel like I'm hitting a plateau. Unfortunatly, I'm still not able to give up the half/half and sugar in my morning coffee! Oh and don't forget to take at least one day off exercise every week. Other wise your body gets overly tired and your body assumes you are under extreme stress and tries to maintain the status quo. Best of Luck!

I have been about 20 lbs. overweight for a long time. I'm sure it is a physical tendency as well as a few food issues, but I was always able to keep it under control with exercise. So, Why Am I Fat? I have a thyroid problem (diagnosed 7 years ago) which has thrown my whole body into another world. Like many of you on this site, I knew I was headed for trouble and as much as I talked to my doctors, they didn't listen. I changed doctors multiple times in an effort to find someone who would treat my WHOLE BODY and not just look at my thyroid test results...no luck (and the issue of Doctors not dealing with the whole person is one which I would gladly get in to with anyone wanting to vent a little). I tried many things and finally, out of total frustration, I gave up...and the weight piled on. 75lbs later I looked in the mirror and said "this is rediculous. Something MUST be done because I can't live a full and productive life with this issue dominating everything I do." Life is difficult. No matter where you are in it there are stresses, and a person can only deal with a certain number of stresses at any single time. I decided that the issue of weight was one which, if I was going to deal with it on my own, was going to dominate my life and leave little energy for dealing with anything else. So I started looking for a solution, and here I am (37 years old, banded in May at 245 and down 36lbs with about 40 to go). Like many major issues in life, I think that weight is one of those things which, for some people, requires "professional intervention". I think of it in the same category as an addiction or a disease...an issue which requires outside help and internal resolve. Once you get help and deal with the issues on the table and then you can let the issue of weight fall into the background of life...off of your radar of things which require IMMEDIATE attention and into the category of things which require diligence, maintenance and "checking" on a regular basis. I am very greatful for my band (and my Doctor, Dr. Franco Favretti in Italy) and I'm eager to get down to a reasonable weight. Of course this does nothing to address the other issues which my thyroid disease has left me with (hair falling out, dry skin, dry eyes, Betty Davis eyes, difficulty concentrating, the mental "fog" which is so common among thyroid patients, inability to work a traditional 9-5 job, falling asleep anytime, anywhere regardless of how much sleep I get), but it takes ONE issue off the list and that is a great thing, because it leaves more brain power available to deal with the remaining ones. When I was diagnosed with Thyroid Graves' Disease, I remember a doctor telling me that it was an easy issue to deal with ... something to the effect of "pop your pills as perscribed and Voila!" Well, that was a HUGE oversimplification. Nothing is that simple. Neither is my Band that simple. I have approached my Band like I have approached most of life... do my research, map out a plan for success and then try to stick to it as much as possible. 2 1/2 years ago I revamped my diet, removing prepared foods, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, preservatives...and added more vegetables...blah, blah, blah. I took this step because I realized that I needed outside help to deal with my Thyroid issues and so sought out a nutritionist who suggested that it might help with both my health and my weight gain. I got Banded because the change in diet alone wasn't working to control my weight and it was impacting my health...it was recognition that my health and thus my weight is linked to my happiness/quality of life. There are a multitue of reasons people are fat. Rarely is it just one. So, take a look at what your reasons are and get help with them. Everyone says that the Band is just a tool and for most people, we will utilize many tools in dealing with our weight, because weight is linked to health and health to quality of life. The body is a very complicated SYSTEM of interconnected functions. My thyroid no longer functions, but contrary to my Doctor's statements, pumping replacement hormones ("horror moans" as I like to call them) into my body has NOT taken care of all the symptoms, so I look for complimentary solutions. The same can be said of being overweight and getting Banded. It isn't the "fix it" which some advertise it to be. In both cases, the problem needs to be ATTACKED from many angles to get the desired result. So, Good Luck Warriors!

