elizabeth_ahmad

For me, birth control pill has stopped and reversed all the hair on my tummy, back and arms. It has significantly slowed the growth of my chin whiskers, their color and thickness. It really depends on your ethnicity and hair type as to how hairy or thick the hairs may be and it depends on your individual hormonal profile how your body reacts to PCOS, BCP, Metformin, Vaniqua or Spirlactin (hair meds). That being said, loosing weight will also help PCOS symptoms. You can see significant improvement in loosing just 10% of your current body weight.

I am 34 and was banded on the 29th of Nov.

Some of it may be eating or drinking too fast. It could also just be gas as your body is trying to work the kinks out after banding and learn to move food from one place to another. If it is a hiccup after you eat, it could be your soft sign that you have eaten enough. I know it is mine. It takes about 6 weeks for the body to completely heal after the surgery. That being said, I have never had any issues with my port site. I qualified for single incision laproscopic sugery (SILS) lap band surgery. My port is placed below my belly button where they did the incision. It is the place my doctor always puts the port in SILS Lapand. Otherwise, he usually puts them on the right side of the abdomen just below the rib cage. It is more of a dr's preference when placing the port. Some do it for aesthetic reasons for the patient others for convenience when filling.

I got weighed the day of surgery in the gown and booties. I think they do it for anesthesia purposes.

From what I have read in medical articles, the heavier you are the less effective birth control can be so I would think the loosing weight would make the ring more effective. Also, when you loose weight, it causes your hormones to readjust because fat makes estrogen like compounds. As that is happening, it can cause disruptions in your period. It you are concerned, take a home pregnancy test or go to the ob/gyn or pcp for a visit to check for pregnancy or hormonal imbalances.

I got banded on 11/29. I literally had gas until the 2 week mark. There are two different reasons for gas. One is the left over gas from inflating your abdomen for the band. That takes about a day or two to completely absorb into the body, until then you'll have an irritated diaphragm (from the gas) which causes chest and shoulder pain. The second is the nature of the digestive system. The entire digestive system is in constant motion called peristalsis. When a person has surgery in the abdomen the whole system either slows significantly or stops for a short period of time. It can take almost two weeks for some individual's digestive system to get back in synchronized motion. Until then, you'll have gas, bloat, and other issues. Personally, I did not find Gas X of significant help. Walking did help some as did laying on my left or right side on the floor for periods of time. Laying on my back caused gas to accumulate directly under my band, and it did not want to escape. It was very uncomfortable. The gas got easier to deal with as well as pass as time went on.

Remember most people who are happy and not having problems do not post so much on these sites. A lot of posters on these sites are the ones with problems. It does not reflect the whole. Slippage and erosion happen in 1-2% of cases. Slippage usually occurs with vomiting and overeating. That is operator error in the case of overeating. Erosion happens for unknown reasons sometimes, and in others cases, it is doctor error. Doctors sometimes put more sutures into the stomach or suture the stomach too tight to the band. The more experienced the doctor the less likely to make those mistakes. These sites are informal and rarely have anyone with expert advise on them. I would advise you to talk to your doctors and staff.

It really depends on your doctor, your medical health and your insurance. I know that in my case I went in at 5:30 a.m. in 11/29. I had surgery at 7:30 a.m. and was sent home at 2:00 p.m. the same day. In my case, I qualified for single-incision and had no co-morbidities. I am just fat. LOL. After the surgery, I had a liquid meal (italian ice and hot tea). I swallowed with no problems. I got up and walked with no problems and urinated. I had a follow up call from the hospital and the surgeon the following day. I had my two week check up yesterday, and they did the barium swallow then. There really is no one size fit all with any stage of the Lap-Band Surgery.

It is not as simple as calories in vs calories expended. Our bodies react very differently to different calorie sources especially if you have a metabolic issue (PCOS, metabolic syndrome, syndrome X, insulin resistance, thyroid issues, Cushings Syndrome, etc.) There are plenty of documented cases of women with PCOS being vegetarian, on a diet, exercising and still gaining weight. I do believe most people who are obese have diagnosed or undiagnosed metabolic issues. I have PCOS and know for a fact that if I eat normal portions I gain weight no matter what. I have been eating on a salad plate for years and still was weighing 265 lbs when all of this started. In order to loose weight, I have to eat portions that fit on a dessert plate about what my 3 year old would eat. I cannot eat that portion without being ravenous. I got the lap-band to help curb hunger. I do get tired of doctors and others saying that there is no way a person cannot be loosing weight or even gaining on a limited diet. It happens all the time. If you are not loosing weight on a limited diet, perhaps you should see an endocrinologist and get a workup done to see if there are metabolic issues or other medical issues. Of course, see your PCP or pharmacist to find out if any medications you may be on is causing weight gain or slow metabolism.

