WASaBubbleButt

To be honest I never put a lot of stock in the comments when another doctor other than your surgeon claims the band was placed too high. Many docs don't do barium swallows anymore if the radiologist is reading the xray because the radiologists too often times will claim the band is too high. Banding is an easy procedure to do, there is a learning curve but it's still an easy procedure to do. As far as the band goes, I don't like it. I had the same problems as you with restriction issues. I got sick of it and switched to a sleeve. Do you have any sleeve surgeons where you are? If you can do it with appropriate restriction alone a sleeve is the way to go. If you need malabsorption then bypass.

I remember when J&J was claiming that with their band you get full faster, stay full longer, and weight loss was better than that of the Allergan band. Thing is, they didn't have any large long term studies to back up that claim. That's when I stopped being impressed with them. It's good that Allergan has competition, that's never a bad thing I just wish they had better competition.

Ya have to admit, the poster has some good points. If they are a lit attorney, *I* woudn't want to go up against the person. ;o)

Sadly, the gastric balloon you refer to is only meant to be temporary, 6 months at best. The MGB is nothing short of dangerous. It's not done by ANY good surgeon with skill and a positive reputation. A sleeve or bypass are better options. I totally agree with you about the concept that there is life after revision, I'm proof of that. ;o)

Hear hear. Excellent post. I agree with everything you write. Keep up the good work!

Yeah, not quite true. My doctor has not had several deaths, that's just a load. One death he did have he didn't do the original surgery, he was trying to clean up a mess from another surgeon and it was simply too late and nobody could have saved the woman. However, if you want to play these games I can provide a great deal of information and death stats regarding your own doctor if you wish.

Not really. I've had my revision to a sleeve for months now (this is an old thread) and I love it. I wish I would have done a sleeve the first time around. It's easier, no fills, no unfills, no getting stuck, no barfling, sliming, or foaming. Just an itty bitty stomach. I love it.

Look, I'm no fan of Ortiz but not because he is not a good surgeon, he is. Why don't you just tell us your agenda and those with a similar agenda can join you. You are asking people for BAND complications, not necessarily ORTIZ complications. It makes you appear to have a vendetta, not a sincere question. Fair is fair, you aren't that. You have cross posted this to most every board. Just spell out your agenda and those with similar agendas can join in the witch hunt.

I never claimed there is a perfect solution for weight loss. If you'd care to point me in the direction of the post where I wrote such a thing, I'll be happy to take a look. The sleeve is not really more help than a band. I lost 132# with a band. I maintain with a sleeve. The sleeve is without a doubt 100x easier. Of course, if you have another surgery you can personally compare the band to I'd love to see your experiences. Jacqui is talking about increased hunger, that is usually caused by Ghrelin which is why I suggested she do some research in that area to explain the increased hunger.

No, I knew what you meant. I was comparing what you do vs. the claim of starvation mode. One day is one thing, daily is a whole different ball game.

I agree that changing things around now and again does kick start things, but eating 1800 calories a day over 600 calories a day is not going to mean faster weight loss.

We disagree. The human body does not think, it does not fear a lack of calories. Bottom line, the more you eat the more you have to burn. I've talked to a lot of doctors, I've done a lot of research and it differs from your studies. I stayed at 600 calories daily and never hit a plateau and got to goal. Never went into starvation mode. If starvation mode was anything short of a myth little children starving to death in Africa would be pudgy. As my doc says, he's yet to meet an obese person in starvation mode but he has met little Mexican children in starvation mode and they are dying.

I'm pretty sure she was averaging out her calories and suggesting this is what she was eating daily. I stayed at 600 calories a day and never had a major plateau. Starvation mode is a myth, your body doesn't hang on to anything.

When did you start solid foods? You haven't even been banded a month yet, what is your post op diet?

You should do some research on Ghrelin, Ghrelin is a hormone your stomach produces and one of its main jobs is to tell you that you are hungry. People with obesity issues tend to produce a WHOLE lot more Ghrelin than non obese people. Then, when you are actively losing weight you produce even MORE Ghrelin. Another reason I like the sleeve, it removes the majority of this hormone.

I wouldn't get anything. A card would be nice but a $50-$75 gift would be kinda weird to tell you the truth. I know your heart is in the right place but I think in a year you might feel differently. He did a job, you paid him, donate the $50-$75 to a needy organization, they'll get much more use out of the money.

Was it hard? I guess it depends on how you look at it. I worked really hard, I kept calories at 600 daily, I ran 7 miles a day. I earned it if that is what you are asking. LOL I'm in my mid 40s.

I did move it, it's sitting on top of my dresser in a baggy. ;o)

That's not exactly correct. If your BMI is in the 30s you are likely to lose about 70% of your excess weight. If your BMI is in the 40s you are likely to lose 60% of your excess weight. If your BMI is 50 or more you are likely to lose about 50% of your excess weight. I should have lost 60% (statistically) and I lost 100% of my excess weight.

You mean the three posts where she told her to stay in bed? Bah.

This was not what the OP claimed, the doctor didn't suggest this the family member did.

Search ScienceDaily

Have you guys considered a sleeve? No aftercare, no maintenance, no follow up visits. A little better and faster weight loss, and no program fees. Sorry, I just think program fees kinda suck, as if doctors aren't making enough from surgery. I have started to develop an attitude about band surgeons and all their various fees. It just sometimes feels like yet more people taking advantage of we fat folks. Everyone knows we will do damn near anything just to lose weight.

Thanks, you wrote what I was just about to write. Staying in bed like that sounds like the best way to get blood clots and lose muscle mass all at the same time!

What a fabulous way to lose all that muscle she gained when she was exercising. Now she'll lose the rest much more slowly, if at all.