Headhunter

Hi, Mojo; Welcome aboard! You said that other family members had the bypass....is that what you are going to have, or will you be going for the Lap band? HH

Yes, actually, that’s part of the plan. The Animal Shelter is on the way to the Orphanage and the Bar. The idea is to adopt all of the puppies, 8 weeks and younger, and put them all inside the Orphanage BEFORE we Torch it. And you know what’s really neat? In the SAME BUILDING as the Orphanage is a Disabled Seniors Home. We can pretty much take care of them all with just ONE gasoline soaked rag and a BIC lighter. Steve and I can be sitting at the bar toasting each other with a protein-and-venom shake before the fire department even knows what’s happening! It’s like the trifecta of murder and mayhem. Ah, life is sweet when you're a Bully. HH

"Failure is only important if it's last time that you try"....is my favorite variation on the previously mentioned Failure quotes. When speaking about these various Weight Loss Surgeries, people often like to talk in "absolutes"; "do THIS, and THIS will happen, because it worked that way for ME". Nope. Doesn’t work that way. Even though the way the Surgeries are performed is very similar, the OUTCOMES among the patient population is anything BUT uniform. I think, in many respects, it comes down to "tweaking" your particular Procedure. Liken it to an automobile, if you will. Re-gap those plugs, change the air/fuel mixture just a L-I-T-T-L-E bit, and your car will perform in an entirely different way. Same with WLS. Assuming you have done the research and selected the CORRECT procedure for your personality/body type/eating issues, selected the RIGHT Surgeon at the RIGHT facility, then you have a good foundation for creating the proper environment for having a successful WLS experience. But, coming home from the hospital is only the beginning. And, if this makes any sense, it's really only the beginning of the BEGINNING. What I mean by that is that you need to be prepared to change and alter your strategy on a continual basis as you move forward in the post-WLS experience. As you lose weight, your body will change in subtle ways, and I'm not talking about APPEARANCE so much as I am about your biochemistry, your metabolism, and many other things that impact your "relationship" with your excess weight. For example, a previous poster stated that once they cut out all of the Diet beverages, things began to change. Some people might say that this doesn't make sense; There are no calories in these beverages, how could they be causing you to plateau? LOTS of reasons, actually. It can have to do with signals that your brain receives when it senses something "sweet" has entered the body. It can have to do with your reaction to Aspartame (equal) and the other artificial sweeteners that are, in fact, chemical poisons that have been proven to do all sorts of nasty things to humans and other living organisms. There is a HUGE array of variables that can cause change in our bodies, and you have to be prepared to work hard to discover YOUR PERSONAL “zone” that, once you are there, will allow you to arrive at a safe, comfortable, and NATURAL weight that is right for YOU. So, although you have HAD the surgery (and it might seem that it’s the hard part), it is really only the beginning. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work right out of the gate for you. If you have created the right foundation for your Surgery, then the chances are very good that you will able to arrive at the “place” where it all comes together for you. It’s all up to YOU! "The Journey is the Reward" HH

Hi, PSJ71; Good luck with your Surgery! I wish I had seen your thread earlier, I would have been happy to give you a few questions.... I am curious as to what led you to this particular doctor, and if you did any research on Him/Her before you chose them? Choosing your Surgeon is one of the most important parts of the process, and can make ALL the difference in the success/failure of ANY surgery. HH

Steve, I guess you and I are bullies. Whaddya say we head on down to the corner bar for a shot of Protein and venom. maybe we can torch an orphanage along the way. I'm Buyin'....... HH

Good luck with making your choice about having surgery. Make sure that you look at ALL your options, including ALL the different types of surgeries. Investigate your surgeon carefully, and talk to a LOT of different doctors. Take your TIME in deciding which route to take. It will be worth it! Oh, and don't listen to Plain....he's one of them secessionists down thar in Texusss......:thumbup::biggrin::thumbup: HH (j/k)

