sheryl

Great! Thanks!

I want to write this, just to let you know that I think that getting my band was the best thing that I ever did. I was banded by Dr Ortiz in 04/2003. I originally weighed 362lbs, then lost 80 pounds in 9 months. Then, for over 2 years, I went through a horrible time in my life which had nothing to do with my band. But the only way I knew how to cope was by eating. Now, I had a pretty good restriction, but I learned to eat around the band. Over those 2 years, I gained 55 pounds back. If I didn't have the band, I would have easily gained well over 100 or more. I finally got my life back on track and found that I still have great restriction when I eat the right foods. I have lost 20 pounds and am going strong. Once I got my mind set, the rest has become very easy because my band makes it easy. I am glad that I didn't have the bypass like I was debating about back in 2002 because I would have failed miserably. I have a great tool, my best friend, my band. I just wanted people that are thinking about being banded that it is a great tool...

Totally commited, signed Sheryl ! Today's weight is 317. I am not sure where I need to measure - someone help me on that, please ... My goal is to lose 25 pounds in the 11.5 weeks. Pretty doable - a little over 2 pounds a week.... My personal goal is to continue: 1 hour on my recumbant bike 5-6 days a week. 2 - 15 minute walks on my breaks at work 80-100 g Protein a day no more than 1100 cal/day Drink lots of Water (never a problem there) New goals: Get exercise with kids (if the rain will ever stop!) Dig out the hand weights and work on my upper body

Count me in! I have been really good for over a month now. But I would love to do this with you all!

Wecome to Bandlandia! Sounds like you are doing great!

Wecome to Bandlandia! Congratulations! Sounds like you are doing great!

I was just wondering if anyone knows of any new studies done on the lapband that I can get to online? Whenever someone quotes statistics about the band, it is always from the FDA clinical studies that were a fiasco. I know there are other studies done worldwide, but I don't have links to them... Thanks!

Hi! I too need to get back with the program. As soon as I return from vacation, I am really going to have to do better. Great job on the weight loss!

Hi Lori!! Congratulations!! I was one of the lucky ones that had great restriction from the get-go. I did get one fill, now I am back to being really tight again. But I think that I am not the norm. I have a friend who was banded the same day as me. It took her 2 fills to finally get the restriction. Now, she has it. Don't be discouraged if this first fill doesn't give you a great restriction. Once you get the proper fill, you will see that it really works!! Good luck!

Great job, Spring!! You are really moving towards your goal. Just think where you are going to be this time next year! Svelt!!

Great job with the weight loss! Are you getting close to goal? Which doctor do you work with?

For me, the risk of dying by not having this surgery was a lot greater, so that argument didn't fly with me. I think the risk of me being in a fatal car crash while driving to the hospital is greater than me dying from the lapband surgery. The main thing to know is that the more experienced the doctor, the lower the risk of complications. Period. The doctor that operated on that city counsel woman nicked her organ, which caused a problem later. She didn't go back to the original hospital and later died from that nick. Make sure you get a surgeon with a low complication rate (ask around). Even if you have to travel, it may be worth it! Good luck!

Hi Nicole! Have you considered going to Dr Cirangle in San Francisco. His fee (includes hospital and surgery) is about $13,000. If you want 3 years of followup care, it would be an additional $5000 or so. Sure beats most other doctors' prices. It is an option instead of heading to Mexico. Check out his website at www.lapsf.com. He is an excellent surgeon.

Hi Fifi! Welcome! You are doing great so far! It seems that the doctors in Australia give smaller fills. I hear that the new theory is that faster fills can mean greater chance of complications. Anyway, it sounds like you have great care! Nice to meet you!!

Hi Sheila. Welcome! I second what Alexandra said about the seminar. You may even hear misinformation, even from doctors. Sad, but true. But the good thing is that you know how successful the band can be. You have your sister! Good luck to you!!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I went on vacation. I chose to have an ice cream cone for lunch one day. It was really hot and we were out and about. Well, I am pretty restricted now. And the ice cream did not go down. I tried! And I even tried on another day! I had about 5 licks! So the moral of this story, you can't always have ice cream with a proper fill! That doesn't mean that I can't be bad! My drug-of-choice right now are animal crackers! I have to stop!!

