CirrusPilot

Just want to echo all of the positive comments re Dr. Eric Pinnar and his staff. His care during pre and post op was very professional and attentive, and I certainly can't argue with the outcome so far (see WL/BMI ticker below). From the front desk to the finance person, his staff are uniformly knowledgable and pleasant. They could not have treated me better. Fills with his PA Phil (or Kellie) are particularly easy. Dr. Pinnar also did my DW's lapband surgery. Both of us highly recommend. Oh, he does need to improve the magazine selection in the waiting area.

FMIALC: You might check out the following link: http://aviationmedicine.com/resources/files/3Q08%20VFS%20Aeromedical%20Newsletter.pdf I'm a private pilot, not an ATC, but the advice here covers us both. I recently completed my 3rd Class medical renewal following band surgery. I disclosed everything, had reports from docs,etc. All was fine. Looks like ATCs need to report their recovery to the Flight Surgeon before resuming your duties. By the way, THANK YOU for helping me keep my rear end safe up there. Hope that helps.

Maybe it was ignorance or foolishness or both, but I have had several instances recently in which I felt food (poorly chewed) get stuck and have reflexively grabbed a water glass to get unstuck. I know this is a bad idea (I have just now read several threads that warn about this), but confess that it happened. I am firmly committed that I won't let it happen again. About 2 times out of total of 4 occurences, the drinking made things much worse. Serious pb'ing, pain etc, etc. But I have to say that the other two times, taking a drink created a momentary sensation of pressure and then the stuck became unstuck. Understanding that I am committed to not doing this again (the 2 times pb'ing were in public at dinners with people I would very much rather not ralph on), is there anything else that I can learn from this? Specifically, if I am able to clear the blockage with a drink, can I assume that I have not yet found an ideal restriction?

Guys, The exchange pasted below from "Susan" the moderator is self explanatory. It seems our forum moderators feel it is their responsibility to actively monitor which computers I and members of my family are using. Having thought it over, I have decided that this invasion of privacy on a health-related issue is an unwarranted. My daughter, MineFine, can do what she wants, but I am out of here. Sorry to go. You have been a very supportive group. CirrusPilot I am happy to explain: Two people, same household. One is me (CirrusPilot). The other is my daughter (MineFine). My wife may join soon as she is also considering being banded. Although I understand (I think) the reason for the underlying rule, I do NOT understand the use of source codes to track usage back to a single computer. What else are you doing to monitor LBT forum members? At least the Bush administration had a strong public safety justification to monitor computer usage by suspected terrorists. It seems membership in the forum is sufficient reason for you to do much the shame. How snoopy! Shame on you, Susan! I need to reconsider my membership on this forum.

It is great to hear that others are seeing the positive effect on apnea. I was diagnosed, but could not get stand the CPAP. With 40 lbs gone for good (almost half way there!), the snoring and gasping have largely gone as well. Blood pressure down as well, and sugars moving into more normal range. Go Band!

Congratulations to everyone on their losses! I'm down 40 lbs since beginning the preop diet the last week in April. That puts me (almost) at the halfway mark. I have had four fills, and the most recent this week definitely put me at my sweet spot. Blood pressure and sugars are down, and I feel great. I have to say that being banded was the best health decision I have ever made.

Your attitude is wonderful! Even the best believers sometimes have blind spots. Charity "never faileth," but we can and do let charity down frequently. Sounds like your friend needs a friend. Maybe you are her rowboat to help save her from a misperception regarding the scope second of the two greatest commandments. I sure hope that rowboat (or heliocopter) is there for me when I forget!

Somewhat easy. Before I reached a sweetspot of restriction, I had begun to think that this was going to be really difficult. Sure I lost weight quickly on the preop and post op liquid protein diet. 24 pounds came off almost immediately. But after that it was steady state for several weeks. Until the fills started. The first and the second each seemed to give me a little restriction. After the third fill, however, I knew that I was in the much discussed band heaven. My band was working with me, teaching me that the wrong foods (breads, rice, pasta, etc) resulted in pain and too much of anything did the same. I hope this lasts, although I understand from many posts that we end up chasing the sweetspot as we lose weight. I am now down 35 and feeling great. Those of you who have made exercise so much a part of your routine are an inspiration to me. That is the next difficult thing for me.

Congratulations, Rick! Hope your recovery is speedy and uneventful.

Hang in there. You will eventually find the sweetspot. I had my third fill on Monday. What a difference! I went from no restriction to a real tight restriction. i am learning to live with the band in a new set of ways.

Thanks, Jack and Jacqui. The lessons you suggest are good ones. Like Jacqui, I am becoming really cautious about eating out. Conversation distracts me from chewing leading to that stuck feeling. And it is really difficult to hold up my end of a conversation when I am dying from having a bit of whatever stuck in the opening. I guess I just need to concentrate on chew, chew chew.

Way to go! I can't wait to shed a few meds myself. Hoping to see the BP meds drop out soon as my home readings with the wrist cuff are trending down.

Congratulations! Amen on the walking advice. It really helped me. You should be feeling a lot better in a day or so.

Sorry to hear about your delay! Take care of yourself and hang in there.

I had my first fill yesterday. I have the low profile port and so I got to watch the process on the fluoroscope. Very interesting! No pain at all. At first, the physician's assistant put in a sizeable fill and had me drink water. I could only swallow small sips at a time. He then backed it off a bit and I could swallow but could still feel some restriction. My doctor puts his patients on two days liquid followed by two on mushies. I can't wait to try solids to see how much restriction I have.

I am now 7 days post surgery, and the steri strips have been itching like heck. I finally pulled them off this morning because I noticed that I had what looked like poisen ivy under and around the strips. It felt great to take them off and the incisions themselves look fine. I dabbed a bit of hydorcortisone cream on the red areas and that feels even better. I notice that I still have residual adhesive where the strips and the bandages were. Anyone have a fool proof (and safe) way to get this stuff off? I don't think it agrees with my skin at all.

Hi guys, I was banded on Friday afternoon by Dr. Eric Pinnar in Reston, VA. He was great. I had been considering the surgery for some time, but felt that I didn't have the time to devote to it. Anyway, I had a window that opened up suddenly (between two jobs) and decided to take the plunge and get the surgery done. Dr. Pinnar's fantastic staff took me through the whole process (including insurance approval) in about 2 weeks from first consult to surgery. My BMI was 36.7, so I was a candidate for the surgery based mainly on my "co-morbidities." (Who invented that phrase?) I am really looking forward to reducing/eliminating meds for Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol as I close in on my goal weight. As far as the surgery and the aftermath, I have to say that pain was minimal. Only problem to this point is a post surgery difficulty in peeing (VERY slow). Anyone else experience that? Otherwise, I am feeling about 90 percent today. I have sleep apnea, so I was required to stay in the hospital overnight. The staff at Reston Hospital could not have been better. I am not exactly looking forward to the next few weeks of continued liquid diet, but I am definitely up for it. Reading the posts here has been a big inspiration for me. Be well!

Thanks for the reminders re fluid intake. I have stepped that up to my Dr.'s recommendation of 64 ozs/day and it is having the desired impact. I have to say that the last 24 hours were tougher than the first, but I am still amazed at how low the pain level is and how quickly I seem to be recovering generally. Still waiting for the BMs!

May 2! Aetna came through just in time.