Sharpie

catfish , thank you for posing important points. I think our lapband group has been hijacked a long time ago. I sent Alex a message last night asking if there is a way he can stop all of the negative comments on our site. I am not sure it will help. I am amazed at how the "sleevers" get on the lapband chat area and tell people "dont' waste your time" with the lapband. I think it's a shame.

This subject is getting so tiresome on here. first of l purposely choose to be on the Lapband Surgery portion of this site. I don't know about the sleeve, don't care about the sleeve and I don't want to know how "great" the sleeve is vs the lapband every single day. The original poster stated they were having a lapband and hey wanted to know how we chose our surgeons. Didn't say I am considering getting a sleeve or anything like that. immediately band haters start posting their negative opinions. If you are so opposed to the lapband than go on the sleeve section and quit worrying about us. I feel like we have to constantly defend ourselves with all of the people on here to seem to make it their mission to bash the band. BTW I don't care what type of surgery you had and I really don't care what your surgeon does. My surgeon is very well respected and experienced and has done thousands of Lapbands.. I have talked to Sleeve patients and bypass patients who are not happy with their surgeries also. So giving advice and offering help are one thing, being negative and trying to convince people that your surgery is best is another. I LOVE MY BAND, DON'T WANT TO CHANGE . please stop commenting on all of the band posts. It would really be helpful .

Opinions are like Navels everyone has one. Don't be afraid or concerned by the negative nellies on here. What they don't tell you sometimes is some of the failures of bands are their fault. Not All but if they were honest with themselves and you they might admit some failure on their part to follow the instructions. There are people on here and other sites everyday who talk about drinking soda, eating pizza, on and on then can't figure out why the band isn't working for them. So, they make it their mission to discourage and scare people away from the band. I think it's mean and I can never figure out the pay off for them. There are failures in every type of weight loss surgery. Sleeves and by pass patients have failures as well as bandsters. Stay Calm and talk to your Dr. Ask questions and my advice for now stay off of these sites.

so now you are walking back your original post? You have the freedom to post whatever you want but when you are called out don't lie about it. You made the statement below when someone just asked about how we picked our Surgeon. The original poster did not ask your opinion or mine about lapband, sleeve or RNY. Just how you picked your Dr. There was no need whatsoever to post that we wasted our time by getting the lapband.. I think the sleeve is a dangerous surgery, I know many who have stretched their little stomachs back to big stomach. Bad side effects etc. but I do not tell the people who have had that surgery that they are wasting their time. Frankly I'm tired of even having to defend my decision as if I am an idiot and can't make a good decision about my body without some know it all telling me how stupid I am... If you cannot understand why people are upset, I'm sorry.

Unfortunately comments like "don't waste your time" are used on this site by someone who thinks they have the right to scare others regarding their decision on lapband. This same person said she doesn't bash the band but this statement is proof that she is. I think it's okay to tell your story but done with consideration of others would be nice. I guess my success with the band was a waste of time?

sounds good, I love anything cheesecake.. I will have to try it.

It is truly remarkable that a short time ago you were on the verge of becoming immobile. Now you are going to bike through Central Park.. Amazing Liz. Thank You for reminding me to keep being happy with the progress I've made and not get too bogged down by the scale . I know you will have a great trip.

Jane so good to see that your letter had a positive outcome. I have family members and friends who doubt that WLS is the answer. Although they have been on a diet as long as I can remember and lose here and there, none have maintained it very long. (sadly) That is why I try my best to stay on track and make sure that they see the positive side of WLS. If even one of them would get inspiration by my experience I would be pleased.

I'm sorry I came across as rude .. I just was flabbergasted by the question. I apologize for being too quick on the keyboard this morning. I am concerned when someone says things that seem dangerous . I always have a reaction when I think someone may do something hurtful to themselves.

explore your options. the sleeve is radical surgery, you lose 80% of your stomach, the band is less invasive but comes with some rules that you should consider. Bypass of course is a major surgery where your intestines are re-routed. All WLS come with risk . I was banded because I did not want to have major surgery , I have so far had a good experience and I hope to continue without problems. It is more work on your part to keep the band healthy and maintain your weight. I agree with your Doc about long term effects of sleeve, not been around long enough. I do know we have many long term band patients around and I know a few who have had band's re-done for one reason or other. I also know band over bypass patients.

my family does 4th of July big.. bbq ribs, chicken , baked Beans , potato salad, watermelon and some kind of dessert. I no longer stress over holiday menu's. I eat what the band let's me which isn't anymore on holidays than usual. I will probably eat some chicken thighs and baked beans. might try a small amt of watermelon. I don't think the rest of the family will care what I eat. My first Thanksgiving after being banded was great. I ate some dark meat turkey a spoon full of potatoes with gravy and some green beans. Nobody cared . I was happy as a lark and wasn't stuffed like previous years. It really is powerful to keep control.

quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever read. My Dr. is very conservative with fills for a reason. More fill doesn't necessarily mean more loss. I have had 4 fills since surgery 2 1/2 years ago, each one was small. AS you lose sometimes you need a little more restriction but I would never feel qualified to do it myself. So if you do your own fills who will be at fault when you fail to lose weight or get a serious infection? I am always amazed at the things people will do to screw up something.

