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Oye, that's one touchy and potentially dangerous subject. The only time I've ever brought up WLS is if someone specifically asks what I've done to lose weight or they've brought up their own weight struggles. For instance, I have a very good friend who's diabetic and needs to lose about 150 pounds. When he told me he needed to lose that much weight but had no idea how, I suggested he look into the Lap Band and then shared my experience with it. But I don't think I'd ever bring it up, or suggest it, unless the other person does first. I have many obese friends and family members that could benefit from WLS greatly. I see them and it honestly breaks my heart because I know how badly they struggle. But, I also know if I brought up the topic they'd take it extremely offensively, despite my best intentions. Just my experience.

Studies show that gastric banding (Lap Band) actually helps to resolve metabolic syndrome in many patients. "New data show that a large proportion of obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding for weight loss had resolution of metabolic syndrome that was sustained for five years after the procedure. They also saw improvements in the individual components of the syndrome and a reduction in use of diabetes and antihypertensive medications." Here's the study: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780940 With that said, I don't doubt for a moment that your metabolism is being extremely sluggish, especially since you've had tests to confirm this. Did your doctor say what the cause was? Have you had your thyroid checked? And your blood sugar? My heart goes out to you. That has got to be incredibly frustrating.

Ugh that sounds nauseating. I don't think I could stomach a room temperature Protein shake either. Ice cold they taste fine but even the best ones are nasty warm. Could you add it to coffee? I've done that to make my own homemade mochas. I put a scoop of the Protein powder, a little skim milk, and coffee. Sometimes I add a zero calorie caramel flavor shot, too. It's very yummy! Perhaps this might be an alternative to room temp Protein shakes?

Welcome and congratulations! You will fit right in here- no reason to be hesitant! We're all walks of life and age here. You'll find people in their teens all the up into their 80's. All are welcome It sounds like you're off to a great start. Keep coming back and let us know how you are! Best wishes.

Welcome Mike! First, congratulations on your amazing weight loss. That is nothing less than outstanding. WOW! I think your reason for wanting the band is completely valid. I've been lifelong dieter, too. In fact, I've probably lost hundreds of pounds over the years- only to gain it right back and then some. For me, the band is more about keeping me at my desired weight than it is getting there. I know I could lose it on my own if I really wanted to but I know I could never successfully keep it off without it. Best wishes on whatever you decide!

No one is saying your doctor lied to you. It just sounds like you may have misunderstood where the primer comes from. It's not from the manufacturer, it's from the surgeon during surgery. No biggie.

Ummm...yeah. No thanks. I'll pass.

It can be removed or reduced. In fact, I have a very close friend who had to it removed because she was way too tight.

3cc doesn't come in it, they had to put it in it. It's very possible that you may need that 3cc removed because it's too much with the swelling from surgery. If I were you, I'd call your doctor and ask to have it removed.

What size band do you have? Did your surgeon put any fluid in it during surgery?

You should be able and should always be able to eat. That shouldn't change if it does, you're too tight. The band's job isn't to force you to eat band sized portions- that's your job. It's not to physically stop you from eating. That band is there to keep you satisfied on much less food for longer periods of time. Have a look at this link: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

You said at the end of the first month you started eating badly. That's problem #1 to change. You talk about going to the gym (which is awesome). But, I'd also track your calories. Weight loss boils down to simple math- when you burn more calories than you consume you lose weight. Tracking your calories to make sure you stay in your daily allowance is the easiest way to assure that happens. Best wishes

Be sure to tell your surgeon this and they will be sure you don't vomit. They have very powerful anti-nausea meds they can give you via IV and then send you home with some as well.

What does your nutritionist recommend? That is the plan you should be following.

I had the exact same reactions! Thin people were all excited for me but other big people were very negative and tried to talk me out of it.

Congrats on your weight loss! Getting stuck, or lack thereof, has nothing to do with whether or not you're in the Green Zone. In fact if you are getting stuck so often that you can't eat healthy foods it's a sign you're in the Red Zone. Getting stuck should never just be a way of life. If you're truly taking tiny bites, chewing it til mush, and pausing between bites yet still getting stuck you definitely don't want more Fluid in your band. Being in the Green Zone is about hunger control. If you can be satisfied (not full) on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours, you're likely in the Green Zone. If not, then you probably aren't. Here's a link that should help you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes

((hugs)) People react a lot of different ways to WLS. Some are totally gung ho and excited, some are skeptical, some are hell bent on jeopardizing our efforts, and some are even jealous. The interesting thing is, the people who truly love us do eventually come around to support us in our decision- even if they don't agree with our decision. Give them time to absorb it and see the wonderful changes happening in you. They'll come around. Just curious, are either of them big women? I have found other fat people are the ones who react the worst to the fact I've had WLS. They see me as a traitor and are very often hostile out of jealousy. If either of your friends are big, this might be the case with them too.

I'm sorry, but this is absolutely insane. I cannot believe anyone would think it's ok to perform bariatric surgery on what is essentially still a baby. My heart breaks for this little boy. He's had 80% of his stomach removed by no choice of his own and now he will have to live with the consequences forever. -------------------------------------- A MORBIDLY obese two-year-old has become the youngest person in the world to undergo bariatric surgery. The parents of the toddler from Saudi Arabia who weighed 33kg and had a sleep apnoea that caused him to stop breathing while asleep. Two attempts to control his weight by dieting failed said the medics who carried out the food intake, leaving a sleeve of stomach, roughly the size and shape of a banana. Unlike a lap band, the surgery is not reversible. "To our knowledge LSG has never been tried in very young age children," the surgeons say in their report. "We present here probably the first case report of the successful management of a two year old morbidly obese boy." Within two months the boy lost 15 per cent of his body weight and two years after the 2010 surgery his weight had fallen from 33kg to 24kg and his BMI of 24 was within the normal range. Obesity expert adjunct professor Paul Zimmett from the Vitamin deficiencies." In Australia bariatric surgery is not recommended in children aged under 14. Professor Zimmet said there was definitely a place for the surgery in older age groups. "There is a lot of evidence now it is almost a better treatment for type 2 diabetes than some drugs," he said. "We should not let this episode prejudice our views on bariatric surgery." In a separate case, Indian doctors are reporting that they performed bariatric surgery on a four-year-old boy. The child, who weighed 44.5kg, was consuming 1,400 calories a day as a result of a rare genetic disorder - Prader Willi Syndrome - that made him hungry. original article: http://www.news.com....r-1226723023662

See and that is what blows my mind. He's a 2 year old. What and how much this child eats is 100% up to the parents. It's not like this is a 10 year old capable of sneaking food or getting their own Snacks. This is a toddler who completely relies on his parents' care. There is ZERO reason putting the child on a healthy diet shouldn't have worked- it's the parents who have failed this child miserably.

I can eat pretty much anything, but I have to be very careful when eating pineapple. The bites have to be really small and I have to really chew the heck out of it.

Ketchup??? On Grits???

OH!!!! Ok now that makes sense!! It also explains why reflux is so dangerous, because those acids are coming back up and risking eroding the band!! Oh I guess I have had heartburn before lol. After my gallbladder was removed, I got the chest burning feeling after eating. It lasted a couple months then went away. Thank You!!