introducing myself

October 25, 2003

Hi all,

My name is Kay Langer. I had my band placed August 29th by Dr.

Sanchez of Monterrey Mx. I lost 25lbs the first month but have not lost any since then. I guess it is time for a fill.

I am a nurse and a sonographer. I am looking for other people who have had this surgery to get advice and support.

I have two children, Eli(2) and Kaitlyn (4). I am hoping to get healthy so I will be with them for a long time.

Hope to hear from you all soon.

Kay

jadrad7 · October 25, 2003

Welcome! I am a nurse also. I had my surgery9/17/03 and am so happy i did!

donali · October 25, 2003

Hi Kay -

Since you're a nurse, I don't need to tell you that losing 25 pounds in 2 months is fantastic.

We do need to remember that hitting a plateau is not necessarily an indication that it's time for a fill. Since this would be your first fill (I am assuming), it probably is time, but I'm going to put this out there just for posterity's sake:

When is it time for a fill?

First, let's assume you are following the following principles:

a. No drinking with meals

b. Eating solid foods

I personally think getting in all your Water and Water loading is important too, but that's maybe more of a personal philosophy than a hard and fast rule, like "a" and "b" above.

If "a" and "b" are not true, you need to make them true before analysing whether it's time for a fill or not.

1. Are you hungry less than 3 hours after eating solid foods?

2. Do you no longer reach satiety when you eat about 1200 calories a day?

3. Has weight loss stalled for more than 4 weeks?

#1 and #2 are the more important indicators of whether or not someone needs a fill. If you are eating mostly nutritious foods, but need to consume more food than you think you should to satisfy hunger AND you are not losing weight, then it is time for a fill.

When is it NEVER time for a fill?

It is NEVER time for a fill if you are experiencing PBs or acid reflux. If you are experiencing these two things at your current level of restriction, getting another fill will only make it worse. And, repeat after me: PBs/vomiting are the NUMBER ONE cause of slippage. Acid reflux leads to esphogitis which can cause obstruction, lead to pre-cancerous conditions, and a lot of pain besides, and is treated by EMPTYING the band. If that doesn't help, you may have to lose your band until you are healed.

Ways to avoid nighttime reflux - stop eating 3-4 hours before bedtime. Avoid acid promoting foods in the evening, like caffeine and chocolate and spicy foods.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Kay, but you inspired me....

:cool:

October 26, 2003

I appreciate the advice. I have not lost any weight in almost a month. I do try and eat right but seem to eat more without that feeling of fullness that I used to have. Still nothing like before the surgery. I have been told that this is because the swelling from the surgery has gone down and now I need a fill. I was feeling full with little intake but now I feel hungry alot of the time. I hope that a fill is the answer because if not I am a little worried.

Thanks again for the advice.

Kay

donali · October 26, 2003

Yep, definitely sounds as though you are ready for a fill. My previous post wasn't aimed at you specifically, it just seemed an opportune time to post the info. I had just read some posts on other boards by people who were obviously too tight already, but had another fill because they weren't losing, and of course were then experiencing a worsening of their problem.

The fill should be a piece of cake. Most people recommend not eating prior to one so that the barium swallow is more accurate. I am of course assuming you will have your fill under fluoro, which may not be the case, I guess.

:cool:

It will be interesting to hear how your doc does fills - mine starts at the closed point and backs the fill out until the barium passes. It sounds as though most of the American docs just put in a certain amount.

Leannie · October 29, 2003

Hi Kay:

I'm new also. In fact, I'm not even having my surgery until the day after Christmas. I am also going to Dr. Sanchez and was wondering how your experience with him was. I've heard mostly good things about him, but I'm still nervous. Since I scheduled it so far in advance, I think I have too much time to think about it.

Leannie:confused: