Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Tuesday, August 22, 2006, 7:27:48 PM, you wrote: > I have written before here I am again. I had my band put in feb. 2006. I have > not had a fill yet as my Dr. is concerned because I occasionally still vomit and he > stated after reviewing my upper GI that my hiatel hernia has gotten larger since the > surgery Amazing. Most docs would FIX the hernia while they were in there doing the band. Why doesn't he fix it now?? > so he put me on Protonix for the excess acid in my stomach then he wants to see > me in 2 weeks to see if I can be tightened or if he is going in laproscopic to either > remove the band or repair it if it has prolapsed. He should be able to tell if it is prolapsed without going in. Barium swallow and fluoro will generally do that. As to acid, do you ever eat within three hours of bedtime. Don't. Ever. As to the vomiting, when and why? What have you eaten, have you chewed it well, etc? ANYONE will barf if they eat too fast, don't chew well, etc. Those are VERY hard things to learn. After three plus years I'm still one who occasionally gets compulsive or stupid or both and eats what I shouldn't or too much. > However He also stated that if he is > already in there he may be able to revise the surgery and do a vertical Gastrectomy > since I have been having trouble with the band. Has anyone heard of this before? Vertical gastrectomy isn't adjustable. It will stretch out. Though not a full bypass, you'll have many of the bypass problems in the long run. Undigested food accumulating in your intestines, often going through quickly, often very smelly. when were you banded, what have you lost, who is the doc, etc?? dan -- Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03 323/209/199 Age 63 The road goes on forever..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Judy, Almost all hiatal hernias are reapired along with band surgery, since they often cause trouble later. Most HAVE to be repaired so as to not interefere with the band positioning. I'd strongly suggest getting a couple of other opinions from very experienced band surgeons. You have a very unusual situation here, and we cannot offer many suggestions, i'm afraid. But I'd like to see you be absolutely CERTAIN your present band cannot be fixed or replaced before you consider removing it and having a much bigger procedure. A vertical gastrectomy is basicall REMOVAL of the stomach, and it is not reversible. extremely extreme! Heree is some general info about the veertical gastrectomy. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/cmsID,8874/mode,content/a,cms/It can cuase a lot of weight loss, but is very agressive with many risks and complications. It seesm to be a first-stage procedure, and people then need a RNY or band or DS later - to me, a double risk. I would surely disagree that a vertical gastrectomy is the " procedure of choice " - unless you're looking ONLY for weight loss and not thinking about any of the very serious side-efefcts or longterm compkications. Please discuss all this with at least several surgeons, as it is a very big decision with permanent implications. Please let us know how you're doing.. Sandy R > > Hi, > I have written before here I am again. I had my band put in feb. 2006. I have not had a fill yet as my Dr. is concerned because I occasionally still vomit and he stated after reviewing my upper GI that my hiatel hernia has gotten larger since the surgery so he put me on Protonix for the excess acid in my stomach then he wants to see me in 2 weeks to see if I can be tightened or if he is going in laproscopic to either remove the band or repair it if it has prolapsed. However He also stated that if he is already in there he may be able to revise the surgery and do a vertical Gastrectomy since I have been having trouble with the band. Has anyone heard of this before? > > > Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 The size of the band is usually determined by how big it has to be to go around your stomach. Sort of like what size of belt you have to buy to hold up your pants (yeah, I know, they're probably elastic). People who are more obese tend to have larger stomachs, though guess that isn't always true. I have a small band, was banded at 323, but know the doc had to trim some of the fat off of my stomach to get it to fit. And there weren't big bands back then. But a bigger band holds more. My band only holds 4cc, and it is currently at about 1.1, which you'd never even notice in yours. Thursday, October 16, 2008, 12:08:53 PM, you wrote: > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss. -- " 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Hi Barb, I just had my 4th fill Tuesday and I feel it today. I have the large band also. I think the external band size is adjustable and that with the larger band there is a greater opportunity to fill in smaller quantities in order to fine tune the restriction. I had only lost 3.5 lbs in the last 5 weeks so that was a disappointment but the scale is always going down. Best of luck Barb, From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@...> Subject: Band Size Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 11:08 AM I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. this year & that was 346. I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference in helping me in my wt loss. Barb K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Barb, I was banded with a small band and weighed 310 pounds at the time of surgery. I was told that it all depended on how large your stomach is but I think it is safe to say they work the same. I have lost 90 pounds, have a 4 cc band and currently have 4.6 cc which is finally perfect for me. Good luck with your journey. Kirsten in Idaho From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@...