NWMarc

Hi Pammie, Thanks. I'm thinking now it might have been a real bad case of stuck food. After I PB'ed things started to get better. Had a little something last night and I was OK and this morning had some cerial and still OK. If I take a big gulp of water it does feel like I just got adjusted. Maybe it's just a bit sore there still. Anyway, I've needed an adjustment for months. I'll see about getting one and they can tell if there's been any slippage. Thanks,

I know I have something stuck. Some sliced turkey from a deli. Thought things might be OK because I could drink. However, tonight I tried some chicken breast and things do not feel good at all. I'm slimming big time. So, what does a slip feel like? I didn't think it is a slip because I could drink and eat a little but I don't feel good at all.

Hi, Well, I can tell you what restriction feels like for me. I don't know how long you've had the band so describing the feeling is weird. As I chew and swallow a feel a bit of preasure mid to lower part of my chest. I can then actually feel the food pass and the preasure releases. I can even get this feeling a little if I take a huge gulp of lilquid. With low restriction I can "get away with" not chewing as good and the presure releases faster. With tight restriction I need to be VERY careful on what I eat and how much I chew. If something gets stuck the presure becomes VERY uncomfortable, even painful, and I start to wonder what's going to happen. DO NOT make the mistake of taking a sip of liquid to see if that helps. It almost always makes it worse. One time the liquid just came back immediately. I've never PB'ed food but I think I've been close a couple of times. Another term you may have heard is Slimeing. That's when you get a bunch of saliva in your mouth and you know you don't want to swallow it because something is stuck. As if you didn't already know, you know you're in trouble when you slime. For me, more restriction is better. It makes me use the tool more like it should be used. Marc

I have 2.8 cc. However, I wouldn't be surprised if I had much less now also. I don't feel the restriction I had the first few days.

Hi Julie, I have to admit that I didn't have the problems you are having. I would highly suggest calling Dr. Ortiz. I would also review the post op and intake instructions from Dr. Miranda. The runs may be from the liquid diet. It got better for me as soon as I was able to go to Slim Fast drinks. Make sure you follow all of the instructions. Although I didn't do any crunches I was picking up a new puppy the first week, which I realized was like a standing crunch, and dry heaved a couple of times. I called Dr. Ortiz and talked to him within a half hour (he ws in surgery). If you symptoms have been going on for a couple of days or more I would seek local medical attention. Take Care, Marc

So I would like to get reply's to any of the following questions and comments. If you have leaned the answers from an authority then let me know that. Because all I have right now are opinions .... my opinions. Is there one sweet spot for everyone? What is the definition of the sweet spot? Can you have the sweet spot and lose it? So this is my knowledge and/or thoughts. PLEASE correct me were needed. As you are progressing with your weight loss you will never hit the sweet spot until you have either acheived your goal weight or you have actually lost all of the fat around your stomach were the band is located. Then when either of those things happens you can start looking for that sweet spot. The definition of sweet spot I'm using is the level of fill needed to keep you at or below your goal weight. I'm assuming that as you get a fill you get enough restriction to continue weight loss. As you lose weight the restriction is reduced by the reduction of fat btween the band and your stomach. (This is a total guess.) You feel the reduced restriction or notice your weight loss slowing or stoping. You get another fill. That process ontinues until you reach your goal. After you get to your goal then you search for this sweet spot to maintain yourself at your goal weight. PLEASE correct if you know for a fact or feel free to voice your opinion on the topic of the infamous sweek spot. Thank you, Marc

