Jann

I'm having the same problem. I've been playing with the same two pounds since my fill a couple, three weeks ago. It's frustrating but it is what it is. When the body catches up it will move eventually. Rather than obsess over the scale I'm going by how my body feels and my clothes fit. It's more rewarding. Jann

Happy Thanksgiving!!! So far so good. I've been very concerned about pumpkin pie myself so I'm not buying it 'til the very last second. I don't trust me on that no way no how. Used to be I could eat a whole one by myself. Take care, Jann

Good luck, Dolittle! Thanks for the giggle. See you on the other side. Jann

YAY Jazz! I'm glad it was such a good experience for you and I love to read these. You have such a great attitude. I just know you will succeed! Hugs, Jann

What is a slipped Band, and what causes it? There are two types of slippage; anterior and posterior. This refers to whether the front or back side of the stomach slips. There is something else called concentric pouch dilation, but this is not the same as slippage. Slippage or prolapse is when the stomach slides up through the Band, making the pouch bigger. If this happens the Band usually becomes too tight, and patients experience symptoms of reflux (heartburn) as well as nausea and vomiting. This is because the amount of stomach being “squeezed” by the Band is increased, thereby obstructing the Band. There are several causes. Posterior slippage was more common when the Band was placed by the “perigastric” technique. With this technique the back side of the stomach was free to slide up through the Band. These days most surgeons use the “pars flaccida” technique, which was developed to prevent posterior slippage, and has more or less eliminated the incidence of this problem. Anterior slippage is when the front of the stomach slips up through the Band. We try to prevent this by suturing the stomach below the Band to the stomach above the Band, “locking” the Band in place in the right spot. In spite of this, slippage still occurs. It can happen because we haven't placed enough stitches, or they haven't been placed in the right place. Slippage can also occur if patients eat too much and vomit frequently. How is a slipped Band diagnosed? Fortunately, this is very easy. Often the diagnosis is made based on the history alone. A patient who has been going along fine, with no problems, and then suddenly develops reflux symptoms or symptoms of a too-tight Band will most likely have a slipped Band. The diagnosis is easily confirmed with an x-ray and barium swallow examination. Endoscopy is rarely necessary. How is a slipped Band fixed? A slipped Band needs to be fixed with an operation. The Band has to be dissected out, all the sutures removed, and the position of the stomach made right. Some surgeons remove the Band and place it back through a new tunnel. Others just straighten things out and re-suture the stomach over the Band. What happens if the Band slips again? That's a tough one. One could certainly try to fix the slip again, but my personal view is that, for whatever reason, the Band is just not working for that particular patient, and ought to be removed. What is a Band erosion? This is when the Band actually erodes into the stomach. It is a more serious problem, and generally requires removal of the Band. Band erosion is thought to be related to placing too many sutures (or too tight sutures) at the time of Band implantation. Surprisingly, Band erosion is often unnoticed. Occasionally the port will become infected if bacteria track along the catheter out to the port. Other times patients will stop losing weight. Diagnosis often requires an endoscopy. What is concentric pouch dilation? This is technically not the same as slippage. In this case the pouch just seems to be enlarged. Sometimes partial emptying of the Band may help with this. What is esophageal dilation? This is when the esophagus enlarges over time, and is probably related to either too tight a Band, or possibly improper placement of the Band around the junction of the esophagus and stomach. This requires loosening or removal of the Band. What happens if my Band has to be removed because of complications or failure to lose weight? One option, of course, is to give up on weight loss surgery. Another option is to convert to another procedure such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This can be done at the same time the Band is removed, and is generally done laparoscopically. __________________ Mild slip: Deflate the band, reinflate in one to two weeks Moderate slip: Deflate the band, operate to reposition band Severe slip: Deflate band and operate to remove band Jann

Absolutely beautiful and inspiring! Jann

Do this for you and your children, hun. The rest will follow. This is your time now. Remember, when Momma's happy the whole house is happy! Good luck, we're pulling for you! Jann

Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! It's such a beautiful thing to see all that work pay off! Jann

Oh, thanks Niolek!!! I appreciate that. Jann

Yup, for sure it sounds like that doctor has personal integrity! Spanks will help with the dress no doubt. I hear they are popular in the US. I don't think they are here or at least I haven't heard of them being local. Regardless, you are within 35 pounds of your goal weight revel in all your hard work! Hugs! Jann

