lapbandtalker

Hi, saw your thread. Customer service is a must. Many will be buying you, not the product. So, UdefineU is a great program if you can get it. Just be the best you can be. And just be patient. Let this journey take you to your goals. You never know what the future holds.

Congrats! The band is the best product I've ever purchased. It's been so reliable, no problems...been great!

I chose him to do my banding but a local doc to do the adjustments. I met a few of his patients and was very impressed by their results. Also met a few while I was there. Be careful, there are several on here who speak negatively of Dr. Huacuz every time his name comes up. Don't know if it is because they were banded by his competion, maybe they get an incentive for a referral or something...don't know. And there are a few who claim to know one of Dr. Huacuz's patients who things went terribly wrong with.....so do your research. But I would use him for everything I needed-if I was going to have more procedures.

Some have totally missed it. FillCentersUSA isn't like a chain. Don't make that mistake of thinking it is. What it is (that I've learned thru experience) is they ask docs around the nation to be a part of their group. These doctors are already established and doing bands. (there may be some who began banding as part of increasing their business when FillCentersUSA contacted them) They have patients OUTSIDE what FillCenters refers....and they are just that- a referral service. FillCentersUSA referrs patients. And because they are doctors, they will vary just like other doctors will. So don't be surprised if you are looking for an assembly line appeal- you won't find that with FillCenters. Be up front with your doc (even if it's a FillCenter doc) they know what the guidelines for fills are - as should you. Ask for it. If they tell you "no", take your business elsewhere! I had read many threads about patients not getting the correct amount of fill....and it draging on and on and on...but these people had insurance! So they were still paying too much. here you go: Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAND® System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occurr 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BAND®, 2-3 cc to the VG LAP-BAND® and 4 cc to the 11cm LAP-BAND®. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3-0.5ml). 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restrction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fulness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. ...... by Inamed Health

I can eat anything; however, some things is just 1 bite or a tiny shread as some things get stuck.

Postoperatively, the surgeon may adjust the stoma size percutaneously by injecting or aspirating saline with the access port needle via the self-sealing access port. The following are general guidelines for LAP-BAnd System adjustments: 1. The initial postoperative adjustment should occurr 4-6 weeks after the operation. In most cases, you will add 1-2cc of saline to the 9.75 and 10 cm Lap-Band, 2-3 cc to the VG Lap-Band and 4 cc to the 11cm Lap-Band. 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (every 4-6 weeks) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3-0.5ml). 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss has averaged between 1 and 2lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient feels he/she can eat too freely or finds difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restrction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fulness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. ...... by Inamed Health

Posting this here instead of food and nutrition because this isn't about food, it's about addiction. 2009 is the year I kick the soda pop habit. Anyone who has done this (coffee/tobacco/drugs/sex/gambling/food/etc.) can you please share how you did it? Been a soda pop drinker all my life and since childhood I have preferred drinking instead of eating. Meaning, if I'm hungry I'd rather drink OJ instead of eating a muffin. I'd rather have Soup than the sandwich. Make sense? Don't know why I'm this way- and maybe that's some place to start looking. Migraines started in my 20s like many mother/grandmother/greatgrandmother before and I was taught to drink a coke w/ a BC powder. Or Coke w/ and Excedrin. So, drinks again. When I go without soda for more than a day I get sleepy, I tremble, and desire isn't even the word anymore...I have to have it. If I don't I get hostile. Many years ago I did (or so I thought) kick the habit. I went on Atkins and went from 100% soda to diet soda...then to Splenda koolaid. I've tried that technique again but it isn't working this time. Mt. Dew is my beverage of choice. If I don't get it I get mean and headaches. But I've got a new home, my oldest two are in the military, 1 left at home. I've lost the weight, lost my mother. I have a cat (mom's cat). I think I am in a place now where I can tackle this Mt. Dew demon. I've handled the stress of lifetime and that Mt. Dew got me thru some pretty rough times. But enough is enough. Thanks for your input.

Unrealistic expectations - from this board. People are people and many say what's on their mind-but that's the point....it's from THEIR mind. And who knows who these people are? They aren't the ones you should be taking advice from. The board is a great resource - but not your only source.

2cc at 6 weeks .5 cc every 4 weeks thereafter until restricted But your doc should do a fill and have you sit up and drink Water. He may remove part of that 2cc. But if you don't have any restriction with that...just go back 4 weeks later.

Wow - great post! So true. I've been there many times when dieting....just a taste of 'the good stuff' at a special event or holiday and I was doomed. Couldn't 'go' without after that. But this time around it's been different. Since achieving goal, I've not had this problem. If I want something, I have it. But the thing is....I don't want-like I used to. I want veggies. I want milk/cheese/nuts. I still have pizza (but no more Pizza Hut-I make my own) I still have Cookies (but 1 will do-instead of the whole box) I still have Pasta (but a few bites will do) Lori, NOT being able to have something makes me want it all the more. So I've changed my way of thinking since being banded. I can have what I want- and what I've done was change what I want. There is no easy answer for you. This is something you will have to find a way that works for you. But try what I did and hopefully you will have success. Others will post so just try a few things. Good luck!

Let the scale guide you. If by the end of the week you've lost a pound or two then I wouldn't go in for another fill. Wait until you go 2 weeks without any weightloss.