Wasa, I appreciate you considering sending me a link to this. But, you didn't have to. Because, I could SMELL this one halfway across the planet. This one stinks like the bathroom of a South Texas taco stand. You know, I have made the observation before that there are people whom have had the Lap Band installed incorrectly. Situations where the band was probably OVERFILLED and the resulting restriction actually cut off the supply of blood to the brain. And that would have been my intial response to the...uh..."thing' that made THAT particular post. However, upon reflection, it occured to me that to have the blood supply to the brain cut off....well, one would first have to actually HAVE a brain. I do not suspect this to be the case in this situation. I have to think that there is simply a large, gaping cavity that sits inside the chamber affixed to her neck, that serves as some form of air-filtering mechanism or some other life-supporting device of some kind. But Brain? No. Not likely. No mechanism for critical thinking. No device for intelligent, rational thought. nothing. Zip. nada. airspace. fog. And not even a high-quality fog like that which you might find over the bay in San francisco. A putrid, stale, disgusting, sticky/humid mass of nothingness that serves only to perpetuate it's own existence. I know I'm being a little vague in describing how I feel about this individual, and I apologize for that, I really do. I usually try to be a little more up front and outspoken when describing my feelings. But THIS post, and THIS poster has left me uncharacteristically speechless. But I'm quite thrilled as well. This is a once-in-a-lifetime, folks. You will probably NEVER see THIS level of stupidity and ignorance in public again. At least not until her next post. :thumbup: Or until Bush runs for office again. HH

Moderators….Jack, Susan, etc…..I fully understand the concept of attacking an IDEA, and NOT a person. I do my best to comply, though I sometimes move perilously close to the line. I am hoping that in THIS case, you will allow me to vent a bit more “personally” than I would normally. The “not human anymore” because of a WLS choice is in a completely different stratosphere than the basically innocuous stuff that normally goes on here. Thank You. "not really human anymore”. Lol. No. You didn’t REALLY say that, now did you? You didn’t actually say that the bypass is the Laziest way to lose weight. You couldn’t have. You didn’t REALLY say that someone who has a bypass is “not really human anymore”. Nah. It’s my imagination. It COULDN’T have happened. Because….. It would take an abject moron with the brain of a cockroach to actually SAY something like that. It would reveal a sensibility SO lacking in any form of intelligence that they should probably be euthanized for the betterment of humankind. Anyone who would actually SAY something THAT inane, that stupid, that imbecilic should be removed permanently from the gene pool, and have any trace of their DNA burned. So, no, you didn’t actually SAY that. But if you DID…...I would stand in awe of you. I would bow in your presence. BECAUSE, I would have been witness to the most absolutely retarded, inane piece of crap EVER having been spoken online. And, you know, it’s not very often in life that we are able to witness an “absolute” of ANY kind. To be able to observe, first hand, the DUMBEST human to ever walk upon this earth is indeed a privilege. And it’s not simply to be able to witness someone reveal their personal retardation…..it’s that they would do it SO PUBLICLY that is amazing. You see, when most people exhibit their intellectual shortcomings, it’s usually in a back room somewhere, where they tell nasty racist jokes, or degrade women in their discussion, or some other repulsive act. But HERE….and NOW…..we are witness to the singularly most uninformed, Stupid, Stupid, STUPID comment I have ever observed in my 30+ years online. I am SO hoping that you are a lesbian. The planet cannot afford to have people like you breeding. You have rendered Headhunter quite speechless, with incredulation that there is someone on this planet that is THAT STUPID. I could spend an hour or two responding letter by letter to what you wrote. But why? No one in their right mind would listen to you, so I'll simply hope that the good people of this forum will simply see you for what you are, and pass you by. Honestymm. What a delightful name. You have earned my amazement. You have also earned a website devoted entirely to YOU. Watch for it. You’ll be famous. Trust me. HH

My gosh, Michelle, you were banded just 3 weeks ago, and you've lost THIRTY POUNDS!! You Rock! I'd say you made the right choice....just keep going!! HH :smile2:

