GoingforGoal

Technically the scope would see the stoma and upper pouch formation. This is another great example of why you wouldn't have a band w/out a port because in some procedures (placing an OG tube, endoscopy etc) they usually deflate the band in order for these apparatus' to pass through the stoma. But further diagnostics would need to be performed as cheryl implied. But again, what are you looking for?

If I am reading this correctly, your expectation was that the band stayed around the stomach, and only the port was to be removed? But if you had no control with the band, why would you want to keep the apparatus inside of you, especially if there was no mechanism to control it (either fill or unfill)? This seems like a contradiction Also, I am thinking of the lapband as an apparatus. This is a close system piece of equipment. Meaning, there is nowhere to simply unscrew one part from another. In essence it's one piece. So I can't even think of how they would just remove the port. You have to remember, that surgeons can only do what is FDA approved. If it is not permissable to keep a band inside (in parts) that it has not been tested for, that is the surgeons license if he acts otherwise. Again, I am not sure what the expectation was, or even the longterm goal of having a uninflated ineffective band?

I am 4 years out and can drink normally. I do not encourage chugging, especially at full restriction (green zone). For some of us the water catches in the pouch and slowly funnels through the stoma. Your pouch can hold up to 1 cup. Chugging can lead to overfilling/stretching. You can definitely get your water intake in, but no chugging. My recommendation is to use a sports bottle with a sip top to prevent chugging if it's 2nd nature to you

Hi tiger, thanks for sharing. From what I am reading, here are some recommendations. #1 From fill to fill we all have to be cautious and aware that what went down the day before may not necessarily go down after the fill. We need to hyperfocus on every food again and eat it slow to make sure it's passing. I actually eat foods by themselves (meat only, or veggies only for example) so if I do have issues I know precisely which food it was. As you get closer to green, this will become more and more of an issue because some foods <may, but typically> become no foods..they simply don't pass or they cause too much discomfort. #2 Some people don't experience much restriction, and as they get closer to green they are feeling restriction for the first time. (This is more of a generalized recommendation). So if you think a fill will allow you to eat big bites, same foods like before...remember that green will give you restriction and the experience of eating is a different sensation. Food will gather in your pouch. Depending on the type of food, it can sit there for a few seconds and slide through (like soft or watery foods) or it can sit there for much longer (denser foods). Treat every food like it's going to sit in the pouch for a 1/2 hr. Avoid drinking which can cause discomfort when there was none before. #3 Timing. We never know whats going to happen when we eat. Even if we are well established from our fill, one day can be tight or maybe we didnt chew as thoroughly as we thought. Don't see yourself up by eating right before a meeting, or laying down to bed, or when you need to be active. When at all possible give yourself at least 1/2 hr AFTER eating before doing something that could be impossible to juggle both the activity and the regurg. You definitely had food/water in the pouch and aspirated. Very tricky stuff because that can lead to lung infections. I'm glad you are doing better. Go slow and keep us posted

Checking in 151 (*I made the corrections to my original post in my quote) Thanks

lol lellow, I didn't bother to explain.... But I'm being prayed for, so (giggles) suddenly my life issues (which I wasnt aware I had) are now going to heal themselves and I'm going to turn into a hand holder...just you wait <wink>

Once where you were now? As if I'm not still a work in progress. I come on here daily and help people all the time. I am very mindful of the struggles that I deal with to this very day. So you are quite presumptive yourself. Perhaps my frustration has caught up with me. I apologize for my comment (or the tone). But it really is remarkable how negligent some bandsters are being. There's a huge distinction to 'cheating' as in having some icecream, to 'hurting' yourself through actions that will effect the band (not your weight) itself. Apologies

I don't and won't refrain from giving you some honest feedback. Answer or not (which was eloquently answered prior to my post by pg), the point is you should ask questions you don't understand BEFORE you sabotage yourself, your health and your band. My apologies for getting riled by seeing day in and day out people who are subjecting themselves to harm and feeling frustrated. Why? Because of the innate fear that that person may end up with a complication that could result in the removal of their band, long term recovery, and worse yet, them not having attained their goal. Trust me, my piffyness is a sign of actually caring. Sorry you don't know me well enough to understand the correlation. So you say judging whereas I say dead honest

Interesting approach, you are told no soilds for 24 hrs but you decline the advice and ask questions after. Why bother?

