Dr. C /Pouch dilatation question

babsintx3 · August 14, 2006

Hi Dr. C,

I have two questions but before I ask I wanted you know that I have been banded three years and three months with no complications:

1) If you put someone on a one month liquid diet for a pouch dilatation or possible slippage, would you give them a prescription for an appetite suppressant if they asked you to? Or would you expect them to "tough" it out.?

I have been on liquids only for 5 days because floroscopy showed I either have a true slip or pouch dilatation and I am ready to hurt someone because I am so hungry. My surgeons office told me to go to my PCP when I called, but I see this as passing the buck. I dont have a PCP and I went to a practice today that knows me because I have been there several times for myself and my kids. They know I have a band and initially refused to give me a suppresant for three weeks to get me through this. After begging and having my surgical report sent to them proving I have a band, they agreed to the three weeks reluctantly. I have never taken a prescription appetite suppressant in my entire life, so I found this to be unusual to get so much resistance.

2) I was not aware I had pouch dilatation since I was asymptomatic, no reflux, no vomiting, but I was eating more than before and I was getting hungrier between meals and regaining some of my lost weight. I feel like I am being blamed for something that I couldnt control. I have read conflicting information about why dilatation and/or slippages occur. Whats your take on this??? Do you see banded patients that are three years out with slippages and dilatation issues? I was just curious....

Thanks

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

-150 ish

Trace Curry · August 15, 2006

The short answer is yes, I probably would prescribe an appetite suppressant if asked. As far as complications 3 years out, you can slip a band or dilate a pouch any time, the risk really doesn't go down with time.

Good luck,

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Hi Dr. C,
I have two questions but before I ask I wanted you know that I have been banded three years and three months with no complications:

1) If you put someone on a one month liquid diet for a pouch dilatation or possible slippage, would you give them a prescription for an appetite suppressant if they asked you to? Or would you expect them to "tough" it out.?

I have been on liquids only for 5 days because floroscopy showed I either have a true slip or pouch dilatation and I am ready to hurt someone because I am so hungry. My surgeons office told me to go to my PCP when I called, but I see this as passing the buck. I dont have a PCP and I went to a practice today that knows me because I have been there several times for myself and my kids. They know I have a band and initially refused to give me a suppresant for three weeks to get me through this. After begging and having my surgical report sent to them proving I have a band, they agreed to the three weeks reluctantly. I have never taken a prescription appetite suppressant in my entire life, so I found this to be unusual to get so much resistance.

2) I was not aware I had pouch dilatation since I was asymptomatic, no reflux, no vomiting, but I was eating more than before and I was getting hungrier between meals and regaining some of my lost weight. I feel like I am being blamed for something that I couldnt control. I have read conflicting information about why dilatation and/or slippages occur. Whats your take on this??? Do you see banded patients that are three years out with slippages and dilatation issues? I was just curious....

Thanks

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

-150 ish

babsintx3 · August 15, 2006

Hi Dr. Curry,

Thanks for the quick response. I managed to get my hands on an appetite suppresant. I just wondered why some lapband surgeons are so reluctant to give them out??

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

-150 ish

giveyouthemoon · August 16, 2006

babsintx, just for reference, I was diagnosed with mild dilation, don't have to do liquids, just tiny, tiny amounts of food and my surgeon was practically trying to shove a prescription into my hand.....It must be something about your doctor in particular. Perhaps by saying "I know other band doctors (see my siggy line for specifics) who have no qualms in this situation"

Just my .02

babsintx3 · August 16, 2006

Hi Karen,

I did that. THe nurses seemed sympathetic and asked him but he saifd that he never does that and go to PCP. Cirangle is different. They have a very advanced practice there and do a lot of cash pay as well at a great rate. I am familiar with the way they work out there. Thanks for the advice though. Maybe I can be some kind of advocate!!!

Babs in TX

giveyouthemoon · August 17, 2006

Well damnitalltohell! If it wasn't illegal I'd get a script and give it to you! Pesky laws!!!

Hang in there. I use Hoodia from time to time and have been using it lately with this dilation. Get it at a health food store. It helps me some, not always but it's something.

sunflower · August 18, 2006

Just go to TJ and go to the pharmacy they will give you any perscription you want but you will pay the price, but it is still cheaper than US without insurance.

babsintx3 · August 18, 2006

Sunflower,

I am nowhere near TJ. I do have a prescription, paid 22 dollars for 20 phentermine tablets 37.5 MG. OMG they make me so shaky that I am taking one every two days instead of everyday. So far, I am still on liquids which is day 9. I will attempt to go another 2 weeks so that way I can also actually lose weight. Might as well since I am on liquids only anyway.

I am hanging in there!!!

Babs in TX

334/180 ish

sunflower · August 19, 2006

Oh, I see, yes I do not like phentermine, another combination is Chromium Picolate it is natural and does not make you feel shaky 200mg. is good and you can find this in any health food store also there is also a kola nut pill and several natural supplements that work much like Phentermine. Not telling you what to do just sharing and believe I'm in the slow looser club myself. I guess we'll both hang in there for now. Somebody also shared a awesome website idiet4u.com it has several familiar diets we can try too.

Good luck as I need too! Although looks like your progress is great!:clap2: