New member

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/1/2003 5:43:07 PM Mountain Standard Time, Lady64D@... writes:

Hashimoto's

what is that

[Guest guest]

bee

thanks so much...i am new to all of this...i just started my meds not a month ago....how long does it usually take to start feeling better

[Guest guest]

Bee,

Thanks for the sug. I will certainly ask the Dr. for more meds. when I go in next Fri. Yes, she checks both t4 & t3 each time bef. my visit.

[Guest guest]

Welcome Debbie,

I'd like to point you in the direction of SmartBandsters for general

bandster info. To join, send a blank email to

SmartBandsters-subscribe . That is where we do most of our

advice seeking and finding. This list is mostly for announcements of events

pertaining to the Pac NW.

With that said, to answer your question, I liked warm V-8, it really seemed

to fill me up during the liquid phase. Also try Propel Fitness water, and a

lot of us like the Crystal Lite drinks.

Good luck with your surgery, and I hope to see you at some of our events!

Barb S. from Monroe

4-11-02 Dr. Oh

300/187/150

barbooch@...

[Guest guest]

Head out to Fred Meyer, go to their health food area and purchase the

Pacific soups. They are wonderful. Pick up the sugar free jello,

s.f. popcycles.

Gayle in Seattle

5/1/03

390/330/320s

Dr. Srikanth/Oh

> I am a new member of this group. I will be getting my band on 9/30

at Evergreen Hospital. My doctor is Dr. Montgomery of Northwest

Weight Loss Surgery.

>

> Any advice on how to prepare for surgery and the first few days at

home would be appreciated. I do not like sugary drinks or store-

bought bouillon, so I was wondering what to stock up on for the first

two weeks. Water can get pretty boring. Home-made bouillon, jell,

and iced herbal tea are things I have considered. What were your

favorite liquids during this time?

>

> Thank you

>

> Debbie

>

>

[Guest guest]

WLSsuccess.com has some liquid protein called SciFit that goes down

real easy after surgery.

Myshalla

[Guest guest]

Welcome, . This is the place to find out about local meetings. You

can check our group calendar at the groups website to see when our

" Soup Nights " are, or you can read about them in email, people usually post

about upcoming events a few days before they happen.

Barb S. in Monroe

barbooch@...

[Guest guest]

Hi, Herman! Welcome! Men often lose faster than women, for a number

of reasons. the average weight loss with the band, over time, is 1-2#

a week, or 50-100 # in a year, but many do better.

Everyone's loss is different, though, and will depend a lot on YOU.

You certainly CAN lose 163 # - lots of people have! Just as an

example, take a look at Dr Kuri's website - and look at how great

other guys have done! You sure can too! Good luck tomorrow - you'll

do fine.

http://www.beliteweight.com/ Sandy RN

>

>

> Hello all,

> My name is Herman and I'm from Long Island NY.

> I'm getting banded tomorrow 11/02/04

> my pre-weight is 363 and I stand at 6'2 " .

> my goal is to lose 163 pounds. Am I being realistic? what is the

> average weight loss in a year?

[Guest guest]

Yes you can loose 163 lb. We have a lot of people here who have lost 100+. You

have to understand that the band is a tool and you will have to exercise and eat

right as part of the bargain. I lost about 70 first year and 35 year two.

Donna

New Member

Hello all,

My name is Herman and I'm from Long Island NY.

I'm getting banded tomorrow 11/02/04

my pre-weight is 363 and I stand at 6'2 " .

my goal is to lose 163 pounds. Am I being realistic? what is the

average weight loss in a year?

[Guest guest]

Herman,

Not being unrealistic at all. Hope your surgery went well today.

I went in at 405 and have lost 105 and still have 95 pounds to go

till my goal is reached.

Charlie

05/16/03

405/300/200

Glen Rose, TX

[Guest guest]

Yes, yes, and yes. First of all, reflux can do damage to your esophagus. Second

of all, it's possible to aspirate the reflux and wind up with pneumonia which

I'm sure you'll hear is no fun whatsoever, thirdly, it could be a sign of

something gone awry with your band. Is your surgeon close by? Have you had

flouro or xrays done of your band recently to make sure all is well with it's

positioning? I seriously think you should contact your physician and let him

know about this. I hope all is well!! Good luck to you and welcome!

new member

Hi all, I am new here, name's Rima, female, 28 yo and living in

Belgium.

I had the swedish adjustable band last year in July, and the day of

the surgery I weighed 225 pounds, I am 5'6 and my bmi was around 36.

Now, 15 months post-op I am -65 pounds at 160 pounds with a bmi of

26.

That's about me, now I have a question I was hoping someone can help

me with. I have had acid reflux for the past month and a half. I

have been taking antacids whenever I feel the acid start moving up

to my throat, and so far it helps. Can anyone tell me what I might

be doing wrong to cause this reflux? and what I can do to stop it

without taking anymore antacids? And is it serious? I mean, is it

harmful to my health, to the band and to the weightloss in general?

thanks a lot for your help, hope someone has answers for these

questions.

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.786 / Virus Database: 532 - Release Date: 10/29/2004

[Guest guest]

Hi, and welcome! REgular reflux is always dangerous and should never

be ignored. If it starts right after a fill, it almost always means

the fill is too tight, and a tiny amount needs to be removed.

If it starts suddenly without a new fill, it signals possible

problems, and you need a exam and fluoroscopy to be sure the band is

till in good position, and the pouch has not become enlarged from

overeating.

Reflux is dangerous for a great number of reasons.

Firstly, even ONE episode can lead to a teriible aspiration pneumonia

that takes 1-2 months to recover from. Reflux also damages your

stoma, esophagus, and pouch. It can lead to erosion, which requires

the band to be removed.

The reflux causes the pouch and stoma to swell, whicj leads to MORE

reflux.

Constant antacids are not the answr. Firstly, none ogf them work

perfectly. they only supporess symptoms, so you think you are better,

but the trrlux is still there. Stomach acid is essential to good

health, as it it critical in killing off the many types of bacteria

in foods and fluids that we normally wqt. A vert recent study showed

those taking antacides for more than a few weeks, have a much greated

incidence of bowel infections, pnumonia, and other serious

infections. Longterm antacids also cause nerve damage and B-12

vitamin deflficeny.

Please see your band doc for a full exam very soon. In the meantime,

please make the behavioral and eating changes suggested in these

links about GERD (reflux). If all this improves your reflux, please

don't think you still should not see your doc.

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic857.htm

http://www.aboutgerd.org/

http://www.gerd.com/faq/gerd-faq.htm

The most important thign, starting tomight, is to raise the head of

your bed on 5-6 inch blocks. Simply using extra pillows is not the

same, and actually can make reflux worse. Also, don't eat ANY solids

for 2-3 hrs before bedtime, and one hour before bedtime, drink a full

glass of water only, to rinse out the pouch. Take any " bedtime " meds

then too, never right before bed. If you're on any kind os esreogen,

take it only in the morning.

hope all this helps - please let us know how you do. sandy RN

>

>

> Hi all, I am new here, name's Rima, female, 28 yo and living in

> Belgium.

> I had the swedish adjustable band last year in July, and the day of

> the surgery I weighed 225 pounds, I am 5'6 and my bmi was around

36.

> Now, 15 months post-op I am -65 pounds at 160 pounds with a bmi of

> 26.

> That's about me, now I have a question I was hoping someone can

help

> me with. I have had acid reflux for the past month and a half. I

> have been taking antacids whenever I feel the acid start moving up

> to my throat, and so far it helps. Can anyone tell me what I might

> be doing wrong to cause this reflux? and what I can do to stop it

> without taking anymore antacids? And is it serious? I mean, is it

> harmful to my health, to the band and to the weightloss in general?

> thanks a lot for your help, hope someone has answers for these

> questions.