Hi Jane. Thanks for the information. Lake City is probably a good hour and a half from Jax. We have a bariatric support group that was started some time ago but kinda stopped being done due to lack of interest I think. I miss the meetings but hopefully it will pick up again this Fall.

Joan private message me and I will get you some information. .

Hi Joan I live near Lake City, They haven't had meetings here for awhile, I think they are supposed to have one again in August.I can get you in touch with the coordinator. You can also talk to the nutritionist at the Bariatric Center in Gainesville they will know. who did your surgery?

I try to appreciate someone even if they are not really complimenting me but rather being nosy. I have chosen to be very honest and upfront about my surgery. I don't think it pays to be mysterious or dishonest. It has started to get normal for my friends and family now so they rarely comment. I did have someone ask me recently if I was sick but that was someone who had not seen me in a long time. I told her why I looked thin and left it at that. At this stage of my life I don't really care what people think of me or how I got healthy. I am the winner for having the sense to stop destroying my health. Liz you are living proof that his can be done. Keep on enjoying it No guilt, No Regrets is my motto.

I totally agree with all . Everytime I come across a band basher I wonder what is the pay off? Why would you purposely scare people with your horror story? I know some say I want to make sure the newbie's get all the facts, I want to educate them, I want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. I know I am thankful that I did not read any of that before my surgery. I had enough fear of the unknown before surgery without adding to it. I will say my Doctor and staff were pretty thorough and explained in detail what I should expect. I realize everyone is different and I do not for one minute think a band failure is all the patients fault, but before coming on here and bashing , consider what you are saying and how that might affect others. Information and knowledge are the key. On the flip side of this issue is whether we as patients should really take advice from a chat site. Unless you are a physician with experience in lapband surgeries you should not give advice on whether someone has slipped or damaged their band. Opinions are like navels everyone has one but it doesn't necessarily mean it's correct. Successful lapband patients are here and I am thankfully happy with mine, it has enabled me to become healthier and more active. If we all had the answers regarding our weight, we wouldn't have needed weight loss surgery. Just Sayin...

GNC has sales on the quest bars buy 3 get 1 free. If you have a gold card you will also save. I have used the Quest bars most of the time for a way to get protein if I am on the go. Not all of the flavors are great but I do like the chocolate chip cookie dough, dark chocolate chunk and coconut . Good calories to protein ratio . lowest amount of sugar.

No Regrets.. lost diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Did not lose 80% of my stomach or re-routed my intestines. Had Lapband and could not be happier. I never have had dumping syndrome, I only take Multivitamin and Vitamin D and B12. I can eat normal food, don't live on Protein shakes and am looking forward to many healthy years ahead.

Work ethics are not taught in todays world. Most kids think the world owes them a living. parents make sure Little Johnny has everything and doesn't require him to work for it. Most parents don't ask their kids to do anything at home. When we were growing up we had chores and didn't get everything we wanted by whining. I too worked in the public world for years. got so tired of the lazy asses making as much if not more than me and were the biggest screw off's ever. I started my own business in 2003, have loved it. Don't have to worry about anyone else's laziness just work hard and take care of my own business. I really hope things turn around in this Country and we quit rewarding people for not working, giving them free everything and taking it from those who are still working hard.

I hope you are able to get the lapband. hate to see you lose 80% of your stomach, you might need it someday.

I am like B52, what shape is your band in? have you had a fill lately have you had barium swallow to see if it's okay? otherwise, I eat Protein (major part of my meal) some veg, little fruit. Breakfast I eat eggbeaters or eggs, some kind of sausage or bacon usually turkey, no bread, no rice, no potatoes. lunch is usually either homemade chili, chicken salad, tuna salad, homemade Soups . dinner is meat, veg's. I do snack occasionally on sugar free pudding or yogurt. The band is my tool and I had mine done in 2013. I have had 3 fills and listen to the signals, like a burp, hiccup or nose running . I have gotten stuck because I didn't listen so it's still a process. If your band is in good shape you should be able to get back on track . If you did it once you can do it again.

I went to a high end dept. store, got measured, found out I was wearing a totally wrong size bra. I bought two Waacol bra's . they are the most comfortable and best fitting bra's ever. I already had old lady sag but when I lost weight they really hung low. the waacol bra's lift em up and getting professionally measured made all the difference.

I think he point was the question was not posed to get a lapband bashing session going. I think the question was posed to give them an idea of how we picked our surgeons. so if you failed at the band or the band supposedly failed you it's not your mission to scare anyone away from one surgery or the other. There are plenty of long time band patients here who can testify to their success, after you have a sleeve for 14 or15 years you can let us know how that's working for you. Hopefully you will be successful , but please be considerate of the other people here who are happy and healthy and don't enjoy negativity.

do your research and don't depend on comments from anyone . each person has to make their decision based on how they think they will do. The difference is how drastic you want to go. Lapband is no walk in the park either and unless your are sure you can be pretty compliant you may opt for something else. I did not want to have a radical rearrangement of my intestines or removal of my stomach. My husband had esophageal cancer last year and keeping his nutrition up was a major problem. Had he only had 20% of his stomach I doubt he would have survived. long term thinking is important. Lapband is revisable or removable if necessary. the other surgeries are for life.