deneicy

I had my band emptied two weeks ago due to extreme night reflux. My band had gotten TOO TIGHT due to STOMACH INFLAMMATION. I did not go liquid after the GooVomit over the years which may have contributed to this irritation. ANyway, yes, I get GAS PAIN under my LEFT RIB now. I twist my left leg over the right, like the yoga stretch at the end of class and this seems to release the pressure. Or get on all fours like CAT-DOG. Standing helps, too. For me, it is trapped gas. Good luck.

Hi, All~ I just had my first adjustment (fill 3.5). ; ) My wonderful surgeon did itl. The procedure went fine, and I wasn't nervous at all. BUT... A minute or so after I was finished, after the band-aid applied, I suddenly became extremely light-headed. It worsened over the minute, and I felt I'd faint any moment. The doctor got something for me to smell and places cold rags on my forehead and neck. I was sweating. I recognized the experience--about 15 years ago, I had a "vasovagal" reaction during an ear wax extraction. My surgeon said this is not uncommon, but I don't see any postings here about this happening at fills. Have any of you experienced this? Any tips on what I might "do" next time? It felt truly autonomic, like I had no control over it. I felt absolutely no stress, worry, or concern. So :blush:I don't think the stimulus was emotional. Thoughts? Thanks. Deneicy:blush:

Hi, All~ I had my first fill a few weeks ago--3.5 in Realize. I've lost 26 pounds total and about 2-3 pounds weekly since banding. I've been regimented regarding the food intake....until the past few days. I have had moments of feeling ravenous. Also, I have consistently been able to eat more than suggested. My nutrition handbook says each of the three meals should total only 2-4 ounces, ie 1/4-1/2 cup of food. But I can consume twice that amount. I chew small bites very thoroughly and slowly and find that I can eat twice that, ie 3/4- 1 cup of food before feeling full. I thought this suggested I need more restriction, but the nutritionist said the soft foods pass through faster and when I begin adding more Fiber, I will feel full on less food. I am eating apples and toast, had my first Lean Cuisine yesterday (chicken medallions and creamy spinach). I've never had a blockage or PB. When I feel full, I feel "short-winded," like my diaphragm might be impacted. I am struggling with WHEN TO STOP EATING, ie what fullness feels like. Meeting with nutritionist next week and wondring if I should request an additional fill. Thanks for your thoughts and advice. Best! D

PGX makes a HUGE gelatainous fiber glob...I mean, H U M O N G O U S. It makes psillium seem very whimpy. I wondered if we could take PGX...I guess the answer is probably NO wAY !!!!! In short, beware of thse high fiber supplements? I dont recall anyone telling me this, but I put a sample in a water bottle and thought if that filled my pouch I would BLOW UP like an exploded balloon!!!