Funny thing, I get an error when trying to reply to Denise's message. (Quote) Hi: I was banded August 10 and had a 4.3 cc fill (VG) in September. I'm going back friday for another fill. I cannot tell you how defeated I feel - I had originally lost 18 pounds, but since the fill I've actually managed to GAIN 4 pounds. I'm ready to chew body parts I'm so upset. I have felt some restriction maybe 1-2 times....and it was momentary. I am constantly hungry and I can eat 85-90% of what I ate pre-band. I'm praying that the 2nd fill will make a significant difference. Mentally I expected the first fill not to matter, but living it is another matter. We keep pouring money out for no results.....gets very frustrating and some follow-up counseling or phone calls from an English speaking person at the clinic surely would be motivational if they could say "it's normal".....or "just hang on - the 2nd fill is coming".....or something. So - we shall see.....right now I've pissed away a LOT of money. (End Quote) Denise, I know exactly were you are coming from. I was gaining and loosing 5 lbs for 3 months before my second fill and I'm still not loosing as fast as I want. However, I think we need (at least I need) to examine if I'm using the tool the way it should be used and not eating around it. Ask yourself, am I drinking before, during, or after eating? That's one of the hardest things for me to fight. Am I eating anything mushy or will melt into liquid calories? I've always had a weekness for mashed potatos, soup on cold days, and ice cream any and all times of day. Finally, am I exercising at all? I asked myself those questions and I didn't like the answers. I still don't like the answers but I know I have to keep working at it. I saw the following on another band forum. I need to change my mind set from finding out how much I can eat to how little I can eat. My girlfriend really hit home a month or so ago. She said "You spent all this money on this band and you're not even trying to use it the way you are supposed to. You are literally waisting your money." That thought does more for me to get back on track when I get off. The band is a tool not a silver bullet. We need to just keep working at it. Marc

Hi mtred, During my search for information on Lapband surgery I actually considered going to India for the surgery. Although I signed up with Dr. Ortiz for a reduced price, it still would have been less costly to go to India even with the flight and hotel costs. The hospital in New Delhi is world renown and has a international certification. However, I got to meet Dr. Ortiz at a "Band Bash" in Tacoma. My mind was made up then. Actually I met 3 doctors from Mexico and would have been comfortable with either of the other two also. However, I felt best about Dr. Ortiz. Aditionally, there were many sucess stories there. I noted that the vast majority of banded people there had lost at least 50 lbs. A good number even over 100 lbs. and one lady near me was at 150 lbs lost. You asked "Does the lapband really work.." It works about as much as my table saw. It's a tool, used properlly I have no doubt it can be successfull for almost everyone. Get careless, and it can hurt. Sometimes I don't like the idea of using the table saw although it would be the best tool for the job. I work around it. You can certainly work around the lapband and totally defeat it's abillity to help you. Just eat mashed potatos with gravy, ice cream and drink high calory drinks like milk shakes. The lapband, like the table saw, is a tool that can be very effective for it's main purpose. Frankly, I'm still learning how to use both tools more effectively. Marc

Hi Teri, I'm not sure the flu would be any different. It may be a bit harder to get all the fluids you need and not drink before, during, or for an hour after you eat. It shouldn't be a problem at all during your liquid stage. Well, having the flu is a problem but I don't see how having the band would make it worse. Swallowing gum, hmmm - never thought of that. I would think the worse thing would be you would PB it. As I have never PB yet (nock on wood) I don't know how that feels. I have got some things stuck. You tend to avoid thouse things from then on. For instance, I will never miss rice. Good Luck, Marc

Hi Kevin, My understanding is that it may happen the first time or two. Chances are that by time you hit 4 weeks you will know you have no restriction. I made my apointment for exactly 6 weeks post op. My recommendation is don't wait 3 months like I did to get the second fill. I'm unemployed so I'm caught between wanting to get a fill but not wanting to spend $350 of my dwendeling savings. If money wasn't an object then I'ld be getting another fill this week. Marc

Mandy, You should give Dr. Ortiz a call. He was very responsive when I had an issue one week after surgery. Marc

Keep in mind with Dr. Neal if you need a re-adjustment with in 2 weeks then you only pay $150. If you went to TJ and needed a refill you have all the costs over again. If you have a VG band it is very common to need several fills not too far apart. I had 3.8 on my first fill but only .6 of it was still there on my second. As far as feeling if it were enough. In the office I could feel it get too tight and then they backed off a bit. My second fill was in the morning. They put the .6 back in and added 2.2. It's been 4 weeks and I think I may need another fill. However, I'm going to make the appointment in the afternoon to be as loose as possible.