Michelle, No one wants to make you feel bad about your decision. Very likely, you went through the procedure correctly, and made the right choice. A LOT of people do. But, some don't. And my hope is to be able to help educate those who have NOT yet made their choice, that there ARE options, and that we are all unique. As I've said before, ALL of the procedures work. NONE of them are just plain "bad" and worthless. Some just work better for SOME people than others. Let's say that you are one of the people that the band is NOT best suited for. That means that you will most likely have to work a LOT harder than someone for whom the band is a perfect fit. But it's not the end of the world....you STILL can do it. The thing that nagers me (and others here) is the amount of INCORRECT iinformation there is being tossed around out there in Internet-land. Don't try and second-guess your decision at this point. Simply move forward with your band, work hard, and MAKE it a success! HH

More nonsense from people who don’t have a clue about what they’re talking about. This discussion was originally “Band vs Sleeve”, but as usual, someone HAS to take the opportunity to take a shot at the Bypass or some other surgery that they have no ACTUAL knowledge of. Wonderful. So you have friends who been able to completely screw up a $15,000 Surgery. I’m not as much concerned about how they did that, as I am wondering why YOU hang around with morons like that. So,….let me enlighten you. :smile2: As I have had two of these procedures (Lap band and Gastric Bypass), I can speak to this from a bit of experience. The first thing I’d like to point out is the misconception that the entire Weight Loss Surgery issue is that of a big WLS “Smorgasbord”, and that all you have to do is simply pick the one that tickles your fancy. Wrong. They are ALL different, and they are meant for different types of people and bodies. They ALL work (to varying degrees)…..but their long-term (and short-term) efficacy is dependant on some very individual elements. You really need to take the time and the effort to ascertain which WLS is right for you. In other words, Your Doctor does NOT choose your Surgery. YOU do NOT choose your surgery. The SURGERY chooses YOU. As Wasa has said, if you’re good for the band, then, in most cases, you’re good for the Sleeve. However, there is one VERY IMPORTANT element that separates the Sleeve and the Band……and it has to do with Grehlin. The portion of the stomach that is removed during the Sleeve procedure contains the FUNDUS, which secretes Grehlin. And no, Grehlin is not a Character from Star Trek. Or the Israeli Ambassador to the UN. Or the second baseman for the Phillies. It’s a Hormone that stimulates HUNGER. It’s a complicated issue, but it’s an important distinction to make. Reduction of Ghrelin in the nervous system does not eliminate hunger entirely….but it DRAMATICALLY reduces it, and that is KEY to understanding why the Sleeve works. The combination of Grehlin reduction and restriction makes the Sleeve a very, very attractive option…an option that needs to be considered by anyone considering WLS. The very same mechanism produces a similar effect in Bypass patients. The Fundus is NOT removed in the Bypass, but it is ISOLATED and does not allow Grehlin to enter the nervous system from that location. Hence, a DRAMATIC reduction of the appetite. The Band CAN also have appetite reducing characteristics, although they are not NEARLY as pronounced as those in the other procedures. And the appetite reduction originates from an entirely different source, when it happens at all. Massive appetite reduction with the band is the EXCEPTION rather than the rule. Jack (our Moderator here) indicated earlier that he has experienced such an appetite reduction. His experience was optimal, and really does not reflect the norm. He probably had a TERRIFIC surgeon who understood the mechanism and knew