I've worked out in the past and know I have good form in lifting weights so rather than getting a Personal Trainer, I signed up for a service on the Web where I get a new workout every two weeks. It's a good idea because the workout is balanced and the trainer makes sure that you work all your major muscle groups. The Trainer gives you an Abdominal set, Upper Body, Lower Body and stretches. Just print out the pages and take it with you to the gym. I also try to walk at least 30 minutes a day in the AM, and when I go to the gym I make sure to use the ELLIPTICAL machine because it allows you to exercise the muscles of the lower body without stressing the joints or feet from your extra weight. I find that doing the elliptical allows me to exercise more because I'm not stressing my feet as much as just walking. Also, if your feet start to hurt, make sure you get new shoes. I invested in a walking shoe from Ryka which makes shoes specifically for women. Look them up on the web...they also make shoes in wide sizes so you can get something which actually FITS your foot well. Good Luck

I had my Band in Italy with Dr. Franco Favretti (apparently he was one of the Team which designed the proceedure for installing the Band without large incisions...can't remember what it's called). Anyway, he is apparently well known in the Lap Band Community. I live in San Francisco...had my first fill recently and in making phone calls to the various Doctors in the area some didn't want to take a patient whose surgery they didn't do, but once I mentioned Dr. Favretti's name, NO ONE refused to see me. I am getting ready to move OUT of the States, myself, and the reason I chose Favretti was in part because he was known in the Community...I figured the better known the better for those of us who are trotting around the globe.

My fill Dr. said that he prefers to add saline slowly...when I got my band it was filled with 0.5cc and my first fill was at 25 lbs lost. My first fill was 0.75cc's. my band only holds 4ccs and the Dr. said to remember that filling it quickly has the downside of reaching maximum capacity more quickly...slowly but surely is his moto.

I would like to take this opportunity to plug my rockin doctor, Dr. Franco Favretti, who is located in Italy. He is fantastic, very accomodating, straight forward, a really lovely person. It doesn't hurt that he was the one (with his partner) who designed the laproscopic proceedure for installing the Band. It seems that most Doctors know him which is helpful in dealing with Doctors for Fills. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and most of the Drs I called to get a fill had someone mention to me on the phone that since they didn't do the surgery they would want to send me in for XRays during the first fill..."but Dr. Favretti did my surgery" I would say...and ....(pause). "Did you have an Xray before you left? Yes? Well, OK, bring your Xray and come on in" Find him through the following website: http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/index.html Why, you ask. I figured that if I wasn't going to have it in the US then I might as well get the BEST KNOWN surgeon...someone whose work wouldn't be questioned here in the US or anywhere else for that matter. Secondly, I'm moving overseas soon (surgery in May...moving in October) so having surgery in Europe seemed logical. Thirdly, I have no insurance and paid out of pocket for this...cost was a huge issue. I could afford the price tag in Italy (travel expenses + surgery costs + hospital fees = around 12k). Looked into it domestically and it was upwards of 30k! For those who would like to know about my experience...the staff in Italy was just fabulous. Always someone around who spoke English...very attentive. Accomodated me very well. Really lovely group.

My band is also tight, but I'm not much of a morning eater...not hungry in the AM. I take this opportunity to DRINK MY Water, I have my coffee. I love my coffee and I'm working out so I usually wake up thirsty. You should be working out which will increase your water intake anyway besides gettin that bod up and movin. So I don't really worry about it being tight in the AM. I sip everything so it doesn't matter if it's tight. I eat yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat. As for eating at night, I have the same problem. My strategy has been to eat a larger lunch or some Protein in the late afternoon. I eat a lighter dinner and I GO TO THE GYM, which gets me out of the house during those crucial PM hours. Also, I try not to stay awake too late. If I'm up for some reason, then my munchie meter starts to kick in. Every article you read says that your body needs water to loose weight and that water helps your body flush out the toxins related to weight loss. If you add exercise to the mix, then your need for water has just jumped again. Don't get to angry about the tight AM hours...just recognize that this is the way it is and make sure to use this time to injest the liquids your body needs. As for loosing weight, can I suggest that you revamp your diet. All the Protein Diets which are out there have one thing in common/one thing which they are right about...people need to be hypersensative about what kind of carbohydrates they put in their bodies. Stop eating white things (bread, Pasta, potatoes) and highly processed foods. Instead, substitute brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, sweet potatoes. They are so much better for you and once you get used to them, you'll enjoy them. They have a lower glycemic profile (fiddle with your insulin levels less) so create fewer cravings. Remember also, your body needs good quality rest so go to bed and sleep a good 7 hours. You'll get up more rested and avoid the late evening munchies. Good luck

