labwalker

TMF summed it pretty well. But unless the band is defective or causing health issues, I am not always convinced that revision surgery will cure bad eating habits. My wife has the sleeve, and she has to be very careful about how she eats, and what she eats. You can overeat with a sleeve as well, and that will stretch the stomach.

None of us like to be judged, and I've always felt that weight or WLS was a very personal matter. It is your journey, and don't let anyone get you down! WLS can be an emotional roller coaster for many of us, and I avoid giving anyone a chance to provide negative feedback or make judgement. Most of us know who might be negative influences long before going into surgery. You have a good attitude, and you will succeed!

I'm coming up on two years this December... I down over 80 lbs, and feeling a lot better! I still have a long ways to go; but some of that is my own fault for not keeping up with appointments and being late for a few needed fills. I'd do it again, with no reservations. I'm over halfway to where I'd really like to be... but I didn't put this weight on in two years either.

Everyone is a bit different, and it is major surgery. The worst part for me was the port--that area remained sore longer than other sutured area. Hang in there for a week; give your body time to heal. You're swollen, your organs have been pushed around, and you were filled with gas during the surgery and you have incisions that need time to heal. Did your doctor give you any pain management medications to carry you through the first several days?

I worry about having enough Protein intake for each day, followed by calories--trying keep within the guidelines suggested by my APRN. I try to avoid carbs and never worried about having too few.

Goldfish swallowing was an American school fad starting in the 1920s, where a live goldfish is swallowed. You'd think there would be a little Protein in those miniature carps. Kinda like cheap sushi? I'll go stand in the corner for the rest of the day, no replies needed....

Congratulations!

Yep, you can eat around the band... as others have mentioned, you still have all of your stomach. All the band can do is slow the passage of food between the upper new stomach chamber, created by the band, as it flows into the lower stomach. The band should give your body a signal that the stomach is "full" long before you eat too much. You have to listen to the signals that the band is sending. With the band, especially one that has been filled, you need to chew your food and eat slowly. Break the rules and you will slime or get have an episode where food gets stuck in the opening for a few hours--both are very unpleasant. My APRN told me to eat slowly... chew eat bite at least twenty times, and to put the fork down for 30 seconds between bites. TMF and B52 gave you good advice. I'll also add to make sure you eat your Proteins first! Veggies and other foods last. Protein takes longer to digest, and it also will help curb your appetite for at least four hours between meals. If you have to, break your meals into four a day, spaced 4 hours apart. Always eat the required amount of protein. Good luck!

Congratulations! You are doing fabulous! And you're a good role model for the rest of us banders to follow! Down 84 pounds here, can't wait to join the 100# lost club!

Yep, my point was that you can find many sites on the internet that will support any "sides," , pro or con, regarding any WLS. That site I quoted was a bit extreme, but there was also a link to a CBS news release which also basically condemned sleeve surgery. You have to take anything posted on the internet with a grain of salt. There is no peer review, and anyone can set up and host a website. I know folks who've had all versions of surgery. Most have been very successful. I would have had VSG, except my doctor strongly recommended banding. I don't see the point in bashing any of the various surgeries, they all work. But I honestly feel success in large part hinges on finding the best doctor and practice before making any surgical commitment.

Well, we all can play up risks... http://gastricbypasskills.blogspot.com/2013/02/think-gastric-sleeve-is-safe-think-again.html and find articles to support any surgery, pro or con... if you can't find a good doctor with an established record, who you trust, I suggest hibernating.

This group doesn't normally perform the lap band any more because of long term issues that have arisen. That comment bothers me. I would not my lap band surgery done by a group who feels that way--hearing my doctor say something to that effect would scare me off. My doctor recommended the lap band as being the safest procedure, and the one he would recommend given the circumstances based on my age, health, weight and other factors. If a doctor is having long term issues with a procedure, why would you want to use him? Think about it--why would he say this unless he was having a large number of problems? Or, is it due to his not having several years of experience; what is he basing this on? Lap band patients require substantial follow up care to ensure any reasonable expectation of success. My "group" has three APRNs and two experienced surgeons in their bariatric practice. They are also a circle of excellence, which is also a requirement for many insurance companies. If a doctor retires, there is another one to handle emergencies. They also have four or five offices in the Connecticut area. I have my choice of three experienced APRNs to handle my follow up needs--be it fills, advice on nutrition, etc. Make sure that this "group" will be there for YOU one, two or five years down the road. You can read many horror stories on this board where folks are seeing inexperienced or clueless RNs for followups, with bad results, or folks who's doctors are no longer doing bariatric procedures, leaving their patients in a lurch for followup care. Always shop for the BEST provider you can find, especially for lap band surgery. I'm now on Medicare, and I still get calls from their office to come in for follow ups--and Medicare doesn't pay for follow up surgery related follow up office visits. They have me come in because they care, and because they are professionals who place their clients ahead of the almighty dollar. My group has had excellent success with the lap band procedure. My doctor suggested gastric banding for me, based on my needs; yet strongly suggested VSG for my wife, based on her needs. We've both been very successful and extremely happy with the results, and with the follow up care.