exactly how to place the band to be able to achieve this effect. MOST Surgeons don’t get this. They haven’t been doing bands long enough to get THAT good at it. So, with the Sleeve and the Bypass there is a specific, physical, measurable change in the mechanism that produces hunger. With the Band, it’s a “maybe, but not all that often, and to varying degrees”. With the Band, the mechanism of weight Reduction is purely restriction of intake MOST of the time. Someone left a reply on another thread that said “try the band first”. That’s stupid. That suggests that you can always change it later, and trust me, that is something that you DON’T want to do. You want to make the RIGHT decision the FIRST TIME. Weight Loss Surgery is not something that you “try”, like a new restaurant or a different auto Mechanic. It’s something that you research, thoroughly and completely, and DO. IT’S SURGERY. If you’re gonna be sliced open, you really just want to do that ONCE, right? And while we’re discussing “do-overs”, I’d also like to address the idea that the bypass is not reversible, that it is a PERMANENT alteration to the body. It IS reversible. Now, it’s not something that is done very often, because it doesn’t NEED to be done that often. Most Bypass surgeries are quite successful. But, there are occasions when it is necessary or is requested. I have spoken to surgeons about this, and what I have been told is that there is a growing specialty in this operation; not growing a LOT, but growing. The reason for this is that as SOME people get older, the Malabsorbtion component of the bypass process becomes TOO much. I am told that this is very rare, but it does happen, and in those cases the bypass can be reversed. They don’t like to “advertise” the fact that it’s reversible, because they want people to see this as a lifetime procedure. But it IS reversible, and if you encounter a situation where it is necessary, it can be done. And as time goes on, with Medical technology advancing at the rate that it is, it will be an even easier process. This is probably the ONLY real down side to the Sleeve. It is the most Permanent of all the WLS procedures. Once they slice that thing off, it’s GONE! However, I as have said before, that might be WHAT YOU NEED. And there are virtually no post-surgery complications with the sleeve, and the aftercare is….well, it’s NOTHING. There IS none. I think it is probably the most near-perfect WLS available thus-far….IF it is what you NEED. There is something interesting I have noticed about people on THIS board, and others. People become SUCH cheerleaders for the procedure that THEY have chosen, whether or not it has lived up to their expectations. They think that EVERYONE should choose the procedure that THEY did. Personally, I think that many of them are simply trying to convince THEMSELVES that they made the right choice. If you say anything negative about the procedure they chose, well, you might as well have told them that their kid was really ugly. People LOVE to point out all of the horror stories from other weight loss surgeries, but they like to ignore the negatives about their OWN procedure. On THIS forum, people seem to like to point out the bad stuff about the Gastric Bypass. It seems like everyone here knows 37 people who have had the Bypass, and all but 3 have died or turned into Republicans as a result of the Bypass. My research tells me a little different story. There have been people that have died as a result of the Bypass, and there have been some ugly outcomes. But, as I have stated before, the vast majority of failures have been because the PROTOCOL WAS NOT FOLLOWED. Another portion of the failures can be attributed to idiot surgeons who are inexperienced, and have recently jumped onto the WLS gravy train. The Gastric Bypass has been performed now for nearly 50 years. Several surgeons that I have spoken with have stated that for the most