New Master Switch Found In Brain Regulates Appetite And Reproduction ScienceDaily (Sep. 2, 2008) — Body weight and fertility have long known to be related to each other – women who are too thin, for example, can have trouble becoming pregnant. Now, a master switch has been found in the brain of mice that controls both, and researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies say it may work the same way in humans. Findings from the study, published ahead of print in the Aug. 31 online edition of Nature Medicine, suggest that variations in the gene that produces this master switch, known as TORC1, could contribute a genetic component to obesity and infertility, and might be regulated with a novel drug. "This gene is crucial to the daisy chain of signals that run between body fat and the brain," says Marc Montminy, Ph.D., a professor in the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, who led the study. "It likely plays a pivotal role in how much we, as humans, eat and whether we have offspring." It is just as important as leptin, the well-known star regulator of appetite, Montminy says, because leptin turns on TORC1, which in turn activates a number of genes known to help control feeding and fertility. Judith Altarejos Ph.D., first author on this study, had been trying to understand human energy balance, and what can go awry to promote obesity, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. In this study, she looked at the signals that travel from body fat to the brain, informing the brain of how well fed the body is. The primary hormone that performs that function is leptin, which travels through the bloodstream to the hypothalamus in the brain (the appetite center), keeping the brain aware of the body's nutritional status. "Leptin tells the brain that times are good, your body is full, and that it is not necessary to eat more at the moment," Montminy says. The hormone also is known to play a role in reproduction - although, until this study, no one understood what is was. (Very thin women often do not have periods.) "Controlling appetite and reproduction together provides a big evolutionary advantage," Montminy says. "If there is no food, the brain believes the body should not reproduce because without body fat, a baby's growth in the womb could be stunted, and without food to replenish the body's energy reserves, there will be nothing to feed the offspring." "Leptin works remarkably well to give the brain a good indication of how much food has been eaten; 99.9 percent of the time it balances food intake with energy use," he says. "The problem is that no machine works 100 percent of the time, and that slight bit of inefficiency can lead to extra body weight." Obesity results when the brain becomes "deaf" to the leptin signal, so one goal of Montminy's research is to "try to make a way to make sure the brain signals are being heard." But to do that, he and his research team first have to understand all of the signals involved in the satiety pathway. Through years of research, they have uncovered a family of genes that act as energy switches, turning other genes on or off. One gene, TORC2, acts like a fasting switch that flips on the production of glucose in the liver when blood glucose levels run low, usually during sleep. During the day, the hormone insulin normally shuts down TORC2, ensuring that blood sugar levels don't rise too high. Problems along the pathway, however, can help lead to diabetes. In this study, Altarejos looked at the function of TORC1, which she knew was produced in the brain – unlike TORC2 and TORC3 – but didn't know what its function was. To do this, she created mice that lacked one or both copies of the TORC1 gene – the first such "knock-out" mice to be developed. Mice born without TORC1 looked fine at birth, but at about eight weeks, they began to gain weight and became persistently obese in adulthood, with two to three times as much adipose fat as normal mice, and they also became insulin resistant. "Their hormones and blood sugar resembled that seen in humans with these disorders," Montminy says. They also discovered, to their surprise, that mice of both sexes were infertile; the uteri and ovaries in female mice were anatomically dysfunctional, for example. "We don't study infertility, but we put two and two together," he says. "We knew leptin is the critical hormone for regulating body weight, and that it is also very important for regulating reproduction." Altarejos discovered that TORC1, which is found within nerve cells, responds to signals from leptin, which binds to receptors on the outside of the same cells. TORC1 then turns on a spate of genes, two of which are well known. One is the CART (Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript) gene that is known to stifle appetite. The other, KISS1 (named by its discoverers at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center) is required for reproduction; mutations in the gene produce human infertility. So when leptin binds with its receptor on brain cells, it turns on TORC1, which, in turns activates CART to suppress appetite, because more food is not needed, and KISS1, signaling reproduction can now commence in this well-fed body. Conversely, when leptin is not activating brain receptors, TORC1 is turned off, as are CART and KISS1. They also discovered that when mice inherit only one TORC1 gene (instead of the normal two, one from each parent), fertility is restored but the mice gain more weight than normal mice. "This suggests that half of the dose of TORC switch is enough to cause problems in leptin signaling in the brain, and it may be that subtle mutations in TORC1 in humans could be responsible for an inheritable risk factor for gaining weight," Montminy says. Tweaking mutated and inefficient TORC genes may be possible through drug therapy, he adds. "TORC1 is regulated by phosphate handling enzymes called kinases, and kinases often make for very good drug targets," Montminy says. Authors who contributed to the work include postdoctoral researchers Judith Y. Altarejos, Ph.D., Naomi Goebel, Ph.D., and Hiroshi Inoue, Ph.D., all in the Montminy lab, Michael Conkright, Ph.D., at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, postdoctoral researcher Xianjin Xie, Ph.D., at Cell Signaling Technology, in Danvers, Massachussetts, postdoctoral researchers Carlos M. Arias, Ph.D., and professor Paul E. Sawchenko, Ph.D., both in the Laboratory of Neuronal Structure and Function at the Salk Institute. Adapted from materials provided by Salk Institute, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

I'm curious, of course, if you're the 75% or NO NOT REALLY vote. :lovechoc: You've done fantastic, btw Brava! You know, this is still a life-long adventure. *sigh*

Wow, this is interesting. I just went in for a fluoro, because I wondered if my pouch was STRETCHED because I don't seem to get full on the prescribed 4-6 ounce meals. And, yes, I am typically "hungry" within a few hours, if not earlier. good news is that my pouch and band are in great shape. Yay And that I've lost over half the 70 pounds. But I'm learning that the second half is pretty much up to...ME....via the old "calorie in-calorie out" means. In short, the band "helps" but doesn't quite tame the hunger lion, does it? :lovechoc: The doc said I am likely not losing weight this past few months because: (1) have unconsciously shifted to softer foods. Possibly. I did notice that I remove the tortilla on the fish taco. (2) Eating for too long. Probably. I'm going to put an egg timer with 20 minutes on it. The patient advocate said to add the WRAP to the turkey and lettuce...and that did HELP. I have some tweaking...and it's good to see that this is NORMAL. I drink too much wine, a glass or two a day. It's my menopause medication of choice. ~I could exerise MORE. I'm VerY good and could be GREAT here. I have discovered I really enjoy exercise. Best to you all~DeNeice