Dr. Muse was aggressive with me. (the Utah center location) Only took 2 adjustments to get to goal. He followed INAMED's guidelines to the letter. I was so worried, like you, that I'd get a doc who wouldn't follow the guidelines...in my mind-to make extra money. The book says 2cc in a 4cc band and then .5 after that....well, that's what I got. After I met goal I went back to get a slight unfill because I was 10 pounds under goal and all it took was 1 adjustment-unfill. My weight has remained stable since(+/-5 pounds). My suggestion is be an informed consumer. Read the book that came with the band (your surgeon should have given it to you). When you get your first adjustment 6 weeks after surgery you KNOW before you get there how many cc's you are going to get. If you aren't getting it-ASK why you are not getting the recommended fill. Your doc is working for you on this. If you want to be aggressive, your doc should assist you in this. If you want to take it a bit easier, he should help with this as well.

A good read. Exercise is important - but for those of us who can't exercise like go to a gym or run-this article says what I experienced....weightloss is still possible WITHOUT exercise. Study: Exercise Won't Cure Obesity - Yahoo! News

IF you are ready to do this, I recommend getting fills...and if you say it's either throw up or continue massive eating...then be more agressive and go to the throw up side. Seems your doc could fill you half way and then in increments of .5cc until you do start throwing up. Then adjustments of removing .2 each time until you get to where you aren't throwing up EVERYTHING. You just have to find a fill that will work for you. Hate this has happened to you, but don't give up!

Thanks so much for your responses so far. I gather addiction is difficult to break and sometimes needs a doctor's influence. And I think attempting this would be best in March as during spring and summer I tend to crave sugar instead of soda - as in lemonade or simply ice cold Water. I feel if I could just go without soda for a few weeks -I won't ever have to have it again. Trick is getting to 3 days without it, then 7 days, then 14....those are the hard ones. Thanks again and hopefully others will post as well.

I saw your title "pneumonia after surgery" and had to check it out. I only had pneumonia once in my life....back 10-15 years ago, so it has been long forgotten...UNTIL I was banded. I was banded in summer but as soon as November came I was in the ER 3 times that winter. Pneumonia. I've already had it once this winter, and am sure it will strike again. What is up with that! What about losing weight has caused me to be prone to pneumonia?

Reached goal and am maintaing...hey, it's actually been a year! My goal was 150lbs. In January 08 that goal was met. A few months later I went in for an unfill so I'd stop losing. 140lbs. Now I'm 136lbs. I go up to 140 (maybe 141) but then come down again. So +/- 5 pounds is fine for me. There's really nothing to tell, I was/am a classic textbook case. Got the band, followed the instruction booklet and lost weight. (I've had a surgeon and doctors and I take their advice as well- or I try to)

There are a few members of this board who really have issues. I've read others told and I've been told things like: you are doing it all wrong your doctor is awful you shouldn't have done what you are doing (even though the results are great) all sorts of stuff But it's not really offensive as many posts are a reflection of the poster and not the original postee.

I lost ZERO. I got adjustments until I lost my first ounce. And I would have gone back for adjustments if I stopped losing weight, but I didn't. Once I got restriction that was it during the entire time. After I met goal I went in for a slight unfill so I'd stop losing weight.

$120 a month should get you about 1-2 million dollars coverage. If you aren't getting that, shop around and FIRE your agent. I wouldn't even go with that company ever. Get your MIB report so that you will know what's on there before your next insurance company checks. Any errors need to be corrected. Good luck and thanks for sharing your story in case others are going thru the same thing. I was considering purchasing more insurance but decided against it...for a time, so that more time will be away from surgery.

My dentist does ortho...but isn't an orthodontist. Today met a lady who gets her thyroid treated by her family doc yet she isn't an endocronologist. The list can go on and on. What any potential patient for any procedure wants is good care. They are ultimately responsible for doing the research and interviews to determine which doctor is best for them. Any doctor you can find good and bad about....someone isn't going to like something and sometimes good doctors take on hard/difficult cases that another less inexperienced doctor wouldn't because of the risk. But the doctor treats the patient but something goes wrong, as the doc and patient knew could happen. But that doesn't mean he's a bad doctor. Met a few attorneys like that....wouldn't take cases unless they knew they could win. That is a far cry from arguing the law and setting standards. I don't know anything about some of the doctors mentioned out of the country, I only know Dr. Huacuz ( I know several here in the states). That was my choice. He couldn't have done a better job and I am better off having chose him.

It's not uncommon for a person to experience headaches, even migraines after altering their diet. Going from massive amounts of food to little/next to none can cause headaches. Same with me...I can go about 2-3 days without Mt. Dew but then the headaches draw me to drink. Got to get rid of this sodapop in my life.

I'm a frequent soda drinker and have had no problems except for the fact I'm addicted and losing weight has been easier than kicking the soda habit.

The owner's manual. The book that comes with the band, inside the box....the one the surgeon is supposed to give you. This book tells you EXACTLY what the procedure is, how it's performed....tells you EXACTLY what the recommendations are for adjustments - when to fill, when to not fill. I love it. Was the only book I needed and it was FREE.

Sounds like LCD tvs...I'm looking to buy one but so many consumers have problems a year out.... anyways, I am concerned - in the back of my mind, that something will go wrong...some sort of complication. But I made the decision when I went into this that this is a one shot deal. Any complication that needed doctors care/procedure - I'd just have the band removed. I'm self pay and just can't afford out of pocket expenses for things to go wrong, and maybe go wrong again. But I am over a year out and have no problems...yet. Right now I'm working really hard at getting a good, sound nutritional behavior going...so if something does happen I'll at least be on the right track. Sounds like your general doctor is a good resource for you.