Update on me

[Guest guest]

Kelli, you amaze me! Congratulations on all your lost weight, and

have fun with the new man! Keep us updated.

Setje

>

> Hello Everyone,

> It's been awhile with me posting on here but things are going

really

> good. I am down to 145lbs so that's like 225lbs gone from me...I'm

very

> happy. I've been toning up, I have great arm and getting better

> leg/thigh definition. I am also dating again, thought I'd toss my

hat

> into the ring and joined Match.com. I have met a really nice guy,

we've

> been talking for 2wks went on two dates and talk every

nite...meeting

> with him tomorrow nite...so please wish me luck cause I really dig

this

> guy and we have so much in common. That's about it...my work starts

> back up on Monday as the kiddies come back to school.

>

> Take Care!

> Kelli

>

[Guest guest]

Kelli, Thanks so much. Your pictures are a true inspiration. I feel better to know you had the band and lost that much i was not sure if you could lose that much with the band. How many fills have you had? I am so excited about trying to save the money for this so is my man. Then I think he is worried to because I am already hot and head strong, then I'll be hot, head strong, and skinny.LOL Thanks MindyKelli <psichikel@...> wrote: Hi Mindy, I had the band placed 1/27/06. I just took

the bull by the horns and got into working out, eating healthy and it just clicked for me. I have excess skin, but not really that bad and my arms are now muscled out cause I do like over 100 pushups a day and go to the gym 5x's a week. My stomach had a slight hangover, it's tucking up pretty good but will need PS one day. My breasts...or what's left of them will need surgery. My friend has offered to loan me the money, so I'll probably get that done in December when I have some time off. Best of luck with whatever you choose...Kelli> Hello Everyone,> It's been awhile with me posting on here but things are going really > good. I am down to 145lbs so that's like 225lbs gone from me...I'm very > happy. I've been toning up, I have great arm and getting better > leg/thigh definition. I am also dating again, thought I'd toss my hat > into the ring and joined Match.com. I have met a really nice guy, we've > been talking for 2wks went on two dates and talk every nite...meeting > with him tomorrow nite...so please wish me luck cause I really dig this > guy and we have so much in common. That's about it...my work starts > back up on Monday

as the kiddies come back to school. > > Take Care!> Kelli> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel.>

Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV.

[Guest guest]

wrote:

.... I keep

getting infections and she said that some of my immune tests say one

thing but

others say something else….

That would be enough to make your head spin. I hope they get you past

all this confusion quickly and get you taken care of.

notan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Notan

Head has been spinning for months now!!!! That is kind of why

she wants me to go somewhere else!!

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of notan ostrich

Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 12:42 AM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Update on Me

wrote:

....

I keep getting infections and she said that some of my immune tests say one

thing but others say something else….

That would be enough to make your head spin. I hope they get you past all this

confusion quickly and get you taken care of.

notan

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I think I would go to the hospital and refuse to leave until they know

whats wrong!!! It works for my daughter when she is demanding to find

out what is wrong with . They even roomed her with another mom

who also refused to leave the hospital until they had a diagnosis for

her child...the two of them have became really good friends since!

I wish you all the best and hope they have an answer for you soon,

Take care,

Sandi

>

> ... I keep getting infections and she said that some of my immune

tests say

> one thing but others say something else..

>

>

> That would be enough to make your head spin. I hope they get you

past all

> this confusion quickly and get you taken care of.

>

> notan

>

[Guest guest]

Hey - I'm actually very relieved to hear you're going to

Cleveland. I know it's a trip for you but in the long run, you NEED

to find out what is going on with you!! I'm glad your doc is on

board, too many of them want to keep it all to themselves. She is

advising you well.

Keep us posted on your plans and the information you find out.

Love ya!!

- in NC

>

> Well it looks like I'm in for a trip soon. I went to see my

> Allergist/Immunologist today. She said that it is time for me to

quite

> mickey mouseing around with the doctors around here. She is

referring me to

> Cleveland to see Dr. Achkar, to do a follow up for the Barrett's

and the

> gastric issues that I'm having, and also wants me to have an

immunology work

> up. She said that she questions whether or not I really have Lupus

or if

> there isn't something else going on because my system as a whole is

going

> down the tubes and that my lab results don't make a lot of sense

where my

> cells that make up the WBC are whacked out, my platelets have

dropped from

> 209,000 to 147,000 (her norm is 150,000 to 400,000) that drop was

in the

> last 5 weeks. I keep getting infections and she said that some of

my immune

> tests say one thing but others say something else.. In a nut shell

she wants

> me to see a specialist and get it all figured out.

>

>

>

> So now I gotta start making plans!! Yippie!!!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sandi and ,

Thanks girls for the encouragement!! I called this morning

and Dr. Achkar is on vacation til next Tuesday, but she did email him

externally and internally and will call me back when he decides what he wants

to do with me. I’ll keep you posted!!

