Live Chat on b2g TONIGHT w/Dr. Cahn

[PhotoNut]

I pinned him down today right after he stabbed me with a long needle. It was a crazy battle but I won and he will be making his long-awaited appearance here in the b2g chat room on Friday, January 12th, at 7pm Mountain Time. The chat will last 1 1/2 hours and hopefully we can get all of the questions answered in that time. Those of you who submitted the questions, let me know if you will be unable to attend and I will present the questions to Dr. Cahn on your behalf.

A breif bio:

Robert M. Cahn, MD, F.A.C.S., Medical Director of Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery at St. Alphonsus Regional Center in Boise, Idaho, has practiced General and Bariatric surgery in Idaho for over 5 years. Dr. Cahn completed his residency in General Surgery and Fellowship in Critical Care at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, President of the Idaho Chapter of the ACS, and Chair of the Idaho State Committee on Cancer. Dr Cahn performed the first adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedure in the State of Idaho at Saint Alphonsus. He is known by his patient’s and colleague’s as a caring and highly skilled surgeon who is extremely dedicated to his patients. Dr. Cahn enjoys cooking, cycling, and running in the foothills with his dogs.


http://band2gether.net/images/misc/progress.gif

Here are the times for your current area:
US and Canada zones:
Eastern - 9pm
Central - 8pm
Mountain - 7pm
Pacific time - 6pm

England - 2am Saturday, Jan. 13th
Greece, Spain - 3am Saturday, Jan 13th
Australia (Melbourne, Sidney, Victoria) - Noon Saturday, Jan 13th

If I've left anyone out, please PM me.

[PhotoNut]

Here are the questions which Dr. Cahn will be discussing.
Band2gether.net - Live Chat with Dr. Cahn

I would like to know your opinion on the long term effects of the band in the body... Do you think we will get to have our bands until we die if we have no complications? Who has had the band in them the longest?

– Heather in Houston, Texas (Dr. Hadar Spivak)

Once at goal, what is the best maintenance plan for a bandster? Is the plan to eventually have it removed? Or is it to keep it in the body for life long maintenance and adjustment?

– FunnyDuddies in Tampa, Florida (Dr. Sanchez, Monterey, Mexico)

If a person has minor complications like esophageal irritation early on post operatively, are they more likely to have complications down the road than someone who had no complications post-op? Is esophageal irritation a common reason for band removal? What is the percentage of patients who suffer from esophageal irritation/reflux?

– DonnaB in Dallas, Texas (Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, MonterreyMexico)

Has there been any more study in the erosion arena, or are they any closer to figuring out what causes most erosions and how we as patients can combat or prevent them? What is the recommended amount of time between one losing their band and when they can get a new one?

– FunnyDuddies in Tampa, Florida (Dr. Sanchez, Monterey, Mexico)

What is the cause of hair loss in WLS patients? People on B2G and other message boards report adequate to abundant protein intake, along with vitamin supplementation, but are still experiencing SIGNIFICANT hair loss. What treatment is available to prevent, slow, or stop the hair loss?

– DonnaB in Dallas, Texas (Dr. Roberto Rumbaut, Monterrey, Mexico)

I would like information about whether there is a link between weight loss and increased risk of developing kidney / gallstones. Is there such a link? If so, how does this mechanism work? Is the RATE or AMOUNT of weight loss the bigger risk factor? What can be done to minimize the risks of developing kidney / gallstones during weight loss?

Is diet a significant contributor to the potential for developing this disease during the weight loss phases, or is the weight loss itself the larger driving factor? Can dietary modifications be made and / or supplements be used to reduce or avoid the risk of developing kidney / gallstones during the weight loss phase?
– Goannabanda in Australia

I would like to know how the surgeons decided which lapband someone will have. Do they decide the lapband before the operation or do they wait until they are part way through and see what they are dealing with?

– Al1kou in Athens, Greece

I was going to ask if doctors think about replacing a band when they see people getting filled to near limits. For example is it possible that a 10cc band filled to 10cc might have been too large a band?

– 503-250 in New York

So many people find varied success with varied amounts of restriction. One person can be tight and unable to get bread and red meat down and be completely happy, but the next with the same amount of restriction could be totally miserable. The one who is happy will obviously have an easier time with their journey due to the fact that they are in good spirits and enjoying the process. How does a doctor determine how tight, or aggressive, to be with a patient?

– FunnyDuddies in Tampa, Florida (Dr. Sanchez, Monterey, Mexico)

Kind of an odd question but I am curious. The tubing is loose inside the body. Or is it anchored someplace? Has it ever harmed anything inside? Does it move around in there? I know, I know-laugh away... but sometimes when I think about it creeps me out.

