1jmk

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone out there knows which prescription drugs are NOT band-friendly. I know that Ibuprofin is NOT band-friendly, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any other prescription drugs that people with lap bands should NOT take. Thanks. (1jmk) Janet

Hi Dr. Ortiz, I'm currently on a lot of different medications, and was banded by you on June 10, 2008. My question is.......which medications should I stay away from post-surgery? I'm aware that I shouldn't take anything with Ibuprofin in it, but are there any other medications I should stay away from? - Janet King

Hi there, I, too, had problems losing weight on account of the salt in soups, so I really do know what it's like to try really, really hard to lose weight and not succeed. I think different people have different bodies, and if there's a grain of salt within miles of my food, I can almost guarantee that my weight loss will be seriously affected! It sounds like you learned something about yourself, despite what Dr. O. said to you. It's hard to feel good about things when someone you admire is blunt with you. I had a father like that and there were many times I just felt awful when really all he was doing was trying to communicate with me -- HIS way. I think the only thing you can do is just lick your wounds and take from it what you can use and leave the rest. If you are as dedicated to losing weight as I have been, I know you're working hard at it. Keep learning and growing in the knowledge of what works and what doesn't with your new band. If you do that, I just know you can do it!! Take care, Dante', and hang in there! - (1jmk) Janet.

Sorry to hear that KFC didn't agree with you. I, too, have had problems with chicken breasts when they were dry, but it sounded like you really had a rough time of it. That's too bad. I haven't had a Pbing session in awhile now, but I really do know what it feels like to be in that predicament. Not a great place to be, especially at work. Congratulations on reaching the 40 pound weight loss mark. That is so exciting. I'm right behind you at 34 pounds down. Keep doing what you're doing. It looks great on you! - (1jmk) Janet

Hi Happygirl02, I just had a fill with Dr. DesCouteaux, and flouro wasn't needed. He's great and even though I was late (go figure, my first fill), he took time with me and explained everything he was going to do. As mentioned, it cost $100.00, and I was in and out in no time. A little pain at the port site, but nothing like what I've been hearing. Dr. DesCouteaux is wonderful and after looking into other people who had fills, most (by far) had them done without fluoro. Flouro is only needed when there's a problem, I was told, and the procedure was so easy and quick that I can't imagine why anyone would need fluoro (who's healthy and who hasn't had any major problems post-op). Anyway, hope this helps. (1jmk) Janet.

Hi Jeremy, I agree that now is the time to just be really gentle with yourself and let your body heal. It's been through a lot, and it needs the time to recouperate. The time to count calories and/or figure out what works/doesn't work will come, but right now your body is still adjusting to the band and how it will accommodate what you eat. If you're having any adverse reactions at all, don't think twice about contacting the doctors at the OCC. I had terrible heartburn right after I got banded on June 10th, 2008, but thanks to asking a bunch of questions, I was able to sort out what the problem was and rectify it. The doctors down there are wonderful, and you should really call them with anything out of the ordinary, such as what you're going through. A phone call could head off a potentially serious situation/complication and save you a lot of physical grief down the road. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. (1jmk) Janet. P.S. I agree that your calorie count is way too low. I believe anything under 1000 calories a day is considered a starvation diet. I stick to between 1000 to 1200 calories a day, but I believe the calorie requirements for men are higher. Dr. Miranda would best be able to help you with that. Just give her a call.

Hi 2fat4me, I've also discovered this site, and it's really amazing what it can track. I've found that typing in my meals everyday has helped me stay focused on what I'm eating. Also, by adding "custom foods" it's forced me to look at the labels and make better food decisions, overall. My biggest obstacle with my new eating plan is how to take a lot of the carbohydrate out of my diet. Even though I'm not eating any breads, I'm still finding that a lot of the foods I'm eating are quite high in carbs. My goal for this week is to make better eating choices overall, and to try to cut the carb count down in half, if I can. Hopefully, my new plan will work. Anyway, thanks for bringing up this website. It's really awesome and it works!! - (1jmk) Janet.

Good Luck, Cathy. This one has been a long time coming for you. I really hope it helps curb some of your hunger. I know how hard it's been for you lately. Take care and I'll be thinking of you tomorrow! Let me know how it went for you, when you get the chance. - (1jmk) Janet.