Hi all, I recieved the VG band during my procedure on April 28th. Six weeks later I got my first fill of 3.8 cc. Initially I felt some restriction but not much. After 3 months of little to no success in lossing weight I scheduled another fill. There was only .6 cc in the band. I guess this is fairly common. I had the second fill in the morning and received an additional 2.2 cc. Now a few weeks after that fill I feel like I could get another fill in the fairly near future. My weight loss is slow to non-existent. I know I need to make the tool work better by changing some eating habbits. 1. No fluids just before, during, or after a meal. 2. Don't "eat" anything that becomes a liquid with calories. I'm working on those but have a long way to go. I also need to work on working out on a more consistent basis. The bottom line: Don't be afraid to get all the fills you need, especially with the VG band. Remember it's a tool and not a silver bullet. NWMarc

Hi Pammie, I haven't tried it. Gee, up till now I've been less concerned with the size of my pouch then the amount of ristriction. However, the article got me thinking about something else. Sometimes I use cottage cheese as a breakfast or small protein snack. We use the large curd and I do chew it some. But maybe I shouldn't be eating that because it goes through too easy. Marc

Hi all, Does anyone know if there is going to be another WA Bandster Bash early next year? I went to the last one and it really got me moving. It was great meeting the doctors and learning from everyone there. Although I choose Dr. Ortiz another Dr.'s practice sponsored my attendance. Does anyone remember how much it was? I just remember thinking it was rather costly. Thanks, Marc

Mary, Well, I didn't PB. Eventually, it went down. Walking around does seem to help. I never PB yet but I believe I was pretty close that night. Learned my lessons. 1.) When you get ready to eat... actually think about chewing. 2.) Don't eat when your mad (as I was that evening.) 3.) Generally take small bites. However, ALWAYS take a very small bite first. 4.) No sense in even trying dry chicken. If it's not moist then you're asking for trouble. Thanks, Mary Hi, Well, I guess I was using the board as more of a way to get my mind of the pain. I didn't feel I was in any real danger. As a person with no health insurance I have to be VERY careful in seeking medical help. Finally, I'm not sure I agree with you. This board has a number of people who know first hand what I was going through. Although I wouldn't get real time help I did get some good ideas. While the clinic I go to is great they were closed at the time and probably wouldn't know that this is something that happens with banded people from time to time. Thank you, Marc Hi plj, It lasted for hours and hours.... ok it probably really lasted for 30 minutes but it felt like hours and hours. Absolutely from not chewing. See my lessons learned in a previous reply. Pbing is Productive Burping. I've never done it. What I've been told is that it's similar vomiting but the piece of food is not digested at all. Your doctor should give you some rules. If you break these rules, you just hurt yourself. Hope this helps, Marc

OK, I think I have a piece of chicken stuck. I know I ate it too quickly and didn't chew near enough. I believe I'm slimming now. I hate the idea of vomiting. I can count on one hand the number of times I've done that in my life. Is it possible for this thing to eventually go through? Or should I just accept that I'm going to vomit. I HATE THIS. I thought of drinking a sip of water but I'm fairly sure it may make it worse. Any suggestions? Of course, by time I get any replys to this it may be all over either way.

