imalene

I was just a Dr. Pleatman's website (he's in Michigan) and he states the following: With a large number of people undergoing LapBand placement, there is also a significant number of patients (up to 25%) who have not been successful in losing weight with the Band. I have now begun performing laparoscopic Removal of the LapBand, with conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on these patients. For further information on this procedure, email me or contact the office. First time I've seen that statistic.

There are just too many posts by the same people. Over and Over and Over. It is like an exclusive group that runs this board. I have posted what I thought to be interesting threads - and they are not "up-front" long enough to be seen because of the people who post threads constantly, which their band buddies reply to. I think they should just private email each other or use the telephone. Sometimes the threads look like Instant Messaging dialogue. Personally, I really don't care what anyone thinks anymore. I am so through tip-toeing around this board - watching out for everyones feelings-wading through posts hoping to find something useful - searching - this board is supposed to be about the lap band not what to name our dogs, or where to buy appliances with all the bells and whistles. People who post stuff like that are using up valuable space - And I've just got to think that there is a chat-board out there that would serve them better than this one. I know that there are people on this board that have become very close friends - And honestly - God bless them, but why not communicate with each other about non-band stuff through some other form of communication?

We sometimes set ourselves up for this stuff. I've learned in the course of a 23 year marriage to simply tell my husband what I expect - a few days before I want/need it. Then if he does not do it - I can honestly be mad at him. Remember just because you have asked for something does not mean that when you get it that it is less of a gift.

I love the good ol' USA too - but, many, many, surgeons in Mexico doing Lap Band surgery are better than some U.S. doctors. They have been doing this surgery for a longer period of time and the surgery technique that was mentioned on this thread as being the best - has been used in Mexico forever. Actually I believe - but am not positive that they have advanced a step even further than that "newer" technique. I went to Dr. Kuri in TJ, Mex - because I was self-pay and after doing as much research as humanly possible I decided that I would go to him even if I had insurance in the states that would cover it. Just looking for a doctor here who will fill a person banded in Mex - would make you think twice about them. They (and their office staff) can actually be mean - while they are turning you down, or accepting your $1,000. as payment for a fill. Please do not go into that liability excuse - because thankfully there are some consciencious U.S. doctor's who do accept other surgeons patients. I have found a very good surgeon at the U of M hospital in MN (very well respected head of bariatrics) who has willingly accepted me as a patient - if I'm unable to get to Dr. Kuri and the matter is pressing. His name is Dr. Sayeed Ikrumuddin and if he's willing and able to do this other doctors could be too. And as far as erosion goes - it can happen to any one no matter who did their surgery. Erosion in Mexico is no more prevalent than in the U.S. On another board a woman who was perfectly banded in Mexico went to a U.S. doctor for a fill and he wanted to actually move her port to her upper chest area - because it would be easier for him to fill. There are horror stories everywhere. Since this surgery is newly approved in the states (2 years) we need to remember who taught our surgeons about the lap band surgery in the first place. Honestly, I just get so sick and tired of people puting down the Mex doctors - without any real knowledge of them. I'm done now.

If you start now - following the band rules - even before you have the surgery to will have a 2.5 week jump on the "official" start of your new "diet". I don't think you said how much you weigh - but it seems that the more you weigh the more you are apt to loose in the very beginning - so if you are like most your quickest wgt loss will be in the first 6 month - and since those are the months before seeing your family - I think you could definitely WOW them. Like I said get on it now! :puke: Patti

Alex - Good for you for saying this. Honestly I was about ready to drop out of this board. It just get's tiresome when you can't just simply voice your opinion without people thinking you are disrespecting them. opinion. I just get sick of hearing/seeing IMHO, IMO, etc. I figure if they are writing it it is their opinion and it is NOT directed at me. If I write that I think taking Hoodia or other OTC appetite suppressants isn't for me because I swore when I got the band I was not ever gonna "go there" again - it does not mean that I think the person who started the thread is doing anything that needs to be defended. I just want to speak my mind freely without the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Patti

This is the dumbest thing I've seen yet on here. I think maybe it was posted just to see how many people would reply to such an idea. Well, here I am replying - making that number go up - hope that makes you happy Magic! Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.:tired Patti

