Sarah.R

I definetly agree with you on that part I mean if you are a self pay and your doctor has asked for you to talk to others considering the surgery I think that's an absolutely great way to gain something back.

I havent got my band yet but I got a pre op diet and I think it just depends on if you eat those things already to how you'll go on the diet, mine says I can have a cup of vegetables I think once every 3 days which is great for me, just ring your dietician and ask if you can have some vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, squash etc. If you can't really tolerate the shakes they'll definetly help, also maybe add a little soy sauce if your allowed, but remember to ring your dietician first, they'll probably say it's ok but just in case they don't at least you'll know

Bel Iwasnt trying in the least to be offensive to anyone about it but those are my views, I even said that I didnt mean it to offend anyone, yes I know everyone goes through different things reguarding there weight and I totally understand that and as for the whole risk thing try this - I was on chemotherapy at 10 years old, I know more than most about this entire thing, at 15 I had a lung biopsy and I've always been overweight, last year my doctor told me that I need a lung transplant, I think I say for myself overall my story is far worse than most and yet if I was told that last year and I was 16 I still wouldnt want the band, yes I know I"ll get criticism for saying this stuff but that's how I feel, why should you judge how I think when you have your own opinion on this subject? I'm 20 at the moment, I'm looking at a bilateral lung transplant in the next 5-10 years so I think people that are looking at transplant and are under 18 and are looking at that transplant before there 20 should definetly have it done but other than that no I don't see a reason for people under 18 to have it, and yes it is our/their fault for the way they are (yes I sound like a bitch but oh well) I knew what I was eating at 13 and yet I continued to eat those things, now I'm 20, 115kg and can't even consider a lung transplant because of my size and they won't even put me on the list so yes I am narrow minded about this entire lap band surgery for people under 18, but I think I have every right to, and if you talked to any qualified/reliable/ trusted doctor you would see he/she would most likely feel the same way. I'm not trying to be a total cow by saying my feelings, it's a free country and I have every right to, I honestly didn't mean to offend people with my views and I am sorry that I did to you but it's my opinion and it's what I stick with, I understand you don't feel the same way as I do and I definetly praise you for that.

I was just wondering about the kinds of mushie food that people eat when there at that stage. I was thinking about stuff like possibly mashed pumpkin, potato, sweet potato, possibly with some gravy but there the only things I can think of, I don't particularly like the idea of blending any meat and making it mushy so does anyone have any ideas or tips that they used and were easy to digest? Thanks

I've heard numerous good accounts of a Dr Ortiz in mexico? If you look all over this board you'll find very good things about him, he's the only one I've heard anyone talk about in mexico though

I think its just basically when you get to a size under size 10 - meaning only one number - one der land - size 8-6-4 etc

Of course your skinny friends won't get it, none of the people you know would understand unless there family and they see what you go through, this is your choice and they should be happy in the fact that you've chosen to change your life for the better

So let me get this straight you went on holiday and just decided to do it because "hey your young and your skin won't be as flabby and its cheaper while your on holiday"? It doesnt sound great to me the way you explained it but im sure there are other reasons for you wanting to do this? I'm 20 and I was told last year that I may need a transplant in about 5-10 years - that overall is my motiviation for this, everyones is different, I would have thought reading what you wrote that your motivation is to prevent diabetes overall not the other way you describe it, for me the transplant is a huge motivation, I won't be paying for anything which makes my life easier in the way of choosing the surgery but overall your decision is based entirely on that - you and what you want in your life - I'm only 20 and at the moment I feel like I have no future, this is basically the only option for me if I want to live past 30, have a future and have an actual life. Just think about the things you want overall before you base your decision on the vanity things in life, if you know what I mean

I know everyone has an opinion and you asked for everyones so heres mine, I understand that its horrible being the way you are with certain aspects of your life, I was the biggest person in my last year at high school and ended having to wear jeans to school because my skirt didnt fit me anymore, I know that there are people that are bigger than I am at 16 which is (sorry to be so blunt) utterly disghusting. I dont mean any of this in disrepsect so try not to take it that way but I honestly do not think that anyone under 18 should have this surgery done. It's a life altering decision and at 15/16/17 your body hasnt even matured yet. People say that there is no other option for them and they have to do it and they won't survive within a year but how many reports do you hear about teenagers under the age of 18 that have died from morbid obesity? Truthfully none right? Anyway thats just my opinion again I wasnt trying to offend you or make you change your mind or anything.