Check out: AgingSkinNet Article - What Causes hair Loss? Stress and Hormones Physical stress. Significant hair loss can occur after a major surgery... Hormones fluctuate. A dramatic change in hormone levels can cause hair loss – especially in women. Hair loss is common during menopause ...usually temporary and hair re-growth occurs with time... Diet Weight loss. Even people losing weight in a physician-monitored program can experience some hair loss 3 to 6 months after losing more than 15 pounds. This hair loss is common, and hair growth does return to normal. Vitamin A excess. Getting too much Vitamin A through vitamin supplements or medications can lead to hair loss. Once the body no longer has an excess of vitamin A, normal hair growth resumes. Protein intake too low. When the body does not get enough protein, it conserves the protein it does get by shifting hair growth into the resting phase. Within 2 to 3 months, the person usually sees visible hair loss. This can be reversed and prevented by eating enough protein. meats, eggs, and fish are good sources. Vegetarians can increase their protein intake by adding nuts, seeds, and Beans to their diet. Iron intake too low. Consuming too little iron can lead to hair loss. Good vegetarian sources of iron are iron-fortified cereals, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach. Clams, oysters, and organ meats top the list of good animal sources of iron. Eating disorder. An eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia can lead to hair loss. Medication Prescription medications that can cause hair loss include: Blood thinners High-dose vitamin A Medicines that treat arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, and high blood pressure Birth control pills. Some women taking or discontinuing birth control pills experience hair loss. This usually occurs in women with an inherited tendency toward hair thinning. Hair Care Practices Hair cosmetics. Frequent bleaching or permanents can cause the hair to break. Regular or improper use of dyes, gels, relaxers, and sprays also can cause hair breakage. Dermatologists recommend limiting use of these hair cosmetics to reduce hair breakage. Blow dryers, flat irons, and similar devices. Frequent use of a blow dryer tends to damage hair. The high heat from a blow dryer can boil the Water in the hair shaft leaving the hair brittle and prone to breakage. Allowing the hair to air dry and styling it only when dry will lessen this risk. Dermatologists also recommend limiting the use of flat irons, which straighten hair by using high heat, and other devices such as curling irons. Hairpins, clips, and rubber bands. When used to hold hair tightly, hairpins, clips, and rubber bands can break hair. When selecting hairpins, dermatologists recommend choosing one with a smooth, ball-tipped surface. Hair clips should have spongy rubber padding where they make contact with the hair. To minimize hair breakage, use loosely fitting clips and wear them in different areas of the scalp so that hair breakage is not localized in a specific area. Rather than using rubber bands for ponytails, try fabric scrunchies, which loosely hold the hair. Certain hairstyles. Years of wearing hair in a style that pulls on the hair such as a ponytail, cornrows, or braids can cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Too much or vigorous grooming. Too much shampooing, combing, or brushing (100 strokes or more a day) or doing any of these too vigorously can cause hair breakage. When hair breakage occurs, the hair appears shaggy or too thin. Dermatologists also caution against vigorously rubbing wet hair with a towel to dry it or combing wet hair. These also can cause hair breakage because wet hair is more elastic and more vulnerable to breakage than dry hair. Dermatologists Can Get to the Root of Hair Loss With so many causes, it can take a bit of detective work to uncover the reason for hair loss. Sometimes, more than one cause is responsible. And as we age, one cause may follow another. To diagnose the cause of hair loss, a dermatologist usually begins by obtaining a detailed medical history. The patient is asked about medications taken, allergies, family history, and diet. Women are asked about their menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. The dermatologist also performs a detailed inspection of the hair and scalp and looks at the way the hair is distributed over the rest of the body. While examining the hair and scalp, the dermatologist will examine the pattern of hair loss and look for signs of illness, including any indication of a scalp infection. Sometimes a hair pull, blood test, or scalp biopsy is necessary to make the diagnosis. Once the cause (or causes) is known, treatment or preventive measures can begin. It is important to realize that when it comes to hair loss, there is no quick fix. But dermatologists do have the knowledge and resources to halt hair loss and generate new growth for many patients.

