CalKev

That sounds like a very logical conclusion. I had no idea dehydration could have that effect. I drink plenty of liquids usually but with this hot weather I probably need even more than I realize. THX Lori!

Kim and Terri, I too have the VG and I bet you hit the nail on the head with the swelling after PBing. First time I experienced this and was hoping it would stay - the restriction that is. But it probably means I need another fill to get the restriction I want. As you can see in my signature history I am almost a fill junkie as I just have not hit that sweet spot and I am vegetarian and food seems to move through very easily. Thanks for the post and enlightenment!

Lauren, We all have walked in your shoes. First bite can be scary. You know how you anticipate a coming event like a vacation? Well think of it that way. When it happens it will be exiciting, planned, and at the right time. A clothes pin on the nose during a meal never hurt either. LOL.. Hang in there. It's worth it!

Hello fellow bandfans, Thought for once I'd report a incident that has changed how my band is providing restriction. This last Saturday I exercised the whole day cleaning floors with commercial equipment, you know the kind with the rotating brushes on the bottom. It was a long day as I trudged through cleaning our floors with this heavy and big machine. My chest and arm muscles were especially fatigued after the ordeal. As we had dinner that evening (mashed potatoes, peas, tofu, I'm vegetarian) I noticed a marked increase in restriction. In fact I PB'ed for about 45 minutes because I had no idea it would be so tight to eat. Sunday, Monday, and now Tuesday have all been the same with a large increase in tightness at the band site and a decrease overall in hunger. Biologically I can only guess why the sudden increase might be from strenuous exercise but in what way? If anyone can correlate this with their own experience I would like to hear your experience. Now I am not complaining as I have needed this level of restriction and am thrilled it kicked in. But

By ERIN OCHOA KVUE News As the waist lines of Americans grow, so does the interest in surgically-induced weight loss. Lap-Band surgery is one of the most common types of procedures. Researchers discovered long ago that bariatric surgery can improve obesity-related health problems, but two recent studies show stomach-stapling and other gastric procedures can lower an obese person's risk of dying during the next decade by nearly 40 percent. After the birth of her first son, then Nicki Jackson, 25, weighed more than 320 pounds. "I had my son to chase after and i was just so tired of being heavy and tired," said Jackson. In October 2002, Jackson became the first patient at St. David's Medical Center to get a gastric Lap-Band. Nearly five years later, she's lost 150 pounds, and is down to 170 pounds. "Literally, you physically cannot overeat. You eat a small amount, a half a cup, and you feel full," said Jackson. According to two recent studies, surgical weight loss procedures not only lead to lasting weight loss, but can also dramatically improve survival rates. Obese people who had surgery had a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of dying during the following decade than those who did not have surgery. "We've seen those results in our own patients for many years," said bariatric surgeon, Tim Faulkenberry. He says one reason is surgery often improves obesity-related health conditions. "A huge majority of the diabetic patients, for instance, require much less, if no medicine after bariatric surgery and their heart conditions, their high blood pressure problems improve, their overall ability to do day-to-day activities improves, their quality of life is improved," said Dr. Faulkenberry. "I would do it again over and over and over," said Jackson. She's now a mother of two and says the surgery was well worth it. "You can help yourself. It's so easy and it's a tool and you can be so much more healthy and happy," said Jackson. A few years after Jackson got her lap band, her mother and father did the same. Collectively, they've lost more than 400 pounds. Researchers say the findings could cause insurance companies to rethink who should qualify for such surgeries.

Great post! Keep inspiring all of us Angela!

Judy, I think you nailed it! Choosing to eat in a manner that renders the band ineffective is a vicious cycle which manifests itself as the infamous "eating around the band syndrome". Sticking with Dr. Miranda's nutritional guidelines IMHO optimizes the band for best possible use and perhaps for fewer fills to be efficient. I have required a tighter band due to EATB as well as the effect medications have had on my restriction. In taking a med for a short time and then discontinuing I saw a definitive variation in band performance. The band had a degraded performance on the medication as opposed to being off the med. IMHO there is a psychological component to successful band use that can't be denied. Day by day, better and better, no looking back just to the lighter and healthier days to come. A proactive positive outlook has been my best defense against the daily pressures that can generate the urges associated with EATB. Thanks again for the post. Keeping myself focused on eating with the band is a habit I need to further cultivate.

Judy, No advice, Just a nod of understanding from this bandster. In the same way I knew the occasion was right to slip a note to a buddy in class while the teacher wasn't looking I also know how many calories I can consume and in what form to outwit the little device. It is a dishonest and frankly dangerous game that at times is captivating and challenging. Trying to chew fat laden food to the point it will move leisurely through the stoma with least discomfort can produce its own edible paranoia and when proficient can bring a dissimilar type of sweat to the ones brow. The fear the slurry just consumed will not leave my body unscathed is never far from mind. Starbucks brings it own anxiety as all those calories cascade blissfully through the little trap. I am going in for a fill on Wednesday and rightfully so. Thanks for the potent post!

Blac, The reason people go to Mexico is due to the expertise of Dr. Ortiz and the Obesity Control Center team. They have Lapband experience far beyond most if not all the surgeons you will find in the states. It is worth the trip and you in all probability will pay less.

copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. Updated: 5:11 a.m. PT July 19, 2007 Two-thirds considered heavy or obese now; rate still increasing, study finds WASHINGTON - If people keep gaining weight at the current rate, fat will be the norm by 2015, with 75 percent of U.S. adults overweight and 41 percent obese, U.S. researchers predicted on Wednesday. A team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore examined 20 studies published in journals and looked at national surveys of weight and behavior for their analysis, published in the journal Epidemiologic Reviews. "Obesity is a public health crisis. If the rate of obesity and overweight continues at this pace, by 2015, 75 percent of adults and nearly 24 percent of U.S. children and adolescents will be overweight or obese," Dr. Youfa Wang, who led the study, said in a statement. They defined adult overweight and obesity using a standard medical definition called body mass index. People with a BMI of 25 or above are considered overweight, while those with BMIs of 30 or above are obese and at serious risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Studies show that 66 percent of U.S. adults were overweight or obese in 2003 and 2004. An alarming 80 percent of black women aged 40 or over are overweight and 50 percent are obese. Sixteen percent of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight and 34 percent are at risk of becoming overweight, according to federal government figures. Every group is steadily getting heavier, Wang said. "Our analysis showed patterns of obesity or overweight for various groups of Americans," said May Beydoun, who worked on the study. "Obesity is likely to continue to increase, and if nothing is done, it will soon become the leading preventable cause of death in the United States."

Becki, I sent you a private message as follow-up and cc'ed Lori. Kevin

Hi Lisa! A bump is when you have no time to say anything but need to "BUMP" the topic to the top of the Forum Discussion. Thanks on the cangrats and congratulations to you on your decision to live a Banded life! Let's keep that losing feeling! Kevin

bump

Roger, If it is the "VG Band" thread it has been restored to the Testimonial forum. If not please send a moderator an email with specific name of topic so we can restore it. Topics can time-out due to lack of current activity. Kevin

Lisa, You are correct that your post timed out so to speak due to lack of current activity on the thread. I bumped it up. Kevin