fills

[Guest guest]

> I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I have had

> 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller one)

and I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat

literally

> anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The dr.

> doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am loosing

> weight, though slowly.

Cant tell you what to do about your doc, but personally, I would

expect my doctor to listen and seriously consider the fact that your

weight loss is there, but minimal. If they're dismissing your

concerns just out of hand because you've lost 20lbs in 3 months.. I'd

start looking for a new doctor

As for the weight loss itself, there is some self-restriction you

need to practice. Do you stop when you're satisfied, not when youre

stuff? Do you eat your protein first, then your " good " carbs, and try

to stay away from junk food & empty calories? Are you really watching

your sugary foods intake? Are you making attempts to exercise, even

if its just a 10-min walk around the block?

I know that this surgery is purported to be a magic tool by a lot of

the surgeons and advertisments, and it's a GREAT tool.. but like any

tool, it only works if you use it.

I hope this doesnt come off sounding harsh - that's the last way it's

intended, honestly! If you're following " the rules " and youre not

feeling satisfied by a small portion (They tell you it should be 1oz,

but everyone I've talked to averages about 5-6oz, with some people

going as high as 10oz) you really need to talk to your doctor.

Best of luck!

-Vonja

[Guest guest]

Hi, and welcome! Glad you're here!

3 fills already is quite a lot - the first can be given safely at 6

weeks or so, then others at about one-month intervals. Are

you " counting " the 1 cc that is used to flush the air out of the new

band before insertion? This really is not a fill, as it does not

inflate the band at all.

Fills should be given only as needed. You want as few fills and as

small a fill as you can have to still lose weight within the

recommended guidelines - 1-2# a week or so. The tighter a fill, the

greater a chance of problems or damage to your stomach. Your doc is

wise to hold off and let you learn more aobut the role YOU must play

in your weight loss.

Also, as you lose weight, your body will compact and re-distribute,

so the numbers on the scale are NOT the only indicator of how well

you are doing. Banding is about regaining your HEALTH, not just

losing weight! Don't be so concerned with just the numbers on the

scale, since they are just a general indication anyway. Your weight

loss will NEVER be regular - your body will take regular breaks along

the way to adjust to it's shrinking size.

But, MOST importantly: Why be discouraged when you're doing Fine??

20# in 3 months is great!! You are *NOT* losing slowly - you're

losing as expected! I'm sure you knew from your research that weight

loss with the band is slow and safe. Perhaps you " CAN " eat most of

what you did before, but - if you're serious about weight loss -

you'll realize that the band does not do all the work -*YOU* must put

in some effort too.

so DON'T eat everything you did before! Choose better foods, limit

your quantities, get more exercsie, drink enough water. These are

things that you'll need to do for the rest of your life to maintain

weight loss, so we all must work to make them a part of our lives.

This is part of the " lifestyle changes " we talk about.

If you haven't joined www.Fitday.com yet, please do so. It will heklp

you with learning better food choices, and what types of food we need

to get the 50-60 grams of protein, 25 grams of fiber, 1500 mg of

calcium that we all need every day, on average. A good calorie goal

for most women is 1200-1500 cal a day. Be especially careful with

getting in the protein you need - if you don't, youe body will start

to break down muscles to get it - and the heart is a muscle. Protein

is also essential for weight loss - the body resists loss when it is

protein-deficient. Let us know if you need some help choosing good

band foods.

You're still in the early learning phase of banding(actually, we ALL

are ALWAYS in the learning phase with this quirky band). Pateince and

perseverance are needed with the band. It does no good to get

frustrated and discouraged about the expected weight loss. there will

always be some losing faster, and some losing slower. You are unique,

and all that should matter is YOU doingf fine. It took you (and all

of us) many years to get so heavy, so it is not going to fall off

safely overnight.

REfine your eating a bit, and you may see some increased weight loss.

When your weight loss slows to less than 1-2# a week for more3 than 3-

4 weeks in a row, and your eating is good, then it is time to

consider another fill.