My port is in between my breasts not near my waist. I hear that more surgeons are placing it on the sternum area because they find it easier to access (I can attest to that). That is why I am asking the question, the tube would be floating around in that upper area. Leave it to me to ask the weirdo question!
– Diva in Boston, Mass (New EnglandMedicalCenter NEMC Boston)

Ok, mine is about eating and drinking. Some Dr's say nothing to drink 1 hr before and 1hr after. Mine says 15 min before and 15 after. My question is, what is a good time frame for drinking before and after. If its just water 15 min before or right before you eat, will all the water be gone or will you wash the food down?

I personally thought that only 15 min after eating was too soon, and could lead to in-between meal munchies. What do you say?
– Wavydaby in Charlotte, NC (Dr Bauman)

People who have diseases that do not allow for major exercising lose weight more slowly. Is this a factor when getting a lapband and weight loss expectations?

– Moorless in Chicago, Illinois (not banded)

Would you know if you had dilation of your pouch? Are there any symptoms besides able to eat more? What is an adequate amount of food to eat in one sitting pre fill and post fill?
-- Christyrn

I would like to ask why a fill does'nt kick in until five weeks afterwards. This is the second time I have to get an unfill with this happening and my doctor has no explanation.
-- SallyJo

[diva girl]

Thnx so much Susan, for setting this up.

Lyn

[Idahobeauty]

10 Days till Cahn! YES! Good job P'Nut

[shackdog]

hey grt job in getting this taken care of , it will be interesting to see and hear the pros and cons of this. Just one more brick in the support network.

[sallyjo]

Susan, I would like to ask why a fill does'nt kick in until five weeks afterwards. This is the second time I have to get an unfill with this happening and my doctor has no explanation.

[Idahobeauty]

WAHOOOOOOOO Just a few days until we can chat with Dr. Cahn!

[PhotoNut]

Ok folks, the live chat is TONIGHT! I'm really really looking forward to it!

Out of curiosity, who plans to attend tonight?

[SheryBery]

I'm hoping to be here.

[tattooedsuess]

I think that that would be 10PM eastern time? Sorry, but I'll probably be in bed by then. This old pregnant girly hasn't been staying up as late as I used to.

[Neal R.]

I am bummed I will not be able to. On Fridays, I get off at 7 and by the time I go pick up my son and get home it will be 8:30 or 9:00 (cst). Will you post a trascript? I would love to hear what he has to say.

[Alicia521]

I am going to try to be online. My son should be in bed! The question is...will I be awake?

[Idahobeauty]

I will be there!

[AnnDe]

I will be there with my family. We are having a big family dinner tonight at my mom's and I told her I was not going to miss it.. So do I need to do anything special to get it ?

[Mrs Sabre]

I'm going to try. DH has to work this evening; so I should have the run of the house :)

[Idahobeauty]

Anybody else???

[PhotoNut]

I just spoke with Dr. Cahn and he's excited about tonight. He is on call with the hospital tonight, so everyone please be aware that he might be called away. We will keep good thoughts on that. :)

Once again, when we meet tonight, the original author of the question will get the chance to present the question to Dr. Cahn and then will be given the chance to ask any question for clarification. If the author of the question is not in the chat, I will present the question.

I have also received a few questions since this began. I will try my best to get those answered by Dr. Cahn, time allowing.

This will be the first of many chats with medical professionals, nutritionists, and physcial trainers. If anyone has ideas for future chats, or has a professional in the related field that they would like to invite to a live chat, please contact us by PM.

Thank you, and see you tonight!

[Neal R.]

P'Nut - I would be interested in a chat with a Plastic Surgeon. I know several on here are starting the process or are thinking about it. Thanks

[Stitchy]

I'll try to be there. I've been home sick for the last couple of days and been a little sleepy,

My question is about getting a tummy tuck. How long is it necessary to wait? Would I have to be a goal? If now, how close? And, how would PS affect the port?

[Jules369]

I would like to be there! I am new here and not yet banded, but have an appointment with Dr. Zoe Deol next week. I am scared, nervous and excited at the same time!!

[Firefly]

Actually it's 9 pm Eastern time, not 10 like someone asked.

Also, to get into the chat, there's a link at the top of your screen:

UserCp FAQ MemberList Calendar Extras b2gChat NewPosts Search etc

Click on that puppy and a new window will open, bringing you into our chat room. I suggest people who plan to be there check out the chat room now, sometimes to run programs like that you have to update a flash player or something similar, and you dont want to miss out if that happens!

Chat begins in half an hour ^^