cat lady

I was banded in July and I do find my hair thinning. It actually comes out when I shampoo my hair! Scary.....but I started taking Biotin two times a day. This seems to have helped. Not coming out as much. I try to eat alot of protein but I just think it is the losing weight and dieting in general that makes this happen. Also could be the anesthesia I'm told. Try Biotin it seems to help.

I grew up in the sixties as well and it was a wonderful time being a teenager in the sixties. Danced to all the motown songs.....loved the Beatles, especially Paul.....met my first and only love in high school in the sixties.....married at 19 years old in 1967. Great memories from that time. My parents used to say "keeping company" we used the term "going steady" my kids said "going out" and now my grandchildren say "hooking up"........Do they all have the same meaning....don't think so.....lol

Sounds to me like you started to get stuck but it passed. Lucky for you. I had a stuck episode that lasted 17 hours and I could not even sip water and hold it down. It not only hurts but you do slime, foam, hiccup, have indigestion, etc. etc. etc. I think you had a mini episode but I could be wrong. CAT

I also don't find the need for a fill right now. I have been losing steadily since being banded July 25th. I am averaging about 2 lbs or more a week....which is fine with me as long as it continues. If it stops then I will consider a fill. I do feel restriction so maybe I got some fill during the intitial surgery?? Don't know....don't care....as long as its doing the job. CAT

Hi. Topazz: I use Dr. Geiss too Only saw him once since the surgery. How many fills did you get? You are doing great with the weight loss. I do not have a fill yet but do have some restriction so I am waiting. Are you happy with the PA's at the office? CAT

I saw the pschologist from my Dr.s office......cost me $200 for one visit. As for the Nut. I chose one from BCBS that was covered fully from my ins. I saw her a few times for the clearance and now I see a nut. from BCBS at no charge - 6 free visits a year with no co-pays. Check your insurance bcause it can get costly.

Getting stuck while on vacation!

You might be a little too tight. I would try liquids only for a day or so till the swelling from the vomiting episode goes away. They introduce mushies and well chewed foods. If that doesn't work I would call my Dr. for a possible unfill or at least get his advice on what to do. CAT

Thanks for the info -- will stay away from bacon since I really dont desire it. Just had it bcause we were away and ate b'fast out. CAT

i have been banded since July 25th. The past month I have experienced 2 stuck episodes that were no fun at all. Is it normal to be getting stuck so much after 3 months out?? The first was on a piece of bacon while I was on vacation. That lasted about 18 hours before I found relief. Had to keep getting it up.....(sorry) until I got relief. The last episode (last night) out for dinner with friends. Got the stuck feeling after 2 bites of french dip (roast beef with gravy). Went to ladies room to get relief. Then started with the excessive indigestion....hiccuping....belching.....and foaming saliva which came up unvoluntarily. No fun at all. Last night's episode lasted about 2 hours. When I got home I made myself vomit to get relief. Is this normal????? Does a stuck episode usually last this long.\??? I have not had a fill and am happy with the weight loss, but not happy with these stuck episodes. I am chewing and careful what I eat. Any advice would be appreciated. Also, do you think I can damage the band by making myself throw up the stuck food?? I am going to the dr. on the 15th and have alot of questions for him. CAT

Thanks Shirley, I will keep that in mind especially when eating out. Glad you are feeling better. I have no fill and am losing about 2 lbs a week. I guess they put something in during the surgery. I'm happy with the weight loss. You have done great with your loss. Even if you stay at a plateau for a couple of months.....you will do fine. Then you can get another fill. CAT

Congratulation on hitting ONEDERLAND! Great feeling isn't it? CAT

WOW size 14 is great! Keep up the good work! Lapband really does work! CAT

Yes Karen, thats what happened this time. Burped and the slime came up. Good thing I had lots of napkins on hand. Mine was on and off for 2 hours till I made myself bring it all up. Then I felt relief. CAT

