health4life

I only told a select few. Those who I knew wouldn't voice strong opinions and be negative. In the end, this was my decision and my husband supported me 100% and that was all that mattered. I have maintained that over the months and some I never plan to tell. The way I handle the question "what are you doing to lose weight"? I tell them smaller portions and exercise, which is the truth. I just omit telling them about the lapband. It's really none of their business. With the lapband you are successful when you look at it as a tool and do what's necessary to make that tool work for you. If you have a hammer, you can't get the nail in the wood until you do something with the hammer to get that nail in, right? Same with the lapband, without reducing portion sizes and incorporating some sort of exercise, it will not work. Hope this helps.

Is it a persistent pain close to your sternum (between your breasts)? I have had that.

I have been banded now for 7 months and have had 3 fills. My last fill was when I reached my "sweet" spot however, I may be too tight. I gurgle and hear bubbling noises along with some pain of food going through the band with the most simple easy to chew foods. I have endured it because I want results but I may be doing myself an injustuce by doing so. Approximately 2 weeks ago I experienced pain around my sternum that I would imagine a heart patient might feel. Long story short, my band area was irritated for unknown reasons, but I suspect it's due to the tightness of the band causing the gurgling and bubbling noises. I have thought about having my LB Doc take a small amount of fill out to alleviate the noises. What are your thoughts? Has anyone had any experienced with this?

The question was asked, she answered it . We still live in a nation where there is "freedom" of speech and she exercised it and was well within her rights, period! End of story.

I was curious about those who are going to Dr. Curry's Red Carpet V.I.P. (very important patient) Event/Party on May 8th in Cincinnati? If you are going, please let me know. It would be nice to put a face with the names of the people you chat with. I have my tickets. It's gonna be fun. :thumbdown:

This is my goal for July 4th. I assumed the goal weight you wanted was the weight goal desired by July 4th. It's certainly not my final goal. This may be a little unrealistic, but hey if they can do it on the Biggest Loser, why can't I? I am looking forward to breaking the 200lb mark never to return! Name.......................... Start Wt....... Current....... Goal....... To Go 3ShotRoc..................... 345.............. 263............ 220........ 43 Alabubba..................... 464.............. 464............ 400........ 64 Alleycia....................... 255.............. 226............ 198........ 28 Annieemmm................. 200.............. 198............. 170....... 28 Ashleyrenee................ 240.............. 240............. 199........ 41 Barb12590.................. 173.............. 158............. 155.......... 3 Betelnut..................... 295.............. 273............. 245........ 28 Bklyn1984................... 317.............. 248............. 230........ 18 Blaze21...................... 200.8........... 192.8........... 170........ 22.8 Blklab70282................. 241............. 241.............. 220........ 19 ChickyAbby................. 314............. 314.............. 270........ 44 Clcort........................ 236............. 200.............. 200........ 36 CountrygirlNY.............. 253............. 217.............. 182........ 35 Crzytchr2004.............. 237............. 232.............. 210........ 22 Ewiedbingcott ............ 215.5.......... 211.2............ 198........ 13.2 Fab by 50.................. 215............. 204............... 175........ 29 Fordgal88.................. 199.............. 175.............. 199........ 24 Hdsantoni.................. 252.............. 202.............. 190......... 12 Htaylor1021............... 210.............. 210.............. 185......... 25 Jazma....................... 261.............. 261.............. 235......... 24 Jeni 85...................... 170............. 170............... 158......... 12 Jennyt71................... 245............. 199............... 170......... 29 Keepingfaith08........... 225.............. 225.............. 190.......... 35 Lalaredd................... 240.............. 190............... 150......... 40 LessJess................... 228.............. 228............... 199......... 29 Letsgetitstarted......... 229.............. 211............... 199......... 30 Libbyjane1976........... 283............... 283.............. 250.......... 33 LilMissDiva................ 251.6............ 247.6............ 227.......... 20.6 Liz_hager................. 158............... 151............... 145.......... 6 LisaRT..................... 254............... 254............... 225.......... 29 Long2BThin.............. 192............... 183............... 169.......... 14 Loveislovely............. 191............... 187............... 169.......... 18 Mair....................... 222............... 220............... 199........... 21 Mamacj.................. 316............... 269............... 233........... 36 Melody_Mary_42f..... 277............... 231............... 170........... 49 MsNickelback.......... 172............... 166................ 149........... 17 Nicolerose.............. 365............... 288................ 260........... 28 Nursemelly............. 245............... 203................ 185........... 18 Onehotmama.......... 272............... 237................ 210........... 27 OneHotMomma........ 285.............. 282................ 250............ 32 Pbpuniser............... 212.............. 212................ 182............ 30 Peachwood............. 251............. 251................. 230............ 21 Picklesix................. 197............. 187................. 170............ 17 Sexylips................. 238............. 238................. 199............ 39 Sadie77................. 277............. 250................. 220............ 30 SillyGoose.............. 258............. 238................. 228............ 10 Simone.................. 182............ 176.................. 160............ 16 Ukcatsfan.............. 340............. 340................. 300............ 40 Workingmom........... 214............. 214................. 175............ 39 ZiggyLove.............. 226............. 202................. 180............ 22 Health4life..............279.............222.2..............195............27.2

Wonderful! He is so quick. He completed my surgery in 15 minutes and it has been the best thing I could have done for myself. I'd do it all over again. Best wishes to you!

