Randi

Neither you nor your parents can compare your weight loss to that of another person and especially not a male. Most Males have more muscle mass than females and therefore lose weight more rapidly in a shorter period of time. No matter what your parents want, weight loss is individual to each person. To make an accurate comparison on how well you're doing in your weight loss efforts, you can only use the medically defined band weight loss expectations. The minimun weight loss expected for the band is 1 (0.4536 kg) to 2 (0.9072 kg) pounds a week, which equates to 4 (1.8144 kg) to 8 (3.6287 kg) pounds a months. Do you realize you've almost doubled that?! So, I think it's time for you to "school" your parents because it's obvious to me they may be missing some key informaton about the band and how it works. I've found the "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" book to be a very good reference. So don't be down on yourself or the band because you are doing one hell of a job!

According to my surgeon, hair loss is a side affect of weight loss surgery. If you start out with thinner hair, your hair loss may seem more profound than someone who has thicker hair. Also, he said the good news is that at the time your hair starts falling out is also the time the new growth begins ... something about hair follicles going to sleep then waking up, yada, yada, yada. My hair has always been thin. After my daughter was born, my hair starting falling out. So, I'm not looking forward to the hair loss I will probably experience 4 to 6 months after banding.

Contact your surgeon and ask him to prescribe something that you can take to replace the Advil. According to my surgeon, when NAISDs such as Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen or any medicines containing NAISDs enter the pouch they sit there for a while, which can cause ulcers in the pouch and erosion of the band into the stomach. So be vigilant in ensuring that you check the ingredients of all over the counter medicines prior to taking them and always remind your primary provider of the restriction as well. 'Cause we defintitely don't want to see you over in the complications or the band removal threads.

Here's a little ditty I've held onto for years. It's possible it could be helpful in this situation. "Question: Dear Harriet, I'm 28 years old, and I've been involved with a man named Daniel for almost a year. We have amazing chemistry, and he wants to get married. So do I, but I'm nervous because I already have one divorce behind me, and I thought I loved my ex-husband, too. Are there any objective guidelines I can use to evaluate whether Daniel is really marriage material? Answer: It's never wise to marry someone you don't love -- but it's even more foolish to marry for love alone. Steamy starts are wonderful, but passion can also prevent us from doing our best thinking. Chemistry aside, I think it's important that you ask yourself: "Is this relationship good for me?" To answer that, I suggest the following exercise: Think about the traits, qualities, and behaviors that you consider essential in a partner, then jot down your top five. Maybe you need a husband to be honest, trustworthy, reliable, and caring. Does Daniel meet those criteria? What's his relationship history? Is he close to his family? Do you share core values and beliefs? Of course, picking a husband can't be accomplished with a cut-and-dried list of pros and cons, but taking this kind of straightforward approach will help you direct your thinking. Next, think about the emotional climate of your relationship -- do you feel safe, comfortable, and at ease when you're with Daniel? Are you able to share your true feelings with him? Can you talk openly about whatever matters to you? Does he enlarge your sense of self-worth and possibility -- or diminish it? Third, consider qualities like mutual respect, empathy, and nurturing: If you tell Daniel that something is bothering you, does he listen, consider your feelings, and change his behavior when appropriate? Is he fair-minded, or is it crucial for him to always get his way? Fourth, even if you are still in the passionate, honeymoon stage of your relationship, it's smart to explore potential hot spots that could trip you up in the future -- say, typical conflicts over managing money, dealing with in-laws, having children, dividing household chores, how you'll spend your free time. Discussing these issues up front won't prevent future clashes, but it will give you clues about your ability to negotiate differences -- or whether you'll get stuck in stubbornness and blame. Finally, psychiatrist Jean Baker Miller, M.D., has identified what she calls the "five good things" that occur within a healthy relationship. Ask yourself if the following are present -- or absent -- when you and Daniel are together: Each person feels a greater sense of "zest." Each person feels better able to take action -- and does. Each person has a more accurate picture of themselves and of each other. Each person feels a greater sense of self-worth. Each person feels connected -- and is also motivated to connect with people outside the relationship. Almost all women say they want a life partner who is competent and responsible, kind and nurturing, loving and attentive, sensitive and open. I've yet to meet someone who says, "Well, to be honest, I'm hoping to find an irresponsible, distant, ill-tempered sort of guy who sulks a lot and is a total slob." But who we say we want, and who we are actually drawn to -- or settle for -- are different matters. With divorce in your past, you don't want to close your eyes, hold your nose, and jump into another big commitment. Rather than letting your emotions (or chemistry) run the show, take all the time you need to get to know Daniel completely -- and let him know you in return."

SCENARIO: Let's just say you're going on vacation (e.g. a cruise, Hawaii). Anyway, you know there will be a lot of new tastes that you would like to explore unrestricted by your "implanted tool." Would your Doc unfill your band?

Here's a link to a post by Lind2. She had the bypass, regained the weight and is now getting the lapband: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showpost.php?p=299166&postcount=9 You may also want to take a look in the plastic surgery thread for information.

I talked to a surgeon within the same bariatric group yesterday and he didn't have a problem with unfilling for events. But since I'm no longer using the question for the purposes of ruling out a surgeon, it's just become one of my general questions. So, I'm assuming it may just be a matter of surgeon preference. No matter, I think my Quest has ended to find a surgeon within the group that's a good fit for me. I actually didn't choose either of the surgeons mentioned in this thread, but another surgeon within the group. Now, I'm actually more concerned with how the band will react when I'm flying. Although I don't fly very often, I do visit family in Alaska every few years, which equates to about 8 to 10 hours of flying just to get there. So, I'll probably have to have my "Plan B" in place before I get on the plane just in case I run in to trouble and need an unfill.