part, if the proper surgery protocol is followed by the surgeon, and the post-op protocol is followed by the patient, then they can predict almost exactly what is going to happen with the outcome. To me, that’s a big plus. It’s been done long enough in such huge numbers that they KNOW the outcomes. Not so with the Lap-Band. It hasn’t been around THAT long; and, there are several different band products, and the procedure for putting them in has changed a few times. “My God, we’ve been INVADED!!!” Whenever I hear people rationalizing their selection of the Band for their WLS, I almost ALWAYS hear them spout off the exact SAME Phrase: “It’s less Invasive”. Gee, ya think so? They always use that same word. Probably because they got it from the Lap Band brochures that you are seeing plastered on every Bus Stop bench these days. It seems like using that word makes them feel “important” or “medically aware” in some way. So let’s talk about that, shall we? Listen, I don’t care WHAT WLS you choose….once they cut you open, hey….you’re INVADED. People really freak about having their insides reorganized a bit. Well…..maybe that’s what you NEED. I know that’s what I needed. Bypass exists for a REASON. Some people simply NEED the Malabsorbtion component that Gastric Bypass offers. There are those who seem to have the impression that the Lap Band (and other, newer forms of WLS) are “replacements” for Gastric Bypass. They are not. They are simply newer, different methodologies that MAY work better in SOME cases, and in others may not work at all. Throughout our lives we have a LOT of changes made to our bodies; some people more than others, but we have Gall Bladders removed, Appendixes removed, knees, hips, and other joints replaced, Pacemakers installed, Tonsils removed, Double/triple/quadruple bypasses in our arteries, etc, etc, etc. Not to mention all of the plastic Surgeries people are having these days. You can even include the proliferating number of people that are being tattooed and Pierced in places that you don’t even want to THINK about. The skin is an ORGAN, and you’re drilling permanent pictures into it, and poking holes and sticking chunks of metal into it. You don’t think THAT’s invasive? A couple of weeks after my Gastric Bypass, I was sitting out by the Community Pool, and a lady came up and asked me what kind of surgery I had had (my staples were glistening in the sun) I told her, and she told me that a couple of years before, she had had her SPINE replaced with one from a cadaver. I could hardly believe it, and she showed me her scar. So, cutting/pasting/sleeving/adjusting/bypassing is really NOT that big of a deal when you put it in perspective. I am simply baffled when I hear that some people cringe at having their stomachs stapled, but are perfectly fine with having what amounts to a plastic noose stitched, inside, to the top of their stomach with an adjustment port sewn on the inside of their skin. C’mon….invasion is invasion. Grow up, get USED to it, and Do what YOU need to DO. And while on the subject of “invasion”, please allow me to point out that right here on Lap Band Talk there are two (count ‘em, TWO) threads where members of this board are discussing the ins and outs (sorry..) of their various levels of participation in ANAL SEX. And THIS is from a bunch of people who are squeamish about being “invaded”…. Puleeeeezzz….. Again….if you DO the research, look at ALL the options, Choose the RIGHT Surgeon, then you will very likely arrive at the RIGHT option for YOU. And it has NOTHING to do with the level of success or failure that ANYONE ELSE had with any particular procedure. THEY are not YOU. You are not THEM. Different bodies. Got That? Pardon me, but I am running dangerously low on Venom at the moment, and I have to run out and crush some kittens or burn an orphanage so I can feel “whole” again. Have a nice Surgery. “The Journey is the Reward”. HH