I was just wondering what everyones pain tolerance is and how they felt afterwards? Was it only minor pain for you personally or was it that bad you had to have morphine? I've heard alot of different experiences, some had really bad pain at the shoulder tip from the gas but others only had to take panadol. Personally I don't think it will be painful in the least for me, I mean yes at the surgery scars it will definetly be uncomfortable but I've also had 2 lung biopsies which are excruciating and have had 2 chest tubes put in while awake (although I did have local to numb the pain and a little bit of morphine) and that was the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life. So just wanted to know everyones opinion! Thanks

Have you been walking alot? I haven't had surgery yet but I've many accounts from people and they all suggest walking around more

All of those sound great but I dont think I could ever eat something out of a can, I mean maybe in america its nicer there but chicken in a can? Gross I'd rather have the fresh real stuff that was alive a week ago lol, it's also pretty hard for me with other stuff, I can't stomach tuna, salmon, sardines but fish like cod and sweet lip I can, and I dont even know what the heck hommus is, I never eat cream cheese and no matter what meat should NEVER be put in a blender, if I want to have a meat sludgie one day sure but I doubt I'll ever eat/drink that lol

That's pretty good that the weight limit is 150kgs, a friend of mine got it and she's pretty big, was worried she was going to break it lol =(

Isn't that just were they put the sticky plugs on your body (mainly around your heart and chest) and check your heart waves, pretty sure it is as I've had about 5 of them done. It's probably just to make sure your heart is up for the operation and that it's working as it should

I would change doctors, I have never ever heard that, I mean yes people do gain weight back - if there pregnant, but that's the only reason. Ive heard more about people that have the gastric bypass gaining it back than with the band. It sounds like she is trying to discourage you but that's just my opinion, maybe you should talk about it with another doctor and get another opinion on it.

Well how much did you get put in? I've been told they only put 1cc in so if they did that you shouldnt have that much resticition already, also have you been on the liquids for 2 days afterwards? I've heard multiple accounts about people being on liquids for the first couple of days afterwards. Also it may just be you getting used to the band, leave it for about a week and if you still feel the same then I would definetly suggest going back and getting an unfill, at the moment they probably won't do anything as you've only recently had it and they will most likely tell you to just come back in a week. Hope I helped

I know the feeling Ellen, I was told last year (at the time I was 19) that I need to do something about my weight, I've always known I'm big but when a doctor personally says that kind of thing to you, you do take it as a bit of a blow but it just means that they are looking out for you and want the best for you health wise (kind of like there acting like your parents lol). If you need to talk feel free to message me, I havent been banded yet but I would like to think I know a fair bit about it

Everyone has different views but it's yours that is the most important, I never would have wanted the gastric bypass mainly for the fact that it is open surgery and more riskier, I'm only 20 so I want to fit in a bikini one day (or at least know that I can) and I dont want to have a huge scar on my stomach (even though I have similar sized scars on my side) Also just because you need to loose 140 pounds doesn't mean you can't with the band, it depends overall on how much of that weight is excess weight. It's also helpful to look up the pros and cons of each procedure, I've heard many unpleasant things about the gastric bypass like a higher mortality rate and complication rate compaired to the lap band also one of the bigger things for me about the gastric bypass that turned me off was the increased risk of osteoporosis and the fact that because you can't get enough Calcium in, it can lead to tooth decay and I personally would like to keep all my teeth - If that all made sense =)

Eh I hope I dont have to get up that early lol I was told to pack just a over night bag with the essentials, medication you might take, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush etc and clothes that are easy to put on like just singlets you can slip over and pants that dont need to be zipped up or anything.

Just wondering, I mean in the states people can just post one message saying "Hey did any of you have this doctor?" But here I've only found one other person that's had lap band surgery with my doctor, I know it doesnt have anything to do with his capabilities but it'd be nice to know there are others that have had the same surgeon if you know what I mean.

So I went to see the surgeon last month and havent been able to ask this as I've been sick and spent most of the past 2 weeks in bed so basically my question is what kind of questions should I ask the nurse? After I went to see the surgeon he just said flat out within 5 minutes of sitting down "Yes we will be doing this surgery but you have to see my nurse first" So I thought sure ok I can handle that, the only thing I'll have to pay for this entire thing is the $100 to see her but I don't know what to ask her I mean I kind of know all the necessary stuff like what are the pros and what are the cons, and I'd just like to know a little bit more for when I do go see her. So does anyone have any questions I can ask her that you think will help me and/or what it is that you asked your nurse/dietician/surgeon that reassured you about this surgery? Thanks

Maybe I should have been a little more specific, I have no costs involved except to see the nurse, I do not have to pay for the surgery at all as my hospital is paying for it as I'm a "special case" and no I havent been to a seminar yet because why bother going when they will most likely tell me stuff I already know? =( But thanks about the food stuff and the nutritional one, I already kjnow about iron deficencies/b12 etc but I'll definetly have to aks that.

I agree with Steph, I've heard around 100 is the norm but as I have no choice on my surgeon personally and I can't exactly change him at will if I heard he's done at least 250 I would be happy, I've also heard that you can ask to talk to success stories from your doctor, if they deny well then theres something to worry about.

If your worried about how they will heal you can always get some creams to help them be less noticeable, I don't know where you are but here in Australia we have Bio Oil and it's definetly helped me with other scars from lung biopsies but if you don't have that where you are you can always try Vitamin E cream or anything with vitamin E cream, also coco butter helps as well

Hey! I havent heard of either of those doctors but the one I might possibly be getting banded by is at the Wesley, his name is Dr. Martin, I've only heard of a couple of people that have had him as there surgeon, only one on here and my gp's fiance actually had him for a surgery (not related to the lap band) and congrats on your weightloss