You might want to read the guide in the FILES at the left - " How to

tell when you are Perfectly Adjusted " - it's a great guide to eating

and fills. Sandy R

> HI,

>

> I am new to this list, just joined 2 minutes ago.

>

> I have a few questions about getting a fill.

>

> I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I have had

> 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller one)

and

> I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat

literally

> anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The dr.

> doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am loosing

> weight, though slowly.

>

> They tell me to have patience, but it's very hard. I just feel

> discouraged.

>

> Any adise would be greatly apprecitated.

>

> G.

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

Yes, I think I am counting that first cc. I didn't know that the first one didn't count.

When I said I could eat everything I did before, I meant that I don't have any trouble eating anything. In other words, things don't usually get stuck. I can eat things with skin like tomatoes or grapes. I don't find the need to chew more than I did.

I don't think my expectations are so unreasonable, are they? All I want is to get back to the way I was 3-4 weeks after being banded. I could eat a very small amount in the morning especially, but overall a small amount of food filled me up and made me feel satisfied. At this point, I don't feel like much has happened to me surgically speaking. I feel almost the same as I did before the surgery.

I'm going to check out the files about knowing when you have the correct fills as soon as I send this e-mail.

Thanks for your kind words and advise.

G.

Re: fills

Hi, and welcome! Glad you're here!3 fills already is quite a lot - the first can be given safely at 6 weeks or so, then others at about one-month intervals. Are you "counting" the 1 cc that is used to flush the air out of the new band before insertion? This really is not a fill, as it does not inflate the band at all. Fills should be given only as needed. You want as few fills and as small a fill as you can have to still lose weight within the recommended guidelines - 1-2# a week or so. The tighter a fill, the greater a chance of problems or damage to your stomach. Your doc is wise to hold off and let you learn more aobut the role YOU must play in your weight loss. Also, as you lose weight, your body will compact and re-distribute, so the numbers on the scale are NOT the only indicator of how well you are doing. Banding is about regaining your HEALTH, not just losing weight! Don't be so concerned with just the numbers on the scale, since they are just a general indication anyway. Your weight loss will NEVER be regular - your body will take regular breaks along the way to adjust to it's shrinking size. But, MOST importantly: Why be discouraged when you're doing Fine?? 20# in 3 months is great!! You are *NOT* losing slowly - you're losing as expected! I'm sure you knew from your research that weight loss with the band is slow and safe. Perhaps you "CAN" eat most of what you did before, but - if you're serious about weight loss - you'll realize that the band does not do all the work -*YOU* must put in some effort too. so DON'T eat everything you did before! Choose better foods, limit your quantities, get more exercsie, drink enough water. These are things that you'll need to do for the rest of your life to maintain weight loss, so we all must work to make them a part of our lives. This is part of the "lifestyle changes" we talk about. If you haven't joined www.Fitday.com yet, please do so. It will heklp you with learning better food choices, and what types of food we need to get the 50-60 grams of protein, 25 grams of fiber, 1500 mg of calcium that we all need every day, on average. A good calorie goal for most women is 1200-1500 cal a day. Be especially careful with getting in the protein you need - if you don't, youe body will start to break down muscles to get it - and the heart is a muscle. Protein is also essential for weight loss - the body resists loss when it is protein-deficient. Let us know if you need some help choosing good band foods. You're still in the early learning phase of banding(actually, we ALL are ALWAYS in the learning phase with this quirky band). Pateince and perseverance are needed with the band. It does no good to get frustrated and discouraged about the expected weight loss. there will always be some losing faster, and some losing slower. You are unique, and all that should matter is YOU doingf fine. It took you (and all of us) many years to get so heavy, so it is not going to fall off safely overnight. REfine your eating a bit, and you may see some increased weight loss. When your weight loss slows to less than 1-2# a week for more3 than 3-4 weeks in a row, and your eating is good, then it is time to consider another fill.You might want to read the guide in the FILES at the left - "How to tell when you are Perfectly Adjusted" - it's a great guide to eating and fills. Sandy R> HI, > > I am new to this list, just joined 2 minutes ago. > > I have a few questions about getting a fill. > > I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I have had > 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller one) and > I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat literally > anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The dr. > doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am loosing > weight, though slowly. > > They tell me to have patience, but it's very hard. I just feel > discouraged. > > Any adise would be greatly apprecitated. > > G.