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of sholtsmith

Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 1:21 AM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Update on Me

Dear ,

I think I would go to the hospital and refuse to leave until they know

whats wrong!!! It works for my daughter when she is demanding to find

out what is wrong with . They even roomed her with another mom

who also refused to leave the hospital until they had a diagnosis for

her child...the two of them have became really good friends since!

I wish you all the best and hope they have an answer for you soon,

Take care,

Sandi

>

> ... I keep getting infections and she said that some of my immune

tests say

> one thing but others say something else..

>

>

> That would be enough to make your head spin. I hope they get you

past all

> this confusion quickly and get you taken care of.

>

> notan

>

[Guest guest]

Best of Luck

It is exhausting to feel like you need to research and know everything that is wrong with you and advocate for yourself and watch your back so to speak. The priceless value of seeing a doctor with expertise that you can trust will feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders. Best of Luck

Dawn

Update on Me

Well it looks like I'm in for a trip soon. I went to see my Allergist/Immunologist today. She said that it is time for me to quite mickey mouseing around with the doctors around here. She is referring me to Cleveland to see Dr. Achkar, to do a follow up for the Barrett's and the gastric issues that I'm having, and also wants me to have an immunology work up. She said that she questions whether or not I really have Lupus or if there isn't something else going on because my system as a whole is going down the tubes and that my lab results don't make a lot of sense where my cells that make up the WBC are whacked out, my platelets have dropped from 209,000 to 147,000 (her norm is 150,000 to 400,000) that drop was in the last 5 weeks. I keep getting infections and she said that some of my immune tests say one thing but others say something else.. In a nut shell she wants me to see a specialist and get it all figured out.

So now I gotta start making plans!! Yippie!!!

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dawn!!! UGH guess its my turn finally to join the medical

quest again!!!

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of Dawn Batchelder

Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 12:57 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Update on Me

Best of Luck

It is exhausting to feel like you need to research and know

everything that is wrong with you and advocate for yourself and watch your back

so to speak. The priceless value of seeing a doctor with expertise that

you can trust will feel like a weight lifted off your shoulders. Best of

Luck

Dawn

-----

Original Message -----

From:

C. Warren

achalasia

Sent: Tuesday, May 06,

2008 9:10 PM

Subject: Update

on Me

Well

it looks like I'm in for a trip soon. I went to see my Allergist/Immunologist

today. She said that it is time for me to quite mickey mouseing around with the

doctors around here. She is referring me to Cleveland to see Dr. Achkar, to do

a follow up for the Barrett's and the gastric issues that I'm having, and also

wants me to have an immunology work up. She said that she questions whether or

not I really have Lupus or if there isn't something else going on because my

system as a whole is going down the tubes and that my lab results don't make a

lot of sense where my cells that make up the WBC are whacked out, my platelets

have dropped from 209,000 to 147,000 (her norm is 150,000 to 400,000) that drop

was in the last 5 weeks. I keep getting infections and she said that some of my

immune tests say one thing but others say something else.. In a nut shell she

wants me to see a specialist and get it all figured out.

So

now I gotta start making plans!! Yippie!!!

[Guest guest]

! Do you have Barrett's? I was tentatively diagnosed with Barrett's and whoa, I was somewhat unnerved.....I have had eosinophilic esophagitis before and my gastro. guy put me on RX strength Prilosec. I hope you do not have Barrett's. I'll be watching your posts with good thoughts. Deborah

[Guest guest]

Deborah,

The GI down here did a biopsy and it showed Barrett’s

cells. Dr. Achkar at CCF wanted to make sure himself..so when I go there I’m

sure he will want to repeat the test…due to me having A and being only 37

and I’ve NEVER had GERD in the past or any sign of it!!

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of Deborah

Lattimore

Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 5:55 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re:Update on Me

! Do you have Barrett's? I was tentatively

diagnosed with Barrett's and

whoa, I was somewhat unnerved.....I have had eosinophilic

esophagitis before

and my gastro. guy put me on RX strength Prilosec.

I hope you do not have Barrett's. I'll be watching

your posts with good thoughts.

Deborah

[Guest guest]

Hi, --

It's great to see a post from you!

I emailed you privately about your chemo and hope you got my note.

Let's hope you are over the worst " hitches and glitches " now and can

get the rest of your treatment under better conditions (with better

pesonnel!)

That must have been gratifying to find yourself standing and walking

better.

Thanks so much for posting.

Best,

>

> Hi everyone!

> I've spent the last few months battling UTIs and incompetent people

> in doctor offices, pharmacies, & insurance companies. But this past

> Monday I finally had my dose of novantrone - yay! It was only about

> 6 weeks after it should have been. I had a wonderful steroid high

> for 2 days (they give a small dose of dexamethasone with the chemo)

> which has unfortunately worn off now. But I was standing and walking

> better than I had done in months while it was there!

