jms462001

Nelly, I never disputed that people have problems with the band. I am quite aware that problems exist and what the possibilities are. I know there are people who have problems from day 1. I know many people fail to lose weight due to unsolved psychological problems and others due to physical problems that make the band intolerable for them. I do not believe they are in the majority. You make it sound inevitable and I simply do not believe that is true.

Damn, you said the point blank truth I wanted to say, but deleted! Good for you. I should be a bit more bold. I think your theory is right on and applaud you for putting it out here.

Nurse Nelly, I hate to tell you, but being a registered nurse does not make you a medical expert!! It's obvious you don't know what you are talking about. And yes, I did my research, and no I am not the least bit upset about paying for my band. It's the best investment I ever made! There are too many know it all judgmental people on these boards that drive away people like the original poster here who is new and would just like to learn as the rest of us did in the beginning. There are also people who give misinformation and state statistics that don't exist and scare new people. This is what upsets me.

Wow, you must be so proud of yourself!! I wish I had the courage and the money to have all the surgery. I could probably finance it once the band's paid off, but I can't buy the courage! I am just hoping for an eventual face lift. Once again, congratulations! You did it and you look great.

And, after that excessive liquid then mushie diet ended and her hunger returned, how fast do you think she would gain that weight back plus more? It seems like some of you have forgotten the struggles of losing weight and keeping it off. That's where the band really comes in to play. That's why I got the band. I know I can lose 50 pounds. I know I can be disciplined long enough to do it I also know that the day will come that I will get hungry, start eating, and eventually gain it all back. That is why I paid 17K to get the band. And, to the poster who said there's a reason why insurance companies deny people. That's not necessarily true. They do not yet realize the advantage of bariatric surgery over waiting until they have to put out much more money for all the other catostophic health problems people eventually get from being overweight or obese. Or, they do realize, but they are counting on those people moving on before it's their problem. Thankfully, this is beginning to change slowly.

She used the word regained twice which leads me to believe she has lost and regained the weight again as we all have done. Just because she has not done it 20 times does not mean she should wait until she does in my opinion. I wish I had been banded years ago. And, you cannot say she is only 30 pounds overweight. You do not know what weight is best for her. The weight she wants to be is still 15 pounds more than she could be at her height and still be at a healthy normal BMI. She knows what weight she feels best at. We all came here to learn when we were preparing to have our surgery. I'm sure she has been researching and was probably hoping for some reassurance here.

Whose opinions are they then?? Did you find all this info in your research or did you get it from lay people like you in the complications forum? Or are these the opinions of this Wasa person?

Another incredible loss in a short amt of time! Wow!

Wow! You don't mess around do you? Congratulations. 95 pounds is terrific!!!!!!! Amazing too.

If you are going to give such information that might frighten new bandsters or steer interested desperate people from getting a tool that might save their lives, you need to back it up with facts and references. Do not post your opinions as fact. This is wrong and I hope people recognize it as such.........just your opinion.

Bands are not like breast implants!!!! Bands are constructed with the same materials as those used for knee replacements. Difference is knee replacements have to be replaced because they are constantly being heavily used. The band does not get that kind of wear and tear and is made to last forever. The people you see on this board are mostly new or people with problems. Those who have been successful with their bands and their weight loss move on with their lives and do not visit the board often.

Where did you get the statistics that most people need to have their bands replaced? They are meant to last forever. I don't think there have been enough years to test drive one for someone getting one in their 20's yet.

I agree. The majority of us who carried just 50 excess pounds much of our lives lost and regained it many times. That is very unhealthy. Plus, 50 pounds can cause as many arthritic problems for some people as 100. It's important that they get it off and keep it off!!

A 50 pound weight loss would put her at a mid-range healthy BMI. I don't see why several people seem to think that is way too much weight for her to lose. She is 5'1" tall and could probably even lose 10 more pounds should she wish and still be healthy!!

Congratulations on your decision to lose weight permanently and for doing it at a young age! How I wish I had been able to do that!! Don't be in a big rush to lose it all overnight. Even the band is not magic! Set realistic short term goals for your loss and keep focused on your day to day eating and exercise plan. Within 6 short months, you are going to be constantly trying on clothes, amazed at how great everything looks on you!!!!! Don't buy much the first few months. Your sizes change so quickly you just waste money!! Believe me, I know from personal experience!!! Best wishes!!

Sounds like your Dr. is not very aggressive with fills. I had a bit of fill when the band was placed. I think my first fill was 3.5 cc and my second brought me up to probably around 5 cc which was perfect for me and I still lose 1 1/2 to 2 pounds a week. You will see should you follow the Nov bandster board, many of my fellow Nov bandsters have had many more fills due to conservative Dr's and many of them were frustrated and had no real restriction until they reached 6 or 7 cc's in their sz 10 bands. Your Dr. is being very tough and apparently does not believe that's possible, but surely all the people on this board who testify to needing over 4 cc's to feel restriction can't be lieing! So, unless you change Dr's, all you can do is go on a liquid protein diet again for a couple weeks and eat meat, poultry, fish or eggs at dinner time. Do this and drop some pounds quickly. Go back and tell him you starved to do it, get a fill, and hopefully you will soon have your restriction!! Good luck. By the way, I can't exercise much either due to severe arthritis and spinal disease needing surgery. Try a stationery bike and pool if you can access one. I do home physical therapy but wish I would start getting more other exercise too!!!

When I was not eating enough and seemed to not be losing, I added some peanut butter at night and like magic dropped 2 pounds in a couple days. I continued the peanut butter a few days a week and still have it now sometimes!

It is true everyone is different and it also depends on whether the Dr fills your band a bit during surgery. I never gained any weight before my first fill and managed to lose a few more pounds. You can expect in the long run to lose an avg of 8-10 pounds a month depending on your activity level and possibly more in the beginning if you have a lot to lose. Men lose much faster of course! Good luck!!

It has worked so well, so easily, and so quickly for me of all people that I would say it probably works for the majority of people!! It has been quite effortless for me and I have been obese since I was a baby!!

You just have to take small bites and chew really well when eating solid foods. And, eat meat and chicken with a sauce of some type when possible. I rarely get stuck anymore. It gets to be second nature and you also know exactly when to stop eating!!

I find it difficult to find things that I can eat or would want to eat at the airport that I would not fear having a problem with. I usually have a latte, some frozen yogurt or a lowfat yogurt with fruit. What were you eating? I bet that really sucked!!!!!!! Sorry for you!! Hope the rest of your trip was great!

Did you ever find out the cause since it must have happened early on? Was it a problem with the surgery do you think? Any chance of getting any money refunded??

Have you been obese most of your life? It helps being so tall as well. I think if I was not 5'9" I would be much worse! However, I have been obese since the age of 12 so it is still an issue, that, plus 3 kids and my age!!!!!!!

Those problems are rare. How long have you had the band? I would say don't worry yourself needlessly, but I'm like you and would be searching for answers too. It's probably nothing serious, but I hope they figure it out and get it right for you soon!!

I hope you at least have it checked annually to make sure it is alright. You don't want to cause problems to your stomach or esophagus. Good luck to you.