oreo

Hi Lisa, I'm sorry to hear you have had problems with the lap band. I put mine in almost 5 years ago. I lost about 80 lb. in 7 months. I've gained some back in the last few years, but otherwise I have no complications, no problems. If you want to talk, call me at work at 971-7199 during the week. Aloha, Paula Aurio

Hi Trixie, I am 4 years out and not happy with my slow continuous weight gain. One of the active Lap Band support groups would be Dr. Fowler at Castle Hospital. His people used to post a lot on this website but have since petered out. I had my band done by Dr. Lapschies at Queens's, but I don't think they have a support group any more. If you ever want to walk, especially on Sunday's, give me a call. I am always looking for people and places to walk. My cell phone# is 383-3820 or my work phone is 971-7199. Aloha, Paula Aurio P.S. also try ObesityHelp.com, the Hawaii State forum. They get more input than this board lately.

Hi, I know you are still in the mushie stage, but once you pass that, try energy bars. Where I used to go to a drive thru I now will stop at a store and buy 1 energy bar. The Protein fills me up and I now love the taste. That is why I only buy 1, because if I buy more I will eat more. You may have to get used to the taste of some, but once you do they are enjoyable. I like the Luna bars and the Cliff bars and also the Power bars that are in the green wrapper. If I know I will be really active on any particular day I will carry 2 energy bars and I know I won't get hungry and I won't have to worry about food. However, they do have about 250 calories. The important thing is to use them as Meal Replacements, not Snacks. That's why I can't have them laying around. Aloha, Paula

Hi Beverly, I just found out that I have to babysit tomorrow for my 2 grandsons. My husband usually watches them, but he's sick with the flu. But the next time you guys get together I would love to meet you, so please let me know. Aloha, Paula

Hi, actually I am off on Friday, Sept. 28. I would like to meet you guys. Let me know where and when and I will see if I can make it. Thanks, Paula

Hi, my name is Paula and I was banded on 12/07/04 by Dr. Brandt Lapschies. I initially lost about 70 lbs., but have since gained back almost 25 lb., but I have never been sorry for getting banded. I have had no complications, and I have had only 1 fill 2 years ago. Although I've gained some weight back, I am healthier than I have ever been. I live in Kaneohe and on weekends I like to walk, but prefer to walk with someone. If you guys would like to get together it would be great. I don't know anyone who has a lap band. I've corresponded with a few people on OH.com, but I have never met another person with a band, they are all RNY. Aloha, Paula

Hi Beckamarie, I live in Kaneohe and had a Lapband put in on 12/7/04 by Dr. Lapshies at Kapiolani Hospital. I you would like, call me at work at 971-7199. Also do you go on ObesityHelp.com? We have a Hawaii forum. Aloha, Paula

O.K. so I'm an American Idol fan. Last night Mandisa, a very heavy woman was voted off. She's an excellent singer, a beautiful woman, but she's fat. On Tuesday night she wore an especially unflattering outfit which I believe made her look heavier than ever. While Ruben was called, "The Velvet Teddy Bear," because of his weight, Mandisa was considered just plain fat. It's not fair, but it's fact. Men can get away with being heavy much better than women. I hope that Mandisa loses weight and becomes a successful performer. All of us who are post surgical know the rewards of losing weight. Oreo

Hi, if there are any lap banders in Hawaii, please post here. I also post with the ObesityHelp.com Hawaii forum: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/HI and locally we have a Yahoo group, http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hawaii-OSSG/. We are starting to meet and have get-togethers, so please contact us. Aloha, Paula

