RestlessMonkey

It makes sense to me. Its a huge decision. I wasn't nervous but I have wanted the band since it came out here in 2001. I talked myself into and out of it 100 times before this summer when it finally all came together for me. What specifically are you afraid of? You can ask here, and also ask your surgeon about those fears. He should be able to address then for you. If he blows you off or is dismissive, don't let him do the surgery!

Corvetterol, have you gone to a seminar? Because at mine at least a LOT of that type of stuff was answered, and that may be a big help to you! Post op it will depend on your restriction but my doc at least recommends we eat protein first, then veggies, and last fruit, at least while we're in the weight loss phase. It will be a struggle to get protein in and it is very important. Once I have lost all you want, according again to my doc, I'll be able to eat anything I want, but in smaller portions than before I got the band.

I agree with the other posters. You have to decide. We'll all answer questions etc for you as best we can, but we can't "sell" you on the band. If you've researched it and are still in doubt, you need to listen to yourself. If the only research you've done is reading the "cons" posted on this board, I think some additional research is in order.

That IS awfully close! I guess you couldn't agitate and have them switch it back....naw. Good luck!

As long as you don't chug, it won't hurt to drink fairly steadily. I think that's not that uncommon nowadays with the newer model bands. Some people do have post op restriction and need to sip, but drinking regularly won't hurt your band at all! (I'm 1 week post op as of last friday and had the same "problem" but my doc said it was fine!) I think hhuckle is in the minority if you can actually EAT that close to surgery. All post op diets are different but most follow a progression of thin clear liquids to full (clouded or creamy liquids) to mushies to soft foods to solids. While you're in the liquid phase just make sure you get the water and protein specified by your surgeon.

Actually if you have the new lap band, *(called AP) 1cc at a time is what is recommended for it. And in my research for the band, more aggressive fills can cause problems down the road. So your docs are probably just trying to give you the best care possible. When is your next fill? If it's fairly soon, (within 2 -3 weeks) then I think your docs are just trying to give you good care. It's frustrating, I'm sure, but it is a process.

From what I've read, that's normal. I feel like I could eat anything but haven't because I'm just in week two but I'm hungry, no nausea, etc. Until we start getting fills, most of us will feel exactly like you do (a few rare people aren't hungry with just the band but they are in a small minority I think!) I agree it's a LONG time till your fill; my doc is doing my 1st one at 6 weeks and I am excited about it. Hang in there...it may take several fills to really feel restricted.

I think there's AP Small and AP Large. Hope I got "large" (and I think I did) I like the idea of 14 cc's

Ok I googled it. AP stands for "Advanced Performance" and it comes in APS (small) and APL (large) It is the new improved lap band...less chance of slippage and erosion, more fill power, better positive results. We got us a good one!

I don't know but if it's the 14 cc one I hope it's the one I have! I do have "large AP band" because I asked in recovery. Seems like that way we get more adjustment potential! I'll ask my doc when I go in on Oct 9 but that won't help you now!

It's hard to get in touch with many of our docs...as one poster said, they have busy busy offices. Keep calling until you get the answers you need.

I've lost 41.4 pounds since I started this journey. I'm including it, FOR ME, because I lost that much! If someone wants to know how much post band, I'll gladly tell them. (9.4 pounds in 8 days. and I'm STILL on liquids so I guess that doesn't count?) I'm not trying to mislead, but my ticker is honestly for my inspiration. I'm not competing with anyone, and I don't want to feel like I'm "misleading" when I say I've lost 41 pounds. I HAVE. and guess what, it's been gol-darned HARD. Happy as I am about the loss, I'd rather have gotten to have some last meals. I had to deal with a harsh preop diet because I was so fat to begin with. If people want to be jealous of that, well, more power. It's nothing to be jealous of. You too could weigh 405...just keep eating. I was HUNGRY every day of my 5 week preop diet, and I've been hungry every day post op. When people lose faster than me well I'll just have to deal with it. I was told most lap band patients lose betweed 1-2 pounds a week average so I expect my weight loss will slow way down soon. I did the work, I'm taking the credit. I won't be able to keep this up but for now I"m sure glad I have gone down 41 pounds.

OK I think I know why we can't have it post op Taken from the "how stuff works" web site and confirmed by my nursing books: Your pupils dilate Your breathing tubes open up (this is why people suffering from severe asthma attacks are sometimes injected with epinephrine) Your heart beats faster Blood vessels on the surface constrict to slow blood flow from cuts and also to increase blood flow to muscles; blood pressure rises Blood flow to the stomach slows The liver releases sugar into the bloodstream for extra energy Muscles tighten up ready for action I think the kicker is....blood flow to the stomach slows. You don't want that when you are healing...you need good blood flow. Apparently different physicians feel this is important for different lengths of time. They would best know their client base (and remember surgeons have different "styles" too....some may place the band lower or higher etc and that can affect healing also) SO I guess no coffee till your surgeon okays it.

Mary I don't think malabsorption was the issue specifically, because my surgeon said if any of us had an autoimmune disease, we would be candidates for RNY or sleeve gastrectony (and RNY has malabsorption built in) but rather rejection-type issues. Of course the band doesnt convey any malabsorption, it just slows things down (which actually would seem to improve it, wouldn't it?) I am sure if the OP's surgeon is proceeding he has his own good views on the issue; just better to check and find out what they are etc. Especially if she's self pay; she doesn't want to have to have it removed because of some issue that could've been prevented.

So if you don't have type 2 diabetes and don't drink 5 cups a day, you're fine! However I will say (studies indicate) that people who drink OVER 6 cups a day are less likely to develop diabetes. So there needs to be more research.