Sounds like so many things that are literally shoved down our throats to line the pockets of someone else. I did hear about Hoodia - and also some of the side effects of it - sleep probs, ingredients that are questionable, etc. Remember Metab-o-Lite - you don't hear too much about that one because it ran it's course, people stopped buying it - so "they" had to come up with something with a different ring/zing to it. Personally, I got the band so I'd never have to "go there" anymore. If they come out with a prescription drug that has been tested and proven to work - I would look at that if I needed to - but not this stuff that appears in magazine ads and/or topics on TV programs. They know that anything having to do with wgt loss draws a huge viewing audience - because there are so many desparate people wanting and needing to loose weight. You can buy a tapeworm in a capsule on the internet and there are people out there desparate enough to use that and risk their lives doing it. I wouldn't want to encourage people in the direction of wgt loss capsules or anything like it. They just do not work. I'll probably get some heat over this - but honestly - these ads and programs that give people false hope and take their hard earned money just make me sick. Patti:mad:

I doubt that there was anyone more scared, hesitant, or worried than I was even after making the decision to have the surgery. I nearly cancelled it. Thankfully a sweet peace came over me 2 days before having it done - and I felt very good about my decision. The decision must be your own. But you are not alone in your fear and hesitation. By the way - I am about 19 days post op and I had a very good experience. No complications. Nothing. My bmi was 34-35 something like that. Good luck with making a decision. Patti

After all the crying and stress and worry I finally found peace in my decision and had the LB surgery on 1/12/06 - that's right 2 days ago. I just got back home to MN about an hour ago and wanted to let those of you who patiently put up with will all my worries and questions - that I am fine - and happy. I saw Dr. Kuri and his team of surgeons in TJ, Mexico. They were more than what I could have expected. Yes, the nurses and assistants spoke little English but they were kind and thorough - and any time there was something that they could not understand from my charades they immediately called their P.R. manager up to my room and she took care of everything. But all of the surgeons spoke perfect English and could not have been more professionoal and knowledgeable. They also have a brand new hospital that is so clean you could eat off the floors - and the staff is there to take care of you. Other than pain the day of the surgery it improved 100% by the next day (they keep you two nights in the hospital - the night before surgery for pre-op testing and the night of surgery) Presently they pay for three nights in a hotel for your companion/spouse (but that may change since they have now moved to their new hospital) rooms are situated so that a companion can stay in the room with you. There is a padded "bench/couch" and also a good recliner. Well, I dont' think I have much swelling so my restriction is not here - but that is the mark of a good surgeon - so I'll take it! But I will be following the eating rules of banding and get my first fill in 6-8 weeks. Paula, Terry, Sarah and I were banded the same day and what fun we had together! Also my husband (Kevin) and Paula's friend (Michelle) were our companions and encouragers - can't say enough about how all that support really helps! I'll keep you posted on my progress - hope I won't be singing-the-blues any time too soon! Thanks for all the words of wisdom and good advice that so many from this board offered during my days of research! Patti:clap2:

Do you think that having been in TOP's (take off pounds sensibly) weight loss support group - off and on for the last 40 years would qualify as a prior attemp to loose weight? I could (maybe) contact their hd qtrs for registration information which would proove my membership. I don't know if all the weekly records still exist as - my chapter disbanded a few years ago. Thanks!

:phanvan Actually, my post does apply to Jamoorse - see above. OK I'm done.

:embarassed: I'm sorry I misread your date as having had surger 1/13/06 - not 05. You must think I'm nuts. I take it all back and beg your pardon! Patti

I'm also 2 weeks post op. Remember you just went through quite a surgery. Your incisions will take MUCH longer to heal than two week and especially your port site. If you are concerned that you have an infection - hot, oozing to the extreme - you should call your doctor and report this. Maybe you should anyway because you seem a little lost as to what to expect. (I'm not trying to be mean - just want you to feel less confused/scared). As far as the stinging or other odd sensations inside the incision of your port - I expect that is going to go on for awhile. You are in the very early stages of healing. Good luck to you! Patti

I posted before in response to this. But this really bothers me. Who is your doctor and where does he practice.

I've been banded 14 days. Dr. Kuri, TJ Mex. Best experience. No complications. Here's my take on what you've asked. I've been researching and reading forums on the band for the last 3 months or so - and I really can't recall reading about punctured tubing being a common problem. IMHO - I would check out other surgeons. It seems to me that to look at having another surgery as not a big deal is odd. Might not be a big deal to him - but like you said - it is to you! Patti

With everything we hear about our bodies going into "starvation Mode" if we eat too little - won't this happen (after awhile) if we are eating very little food? Our bodies will simply hang on for deal life to every calorie we put in it. That's always been my understanding as far as wgt loss goes. So, ideally if it were possible wouldn't the best thing to do in the beginning is to establish an appropriate/good fill level before your body knows you are going to reduce it's caloric intake and then when your wgt loss slows or comes to a complete stop - have an unfill and maybe even put on :hungry: a few pounds. Then get a fill that is appropriate/good and begin the lower calorie/amount eating regiment, again. Continue with this regiment until you are at your goal. I've read studies on this phenomenon and have actually met people who did this regiment on their own (I wasn't able to do it because once I went off the low cal part of this - I couldn't get back on the restricted calorie part of it - but the band would really make this easier/simple to do. Have other people researched this - or tried this way of working with your band? I am newly banded - only one week out. I feel great and the band alone seems to be helping to controll my appetite. I'm hoping it will last until I get my first fill. But I'm thinking about how to use the band in the best possible way in the future. Patti