> Subject: Band Size Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 12:08 PM I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. this year & that was 346. I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference in helping me in my wt loss. Barb K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Ann, I was just wondering, how many cc's do you have after 4 fills? I got my first fill yesterday of 5 cc. I do feel a little difference, but I want to feel a big difference. I self paid and I have to start paying 150.00 for each fill 3 mo after my surgery. Surgery was on Aug 25. I would love to reach the green zone before Nov 25. I think I'm still a little scared that like all my other diet attempts this might not work either. Thanks Dan for explaining the band size. What's the average amount of fill for the large band to reach the green zone? I just want to do as well as you and others who have done so well andkept the wt. off. BarbK > > From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@...> > Subject: Band Size > > Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 11:08 AM > > > > > > > I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. > this year & that was 346. > > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss. > > Barb K > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Hi, Barb, These are the Inamed band sizes currently in use in the US: 9.75 cm band - holds about 4 cc, but much more when neded 10.0 cm band - 4cc, much more if needed VG band - 12-13 cm, holds 10-12 cc, more when needed The new AP-small - 10 cc, more if needd new AP-large - 14 cc, more if needed Also, the and company recently released it's one " Realize " band - holds about 9 cc. The band size has nothing at all to do with loss or success, except that the correct size must be chosen by a highly-experieced surgeon. The 2 new AP (Advanced performance) bands from Inamed were designed specifically to reduce the rising and worrisone slip and erosion rates, and most US docs useonly these 2 bands now, for this reason. The size that is chosen also has nothing to do with one's weight. it has to do ONLY with stomach size and stomach wall thickness, as Dan said. A good friend, S, is 6-6 and started at 580#. His surgeon found th best fit for him was the small 9.75 cm band, since he had a smaller stomach. Another lady friend, J, is 5-1 and 210#. she needed and got the largest AP band with her larger stomach size. you san see it i very variable and has nothing at all to do with outward appearances or scale weight! ALL bands work exctly the same and require the same positive lifestyle changes, same better food choices, same better activity and exercise, same hard work on emotional eating and food issues. ALL have wonderful successes, as well as people wo do not do well. Congrats on losing so well already! way to go!! Be ure you also get one of the Inamed wallet cards to carry with you. it has basic band info, as well as contact info for your doc. good to have. Sandy R--- In , " pastorkittle " <pastorkittle@...> wrote: > > I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. > this year & that was 346. > > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss. > > Barb K > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 I'm afraid there are way too many individual variables. I can tell you, though, that a good fill level in a 10 cc band will be somewhere between 0 and 12 cc. :-) I'm not meaning to be facetious, as i know many people with exactly these fills in this band, doing well. Most people need 3-5 monthly fills to creep up slowly on a good level. Trying to go quickly is usually a disaster and backfires. we need the fill out, a lengthy rest period, and then a second start. We often damage our stomachs too, and this seems to me to kind of " sensitize " the stomach nd make good fils harder to achieve later. A " good' fill has as much to do with eating choices as with the fill level, als. Even the " best' fill will be useless if we are choosing liquid or soft foods. the band works with solid foods, and primaril solid MEAT protein - beef, pork, fish, poultry. Thisd is why it's bes to start each meal with solud proteon. still, no one can eat meat all the time - so we will still have to self-restrict lots of times. We're all anxious to " get going " :-), but patience an perseverance is the key to success. I know it's hard. However, There is lots to do before a good fill is reached. It is never watsed time -and we still lose even before a good fill, if w are starting to make the needed changes. If we work on getting all the things WE must contribute to the " success formula " in better shaper, then when we get o a good fill level, serious weight loss will start. I think I'll post here one of my posts on another forum addressing this. See the next post. Sandy r > > > > From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@> > > Subject: Band Size > > > > Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 11:08 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the > large > > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how > overweight > > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in > Jan. > > this year & that was 346. > > > > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a > difference > > in helping me in my wt loss. > > > > Barb K > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Sandy, how has you friend " S " done with his band with a starting weight of 580# ? @...: moonshadow.sandy@...: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:17:05 +0000Subject: Re: Band Size Hi, Barb, These are the Inamed band sizes currently in use in the US:9.75 cm band - holds about 4 cc, but much more when neded10.0 cm band - 4cc, much more if neededVG band - 12-13 cm, holds 10-12 cc, more when neededThe new AP-small - 10 cc, more if needdnew AP-large - 14 cc, more if neededAlso, the and company recently released it's one " Realize " band - holds about 9 cc.The band size has nothing at all to do with loss or success, except that the correct size must be chosen by a highly-experieced surgeon.The 2 new AP (Advanced performance) bands from Inamed were designed specifically to reduce the rising and worrisone slip and erosion rates, and most US docs useonly these 2 bands now, for this reason.The size that is chosen also has nothing to do with one's weight. it has to do ONLY with stomach size and stomach wall thickness, as Dan said. A good friend, S, is 6-6 and started at 580#. His surgeon found th best fit for him was the small 9.75 cm band, since he had a smaller stomach.Another lady friend, J, is 5-1 and 210#. she needed and got the largest AP band with her larger stomach size. you san see it i very variable and has nothing at all to do with outward appearances or scale weight!ALL bands work exctly the same and require the same positive lifestyle changes, same better food choices, same better activity and exercise, same hard work on emotional eating and food issues. ALL have wonderful successes, as well as people wo do not do well.Congrats on losing so well already! way to go!! Be ure you also get one of the Inamed wallet cards to carry with you. it has basic band info, as well as contact info for your doc. good to have. Sandy R>> I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. > this year & that was 346.> > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss.> > Barb K> _________________________________________________________________ Store, manage and share up to 5GB with Windows Live SkyDrive. http://skydrive.live.com/welcome.aspx?provision=1?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_skydrive_102\ 008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Barb, I'll ask my doctor. Sorry to say I haven't really paid attention to the amount in the band just the feel after I eat. Take care, -Anne From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@...> Subject: Re: Band Size Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 12:00 PM Ann, I was just wondering, how many cc's do you have after 4 fills? I got my first fill yesterday of 5 cc. I do feel a little difference, but I want to feel a big difference. I self paid and I have to start paying 150.00 for each fill 3 mo after my surgery. Surgery was on Aug 25. I would love to reach the green zone before Nov 25. I think I'm still a little scared that like all my other diet attempts this might not work either. Thanks Dan for explaining the band size. What's the average amount of fill for the large band to reach the green zone? I just want to do as well as you and others who have done so well andkept the wt. off. BarbK > > From: pastorkittle <pastorkittle@ ...> > Subject: Band Size > > Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 11:08 AM > > > > > > > I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. > this year & that was 346. > > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss. > > Barb K > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 The size of the band doesn't make much difference in your weight loss. The only thing I've noticed is that it seems to be more difficult to reach the proper amount of fill when you have the larger band, so it make take you a little longer to reach your sweet spot. (My husband has the large band and I have the smaller one.) Also, you should be aware of your band size in case there's ever a need to remove your fill in an emergency situation. -- //I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference in helping me in my wt loss.// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 There are no magic numbers. Some need a little, some a lot and it is ABSOLUTELY USELESS TO COMPARE FILL AMOUNTS. REMEMBER THE THREE BEARS There are only three fill amounts Too much Too little Just right Please forget the numbers. Really. It will only make you crazy (or for some of us, crazier than we already are). dan Thursday, October 16, 2008, 1:00:53 PM, you wrote: > Thanks Dan for explaining the band size. What's the average amount > of fill for the large band to reach the green zone? I just want to > do as well as you and others who have done so well andkept the wt. > off. -- " 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 Sandy is absolutely right. We're all anxious and impatient. That is one of the things that helped us get so fat. Patience is one of the most important things the band will teach you, even though you'll be pretty unhappy about it at times. It is vital that all of us, wherever we were banded, allocate funds for fills, however many we need. And remember you'll want to get checkups at least yearly, and those will cost too. dan Thursday, October 16, 2008, 1:30:14 PM, you wrote: > We're all anxious to " get going " :-), but patience an perseverance > is the key to success. I know it's hard. -- " 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 S is here in portland, a Kuri patient, and we have lunch occasionally and stay in touch. He is now about 300 (banded about 3 yrs) and, for his height, looks just great!! a bit more to lose, if he wants, but just terrific as is. And SUCH a nice and cute guy !! Sandy >> I had my first adjustment yesterday and found out that I have the large > band. The nurse told me the the size you get depends on how overweight > you are. Dr. gave me 5 c.c.'s. I had lost 20 lbs since surgery. I > have 7 lbs to go to be below 300 lbs. I haven't been there for 14 > years. That will make me extremely happy. My highest wt. was in Jan. > this year & that was 346.