From the Mayo Clinic web site: question does coffee affect blood sugar (sorry I'm a student I HAD to look it up Matt because I'd never heard that) Short-term studies indicate that caffeine impairs insulin action but not necessarily blood sugar (glucose) levels in young, healthy adults. However, in individuals with type 2 diabetes, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with a small but detectable rise in blood sugar levels, particularly after meals. The amount of caffeine noted to have caused this effect was about 500 milligrams (or the equivalent of five cups of plain, brewed coffee) a day. F Short-term studies indicate that caffeine impairs insulin action but not necessarily blood sugar (glucose) levels in young, healthy adults. However, in individuals with type 2 diabetes, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with a small but detectable rise in blood sugar levels, particularly after meals. The amount of caffeine noted to have caused this effect was about 500 milligrams (or the equivalent of five cups of plain, brewed coffee) a day. For individuals with type 2 diabetes who are struggling to control their blood sugar levels, limiting your caffeine intake may provide a benefit. or individuals with type 2 diabetes who are struggling to control their blood sugar levels, limiting your caffeine intake may provide a benefit.

Sure. It can't help to make certain but you know, it could be "my" surgeon who doesn't, or sarcoid is a different type of autoimmune disease and so doesn't qualify, or your surgeon may have a different experience. Just good to double check...his rationale was if you have other autoimmune issues, you are more likely to try to "reject" the band or have issues with it healing etc. He would still recommend either the sleeve gastrectomy or the roux en Y procedure for weight loss and health, just not the band. So make sure! Self pay is great because things move along but sometimes it ISNT so great because you don't have the checks and balance of insurance. It's a double edged sword, either way. I hope he explains why it won't be an issue for you and you can proceed!

If I were you, I would truly call Monday and ask. If it's some kind of healing issue, hang tough. If it's a judgement call (and that's entirely possible; lots of medical professionals still have an old-fashioned view that caffeine is bad. Current data indicates it really isn't bad for you at all) then I say start slow but have some if you want. I'm struggling with being told NO about any all and everything myself. If there is a good medical reason pertaining to healing, FINE. But don't tell me to avoid all potatoes. ME why? they: they have no nutrition whatsoever. NOT TRUE! They may not be the best choice but an occasional 1/2 small baked potato won't send me straight to hell! LOL So I've learned to question every directive! Good luck!

They told us "no caffeine" and I had to know why because I LOVE iced tea...not decaf either. I was told "because it is an appetite stimulant". Huh. not for me! (I checked it out!) LOL In fact some OTC diet pills have caffeine as major ingredient because it is a stimulant, but not for appetite. SO...I figure once I'm healed (in solids) I'll have it again. That's 6 weeks. Can't help you, OP. If I were you by now I'd be having a cup or two a day.

Isn't sarcoid an autoimmune disease? If it is, are you sure you are a candidate for the band? Again, all docs are different so don't panic! But my surgeon won't place the band if the patient has any autoimmune disease, because they are likely to have bad issues with it. He will do by pass etc...but not the band. They specifically named lupus (which I know you don't have) but he clearly said "Or any autoimmune disease". So if you haven't checked into that, you might want to. And if you have and your surgeon and you still feel the band is a good option for you, then good luck and disregard!

This is something only your physicians can answer for you. It is important that you be without any digestible food for a while postop to let your stomach and the band site heal. My doc and surgeon concurred that I could discontinue my one med that needed food for the 2 weeks until I got "mushies". Your situation is very different from mine. Your docs will have to decide that for you! Good luck! and WTG being aware; this far out they will be able to come up with a solution for you, I'm sure!

Wow! It was a lot of work but how much did you save yourself? 15K at least? Pretty good wages for the time you spent! Way to go!

I think this is something only you can answer for yourself. Personally, if I didn't have any other comorbidities (diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, heart problems, etc etc) and I had your height and weight, I'd just have the band removed. BUT I am not you, our issues aren't the same, our ages are different, etc. I will say that the things you "cut out" to make your radical diet are the things we were told to avoid from the start...soda is a big no no because of carbonation etc. That you thought this radical worries me a bit...if it was hard for you, how will the other surgeries sit with you mentally? I preferred the band for the very reason that it could be removed if necessary. I would not get RNY, and I don't know enough about the sleeve to decide. But at your height/weight I'd probably just join WW and a gym and call it done. You are so close to a healthy weight for your height, it wouldn't be worth the risk to me.

If you thought it would be fast, you were misinformed. We were told 1-2 pounds a week. I have lost more than you and I too am OLDER but much heavier than you were. Wanna trade? LOL My loss has come from being on liquids for over 6 weeks now. I'm sure once I can actually eat food, it will slow down. You aren't in a race with anyone; let the process work.

Welcome! Is there any way you can get the week off of work? I am really very hardy and sturdy but honestly, I had my surgery on Friday and if I'd had to go work on Monday, I wouldn't have done a very good job. I totally bounce back quickly, come to fast (recovery room nurses always are in awe etc) and so on but this is major surgery. Aside from the physical soreness, it's easier to concentrate and so on if you give yourself a little more time. That being said, I can also say to follow your doctor's post op diet to the letter. He may have a specific Protein (or a list to choose from) to drink, etc. Plus, we drink liquids not to jump start weight loss and so on (many seem to think this, at first) but because the stomach churns to help us digest. Normally we don't ever feel that (aren't our bodies miraculous?) but it does...and if you eat too soon you can tear the sutures holding your band. You won't feel it, you'll think you "got away with it", but down the road you can have erosion and slippage! So my advice is to follow your doctor's orders to the letter! I was banded 8/29 and aside from being hungry, I am feeling wonderful. I already love my band!