Lapbandster

One of the most respected surgeons in north america? I have been researching lapbands for 2 years and never once heard of him. He says "I know this sounds like really really cool" when referring to the LB. no offense, but talking like a teenager doesn't make a doctor respectable in my eyes. Of course i'm not trying to stir pots over here and for someone who already decided on the sleeve please don't get mad at me, but i don't know how doctors (like this one) can chant about the sleeve's better "long term success" being that the sleeve has only been done for a few years (the band has been done since the '90's). how can ANYONE know the long term success rate of ANY wls (I'm talking 40+ years down the line), he's quick to make funny faces at the thought of erosion's/slips but conveniently doesn't mention how research is showing that losing the hormone ghrelin can be dangerous, how people with sleeve's may end up suffering with tremendous reflux for life, and how the stomach can perforate causing life threatening abdominal leakage/internal bleeding. I would never trust a doc who promises "no long term risks" how can he (or anyone) possibly know that?? I just get really offended that any doctor can talk like this with such obvious ignorance/cockyness

My doc only required a low card diet. I too felt guilty reading how everyone was suffering through weeks of liquids. But just listen to your doc and don't worry about what everyone else is doing

The band is much less drastic. Any way you slice it. Now if your older, and have a hard time changing your eating habits, or don't want to ever have children (and worry about getting enough nutrition), and need to do a "quick" weight loss without being patient about fills/getting to the green zone, then the sleeve may be for you For me, I want very badly to have kids and the LB is the least invasive, most controlled WLS out there. if for whatever reason, i need to eat more, i can always get an unfill. that is not the case with any other WLS. BEWARE of some doctors!! Some will try to sway you into sleeve or bypass even if that's not the best option for you- that is because these are the surgeries that make them the most $$ (they bill 2.5 times the amount they bill for LB) AND they dont have to "waste" their time on follow ups/fills (follow ups and fills don't really make the big bucks-surgeries do). My doctor himself told me this, so just be careful One last thing- as mis73 has said: I just couldn't bare the thought of removing 3/4 of my very healthy stomach. It just made me feel queasy. Obviously, if the LB didn't work i might try something more invasive, but I knew i needed to try the LB first

Good luck! Keep us posted fyi, I also get a pain when i take deep breaths after eating too much (not really stabbing just like a stitch. hope yours is also nothing!)

Also, remember to get enough sleep! We burn fat in our sleep so making sure your getting adequate rest is essential!

Cool! We should meet up one time!

I chose my band for two reasons 1) I want to get pregnant and I figure that the less my body is "rerouted/cut out" the better it will be for me (btw, every doctor will tell you something else, but this is something that I truly felt- it's just common sense after all) 2) I see my mom who had gastric bypass. Yes, she lost weight fast without trying (no working out etc) BUT, 8 years later she is anemic, ALWAYS TIRED, and eats very poorly. She lost the weight so quickly and uncontrollably that her skin sags everywhere (especially her arms, and her face became "droopy") Yes the band can be scary- I get that- but the thought of gastric bypass scares me a LOT MORE

Yes I'm from northern chicago Which part are you from (or where are you near?)

wow I was on the treadmill 4 days post up. Jumping on the trampoline a week post op No sit-ups for about 2 weeks But I was feeling excellent after surgery- didn't even need pain meds or anything so my doc wasn't too worried

I barely lost any weight, yet my skirt is falling off. I look like a total fool and should not be wearing it! But I just can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that my skirt is big. I guess it just takes time!

Anyone here from northern Chicago? Near lincolnwood/skokie etc

Try chewing gum or chewing on ice maybe it's lame, but for me just having something to chew/crunch helped!

You hit it on the head! Right on! 100% I think (and my doctor has told me this too), that the band works a little differently for each individual. We need to learn how to work with it in a way that we can live with and stop getting so nervous. After seeing the videos of the famous Dr. O'brian, I realized that this is not black and white, heck its not even one dimensional. Every doctor has their own ideas/theories, and many overlap and contradict each other.This is something that we each have to define for ourselves and work with it the way we can. (obviously within reason, and without being unwise)

I would like to know how to change something about my profile It's been driving me insane and I can't figure it out... (would rather not post it in public) Thanks

Your doing great! As long as your not gaining, your in a good position, especially now while your body is healing and you don't have restriction lol i'm gaining like crazy and i'm 9 days post op- no idea why

Thanks Elcee I just reported my post with a message to the mods/admins

Avicii, levels is awesome!!! David guetta rocks too!!

Yes hair loss is very common after lapband surgery Biotin helps, but you need to take it consistently for a long time (some people say 6+ months) I have not heard of biotin chewables Taking a Multivitamin once a day will also help (those come in chewable versions) Make sure your getting adequate protein!! That will also help with hair loss

Hey everyone! I guess I just need to vent I had my surgery a week ago from yesterday and everything went great! Between the preop diet and a few days post op I lost 14 pounds. Believe me, it wasn't easy. I started working out 3 days after surgery (doc said I can start whenever I feel up to it, and I was feeling fantastic after surgery), drank lots of Water, and made sure to drink only low cal liquids as best as i could on my post-op liquid phase (even though my doc said I can have high caloric liquids if I was hungry, like a milkshake or something, I resisted) Wednesday I stopped losing weight (despite trying VERY HARD to lose!) Yesterday my doc said I can eat regular foods and, without restriction, things were difficult, especially since last night was a family gathering with lots of food. Tonight I checked the scale and saw I was up 5 pounds from the 14 that I lost. I'm so depressed and sad Sort of feel like a failure too Any words of advice? Has anyone ever been in such a situation?

Thanks! You are my inspiration!

I met with my doctor one week post-op and he gave me the OK to eat whatever I could handle If my doctor says I am ready for solids then I trust him- please don't try to give me medical advise. I know you mean well, but I have a doctor. Thank you

I too, have not told anyone besides for my mom and sisters I find that people tend to get cheeky and will assume your "taking the easy way out" with WLS I didn't want anyone raining on my parade. I'm the type of person who cannot stand up for myself, so if someone would put me down for this decision it would kill me, Sure I wish I was a stronger more confident person- but i'm not there yet!

Thanks everyone How did you eat only a cup of food without any restriction? wasn't it hard? Also, when you say one cup of food, do you weigh 8 ounces? or do you just eat whatever can be physically pushed into a cup?

Just wondering, how much did u gain?

Here's one that many people might not like, but i'll try anyway: GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP! I know that when I'm overtired i'm cranky which causes me to get irritated and eat. Also, when your overtired everything somehow seems like a mountain- including dieting! sleep helps us stay healthy and our bodies burn calories/build muscle/rejuvenate while we sleep So rest up and remember tomorrow is another day