Every time I've lost a significant amount of weight, I've experienced hair loss. It comes out mostly during the shampoo, a lot more than usual and I find my hairs around me. I increased Protein and added Biotin to shakes. And I changed my hair and bath products in case it was allergy-related. My scalp itched a lot during this last experience. The loss has stopped and I'm fine now. I was told it's actually pretty typical for some of us due to caloric and protein restictions.

I've noticed some differences among doctors and/or patients in what we are eating before and in the early post-surgery months. If you have interest and time, it may be interesting to know: 1. Did you have a nutritionist? Did you receive a written diet or program? 2. What was your pre-op diet? How long were you on it? 3. What days were you on Clear liquids? 4. How long were you on Full Liquids? Did you incorporate any whole foods in this stage, for example, by blending? 5. When were you on the Puree Diet? 6. When were you on the Soft food Diet? 7. In the soft food diet, were you told which foods to avoid or be careful of? (eg high Fiber breads and cereals, raw/fresh veggies, fresh fruits w skins, fried foods, tough meats, nuts & seeds. Were you informed that meat, rice and bread usually not tolerated until after 2-3 months) 8. Did you deviate from your diet? What was your experience, if so? Thanks.

I'm with the UCSD program. Dr. Horgan did the surgery, and I'm extremely satisfied. I appreciate the access to several other qualified doctors, in addition to the very busy Dr Horgan. I appreciate the always-quick-to-reply nutritionist Jill and advocate-bandster, Natalie, along with the nurse and psychologist. We have a monthly support group, which a large number of bandsters at various stages attend. I feel fully supported. Since surgery, I have run across three women who had serious problems and had to remove their bands, which were implanted in Mexico. In short, I do not regret my surgery decision or doctor selection.

I too have lost hair with almost every previous--and current--major weight loss. And I read this is not unusual. I started losing hair in months 4 and 5. AND MY SCALP ITCHES. Anyone else with itchies? This may be unrelated seasonal skin allergies.

Hi, here's my update: I attempted an adjustment about a month ago and passed out. It happens--not often--but for some of us, it happens. I am not afraid or nervous, but I suspect my port somehow stimulates the vagus nerve, causing this autonomic response. So... I laid down this time, and it went very smoothly. No light-headedness at all. And so mch time had passed, that my surgery healing was complete, I'd dropped 30+ pounds, and the band was predictably quite loose. I got 3 cc's on my second fill today. Cheers! and best wishes to anyone who reads this. Oh, they also said to squeeze something in your hands if you have this reaction to adjustments...and to have a chauffeur bring you to the doctor, just in case.

Looks like "it happens," which my doctor said. But it's odd that I didn't find an earlier posting about this possible response to the adjustment procedure. I only had a vasovagal once before this---about 15 years ago when my doctor tried to remove ear wax with a long needle device. She stimulated the vagus nerve somehow--which also is near the stomach. I never had any problems with needles and have always watched when I gave blood. But I knew about VVs because my ex had them when he gave blood...had to lie down afterwards. A technician told me these reactions happen most often AFTER the procedure. My first one occurred when I started to leave. I was told to always have someone chauffeur me to and fro in the future. Might be a good idea for all of us, huh. And a nurse told me the other day--in addition, to lie down in the future--to squeeze something with both hands during the procedure. ...and I asked for ugly doctors next time, since two have made me swoon now. hehe Be well, D

I tried to have an adjustment yesterday but ended up on a gurny in the recovery room. My blood pressure fell preciptiously and I think I fainted for a short time. I remember someone saying, "Open your eyes. Open your eyes." I'm such a sissy....or I just want the sweet little hummingbird cocktail they give us woosies....or I need an ugly doctor. ~ Deneicy

I tried to have an adjustment yesterday but ended up on a gurny in the recovery room. My blood pressure fell preciptiously and I think I fainted for a short time. I remember someone saying, "Open your eyes. Open your eyes." I'm such a sissy....or I just want the sweet little hummingbird cocktail they give us woosies....or I need an ugly doctor. ~ Deneicy:scared2::thumbup::tt2:

Kat, that's funny how you described your sensation just before fullness--"feeling sniffly." I notice I feel kind of short-winded. Maybe that's what some call "pressure." I just feel it in my breath. Ahhhh, the breath... :blushing: Ommmmm, I'm full. ; ) DeNeice ps And, Kat, I appreciated what you said about eating until sated rather than stuffed. That makes sense, and if we don't get hungry sooner....why not consume fewer calories....unless the body actually NEEDS more.