It sounds like you are describing cystic acne. That can be a symptom of PCOS. You really should go see an ob/gyn or an endocrinologist and have your hormones checked. Even if it is not PCOS, getting a blood work up is a good thing to see if anything else may be awry. PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women in their reproductive years. PCOS stands for poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. It is a not a disease as there is no known cause, but a syndrome (list of symptoms). There is a correlation between insulin resistance and PCOS as well as obesity, however; PCOS can develop in women at any age and weight. PCOS symptoms include weight gain, mainly in the abdomen, cystic acne along the jaw line and chin, absent or irregular menstrual cycles, male pattern hair (chin, chest, back, etc), male pattern baldness, inability to loose weight or looses very slowly no matter what the amount of food or exercise, infertility and miscarriage due to hormonal imbalances usually involving insulin resistance and too many androgens (male hormones) in the body. Many women with PCOS also suffer from depression and skin issues, like eczema, have elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medications and life style changes. I have PCOS. I developed symptoms at age 16 but was not properly diagnosed until 24. I have been struggling with it and my eating forever. I just got banded on 11/29. I hope with weight loss, some of the symptoms will decrease. Oh, don't try popping cystic acne. They are so deep seated that you will only get minimal release, and it will only inflame them worse; or they won't pop at all without a razor to open it. They can also leave nasty scars. You can try hot cloths on them to relieve the pain and try an over the counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve the inflammation. You may want to consider a dermatologist to see what cleansers and medications that may work for your acne. Good luck.

Good evening, It sounds like you really need to look into finding a therapist or psychiatrist to help you address your issues with food and how those relate with the rest of your life. Lap-Band is only physical. Some of us only have physical issues to deal with, but most of us also have psychological issues that must be dealt with. Until you get the treatment you need, it will difficult for you loose weight and keep it off no matter what bariatric procedure you choose. From your language usage, I presume you live in the UK or in a country that is part of the Commonwealth. Those countries usually have nationalized health care which does have some financial benefits. Try to find a therapist or psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders. Good luck! I know it can be difficult dealing with the emotional issues, but you made a life changing decision to get the Lap-Band. Get the help you need to be a success for yourself!

So I had my surgery 11/29 at North Shore LIJ in Syosset. Dr. Geiss is my doctor. I got the call from his office on Friday to be there Monday at 5:00 a.m. I was his first that day as I qualified for single incision lap-band and for day surgery. My husband drove me in, and we made were there at 5:00 a.m. Checked in admissions and taken to surgery waiting room to wait for the nurses to come in at 5:30 a.m. At 5:30 a.m., the nurse came and got me. I went to the little room with a urine cup for a pregnancy test as well as the gown, tred socks and disinfectant pads to wipe my abdomen down with. I did all and met the nurse in preop. Spend till almost 7:00 a.m. doing final checks on paper work and getting my IV started as well as the automatic blood pressure cuff and finger cuff for respirations. The first nurse missed my vein in my left hand. Another nurse got my vein on the right hand first try. This happens a lot as my veins are deep. Got to talk with my husband for few minutes and my daughter before the dr and anesthesiologist came in around 7:30 a.m. Dr. Geiss asked if I had any more questions. I didn't. Anesthesiologist put my mask on and away to dream land I went. I woke up in post-op with terrible pains in my my diaphragm and chest. Pain from the residual gas in abdomen. I was given pain relief immediately. My nurse was great! I was moved to day surgery recovery and given ice chips. At ll:00 a.m., I was given meal of clear liquids-italian ice and decaf tea- to consume slowly from medicine cups. At noon, the catheter was removed and I got up to walk a few rounds around the recovery room. I did a few rounds, had a flash of nausea and laid down to rest. Husband came back around 1:00 p.m. We went home at 2:00 p.m. As the pain meds they gave me wore off at home, I suffered through most of the night with terrible pains in my chest and then gas pains of the worst kind in my stomach that vicodyn was only taking the edge off of. I walked, windmilled, and sat in the strangest positions last night. I took a dose of gas-x and tried to go back to sleep wondering if I had made a big mistake. Today, most of the pain is gone in my chest, just some residual soreness. I have a lot of gas that is coming out in the usual ways. Belching with the band is hell. I can feel the gas bubbles come up my tummy to the band, get stuck...hurt like hell, then pass through on up and out. Everything is working fine, however. I am on my clear liquids with no problems. I got my follow up calls from the hospital and the dr's office. I'll see my dr in two weeks.