> I was really tired from everything - the UTIs and the chemo - but am

> doing better now.

> The chemo treatment was an interesting experience. Instead of home

> health, I ended up having to go in to my neuro's hospital 90 miles

> away. I won't go into the details of all the problems, but the whole

> ordeal took 10 hours, which was absolutely ridiculous since it should

> have been closer to 5-6 hours (including travel time). The nurse was

> horrid and among other things, at the very end of the treatment I had

> some blue drips running down my arm - not a good thing to have chemo

> leaking out of the IV and touching your skin! But it's all over for

> 3 more months anyways.

> I did see my new PCP this week too (my old one moved away), and I was

> very happy with her. She is very easy to talk to, and she is more

> than happy to coordinate care with my various specialists.

> Now next week I get to see my new urologist, due to the subpar care I

> got from the previous doc's office with my various bladder

> infections. So hopefully that will go smoothly too!

> I am at almost 11 months post-revision. My back is doing well for

> the most part. The pre-surgical pain is gone. But my biggest

> problem with pain now still is sleeping comfortably. I don't think

> it's my mattress (fairly firm), but more with the positioning. It

> doesn't matter where I cram or don't cram pillows, I just always wake

> up really sore. And oftentimes at the end of the day I feel really

> tight from sitting all day in my wheelchair. I've been trying to

> change positions more often, and it only slightly helps. But other

> than that stuff, things are going well here. My husband is putting

> up a swingset for the kids (now ages 3 and 4), and they are so

> excited It's fun to watch them!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Its good to see you back.

I am glad to hear that you got some results back about the Lupus and the Barrets being negative but its a shame that they couldn't give you a more postive answer to your health issues.

Do they plan to do even more tests with the results that they have with the immundifficiency being questionable?

Love

Pippa x

>> Hello everyone!!!> > I hope all is well.I came home to about 400 msgs LOL so needless to say I> didn't get them all read! I seen Dr. Achkar at CCF, he did a dilation with a> savory 19 mm. Told me that my E is mildly dilated now, but did not see proof> of Barrett's. He says he thinks the other doctor took the biopsies to low> and that is why he got the cells that he did! I'll have to have a repeat> endoscopy done sometime in the near future to make sure. As for the side> pain.since my liver tests are OK, and everything else looks OK, he kind of> scratched his head and believes that I have bad adhesions between my liver> and intestines. But, says that if I was to have surgery for it that it would> cause more problems. So to wait til I am "sicker" if that's any> consolation!! NOT! Before I have something done about them. I had a the> lupus tests done and they all came back negative, BUT, my immunodeficiency> tests came back questionable! My IgM was low, and some others that just> don't make a lot of sense came back high and low.so I'm kind of just left> out in space again!! UGH!! Anyway thought I would just check in!!!> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I agree! It is so much easier to deal with something that has a

NAME!! I will keep you in my prayers!!

Christi

> >

> > Hello everyone!!!

> >

> > I hope all is well.I came home to about 400 msgs LOL so needless

to

> say I

> > didn't get them all read! I seen Dr. Achkar at CCF, he did a

dilation

> with a

> > savory 19 mm. Told me that my E is mildly dilated now, but did

not see

> proof

> > of Barrett's. He says he thinks the other doctor took the

biopsies to

> low

> > and that is why he got the cells that he did! I'll have to have a

> repeat

> > endoscopy done sometime in the near future to make sure. As for

the

> side

> > pain.since my liver tests are OK, and everything else looks OK, he

> kind of

> > scratched his head and believes that I have bad adhesions between

my

> liver

> > and intestines. But, says that if I was to have surgery for it

that it

> would

> > cause more problems. So to wait til I am " sicker " if that's any

> > consolation!! NOT! Before I have something done about them. I had

a

> the

> > lupus tests done and they all came back negative, BUT, my

> immunodeficiency

> > tests came back questionable! My IgM was low, and some others that

> just

> > don't make a lot of sense came back high and low.so I'm kind of

just

> left

> > out in space again!! UGH!! Anyway thought I would just check in!!!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Pippa

Yeah I dropped me results off to my immunologist today. I go

back the end of July for a follow up with her. Possibly she can figure

something out.

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of manchesterpippa

Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 12:34 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Update on Me

Hi

Its good to see you back.

I am glad to hear that you got

some results back about the Lupus and the Barrets being negative but its a

shame that they couldn't give you a more postive answer to your health issues.

Do they plan to do even more tests with the results

that they have with the immundifficiency being questionable?

Love

Pippa x

>

> Hello everyone!!!

