kamicola

Just remember, liquids won't stretch your pouch as they go right through... that is why after you heal, you aren't supposed to really consume many if any liquid calories.... carbonation and too much food is what streches your pouch... don't panic. Also, it may take several fills to feel the restriction you need to start really progressing.... I think what you are going through is normal... great for you on this step in your life! I will be banded on May 27th, the day before my 37th birthday! Kammi in Everett, WA

If you are on the West Coast, we have Safeway grocery stores... they have an EXCELLENT Protein shake, it's the Safeway brand and it comes in vanilla and chocolate... they have 2 net carbs and 19 grams of protein.... I will actually really miss them for Breakfast after banding and healing. That's just my opinion... but I also want to go to GNC and get some Isopure.... Kammi in Everett, WA

Hi everyone, I will also be banded on May 27th with my husband and my parents both are following on the 29th! We are going to Dr. Kuri in TJ Mexico and can't wait... we leave to San Diego next Saturday! My starting BMI is 52.... I have been on the liver shrinking diet for 1 week now... 1 week left... although it has been a piece of cake and I feel SO MUCH better than I did when I was "last suppering". I really think I am ready! I am just a little worried about my first fill with such a high BMI.... hope they don't have trouble finding the port since I am on the larger side.... others in my support group say it won't be an issue.... the place where I will get my fills is excellent so I have heard. Any last minute advice? Kammi in Everett, WA

I am so proud of all of those who have comitted to breaking this habit.... not only will it make you healthier in general to not drink it (diet or not), but also, you are taking care of your band better. Any doctor that says pop or any other carbonation is ok, is crazy! Kammi in Everett, WA

You can have two trails of thought. One, if you have already researched well and are ready now, you can go to Mexico like I am in 9 days to have it done. I am going to Dr. Kuri and he is excellent and I am very happy to be going there.... just make sure if you choose Mexico, that you have aftercare available in your area before you choose that route. You can also decide to go through the waiting with the current surgeon and take this time, if you haven't been researching everything there is to know about being a lap band patient (before and after) and take this time to do so and practice all those good habits that you MUST HAVE in order to keep your band long term and be healthy and meet your goals. Either way, good for you for making this decision... I can offer lots of info if you are interested in going to Mexico.... Where are you located? Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

By losing your band I mean exactly that! When you have slippage or erosion due to habits that you have that are against band rules.... after a few years (maybe a bit longer if you are lucky), it catches up with you and you are forced to have it removed... some not even lucky enough to have another one put in.... some choose the gastric bypass after having to have their band removed... it's happening more and more, especially with those that eat around the band and find ways to cheat it..... good luck on your ventures.... I hope you keep your band healthy. Kammi in Everett, WA

IMO, because the band is just a TOOL, not a cure, you must still commit to eating very healthy.... sometimes it takes several fills for the sweet spot to be hit.... you may get restriction immediately, but after healing, it's still not where you need it to be.... you still need to self monitor and regulate your food intake.... the band doesn't always do that, at least until you get to the point of proper restriction. Be patient, continue developing good eating habits... don't eat the things that you shouldn't eat or that are predicted to get stuck, maybe you need to get some nutritional counseling... or hypnosis ..... living with and taking care of your band is crucial to lifelong success.... there are more and more bansters out there losing there bands after a few years due to not changing life habits! Eat healthy! You will still need will power and a mental change of attitude to be successful with the band. If you eat all the things that made you obese in the first place, you will be right back to where you started... I wish you good luck. As for Super Daddy.... overeating, especially to the point of pain or discomfort is also eventually going to cause slippage over time as you will stretch your pouch out and your band can and most likely will slip. May take a few years, but it probably willl.... happening more and more with not taking care of our bands and not following aftercare lifestyle completely. Kammi in Everett, WA