Your venting is fine. That's what this blog is for. Congrats on the 75 lbs lost. That's a huge accomplishment.

Thanks to all for your comments and sharing your experiences. This helps with my decision making process. I will be calling my Doc on Monday to have a very small amount of fill taken out and hope and pray that I have a good amount of restriction.

I personally cannot stand the grit of a chewable vitamin in my teeth therefore I take a whole foods liquid vitamin and it works much better for me.

Is it in your sternum area? If so, I am having it now for the first time since my surgery in Sept 08. I called my Dr.'s office and spoke with the NP and she wanted to know if I had been vomiting. Where the pain/discomfort was is where the band is to create the pouch. She said it sounded as though I have irritated that area somehow and to coat it with Mylanta/Malox as often as directions say and go to a liquid diet, not just clear but no thicker than milk for 2 days then pureed for 1 day, soft for 1 day then back to normal. If this didn't cure it, I am to call them and come in to have a x-ray to determine what's going on. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks for your response and professional advice. How much is a panniculectomy?

I am having this problem 6 mos out. What did you do to remedy the problem? I called my Dr. today and NP said for me to treat with mylanta and go to a liquid diet for 2 days, then 1 day of pureed, 1 day soft, then back to normal eating. She said if after that it persists, they will want me to come in for an x-ray.

It's quite amazing to me how we all tolerate things differently. I can eat eggs, but couple it with bacon and it's complete failure. I certainly feel your pain with PB'ing incidents. Although I haven't had many, I HATE it! Congrats on the weight loss success. You're doing wonderful. Keep it up.

I'm curious though, if you had slippage, didn't it require surgery? I don't doubt you at all, but it would seem to me that a simple unfill wouldn't resolve the slippage issue.

Thanks so much. I will be calling them today.

I remember the night before my surgery. Many blessings and have a quick recovery. I would do it all over again.

I was banded in Cincinnati by Dr. Trace Curry, the band doctor @ Journeylite. Love Dr. C and his staff. I drove 2 hours to have surgery by Dr. C. Good luck with whomever you select.

Hello. I am curious to know if it would be ok to have a tummy tuck prior to reaching your goal weight? I had LB surgery on Sept 2, 2008 and to date have lost 54 lbs. I have approximately 75 lbs remaining to lose. I carry most of my weight in my mid section and it would just be so much more attractive to have the gut gone. Please advise. Thanks.

My sweet spot was none of the options in the poll. I experienced my sweet spot approx. 2 weeks after my 3rd fill which brought me to 4.8 cc's in a 10 cc band. Why it took 2 weeks, I'll never know. I do know that I am tighter during that special time of the month for us ladies. I had a very difficult time eating solid foods without hurting during that time. Most of the time I do ok, but I do have gurgling and noises much of the time. I have considered having a very slight unfill. Still not sure if I should or not. I've PB'd twice and I simply HATE it! :glare:

Dress simple and comfortable. I wore a loose sundress with slip on shoes. Soft bra, soft panties.

I was banded on Sept 2, 2008 and didn't feel great restriction until my 3rd fill on December 2, 2008 which took me to 4.8 cc's in a 10 cc band. I haven't had to have another fill since then and I'm still losing weight.

$9950??? Are you serious! I paid $12,999 and I thought that was good, and I traveled to get that. WOW!!![QUOTE=work_in_progress;1194500]I'm self pay too and I live in Atlanta. I'm traveling to Denver May 14th for my surgery. Dr. Gerald Kirschenbaum offers the surgery for $9950. It's anywhere from $15 to $20K here in Atlanta. Good luck!

I'm not sure when your surgery was, but here was my post op diet as prescribed by my Dr.: Day 1- Clear Liquids Days 2-14 - Puree diet Days 15-30 - Slowly add soft foods (i.e. eggs, rice, Pasta, vegis.) Days 30 and after - regular diet It sounds as though you may have jumped the gun with regard to they types of foods you're eating at this particular stage. Please consult your Dr. about the vomiting. I didn't PB for about 5 month after my surgery. Good luck to you!

This is the first time I have ever heard of "esophageal stacking". What the heck is that all about? Over stuffing your pouch up into your esophagus? hmmmm?