>

> I hope all is well.I came home to about 400 msgs LOL so needless to say I

> didn't get them all read! I seen Dr. Achkar at CCF, he did a dilation with

a

> savory 19 mm. Told me that my E is mildly dilated now, but did not see

proof

> of Barrett's. He says he thinks the other doctor took the biopsies to low

> and that is why he got the cells that he did! I'll have to have a repeat

> endoscopy done sometime in the near future to make sure. As for the side

> pain.since my liver tests are OK, and everything else looks OK, he kind of

> scratched his head and believes that I have bad adhesions between my liver

> and intestines. But, says that if I was to have surgery for it that it

would

> cause more problems. So to wait til I am " sicker " if that's any

> consolation!! NOT! Before I have something done about them. I had a the

> lupus tests done and they all came back negative, BUT, my immunodeficiency

> tests came back questionable! My IgM was low, and some others that just

> don't make a lot of sense came back high and low.so I'm kind of just left

> out in space again!! UGH!! Anyway thought I would just check in!!!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Christi!!!

I just wish I could take something for the pain! I know I’m

not nuts, but I’m starting to really feel that way!!

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of christim1969

Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 1:32 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Update on Me

Hi !

I agree! It is so much easier to deal with something that has a

NAME!! I will keep you in my prayers!!

Christi

> >

> > Hello everyone!!!

> >

> > I hope all is well.I came home to about 400 msgs LOL so needless

to

> say I

> > didn't get them all read! I seen Dr. Achkar at CCF, he did a

dilation

> with a

> > savory 19 mm. Told me that my E is mildly dilated now, but did

not see

> proof

> > of Barrett's. He says he thinks the other doctor took the

biopsies to

> low

> > and that is why he got the cells that he did! I'll have to have a

> repeat

> > endoscopy done sometime in the near future to make sure. As for

the

> side

> > pain.since my liver tests are OK, and everything else looks OK, he

> kind of

> > scratched his head and believes that I have bad adhesions between

my

> liver

> > and intestines. But, says that if I was to have surgery for it

that it

> would

> > cause more problems. So to wait til I am " sicker " if that's

any

> > consolation!! NOT! Before I have something done about them. I had

a

> the

> > lupus tests done and they all came back negative, BUT, my

> immunodeficiency

> > tests came back questionable! My IgM was low, and some others that

> just

> > don't make a lot of sense came back high and low.so I'm kind of

just

> left

> > out in space again!! UGH!! Anyway thought I would just check in!!!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Just wanted to let you know that I wish you lots of strength and I hope you can hang in there (yet, I am sure you can, you are strong enough).

I am glad nothing bad was found, yet I do understand your frustration about not knowing what's going on, nor knowing how to stop it.

Love,

Isabella

Update on Me

Hello everyone!!!

I hope all is well…I came home to about 400 msgs LOL so needless to say I didn’t get them all read! I seen Dr. Achkar at CCF, he did a dilation with a savory 19 mm. Told me that my E is mildly dilated now, but did not see proof of Barrett’s. He says he thinks the other doctor took the biopsies to low and that is why he got the cells that he did! I’ll have to have a repeat endoscopy done sometime in the near future to make sure. As for the side pain…since my liver tests are OK, and everything else looks OK, he kind of scratched his head and believes that I have bad adhesions between my liver and intestines. But, says that if I was to have surgery for it that it would cause more problems. So to wait til I am “sicker” if that’s any consolation! ! NOT! Before I have something done about them. I had a the lupus tests done and they all came back negative, BUT, my immunodeficiency tests came back questionable! My IgM was low,

and some others that just don’t make a lot of sense came back high and low…so I’m kind of just left out in space again!! UGH!! Anyway thought I would just check in!!!

[Guest guest]

hi sandy.

it was good to hear how you have progressed with the battle we all know so well

and have just read your story on wwwlighter me.being a new member could i ask

you why ,after being banded ,you have had bypass.hope this isnt too personal a

question.I love the interaction between the group and i am learning something

new everyday.since having the unfill am feeling great although eating few

naughty things but nothing like i did before being banded. Still only 10 days

before my fluoscopy and fill.looking forward to it and getting back on track.

sheila from england

Update on me

Hi everyone!

I have had a few people email me to ask me how I'm doing, so I

thought I would post.  And, I still feel so close to my " banded

brothers and sisters " who have been with me on this crazy journey!

I have lost 71 lbs (11 lbs prior to surgery, but it still counts!)  I

officially weight less than my lowest band weight!  I'm so happy to

be losing again and feeling so much better.  My esophagus is still

not 100% and maybe it never will be, but I don't have reflux

anymore.

Lot's of people have asked me what it's like to be bypassed after

being banded.  I'm surprised that many things, at least for me, have

been pretty much the same.  Throwing up is the same, undigested good

from a pouch like a PB.  I've only thrown up twice and it's been from

the same old reason, eating too fast.  You would think after being

banded for 6 years and now bypassed, I would always remember to eat

slowly.  But, I still forget or don't focus and try to shovel it in! 

LOL!