No Biotin does not prevent hair loss. Think of biotin as a supplement to help grow back stronger/thicker hair...not the other way around

PJ, its a personal preference. Im a sweet n low gal (which has been cleared for causing cancer thank you very much LOL) I can't afford to be drinking my cals. I get an avg of 900 cals in daily and I want it be in my food

I'm sorry but that makes no sense. As an RN, dosages are standardized. It would be different if they filled to resistance and did not record volume input (which I don't think anyone does), but the fact they recorded 4ccs means 4ccs went in. A MD, PA, or RN are trained and perform the same. Ask him to clarify what 'different' means

Unlikely as the stomach does not flex with either activity. That's like asking if I jump up and down will it fall off Just have to remember which muscles are contracting etc

O the joy of bread. Here's some food for thought: Bandsters experiment with the following and find that one or the other is more helpful 1. Plain vs Toasted 2. Single slice vs double slice (and not folded in half, but literally one side of bread if its a sandwich 3. Pieces vs Bites (instead of taking a chomp out of a sandwich which automatically gives you a big bite, sometimes we dissect the sandwich...eat a bit of turkey, than some tomato than a small bite of bread...literally fork and knife it) 4. Soft bread vs Hard bread (like white bread vs pumperknicklel or bagel etc) We try a million different ways to see if bread will go down. Most likely one of these may work or will get you at least the taste of bread. However, most bandsters tend to veer away from it as it can get stuck easily. Personally I think we get stuck because the bread is usually a sandwich or burger etc and the larger bites is preventing us from chewing appropriately.

4-6 weeks is the norm. And yes my dear you are due

Yes the volume issue is more important than the pushing food/satiation argument. You could be unknowingly stretching your pouch with each meal because although your food may be limited, you just overdid it with the volume of the fluids you are drinking. I know it can be a challenge, but trust me, it becomes 2nd nature once you implement the habit

OK let me table the whole discussion of Socialized medicine and the fact that you are on a waiting list as a paying patient. That alone boils my blood... But back to topic! Hon, I just lost 100lbs and am getting extensive cosm. surg on Oct 8th (tt, breast lift/augm and arm lift). I know precisely how you feel. I don't strive for perfection, I just want to be comfortable. I want my body to be in proportion and I don't want obvious hanging skin. I too would be devastated to put my money and faith into these procedures for them to be botched and there be no recourse. That's worse than what you started with. Now let me get this straight, the woman who did you arms is the same surgeon doing your tt? and you were comfortable w/ that? What if she botched your tt... Her lack of integrity, empathy and professionalism is appauling and would have me running for the hills. Have you ever considered surgery outside Aus? Here in the US we have signed contracts that docs can't simply bail out of, well at least not without being sued. For instance, I am having breast implants. There are small risks like lopsidedness, unproportioned or rippling etc. My doc will peform a corrective procedure if that occurs. Additionally, any future replacements (approx. 10 yr lifespan) is free. These assurances are calculated into how a person makes an informed decision to go forth w/ the procedure. To reneg on that is unethical. Do you have any before pics to do some comparing. Your bod looks like mine (tummy wise) and I know a tt will do great there. Your arms are not in proportion and I think that's what you are so upset about. I can see alot of room for improvement. I ony say that because your doc NOT YOU is insane to say your expectations are insensible. This is NOT what I would want to achieve with my arm lift. Slender and toned is out of the equation. That's not what corrective surgery is for (per last person's post). It's about balancing the body and bringing curvature to the body. I dont know what recourse you have. But please, do not go to the same facility if that's avoidable. As for self perception. As if being obese wasnt hard enough of an obstacle. Now we have to deal with the ever changing body we are presented with as we lose massive weight. Ranging from depleted breasts, to sagging skin, to mush belly and flappin arms. My inner thighs clap, how craptastic is that? But when I am dressed I see the progess and the positive changes. I do wear a body shaper (dont know if you do but they are wonderful for the ego). I have faith that when I have the surgeries I will have the majority of my issues resolved and I will just need to cope w/ whatever negatives linger behind (ie my legs wont be addressed, my flat booty etc) This is when I need to dig deep and give myself permissions to be happy alas. When you look out into the world, rarely is anyone perfect. And it is amazing how positively people view you even when you dont view yourself that way. Sometimes you just need to trust the feedback...when a man says you are beautiful, you are. No second guessing, its just a fact youre gonna have to live with ahha. Give yourself permission to free your mind and body from the burden of perfection. Im sorry you have these extra burdens to deal with and overcome. Keep us posted