[Guest guest]

You don't need to feel restriction to lose weight well! WE're not

supposed to be eating until the band slams shut - we're supposed to

be learning bettr habits with the band's help, anmd eating more

reasonable quantites - which you must be, or you would not be losing

this well!! you're losing great - so be thankful you can still eat

everything! The point is to NOT get stuck and pb!

What you will be able to eat will always change, sometimes from day

to day. This is also why we need to rely on better habits, rather

than expecting the band to do most of the work. Aiming for 1/2 - 1

cup of food, whether or not we *CAN* eat more, is the goal.

Whether or not we need a fill is determined mostly by weight loss, as

long as we are eating pretty well. If we're not eating well, that

needs to be corrected before we cn determine of we need a fill.

Getting another fill should occur only when all the other things are

in place, but we are STILL not losing the 1-2# a week on average.

REally, you want as LITTLE a fill as you can to still lose the goal

of 1-2# a week - really!! Sandy R

> > HI,

> >

> > I am new to this list, just joined 2 minutes ago.

> >

> > I have a few questions about getting a fill.

> >

> > I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I have

had

> > 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller

one)

> and

> > I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat

> literally

> > anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The dr.

> > doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am

loosing

> > weight, though slowly.

> >

> > They tell me to have patience, but it's very hard. I just feel

> > discouraged.

> >

> > Any adise would be greatly apprecitated.

> >

> > G.

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

Are you sure I'm not talking to Jessie? You sound just like her. Since it is clear to me that you both totally know what you're talking about, I'll trust you both.

You make a good point when you say each person is unique. I maybe have been having expectations of having similar experiences to my friends who've been banded.

I guess I am actually quite thankful that I can eat everything. One thing that Jessie taught me that was extremely helpful was recognizing the feeling of fullness. She said to pay attention if after a small amount of food I sigh. Apparently sighing is a sign of fullness and THAT seems to really help.

BTW, I was not able to open the "Perfectly Adjusted" article for some reason. If you have it saved on your computer, could you please send it to me?

Thanks again. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

G.

Re: fills

You don't need to feel restriction to lose weight well! WE're not supposed to be eating until the band slams shut - we're supposed to be learning bettr habits with the band's help, anmd eating more reasonable quantites - which you must be, or you would not be losing this well!! you're losing great - so be thankful you can still eat everything! The point is to NOT get stuck and pb! What you will be able to eat will always change, sometimes from day to day. This is also why we need to rely on better habits, rather than expecting the band to do most of the work. Aiming for 1/2 - 1 cup of food, whether or not we *CAN* eat more, is the goal. Whether or not we need a fill is determined mostly by weight loss, as long as we are eating pretty well. If we're not eating well, that needs to be corrected before we cn determine of we need a fill. Getting another fill should occur only when all the other things are in place, but we are STILL not losing the 1-2# a week on average. REally, you want as LITTLE a fill as you can to still lose the goal of 1-2# a week - really!! Sandy R> > HI, > > > > I am new to this list, just joined 2 minutes ago. > > > > I have a few questions about getting a fill. > > > > I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I have had > > 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller one) > and > > I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat > literally > > anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The dr. > > doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am loosing > > weight, though slowly. > > > > They tell me to have patience, but it's very hard. I just feel > > discouraged. > > > > Any adise would be greatly apprecitated. > > > > G.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you are really worried, ask them to see how much fluid they can

take out of the band at the next fill. If the amount is close to

what it should be, you are fine, and must need another fill. If

not, you may have a leak. It is easy to check on. Some doctors

also do some kind of dye test if they suspect a leak, but many do

not. Good luck to you!