Don't most band patients have the band deflated (no restriction) while carrying a baby? I thought I read that this was done to ensure proper nutrients for both the mother and baby? I'm curious how sleeve patients deal with this issue--the concerns would seem to be the same?

Thanks, I will go check it out! This should be extremely interesting, especially the following points: Week 2: Debunking the myth that weight can be reliably controlled by voluntarily adjusting energy balance through diet and exercise Week 3: Debunking the myth that bariatric surgery induces weight loss primarily by mechanical restriction and nutrient malabsorption Week 4: Debunking the myth that vertical sleeve gastrectomy is not a metabolic procedure Week 5: Debunking the myth that patient behavior is the primary determinant of outcomes following bariatric surgery Week 6: Looking Ahead…

Congratulations, you can be each others support group! Just follow the doctor's orders and you will do fine. I had the band, my wife had VSG. It has worked out really well for her, and i am sure you will be equally successful and happy.

I agree, don't use the stuff... but, these anything that appears in a newspaper or similar, and not a peer reviewed medical or scientific journal I always take with a grain of salt. Studies can be influenced by the sample base; and reporters are good at amplifying the facts that generates readership. From what I've read over the years everything we eat can kill us... it must be true, since no one has beaten the odds.

The doctor "scratching his head" is NOT acceptable. I'd be demanding answers. I feel so bad for you--there is no reason that you should have to come here looking answers that your doctor should be providing!!! Something is wrong, and he should be providing answers. If you are eating properly, watching calories while maintaining Protein requirements you should not be hungry for at least four afters after a meal. Have you tracked your calories and protein intake on daily basis for a period of time? Are you avoiding slider foods like chips and fries?

I took all of my 6X and 5X clothing (good condition, some unworn) to a store run by a local group for challenged individuals. Getting rid of those clothes was like getting a new life. Just the other day I noticed I could fit into some 3X pants that I had bought many years ago--but could never wear! Wow!! What a good feeling. I'm hoping in a few months the 4X pants and 3X shirts will be another "donation" to a good cause! I was tired of having a closet full of clothes that only fit at the extremes of my previous failed weight loss efforts... so far the band is working; I may not always lose, but I never gain. It will be nice to be able to get down to one final size, and closet full of new clothes that fit without being tight or too loose. Another victory was being able to go on a 16 day vacation (part cruise) and being able to sample all of the great food, and coming home with only a pound gain, which was gone in four days after getting back into the gym routine!

Indeed! After almost two years I feel in control... weight lost does NOT come back. I can eat what I want, and enjoy food on cruises, but I remain in control!!! Sometimes the weight comes off slow, but it is usually my fault. But, I don't gain when I'm not being as careful as I should be. The need or ability to gorge is gone.

I joined Planet Fitness about 1.5 years ago. I did the ten dollar a month basic membership; and there is no cancellation fee fee for my plan. Planet Fitness is more of a beginner's health club. There are a lot of basic machines and treadmills, but NO free style weight lifting. Many franchises do NOT allow weight belts, or exposed midriffs. The regulations are usually clearly posted. As a beginner, I feel very comfortable in my local PF facility. I have read complaints about various other locations, and I suspect the overall rating of a particular PF depends on the local franchise owner, and in some regards, the location. I try and go at least 5 or 6 times a week; for at least a 60 minute visit. That's about 40 cents a day. You can try a trial day membership, or do the 10 dollar a month plan to try it out. If you don't like it, or outgrow it, than switch to a more advanced gym. I feel very comfortable at my local PF... it is kept clean, the equipment is maintained, and I see a lot of older out of shape individuals who are regulars. I don't feel like I am competing with Charles Atlas types. Why would PF want to cancel your membership? And why would you worry if they do? There are other gyms out there. There is usually a reason why someone lost a membership in a PF location.

I know folks who have had both the band and sleeve. The sleeve is not a magic cure all--it requires as much effort as the band. It is easy to stretch the stomach by repeatedly over eating.

Everyone is different. You can't gauge your success based on what others have done. I'd give anything to have a BMI under 35! How do you feel about your band's adjustment--do you think you have reached the green zone? What are you eating for calories, and how much Protein? Joining the local heath club did a lot for me... even if you can walk for a few miles a few times a week it may help. Hopefully your doctor provides regular follow up visits--that is very, very important for lap band patients.

I've lost 50 pounds several times over... the problem is KEEPING the weight off. If you feel you can be successful in maintaining the weight loss, and continuing to be able to lose more, than you may not need surgery. But, for most folks that is a very, very hard thing to do. I suspect 99 percent of us finally decided to have surgery after we've seen the weight come off, and return, after years of failed diets. I'm not a youngster, and I decided to have my surgery before I was too old to undergo such a serious elective procedure. The clock is always running.

Awesome!!! Way to go!

On average you should lose about a pound or two a week. That is a healthy weight loss average. There will be times when the weight doesn't budge, but stick to you diet and exercise workouts! Don't fret over daily variations. A lot of the weight you lost was probably retained water--there are a lot of calories in a pound of fat! It takes time. Don't be discouraged, we've all gone through this. It can be very emotional.