The concept of removing the band is sound. Right? Who wants a foreign object in their body if they don't need it. However, the chances of needing your band for life is more likely. I am 4 years out and I have to stay in green just to maintain my weight. It is super easy to gain 5 lbs. Although I work diligently on my eating habits and food choices, the reality is, without the band I know I'll regain all my weight back. I'm not sure if it's time..or the person. For instance, if I maintain for 20 years and feel I can do it on my own..will that be the difference. Who knows..I'll let you know in 20 yrs lol. However, I am certain that if I ever wanted to electively remove the band, I would certainly do a trial run first and remove the Fluid. If I can go a full year without gaining than that's a real consideration. I would strongly advise a test trial for anyone interested in this route.

Its not safe to get pregnant so soon after getting banded. The recommendation is to wait at least one year to allow for maximum weight loss and to allow the body to adjust to all the new demands the band has put on it. Although I understand your concerns and your desire to go IVF, this is in conflict with your being banded a mere 4 months ago. If you already know this, I would just track your MP for the remainder of your year. With any large weight loss there are hormonal shifts. Woman who have irregular periods, suddenly menstruate normally. Woman with PCOS are suddenly fertile again. etc. For a precaution, you can followup with your OB. However, the correlation between your recent surgery and wl and a change in your period is high and the most likely explanation.

Not sure where you got your workup done, but a CBC (Complete Blood Count) is a pretty quick turn around if they do their results in house. They will not do a surgery on moderately or severely anemic patients as blood loss is factored into every surgery. I would assume you were at acceptable levels prior to going into surgery. However, that says nothing for afterwards. I am happy to hear you are being proactive and have gotten tests to investigate the origin of your problem. Keep us posted, this is a learning experience for everyone

The symptoms you describe can be a slip, but you have to have it verified through imaging. The earlier you do this the better chances you have of doing an unfill and having it self correct. Longer you wait, requires surgical intervention

Absolutely not. You need to be assessed by your doctor immediately. Sounds god awfully similar to signs of anemia (or low blood count). If you had the procedure done laproscopically, there's usually very little blood loss. However, that is not to rule out any accidental injuries. Internal blood loss is the same as losing blood as it is not recirculated through the body. RED FLAG!!! What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anemia? The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue (feeling tired or weak). If you have anemia, you may find it hard to find the energy to do normal activities. Other signs and symptoms of anemia include: Shortness of breath Dizziness Headache Coldness in the hands and feet Pale skin Chest pain These signs and symptoms can occur because your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood through your body. (Source NIH)

Low range diets <1000 cals should really be for those not working out. I eat in the 800-900 range because I do not workout and need to compensate w/ cals. However, if you are active you may just need a 100-300 cal boost depending on your activity level

No problem flying w/ the band. Stay well hydrated, drink only water to keep the stoma as patent as possible. Stay away from salt foods as well. Some people complain about feeling tighter. Ithink it depends on how long the flight is and how hydrated you stay. My hub (banded also) flies internationally all the time for over 18 hrs and does fine just to give you a perspective.