The supplements are not as bad as I thought it would be.  I'm using

the bariecutical supplements and they are great!  If anyone is

interested, you can buy them on my website (www.alighterme.com)...yes

a little advertising plug here.  But they really are great and they

are the first and only products that are made specifically for both

restrictive only procedures (band and sleeve) and for bypass

patients.  They are endorsed by Drs. Ren and Fielding.  Anyway, take

a look or call me if you're interested and I'll get you some info on

them.

I am sometimes a bad girl when it comes to getting enough protein. 

But I'm just not hungry and I get full so fast.  I'm still only 4 1/2

months post op, so I should be able to eat more in time.  My surgeon

said she made me a VERY tiny pouch.  So, I feel lots of restriction! 

I can eat about 1/2 cup of food, so I have to make wise choices, as

we all should!

I don't know if I dump on sugar because I don't have any desire to

eat it and even the thought of it makes me gag!  At least that's a

good thing..right?  I do dump on fats.  I can't eat very much at a

time or I feel sick.  It's so funny how your body will get rid of the

cravings of the things that it doesn't want.  I used to be a big fat

eater..or I should say, big eater of fats.  But not anymore! 

I'm just happy things are going better for me and I'm getting

healthy.  I know that as with any bariatric surgery, this will always

be a struggle to make good food choices and to exercise, etc. And we

all need that support from each other too. 

I hope all of you are doing well too.

Best wishes!

Sandy ston

General Manager

aLighterMe

877-876-THIN (8446)

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Sandy, it's good to hear from you and learn you're doing so well now!

You really had rough time with some unusual problems with the band,

and i'm sorry..

Sandy r

>

> Hi everyone!

>

> I have had a few people email me to ask me how I'm doing, so I

> thought I would post. And, I still feel so close to my " banded

> brothers and sisters " who have been with me on this crazy journey!

>

> I have lost 71 lbs (11 lbs prior to surgery, but it still counts!)

I

> officially weight less than my lowest band weight! I'm so happy to

> be losing again and feeling so much better. My esophagus is still

> not 100% and maybe it never will be, but I don't have reflux

> anymore.

>

> Lot's of people have asked me what it's like to be bypassed after

> being banded. I'm surprised that many things, at least for me,

have

> been pretty much the same. Throwing up is the same, undigested

good

> from a pouch like a PB. I've only thrown up twice and it's been

from

> the same old reason, eating too fast. You would think after being

> banded for 6 years and now bypassed, I would always remember to eat

> slowly. But, I still forget or don't focus and try to shovel it

in!

> LOL!

>

> The supplements are not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm using

> the bariecutical supplements and they are great! If anyone is

> interested, you can buy them on my website

(www.alighterme.com)...yes

> a little advertising plug here. But they really are great and they

> are the first and only products that are made specifically for both

> restrictive only procedures (band and sleeve) and for bypass

> patients. They are endorsed by Drs. Ren and Fielding. Anyway,

take

> a look or call me if you're interested and I'll get you some info

on

> them.

>

> I am sometimes a bad girl when it comes to getting enough protein.

> But I'm just not hungry and I get full so fast. I'm still only 4

1/2

> months post op, so I should be able to eat more in time. My

surgeon

> said she made me a VERY tiny pouch. So, I feel lots of

restriction!

> I can eat about 1/2 cup of food, so I have to make wise choices, as

> we all should!

>

> I don't know if I dump on sugar because I don't have any desire to

> eat it and even the thought of it makes me gag! At least that's a

> good thing..right? I do dump on fats. I can't eat very much at a

> time or I feel sick. It's so funny how your body will get rid of

the

> cravings of the things that it doesn't want. I used to be a big

fat

> eater..or I should say, big eater of fats. But not anymore!

>

> I'm just happy things are going better for me and I'm getting

> healthy. I know that as with any bariatric surgery, this will

always

> be a struggle to make good food choices and to exercise, etc. And

we

> all need that support from each other too.

>

> I hope all of you are doing well too.

>

> Best wishes!

>

> Sandy ston

> General Manager

> aLighterMe

> 877-876-THIN (8446)

>

[Guest guest]

Your question is not at all too personal.

My band had been placed too high and I started experiencing reflux

and esophageal spasms. My surgeon kept telling me everything was

fine. I should have persisted. I let it go on way too long. The

pain and reflux became worse and worse. I even ended up in the

hospital completely obstructed. I asked my primary doctor for a

referral to a bariatric surgeon in the U.S. My new surgeon looked at

my upper GI films and said she thought my band looked too high. She

offered to replace my band or bypass me. However, she would know

more once she " got in there " and could see what we were dealing

with. I asked her to just go ahead and bypass me.

I was in surgery for almost 4 hours. My surgeon said that it took

over 2 hours to get my band out. She said it was imbedded in scar

tissue and had been placed on my esophagus. She also said the band

used was way too small for me. After she removed the band, she was

able to do the bypass normally and created the new pouch under where

the band had been and was still able to give me a very tiny pouch

since the band had been so high.

