Ok folks, you may have noticed that we haven’t been posting much lately. On my part this is because I feel like I’m running out of fresh ideas. So I’m going to ask you: what do you want us to talk about? What questions, concerns or advice would you like answered by one of the doctors or Betty? You ask (by posting your question in the “comment” section at the bottom of this post, and we’ll try to address it. Thanks in advance!
30. June 2009 at 4:41 pm
Dr. Keilin I am 20 days post op and was wondering about the healing process of the port. The incision sites at the port area, not the port the other one, seems really sore to me. It also feels like there is a wad of something under the skin. Is this the port cord? And will this go away once everything heals? I have been working out and thought I maybe keeping it “stirred” up. I took one tylenol today (cut in half) and it really seemed to take care of the pain. If you could just tell what I can expect during this process.
3. July 2009 at 6:45 am
What you’re experiencing is absolutely normal. The port site is the one area that stays sore for a good 4-6 weeks post-op, especially if you’re staying active. This is because the port is sewn down to the muscle. The “wad” is not the tubing, but actually the inflammation around several deep layers of suture we put in over the port (but not in the other incisions) to help pad and protect the port. It goes away within 3 months or so.
8. July 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi,
I’m a bit of an interloper inasmuch as my surgery was done elsewhere around mid-April of this year, but I’m enjoying your site immensely.
I’m 60 years old and know that my metabolism has pretty well dissipated by now, and that I need exercise. However, after herniated disc surgery, a number of epidurals and months of chiropracty, it still hurts to take more than a few steps. What kind of exercise do you recommend?
Also, I’m sometimes frustrated with the inconsistency of the band. Everything will be fine one day and by dinner the following day, I suffer “the pain” after only a couple of bites of food. I recognize I’m probably doing something wrong, but the process of trial and error discovery is trying.
Thanks for your time. I’m sure I can provide you with much more fodder about which to write.
8. July 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thank you so much for visiting our site – you’re more than welcome and not an interloper at all!
First question first: the gradual fading of metabolism with age comes from the decrease in lean body mass as we age. In other words, even at the same weight, you will have less muscle at 60 than you did at 20. So the best way to rev up your metabolism is to build muscle mass. Even if you can’t do sustained aerobic activity because of your back, I would say you could get a lot out of sitting in a chair and doing arm exercises with resistance bands or leg extensions/flexions. And remember, your back should slowly start to feel at least a little better as you lose more and more weight.
Second question: what I’ve noticed is that water retention of any kind can cause the band to tighten. Just like your rings and clothes will feel tighter if you gain a few water pounds, so will your band around your stomach. If you take a diuretic (water pill) or sometimes eat high salt/sodium foods, you will definitely see these fluctuations.
Hope that helps
8. July 2009 at 3:25 pm
Don’t post this, but I saw something somewhere on the Net about SmartLipo for troublesome areas on Lap Banders. I would like to do a short interview on that topic and post it on our Lap Band blog at: http://www.lapbandsurgerydoctors.com/ If you could lend us a good before and after surgery picture, maybe some nice repaired bat wings or something, we will link to your site. I’d also like to have a general idea of costs for a typical troublesome area. My posts are on the right bottom side of the website, under “Recent Posts.”
When you have five or ten minutes free, give me a call. I’m in Southern California.
Thanks,
Charles Downey
T: 951-927-5528
C: 909-496-0607
8. July 2009 at 6:14 pm
I had lapband surgery in September and have lost about 70lbs. I recently found a lump in my breast and wondered if this is common with large wt loss. Or even, ever heard of? Are hormone changes expected with wt loss? I have been to my regular dr and have mammogram scheduled, but am curious if others have had this symptom?
10. July 2009 at 3:46 pm
I was recently told that lap banders must have the saline removed prior to surgery. I plan on having a tonsillecty before the end of the year. I REALLY don’t want to start over b/c my band is perfect (placed at end of Oct/2008…lost 65 lbs thus far). Of course, I also don’t complications with T&A surgery either. So, is it safe to keep my band filled?
13. July 2009 at 11:26 am
Thanks, Dr. K., for your sound advice. You’re right. Common sense tells me that if I sit in a chair and flap my arms fast enough and long enough, I’ll increase my heart rate. I may look a little weird, but hubby is the supportive type.
Meanwhile, I’m “forcing” myself into our pool for stretches and short bursts of rapid leg-kicking.
I’m a pretty hip 60-year-old, thanks to great genes and Miss Clairol. I’m setting some pretty ambitious long-term goals. By the time I’m 65 I’d like to have competed in a minimum of 6 5K races.
I’ll keep writing if you keep answering. You’re a sweetheart!
P.S. Why don’t you consider a short, short daily blurb on “Just for today, I’ll …” Could be anything from parking 4 spaces farther in a grocery parking lot to setting a start/stop date for good/bad habits, (My internist had me set a date for quitting smoking – and amazingly, I haven’t had a cigarette since that date in early 2006.) to ensuring we leave at least one teaspoon of food on our plates after each meal. Food for thought, Dr. K.
20. July 2009 at 1:08 pm
I very much like the daily advice idea! I’ll see if my web-master (that would be Dr. Hekier) can set up a little sidebar space for just that
And while I’m more of a Loreal girl myself, I know what you mean about setting ambitious long-term goals, even tho’ I’m not a youngster anymore. Keep up the good work!!
22. July 2009 at 7:27 pm
Dr. Keilin,
I am now 42 days post op. I have had one fill. I have 4.4cc in a 14cc band. I don’t feel like I have any restriction. My next appointment is in approximately 3 weeks. Should I have a fill before that? Isn’t the purpose of the band to be a tool in the fight against hunger? If I have no restriction and I’m hungery how is it working? Or is this a process I must learn to white knuckle thru?
23. July 2009 at 9:04 am
Not knuckle thru, but there are a lot of people who don’t get to their “sweet spot” – the fill level at which they have minimal hunger with small portions and small-moderate restriction- until after 2, 3 even more fills. While there are certainly some people who feel great after one fill, the majority need at least another to really get to their ideal spot with the band. We can’t fill the band too frequently or too close together because it can cause gastric (stomach) spasm which makes you throw-up and feel uncomfortable. So patience, Grasshopper, this is a journey and we’re working toward getting you toward your destination
23. July 2009 at 8:36 pm
Thanks for the explanation doc. Grasshopper out.
5. March 2010 at 12:33 pm
This is the best thing I have ever done… Had my lapband in early November… It is so amazing to not watch ever weightloss commerical or every magazine quick fix… Thanks so much to Dr. K…. my question is some people refer to a plug. When I eat sometimes for a reason of to dry or too much or whatever…I will have to cough up… it is not the food or drink it is the salvia looking Plug… is this what everyone has or just me…. Thanks…