prvtdetdave

Thank you Jean, Yes, I never cared for sweets. I don't eat bread, rice or Pasta. Yes I exercise religiously walking 3-4 miles perday. I am now a firm believer genetics has a role as well. I am huge lover of steaks and could eat 64 plus oz in one sitting. Now I can eat steak again, but much much smaller portions The band was just a total failure for me and VSL has been so much better. I wish all of you wether you have chosen the band or VSL the very best Take care.

I hated my lapband, I went VSL and now I can actually feel full with no hungar, I eat anything I like and not the obstructed feeling I had with lapband. I also have the benefit of no foreign objects in me that will eventually need to be removed. I am now truly motivated to lose weight and exercise. Lapband was a curse and expensive. VSL gave me hope and I feel wonderful.

She said she walks 3 miles per day.

I am still in full agreement with reallyrosy. I also tire of people repeating the same old retoric not throughly reading the comment or question. This is very important to us and if your successful thats great. We want a real answer to our problem and have no interest in you telling us what your feeling in your body.

Reallyrosy, I am in 100% agreement with you. It just another bullshit weightloss gimick. Lap Band & VSL Surgeons need to be hunted down and shot in the streets. Banded 06/05/08 sleeved 11/26/11.

Slim Fast? Last I looked there was little to no protein in slim fast.

It is my understanding that stimulants kill hunger, hence amphetamine users usually drop vast amounts of weight and other over the counter diet pills usually contain caffeine as the stimulant. I believe the concern with coffee is the acidic nature which may cause heart burn. I have had coffee since day 3 and I have had no problems. I have never been one to have sugar in my coffee, only creme which is protein not a carb. but I do prefer whole milk vs creme which has about 11gr of carbs per cup so using a little in your 1 cup of coffee is negligible.

These are the stories I need to hear. Today is Saturday and last Saturday was my surgery, I was 140k night before (checkin). This morning I am 133k and whts better I can see the difference. I had the band before and it was miserable 3.5 yrs of torture. I am on a liquid diet yet and Doc told me ice cream was ok for now. If in the states I could get reduced fat and sugar free versions, but this is Thailand and they put hot peppers and huge amounts of sugar in everything. Long story short I am very encouraged.

For those who have not been banded yet, let me suggest going to "verticalsleevetalk.com". There is a forum for those who have had a revision from lapband to vsg. Read those experiances before making your decision.

Countless surveys and studies have put the sleeve as vastly superior to the band. Not just some pip chiming in about Auntie Goey Goo Pudding lost weight.

OK. Today is day 3 post-op. I feel a little hunger, liquids are only a little hard to get in, but if I take small slips its OK. As far as not feeling hungry, I was told and read you shouldn't feel hungry because of the large portion of stomach that has been removed is what produces the hormone Ghrelin which is what creates hunger. I damn well hope I haven't been conned again like I was with lapband. I was banded in TJ. Mexico June of 2008. I weighed 342 at banding and reduced to 275 in 4 months, but because of no support system and the high cost of a support system that didn't do the procedure, lack of fill facilities I gained and went up to 311lbs. I re-enforced my will and efforts to reduce and dipped back to 300, I think medical professionals that mislead patients for financial gain need to be hunted down like animals. On the other hand if they have truly helped us in our goal to achieve a healthier comfortable lifestyle, they should well be praised and renumerated justly. I was sleeved on my birthday Nov. 26th. 2011 and this Doctor made no promise, only saying it may help. At least I am rid of the Lap Band. I never felt full, only obstructed. 3.5 yrs of frustration. Now I have another new beginning. If I lose weight I won't tell most people how, because you'll usually get some ignorant jack ass remark. I want to wish all of you the very best and we can all do this together. If the sleeve works we must get the word out, if not. we should try to take back what we feel was stolen from us.

this is my 2nd day post-op chicken broth and some strange ones as I now live in Thailand.

If you "Follow the rules" you will be successful on any diet.

I had my band placed June 5th of 2008. I went from about 340 to 280 and then crept back up to 311. I increased my walking from 2 miles a day to 2.6. The band cost me $7,500. in Mexico. I am in Thailand and did the verticle sleeve here on my birthday the 26th. cost $3,800. I always felt hungry on the band, no full feeling only obstructed. After awhile yiou will give up and start eating ice creams cream Soups ect, Don't do the band if money is a problem. Your correct there has been much more success with the sleeve. Yes I did what I was suppose to do, Critics here want tgo support the band, but truly you will be making the wrong choice.

OOPS! Please forgive the typos and a few spelling errors. I was in a rush, sorry.

Hello Everyone, My name is Dave and I had my band done June 5th 2008. I was up to 345 and I quickly reduced to 275. I was so happy, but the hunger never stopped. I tried chewing 20 times each small fork or spoon. but no matter much would get stuck and I ended up vomitting. So as our survival modes kicked in I reverted to crwam Soups, ice cream ect. well soon I was back to 311. I slammed on the breaks hard having many Protein shakes. very soft foods now I am back down to 296. Its just to damn hard. So I have elected to go under the knife again. I am having my surgery dome at Srinakarin Hospital Khon Kaen, Thailand. I am an Instructor at Khon Kaen University and the Hospital is part of it. No, I didn't get a break and I am self pay. But the surgery cost less than my deductibles in America. The cost is $2,900.usd not bad I think. In 2008 I spent 7,500usd in Mexico with the belite farce. No support groups other than online. no fills doctors unless I wanted to travel 3-400 miles. The local Hospital in Neenha, WI. USA duped me out $200 for a deductible and were just very very poor. I was born November 26th 1956. I will have the Verticle Sleeve performed November 26th 2011. I am trully ashamed of the American Medical Association and their partners in the Health Insurance Industry. I served my country as a soldier and as a civillian (Civil Service). I have grown intolerant of Politicians and Corporate America. Hence my move to Thailand. No its not perfect here. but they do try to take care of their people. Long story short, I am doing the sleeve and I feel cheated of the $7,500usd for the band. The bandsters will say alot of ignorant stupid things, it's because they are easily lead and truly do not know. I wish both bandsters and sleeve patience the best of luck in our endevor to have a normal healthy life. I love you all, please take care. Sincerely Dave

I did the same as far as paying for it myself. I will go back and see the Doc, but it was my impression after a fill I should have had that full feeling for a little while after each adjustment. I'll try once more. Also (lol) any place is a good place to bash a republican. Take care and thank you.

Well its like this, can't exercise everyday when I was able to it was great I enjoy a brisk 2 mile walk, but the economy has forced me to keep my business and a real retirement is a dream the rebublicans have stole. I was banded June 6th of 2008 1 was near or at 340lbs I am 6'1" I am at 285 and have fluxed here and up to 296 and back. I had 3 fills and I have never had the full feeling they speak of. I should have went with the bypass rather than the band and you know 99% of Insurance Companies don't cover these procedures. So if anyone out there has a tip please enlighten me. I would really like to see 220 some day. Take care all, Dave. If anyone wishes to reply direct (prvtdetdave@hotmail.com)