Kat817

It is my understanding that often a dilated pouch does not have any pain associated. A sudden ability to eat more, or a sudden lack of being able to eat at all often times signals a slippage, but a dilation is usually just shown by the ability to eat more than you should be able to by the way the band is put in place. I hope you get some answers from someone more trained and knowledgable than I am....sorry I am not much help! Good Luck---keep me posted! Kat

I freeze now for the first time since I don't know when!!! I joke about losing the outer layer of insulation. I found my hands especially would get cold, and figured maybe I needed to increase my circulation, so I use that as a push to make me go get on the elliptical for a ride! It warms me right back up. My DH makes jokes about it all the time, saying the only way we were able to survive out camping in the cold, was my hot flashes---well, that is not gonna work no more!!! Don't they say "cold hands---warm heart"?? You are not alone---but I have no idea if there is any kind of supplement, or what of that nature might be causing it, I think it is just the weight loss. But I'd rather have cold hands! Kat

Congrats on your approval Jane! Let's see...start with the basics: How many lap bands have you done? What is your complication rate? What type of band do you use? How do you determine which size to use? What type of port? Is a low profile port an option? Where will you place that port? How do you close the incisions? Stitches? Glue? Staples? Steri strips? If it is something that has to be removed, how long do they stay in? Will you have your band placed in a hospital or a surgery center? Will you have an overnight stay? Or how long? If you do, is there someplace for a companion to stay with you? Will you be sent home with pain meds? Is there something you can take to keep the pain meds from causing constipation? What type of post op diet does he recommend? What is his/her recommendations on Protein amounts and types? Do you take meds you need to figure out? Can you crush a pill, or get liquids? How do you determine when it is time for a first fill? Are fills done under fluoro? Does he/she do the fills or does an assistant? Is there a way to reach someone 24/7 for emergency? As you visit with the Dr. some of these will automatically be answered, and you will think of others as you talk!!! Good Luck on the 25th!! Kat

I hum hawed for so long about the moderator thing, wondering if I wanted to commit to the point of them counting on me, or if I wanted to continue on as I am now....that by the time my DH convinced me to do it, he has all he needs! I believe that was my answer I was waiting for!!! Kat

Wasn't sure the above was going to post with the pics.....thought it was kind of interesting... Kat

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and YES science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help dev elop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemica l cons tituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of see ds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.Sweet Potatoes look like the p ancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries Grapefruits, Oranges, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes If you waiting for a joke...There isn't one. Just some good info.

I am much like Ellisa's DH---My issue was equally how much I ate as it was what I ate. And the only reason I ate the bad foods, was convenience and that I was starving, I wanted instant gratification. So once I was banded, it was much easier--I had control, I was not starving, so made better choices 90% of the time instead of 50% of the time. Quantity was my biggie! And the band has definitely changed that! I have issues listening to my SIL go on about how she is at goal, and I am not. But she throws everything she eats up--she leaves the table 3 & 4 times a meal, to "PB" then comes back eats another couple of bites, and has to "throw up" she says. Now she has someone not of a medical background filling and unfilling her right and left, and still making herself throw up---and it makes me crazy! I may not be at goal, but my band and I are healthy, and we are not skewing the complications rate by screwing up our bands knowingly. She may be a size 8 now, but she is not well either, it is scary---I seriously believe she has developed a bulimic attitude, and that can be deadly....of course her being sick is because of the band.....just ask any of the family..... Kat

Hi! Thanks for asking about Sienna--she is making progress, she is just such a happy thing, she has trouble controlling her joy! She tries to follow her commands...she knows what she is supposed to do, but her whole body shakes with excitement, and then she gives in to it, and leaps on people still. They have begun turning their backs on her when she jumps, and it breaks her heart, she wants to be IN their face!! But it is slowly improving....as she ages it will help. She is smart and knows.....just has impulse issues!!! I had a nephew the same way! I tell my DD that her dog has ADHD---like her cousin!!! He would do really well, and then some impulse would hit him, he could be taking a spelling test, doing great--then lose it, scribble on part of the page, and then go back and just ace the test---he just HAD to get rid of the energy surge he would say----I see the same in Sienna. You tell her to sit, and she does....then her tail starts wagging, then in travels up, and her butt is leaving the floor and she begins wiggling in excitement, then soon her whole body is wagging and she is up and jumping again! Raising your voice does no good. So they have begun turning their back---ignoring her and repeating sit, and not facing her until she minds. So far it is helping! Is like raising kids!!! You do your best~~~ and sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't!!! As for her in comparison to the OP's dog, she is fine with her crate, she does see it as her bed, she goes to it, even when she has to be put there to contain herself, without issue----but that is getting to be less frequent! And her crate is in my DD's room....so the only ones ever in that room, and that is usually only at bed time are her and her BF. So it is a quiet, cool, serene space---nothing distracting. Unless Dozer the chihuahua is in his crate (shoe box?!!) too!!! Then they "talk"!!! Kat

