Lower BMI Bandsters!

[BabyGotBack 0]

Miniperarl:

DH and I went to Dr. Ortiz and it was 2 weeks for us, from the time we made the appointment unti surgery day. We wanted a Monday but that was full, so we went for Tuesday. It was great. Ive never had such a great experience with a doctor before.

How are you doing DeckedOut????

Audree

[BabyGotBack 0]

Hey Guys,

Today is the first day I reached up in my closet and took out a pair of pants that had been too small and they fit. Not a big change. From a 22w to a 20w. I went and got a cute little hair cute yesterday and am really getting some of my postive additude back.

I am excited to have a support network with all of you. I need to post some pictures.

I am also excited that a few of us are going to do the south beach diet. I have the big book and am going to refresh up on it. My true bible however the lap band book comes first and we can put the two together and loose lots of weight. It is snowing like crazy so I think I am going to dust off the snow shoes and go for a whirl and maybe take the kids sliding. Two months ago I would have been tierd from all that dawm food. I feel like the cuff is off my ankle and away from the frig. I am going to have the same meal for Breakfast and lunch today as yesterday and maybe half a hamburg patty for supper and a little cottage cheese and a little apple sauce for supper.

Sorry if I sound too upbeat that is just how I always am.

I'll touch base later.

Madden

Congrats Madden on losing 2 SIZES!!!!!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

That is an awesome accomplishment!!!!And a BIG deal and a big change!!!! I am also excited about joining you all on the Beach, South Beach that is!!!:hungry: Who wants to start? You can start with out me, I dont' want to make you guys wait another week and a half!:faint:

I am also a very upbeat person like you!!!

[BabyGotBack 0]

Actually they would. Anyone who eats less then 1/4 of there meal it is customary for a waiter to make sure things are ok. Even if you are a pole the waiter is suppose to inquire

I cut them off at the pass... as they come to the table i tell them how wonder the dish is. Then there is no question. It works everytime.

I LOVE doing lunches and not dinner. It is more acceptable to eat a lite lunch then dinner. And i can order Soups for lunches. This is great and no one questions me. Or I tell them i had a lot of coffee and it curbed my appetite. There are tons of ways to avoid questions. I dont even tell people I am on a diet. That isnt their business either. If they ask i tell them i am trying to be good and laugh about how long that it might last.

Yeah, meeting for lunch would be easier! Also, some people who diet don't eat dinner. I had a friend lose 60 pounds by not eating dinner. It made it hard to meet up with friends and evening dinner parties, but she didn't bend her rule for anyone! She kept by it for a long time, but has regained her weight. I even saw on the Discovery channel a woman who lost by doing the "Reverse eating diet". She lost a ton of weight by eating a HUGE and I mean HUGE Breakfast, Soup and salad for lunch and like a small bowl of Cereal for dinner. Her husband met her after she lost all the weight and didn't like that they NEVER went out for dinner together (if they did, she'd order, box it up right away and eat it for breakfast). We can tell people we are on the NEW REVERSE DIET!!! hehe I'll even try to get the info on it!!!

The other thing I am telling people is to kick off the New Year, I am doing a liquid fast, for physical and spiritual reasons. I am not only saying it, I am doing a lot of praying and interceding for people.

Audree

[BabyGotBack 0]

I also am feeling stressed about the comments people will be making about my food intake and weight loss. We can look at this two ways. The negative way would be that they are being judgemental, intrusive, or critical. The positive way would be they are trying to be supportive, complimentary, and care about my health/wellbeing. I have a tendancy to look at things in the negative light at the moment because of my self-esteem issues, but we will need to work hard view all comments as positive (even if they might not be - I'll just pretend they are).

I'm trying to practice in my head how issues will be handled. Some ideas I've come up with about my food intake:

-If I'm at a restaurant, I'll ask for a to-go box and put the portion I'm not eating in it right away. That way I will have little food left on my plate AND probably dinner for the next 3 days.

-If I'm at a party, I'll carry around a plate of food while I'm mingling, but take mini bites, throw out the plate of leftovers (secretivly) and go through the buffet line again.

-"My stomach is a bit upset."

-"Yeah, I'm trying the new elf diet. (ie. Eat less food)."

-"I'm on a strict diet plan - no cheating allowed whatsoever - please don't ask me to compromise my health."

Re: comments about the weight loss - I sometimes think I will want to hide under large clothing as to not draw attention to myself - then I think how crazy that is! I've been wanting to loose weight for 17 yrs. Accepting compliments graciously will be a must, and then truly realizing we deserve the postive feedback because of all the hard work we are doing - treat them as a victory in our journey.

I'm really having a hard time with another issue though. My 17 year old son found the information on the surgery that I had left out, and was angry that I was even considering it. He doesn't feel I'm overweight enough to have surgery. He's always known me at my current weight. I haven't even told my 15 year old son yet. Not sure how to handle this. Any ideas? My husband is supportive as he's seen my struggles with weight loss all these years. My mother is not very supportive. She is very obese with all kinds of medical problems, but will not consider surgery for herself - feels it's too dangerous and "intrusive." I'm really hoping that she will see it's not so bad from my experience, and will also decide to do something about her health.