Oh, this is Rich. Just Rich. Real sweet. Those of you who know me here might be a little surprised at what I’m about to say. I'm in favor of this member having a Lap band.:blushing: The member who alerted me to this thread has observed me long enough to know that I have a very fair-minded attitude toward all of this, in spite of what some people think of me or my stance on these issues. I’m the Poster Child for everything that can go wrong with the band. The damn thing almost killed me on several occasions. SIX surgeries. I had the nasty little piece of silicone in my gut for nearly six years, which puts me up there in the top few percentage points of long-timers. My whole WLS adventure was over 8 years. I now have a bright, shiny new gastric bypass that has me at my perfect weight for the first time in eons. But even THAT has not been without its challenges. I lost YEARS of full-time work because of my “relationship” with the Band. MOUNTAINS of debt. Years of ill health. It was a mess. I could go on and on, but this thread is NOT about me. It’s about someone who came here for some freakin’ help… GOT THAT? I’m telling you this because I have EXPERIENCE in this in a very personal way. I didn’t just plop myself around to a few web sites, read what a few biased idiots have to say, and then decide I’m now an expert. I have lived this crap for a LONG TIME. I’m no fan of Weight Loss Surgery. It can kill and maim. But it can also SAVE and ENHANCE lives IF you: Choose the RIGHT PROCEDURE Have some PSYCHOTHERAPY to help sort out the non-physical issues. Do it For the RIGHT REASONS Have it done by the RIGHT Surgeon Have it performed at the Right facility FOLLOW the Protocol If you make the wrong decision in ANY of those areas, you will fail, get sick, or DIE. I’m also not a big fan of going to Mexico (or anywhere else that is a long distance from home) for surgery. Wasa knows how I feel about that. BUT….if you can accept the risks, and you have made arrangements IN ADVANCE for the aftercare in your home area, then I say go for it. And Agnes has done just that. When I first read Agnes’s story, I wondered a bit if all the components were in place. But, as she responded to questions (with great restraint, I might add), it became clear that she is a woman who has DONE the research. She has health issues that warrant a more drastic approach to her issues of weight. This is NOT about her fitting into nice clothes or whatever it was that some jackass here said. One of the things I have learned over the years about WLS standards is….there ARE NO standards. BMI of 37 here, BMI of 40 over there, THIS list of comorbidities from this insurance company, an entirely different list from another company….it’s all BS. We are all individuals, and we are unique. We are not just “numbers on a chart”. One other thing: My hat is OFF to those of you who are self-pays. There is a very, very large community of people who think that insurance companies OWE you a lap band/bypass/sleeve/DDS/vaginal tightening/WHATVEVER, just because you WANT one. Obesity is a big problem, and it happens for a lot of reasons. But it happens MOSTLY because we have spent far too much time at the TROUGH, and not enough at the TRACK. Obesity is, MOST of the time, a self-inflicted wound. And now WE (and I include myself) have come to expect Insurance Companies to bail our fat asses out of a predicament that we have, most of the time, gotten OURSELVES into. Every time someone has WLS that’s paid for by insurance, that is just a little less money that is available to help fix the teeth of kids in Appalachia, who have NO resources. Less money to help improve the health of poor Native Americans on reservations. Less money for kidney transplants for kids who will DIE without them. And no, I’m not naïve enough to think that if the insurance companies weren’t paying for WLS that they’d be donating resources to help humankind. But, I DO know that at the rate WLS is escalating (nearly 275,000 will be done this year in America….), it’s gonna put a HUGE weight (pun intended) on the entire insurance infrastructure, and will likely contribute to a collapse similar to what we have seen in other industries. Some people have commented that they see that coming. So, when I see someone willing to take responsibility for their OWN health issues, open their wallets, and pay for it themselves, well….I salute you! Agnes, you have my respect. If you’re a young, healthy person, active (or ABLE to be active), no co morbidities, good health, but have 30 or 40 pounds to lose, I would say don’t even THINK about WLS. But here is a woman who had a heart Attack at 26, for Gods Sake. High cholesterol. high blood pressure. She's a time bomb. Wake up, people. Ok: a few personal notes: TopTier: do us a favor. Get a shovel, dig a hole, and climb in. Have a friend cover you up. And DON’T dig your way out until you actually HAVE a lap band or some other WLS. You are one of these annoying self-proclaimed instant-experts who have been bouncing around various web sites, collecting numbers, and presenting them like you actually KNOW what they mean. When you actually HAVE the silicone noose in place around your tummy-top, THEN you can come back and play. But not until. Thank you. Talkalot1981: “Truth in Forum Names” in action. Please see above. I know that it will be more difficult digging hole in the frozen Alaskan ground, but please make an effort. Talkalot1981 is Another expert without a band. Regarding Wasa: Like me, Wasa has been through multiple surgeries, and we “get” the issues. We LIVE the issues every day. Wasa is a respected member of this community who has helped many people fight their way through the mine-field that IS WLS. She does NOT dance around the issues, she knows of what she speaks. She is not entirely a fan of the band either, but she recognizes the situations that it WILL work in. So, until you actually have a band and can speak from experience, please sit back, shut up, and try and be supportive of people who have DONE THEIR RESEARCH, and made a decision, whether you happen to like it or not. Thank You. NurseMelly: Oh, forget it. It ain’t worth it. As I have said SO many times in this forum, you need to choose the RIGHT procedure for you, and for YOU ALONE, and NOT because some cretin on this forum has seen an ad for the Lap-band on the back of a Cracker-Jack box and thinks it will end war, cure AIDS, and help you fit into that Victoria’s Secret thong, all in one fell swoop. Agnes, My dear, you have DONE the research. You have CHOSEN a doctor. You KNOW the protocol. You know your OWN History. You are willing to WORK the PROGRAM and Play by the rules. Go for it, Agnes….and get yourself HEALTHY! “The journey is the reward” HH And you should see me when I’m pissed…..