Since the weight is now coming off of your stomach area, it could well be the fat pad has diminished and the band has loosened too much. Since your Dr. is going to reset your port, then he should be able to tell you if you might have any slippage. I bet you are excited to get the plastics underway---I would be! You have done really well. Did you have a pre op diet you could use to jump start the weight loss again? I always use Atkins when I need to get it going again, it makes me stay away from the carbs!!! Good Luck! And welcome to LBT! Kat

Wow! I am so sorry you are having such a time of it! Are they planning to reposition the port? Once they do that so that fills are not so painful, I would bet you can eventually get to a point of restriction that will make the band work. I would imagine the disappointment, along with the pain involved made it a difficult thing to even want to work with the band---would have for me! I am betting the "fix" will be a big help! Some people take 4-5 fills to get to a point of restriction. Please let me know how it goes for you! I hate that you are disappointed, and not having good results through no fault of your own. It would certainly be discouraging. One of the girls I chat with regularly here on LBT had the same issue, her port had flipped. They tried with her fills, and got nothing, so they did the port revision, and now she gets fills without issue, and is dropping weight seriously!!! Her name here on the board is FairyFacade---I am sure she would be happy to share how it went. Good Luck to you, and welcome to LBT---hope some of us around here can help provide you with some support as you face the new hurdle! Kat

Beginning the fill process is the answer you are looking for! Having a new band---is like getting the new car you really wanted! But right now you have that new car, and no gas! It is nice to have it, but it really isn't getting you anywhere!! I had chaos right after being banded too. I was banded the end of April '06, and my DH was diagnosed with a bad heart valve the first of May! We went through open heart surgery, and several procedures following---was a roughyear--but I survived it! You will too. I know how hard it is to see your child hurting, I am so sorry he has been sick! Is he better now? You may not get much restriction from your first fill, it is hard to say---some do, some don't. I had to slow down, it reminded me I had a band, but I could still eat too much, so went for another a month later! But the first fill is the place to start, and go up in small increments from there, it will make a major difference in your eating and your hunger. Right now you are back to doing all the work yourself, soon the band will be there helping! Hang in there the 26th will be here soon!! Kat

Welcome to LBT!! This site has been wonderful support!!! I too am from an area with no support group, so this has been a life saver! You have done really well! Hang out, get to know us, let us get to know you! Sometimes the board moves really fast, and some posts get buried, and missed--sorry we missed your introduction! I really love hearing about people who have been banded a long time! I look forward to reading more of your posts!! Once again----welcome! Kat

It is sorta confusing isn't it! This is my understanding---we are encouraged to chew our food to mush so that it can pass through the stoma slowly---when we fail to chew well enough, then we get things stuck. Other times you can chew, and it is just the nature of the food to ball up, as in breads or foods with a high gluten content---they dough back up as they break down---so can turn into a giant ball of dough, which is difficult to pass through. If we chew our small bites to a slurry texture, then it is heavy enough to move slowly, and allow our pouches to feel full---and yet it is able to move through---without becoming stuck. When you chew it properly, and drink too soon, it simply liquifies everything and allows it to move through to quickly to feel full. I don't know if you have ever used a cake decorating bag or not, but I kind of see it the same way. The frosting is soft, and easily moves out of the bag, but it must be squeezed, it does not just flow through if it is the right consitency. But when you squeeze it down to the tip, it goes through. When we put food into our stomachs--or the pouch, it automatically begins digesting---kneading and moving the food around to break it down for digestion---much like we would squeeze the bag of icing. Now if we toss something in the frosting, that does not easily fit through the tip---it stops up everything. They tapered shape does not allow it to roll back up out of the way, it is simply stuck, until it either breaks down, or is removed---or in the case of our stomachs, it is stuck until is either breaks down, or is PB'd. Sorry for the lack of technical explanation---this is just the best way I can visualize what I want to do with my band, and the food going into it. You are almost half way -- good job!!! Kat

I have friends who just inherited a 10 month old boxer, and say he is a handful!!! He ripped apart one of the metal wire cages---he despised being caged, or crated---but gets into massive mischief if left out! His latest escapade was tearing a hole in one of those micro bead squishie pillows...when my friends come home there were itsy bitsy styrofoam beads all over everything, including the dog! The static electricity in them, had them from floor to ceiling! They have taken to putting him into a room like you are....not sure if he cries, he has however scratched the heck out of the inside of the door I know. They keep hoping he will settle into a routine. Is there any way to enclose him somewhere with the other dogs for companionship? They bought a book on Boxers and have gotten a lot on info on line about him as well. They are having problems with him losing weight---he is soooo thin---is yours? Good Luck, if they hit on a magic answer I will let you know! Theirs is a male named Diesel---what is yours? Kat

