VegasGrace

For me, it was. After struggling for years with obesity surgery WAS the easiest decision I ever made and the easiest way for me to lose weight and hopefully keep it off.

New one for me! Wasn't told that. My incisions aren't around my breast area and the highest incision is at least an inch down from the bra line. Of course, I hadn't worn a bra in years...only sports bras. Too fat and couldn't get one to fit right. Now I am happy and wear a minimizer 38D from JCPenney.

So know what you mean. Even though I read up on the surgery, spoke with other patients, read the forums.... Reality sets in when you've had the surgery. Nothing can compare. I'm so glad I did it and wish I would have done it sooner. I find myself skipping, singing in the shower, just happier! I'm a size 6 now from a 22w.... I ate too much yesterday and slimed. So grateful to have the band help me maintain my weight! Good luck!

Guys, I am isolated...for real. I live in a state far away from home and have absolutely no friends. Haven't been here but 2 days so that will change soon, I'm sure. I hit my goal and beat it by 2 pounds. Buying size 6 clothing. Had a .3cc unfill this week to ease the restriction to go on maintenance. Moving into a new home. 2 of 3 children moved into college dorms yesterday and are starting the semester next week. My hair is so gray now. I color frequently. I stopped shaving my legs, sorry to gross you out. I ate an apple for the first time today in 6 months. Can I call the nuthouse now? Things are hitting me left and right! I feel like binging. STOP ME, please. Anyone share advice on how to handle tons of stressors at one time?

Frequently. I have a nice array of teaspoon sized dots on my plates...yes, plates w/ an S. I don't eat but 1/2 of that....but to have variety is something I love.

Sure, sounds like they just don't want to do it. Surely your back has hurt? Right? Surely you snore and may have sleep apnea, Right? And surely you have a family history of obesity w/ diabeties, heart conditions, etc? Surely so! If you are self pay...don't let NO stop you. You can have this procedure done for as little as $7,000. Insurance? You will need to befriend a good doc who will go to bat for you. Good luck!

Yes, I can offer advice as I don't go but once a week...maybe two. So I suffer, too. But from all my years of dieting I remember this quite well. The band doesn't cause constipation...dieting does. I've taken laxitives only to slime them up the next day...the pink came off the pills... so they didn't make it down. Saline laxative at the drug store in a glass bottle. This stuff works miracles. Works in as little as 10 minutes and is the same stuff they use pre-op to cleanse the system. About a buck or two.

Well, just tell him. He knows about cuts, scrapes, teeth, and probably 'sick' - flu, cold, etc. Mommy's getting better and this is Mommy medicine...as you drink your Protein shake. No biggie.

1) Would you do it again if you could reverse time? Yes, if would have done it SOONER. 2) Does everyone have such bad pain after the op? Nope, was up and around in 2 days...shopping the day after was tiring though. 3) How long would I need to take off work after the op? Well, it's according to what you do...home based...start back same day...forklift driver-I'd wait a while. 4) Does everyone have problems with bad breath, dry wretching, nausea, vomitting, leaking ports etc? Bad breath comes from dieting, so those on Weight Watchers can have it (attended a meeting and it was discussed at length), Atkins, South Beach, etc....the band doesn't cause bad breath. Dry wretching? Didn't happen with me. Neither has nausea or vomitting or leaking ports. 5) Why would you have an 'emergency unfill'? When you swallow a wad of gum because you forgot you had the band. (it happened to me but I didn't get an unfill...just had the wad retreived) 6) Has anyone had one in Belgium or Prague Never been there...yet. 7) Can anyone recommend a good surgeon / clinic in the UK? Sorry, no...but read the boards and hopefully you can find one. 8) Does it really help much more than trying to restrict portions yourself? Oh my goodness YES! Complications are few when you look at how many thousands are banded....bet it's in the millions now. With every procedure there will be a certain percentage to experience complications.