I'm happy I didn't go for another band. I would be afraid that my

esophagus couldn't take another band after what happened with the

first one. I'm just happy that I had no complications with the

second surgery, all is well now and I'm losing weight.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling great. Be careful and diligent. The

band requires it. There was a lot of talk at the ASMBS meeting in

Cabo in May about this subject. I don't think enough people realize

or understand the rules and why they MUST be followed with the band.

People need to understand that while the bypass or the sleeve have a

higher risk of short term complications, the band has a higher risk

of long term complications. Most of the time there is nothing they

can do to prevent complications but they can help to reduce some

complications by not over eating and/or vomiting or having a fill

that's too tight.

Sandy ston

General Manager

aLighterMe.com

877-765-THIN (8446)

>

> hi sandy.

> it was good to hear how you have progressed with the battle we all

know so well and have just read your story on wwwlighter me.being a

new member could i ask you why ,after being banded ,you have had

bypass.hope this isnt too personal a question.I love the interaction

between the group and i am learning something new everyday.since

having the unfill am feeling great although eating few naughty

things but nothing like i did before being banded. Still only 10 days

before my fluoscopy and fill.looking forward to it and getting back

on track.

> sheila from england

>

>

> Update on me

>

> Hi everyone!

>

> I have had a few people email me to ask me how I'm doing, so I

> thought I would post.  And, I still feel so close to my " banded

> brothers and sisters " who have been with me on this crazy journey!

>

> I have lost 71 lbs (11 lbs prior to surgery, but it still counts!) 

I

> officially weight less than my lowest band weight!  I'm so happy to

> be losing again and feeling so much better.  My esophagus is still

> not 100% and maybe it never will be, but I don't have reflux

> anymore.

>

> Lot's of people have asked me what it's like to be bypassed after

> being banded.  I'm surprised that many things, at least for me,

have

> been pretty much the same.  Throwing up is the same, undigested

good

> from a pouch like a PB.  I've only thrown up twice and it's been

from

> the same old reason, eating too fast.  You would think after being

> banded for 6 years and now bypassed, I would always remember to eat

> slowly.  But, I still forget or don't focus and try to shovel it

in! 

> LOL!

>

> The supplements are not as bad as I thought it would be.  I'm using

> the bariecutical supplements and they are great!  If anyone is

> interested, you can buy them on my website

(www.alighterme.com)...yes

> a little advertising plug here.  But they really are great and they

> are the first and only products that are made specifically for both

> restrictive only procedures (band and sleeve) and for bypass

> patients.  They are endorsed by Drs. Ren and Fielding.  Anyway,

take

> a look or call me if you're interested and I'll get you some info

on

> them.

>

> I am sometimes a bad girl when it comes to getting enough protein. 

> But I'm just not hungry and I get full so fast.  I'm still only 4

1/2

> months post op, so I should be able to eat more in time.  My

surgeon

> said she made me a VERY tiny pouch.  So, I feel lots of

restriction! 

> I can eat about 1/2 cup of food, so I have to make wise choices, as

> we all should!

>

> I don't know if I dump on sugar because I don't have any desire to

> eat it and even the thought of it makes me gag!  At least that's a

> good thing..right?  I do dump on fats.  I can't eat very much at a

> time or I feel sick.  It's so funny how your body will get rid of

the

> cravings of the things that it doesn't want.  I used to be a big

fat

> eater..or I should say, big eater of fats.  But not anymore! 

>

> I'm just happy things are going better for me and I'm getting

> healthy.  I know that as with any bariatric surgery, this will

always

> be a struggle to make good food choices and to exercise, etc. And

we

> all need that support from each other too. 

>

> I hope all of you are doing well too.

>

> Best wishes!

>

> Sandy ston

> General Manager

> aLighterMe

> 877-876-THIN (8446)

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sandy. Yes, it was rough, but over now! Hurray!!!

> >

> > Hi everyone!

> >

> > I have had a few people email me to ask me how I'm doing, so I

> > thought I would post. And, I still feel so close to my " banded

> > brothers and sisters " who have been with me on this crazy journey!

> >

> > I have lost 71 lbs (11 lbs prior to surgery, but it still

counts!)

> I

> > officially weight less than my lowest band weight! I'm so happy

to

> > be losing again and feeling so much better. My esophagus is

still

> > not 100% and maybe it never will be, but I don't have reflux

> > anymore.

> >

> > Lot's of people have asked me what it's like to be bypassed after

> > being banded. I'm surprised that many things, at least for me,

> have

> > been pretty much the same. Throwing up is the same, undigested

> good

> > from a pouch like a PB. I've only thrown up twice and it's been

> from

> > the same old reason, eating too fast. You would think after

being

> > banded for 6 years and now bypassed, I would always remember to

eat

> > slowly. But, I still forget or don't focus and try to shovel it

> in!