Ok, that makes sense. And it is good that he DID voice his opinion....some don't, they just want to "make the sale". Congrats on taking the initiative and dealing with this before your diabetes worsens. I know some people think they are "too old" to go through this, but is simply not true these days. When I had my band put in, the Maximum age was 60, so i'm glad to see that has changed. It is NEVER too late to make positive changes in your life, and to take control of your health. Taking this step, you have probably extended your life, and will ultimately improve the QUALITY of your life as well. You should be (and probably are) excited about the potential! I could be wrong, but i think that you are one of the older people here, that have had bands placed. Please keep us all posted on your progress. It will be interesting to see how (and with what speed) it works for you. It's especially important that you get your nutrients, so make sure you keep a close eye on taking your supplements. I look forward to hearing about your experience! HH

Thank you. Of all the things I have experienced in my life, the most fulfilling and satisfying has been to be able to raise a son who is honest, hardworking,....oh, and a great fishing companion. HH

Thanks for clarifying. Now, i'm curious.....if he was opposed to the Band, why did you go ahead and have him install it? I might have interpreted his reticience about the Band to mean that HE hadn't had a lot of luck with it, and that would have been a huge red flag. I am just curious to know what it was that made you go ahead and have the surgery with him, when there were other surgeons that would have been more enthusiastic. Now, of course, I am basing these questions on some assumptions, so there might be something i'm missing here....please feel free to correct me. You may have been limited by your insurance, locality, or a lot things.... I know that there are many, many doctors who do not like the band, for a wide variety of reasons....it has caused a lot of problems in many people. But, if I had done the research and decided that the band was the right thing for me, I would want a surgeon that was %100 on board with that decision. I'm just curious to know how you came to choose this particular Doctor...:biggrin: HH

Get the MEDICAL part of this taken care of FIRST. A Lap-band-Gone-wrong is a BAD thing to have happen to you. All sorts of nasty things can happen. Your ability to get care depends a great deal on the area you live in. You may be able to get some assistance through your county or local Welfare Agency. Stuff like this just PISSES ME OFF like you wouldn't believe, becuase it happened to me. That;s why I haven't responded more in detail here, becuase THIS case makes me so angry. I could turn this into a rant on the whole WLS/Lap-Band/Medical/Insurance biz....but that wouldn't be fair or helpful. One of the problems you face is the matter taking action against your surgeon. It is quite dependent upon where you reside. In California, where I live, there is a very firm 0ne-year Cap on Medical malpractice claim. There CAN exceptions to that, but it's tough. The AMA is a HUGE lobby, they have a lot of power, and they are very protective of their own. One route you might consider legally is Personal Injury. This has used successfully in some cases, but there ARE limitations and there are time constraints. Cleo's Mom gave some great advice in this area. One VERY VERY powerful tool you have is the Media. They LOVE stuff like this. The threat of using the Media helped me in my situation. Again, this brings back all sorts of ugly memories for me, and I really have to restrain myself. And this brings me back to what has become my "mantra" to people who are looking to have the Band implanted or have ANY WLS....CHOOSE YOUR SURGEON WITH GREAT CARE! In this forum, quite often I see people making remarks about their various Doctors in the "Surgeons" area. It almost looks like (by the way they phrase their "Praise") that they have been ASKED to come here and give a glowing testimonial. "Oh, Dr Jones was such a Saint. He listened to all my questions, and gave such wonderful answers....and he had such nice eyes!" and I'm NOT kidding.....that is what someone kept repeating about the Moron that did MY botch-job....he had great eyes. (vomit). Surgeons and their staff become really, really good in their sales pitch. They know what to say, and how to say it. BUT....they reveal their TRUE selves when something goes wrong. Some Surgeons step up and do the RIGHT thing. I have seen that many times. Others (like my first surgeon and the OP's surgeon) run and hide behind the couch when there's a problem. THAT is who they ARE. And the only way to find out who they are is to do the in-depth research BEFORE you let them stick a knife in you. My heart goes out to the OP. This is bad, bad stuff. And incidents like this are on the rise, as WLS becomes even more of a gravy train for quick-buck doctors who shouldn't be allowed to operate on a Barbie Doll, much less a human. Prayers all around for our friend NeverAgain....no one deserves to be treated like this. HH

Yep, what she said. See your doctor, right away.. Some of what you describe is normal post-surgery....some is not. Don't mess around with it, bad things CAN happen! HH