Eleanor

[Guest guest]

Well, i hope i'm much gentler, less strict, and much more flexible

in my approach than Jessie! There are many ways to be successful woth

banding. The basic " truths " about banding are the same, though, no

matter whose mouth they come from! And, of course, all the basics I

know about banding came mostly from Jessie. she's been banded and at

goal for 5 yrs, and learned all this the hard way, since there was no

one before her to teach her. It was all trial and error for her.

Only 18 months since banding and 8 months at goal for me. :-)

There will always be people losing faster, and slower, than you, and

all are at different stages in their banding, and with different

bodies, metabiolisms, and start weights. All this makes each of us

unique in how we will do, then we have to factor in exercsie,

caslories, stress levels, and much more..

Yes, a single sigh can be a " soft stop " sign. Others incluse a single

burp or hiccup, a sudden runny nose, a slight tightness in the center

of the chest or back, a sneeze, a tiny headache. We all need to learn

to recognize our particular signs, and heed them. Mine is one hiccup -

and if I do not stop at once, including spitting out what i might

have already in my mouth, I'm too full. With one MORE bite, I will

barf. So, you can bet I stop! i haven't barfed for at least 8 months.

Yes, I'lkl forward you the handout. Sandy R

..

> > > HI,

> > >

> > > I am new to this list, just joined 2 minutes ago.

> > >

> > > I have a few questions about getting a fill.

> > >

> > > I was banded on June 3, 2004. I have lost about 20 lbs. I

have

> had

> > > 3 fills. I am up to about 3 1/2 cc in my band (the samller

> one)

> > and

> > > I can say I don't really feel much restriction. I can eat

> > literally

> > > anything and just about as much as before the surgery. The

dr.

> > > doesn't want to give me another fill becuase they say I am

> loosing

> > > weight, though slowly.

> > >

> > > They tell me to have patience, but it's very hard. I just

feel

> > > discouraged.

> > >

> > > Any adise would be greatly apprecitated.

> > >

> > > G.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone, I filled out this survey involving fill Doctors in the

United States. I was wondering if everyone would go to this link and

fill it out also. So that we don't have to go all the way back to

Mexico and spend that much more money. I read a posting from Eylee

about a company getting fill Doctors together to do fill for those of

us that go the Lap Band in a different country so I started

researching it and found this survey. Check it out

http://arrowpine.com/survey/index.asp

Banded People Together Forever. Thanks .

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone, I filled out this survey involving fill Doctors in the

United States. I was wondering if everyone would go to this link and

fill it out also. So that we don't have to go all the way back to

Mexico and spend that much more money. I read a posting from Eylee

about a company getting fill Doctors together to do fill for those of

us that go the Lap Band in a different country so I started

researching it and found this survey. Check it out

http://arrowpine.com/survey/index.asp

Banded People Together Forever. Thanks .

[Guest guest]

Your doc really should be educating you on all this! I personally

wanted to know all this before I decided that banding was right for me.

The surgery is only the very first step - then there are a great many

things to learn to do well, and then more to learn to maintain that

loss.

The band simply does not work for most people until they get to a good

fill level. the people who lose a lot before fills are rare indeed.

Like about 2% of people, tha last I read, and these are almost always

those who start outy very heavy, and men.

The rest of us need, on average, 3-5 fills in the first 6-8 months to

get to a good level, and then serious weight loss will start, if you

have been pretty good about getting all the other things in place -

good food choices, reduced calories, exercise, fluids, protein, etc. It

all fiyts together wityh a good fill.

There are 4 sizes of Inamed bands, with 3 in use in the US. your doc

should have fit the one on you that was the correct size for YOU, and

this has nothing to do with your outside stature. You must always know

the size band you have, as each takes a different fill level. The

largest band, the VG band, is quite different and takes a lot more

skill on the part of the docs to fill to a good level. you should also

have gotten from your doc both an Inamed ID card for your wallet (with

the size band and fill capacity on ity) and a patient care guide from

Inamed. If you didn't , please ask for them.