My husband is my support and is very excited for me! I chose not to tell my two step daughters, 19 and 15 and two daughters 5 and 7. Parents don't have to tell their kids everything. We have a right to our privacy. My mom was also not supportive in the beginning. I had to come to a place that I didn't need her permission or need her validation with my decision. Now that she sees I am doing so well, she is asking me, how am I doing, am I not eating enough, am I taking Vitamins, will I become anemic...

But, she is not being unsupportive about it.

Audree

[BabyGotBack 0]

don't apologize! it's great you are upbeat!!! there is wayyyy too much negativity in the world! and congrats on fitting into the smaller size!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap2:

audree: congrats to you for going back to college! that is amazing!!! you are just going to be a whole new you all over the place! :high5:

as for worrying about what to say when people start noticing weight loss - just tell them you have been exercising and watching what you eat. if what i am reading is accurate, you lose at a reasonable pace with the lap band so your loss will be gradual versus massive loss right off the bat.

i cannot spell before my first cup of coffee!!! (which i shall soon be missing. :think )

No you wont!! That is my breakfast every morning since being banded, except I use soy milk for the protein!!! I am too restricted in the morning to have anything else. Audree

[BabyGotBack 0]

oh yes!!! bless you for telling me about that!!! as sad as it sounds, i was almost crying over the idea of no coffee. i made a pot yesterday and was just staring at my beautiful fancypants coffee maker and felt a knot in my throat. i already gave up soda and have been weaning myself off of breads...

oh! you know what i just saw at the grocery store?! they have half caff half decaff coffee! typically i grind my own Beans, but i'd buy that! oh... or i could buy decaff Beans and mix those with caff beans and make my own. doh! i am having a monday today for sure!!!

I actually use a coffee called Gano coffee. It is supposed to be a healthy coffee and tastes really good. You can get it online. Just do a search for Gano Coffee.

[BabyGotBack 0]

I asked for info on erosion from the Obesity Control Center, Dr. Ortiz's clinic and got the following response. Aren't they awesome!!!!!!

I also was given the following contact info was given to me also for any other questions regarding the lapband and for us to actually get it from the makers of the lapband

"I have also never heard of routinely having the band replaced after 10 years. I would think that Inamed/Allergan would be able to answer that question, since they are the manufacturer of the Lapband. You can contact Don Mills (Sales Administrative Mgr) for Allergan at 800-624-4261 Ext. 4546 or email him at mills_don@allergan.com "

I am so impressed and keep on getting more impressed as I go on my Lapband journey, with Dr. Ortiz and his staff. I get immediate responses to my questions and don't get any type of run around.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:<O</O

After receiving numerous calls and email regarding the latest speculations about erosions on the boards I feel obliged to post some facts that should be of some relief and informative at the same time. There are very few reliable sources out there on Gastric Banding complications except the series that are published in the medical literature. My colleagues that post on these forums will agree that my team and I are considered one of the foremost authorities in gastric banding complications and treatments in the world and as such our intention is that our ongoing research results in a safer gastric banding procedure for everybody.

Folks, Lets start out by doing the math. Band erosions are not increasing as one would think. They have actually diminished noticeably in the past number of years. What is increasing is the number of patients having the procedure along with the ability to communicate this fact through forums such as this one. A surgeon that has performed 100 procedures may have 1% erosion, which is equivalent to 1 patient. While a surgeon with 3000 procedures under his belt will have 30 erosions, but this still represents 1%. Also the awareness of it's existence has prompted us to look for them purposely through endoscopic studies.

We now recommend that every band patient gets an upper endoscopy around 18 months after the surgery. For a surgeon to know exactly how many of his patients bands have eroded he would have to scope them all. Endoscopy is the only way to prove an erosion since some erosions are asymptomatic early on.

Erosions are unfortunate adverse reactions of gastric banding. They are also poorly understood. The term erosion has been popularized recently in the literature as one of the complications of gastric banding. It suggests the wearing out of the gastric wall, but the actual process seems to be more of a foreign body reaction where the body tries to eliminate the implant. Erosions are not new and it has been known for decades and reported in the medical literature that various materials near the stomach or intestine can slowly penetrate the wall and ultimately be eliminated through it. Implants, sutures, staples, mesh, rings, tubing, cloth and metal all have readily penetrated the gut.

<O</O

Though the actual process is not fully understood we do know the following:

<O</O

- Most bands erode from the outer edge of the implant into the stomach. Sometimes it is the tubing and not the band that penetrates the gut. This would discard the suggestion that bands that are too tight erode. (Conversely we now know that bands that are too tight actually slip more often)

<O</O

- Surgical technique is similar around the world. Most surgeons in the US and the rest of the world learned the technique from a handful of international surgeons who proctored them. In turn these surgeons have perfected the technique and the principles of band placement remain the same around the world.