Well, I met with the nutritionist and client advocate (banded 5 years ago and has kept off <100 lbs). they were not concerned about the quantity of food I'm eating. When I weighed, I'd lost 8 pounds over the past two weeks....and not exercised yet. I've been very cautious about broadening the list of foods and was reminded to begin avoiding the soft foods now ....to start chewing more. I even tried a little untoasted bread today. I return in two weeks. If I'm ravenous before then or don't lose weight, I'll ask for a fill. Otherwise, if it ain't broke don't fix it, right? Maybe I just have a more active metabolism. I was extremely active for 3 of the past 4 years--training hard 2-3x week, hiking a LOT (like sometimes 13 hours), and bellydanced for a year. Maybe, just maybe, my metabolism is still on the more active side, and that's why I could lose weight eating more food. My foods also were healthy. I eat a lot of fish and steamed veggies. The only processed foods are string cheese, canned turkey chili, and refried Beans. Well, we shall see...it's a process I've just begun. Happy, Deneicy ps. And thank you all again for the great tips and king words.

I took classes for a year and loved it and also wondered how my new Realize port would respond to rolls. It seems to be settling in well. No weird feelings in a week or so. I loved it. In fact, I'm wearing my favorite dance scarf in my photo. I could see my 6 pack peeking thru when I was about 10 lbs lighter than I am now....and had also been working with a trainer 3x weekly for 2 years! That's thousands of crunches, I imagine. LOL Best!

About 15 years ago I lost 110 lbs. over two years. HAVING FUN motivated me to move my body. I tried a lot of things and stayed with-- tap dance, jazzercize, Water aerobics and bellydance. I love to sweat and worked with a buddy and trainer, who was asked to make it fun and full of surprises. We used balls a lot, boxing gloves, bands, etc. And I wrote this so I can be in the thread. Thanks for the great info!

OHB, I think you have a conservative fill. I'm wondering also if I'm perhaps a tad underfilled. I ate two servings of oatmeal yesterday...easily. I wonder though if I did not wait long enough after taking my AM meds with Water and sipping a little decaff coffee. that can make the food move thru the pouch too fast, we are told. I was very cautious today. Waited 40 minutes after beverage. And I am eating veeeeery slooooowly to see if this helps. I did write my doc's office though and let them know I might be underfilled--because they allow us to return within 10 days for a free adjustment. If the second fill is scheduled in the near future, I could tolerate this, but if it is months away, I want to feel fuller ...sooner than that. In short, I doubt you have a leaking port. We need to make sure we eat exactly as instructed before fearing such complications. Best to All!

...because I trusted and continue to trust my surgeon, Dr. Santiago Horgan, of the University of California at San Diego. He's one of the first surgeons to do this surgery in the US, has done over 1700, instructs on lap surgeries all over the world, and has a great support program at the college for his bandsters. I respect his outstanding credentials, skill, knowledge, WISDOM. And having my first fill by him the other day lets me say I absolutely adore Dr. H's charming bedside manner. Yup, he's a keeper. Dr. Horgan suggested the Realize band but said I could have either--that they are both good and comparable. He told me the Realize is easier to see on the xray. When I learned that it was manufactured by "Johnson & Johnson" , I felt comfortable that should anything happen, they do have deep pockets. He's done a lot of surgeries with them and I was not part of a clinical trial. If I didn't trust him then, I certainly should not have allowed him to operate on me! It felt right in my gut to do what my doc suggested. And it still feels right today. Isuza's style of persuasion, particularly when I read all her postings together, did not convince me to second-guess my surgeon. A month after surgery, I'm prancing around 25 pounds lighter, with a big smile on my slimmer, prettier face, wearing smaller clothes I'd outgrown, and I just do not believe I'm wearing a "hunk of junk" in my tum tum. Whichever band is "better"--we know that a band is just a tool, not a solution. If we study stats regarding weight loss rates, a lot of folks don't reach goals because they expect a Magic Band that does everything. But the band just helps us a bit to correct our lifestyles. We still have to eat and exercise healthily. As another bandster says, "it's not a MIND band." When I asked a pre-op doc what the downsides were to doing this, he quickly answered, "Not losing weight." guess that says it all, my friends. YOu and I are still the bosses of what goes into our mouths and whether we live as more physically active people...or sit here typing on a computer too much. :thumbup: Best to ALL!

no food 4-5 hours before and no liquids an hour before. My doc said "liquid diet" for a day after.