Tanna, I do understand what you are saying. It seems that everyone thinks their procedure is the best and they stand up for what they believe. I think a couple of people are just cutting loose with their beliefs, mainly because we have to tiptoe around all the other sites, not to start any wars. But here, we seem safer to speak our minds. I myself believe that in time, the lapband will be the preferred procedure (the "Gold Standard") here in the US, just like it is everywhere else in the world. But until it is, we have to listen to the incorrect information that the bypassers (and doctors!) dole out to people researching WLS. It is a daily thing. Here is what happens. Someone will ask a basic question regarding the lapband. Some RNYer will say it doesn't work if you like sweets, or you have a low or high BMI, if you graze, etc. Then they say that at the end of the struggle, chances are that you will fail and have to revert to getting the bypass. And that the bypass is a permanent cure without having to do any work. When we step in and try to correct some of their misinformation (very nicely), we get a war. It is a struggle to get the correct information out to people without starting some war. Like I said, everyone thinks their surgery is the best. Having said all that, I do believe that the RNY is best for some people. But I personally think that the lapband can work as well, if not better, with some people that get the bypass. I just want people to know that they have an option and I want them to know the correct facts. Then they can do their own research and decide what is best for them. That is where the animosity comes from on the lapband side. It is a struggle to get the correct information out there.

Hi Joanne! I agree with everyone here. I now try to check ObesityHelp.com to try to fight the battle of contant misinformation that is posted. The main reason why people get the RNY here in the US is because the insurance people are willing to pay for it. Until they change and include the lapband, people will continue with the bypass procedure. I decided that I just couldn't do the bypass, and had to pay for the lapband myself. I found a way to get $10,000, and I am so happy now. Good luck to you! It really works!

Hi Amy! I would say a 42 pound loss is AWESOME! You are a lightweight, so it does take longer, but at this rate, you are going to have a nice loss at your one year anniversary!

Hi Lettie! Great question, really only one that you can answer. Personally, I knew that I had to get help in order to lose this weight. Though I was over 350lbs, I too didn't have any health problems. I should say YET. It was just a matter of time. I wanted to be able to run and play with my children. I want to have them grow up in a healthy and active lifestyle. After failing at every diet that I tried (and I have tried most of them), I decided that I needed help. That is what the lapband gave me. It is my tool, so I can have a healthier and more active lifestyle. I don't know how your life is, so you really have to answer that question. Getting the band is a committment. Good luck to you!!!

I had surgery on a Wednesday, was back at home on Friday (went to Mexico), and I could have gone back to work that next day. But I have a ton of vacation time, so I took an additional week off. I wasn't too sore, I was mainly tired. Sheryl

My port incision is pretty high, about 3 or 4 inches from my bra, to the left side. But when I got my fill, my port was about 3 inches below the incision. I don't notice it, yet at least! sheryl Dr Ortiz 4/16/03 362/304/200

Hi! I do have HealthNet (HMO) and I was denied (though I was approved for the bypass). But someone close by me was approved by HealthNet. We are in different groups. I ended up going to Mexico for the surgery... Good luck!

Thanks, Lisa! I bet you are excited! I am so glad that I decided to do this. I have never had such great success on any diet, and believe me, I have been on most of them! Email me if you have any questions or concerns! Good luck to you! Sheryl

Hi all! I was banded on 4/16/03 by Dr Ortiz. I have lost 55 pounds so far and am thrilled with it all. I just got my first fill 10 days ago, and I am losing once again. I am so happy that I made this decision. It hasn't been that hard, at least so far. I do feel that those 55 pounds are gone for good, not like the other times that I have lost weight. Feel free to email me if you have any questions!!