NSV: Non-scale Victory

POSTS -- Police Only Stop The Speeders BREAD

Deede, Honestly, if she were my daughter, I would not pay for the second band. However, you know your daughter better than anyone in this forum. But, here are few questions you may want to consider: Has she really matured that much in a year? Since she lost the band, what have her weight loss effort been? Is she the type of person who will say anything to get what she wants, but doesn't follow through with her promises? If she didn't respect the rules of the band the first time, then why will this time be any different? Why can't she wait until she can afford to pay for the surgery herself?

I'm considering Dr. Spivak for my lapband surgeon. But since I'm 3 hours from Houston, I forsee a problem with fills/unfills. If you have already had surgery with Dr. Spivak (or even another surgeon who's not near you) and are in the same predicament, please share with me what you're doing to meet follow-up care requirements with Dr. Spivak.

I'm considering Dr. Spivak for my lapband surgeon. But considering that I'm 3 hours from Houston, I forsee a problem with fill/unfills. If you have already had surgery with Dr. Spivak and are in the same predicament, please share with me what you're doing to meet follow-up care requirements with Dr. Spivak.

Thanks, Mindy. I've already done some preliminary research on Dr. Rincon. If I'm not mistaken, he recently left the Wish Center for private practice. Other than that, I don't know much about him. Why do you think he's so great?

Thunder, Do you happen to recall how long before the Chicago vacation did you have a fill? Also, did you and the fill doctor collaboratively make the decision for the complete instead of a partial unfill or did you just request the unfill and it was granted?

Thanks, Tired Old Man, I expect nothing but the truth from LBTers. If at times I felt flamed by a particular post, I gleaned what I could, if anything, and moved on to the next post. At this point, I need to get and consider as much infomation as possible before I continue on my lapband journey. Not being able to get unfilled is no longer a show stopper in selecting a surgeon.

Check with www.newdimensionswls.com, Dr. Duperier has done fills on patients banded elsewhere. You can actually email him first to see if he will accept you as a patient DrDuperier@hotmail.com

Dani, Has the sleep study issue been resolved? If not, the way that it has worked for me in the past is that the PCM submits the referral, but the referral is not required to go through Tricare for approval. Instead, it goes to your local CAMO office, which is usually the same office you call to set up your appointment with your military doctor. However, before the sleeps study can be approved for a sleep study lab in your local area, the CAMO office must determine whether the MTF can handle the request (This should definitely be done by now). In short, contact your CAMO office. I believe you'll find the request has already been approved. You can wait, but what usually happens is that they will eventually send you a letter with a list of authorized sleep study labs from which to choose. Then you still have to choose the lab you want to go to, set up your own appointment, and pay a co-pay to the lab (I think the copay is $12). Usually, the sleep study lab has a doctor who will interpret the results. So, before you book the appointment check to verify how the results will be interpreted and when you can expect to get them. Make sure they mail you a personal copy for your records. Now, if the results of the sleep study show that you have sleep apnea, you will then need a referral to ENT because that's the office that can write the prescription you'll need to get your CPAP machine.

I knew when I posted this question on LBT I would get lots of input. I also knew the input would vary in range -- that's EXACTLY what I wanted and that's EXACTLY what I got. Although I'm searching for a band surgeon, the question I posted was one I needed addressed. And, none better to address that question than those who have lived or are living with the band. What I've learned is that it's probably not reasonable or healthy to expect a surgeon to unfill the band for non-medical reasons; that a more reasonable course for someone who is banded is to plan the next scheduled fill adjustment to occur after known events (i.e. vacations, holidays, etc.). It was also good to know that the band doesn't affect the food aspect of enjoying a vacation. Thanks, LBT!

Colton, Who is the surgeon, which bariatric group is he/she assigned to, how many lapbands has the surgeon implanted, and what is the price for a self-pay patient?

Cutiern, How many inches below your sternum is it located. And, is that the only location in which he places the port? Or, is that just where he places the low profile ports?

Thanks everyone for replying. You've made some very valid points. Now, the rest of the story . . . Yesterday, I attended a weight loss seminar to become familiar with one of the surgeons I've been considering for my lapband implant. Well, because of LBT I was well-prepared with my list of questions. I approached the surgeon for a little one-on-one question and answer. As you've probably guessed by now, one of the questions on my list was, "Will you unfill my band upon request for vacation purposes." I could tell he was caught off guard by the question and he intially responded to the question with, "Have you heard of other lapband surgeons who do that?" I said, "Yes." He stood there for another moment formulating his thoughts and said, "No, I wouldn't do it." Of course, he gave a brief explanation as to why, which I countered with, "When you go on vacation, don't you have the tendency to eat more and even gain weight? He responded with, "Yes." I think the conversation just kinda trailed off after that or someone else had a question. I don't really remember. But, I do remember thinking that I wouldn't necessarily want my band unfilled for a vacation, but I didn't necessarily like the fact that the surgeon's plan was to control the band (and therefore me) by not allowing the option. Whatever happened to the band being MY tool? Now, in my mind, the question becomes should I even consider this surgeon? Obviously, if we disagree on who really controls MY band, then is he the surgeon for me?

So, I take it that Dr. Spivak does the first year of fills under fluoro?

Ditto for me, Clarity. I came here today looking for an experienced lapband surgeon since I may end up being self-pay. What I know is that the attitude of the office staff is usually reflective of the attitude of the Surgeon. It's doubtful I will consider Spiegel for my surgeon now.

Abbreviations and what they mean: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7959&highlight=abbreviations

mysherrijo, I've never heard of "low profile port." I've only heard that their were different size ports. Do you have any additional information you can share?