Every now and again I have to refresh my knowledge and check my habits. I've found this posting to be helpful. 10 important rules Here are ten rules for eating, drinking and exercise that will help you get the best results you can. How willing you are to follow a new way of eating is key to making the operation a success. Eat only three small meals a day Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (15-20 times a bite) Stop eating as soon as you feel full Do not drink while you are eating Do not eat between meals Eat only good quality food Avoid fibrous food Drink enough fluids during the day Drink only low-calorie fluids Exercise at least 30 minutes a day Lap banding creates a small stomach pouch that can hold only about half a cup of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time you may become nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small pouch may stretch. That will cancel the effect of the operation. Frequent vomiting can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. You need to learn how much your stomach pouch can hold comfortably and then not exceed this amount. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly Food can pass through the new stoma only if it has been chewed into very small pieces. Always remember to take more time for your meals and chew your food very well. Stop eating as soon as you feel full Once your stomach is full, your body receives a signal that you have eaten enough. It takes time though for you to become aware of this signal. If you rush through your meal you may eat more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time to eat your meal. Try to recognize the feeling the fullness - then stop eating at once. Do not drink while you are eating This surgery can work only if you eat solid food. If you drink at mealtimes, the food you have eaten becomes liquid and the effectiveness of the lap-band is greatly reduced. You should not drink anything for one hour after a meal. This allows you to keep the feeling of fullness as long as possible. Do not eat between meals After a meal do not eat anything else until the next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for weight-loss failure. It is very important to break this habit. Patients with proper "fill" levels do not feel hungry in between meals. If you are snacking this may be a sign that your band is too loose and you should consider a fill. Eat only good quality food You should be able to able to eat only a small amount so the the food you eat should be as healthy as possible. Do not fill your small stomach pouch with junk food that lacks vitamins and other important nutrients. Your meals should be high in protein and vitamins. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and cereals are good foods to choose. Foods high in fat and sugar are not. You may eat apples and oranges but try to avoid orange juice and and apple juice. Avoid fibrous food Food such as asparagus that contains many fibers can block the stoma. That's because you can't chew this food well enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can't break it down. Fibrous food should be avoided. If you would like to eat asparagus, pineapple or other fibrous foods once in a while you must be sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces and them chew them thoroughly. Drink enough fluids during the day If you lose weight your fat content will drop. This results in waste products. You will need to drink large amounts of liquid every day in order to urinate more and excrete these waste products from your body. Individual needs will vary but you should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Drink only low-calorie liquids. Drinks, including those containing calories, simply run through the narrow outlet created by the band. If you drink liquids high in calories you will lose little weight even if you otherwise follow your diet. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day This rule is just as important as the other nine rules. Since physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories it is very important to successful weight loss. Exercise can help improve your general health. Your size may make it hard for you to exercise as much as you should. But get started even if it is a little at first. The more weight you lose the easier it should get. Start with simple exercises such as weight lifting, walking and swimming. Gradually expand your program to include more vigorous forms of exercise such as cycling, jogging and aerobics. Increase your activity level in the course of daily living. For example, stand rather than sit, walk rather than stand, be outside rather than inside, walk rather than drive, climb the stairs rather than use the elevator, etc. Remember you should always check with your doctor about the amount and type of exercise that is best for you. Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish.

Yup, the quote is USD's however we're in Canada. Hope that clears that up. Jann

I'm sorry to hear that. No doubt you are disappointed. What the surgeon is saying has been pretty much policy for plastic surgery shops in all my reading. There are shops out there that deviate. If you really, really want it prior to the last 35 pounds I'm sure you can find someone else to do it? Perhaps Mexico? Jann

Oh Kitty, look at the difference! You can really see it in your face. I can't see the side by side but it looks like you are losing it pretty evenly. You are a beauty!!! Good work girly!!! Your dedication is clearly paying off!! Hugs! Jann

OUCH! Poor Cara. Try some papaya enzyme to help next time, hun! Jann

OCC is the cleanest facility I've ever been in for sure. I'm embarrassed to say cleaner than our Calgary hospitals. The care staff there do care and are attentive. I did not for one second feel unsafe the entire time I was there and I wandered around by myself. The Lucerne is no big shakes for a hotel but again, safe and clean with very nice staff. You are picked up from the airport and returned there. I would go back by myself without hesitation. Hope that helps. Jann

I know how you feel about missing time. If it helps I was gone the day before surgery, the day of, the day after and back to work right after that with no problem. I kept in touch with the office on my blackberry. Chin up, with today's technology you are never really gone! Jann

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I paid about 300 extra back in June which confused me because our dollar was more than the US dollar. Apparently it doesn't count in reverse. My American accounts never changed my billings to reflect our stronger CDN dollar. What can you do? Main thing is, you are paid up now and it's a reality. Can't wait for you to join us in Band-land! YAY! Enjoy Thanksgiving! Jann

And you look ten, 15 years younger, girl! Imagine what the next 30 will bring for ya! hehe!

I'm so glad to hear that, Kim! I love the first fill posts. One-derland is a great place to play isn't it?? Jann

It is so freeing, isn't it? If we had only known ten years ago, eh? Oh well, nowhere to go but up (or down) from here. And you do look so much younger and FRESHER! When I get the damned cast off I wanna do water aerobics too! I'm struggling with the same two pounds over and over and over again. Good thing I'm patient, I'll wait it out. Hugs m'friend! Again, seriously NICE WORK and WELL DONE to you! Jann

OMG OMG OMG!!!! Denise!!! OMG! I'm so THRILLED FOR YOU, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA, at the risk of being an 'I told you so' -- TOLD YOU YOU WERE GONNA SUCCEED!!! I knew it! WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm beyond happy for you sister-friend! Hubby just said yer HOT! hehe! Jann PS on a side note I LOVE those eyebrows! I can NEVER get mine right!

WOOT! Congratulations!!!!! > =D>

Love your pics, Stormy! Yup, there is a definite difference! Nice work!! Jann

Good luck tomorrow!!!! See you on the other side. Jann