Ask Dr. Curry?

It has become more common with the new lower-pressure bands to allow solids at 4 weeks.  This was never really studied, the original 6 wee****il solids deal was just kind of pulled out of thin air.

First off..happy new years!! hope you and your family have a wonderfull one!!

Now..I had my last fill back in Sept.  Went in in Dec, and I still had great restriction.  Around...a month 1/2 ago, I got sick with this bug.  I would dry heeve, and all but nothing.  Did this for 2 days and didnt eat just rank.  Then I have what I have now...Bronchitis.  I am coughing not as much as I ahve, but still alot and its WAYY down.  I feel like Ive lost some of my restriction.  I dont think It was due to the heeving as I still had restriction afterward.  Now, I can eat things I shouldnt be able to eat like grilled cheese sandwich, a small pancaked and 3 sauasage patties. Yes I know dont eat them, but when there isnt anything else..you have to lol.  I am getting on the wagon again after the holidays, with slimfast bars, and no cal, no sugar things or low cal.  Im also goging to hit the excerising again, but harder.  I just..ive been sick for 2 months now..and havnt had the energy nor felt good. 

Do you have any...ideas why im not having the restriction I had 2-3 weeks ago??? 

Boy it's really hard to say, depends on when you were banded, how many fills you've had, etc.

If you were recently banded and have only had a few fills, it's common to lose some restriction between adjustments.  If you're an old-timer, then you might need a fluoro exam to see what's going on.

1/5/09
Hi, Dr. Curry - I was Lapbanded on Dec 12 - I'm a little worried over my first fill - Jan 22 -
since my surgeon doesn't do them - some sort of tech does them - and they do not use
xrays.  I also haven't been told about any diet beforehand or after the procedure.
Can you give me some reassurance?    This surgeon is the biggest, I think, in
North Jersey.                          Thanks, k.

We use nurse practitioners for a lot of adjustments and they do a fantastic job.  Many times they are requested over me!  :(

        Hello Dr. Curry.  Thank you in advance for possibly responding to my question.  I am currently going through pre-op 3 month weight management with the U of Penn and looking to have surgery this April.  I am doing a lot of research and attending support groups on and off line.  I have not decided which surgery will be best for me.  I am hoping you might be able to shed some light.
       The professional staff at Penn have stated that the LapBand is more for people who are volume eaters.  They are not classifying me as one. They think the gastric bipass would be more suitable and more successful for my situation.
     My situation is that I come from a long history of family obesity.  I am currently 252 and 5'1".  I know that I am an emotional eater and I will lean towards sweets or salty items to help it.  However, I do not eat if I am full.  I do feel at times I can be a volume eater - but it is not an everyday thing.
     A side note is I can't stand feeling sick or vomitting.  I actually blackout when I vommit and need to have my husband around if I feel like I am so he can help me.  Hence, I rarely get sick.  I know 3 people who get sick often with the Gastirc Bipass - so that scares me.

     So, my question is ; Is there a better choice of a surgery for an emotional eater like myself or is that a seperate issue that I will need to work with no matter which surgery I decide on? 

I know this is my one chance and I want it to be the right choice for me and my body.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth,
This is a very complicated issue - I'm afraid I can't make recommendations based on a message I read without actually seeing the patient. 

I don't really use emotional eating as a guide, nor volume vs. sweet eaters, etc.  The only thing I think is really valid is starting BMI - if it's much over 50, most studies show much better results with gastric bypass.

Dr Curry,

I had a kidney transplant 9-17-07 from a live donor. My creatine is .8 and labs are wonderful. I am not on steroids just prograf. I haven't had any episodes of rejection. Have you ever banded a transplant patient?

Thank you in advance,
Alisa M ferguson

I have banded patients that were transplanted after surgery, as they came to me because their BMI was too high to get a kidney.

Hi Dr. Curry,

I am soon to be a lap band patient on the 21st of this month... I will be having pre op labs this friday.  I am starting to get very scared.  I'm only 29 and being obese is probably the hardest thing that I have had to overcome....I'm so scared that something will go wrong during surgery.  I  remember being terrified when I had my gallbladder taken out as well.  Are there serious complications with the lap band?