You can eat almost anything... it is just a matter of keeping your band healthy over the long run.... carbonation wll over time lead to band slippage most likely as the carbonation expands your pouch over time and that is when slippage can occur. It may not happen, but most US doctors that say a little here and there is ok.... haven't been banding long enough ost likely to know LONG term effects... If you push is, you risk your band down the road.... I am not willing to risk that over a little soda... my goodness! Kammi in Everett, WA

Two weeks from today!!!! My new birthdate! Kammi in Everett, WA 5/27/08

Yeah for you Pam! That's excellent! I am looking forward to getting off my Glyberide! My fasting blood sugars are coming down as well after 4 days on pre-op diet... but still want them lower! Down to 150ish... Kammi in Everett, WA Soon to be banded 5/27 - only two weeks from today!

Thanks, but I want everyone to be successful bandsters and the rates are alarming on those that are having troubles later on or are losing their band..... all due to eating and drinking around it over time... good luck to all of you! Kammi in Everett, WA

My husband and I are on the 27th too Cavgirl! Good luck! Kammi in Everett, WA

Another addition to the story.... so... I haven't had a period in a few months due to not paying attention to what I was eating and blood sugars are up like never before.... I was going through that last suppering thingy.... everytime my blood sugars get out of control, this happens... SO.... I started the liver shrinking diet a few days ago as I am having surgery in a few weeks... on the 27th.... and just after 3 days of blood sugars dropping dramatically on the lsd... I finally started my period.... so I believe that having co-morbities in check and getting stress under control has SO MUCH to do with fertility in many woman, especially those who are obese... although I know this isn't true for every woman.... I have certainly found it to be true for me... hope this helps... PS.... take BC if you want to get some weight off first... pregnancies happen all the time before people are ready.... physically. Kammi in Everett, WA

A couple of things... some of the pre op diets are for some different reasons.... one is to shrink the liver, one is to prepare you for your new lifestyle of eating and another is to cleanse the liver prior to surgery.... most people only really need to be on a pre op diet if your BMI is 45 or higher... but do follow your own doctors orders, that's the best.... with a liver shrinking diet.... your body only goes into ketosis (a fat burning mode) with 14 consecutive days of following the prescribed diet... you can lose weight before then, but really the fat burning action that takes place due to ketosis won't happen if you cheat along the way. Near the end of the diet, it's not going to make that huge of a difference, but for me personally, being the 52 BMI that I am , I am not risking not having the surgery over a few meals or food choices..... some people's livers are more fatty than others... you might not have had a really fatty liver in the first place if it was free of fat at surgery... I have known of 5 or so people that have been closed back up due to having too fatty of livers and not being able to be banded... they learned a hard lesson they all went back, followed the pre op liver shrinking diet completely and were able to be banded after all, but if you don't mentally make a committment to eat right and healthy and follow band rules, it won't be successful fo ryou in the long run. Those that eat around the band after surgery, tend to run a pretty high risk of slippage and losing their band after 3-5 years of cheating.... do yourself a favor... if your doctor prescribes a pre op diet... follow it.... the risk is not worth it, no matter what you hear about others that cheat... you don't know shape your liver is in. Hope that helps... good luck to all of you! I just started my pre op liver shrinking diet 3 days ago, feel great and WON'T CHEAT! I am committed! Kammi in Everett, WA

May I ask, what was the cause of death? I am sorry for your loss. Kammi in Everett, WA