I told NO ONE except of course my husband. I told a couple of convenient lies about where I was going ... blah blah blah... and here is why. First of all, it really isn't anyone's business. I'm not trying to sound snippy, but under this heading fall so many things that it is easies to just say it is none of their business. Things to consider: 1 - Soooo many people have an opinion which is illinformed, why give anyone who doesn't immediately fall into the category of "your cheering squad" the opportunity to say something which is going to be a downer. Who needs it. You have enough on your mind without having to deal with other peoples hang ups. 2 - It costs money...and everyone has an opinion on how other people spend their money...my lap band was the best $$ I ever spent on myself and I didn't come to my final decision about the surgery without a significant amount of guilt..."I could be spending this $$ on X or Y", "I should be able to do this myself, I just need to get control of my body". I think that the money issue is what kept me from telling lots of people in my family. It's like the gateway issue for everything else...they get somewhat upset about the $$ and then all kinds of other comments come out of their mouths. But few people have walked in your shoes...they have NO IDEA how difficult it is being heavy. I have a good friend who is gay and we laugh that we are both dealing with the same kind of prejudice, from a different source, granted, but more the same than most people would initially think. I Dont regret keeping it to myself one single bit...and here's the infinite upside... you can let people in on the "secret" one by one as you see fit, on your timetable. That way you can do what feels right to you. I had surgery 5 months ago (and 36lbs ago). Two weeks ago I told my sister about it because I was trying to make a point. If it weren't for the issue we were discussing, I would not have said anything...there was no reason to. You Go Girl! You are taking a step in favor of health, my dear...and no one should ever make you feel badly about this. Keep it to yourself, tell the whole world...this is YOUR proceedure and you can tell whomever you want...or not.

I told NO ONE except of course my husband. I told a couple of convenient lies about where I was going ... blah blah blah... and here is why. First of all, it really isn't anyone's business. I'm not trying to sound snippy, but under this heading fall so many things that it is easies to just say it is none of their business. Things to consider: 1 - Soooo many people have an opinion which is illinformed, why give anyone who doesn't immediately fall into the category of "your cheering squad" the opportunity to say something which is going to be a downer. Who needs it. You have enough on your mind without having to deal with other peoples hang ups. 2 - It costs money...and everyone has an opinion on how other people spend their money...my lap band was the best $$ I ever spent on myself and I didn't come to my final decision about the surgery without a significant amount of guilt..."I could be spending this $$ on X or Y", "I should be able to do this myself, I just need to get control of my body". I think that the money issue is what kept me from telling lots of people in my family. It's like the gateway issue for everything else...they get somewhat upset about the $$ and then all kinds of other comments come out of their mouths. But few people have walked in your shoes...they have NO IDEA how difficult it is being heavy. I have a good friend who is gay and we laugh that we are both dealing with the same kind of prejudice, from a different source, granted, but more the same than most people would initially think. I Dont regret keeping it to myself one single bit...and here's the infinite upside... you can let people in on the "secret" one by one as you see fit, on your timetable. That way you can do what feels right to you. I had surgery 5 months ago (and 36lbs ago). Two weeks ago I told my sister about it because I was trying to make a point. If it weren't for the issue we were discussing, I would not have said anything...there was no reason to. You Go Girl! You are taking a step in favor of health, my dear...and no one should ever make you feel badly about this. Keep it to yourself, tell the whole world...this is YOUR proceedure and you can tell whomever you want...or not.

Prior to getting banded, and in a desperate attempt to control my weight after being diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, I went "natural". It didn't really help with the thyroid thing (and thus the weight), but in the process, I read the internet from one end to the other about additives, hormones (or as I like to refer to them "horror moans") in meat eggs etc, the overuse of Corn Syrup, the lack of vitamines in vegetables...it is expensive though...although with the band, I'm eating less...so it all works out. Those looking for info. check out the Environmental Working Group web site...they have a list of the most effected fruits/veges by pestacides, and the least effected. It helps to have a place to start.