(I'm assuming, of course, that you got an Inamed band - the only one

approved for US use. some of the MX docs who charge low fees use other

bands that are not approved for US use, and these can be difficult to

find care for, especially in an urgent situation).

Until we get a good fill level, many people see no difference in what

and how they eat, since the band isn't working yet.

The fill level YOU need, and the stoma opening that works optimally for

YOU will be unique. That's why it takes several fills to tweak it

to " just right. "

I have found that it can be true that those starting thinner need to be

more diligent in learning and following the band rules and learning

better habits, changing emotional eating, getting good exercise than

heavier people. For instance, the band will never stop your emoptyion

al eating, or your choosing to eat sweets and junk. These arer not

restricted at all, (sadly!). We need to change these habits on our

own. But with time, patience, and perseverance, threy can do as well

as anyone.

Hope this helps answer some of the basic stuff - Sandy R (Kuri, at

goal x 2 yrs)

>

> Hi, I was banded 10-19-05 and have lost 12lbs to date. I lost those

> lbs in the 2nd and 3rd week but haven't lost any more. I know that I

> am for enough out to have a fill, but I have also heard of people

> losing alot of weight before ever having one. Does your wt.lost come

> more rapidly after your first fill? I was on the low end of the BMI

> to begain with and was told it would come more slowly. Since I have

> been able to eat pretty much anything I have not found anything I

> can't eat. Is that normal? Does everyone get the same size band?

and

> is everyones opening the same?

>

> Just a few off the top of my head questions!

>

> Thanks for the time.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi. I have very similar circumstances as you - banded 10-18-05, lost 10 lbs. in

first few weeks. Now I have no restriction, and can eat anything, and am back

to dieting by willpower only. Today is my 6 wk. anniversary. I, too, started

with lower BMI than many. I'm in Houston area. What area do you live? I'd

like to find someone to travel with me to Del Rio, TX (Acuna, MX) to Dr.

for a fill. The only clinic I've found in Houston area who is WILLING

to fill my (Inamed) band make me feel like a 2nd class citizen for having been

banded in Mexico. Any ideas anyone?

gailsellshomes <gailsellshomes@...> wrote:Hi, I was banded 10-19-05 and

have lost 12lbs to date. I lost those

lbs in the 2nd and 3rd week but haven't lost any more. I know that I

am for enough out to have a fill, but I have also heard of people

losing alot of weight before ever having one. Does your wt.lost come

more rapidly after your first fill? I was on the low end of the BMI

to begain with and was told it would come more slowly. Since I have

been able to eat pretty much anything I have not found anything I

can't eat. Is that normal? Does everyone get the same size band? and

is everyones opening the same?

Just a few off the top of my head questions!

Thanks for the time.

[Guest guest]

Ask on the great Texas band boards - there are lots of bandsters in

Texas, and a good # of fill docs. Dr Rodriquez might also be able to

refer you to a fill doc there. Be sure whomever you go to has a good

teaching/aftercare program, as that is what will determine how well

you do. You need to learn a lot about the band and what works and how

to take good care of it and your stomach, so the band will work for

you and you can avoid slips and erosions, and other big problems.

Sandy R

>

> Hi. I have very similar circumstances as you - banded 10-18-05,

lost 10 lbs. in first few weeks. Now I have no restriction, and can

eat anything, and am back to dieting by willpower only. Today is my

6 wk. anniversary. I, too, started with lower BMI than many. I'm in

Houston area. What area do you live? I'd like to find someone to

travel with me to Del Rio, TX (Acuna, MX) to Dr. for a

fill. The only clinic I've found in Houston area who is WILLING to

fill my (Inamed) band make me feel like a 2nd class citizen for

having been banded in Mexico. Any ideas anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

I was banded in Mexico by DR. . I live in Houston and have

been to Dallas and College Station for fills. Dr. Maese in Dallas

does good work. Dr. Eijsink in College Station also does good

fills.