Hi Byrd: I am close to your weight too. Had my surgery in July also. Lost 35 lbs. so far. Its funny I can tolerate the chicken wings too but not the dry chicken breast. I guess its easier on the band. Keep up the good work. Glad you didn't have to bring it back up .....its nasty. CAT

Jersey Girl: I think you are correct about trying new foods when out. From now on I will stick to the safe foods for me. The time it happened for 18 hours it was on scrambled eggs and bacon which I cut up in small pieces.....but I think the bacon got stuck. I was away on vacation and it lasted overnight till the next day. I went to the ER and they put me on IV fluids to ward off dehydration. This was on my Dr. orders. He wanted me home to do an endoscopy and it cleared up before I got back home the next day. So, I never did get the endo but I had a CAT scan and the band looked fine. I guess its trial and error at this point. Does not happen daily or anything like that. Probably three times in the three months I've been banded. I will try to be more careful of my choices. Thanks for your advice. CAT

Good Luck tomorrow Shirley.....let me know how you make out. First time it happened I could not swallow even water and I went to ER and was put on IV for fluids so I did not dehydrate. Was on vacation far from home.......and it kept up for about 18 hours. Was really bad. Hope you get good results with an unfill. I think at this point you are swollen and irritated. My doc said there are meds to calm the irritation down. Maybe you should ask. **** luck! CAT

Banded July 25th.....down 35 LBS. No fill so far. Thinking about it.

Hi: I think we all get very worried and nervous about the surgery. After being denied by ins. I stopped the whole procedure. Then I decided I really wanted this and appealed. I won the appeal and then got really nervous since this was going to happen soon. I tried to relax and tell myself I could change my mind at any time. I really wanted this but was afraid. I had the surgery in July and told only my close family. I did not want to hear any negatives from those who really did not research the band. I read all the bad stuff too. I decided to do it and am so happy I made this choice. As far as the food choices after being banded.....I can only speak for myself....but I cannot eat fast any more, the band will not let me. I cannot eat everything in site....the band will not let me. I was a big carb & pasta eater and now I really don't desire it any more. I am never really hungry the way I used to be. If I get hungry I am easily satisfied with a small amount of food. I no longer spend my day thinking of what I will eat at my next meal. I don't know why this is happening but I can assume it is the band doing its job. I do not have a fill and don't want one at this point. Sometimes after a few bites I get a certain full feeling that tells me I am done. The band does its job but you must also. If you are not ready just wait until you are comfortable with your decision. The band will be there waiting for you. CAT

Relax and calm down. Everyone gets the jitters before surgery. I only lost 8 lbs pre op and all was good. The surgery is really not that bad t all. Just eat what you can and don't eat the eggs and cottage cheese if you cannot tolerate it. You can have some Peanut Butter maybe on a rice cake and try the high Protein Soups. They helped me get thru the pre op and post op diet. One day at a time and you will succeed. Hang in there! Good Luck! CAT

Hi Justmermp: I think you must have some restriction b'cause you lost 63 lbs in less than 3 months. That is great! If you are eating everthing as you say......you would not be losing that much weight. I don't think you need a fill at this point bcause you are doing so well with out one.

I was banded 7/25/11. I think what I am feeling is restriction. I get uncomfortable after I eat a few bites of anything. I must stop and wait before I can eat or drink anything. Uncomfortable feeling goes up to my throat. Is this what restriction is supposed to feel like? If so I guess I have it. Have been losing steadily since I really cannot eat too much. Feel great otherwise.....just can't eat much.....but I guess thats why I did this. Anyone else have this feeling. CAT

Glad you dont mean actual "convulsions". I've had the stuck feeling with the dry heaving also. I actually had to make myself vomit which I never did before in my life. It relieved the stuck feeling. Also papaya pills help when you get that tight stuck feeling in your upper chest.

I also don't know what you mean by convulsions. Are you having a seizure with the feeling of throwing up? I never heard this before either and would definately call the Dr or go to the ER with these symptons. Please explain. Thanx.

Yes you can have restriction w/o any fill. I was banded 7/25/11 and have restriction with none. I would not get a fill at this point since I am losing slow but steady. CAT