TravelHappy

I've been on the site reading and asking a few questions, but I guess it's time to tell my story. Like others I did a lot of research and settled on the best option for bariatric surgery for me: plication with lap band, or as my surgeon, Dr. Cottom in Salt Lake City terms it: Bandication. My surgery was on August 8. I was lucky at how smoothly my recovery has been: I went home the same day, was able to manage pain okay, was able to drink. It took a few days before swallowing pills was comfortable. I have had a terrible metallic tast in my mouth that is only now starting to fade. I got really hungry about a week post-op because sugar-free Jello, popsicles, everything with artificial sweetening tastes terrible with this metallic taste in my mouth. I"m so glad to be on cream Soups now/ I learned the hard way yesterday not to eat too much. I was trying to figure out what full liquids mask the taste of unflavored Protein powder and ended up eating more than I realized. I felt a lot of pain for several hours and then ended up vomiting when I tried to take my bedtime medications. I appreciate all the advice and experience others share about eating & exercise. I have a question for those of you who are a ways down the road. Background info: I had read a lot about the downside of artificial sweeteners and had cut them out of my diet the past few years. So it was a change to eat and drink sugar-free everything pre-and post surgery. Jillian Michaels and many others in the health industry say that artificial sweeteners mess with metabolism and hormones. So given that my surgeon said that metabolism tends to slow down over time with bandication as with lap-band, I am wondering what your experience has been with using artificial sweeteners versus just using sugar sparingly. Which helps you lose weight the best? I know that Stevia is natural, but it has a bitter taste for me in most things. Any research, insights, or experience would be appreciated.

Thanks, I'm hopeful it will go well. Dr. Cottam also thinks there will be potentially less band slippage over plication because of the uniform size of the smaller stomach. Right now I'm in a phase where I want to yell, "Enough with the heartburn!" despite taking prescription Prilosec.

He said he doesn't know why. It is one reason he favors the banded plication so that the lap band can help keep weight loss going over time.

'Wow! That is wonderful. I must feel wonderful to be 50 lbs lighter!

Well Diva, I am happy for you. You must look great! Wish I had curves. It's sad that we live in such a competitive environment. I love the "plixies" label and will wear proudly, although I guess I am a "banded plixie.". I've told only my family, close friends and a few co-workers because I have this dread of being judged for "taking the easy way out" and then being judged if I don't lose the weight or gain some back. I have told people I know will be happy for me and supportive. I was worried about telling two of my sisters and my parents, but luckily they have been very supportive, I think because they have seen me struggle so long with my weight and increasing health problems because of it.

I agree with those who say there are trade-offs to all the surgeries. One difference that may account for some of the weight loss differences between plication and sleeve that I learned from my surgeon right before my surgery is that with sleeve and gastric bypass the metabolism seems to stay the same, but with lap band and plication (or imbrication) the metabolism seems to slow down. I wasn't happy to hear this, but I still did not want my stomach cut or re-routed. He recommended for my high BMI over 50 banded plication or bandication. I am only 3 weeks out from surgery so I can't speak to this personally. I hope to keep my metabolism burning high by the choices of foods I eat and exercise.

BP Dude (name sounds pretty cool), You have a great attitude and determination after all you have been through. I have a terrible time getting over anesthesia myself. My doc told me the only way to work anesthesia out of your system faster is sweating it out in a sauna. I am having band plication or as my surgeon calls it "Bandication" surgery Monday. I'm a bit nervous hearing your story, and some of the other horror stories, but maybe preparing for the worst psychologically isn't a bad thing. I just wanted to say that I hope you get feeling better and better and start seeing the weight loss. You have so much more than just recovering from bariatric surgery going on inside. It's a really good thing you didn't put off your surgery with your hernia and gall bladder mess.

I am having the dual procedure next week. Any advice about post surgery? Who is your surgeon. Mine is Dr. Cottam, Salt Lake City.