> > LOL!

> >

> > The supplements are not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm

using

> > the bariecutical supplements and they are great! If anyone is

> > interested, you can buy them on my website

> (www.alighterme.com)...yes

> > a little advertising plug here. But they really are great and

they

> > are the first and only products that are made specifically for

both

> > restrictive only procedures (band and sleeve) and for bypass

> > patients. They are endorsed by Drs. Ren and Fielding. Anyway,

> take

> > a look or call me if you're interested and I'll get you some info

> on

> > them.

> >

> > I am sometimes a bad girl when it comes to getting enough

protein.

> > But I'm just not hungry and I get full so fast. I'm still only 4

> 1/2

> > months post op, so I should be able to eat more in time. My

> surgeon

> > said she made me a VERY tiny pouch. So, I feel lots of

> restriction!

> > I can eat about 1/2 cup of food, so I have to make wise choices,

as

> > we all should!

> >

> > I don't know if I dump on sugar because I don't have any desire

to

> > eat it and even the thought of it makes me gag! At least that's

a

> > good thing..right? I do dump on fats. I can't eat very much at

a

> > time or I feel sick. It's so funny how your body will get rid of

> the

> > cravings of the things that it doesn't want. I used to be a big

> fat

> > eater..or I should say, big eater of fats. But not anymore!

> >

> > I'm just happy things are going better for me and I'm getting

> > healthy. I know that as with any bariatric surgery, this will

> always

> > be a struggle to make good food choices and to exercise, etc. And

> we

> > all need that support from each other too.

> >

> > I hope all of you are doing well too.

> >

> > Best wishes!

> >

> > Sandy ston

> > General Manager

> > aLighterMe

> > 877-876-THIN (8446)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thursday, June 26, 2008, 10:04:05 PM, you wrote:

> tissue and had been placed on my esophagus. She also said the band

> used was way too small for me. After she removed the band, she was

One comment. Back when Sandy and I were banded, the Inamed 4cc band

was the only US-legal band available. Many/most MX docs were using it

for that reason. Some were using other bands that were not US legal,

which doesn't mean it was any way bad for them to do so, they just

made a different decision.

> I'm happy I didn't go for another band. I would be afraid that my

> esophagus couldn't take another band after what happened with the

> first one. I'm just happy that I had no complications with the

> second surgery, all is well now and I'm losing weight.

I'm very happy you're doing so well now. It has been five years since

I've seen you I think, so why not send me a new picture. You'd lost a

lot when we met, but imagine you're looking and feeling even better

now.

> I'm glad to hear you're feeling great. Be careful and diligent. The

> band requires it. There was a lot of talk at the ASMBS meeting in

> Cabo in May about this subject. I don't think enough people realize

> or understand the rules and why they MUST be followed with the band.

> People need to understand that while the bypass or the sleeve have a

> higher risk of short term complications, the band has a higher risk

> of long term complications. Most of the time there is nothing they

> can do to prevent complications but they can help to reduce some

> complications by not over eating and/or vomiting or having a fill

> that's too tight.

I'm not sure I agree with the comment on long term complications, but

I suppose that depends on how you define complications with either

procedure (or any procedure). NOTE: I don't want to get into any

band/bypass/sleeve/other debate here, since it isn't appropriate for

this group. I DO want all who are thinking about a band to be sure

they've researched all the alternatives. WAAAAYYYYY too many people

just go to a seminar put on by some local doc (maybe advertised on TV

or in the paper) and sign right up to the " wonderful magic solution "

whatever it may be. And that is just plain foolish.

Yes, we all need to be sure to follow the band rules, as tough as they

can be. Well, THEY aren't tough, we've just go MANY years of bad

habits (and some of us many more years than others....I'm not a spring

chicken like Sandy), and the habits are tough to break.

dan

p.s. to Sandy and others, please no signatures that advertise any

business, whether WLS, Tupperware, Kay, or anything else.

thanks

--

" It's OK to be a little broken, everybody's broken in this life " Jon Bon Jovi

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA www.mylapband.tk

Banded 4/27/03, Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Started at 355, at goal in the 210-220 range for almost 4 years

Ultimate goal of 195 Tummytuck in Boise and SmartLipo in Tijuana

[Guest guest]

> One comment. Back when Sandy and I were banded, the Inamed 4cc band

> was the only US-legal band available. Many/most MX docs were using

> it for that reason. Some were using other bands that were not US

> legal, which doesn't mean it was any way bad for them to do so,

> they just made a different decision.

>

I said the same thing to my new surgeon. However her response

was, " The correct decision would have been to place the larger band

or not to have placed a band at all "

>

> I'm very happy you're doing so well now. It has been five years

> since I've seen you I think, so why not send me a new picture.

