I would really like a response????

Hi Grads, I usually post on the NJ board, but I haven't gotten any response from anyone on an Issue that am concerned about.  Well here goes,  I had my surgery (RNY) 10 months ago, and when I had my surgery, my surgeon also adds a band around my stomach, he said that it is made out of some type of mesh material, and that my stomach will only be able to stretch to about a cup size, it will never be able too get back to the way it used to be.  When I ask people on this website if they ever heard of this extra band, no one responds.  Is my surgeon pulling my leg?  My surgeon did tell me that another Surgeon who is popular in NJ Dr. Capella, does the same procedure?  Well anyway, If this is true than I shouldn't have anything to worry about? Right?  I see, and hear so many people gaining the weight back, and it scares me.  I know I have along way to go before that will happen to me, but if anyone knows about this extra band that I supposedly have around my stomach, I would like to hear about whether it has worked for them.  Right now at 10 months out I do feel like I still can not eat that much, I can't even eat a whole cheese stick yet.  Is that a good sign?  I can't even eat half my dinner yet.  Is this because it is too early on after my surgery, or is it because I have this band.  If someone knows anything please reply!!!!!  I do eat right and everything but Just reading about how everyone is gaining the weight back, scares me.

Dr Kim used a ring of some sort around my stomach for the same purpose. I haven't heard about the mesh. I don't think any is pulling your leg, it is true. I still don't eat large amounts of food and I'm 3 years out. You can gain weight back by eating carbs and sugars. I still am sugar free and will stay that way. I don't eat the white stuff. I mean, its protein, fruits and veges for me. Rarely, so rare that it may be 3 times in a month do I have any of the white stuff. I also exercise and keep fit. So, mesh, ring or not, you can sabbatage yourself with junk. ultimately this remains a tool, and the real power is in the hand and elbow!

Sorry I haven't heard of this so can't make a comment on the extra band. I did want to comment on the gaining weight though.  No matter how small your pouch is, you can still gain weight - if you chose high calorie food and graze throughout the day your calorie intake will be too high and you will gain weight. Chose your food wisely, continue eating right and you'll be fine. 

Hi, I am over 8 years out and have the mesh band that you are speaking of. While I have had some issue with regain, nothing too major, that was because of grazing and NOT due to my stomach stretching. The bottom line is the further out you go the harder you have to work but I consider my surgery a huge success. After all this time I have managed to keep off over 160 pounds and have been free of complications and trust me, my pouch has NO problem letting me know when I have put too much in. Good luck!

Thank you Donna for your reply.  I finally received the answers I was looking for.  Thanks again.

Here in North Carolina there is a surgeon that does that as well - feel free to pop on over to our board and inquire... there is some sort of name for what the surgeon here uses - silialastic ring or something... Im way off on the spelling but its something simiar - not sure if thats 100% the same as yours but the same idea? The patients I have spoken to said their surgeon does it to keep the stoma from stretching out.

Thank you Jennifer For the reply.

Hi Melissa,

I think that we are about at the same point in our respective journies ... and I don't have the band you speak of. I believe that what you may be describing is some that is known as the fobi pouch or a variation of that procedure. As several who have posted ahead of me have noted, I believe that you can 'outsmart' your pouch if you do not eat according to the rules, but if you do not graze, lead with protien, follow with complex carbs and severly limit simple carbs, don't graze or drink after eating, I think we will both make it in the long run.

It's good to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you better as we both make our way on this wonderful journey of a lifetime.

All the best,

Barb

Hi Barb, Glad to meet you.  Your photo looks fantastic!!!!  I know that I will continue because I feel so good now in everyway!!!  You will be a year out soon.  How are you feeling?  Let me know when you feel like chatting, you can e-mail me at [email protected].  Continued success on your journey!!!