Sure, call someone else...say you are new to the area and need an appointment. But I recommend going to Mesa, Phoenix, or Herber... there are dozens of clinics that will see new patients. Those that claim no Mexico are just upset they lost out to OUTSOURCING....kinda trying to keep the urban myth alive about if you go to Mexico docs won't touch you....so not true.

This is the very first New Years that I did not make a resolution to lose weight. whew! No I just have to keep it off!

Hate to hear you are teetering. Can't answer your questions as I don't count calories or keep a food diary nor do I exercise. I remember teetering, though. Your body will go through phases where it KNOWS you are attacking it and it goes into prevention STORE energy mode aka FAT. Just keep doing what you are doing and after another week or so you will see the scale move downward. Not sure why your doc doesn't follow their training from Inamed....6 weeks is what they are told to do...but it's always up to them.

Forcing anything down your esophogas....that's the only thing forbidden. asprin, NSAIDs....not forbidden. Long term use is so not recommended...but they are not forbidden. Caffeine is not forbidden...not recommended...but not forbidden. You'll find your way as it's sounds like you are doing the research. Follow your doc's orders...you'll be fine.

No, it's not wrong. Want it, get it. Don't want it...don't. That's the joy of the lapband.

Soda pop....works everytime with me...quick and easy and doesn't taste bad coming back up.

Yes, of course. Potassium is low teeth are loose bones ache muscles ache (probably from low potassium) fatigued irritable But I am more healthy now than before...that's for sure. Nutritionally challenged is a temporary state. Health is a lifetime. I go to maintenance next week and look forward to a glass of milk, a whole apple, etc.

I just reached and surpassed my goal this week.... hmmm...who do I want to see? Well, I'm glad my family saw this Christmas. Was neat being the smaller of everyone of my sisters. :eek:

Maybe I should just stay fat!!! Hate to say it...but maybe you should. But...just as soon as you've had enough and can say you SHOULDN'T be fat....then make the call...get the band....and over the course of the next few years you will get rid of all that baggage...on your body and in your life. Good luck and keep us posted.

I had a Mt. Dew this morning. I still drink soda...but not as much as I used to. The band for me isn't about cutting out foods...but eating/drinking to sustain me and my cravings...but no more binging!!!

Yuck to Peanut Butter. I craved it, ate some...it was one of the nastiest things to slime back up. It's a 'plasma' in my book so not a liquid...and boy does it take some digesting to get broken down...I couldn't even get it to pass.

General Anesthesia can cause constipation but it's only temporary. Lactose intolerant? Drink milk. A certain food 'moves' you.... go for it. Good luck!

The body adjusts to your eating. Stop eating...you'll lose weight alright but your body will go into emergency mode and STORE energy aka fat instead of loosing more weight. Cause: no carbohydrates. Cure: sugar So, eat something with carbs IF you are at a standstill and have been for a while AND you have cut out all or most sugar. No, just eating sugar normally will not cause weightloss, sorry to confuse you.

That is a good idea... something to nibble on. I will try that. First I have to find something I won't slime on...and the only thing that I can eat as much as I want and more and don't slime... Peanut M&Ms....hahahah I'll have to figure something else out.

Great post and great responses... call your insurance and find out what THEY cover. If no stay...then you know it's a 23 hr and 59 minute thing. But if they do cover it.... STAY and make your doc admit you! This tip comes from OB patients who leave because they are worried about the bill. So they leave only to discover they could have stayed longer! Good luck.

As I was reading...I thought it was me saying those things. Normal for me is 'go to the doc' or 'get an unfill' for others. I can only eat 1-2 bites and must stop or else I slime. And often I forget and eat til I'm full. Then I'm over the sink getting rid of not only the excess but everything I just ate for that meal. I've vomited maybe 2 or 3 times since being banded...and that's like a big NO NO for me...I don't want that happening. I have no other symptoms...no pain...nothing. I am tired (always get tired when I diet...so this is nothing new) I am worn out But I'm done!!!!!!!!!!!! I go for an unfill in 2 weeks to begin maintenance. Did all the sliming CAUSE any damage. I know you had an issue prior...but did it do anything new?