> You'd lost a lot when we met, but imagine you're looking and

> feeling even better now.

>

I will send you a new picture after I buy a new outfit. All of my

clothes are too big. Isn't that great?! And with my luck my pants

will fall down as soon as the picture is snapped!

> >

> I'm not sure I agree with the comment on long term complications,

> but I suppose that depends on how you define complications with

> either procedure (or any procedure). NOTE: I don't want to get

> into any band/bypass/sleeve/other debate here, since it isn't

> appropriate for this group. I DO want all who are thinking about

> a band to be sure they've researched all the alternatives.

> WAAAAYYYYY too many people just go to a seminar put on by some

> local doc (maybe advertised on TV or in the paper) and sign right

> up to the " wonderful magic solution " whatever it may be. And that

> is just plain foolish.

>

You are sooo right! Far too many people don't understand that no

surgery is the " wonderful magic solution " . It all takes work!

The comments about the long term complications of the band were

actually from the surgeons at the ASMBS meeting I attended. I think

they are right though. I have taken many calls from pissed off

(excuse my French) patients because they have a slip, erosion,

obstruction, infection, and now they have to incur additional

expenses of travel and additional surgery. They need to understand

and plan for possible complications BEFORE surgery. Some of them

think that they got through the surgery and nothing else can happen

to them.

The surgeons said that complications and reoperations with the band

can occur anytime even 5, 10 or more years out from surgery.

They went on to say sleeve and bypass have a higher short term

complication rate.

Education is the key here and I'm very passionate about that!

> Yes, we all need to be sure to follow the band rules, as tough as

> they can be. Well, THEY aren't tough, we've just go MANY years of

> bad habits (and some of us many more years than others....I'm not a

> spring chicken like Sandy), and the habits are tough to break.

>

Well I don't know about being a spring chicken, but thanks anyway!

>

> p.s. to Sandy and others, please no signatures that advertise any

> business, whether WLS, Tupperware, Kay, or anything else.

>

Sorry Dan, I won't do it again. It's just that I've been told by

other groups to post who I am if I am somebody...hmmm am I somebody?

LOL!

Sandy

[Guest guest]

I opted for the supposed higher " complication " rate with the band (I bet it

depends on how you define complications, you can adjust statistics to support

whatever point you are trying to make) over the higher mortality rate of the

bypass any day. N

--

>

> > >

> > I'm not sure I agree with the comment on long term complications,

>

> The comments about the long term complications of the band were

> actually from the surgeons at the ASMBS meeting I attended. I think

> they are right though. I have taken many calls from pissed off

> (excuse my French) patients because they have a slip, erosion,

> obstruction, infection, and now they have to incur additional

> expenses of travel and additional surgery. They need to understand

> and plan for possible complications BEFORE surgery. Some of them

> think that they got through the surgery and nothing else can happen

> to them.

>

> The surgeons said that complications and reoperations with the band

> can occur anytime even 5, 10 or more years out from surgery.

>

> They went on to say sleeve and bypass have a higher short term

> complication rate.

[Guest guest]

When you look at the list of what they consider Band " complications " ,

it includes overfills, barfing, reflux - all the little quirks that

are easily fixed and/or prevented. the " complications " with the

bypass include staple failure, major malnutrition, pouch stretching

and other lifelong problems that can require another major surgery.

I'll take occasional barfing or the rare overfill any time,

but we all have to decide what is right for us.

I'm not sure I agree with sandy j's doc when she said that her

original doc should have used a larger band (none were available when

she was banded, if i recall her date correctly) or not banded her at

all.

It's very common to band people of 300-400-500 # and more, and most

did just fine with the original small band before the larger ones

came out, if the docs correctly shaved off the fat around the stomach

to fit the Band properly.

At any rate, she is doing just great now, and I hope she has no more

trouble at all.

Sandy r

>

> I opted for the supposed higher " complication " rate with the band

(I bet it depends on how you define complications, you can adjust

statistics to support whatever point you are trying to make) over the

higher mortality rate of the bypass any day. N

> --

> >

> > > >

> > > I'm not sure I agree with the comment on long term

complications,

> >

> > The comments about the long term complications of the band were

> > actually from the surgeons at the ASMBS meeting I attended. I

think

> > they are right though. I have taken many calls from pissed off

> > (excuse my French) patients because they have a slip, erosion,

> > obstruction, infection, and now they have to incur additional

> > expenses of travel and additional surgery. They need to

understand

> > and plan for possible complications BEFORE surgery. Some of them

> > think that they got through the surgery and nothing else can

happen

> > to them.

> >

> > The surgeons said that complications and reoperations with the

band

> > can occur anytime even 5, 10 or more years out from surgery.

> >

> > They went on to say sleeve and bypass have a higher short term

> > complication rate.

>

>

>

>

>