Vivinthewoods

Hi my dear little band of friends, how nice to know we are still around as a group and to hear how you are doing a year and a half out. In Dec I was 3lbs from my goal, but that was mainly due to having a medical procedure (nothing to do with the band) and was on a liquid diet for a week. Since then I have gained 5 lbs which I just can't move. I have not had a fill for about a year now and would be interested in knowing: - after you reached your original sweet spot have you needed to go back for a fill? If so how many? I am pretty comfortable where I am, but wonder if I did have a little fill if I could move that last 8 lbs. My best wishes - Viv

When my PCP said I was of the age for a colonoscopy (infact she she said I was eleven years overdue!), I started doing some research as to what is involved. I understand that prior to the procedure the colon has to be completly clean, this is done by drinking a large amount of stuff, like a gallon in an hour, to make you goooooo, or by taking a large amount of pills (20 big ones in an hour and then repeted later) for the same effect. When I talked with my WL surgeon he said I would have to have un-fill prior the the prep, as I would not be able to take all those pills. I was not sure if he also meant I would need an un-fill for the liquid prep too. Has anyone had a colonoscopy since being banded and if so what prep did you have and did you have to have an un-fill? I just want to make sure I have plenty of info when I have a consultation with the GI doc, in case he has not had a banded patient before. Thanks for any info you may have.

Thanks Jacqui, Looks as if I'll be fine with a liquid prep. I can understand my LB doc wanting to do an unfill if I had to take 20 big pills. I would not want them trying to get through the small opening in my band. FYI Just as a warning to others who may read this, here is more info on the pill form of colon prep: - The food and Drug Administration has added a "black box" warning — the sternest warning possible — to the two prescription bowel cleansers that come in tablet form. The new warning stems from reports of kidney damage in patients who took the pills, which contain sodium phosphate, in preparation for a colonoscopy. Also, the FDA, which can require warnings only on prescription drugs, said no over-the-counter sodium phosphate products should be used for bowel-cleansing. That led C.B. Fleet Co. to announce a voluntary recall of Phospho-soda, a non-prescription laxative that in larger doses has been used for bowel-cleansing. My DH was given the pill prep just 2 months ago, so GI docs are still perscribing it!!! How are you doing Jacqui? I hope all is OK with you.

Cheers Apples2, I am hoping to be at goal by my 1st anniversary, (28th Dec) but that may be too much to ask for. The prep may bring me closer to making it!!! I guess I'll know what the fairy at the top of the Christmas tree feels like - ooch!

Thanks Apples2 for your input - I can take that information with me to the consultation, to ensure I get a simular type prep. I agree with not messing with perfection, with regard to my band fill - it took 8 long months to get to this point. My LB doc is very experienced, but extra careful, which is a good thing, but I do want to keep my fill. BTW - you look wonderful!

Thanks btrieger, I'm pleased to hear there is something I can take that has less volume than the gallon prep stuff. I really don't want to get an unfill as my band fill is just right. May I ask if you had sedation for all your c.scopies? I am more fearful of the amnesiac drugs than of the procedure. Thanks for your input.

Hi Mandyrae, I too love an egg and seeds with my spinach salad and will often add those too. As to eating salad one week after your surgery I would follow your doctor's diet recommendations. I know I was still on liquids for the first week, then mushies and after that soft foods. Take things slowly and be easy on yourself and you will have no problems (I did and never had any trouble - no PBing etc.) Those good tasting things will still be there when your tummy is ready for them. I wish you all the best.

Now that I have reached my sweet spot I can only manage a Protein shake in the morning, but I must be one of the few who actually likes Protein shakes. I love a nice salad for lunch, my favorite is spinach with a couple of slices of chopped turkey bacon. I also add slivers of Parmesan cheese (I buy a hunk and use a potato peeler to make long slivers) and I love to add a few dried cranberries. This salad is so flavorful. I also enjoy salmon, cod and Greek yogurt.

I jump on my treadmill 7 days a week, usually for 50 mins and I really push myself to get a good cardio workout - walk at max incline. I also walk my dogs everyday, but that's not much of an exercise - slow pooches. Now our hot Texas mornings are feeling just a little cooler I want to start riding my bike again as well.