I think it might be harder, or technically slower for diabetics because the average bandster loses some of their weight by learning new eating habits, and lessening the sugars and complex carbs they take it, thus resulting in weight loss. Where as someone who has been treating diabetes, has already eliminated those, so will be relying more on the help with feeling full on less, and exercise. I do think with proper fill the band will still help those with diabetes though, by helping them achieve the full feeling sooner, and then taking in less calories in general, and with each pound lost, moving more becomes easier. Exercise is key to keeping blood sugars in control with the diabetics in my family I know, and when you weigh less it is easier. I have a niece though who is seriously insulin dependent, and she has never weighed over 116 in her life!!! Good Luck~~ Kat

Congrats on your step over into bandland!!! Hope your recovery continues to be simple and uneventful! It takes a few days, but you will soon feel good as new, and ready to begin this new part of your life!!! I love my band and wish you much success! Kat

Suzanne, that will allow me to fit right in!!!!!!!!!!!! And it will make some of our Quickly Shrinking Violets be super Hotties!!! Vegas doesn't surprise me, all those buffets, and the gambling sport is not high impact----only on the wallet in my experience!!! Kat

Wow! That is a lot to lose! How long do they expect you to take to do this? Can you mix any veggies or fruit into this? I had a simple low carb, no fat, high Protein pre op for 2 weeks prior is all. Others have an entire month of liquids only---it varies greatly. This does seem extreme with the amount of weight they want you to lose. Are they trying to get you to a certain BMI prior to surgery? Was it a medical assistant who give you the amount to lose? Could they have it wrong? I think I would ask a few questions! I mean losing weight is not easy or none of us would be here! Keep us posted, I am curious! Welcome to LBT---we can sure try to come up with ways to help you through this!! Kat

Welcome!! Read lots, be prepared! This really IS an awesome site for gaining knowledge and speaking to banded people to get your questions answered. Let us know if we can help!!! Kat

Maybe going back to the other Dr. at the fill center you like would be the way to go. They know the other Dr. left, and would understand that you simply prefer fills with fluoro...and maybe the new Dr. could provide a level of aftercare that is more acceptable. Sounds like maybe you need to just "start over". I saw this link in a thread I am in all the time, that might be a good plan for you---let me go see if I can find it... here ya go...www.5daypouchtest.com. It seems like it is very similar to a fast forward course in beginning banding!! It is actually wrote for the Bypass patients, but it works for us too---besides the whole re-routing thing! I hope you get someone willing to help you put your band into working order again! Keep in touch! Kat

I have no idea....I am just the opposite, I prefer mild restriction, and increased exercise to get the weight off. I enjoy still being able to have meals with my family, and things like that. There are a lot of shakes besides the Slim Fast---or you could make your own with Protein powders. Is your Dr. ok with you simply drinking your entire diet? Mine insists I am too tight if I cannot eat hard Proteins without pain. I am not meaning to question the way you choose to manage your band and your weight loss---I am just asking out of curiosity, since I was under the impression that being too tight could be problematic. But by problematic, they likely mean the inability to actually eat solids, and you are ok with that!!! Does your Dr. suggest any protein supplements in general? Kat

LOL---I was reading this and thinking of myself always planning to start the diet on Monday....uh huh sure I did!!!! So I could have a hey day through the weekend!!! Kat

When you cannot swallow your own saliva, I would say you are too tight. Can you get anything at all down? If so, try itty bitty tiny sips of liquid---and see if it makes a difference in what the temperature is. Sometimes warm liquid relaxes the band----and yet other times, cool liquid can help in reducing swelling. If you are still having the problem come morning, and have been up all night spitting out your saliva, then yep I'd be calling for an unfill. Keep in mind, they may have to remove more than they put in to make up for the swelling caused by the over fill. Do what you have to to keep your band healthy---it is not good to be too tight!! Good Luck, welcome to LBT---let us know how you are doing tomorrow!!! Kat

You might check with your Dr. about adding Protein powder to your broth....it can help with fatigue and hunger. There are lots of diets out there, and yours sounds better than some. Some are strictly liquid, NO solid food, and some for up to a month pre op!!! Just pointing out---it could be worse. And soon you will be banded, and it will all be worthwhile! Anytime you are concerned---call your Dr.! They are being paid by you----they expect you to call with any problems. Hope you feel better, and the pre op time goes by quickly for you! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

You already seem to plan what I did!! I did the naturally soft foods, and then added liquid in the form of broth or gravy to other foods to make them more pureed. Ricotta cheese baked with some marinara sauce is good. Will try to remember what all I ate....and get back to you! Congrats on your banding!! Kat