[Guest guest]

Sandy, Gisele and Leatha,

thanks for your inputs. I called my doctor yesterday and he said

that the reflux is a sign that I should decrease my fill a bit. I

currently have 7 cc in my 11 cc band, and have had 7 cc since

february. But my reflux problems have only started a month and a

half ago. doc says that i should wait and see for a week or two and

readjust the way I eat, like not eating too late and especially to

not eat for at least 3 hours before bedtime. if the problem

persists, then i would have to have maybe half a cc removed in two

weeks time, but if my reflux is gone, then i would be able to

continue with my 7cc. I have been changing the way I eat since

yesterday and eating very slowly, chewing my food thoroughly and

yesterday and today, i have not yet experienced any reflux problems.

I hope it will stay this way. I am afraid if i have my band loosened

i will gain weight again, and that is the last thing i want to do.

besides chocolate, coffee, tea, orange juice, tomatoes, are there

anything else that I should avoid? Can I still drink milk or would

it cause problems also? I like drinking milk because it keeps me

full and I get migraines if i dont drink any milk at all.

Again, thanks for your inputs and I will keep on posting with my

progress.

Rima

225/160/125

[Guest guest]

...this doesn't sound good. Most US doctors stitch the port

down from the get-go, I think. I have heard of the tubing literally

coming out thru the incision (someone posted pics on one of the

message boards...if you need me to find them, I will). I don't know

if I would call that type of complication a " stoma " or not. I was

under the impression that a stoma was an opening more or less with a

purpose - the opening from our pouch to our stomach, for example.

My grandson had a colonostomy and his stoma was the portion of his

bowel that stuck out thru the skin. Anyway, my advice is to go back

and have the surgeon take another look at the whole thing.

Pain/redness at the incision site after this long cannot be a good

sign.

Carlene

[Guest guest]

I'm having a hard time undertsnading exactly what is going on.

A " stoma " is a hole or opening leading to something else - like the

MOUTH is a stoma, or the opening between the upper and lower banded

stiomach is a " stoma. "

You can'r really say a first fill of " only " 1.5 - this would be far

too much for some, while just right for others, and too small for

still others.

It sounds as if the rubing perhaps was coming to the surface, which

very rarely happens. The port is stutured to the abdominal myscle

deep in your belly, and ther in only 5 inches of tubing exposed

before it dips UNDER the muscle to engert yout abdominal cavity. Nit

sure how it cold come to the surface, but it shou,d have nothing to

do with weight loss. Men often lose 50-60 # in a month and don't have

this problem. I also don't see how ant " flu " would have affected the

tubing. Even if you were barfing (which should have been halted

rapidly with medication) it would not affect the tubing.

I also don't know just what you mean by " releasing the fluid from the

stoma. " Perhaps you mean removing ther fluid from the PORT.

Please try to tell us more about what is going on. If you're

concerned, you should get a second opinion, and soon. something is

not right here.

If you have recently had the port stitched down, of course you should

not be doing any lifting for 4-6 weeks. The area wil be red and

irritated until it heals, which will be several weeks.

What makes the doc think anything is leaking? Who is your doctor - is

her experuienced, or a newer band surgeon? Where do you live?

Sandy RN

>

>

> Hi my name is I am 28 years old and had my surgery done

> November 9th > My beginning weight was 256 and I am now down to

> 214. I have had two fills one about 2 months ago, and another last

> friday. After my first fill fo only 1.5 I was told two weeks later

> that i had a " stoma " from loosing the weight so rapidly and that My

> tube connecting the port and the band was trying to herniate my

port

> site incission. I lost 10 lbs right after my first fill, but came

> down with a really bad flu around the same time so who knows if it

> was because of the fill or my flu. At anyrate about a month ago, I

> had to go in and have outpatient surgery where he released the

fluid

> from the stoma, and stiched my tube to the abdominal muscle. I was

> good to go, it healed quickly the scar looked nicer than the

> original, but i wasnt loosing weight, so i called to have another

> fill. This time I went last friday. I have lost 5 lbs already,

but

> I again have severe reddening at the port site, I can feel fluid

> under the skin and it hurts again like it did when I had just had

> the original surgery. Has anyone heard of this? My Dr. here in

the

> states gave me an antibioyic to take, but I am afraid i am going to

> pick up my daughter tomarrow, and have the port pop right on out.