Hi Elaine C, I just had my first fill three days ago, and even though I really hate having needles, I pushed myself to go through it, nonetheless. Before I went, I made a decision not to look when he put the needle in, and instead, I pictured myself at my goal weight and then I started counting back from 1000 until he was done (needless to say, I didn't get very far but the exercise worked for me). Just to let you know, I haven't found much of a difference after my first fill (my doctor put in 1.2 cc's -- I have a 4 cc band), but my new lap band doctor, here, told me that's normal. He said that it takes a couple of fills before the body starts to feel any real degree of restriction. Also, he said they usually don't put in anymore than about 1 cc. at a time (I'm not sure what the equivalent amount would be for a 10 cc band), as it takes the body time to get used to the change and adjust. As for the fear, just keep telling yourself to concentrate on the positive side of the experience, rather than think about all the negative stuff that surrounds it. Thinking about the pain will only bring on more pain. Thinking about how you're going to look when this is all done, will bring you happiness. You can go through it all and downplay all the negative stuff. I know you can! If I can go through it, anyone can!!!!! Hang in there, Elaine!!! - (1jmk) Janet

NAME: Janet from Calgary, Alberta Canada LOCATION: Calgary, Alberta Canada AGE: 48 years GENDER: female BAND DATE: June 10, 2008 HEIGHT: 5'10" HIGHEST WEIGHT: 276 CURRENT WEIGHT: 246 GOAL WEIGHT: 170 ***********************************

Hi Kibble, Don't dispair. I've also been through that same issue (little or no restriction), but I found a way to make it work, anyway. I decided to limit myself to between 1000 to 1200 calories a day, and so far, it seems to be working out. Until I get my next fill, the band isn't going to be much help, other than making it so I don't feel AS hungry. Hope this helps. - 1jmk (Janet).

Best of luck to you Elaina. I got banded at the OCC on June 10th/08, and I also stayed at the Lucerna. Whatever you do, don't leave anything valuable in your room there. I had some things taken from my room when I left to go to supper on my first night back there, but a part from that, it was a nice place to stay. Also, there's a waiter at one of the on-site Lucerna Restaurants(his name is Pedro) and he's wonderful to talk to. He's been banded for about 12 years now (also at the OCC) and he's got lots of great advice for the "newly banded." Talk to you later. - 1jmk (Janet).

Congrats, Cathy! I am so happy for you. You look great and you can really see the difference in your face. Keep up the good work! - 1jmk (Janet)

Thanks so much, Julie, for your words of wisdom. Part of the problem has been that I haven't been able to get a hold of my lap band doctor (he's apparently away at some convention until tomorrow), so at least I'll have something to go on before I make my way to his office. I really apprecitate your guidance on this, and on many of the issues you've responded to in the OCC forum. Thanks again for being there for me (and for all the others you've helped)! - 1jmk (Janet).

Hi there, I remember reading somewhere that before and/or immediately after a fill is when I should be on a liquid diet. Does anyone have any experience with this? My new lap band doctor didn't mention anything about going on a liquid diet. Did I just dream that, or has anyone else heard of doing this, as well? - 1jmk (Janet)

Thanks, Mistyband. I sounds like it's quite painless and no big deal afterall. Thanks for letting me know about your experience. - Janet.

Thanks, Merideth, for writing. It really helped. - Janet.

Thanks for your words of wisdom. I feel better now that I know there is someone else who has a fill without Fluo. Your little friend in your signature picture looks absolutely adorable. I have three little guys myself and they are all just the best. Thanks for writing back. - Janet.

Thanks, PrairieGirlBarb, for writing. I've heard it takes a few fills before they get it right. It sounds like that's the case with you. I feel for you. Hope you feel better soon. Take care. - Janet.

Thanks, Janet, for writing back. I feel better now. - Janet (as well)

Thanks for taking the time to write. I'm sure it'll be O.K. now. I feel much better. Thanks again. - Janet

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has experienced what I'm about to experience. I was banded on June 10, 2008 by Dr. Ortiz, but have since found a lap band doctor up here in Calgary, Alberta who said he would do my fills for me for $100.00. Apparently he's quite experienced, but I just found out that he does the fills in his office and doesn't use Fluoroscopy (or however it's spelled). I was told he just puts a pillow under your back, feels around for the port and then injects saline into the band after that. Has anyone out there had a first fill done without Fluoroscopy? I'm scheduled to have my first fill done with him this Thursday. - Janet.

That is wonderful, Trudy! I'd like to meet up with you sometime. I'm going to try to make the Santa Fe get together on July 25th. I'll be thinking of you, then. The OCC is a great place. Nice and clean, and the docs there are just great (and knowledgable) to talk to. Congratulations on your decision to get banded, and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon. - Janet. P.S. I just found out today that there's a lap band support group that meets once a month down at the old Col. Betcher hospital. If you call the Calgary Diabetic and Cholesterol Clinic (I'm not sure what their phone number is) they can give you more details. It's covered under Alberta Health Care and maybe someday you might want to attend (if you're not already attending).

Alrighta! Thanks so much for letting me know about this. I'll definitely try to make that one! Thanks so much, again. You really made my week!!!! - Janet

Congratulations, Cathy! You look great! What a wonderful accomplishment. It takes a lot of guts to do what you did and to change. I'm so proud of you. Congratulations, again! - Janet