> > I hope someone can explain why the size of the band makes a difference > in helping me in my wt loss.> > Barb K> > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Store, manage and share up to 5GB with Windows Live SkyDrive. > http://skydrive.live.com/welcome.aspx?provision=1? ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_skydrive_102008 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 My aftercare coordinator, Donna, keeps reminding me not pay attention to what everyone has in their bands, she doesn't even tell me what I have unless I push her. She says there are 3 fill levels - too much, not enough, and just right, Because of the differences in anatomy and the differences in the sizes and types of bands, people get confused trying to compare to each other. Also, I think we get caught up in the hunt for 'restriction', thinking that the band will FORCE us to stop eating the wrong things or eating too much or making bad choices. This is not the point. The goal is to be able to be satisfied on a bandster portion, we still have to make the right decisions most of the time for the band to work. I've only had one fill so far, I've had two other appointments, but decided after talking to Donna, to forego the fill. As long as you are losing weight and able to go 4 hrs without being truly hungry (not the munchies, but real hunger), then you are in the green zone. Of course this is just my opinion, but I think it helps me to concentrate more on changing my habits and letting the band be a tool to help. Sandy in FLorida _____ From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of moonshadow.sandy Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 3:30 PM Subject: Re: Band Size I'm afraid there are way too many individual variables. I can tell you, though, that a good fill level in a 10 cc band will be somewhere between 0 and 12 cc. :-) Even the " best' fill will be useless if we are choosing liquid or soft foods. the band works with solid foods, and primaril solid MEAT protein - beef, pork, fish, poultry. Thisd is why it's bes to start each meal with solud proteon. still, no one can eat meat all the time - so we will still have to self-restrict lots of times. If we work on getting all the things WE must contribute to the " success formula " in better shaper, then when we get o a good fill level, serious weight loss will start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 That's great! He's lost about half of himself and I'm sure at his height he does look good. Now where was Mr. 6'6 " when I was dating??? Do you know how difficult it is to be a 5'11 " woman trying to date and most guys are either just around your height or shorter? LOL Hubby is 6'0 " and needless to say I don't wear heals often otherwise I'd tower over him. _________________________________________________________________ Stay organized with simple drag and drop from Windows Live Hotmail. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_102008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Hey Dan, those who are TRULY impatient get BYPASS! LOL _________________________________________________________________ You live life beyond your PC. So now Windows goes beyond your PC. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/115298556/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Sandy D, very wise post and a wise coordinator too! You're very fortunate she understands this - and explains it, too. Way too many fill providers simply plug in more fill any time someone shows up asking, or on some set schedule, with no assessment as to whether a fill is needed or cn be safely given. Ther is NO benefit in comparisons - there will always be people with more fill and less fill, and people losing faster and slower. But everyone still tries to compare, and figure out the " magic number " of cc's for " perfect restriction. " there just isn't any magic number - and there also is no such thing as a " pefect restriction. " " Your opinion " is absolutely 1000% correct - and I'm impressed that it is from a pretty new person ! you GET it!! Good for you! The band is meant as a subtle reminder, not a hammer smash over the head. Sandy r > > My aftercare coordinator, Donna, keeps reminding me not pay attention to > what everyone has in their bands, she doesn't even tell me what I have > unless I push her. She says there are 3 fill levels - too much, not enough, > and just right, Because of the differences in anatomy and the differences in > the sizes and types of bands, people get confused trying to compare to each > other. > > > > Also, I think we get caught up in the hunt for 'restriction', thinking that > the band will FORCE us to stop eating the wrong things or eating too much or > making bad choices. This is not the point. The goal is to be able to be > satisfied on a bandster portion, we still have to make the right decisions > most of the time for the band to work. > > > > I've only had one fill so far, I've had two other appointments, but decided > after talking to Donna, to forego the fill. As long as you are losing > weight and able to go 4 hrs without being truly hungry (not the munchies, > but real hunger), then you are in the green zone. > > > > Of course this is just my opinion, but I think it helps me to concentrate > more on changing my habits and letting the band be a tool to help. > > Sandy in FLorida > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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