Trav

So I looked back, and regretted not having taken any "before" photos, prior to my surgery, but then I found some from a play I was in. (I was guilted into doing it by my psycho ex-g/f...don't ask...long story.)....but these illustrate me, probably at my heaviest.

I'll get some "afters" here soon.

*gag*

Publicity photo 'round 345lbs down to 268 now.

you can find me there Travis Vance

*update*

I guess I should be more specific, yeah? I didn't realize how many there were.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17119466

did someone say "boobs? *perk*

hahaha...sorry, couldn't resist. haha

Hi, I had lap band surgery Jan. 05, I did very well lost about 30lbs, but then in Oct. 05 I had total hip replacement, so I was bed bound for a while plus did not do to much moving around after that for a while, I have now gained all my weight back and then some. I have tried and tried to go back to my doctor and get fluid added to my band but it seems like no matter what he puts in there I can still eat what ever I want, he has given me a Upper GI and it shows nothing wrong. I really want to lose this weight for myself and my hip, please help me anyone.

Without knowing your medical history in regards to your surgery, it would be difficult to give you any sort of medical advice, (not that I would do that...rather mentoring)....I would seek consult with another physician, there's probably something else going on there.

2 words

DO IT

Hi everyone! I am thinking about having the Lap band done, but am very concerned that I will need future plastic surgery. I weigh 235lb and am 5'7" and I don't feel that it isn't something that will hang around if I exercise a little bit. I am a little scared about the whole surgery thing. I have read so many great things in here and so many great outcomes, but how am I to know if it will work? How fast does it work? How often do you have to have a fill? So many questions! I am so sorry! Please help!

Whether or not you'll require plastic surgery to regain a svelte appearance, will depend on several factors. Your age, how much elasticity your skin has retained, and how distended your skin is from weight gain.

The lapband thing...piece of cake.

Body lift...I dunno about that one, Dolittle will be the one to talk to about that.

After months of not being able to make it back down to TJ, I broke down and went to a local doctor. (The doctor I wanted to go to here couldn't get me in till the middle of March)

The doctor I went to in Cushing, OK was Peter Lafon, and while I had hesitations, (he does have a fatality as a result of surgery, always check on your Dr.'s history)....the fill went off fine. Good technique. Got the fill done, without fluoro which concerned me also...but 3cc's and it was done, and I've already lost 4lbs in 2days....perfect amount of restriction for me, and I'm g2g.

complete fallacy...in fact, you'll be able to live a much fuller and happier life. I've only got my first fill just 2 days ago, and I'm much better for it.

In fact, I haven't had to cut my food smaller. (of course I chew the heck out of it, and only swallow part of the bite at a time...)...but that's how I deal with it. Cutting it up into smaller bites is just to make sure that you don't swallow too much at once. (it's not pleasant.)

Most of those health problems often referred to as "Co-morbidities" will go away with this surgery. I highly recommend it.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz, April 26th. 2007! Since I've had my band I get cold easily. If I go out to eat I have to take a sweater along to keep from being to cold. If I get cold My band gets tight and I can't eat. Most of the time I have to order a cup of hot tea. If I don't I won't be able to get anything down. My husband said it was because I've lost 84 lbs. I lost 30 lbs. with my last fill Feb. 08! I go for my 3rd. fill on March 2nd. Has anyone else had this problem?

It's normal to be cold, but also you may have a possible iron deficiency.

Iron is what makes up your hemoglobin, hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells so they can perform cellular respiration, the byproduct of cellular respiration is heat, water, and energy. If you're low on iron, your body isn't getting optimal oxygen to the cells, which causes you not to produce optimal body heat.

The plus side is that this could allow you to expend more metabolic energy to maintain body heat and result in a higher rate of weight loss.

All this first fill talk got me thinkin'....need to schedule mine! So I called Dr. Kenneth Larson here in West Palm Beach, Florida (where I live). I go on March 2nd for the consult and fill. It is $285. ($!50 surgical consult fee and $135 fill fee) If I go later for follow up but do not get a fill for whatever reason, the visit is $100. That sounds about right from what Ive read. Do you guys agree? Oh and NO FLUORO! Should I be nervous? Kendra, the nurse at Dr. Larson's office, said that surgeons are trained to do fills blindly. She also said that 95% of fills are done with no xray...I didn't ask if that meant 95% of their patients or 95% of lap band patients everywhere. (I tend to think THEIR patients...as I read so many people get it WITH FLUORO under xray.) If there is a problem, then they bring me to the radiology department of the hospital they are next to for my fill under fluoro. I don't want to travel an hour south to Margate, Florida. Plus that Dr. wants to charge me $500 up front to become a patient then a few hundred for my visit and fill.

Oh and Kendra said to not expect much help with my food intake or appetite on the first fill. She said a 2nd fill could be done a few weeks later...I'm kinda worried about the money being laid out twice..but it is what it is...

Regards,

Jennifer

I've been needing a fill. I've just been too busy and couldn't get back down to Mexico, so I went and saw a local doctor here, and he did mine no fluoro, 3cc's, it felt a lil' weird when he did it, but it's done, and I feel pretty okay. We'll see tomorrow how much restriction I have, he had me drink some water just after, and I could feel it, but it doesn't seem like too much. (I have the VG band)

As per Shelby, you'll over pack: Confirmed.