They both use fluoro. The cost for both is $200

Carole

Hi, I was banded 10-19-

05 and have lost 12lbs to date. I lost those

> lbs in the 2nd and 3rd week but haven't lost any more. I know

that I

> am for enough out to have a fill, but I have also heard of people

> losing alot of weight before ever having one. Does your wt.lost

come

> more rapidly after your first fill? I was on the low end of the

BMI

> to begain with and was told it would come more slowly. Since I

have

> been able to eat pretty much anything I have not found anything I

> can't eat. Is that normal? Does everyone get the same size band?

and

> is everyones opening the same?

>

> Just a few off the top of my head questions!

>

> Thanks for the time.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Third option in Texas, which I recommend highly is in Paris, $250,

both docs are radiologists, one is banded. www.rrvr.net Yes, I've

used them, and yes, they're very good.

A little far from Houston, but at least another option.

dan

Tuesday, November 29, 2005, 2:46:34 PM, you wrote:

C> I was banded in Mexico by DR. . I live in

C> Houston and have

C> been to Dallas and College Station for fills.

C> Dr. Maese in Dallas

C> does good work. Dr. Eijsink in College Station

C> also does good

C> fills.

C> They both use fluoro. The cost for both is $200

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/209/199 Age 62 Fair is whatever God decides to do.

[Guest guest]

Sorry, there are no fill people at all in Portland any longer. There

are only a few band surgeons in oregon, let alone fill people. The

closest one would be Dr. Willian Neal's group in shelton. Dr

Fitzpatrick is now in Eugene, and she also does not use fluoro.

Sandy R (portland) Kuri, at goal x 2 yrs.

>

> I'm going to have my surgery in Washington, however; I live in

Oregon.

> Does anyone know of someone who will do fills for me close to where

I

> live? Between Hillsboro and Portland would be ideal.

>

[Guest guest]

Just FYI--- will still have office hours in Portland even after

she is totally moved to Eugene.

Cheri Mathisen

-- In , " Sandy " <MoonshadowRN@y...> wrote:

>

> Sorry, there are no fill people at all in Portland any longer. There

> are only a few band surgeons in oregon, let alone fill people. The

> closest one would be Dr. Willian Neal's group in shelton. Dr

> Fitzpatrick is now in Eugene, and she also does not use fluoro.

>

> Sandy R (portland) Kuri, at goal x 2 yrs.

>

> >

> > I'm going to have my surgery in Washington, however; I live in

> Oregon.

> > Does anyone know of someone who will do fills for me close to where

> I

> > live? Between Hillsboro and Portland would be ideal.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Lori, one of the biggest reasons to have regular fluoros is to find

problems early. I have personal experience with this, I'm afraid,

that i will share again.

I had local fills my entire first 12 months, until i got to goal,

with no fluoros at all. I never had any problem, and was losing well.

Whebn I went to the Seattle Bash 15 mo after banding, when I was at

goal weight, I got a routine fluoro. It showed that my esophagus was

badly dilated, and I had had no symptoms of trouble at all. A bit of

reflux occasioanlly, as we all might have.

This was quite serious, and Dr Kuri insisted on a complete unfill for

3 months to allow the esophagus to heal. If this had not been found,

I could have needed my band totally removed or worse. If I had not

had that fluoro, I would not have had one until a year later at the

next Bash -- and by then would have been in VERY VERY serious

trouble.

It was extremely difficult not to regain during that 3-month unfill.

And, Since then, I have had a lot of problems gewtting to a good fill

again. Actually, I CANNOT get to a good fill again, and it is a

dail;y struggle to maintain.

I am maintaining my goal weight ok, but it is a LOT harder than it

should be - or would have been, had I not had the dilated esophagus.