I was told by my Nut and Psych to eat on smaller plates and use smaller utensils. I bought some dessert plates and toddler plates along with toddler spoons and forks for the house. I need to find some cocktail forks, etc to take with me in public when I eat at work or at a restaurant. I think the idea is to help one measure and eat smaller portions and to "trick" the brain into seeing a full plate instead of a large plate mostly empty and feeling cheated on portions. There is so much portion distortion in our society these days. Go back half a century and compare food portions as well as plates. It is shocking how much food Americans push down into their bodies without a second thought whether they have weight issues or not. I am only 34, but I remember when a medium drink today was a large growing up, a small cup the medium, and a child's cup was a small. I can also remember when McDonalds's came out with the original supersize. I also have lived through seeing eating out as a once in a great while treat to everyone eating out weekly. We have a whole food culture built around large portions and convenience not wholesomeness and taste. Those of us who do bariatric surgeries, of whatever sort, have to learn how to eat like our ancestors did before the portion distortion age in order to be successful. It is going to be hard to fight culture and it effect on our bodies' chemistry. My two cents.

So I am scheduled for surgery on November 29th. I started this in August. It didn't take too long as my insurance covers Lap-Band, and I didn't need a 6 month diet. I started my journey at 265 lbs. I am now at 250 lbs. I started journaling my food and exercising more than usual. Not too bad. I am now on the pre-op phase as prescribed by my Nut. I am not hungry but not really satisfied. I guess this will be the new normal. I think some of the problem is the pre-op liquid diet is mainly milk based and sweet, ie Muscle Milk Light, yogurt, fat free sugar free pudding, etc. I really don't have much of a sweet tooth. I look so forward to my two daily meals of Soup to get some savory. Thank God I can cook. I cooked a big pot of soup. Canned soup is not all that tasty, but I have some to mix things up. I found out the hard way yesterday about getting enough to eat. I was about an hour late for my evening mini-meal, and had a real soupy soup with little in the way of calories for lunch. It was canned soup...big mistake. I was sick with a headache and dizziness by evening, and I ate stuff not on my plan. I started my pre-op diet 2 days early (on Sat) and was doing okay before yesterday evening. I am back on track today and am being a lot more mindful about getting enough calories in as not to get low blood sugar and compensating by eating the wrong things. I also went for walk on my lunch break, like I usually do, which may have contributed to the incident later in the evening in conjunction with not enough calories. I am excited about my surgery! My husband is "cautiously optimistic" as I have lost and regained weight most of my life. One of my sisters knows and is very supportive. My mom and best friend know but have bombarded me with failure stories as they are both jealous. I have decided not to tell most of my friends and co-workers as I am also "cautiously optimistic" about them. My co-workers have no need to know. I have told everyone I am getting my gallbladder out which my dr. does do so it won't seem odd with my dr excuse. Most of my friends are obese and I really don't need any more failure stories or other forms of acting out of jealousy. I'll be in North Shore LIJ Syosset, on Long Island, with Dr. Geiss. I qualify for single incision, and if all goes well, I'll go home the same day instead of staying over night as I am healthy other than being obese. I have bought most of the things I need post-op. I need to get a Fiber supplement and Vitamins. Any one else being banded on the 29th? Good luck to all out there in Bandland.

I am just tired of eating sweet stuff. I am also suffering from intermittent bouts of dizziness and weakness from lack of food. It will get better. You will be able to do all those things you want to do and more! Good luck!

I am not there yet as I am not banded (Nov 29). My Nut said 1 oz is 2 tablespoons of a mushy/soft food. My mushies/soft food with texture plan is 2 oz of Protein and 1 oz of veggie/carb at every meal (6 minimeals every 2-3 hours apart). Hope that helps.

Any one else like me and getting tired of all the sweet stuff on their preop diet? Muslce Milk, ff/sf pudding, etc? I have a recipe for savory yogurt. My husband is from Pakistan. In the subcontinent, yogurt is eaten sweet or savory. They make lassi and raita from yougurt. Laissi is like a milk shake that can be sweet or savory. If you are going to make it savory, use nonfat plain yogurt, a splash of Water, ice and a bit of salt. Toss it in the blender and blend until smooth. If too thick, add more water. I happen to like mine thick. If you want it sweet, put a bit of sugar or sugar substitute instead. Raita is a side condiment that is used to dip pakoras, or other fried goodies, in or as an accompaniment to curries, tandoori meat, dals, etc. Most have cilantro, mint, or other veggies ground in along with salt, red pepper and cumin. The plain raita is just plain yogurt, a bit of salt, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Mix well and enjoy by itself. My Nut suggested the following for portions for yogurt for the pre-op liquid diet: 12 oz ff plain yogurt or 8 oz of ff plain greek yogurt I hope this helps others who could use a break from sweets.