I agree with both Susan and Sharon. I too had to go through extensive testing before surgery. But I was due for that testing years earlier, but didn't have the courage or motivation to go through with it. Wanting the surgery gave me the motivation. I had an EKG 6 months before and again 3 days before surgery and passed with flying colors. All of my blood work was good, but then being obese I was borderline everything (diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.) I also eat now better than I would have ever predicted. No diet soda, no bread, no rice, no fast food, and I don't miss it. But the most amazing thing, even surprising my kids, is the amount of exercise I do. I took over the recycling at work so I walk every day checking my bins. (I work at the Honolulu Zoo.) Additionally, I take Aerobics twice a week, Pilates once a week, and I work out at a Women's gym 3 or 4 times a week. I never exercised before this surgery. My daughter asked me the other day, "Why do you suddenly care?" My answer is, "I wish I had cared sooner, but it just wasn't the right time." In February we are having our first grandchild and I want to be around to see him go to college. Aloha, Paula Aurio

I was 55 years old when I had my lap band on 12/07/04. I was 232# at the time of surgery, BMI of 41. I had a very smooth surgery. If I hadn't gotten sick from the Tylenol with Codeine, I would have had a remarkable recovery. As it is, 5 days later I did all of my Christmas shopping. Unlike what I read from these message boards, I had restriction from the very beginning. After losing 75# I had my first and only fill on July 23 when I had .8 cc's put it. Since then I haven't lost much but I have recently stepped up my exercise program trying to pass this plateau. I still have restriction, but I do eat more than I originally did. I do believe that it is easier when you are younger, because isn't everything? Losing weight in general is so much easier when you are younger. Why didn't we realize it then? But when you are older I feel you have a better chance of success because you realize this is it! It's now or never! Good Luck, Paula Aurio

Hi, I have always had a hard time sleeping which is how I gained my weight from the beginning. Right before bed I too want to eat very badly. If I don't eat, I can't sleep. Even though it's all in my head, it's still a problem. My solution is that I eat a small bowl (1/2 cup) of Kashi Go Lean with skim milk before I go to sleep and I sleep like a baby. When I wake up during the night I drink Water and go right back to sleep. It may not be the best solution, but it works for me. The other thing I do is I watch Discovery Health and Fitness TV to try and brainwash myself. It's harder to snack when you watch healthy programs. Good Luck, Paula

Hi, I live in Hawaii and I had adjustible lap band surgery on 12/7/04. My pre-op weight was 242#, 232# at time of surgery. My doctor was Brandt K Lapschies and I was banded at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu. I had a very smooth procedure with no complications. My only problems were that I got sick on the Tylenol with Codeine which I was fed on my way out of the hospital, and constipation due to Bariatric Advantage Vitamins. I had great restriction from the beginning. I had my first (and only) fill in July, 7 months out, and it was only .8 cc. I was down to 165#, a 77# loss. I still have restriction, but I'm at a plateau and not losing weight. Because of this I am really stepping up the exercise. I take Aerobics twice a week, Pilates once, and I just joined a woman's gym where I try to work out 4 times a week. At work I took over the recycling program so that I do a lot of walking. I work at the Honolulu Zoo and I have 42 bins throughout the zoo which I check a couple of times a week. I feel great, but I would sure like to lose more weight. My blood pressure is way down due to the weight loss, and I no longer have pain in my feet or my back. So far I am very satisfied with the results of this surgery. I know that one of my problems is with my eating. If I eat meat I fill up very quickly, which is good. That is, if I eat it slowly. My problem is that when I get hungry I eat too fast, get sick, and then I don't want to eat meat again. So what I really like to eat is: fat free crackers - Kavli salt free Peanut Butter I make at the health store (least amount of fat) sugar free Smuckers strawberry preserves Although it's not a really bad thing, I eat this at too many meals. But oh how I enjoy it. My other favorite thing to eat is Kashi Go-Lean with skim milk. I usually start and end my day with a small bowl (about 1/2 cup). I enjoy it, the Protein is good, and oh how the Fiber keeps me regular. I don't eat bread, or rice (a staple in Hawaii), diet soda (which I used to live on) or Pasta (which I really miss). I occasionally treat myself with sugar free fudgsicles or Jello's new sugar free chocolate pudding. All in all, I do not feel deprived, I enjoy all of the benefits from my band, and I cannot understand why anyone would want a gastric bypass. I highly recommend the band. Aloha, Paula Aurio