I've wondered about this. Would we tell a diabetic person that they should be ashamed to take insulin if we knew they were one of those that could controll it with the food they eat? Would we say anything negative to the person who has had heart bypass surgery - because he would never had gotten there if he had watched what he ate, watched his stress level, etc. People are funny.

I think how we come through band placement has more to do with our general overall health/condition than anything else. Also (it seems) people with a higher BMI have additional challenges with the procedure. I know people that are in their 60's and they are very fit and healthy - and then there are those in their 30's who are not. I'm on my 12th day after surgery and I am 49. I had a lower bmi (34) than some and my health was good and I had no complications whatsoever. At least in the short-term (knock-on-wood). I went to Dr. Kuri in TJ, Mex - I lacked any insurance for this so I was self-pay. Dr. Kuri is one of the best in or out of this country - so if you do it, find yourself a surgeon with an excellent reputation and one that has done at least 300 bands on his own (not the clinics total). Patti

I'm not an emotional eater either. I just love food and always have. Hey, I've eaten when I have had the flu in-between bouts of throwing-up. The only times in my life (and I'm 49) that I can recall that emotion affected my eating was when I ... 1) experienced extreme grief over a very close loved one's prognosis of a terminal illness or their actual death 2) the loss of my first true love (he found someone else) 3) times when I thought I was loosing my sanity or thought I was going over the "edge" - usually related to number 1 or 2 above. And at these times I simply lost my appetite. Although I have gone to McDonalds and eaten enough for two (or more) people - on the drive home, it is because I love the taste of food and can't or don't want to stop eating. Not because I'm trying to fill a hole inside of me - which is a theory many people believe. For me, it's just not the case. So, I for one believe you! And I totally feel for the emotional eaters out there. Just as I feel for the rest of us who eat too much for whatever reason. Patti

I hate to sound harsh - but here goes. From everything I've read pre and post banding - bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes are not band friendly foods. Try switching over now to a different way of eating. Protien first then veggies, etc. Just because a person can get any of the above past the band does not mean that we should be eating them. You will sabotage your weight loss. Once you get past not eating sweets, and other carb heavy foods - your system won't crave them too much anymore. Good luck and think about this, my friend. Patti

I was in Australia quite a few years ago and the stuff was everywhere. I can eat almost anything - that's why I'm in the shape I'm in - but I COULD NOT get it down. I think you have got to be raised on it or you will likely have the same reaction that I did. Don't waste your money on this because you are simply curious - Believe the people here and save your money. Curiosity killed the cat. :omg: Remember that! Patti

Dear Friend - I want you to have a decent life too. The band is a wonderfult tool to help you stick with a good healthful way of eating. Of course you have been on every diet and wgt loss program out there - we all have. It's not your fault that you cannot stick with a restricted calorie diet or you gain the wgt back. Diets don't work. Goolgle the last sentence and you will find a wealth of information as to why they don't. I don't know how old you are - I am 49 and decided that I didn't want to miss out on life anymore. And I didn't want to loose the wgt only to live in fear of it returning - which it always did. Banding may be slower than The Gastric Bypass - as far as loosing wgt - but it is so much safer and healthier. If you are determined to never go on another diet again, in my opinion, you will not regret getting the lapband. The band, if used correctly and to it's maximum performance (appropriate fills) - will aid you in restricting calories, also you will not be hungry while doing so. In many larger people - you will find that surgeons who have been an advocate of Gastric Bypass will first band their patients in order to get them to a healthier wgt before doing the bypass. You may experience some issues that lower bmi patients do not - but your surgeon will be aware and will watch for this. God Bless... Patti

Sorry - I used the wrong terminology (I'm a newbie) - I should not have said "a nice tight fill" - I should have said "a good/appropriate" fill. I will try to edit the original before too many people think I'm nuts! Thanks, Patti

Good fitting underwear has my vote. If my underwear are too tight or the elastic at the waist is worn out and they're falling down - it's so annoying.Some day I hope to put on a different brand of underwear (I've worn the same brand for years - plain, white, nylon, hi-cut thigh) and not have to pre-stretch them before I put them on - so that they are actually comfortable and NOT annoying.Patti