> Has anyone else heard of this? My TJ dr. says I am a slow healer

> but there is no reason to worry. It hurts so bad, I cant imagine

> this is right, My husband said he thought it might be leaking. He

> sint a Dr. but it makes sense as I have had the smae problem after

a

> fill.. Can anyone give me some insight on this? What would you

do?

> I am so happy to be down the weight i dont take any of my meds i

had

> to take before the surgery, and aside from the " stoma " I feel

> great. Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

Sandy, I think she means " seroma " --sounds similar. From her

description I'll bet that's what it was.

Jill in AZ

>

> I'm having a hard time undertsnading exactly what is going on.

> A " stoma " is a hole or opening leading to something else - like the

> MOUTH is a stoma, or the opening between the upper and lower banded

> stiomach is a " stoma. "

>

[Guest guest]

I've had it for 7 years, so don't want to quit now. The pills are cheap. I

do'nt know what the odds are of not getting GERD after the surgery. I'm only

one week out.

-- new member

hi all

I am new, I just joined, ihave been banded for 2 years and I am excited

about this group. I was just reading about acid reflux, do many of you take

something for it? doesn't that mean you are over restricted? just curious

thanks

emily

[Guest guest]

Hi - - welcome! Most of us don't have reflux, and, you're right,

it is usually a sign of being overfilled (or other trouble).

A few have reflux before banding, and it has not been completely

resolved with band surgery, so they still may have reflux NOT from

being overfilled, and may need ongoing meds for it. Those are special

cases, and they are followed closely by their docs.

Tell us more about you and your band experiences (if you'd like) !

Where do you live? How are you doing? Sandy R (Kuri, 3/25/03, at goal)

> hi all

>

> I am new, I just joined, ihave been banded for 2 years and I am

excited about this group. I was just reading about acid reflux, do

many of you take something for it? doesn't that mean you are over

restricted? just curious thanks

>

> emily

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for the warm welcome,

I was banded 4/03, I had a overfill, I was completely deflated and it is not 8

months and I am still not at restriction, going real slowly .2 at a time, every

4 weeks or so, but that is ok, overrestriction really is awful. I live in Ri,

and I love my band I am at goal and have been there for over a year, but would

like to go down a few more lbs.

4.16.03

Dr Pohl/Dr

331/134/125

[Guest guest]

Hello,. welcome to the group. I am on a low dose of synthroid as well.

How is it going? DO you feel better than before? I feel somewhat

better, but my weight is still up and my period are not regulated...

>

> I recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism on Wednesday because I had

my

> thyroid checked on Monday. I bought a book to help me understand it

> more and alot of the symptoms I have/had I have tucked them out of

my

> mind just thinking ohhhh something is just wrong with me . . .

nothing

> in particular.

>

> I dont have it that bad because I am on a pretty low dose of meds.

>

> I am looking forward to meeting you all and am interested in hearing

> how you all deal with it.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, sorry for the late welcome,

Have you noticed a big difference from your first year on med to now?

How long did it take for everything to seem to regulate? I am feeling

better for sure, but my weight is still up despite 1 hour cardio 5

days a week and watching my eating. My periods have not yet regulated

as well, which is really frustrating for me since I am TTC...

>

> Hello Group I'm new just wanted to say hi & introduce myself , I'm

> I've had hypothyroidism for 10 yr.s now .

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the welcome I didnt think anyone responded to messages

on here LOL. It is going okay. I still sometimes I dont have the

best energy . . . which was why I was tested in the first place. I

was tested 2 months after I started meds and doc said I was okay to

stay on 25mcg. He put me on Myadec, multivitamin, for energy. It

goes help much better but I still have energy issuses.

My weight is still up as well but I guess that in part is because I

dont exercise. My periods actually have started to regulate

themselves before I was even diagnosed. Although, they are still a

little off. Are irregular periods a syptom of hypothyroidism?

I asked my mother in law, who works at my doc's office, to ask the

doc or nurse if I should get retested and when but so far she hasnt

asked. How often do you get tested?