I'd opt for apple juice over gatoraide. (the stuff at the convenience store across the street from the hotel is carbonated in the 2L bottles, stay away from it, but it is REALLY good.,....so get some the day before to enjoy...)...

Also, you may get lucky like me. I woke up and no longer craved caffeine.

Never be afraid to call the front desk and ask 'em for ice and water. They've got a nice filtration system and I had no issues. (can't comment on the tap water in the rooms, but it's okay to brush your teeth with)

Because I've got a higher BMI, Dr. Miranda want's me to lose 15-18lbs before the op. For those who are already banded, did you lose the required amount? and if you didn't, what happened? was you surgery postponed?

I know that the whole point of this is to shrink your liver and melt some of the fat around your stomach, but i really don't know if i can lose that amount of weight in a month. i mean, isn't the whole reason i'm getting banded because it's hard for me to do it on my own? between the PCOS and a thyroid problem (not to mention other health issues), it's been really challenging. sorry, don't mean be whiny. i'm just nervous about the surgery and hungry

I lost more than was required, but I'm a special case, my liver was still pretty big. To the point that Dr. O sent Gabi out to talk to my mom to see what my weight loss habits were, and to verify that I in fact did lose the weight they required. (i even went so far as to buy a new scale. Started out 325, and was 301 the morning of my surgery, and I only needed to lose 19.

Apparently when you have had a cycle of losing and gaining large amounts of weight, your liver has a harder time recovering. So my liver was still pretty big....but they still managed to "git 'er dun"

true, naturally occurring vitamins are the best source, however, remember we're eating less food. It's possible not to get everything we need. There's a lot of chemistry behind it, but most normal people don't see much benefit from over the counter vitamins (at least multivitamins), but whereas we need more of certain kinds, it's important for us to take ours, especially in the beginning. My hematocrit ended up being about a 30...(normally mine's a 49-52..I'm O- CMV-..so I do double red cell donations for those premee babies, and cancer patients)...(i.e. I'm WAY low on iron for me)....

When you don't have enough nutrients going to your cells, your cells aren't able to function in adverse conditions and produce more body heat, (usually because you don't have your usual number of red cells, which is also a function of your iron levels in your body.) Not enough red cells = not enough nutrients. You might be able to function just fine in a normal room, but an extreme temperature change (or even a slight one), can throw your internal thermostat out of whack.

So in conclusion, take those supplemental doses of vitamins, until you learn what your new body needs.

What worked for me, I suppressed all anxiety, and accepted two facts:

1. I was going to sleep for a bit

2. I was going to wake up slightly sore.

Apparently I'm sensitive to the anesthetization, I slipped in and out of a nap for a while after surgery, and had to be reminded a couple times to breathe. Not to alarm you, all people are different after all.

*bump* because it's important.

Keep in mind, you don't gain it all over night...(though it may seem like it), you're not going to lose it overnight either.

I feel your pain...I'm 3 months out and I can't hear the word 'broth' or 'soup' without gagging. I won't eat either anymore.

Good luck! It get's better! Just think, only 16 more days! And then you can eat something.

--A.

I on the other hand had eggdrop soup...that I actually liked...a lot.

Do be truthful, if I could stand the thought of sticking myself, I'd do my fills myself haha.

(true story coming)

I was sick real bad one year, and my father has a farm, so I went to his place, measured out some anti-biotic by weight, and gave myself a shot of cow anti-biotic haha. I'm not saying I'm cheap, but I have a hard time justifying a trip to the doctor when I already know what's wrong with me. (the main difference between that stuff and people stuff, is the buffer solution is different. The animal kind is an alcohol suspension and burns like hell, but is effective.) Or the time I took some tribrissen for horses when I had bronchitis. (also works for strep) My cousin's wife is a vet haha.

took me about a week before I could eat my broth without feeling like I was in gastro-intestinal distress.

unknown border crossing? This wouldn't have happened to have been a hole in the fence would it? lol.

It doesn't LOOK naughty! Look up Hitachi Magic Wand. There was a SITC episode where Samantha buys a vibrator. She didn't want one of the silly phallic ones, she wanted one with POWER

...but if you get one that needs to be kickstarted or run on on 220v, it may be time to admit you have a problem. *smirk*

mine gas pains settled in my teeth.

Something else to consider, if you've got a 14cc band, and you're at 14cc, it may be time to consider a revision. By revision, I mean getting a smaller band. I'm sure you don't want to have to put yourself thru that again, but it's something that you might want to discuss with Dr. O.

nothing over 25lbs for 3mos, but some heal faster than others...don't push yourself.

if you have meds that are extended release, you cannot crush them. If they're small enough, you can take them slowly, however, if they're huge..(like I know prescription motrine is), you'll either have to go to a compounding pharmacy if it's not offered in liquid at a regular pharmacy, or get the children's version and take a double dose. (that's what I do with ibuprofen, and it comes in lost of flavors haha.)