Hi, Big Boy! Welcome to the Board! So, you're working on a little "self-remodel", eh? Good for ya, keep us posted on your progress.... What Part of So Cal are you in? HH

Never; I understand....believe me, I do, and you are now part of a growing community of people who have discovered that the band is NOT for them. This could be for a lot of reasons. Even if you followed the protocol to the LETTER, if may be that the Band is not the right choice for you. And it's not necessarily your fault for having made a decision that was not going to work for you. The Lap Band is being marketed unmercilessly by greedy Doctors who want to make a fast buck, and they do NOT always explain the options that are available to you. PM me if you like....I've been down the road of a failed Lap Band, and maybe I can help you. There are LOTS of people here that want to help out, I can assure you! Keep your chin up, It's not your fault! HH

Not always. Yes, you HAVE to work it...it won't work for anyone unless you follow the rules. But, there are situations where the Band was simply the WRONG CHOICE. People like to refer to the Band as a "tool". Well, you have to use the RIGHT tool for the job. And Band is not always "it". HH

You are correct. It does NOT work for everyone. Sure didn't for me, and it did a lot of damage to me in the process. But, I think it's important to look at the reasons that it did not work, or has not thus far, anyway. It's entirely possible that it was the WRONG choice for you. There are people on this forum who think if the Lap Band did not work for you then the problem is YOU. That is totally wrong. It MAY be that you have some part in the failure, but that is not necessarily the case. Different forms of WLS work much better for different people. Some people need restriction (Band, Sleeve), some people need malabsorbtion (Bypass) some people need hunger abatement to a greater degree (Sleeve, Bypass)....it all depends on the individual. This is why I encourage people to do a TON of research before they commit to ANY surgery. Fort some people, the Band is entirely successful. For MOST people, though, the Band is usually only partially successful, but they are still somewhat better off than they would have been without the Band. So, it's shame that the band has not been successful for you. The important thing, though, is what you are going to do now. "failure is only important if it is the last time that you try". HH

You know, the pre-op stuff they have you do is really a good thing....it gives you a kind of a "jump start" into the lifestyle that you will have with the band. Some people complain about it, but it IS good! It's all about changing your habits, and the sooner you become involved with that, the better. The Band will be SO much easier to work with if you have a few weeks (or months!) of habit-change in front of you before the surgery. Best of luck in your Process! :biggrin: HH

Hi, Colleen, Good Topic. I have been using several kinds of Protein, with good success....there are a a LOT of options out there, which is neat because you can always be trying new flavors and formulas. Right now, I am using 4 different kinds: Jay Robb whey Protein -powder, 25 Grams per serving/NO sugar OhYeah! (lame name, I know) Sold in bottles, different flavors, 32 grams per serving/3 grams of sugar Lean Body - Carton/40 grams/ no sugar/ various flavors Muscle Milk Carton/32 grams/ 7 grams sugar/ Various Flavors The whole protein thinsg can be a bit of a land mine, because some of them have a LOT of JUNK in them, and some of them have a lot of sugar, as well. Convenience is a factor for me, because I work 16 hour days now, and I can't always have the powder and stuff with me to mix, which is why I keep the cartons/bottles with me. All of the aformentioned products are pretty good. The less sugar the better. The cartons/bottles can be expensive though - I find the powder to be more cost effective for what I like. READ THE LABELS! Like I said, some of these have a LOT of garbage in them. Shortly, I'll be re-evaluating my whole approach to protein, as I want to find products that are a little healthier than what I have been using. HH

I grew up in a Religious environment where geneaology and the study of ones ancestry is part of the culture and the religion. So, My family has my "roots" traced WAY back, on both sides. It's quite interesting to see where we have come from throughout the generations. HH

I'll echo what others here have said....SEE YOUR DOCTOR....NOW! Many people have some big problems after having the Band in them for a while. You need to have it checked out.....some types of damage can prevent you from having your band replaced or having another form of WLS.....so get yourself off to the Doc....NOW.... :biggrin: HH