> >

> > I recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism on Wednesday because I

had

> my

> > thyroid checked on Monday. I bought a book to help me understand

it

> > more and alot of the symptoms I have/had I have tucked them out

of

> my

> > mind just thinking ohhhh something is just wrong with me . . .

> nothing

> > in particular.

> >

> > I dont have it that bad because I am on a pretty low dose of meds.

> >

> > I am looking forward to meeting you all and am interested in

hearing

> > how you all deal with it.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

re blood tests, my gp checked my blood every 3 months for the first year,

I'm now having 6 monthly checks. My mum whose been diagnosed hypothyroid for

years gets her blood checked yearly.

Lorraine.

Re: New Member

> Thanks for the welcome I didnt think anyone responded to messages

> on here LOL. It is going okay. I still sometimes I dont have the

> best energy . . . which was why I was tested in the first place. I

> was tested 2 months after I started meds and doc said I was okay to

> stay on 25mcg. He put me on Myadec, multivitamin, for energy. It

> goes help much better but I still have energy issuses.

>

> My weight is still up as well but I guess that in part is because I

> dont exercise. My periods actually have started to regulate

> themselves before I was even diagnosed. Although, they are still a

> little off. Are irregular periods a syptom of hypothyroidism?

>

> I asked my mother in law, who works at my doc's office, to ask the

> doc or nurse if I should get retested and when but so far she hasnt

> asked. How often do you get tested?

>

>

>> >

>> > I recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism on Wednesday because I

> had

>> my

>> > thyroid checked on Monday. I bought a book to help me understand

> it

>> > more and alot of the symptoms I have/had I have tucked them out

> of

>> my

>> > mind just thinking ohhhh something is just wrong with me . . .

>> nothing

>> > in particular.

>> >

>> > I dont have it that bad because I am on a pretty low dose of meds.

>> >

>> > I am looking forward to meeting you all and am interested in

> hearing

>> > how you all deal with it.

>> >

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I think once a year for TSH if you are feeling OK. I keep meaning to

go on a multi vit but they make me SOOOOO nauseated...I find that

now that I on meds I am able to lose weight if I work out, where-as

before I could not lose it no matter what.

Yes, anovulation/irregular periods are symptoms of hypothyroid. I am

still running a 50 day cycle...(and ttc so it really sucks)...and my

endo said " that could be the best it gets for you " ...(that kinda

pissed me off to tell you the truth, I wish he would have at least

tried upping my synthroid one more step to see if that would get

them shorter, and if it threw me into hyper then knocked me back

down).

(I was tested every 3 months for 9 months and now I am thinking it

will be once a year if all is good...unless I get pregnant, in which

case I do beleive that the syntroid has to be upped, and then I have

no idea how often it is required...)

> > >

> > > I recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism on Wednesday because

I

> had

> > my

> > > thyroid checked on Monday. I bought a book to help me

understand

> it

> > > more and alot of the symptoms I have/had I have tucked them

out

> of

> > my

> > > mind just thinking ohhhh something is just wrong with me . . .

> > nothing

> > > in particular.

> > >

> > > I dont have it that bad because I am on a pretty low dose of

meds.

> > >

> > > I am looking forward to meeting you all and am interested in

> hearing

> > > how you all deal with it.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

My photos aren't on the group site, but are at the link shown below in my

signature. Not only before and after, but also tummytuck pictures complete with

sutures and drains and such.

dan

Lord, I never complain, never ask why, please don't let my dreams run dry....

www.mylapband.tk

Dan Lester, Boise, Idaho, USA

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/27/03

355/323/212/190

New Member

>Hello All,

>I was banded Dec. 13th, 2006. I am looking forward to making new

>friends here and getting and giving advice on this journey to make a

>difference in our lives. My name is I'm 33 years old and live

>in Texas. I have lost 17lbs as of today and am so excited about my

>future and to start to see this weight dropping off that I have

>struggled with for so long. I love to see all the photos of the group

>members before and after. I can't wait until I can post before and

>after photos. The photos really do give me so much encouragement.

>

>