I think it's important that you deal with the WHY you are doing this as soon as possible.... or try hypnosis to get rid of food addictions.... or eating for emotional health..... when you eat around the band.... the least that can happen is that you don't lose the weight you were hoping to or not at all.... but what is becoming more and more common is that people who eat around the band, end up losing it entirely... the numbers of band issues down the road (like 4 or more years) is increasing because band patients are not having immediate issues when they eat around the band, but it is catching up to them in the long haul. I am not even banded yet for a few more weeks, but I made sure that I was emotionally ready to start a completely new life of eating and exercise before being banded.... I am glad I took this extra time.... so many jump into it, or convince themselves that they are ready or that the band is the CURE.... without the emotional attachment to food (that most of us have, we love food!) under solid control... we can have major issues and will lose our bands. Take care of them, committ to eating healthy for life, don't find ways to cheat or eat or drink around it.... know that today we are ok, but tomorrow or in a few years we may not be and all this will have not made a difference because our love for things like ice cream will win in the end, if we don't committ to being healthy...things like ice cream are some of the most unhealthy foods that you can consume.... that's not to say that on special occassions we should deny ourselves... that would be unfair... but we should also not work hard to find "special occassions" to Celebrate by eating those things..... I don't mean to preach... but this was a serious decision that all of you and I am about to make.... get the help you need to conquer your addictions and emotional issues so the band can be the tool to help you be successful.... PLEASE DON'T LOSE YOUR BAND.... you are so worth it to keep it! Kammi in Everett, WA

That's really good to know about the calcium chews as I will be having surgery on 5/27/08 and take those currently... thanks for the warning.... Kammi in Everett, WA

So this is what I can offer.... I am not banded yet... but in this process of research, I have heard quite a few horror stories about carbonation in general.... not specific to pop, but applicable. So... in 6 months, I have heard of several people that after 3-5 years, they ended up with slippage and two completely losing their band for eating/drinking around it.... the one thing they all had in common and believe caused most of their difficulties was consuming carbonation frequently over the course of their band time... they handled it ok, never really had any immediate issues, but it took a toll over the years and did stretch the pouch and and caused slippage. Most people that get banded by american doctors may not hear the LONG TERM effects of eating/drinking around the band, because these doctors have only been doing lap bands for 4-5 years at most.... in other countries, the doctors have been doing them much longer and have more information of longer term issues associated with the band. When you choose to make this lifelong comittment to being healthy with the assistance of the band, you should follow the rules as much as you can or it WILL catch up with you.... you can choose to keep the band as your friend for life or choose to turn it into another lost battle with weight. Regardless of what a doctor recommends on carbonation/pop consuming, I would AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS if there is a chance that it can lead to losing my band in the future. Everyone reacts to the band differently, but carbonation is one of the few things that is really OFF OF most doctors lists.... for those that say it's ok down the road, I think they are off their rocker... just my opinion... everyone has freedom of choice. Kammi in Everett, WA

Yeah for all of you below! Share your inspirational or informative stories with us... I am so excited for all of you! Kammi in Everett, WA 5/27 May 1 - BandFan1, feelgoodagain, Jamie, Awomangodcanuse May 2 - Christal, BeachBumNJ, Kammi, serena1968, tootscritter, CirrusPilot, Blondie Bandie May 5 - Tracy, Sandy, KathrynRose, JaJeanne, Jennifer, GrosseFemme, jdj May 6 - Shawna, Jemo97, Cherj60, Jaylow, Californiamarty, angelic_1, Libby H May 7 - Makeupqueen, Mely, Ellen, Pix, JRFAN88, Brenda, Chelsea, Sufina, Srowland2008, Shelly, notsotinydancer, new jewel, Dawn Michelle, Katieann, Robin, Nomoretwinkies, PattiC May 8 - Mae, Southern Missy, Thin Dolphin3, Ron Jon, Cadornes, NicoleW8ing, WayOfLife, Nicelee, reinventingme08 May 9 - Nicole, casscitymom, Jeepingirl, 2Btiny, Barbara, Golfgirllv, Tourismqueen, Kelly J, RosesAreRed, Lhooper, CelticDreamer, Kellygirl0520, Atallen

Nice to hear from all the newly banded! You are my inspiration! Kammi in Everett, WA 5/27