We think that, during the 3 months I was unfilled, scar tissue built

up irregularly, and now i cannot even tolerate the amount of fill I

got with my very FIRST fill. I now can't go a tad obver 1.87 cc

without terrible reflux. My very first fill was 2.2 cc, and was just

about perfect.

Let me tell, you, this is not easy!! It's actually VERY VERY hard. I

wish I had gotten the routine fluoros that would have shown the first

bit of dilation, when it would have very easily been corrected with a

brief unfill.

This is why I am such a strong advocate of regular fluoros. I don't

think one is necessarily needed witrh EVERY single fill, but

certainly several times a year whenever we ar in the active fill-and-

weight-loss period.

As another example, when we find we are able to eat more, most would

go for a fill. but a dilated pouch or esophagus would also allow us

to eat more. The only way to tell the difference is with a fluoro.

If we go ahead and blindly get more fill in a situation like this, it

can be very dangerous.

With their " routine " fluoros with fills, the MX, European, and

Australian docs often find small problems that can be easily

corrected before they become big problems.

A small bit of prevention saves a huge amount tof trouble, and

sometimes very serious trouble. Sandy R--

- In , " LORI RUTLEDGE "

<loriteam411@...> wrote:

>

> I had surgery on 7/11/05 and have had 4 fills. The last one seems

> to have hit the " sweet " spot. My doctor is Dr. Simpson here in AZ.

> I have never needed a local nor have any been done with flouro.

>

> My port is turned a bit but with his expertise he seems to hit it

> right the first time all but once, it took twice.

>

> I know everyone talks about only using flouro but I wanted to share

> a success story without it.

>

> I am coming up on my first anniversary and down 80 pounds. I did

go

> several months without any weight loss so those of you feeling like

> it's too slow, make sure you get a fill. I waited for about 2

> months once thinking it would get tighter somehow, also admit I was

> enjoying the eating so I didn't rush in for a fill.

>

> I've been too tight now for about 3 weeks due to the last fill. In

> the past with about ten to fifteen pounds loss It seems to loosen

> up. I am waiting for that to happen. In the meantime, I'm not able

> to eat very much but enjoying the faster weight loss.

>

> Time will tell.

>

> Lori

> 7/11/05

> 317/234/175

>

[Guest guest]

sounds perfect! Sandy R

> > >

> > > I had surgery on 7/11/05 and have had 4 fills. The last one

> seems

> > > to have hit the " sweet " spot. My doctor is Dr. Simpson here in

> AZ.

> > > I have never needed a local nor have any been done with

flouro.

> > >

> > > My port is turned a bit but with his expertise he seems to hit

> it

> > > right the first time all but once, it took twice.

> > >

> > > I know everyone talks about only using flouro but I wanted to

> share

> > > a success story without it.

> > >

> > > I am coming up on my first anniversary and down 80 pounds. I

> did

> > go

> > > several months without any weight loss so those of you feeling

> like

> > > it's too slow, make sure you get a fill. I waited for about 2

> > > months once thinking it would get tighter somehow, also admit I

> was

> > > enjoying the eating so I didn't rush in for a fill.

> > >

> > > I've been too tight now for about 3 weeks due to the last

fill.

> In

> > > the past with about ten to fifteen pounds loss It seems to

> loosen

> > > up. I am waiting for that to happen. In the meantime, I'm not

> able

> > > to eat very much but enjoying the faster weight loss.

> > >

> > > Time will tell.

> > >

> > > Lori

> > > 7/11/05

> > > 317/234/175

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I'm back from vacation and catching up on posts. Your story, Sandy,

> got my attention.

>

> My concern is this. I always get fluoro with my fills. In April my

> stomach and esophagus looked very straight, wiener-like. My surgeon

> commented that I didn't have much of a pouch. I think the food was

> falling straight through.

>

> At my unfill I saw that I look very different. I have a pouch and the

> surgeon said my esophagus was " mildly dilated. " I asked him if it

> were a problem and/or a symptom of " pouch packing. "

What is " pouch packing " ?