Dear Karyn, I am so sorry to hear about your son's accident - what an awful thing to go through, for your young son and for the family. Thank goodness he is alive and that his leg was saved. I am also sorry about the loss of your sister-in-law. You have really been through a lot emotionally in just a short period of time. You are doing just fine with your weight loss (you are not on anybody's schedule but your own!) and your attitude is great. YES - you are a success story! Keeping you and your family in my thoughts - Viv

Dear Mamadot, Thank you so much for sharing your 2 year journey and listing your successes and challenges. Your insight will be helpful and inspiring to others as they proceed to their goal. Although it is only 8 months since my surgery I find what has helped me to be within 10 lbs of my goal are the same as what also helped you - following the rules, a high Protein shake every morning. I too hated exercise, but have grown to almost enjoy it - I can't not do it now. Although I told very few of my choice to have the surgery, I too love the compliments I now receive from friends and neighbors - it is unbelievable how good it feels, after so many years of people looking the other way when seeing me walking their way! I have also learnt more about the Lap-Band procedure and way of life from others who post on this website than from any other source, for which I thank you all. I too have the same challenges - since my last fill, which took me to that sweet spot, (but also made me tight) it is very easy to just eat sliders, I know I need to work at making better food choices. Thank you again for posting your great note, I will copy it and put it in my L/B file, so I can refer to it when I need encouragement or feel a little lost on my Journey. Viv

Hi Jani, I am sorry for your loss of your sister. Please, don't beat yourself up, you have been and are going through a lot of emotional things at the moment. You have had wonderful weight loss and have done so well! I too had not lost anything for two months, until last week when I got another fill. The pounds are moving again, so that may be all you need to kick-start the needle on your scale. Joining the gym is a great move and you will be motivated once you start and get into a routine of going. I found setting aside a certain time just for my exercise helped me stick to it. So now, put yourself first, even just a couple of hours a day - make those hours yours. Try not to buy the junk food and bring it into the house (I know that is hard with kids around). You have just had a little hiccup in your great weight loss and now you can get back on track. I know you will be fine! Hugs, Viv PS - I lived in Littleton and up at Crystal Lakes, so would pass thru Fort Collins all the time - a great place to live.

I kept my clothes (pre surgery) as I grew bigger and bigger and had sizes in my closet from size 12 to 2X. It is now 7 months after my surgery and I'm in size 14. I know I will never go back to those big clothes, and nor will you. Keep trying your baggy things on and see how they no longer look or feel good on you, then pack them up and give them a new life with someone else. It is so liberating to have them gone and out of your closet.

@ Mikissa - if anything like that happens again report the morons to management! Keep up the good work you are doing - hugs, Viv

@ Cleo's Mom - Thank you for posting the Washington Post article. It is a well written and we should all take the lessons of peace and tolerance to heart. Cleo is very fortunate to have such an enlightened mom.

GREAT! I'm pleased to hear all is going well. Good luck.

By all means call your insurance company, I called mine several times and talked to different people, to make sure I was getting the correct info and all the facts. Your ins. co. will surely tell you what they require for you to be successfully approved. If they require 6 months of weight loss management with your PCP, don't miss a month - I've heard of others being denied for not having consecutive visits. Also make sure your PCP keeps good records of your WL progress. Don't be timid about asking questions - you have nothing to loose by asking. Good luck - I wish you all the best as you start your WL journey.

I too have my fills with fluoroscopy - I have the fluoroscopy first and the doctor's assistant makes a notation as to how much restriction she can see and the doc gives me a fill accordingly. I have had 4 fills, 3 of 2cc's and the last fill was 1cc in May. All without any problems. I think I may be ready for just a small fill to get to my sweet spot, but I am concerned about the amount of radiation I am getting with all these fluoros. I recently read an article about negative affects of the high dosages of radiation from CAT scans and wonder how fluoros compare. Does anyone know how many rads one gets from this procedure? Just wondering, as this year I have also had dental work with many X-rays being taken, plus bone density test and a mammogram. Thanks.

Hi Mandze90, I'll enjoy following your blog as we are both 'December Delights'. I would like to see how you are doing and to share experiences etc. Good luck & best wishes, Viv PS..... Here is my blog address - http://www.flyingstitches.blogspot.com/ (nothing to do with Lap Bands or surgery.)