So to add to the story.... I am a teacher and about 3 years prior to getting pregnant, we took in a foster son... it was actually one of my students, he was 12 at the time. We had him for for 3 years.... then he went back to his mom's about 6 months before I had my daughter... but about 3 months before I got pregnant, we actually went to an adoption information meeting as 5 years was pushing it on trying to conceive and we just thought we were never going to be able to. We didn't pursue it much as the meeting was through the state and we just weren't sure that we were willing to take on the possible difficulties and challenges with a child from the state... we had to seriously think about it. As I was a special ed teacher and didn't know if I could deal with those types of challenges 24 hours a day. Anyway..... 3 months later is too when I got pregant.... many people told us that it was because we went to that adoption meeting.... I know it was because of my diet.... and maybe other forces at work, but you might want to try to adoption information meeting... get those vibes going in the direction of a baby! Also... FYI.... my husband and I were about to complete our Masters programs and were on the downhill slope of the hard work... I completely believe that stress levels contribute as well to infertility. When I wanted to get pregnant and was so upset when month after month or treatment after treatment it didn't work..... the stress level was too high. We weren't even trying anymore.... but with all the other factors... it just happened. Lower your stress as much as possible for not only conceiving, but a happier you! Kammi in Everett, WA

Just wanted to respond the the meds and diabetes and getting/being pregnant.... I was diagnosed with being a diabetic in June 1998. Been on medication since then.... pretty mild doses..... Glyberide, then Metformin. I was not able to get pregnant and my husband and I tried ever since getting married in Aug. 97. I went through ovulation drugs, etc. In Jan. 02 my husband and I went on a high Protein, very low carb strict diet and within a month, I was pregnant. My doctor switched me from Metformin to Glyberide shortly after I found out I was pregnant. I conceived on Metformin, was on Glyberide for the remainder of my pregnancy. I never had to go on insulin, stayed on the strict diet throughout my pregnancy and had an extremely healthy baby girl on November 16, 2002.... my fastings on one 5 mg of Glyberide were under 100 my whole pregnancy. She was actually born small, 5 lbs. 13 oz.... but that size runs in my family... I was only 5 lbs. 7 oz. My friend also conceived and had two healthy pregnancies on Metformin and was also diabetic. She did have to take insulin with her first pregnancy. So, I am not a big med fan anyhow... that is part of why I am getting this surgery.... to get off my now 2 5 mg. pills of Glyberide.... but it worked for me... I think they key really is keeping those blood sugars in check and eating very healthy. My doctor said she had almost never seen such a healthy pregnancy from start to finish.... no morning sickness.... or nausea, no complications whatsoever, no spotting, cramping, no braxton hicks... nothing. Just thought I would share my story. I plan on trying to conceive again about a year after surgery (which is May 27). Kammi in Everett, Wa

I have heard from many going to Mexico for surgery since these drug wars flared back up in TJ, all say the hospital and hotels have been wonderful and very safe! Kammi in Everett, WA

My husband and I, along with both of my parents are being banded on May 27 and 29 by Dr. Kuri in TJ Mexico. Do not let your family bring you down, this is your body and if you have researched this decision well enough, you know you will be much healthier if you follow all the band rules in the end and you will be around much longer and happier if you get it done. As far as having it done in Mexico.... just stay at the hospital and hotel and everything will be just fine unless you want to venture out. If you do, I would only do it if you have someone with you (which there will be others being banded on the same day) and don't wear any jewerly or flash any money around and don't carry a purse... you will be fine! I have had many friends that were very concerened with us having it in Mexico, but it's not their business and I have researched enough to know I am making the right decison. I wish good luck to you and if you need to chat, email me at kamicola@yahoo.com Kammi in Everett, WA banding on 5/27/08 Dr. Kuri - TJ Mexico

I have heard MANY stories of lap band patients going off meds or dramatically reducing them within short periods of time after banding... of course... you still need to watch what you eat, consume high quality carbs and protein, and MINIMAL sugar of course.... if you eat healthy, with the lower portions, I think it is VERY possible to be off of your meds or dramatically reduce them.... DON'T LET YOUR DOCTOR PUT YOU ON INSULIN.... FIND A NEW DOCTOR if they want to! You might want to find a new doctor anyway... one that is more familiar with lap band patients if possible.