Jeannie

3/8/05

** almost** at goal weight

[Guest guest]

Jeannie,

As I understand it, " pouch packing " is overeating to the point that

the pouch and/or esophagus become enlarged. I've read that some

people not only fill their pouch but also back pile into their

esophagus. I'll be posting an update shortly.

Sherry

> What is " pouch packing " ?

>

> Jeannie

[Guest guest]

Hi, Vania - welcome!

The Inamed VG band is about a 12-13 cm band. It's measured differently,

so we cannot call it a " 12 cm band " , as we call the others the 9.75 cm,

10.0 cm, or 11 .0 cm bands.

The suggested max fill for the VG is 10 cc, but it can and does safely

hold much more than this when needed. There really is NO " max " at all. -

With the higher levels, however, there are a number of precautions that

must be taken.

Some docs put these big bands into most - if not all - of their

patients awhile ago, and this is not going well for some patients. The

VG was designed only for people of a 45 bmi or more, or with very large

of thick stomachs. The smaller people who got them are having a lot of

trouble getting to a good fill level, and it's taking very big fills -

which are increasing the slip and erosion rates, and other problem, in

some. Some have even had to have a smaller band put in to achieve good

results.

Sandy r

Kuri patient educator

at goal > 3.5 yrs

>

> Hello all I just have a general question, I have the lap band size V6

> I wanted to know if anyone knew how many CC's it holds?

>

> Thank you,

> Vania

>

[Guest guest]

Hello vaniaclaros,

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 8:42:08 AM, you wrote:

> Hello all I just have a general question, I have the lap band size V6

> I wanted to know if anyone knew how many CC's it holds?

I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Your doctor will get it to the

right amount eventually. The only amounts in a band are:

too little

too much

just right

just like the 3 bears

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honu@...

[Guest guest]

Hey Dan,

Thank you for answering me.

Vania

Re: Fills

Hello vaniaclaros,

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 8:42:08 AM, you wrote:

> Hello all I just have a general question, I have the lap band size V6

> I wanted to know if anyone knew how many CC's it holds?

I don't know, but it doesn't matter.. Your doctor will get it to the

right amount eventually. The only amounts in a band are:

too little

too much

just right

just like the 3 bears

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honuriverofdata (DOT) com

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Need a vacation? Get great deals

to amazing places on Travel.

http://travel./

[Guest guest]

Dan, I just love your easy going answers - too much-too little-just

right....I'm learning to not be so uptight about the specifics of

this journey....Can ya tell I'm a type 'A' ?

Old habits are hard to break.

>

> > Hello all I just have a general question, I have the lap band

size V6

> > I wanted to know if anyone knew how many CC's it holds?

>

> I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Your doctor will get it to the

> right amount eventually. The only amounts in a band are:

>

> too little

> too much

> just right

>

>

> just like the 3 bears

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Dan mailto:honu@...

>

[Guest guest]

Hello cindywebb1667,

Tuesday, October 2, 2007, 4:29:49 PM, you wrote:

> Dan, I just love your easy going answers - too much-too little-just

> right....

Thanks for the kind words. I'm just my regular self....whether good

or bad....which isn't about to change at my age.

> I'm learning to not be so uptight about the specifics of

> this journey....Can ya tell I'm a type 'A' ?

I'd say most of us are Type A. That's why we've stuck to our food and

other behaviors for so long.

> Old habits are hard to break.

Absolutely. And if they were easy to break, either they wouldn't

really be habits, or else we wouldn't need a band.

And the older we are, the harder they are to break....partly because

we've had them longer, and partly because in general we get more stuck

in our ways as we age.

And then there is the slowing of our metabolisms....

These aren't necessarily exact numbers, but if you need 1500 calories

to maintain at age 20 you might only need 1400 at 40 and 1300 at 60

and 1200 at 80. Just one more penalty of getting older.

--

Best regards,

Dan mailto:honu@...