[ DR NEALS RUNS 350 UNDER FLUORO, First, let me say thank you for all of the responces. I absolutely feel better about this loss of 3.2 cc. Dr. Neal's office will do a re-adjustment with in one or two weeks for $150. The URL for his practice is http://www.pacsurgical.com/ I just don't know know how anyone can do a "blind fill." It seemed that the floro machine was an irreplaceable part of the procedure. The tech, and I, could see the liquid go through the stoma. When it was too tight she backed some out. Once again, Thanks NWMarc

Hello all, Well I got my second fill on Monday. Neither of my fills were in Mexico due to costs. However the fill doctor is excellent (although he doesn't actually do the fills). I got a 10 cc VG band from Dr. Ortiz on April 28th. ABout 6 weeks later I got my first fill of 3.8 cc from Dr. Neal in Olympia, WA. Three months after that fill I have lost only 3 lbs so I went for a second fill. There was only .6 cc in the band. The fill technician said I was basically unrestricted. She put in an additional 2.2 cc. for a total of 2.8 cc. Has anyone else lost fluid in their band like this? Does the band leak? I can go back within 2 weeks get a re-adjustment for a reduced cost. Unless I feel exactly right about my restriction, I'm sure I will go back.

Hi Karen, Well, I"m almost 5 months post op and I haven't PB'ed yet. I'm doing very little else that I'm supposed to be doing and my success stopped 3 months ago but that's for a different message I'll post today. Actually, I thought I might PB yesterday... from rice no less. I think the key is to chew. I didn't really chew the rice and it became a problem. If you get something stuck, I've found that walking around helps and/or putting your arms over your heak. Take care, NWMarc

Hi, Let me add my two cents in here. It's been awhile since I've logged in. I had my surgery done at the end of April. Up until that point I had to take a Prilosec OTC everyday for consistent heartburn. I flew down on a Thursday. The entire staff and Mrs. Ortiz were simply excellent. If/when you pass through the doors into the clinical area it's almost like a clean room environment. Booties on your shoes, etc. The nursing staff was also excellent. Dr. Ortiz believed I probably had a hurnia that was causing my heartburn. Well, during surgery he fixed it. (No extra cost.) I haven't had a Prilosec or heartburn since my surgery. About a week after surgery I was doing a bunch of bending down and picking up a new puppy. I believe this was too similar to crunches, you're not supporsed to do abdominal crunches at least for a while, and when I stood up I felt ill and then dry heaved. I called Dr. Ortiz's cell phone. (How many Dr.s do you know and have their cell phone number?) Well, someone answered but it wasn't Dr. Ortiz because he was in surgery. A short time later I received a call from Dr. Ortiz. I told him what happened and told me what probably happened (might have pulled a stich). He told me what to watch out for and told me to take it easy and call him later. Even without asking him, he told me that it probably was not a slip. When I called him later and still wasn't feeling great he said to the pain continued for much longer I should see my local doctor. As it was I was able to go to sleep and the next morning I woke up and felt fine. The points here are 1.) He is VERY professional, friendly, and caring. 2.) His staff is VERY professional , friendly, and caring. 3.) You have access to him and his staff after surgery. I, nor probably anyone else who has responded, get anything for saying nice things about Dr. Ortiz. If there was any, even little, negative about my experience worth mentioning I would do so. Finally, the thing to remember with the band is that it's a tool and that you have to make a committment to use the tool. I've had limited success since being banded but it's very obvious to me it's my own fault. I know if I stop doing a couple of bad things and start moving my body more the weight will simply fall off. Hope this helps.

I got my first fill locally a week ago. I feel very little difference than before the fill. Really almost no difference. I got 3.8cc in a 10cc band.

Hello all, I got my fill done last Thursday. If was quick and painless. I saw the port and the band on the screen. It was the fastest $350 I've ever spent. The liquids for two days wasn't too bad. I've moved back to solids. I'm concerned I didn't get enough. I got 3.8 cc in my 10 cc band. I don't really "feel" any more ristriction. OK, I'm gong to confess. I'm still bad at drinking with/after meals. But I'm working at it. Does anyone know the average/normal length of time between fills? Thanks, NWMarc

Kit, You need to call the Dr. that did your fill IMMEDIATELY. Kit, You need to call the Dr. that did your fill IMMEDIATELY.