<O</O

- Erosions can coexist with an infection process. Even though it would seem that the infection can start at the port and then ultimately cause an erosion, our recent studies have detected mircopenetrations of the stomach at the initial stages of the erosion (soon to be published data) then most likely stomach bacteria tract down though the tubing to the port and contaminate it. Again these ongoing studies will shed new light on the process and hopefully someday will totally eliminate the risk of gastric penetration.

<O</O

- Erosion is not selective of one band or another. Sooner or later every brand of gastric band has been reported to erode.

<O</O

- Latin bands do not erode more frequently. For one the implant used comes exactly from the same company and are made of the exact same materials. Contrary to a controversial post recently published in a forum, responsible surgeons performing gastric banding in Mexico have a comprehensive follow-up protocol. Fluoroscopy and Endoscopy is routinely performed which means that we detect the erosions more efficiently and earlier when present.

<O</O

- When an erosion is detected the band should removed. This gives the stomach time to heal and in given time receive a new band. It is the patient's responsibility to tell the doctor of his or her symptoms. The sooner it is detected the better the chances of performing a laparoscopic and uneventful surgery with a quick recovery.

<O</O

- We also stress the importance of follow-up. Most erosions have no symptoms early on, so a routine checkup with your doctor is always the best option.

NO NEED TO PANIC, erosions are still a rare occurrence, but if present when detected and treated early on the outcome is benign in nature.

You will all agree that gastric banding has touched hundreds of thousands of lives around the world. It is the safest weight-loss procedure but unfortunately no procedure is free of complications. Even though erosion rate is very low, it still exists. When present it should be detected and treated promptly. The earlier it is treated the better the outcome. In some cases patients have actually received a second band after a brief period of recovery and thus having the benefit of restriction and weight-loss again.

The only source of reliable medical advice is your doctor. Other sources of information only lead to speculation, anxiety and worst of all delay in treatment if needed. If you are to go out of the country for surgery, select a responsible surgeon that offers follow-up. Ask if he will always be available (my patients can reach me in a moments notice, they all have my cell#) Don't be enticed to go to the cheapest, usually they go hand in hand with poor to no follow-up. You must be able to trust the doctor you have chosen.

We as Surgeons also have our official Internet forums where we exchange knowledge with each other having only your best interests in mind. Remember, ultimately it is your success that results in our success.

My best wishes to all,<O</O

Respectfully<O</O

Ariel Ortiz Lagardere

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__________________

[madden 0]

"If God be for you, who can be against you"

I felt the same in the beginning, wanting my mom's approval. But, in the end, it is my body. My husband and mom thought the same thing before I had my Tummy Tuck, what if it was psychological and I still wouldn't be happy. Well, I was and still am very happy about it!!!!!

I proved them wrong!!! My mom was not to thrilled about me getting banded, but I told her that it was what I was going to do and needed positive support. I also felt that God had provided for me in a timely manner for me to do the surgery. I told her my husband and I had prayed about it and we had both gotten peace about it, the peace only God can give. She left me alone after that and started just saying nothing about it, which is better than trying to talk me out of it.

She has also seen me struggle all my life and was seeing me once again starting to gain it back.

I only told one friend from church, but also just relocated from that church to another church. A fresh start in a bigger church! I don't know why God orchestrated it that way, but He did lots of things and changes at the same time!!! He is good!!!!!

I was selfish, I did't tell anyone but my hubby about my lab band. I then told my mom and dad after. My kids don't even know. I had no one discourging me or making me nervous. I think that we need to take care of ourselfs for a change. We have been taking care of kids all these years and now need to make sure we are around to see our grand kids. Lets all support eachother in our new journey.

Madden

[madden 0]

My regular doctor suggested the lap band to me. He said" It's not what you eat but it is the quanity you eat". He know how upbeat I am and said that I was way to active to give into this weight. He then made an appointment for me just to get a consult. I was surpised because my bmi was only 39. It just all feel into place. I did'nt even have alot of problems. Then the journey began and here I am and my current bmi is 36.00. I think that God has a way of letting things fall into place and if it does'nt fall into place then it is not meant to be.

I have not seen by primary doctor since surgery and can't wait to see him to thank him for caring enough to help this fall in place. My insurance is covered the whole cost. Amazing. Thank the Lord for that because I did not want to add anymore debt than what I already have.

Madden

[ser123 0]

Madden you are almost out of the 2's and into the 1's in sizes!

[madden 0]

I read that alot of you are drinking soy milk. I don't like but wish I did because my trainor said that soy helpes the skin mold back to its orginal size, like before the weight. He said soy is so good for you and you may not need any cosmetic sugery if you are a regular soy drinker.

Madden

[ser123 0]

Audrey,

That is a great post by Dr. Ortiz. He indeed seems like a renowned professional helping all of us, not just his patients.

[ser123 0]

Oops, I meant Audree... not Audrey.

[madden 0]

Madden you are almost out of the 2's and into the 1's in sizes!

I can't wait. I just want to be able to keep up with the kids on the slopes. I can't wait till I have my first fill, second and get really restricted.

Madden

[madden 0]

Audree, Thanks for sending that letter from your doctor. I often thought about.

Madden