UP Musky Hunter

What a relief to hear all of this. I was banded on April 30 and doing really well on the scale until the real food returned. It must be the bodies way of coping and storing some real food for a change. Over three days, I gained 3 pounds back. It took four days for those 3 pounds to go away. It sounds like it is time to put the scale away and only check once a week or so. What a unique fraternity we have here. So many different people in so many different places, yet all with the same hope. Journey On!

WadeW - Be sure that you are considering banding for the right reasons. Social pressure, TV ads, weight loss commercials, all direct you one way, but this procedure has to be about you. You have to want it for the right reasons. Doing any type of weight loss surgery for other reasons (the public expects it, my family will like me more, My job will be better, etc) won't leave you with a desire to achieve all you can. This is truly about you. If you are truly ready to eat less, feel better, move easier, etc. then keep moving forward. There comes a time in each of our lives when it is okay to be a bit selfish and understand that you are important to yourself. Take the time to do the exercise, take the time to learn about your weight and how to help control it. There are still no easy answers. Even the lap-band. It's a good choice, but still not an easy one! Hang in there and as always...... Journey On!!!!

Hello - I was banded on April 30th. My health history (while relatively good) includes a 25 year battle with gout. My first "attack" was at age 18. When discussing banding with my Dr, he almost promised me a post surgery attack. His promise came through 5 days after surgery. Due to banding, the Dr really discouraged the use of any ibuprofen and strongly discouraged any of the indocin products. Well, I had already flushed my indocin when the gout attack reared its ugly head. I tried liquid ibuprofen and then tried cutting ibuprofen capsules. It was a mess for a few days. This leads to a couple of questions: 1. How many of you deal with gout as a complication to banding? and 2. Any good ideas as to how to treat an attack when it occurs? Journey On!!!

I am also new to the message board. I was banded on 04/30/07 abd had a very positive surgical experience. My doctor was very stern when it came to two weeks of a liquid protein diet prior to surgery. It appears his advice was well heeded. My BMI is down almost four points since the liquid protein diet began on April 16th. I am fortunate enough to have a great supportful spouse and kids that care. This is a jouney worth taking. JOURNEY ON!!!!!

Hello all - I was banded on 4/30/07 in Duluth, Minnesota. The journey has been interesting with an original start more than a year prior to surgery date. I was one of the patients whose DR required 2 weeks of liquid protien prior to surgery, so I was able to lose more than 20 pounds prior to banding. I am very excited about the future. I look forward to sharing and helping as we all move forward. Journey on!!!!

Well - here's my first post. My doc and staff utilize a 14 day liquid protein pre-op diet. It was a lot of sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ultra Slim fast, broth, sf popsicles, Propel, etc. It was nasty in the beginning, but by surgery date, I had dropped 24 pounds. I was banded on April 30th and am down 31 pounds in three weeks. Kind of crazy.....