My Nut has Carnation Instant Breakfast sugar free as part of my pre-op and post-op liquid diet. I mix it with ff milk, ice and a 1/4 banana as per my Nut's instructions. It tastes good. Even my 3 year old will drink it. However, my Nut did say that they are not considered my Protein shake post-op but one of the two mini-meals I can have in addition to the 4 Protein Shakes. She recommended Medifast, Pure Protein or Muscle Milk Light as the protein shake. Medifast is too expensive and not available except online. I am using Muscle Milk powder with Water and ice. The RTD Muscle Milk is a bit too sweet, but I can handle the powdered for some reason. I am getting tired of sweet taste though. I don't really have a sweet tooth. I'll be so glad when I get banded next Monday, 11/29. Then it'll be a couple more weeks then I can have mushies.....the taste of savory!

Just got my date. November 29. YEAH!!!:)

I am on my way to getting banded. I had my upper GI done 8/31. It came back clean. I had my ECG and Stress Test yesterday at the Cardio. I am in the clear for that one, too.:thumbup: I didn't have too many worries about that one. I may be fat, but I am active. I walk 3 miles a day. I have my pulmonary 9/27. I need to schedule an appt with my Nut and Psych as well as get the blood work done. I am dragging my feet on the diet history.:thumbup: After all of that, it will be waiting on the insurance, but I don't think that'll be a problem as my insurance covers 100% of lap-band. I called to find out before I started all of this. I am getting kind excited now.

I am 5'4" and 260 lbs. I have been heavy all my life, too. I grew up poor in Louisiana. Food was typical Cajun food as it is cheap and plentiful ie. meat, rice, gravy, fried foods, etc. On top of this, my mother had absolutely no idea of portion sizes for a child. She gave us adult portions and were made to eat it all. Furthermore, she had this paranoid delusion that somehow we were going to be hungry going to bed so we had a bowl of cereal and milk to go to bed on, nevermind we could roll faster than we could walk. On top of that the household was abusive and neglectful. As a result myself and two siblings suffer with weight issues due to overeating and emotional eating. I was also diagnosed with PCOS 10 years ago. My weight has been a constant struggle.

I am just starting, too. It is a process to get things done. I know my insurance covers it and all the tests. I know I need an Upper GI series, Cardiology Consult, Pulmonary Consult, Nutritionist, Diet History and Psych Eval. I lucked out in that I don't need a 6 month diet. Each insurance and bariatric doctor is different in the what they ask for. I have heard plenty of success stories and plenty of failures. Failures tend to fall into two categories. Those who cannot or will not adhere to the Lap Band dietary guidelines for various reasons usually associated with food addictions or emotional eating. The other group of failures are usually from complications from the band itself or medical situations. Forums are often full of complaints as those pleased usually go on with life and fall off the forums. Remember, each person's experience with the band is unique with very few generalities across the board. Research is your best tool. Good luck!

I got my Upper GI done yesterday. I scheduled my Cardio consult for 9/9/10. My pulmonary consult is 9/27/10. I need to get my diet history written out, schedule the Nut, and Psych Eval. Only concern is if I show up with an Hiatal Hernia. I don't think it disqualifies from what I have read. Lets hope for a clean bill!

So, I just started the journey. I went to a LAP-BAND® seminar 8/9/10. I had my initial consult 8/27. I meet the basic requirements as I have a BMI of 44. I now have to start getting all the tests that go before the surgery-cardiology, pulmonary, Nut, psych eval. I don't think any of this should be a problem I lucked out with my insurance as they cover all pre and post-op and I do not need a 6 month diet. I work for the State and have GREAT insurance! I am live on Long Island and am going through Dr. Geiss in Syosset LIJ. He has a good system for pre and post op as well as group meetings, exercise, meditation group. I will start making appointments for the tests on Monday. Wish me Luck!

I just requested my thryroid panel from my gyn as I have PCOS, he ran one just two months ago when I had my annual. That is one less test I have to go get.:thumbup: I have my upper GI tomorrow in the morning. I am a bit worried about that as I do have some reflux issues. We'll see. I will be calling the pulmonoligst and cardiologist tomorrow. I think I am going to put in for my Nut and psych today. I hope things will continue to go this smoothly.