mslynn

All of those with their gall bladders, please raise your hands. Given the incidence of gall bladder surgery with repeated weight loss attempts, I was curious how many gall bladders have survived and how many have been sacrificed. Thanks! Mslynn :wave:

Hi Bandsters, For those of you who have reached or are approaching goal weight, I'm wondering...how many of you have loose skin, and how loose/how much? Please answer with how much weight you lost and whether you wanted/needed/considered plastic surgery. Thank you for your input. Mslynn

Just thought it would be interesting to get some numbers about band slippage. If your band did slip, please tell us about your experience (identifiable causes of slip? outcome of slip?). Thanks, Mslynn :wave:

I've heard various reports on how people deal with taking medications post-band. I'm hoping to get some data from you all...so--what do YOU do with regard to meds now that you are banded? Thanks for replying, Mslynn :wave:

My surgery is this week. Just wondering how long it took before you were all able to go back to work (or function full-time working in the home or with kids)? Thanks for your input! Mslynn :wave:

I just started using Neosporin Scar Solution (silicone sheets). Has anyone else used this product? If so, how did it work? Does it flatten scars? Does it lighten them? Thanks.

So it sounds like many people have waited until several months or more after the surgery to tell others about the surgery. I've decided to only tell my family (not friends or coworkers) about this. But if I decide to tell later, I'm worried my friends will get their feelings hurt. And I feel like a liar (even if I'm just "omiting certain facts"). How did you all approach this telling after-the-fact? What did you say to your friends? How did they react? Thanks, Mslynn

For those of you who have checked, I'm curious: Does your insurance cover any plastic surgery? Please list the insurance company and what they covered or denied. Thanks, Mslynn :wave:

Just bumping this thread. It's an issue for me and thought some other readers might be interested. Mslynn

Hi, Just bumping...I'd love to hear other group members' feedback about this issue. I'm about at the point where I need to make a decision whether to tell certain people. Thanks, Mslynn

Any updates? Hoping to hear some good news as I look toward the future.... Thanks, Mslynn :wave:

Actually, based on the stats from this poll, that unfortunately doesn't seem to be true. Only 18% of people so far have had little or no loose skin. :cry Mslynn

Wow, only 6% are hearing about the band from physicians. Sounds like physicians need to be more informed about the band as an option! Mslynn :wave:

Yes, that's what I meant! I'm trying to delete the thread since as you posted, there is a more comprehensive poll on this already. Thanks! Mslynn :wave:

So I'm just curious who all you told about your WLS. I'm pondering this question now and would love to hear from you all. Thanks, Mslynn

So as a follow up to my original question...for those of you who didn't tell initially, and decided to tell later when you'd been successful, how did you break the news? Did people get upset with you for not telling them sooner? Would love to here experiences of this. Thanks, Mslynn :wave:

Hi, You are absolutely right. I'm not complaining, really. I couldn't have lost (and especially couldn't have kept off) that weight without the band. I'll take slow loss over the place I was (yo-yo dieting ultimately gaining more and more) anyday. Thanks for the encouragement! Mslynn

Hi, Well, I'm now about 7 months out. I've lost very slowly (down about 35 lbs), so again, I'm so glad I didn't tell everyone. I already feel like the ones I did tell are wondering "Why isn't she losing more?". Honestly, I'm wondering that myself, so I don't fault them for wondering that, too. But I'm glad it's only them and not everyone around me. I'm guessing when my weight loss becomes more noticeable (it's been so gradual no one has really even noticed) I'll start getting questions. Then I'll have to decide whether I'm telling anyone else or not. Thanks for keeping this thread going. It seems like an issue many people struggle with. Mslynn :wave:

Run, don't walk to another surgeon. A lot of docs prefer the bypass because (1) pays more, (2) quicker results, and thus more "walking advertisement" for their practice, (3) they are more familiar or comfortable with the bypass, (4) they may not want to mess around with fills. If you don't have a band-friendly doctor, find someone who is. Second, it sounds like he's trying to talk you into an open surgery... I wonder if he is familiar with the band (maybe he wants to practice or learn on you). I would definitely ask how many bands he's done total, and then ask for a breakdown by lap vs. open. I wouldn't have signed up for a planned open surgery. I did have to sign that it could go open if there are complications, but I was told that was extremely unlikely. I think I'd find a new doc. Best of luck, Mslynn

Tired Old Man, This is SOOO true. Like you I feel I have good control over every other aspect of my life. I have struggled for so long and always asked myself this question. I'm relatively newly banded, but I'm finding that "self-control" comes a lot easier now. This feels like a huge weight off of my shoulders. Yes, I'll still have to work (I've never been afraid of work), but I have confidence that I can do it now. This was a profound realization. Mslynn

I was banded about 6 weeks ago. I'll get my first fill soon. One thing I've noticed is that, even though I sometimes get quite hungry, food seems to have lost some of it's taste. I don't mind this, as it helps me have more control and not feel compelled to overeat. I had some mac and cheese (as a soft food) the other day, and it just tasted bland to me. Most of what I eat is "just food" these days. Some foods are better than others, but none is great. In some ways I miss the pleasure food can bring, but the other 95% of me is SO glad that the urges have gone away. I'm not losing a ton of weight (yet), but even when I've made higher-calorie choices, the damage has been limited by my lack of overeating. So far, I'm really glad about this! Has anyone else had this experience?

I have heard somewhere that there are laser treatments for lightening scars. Does anyone know about that? Thanks, Mslynn :wave:

Karen, I think you are right on target here. I'm listening hard to this advice and copying it down. What feels like a big deal to me may be no big deal if I don't make it so (when I ultimately do decide to tell). Thanks for this post! Mslynn :wave:

This is a great question. I'm not really sure how I heard. I think it was from research on the internet, but I also heard an acquaintance mention someone he knew who had the band. That may have opened my mind to reading about it and led to the internet search. Funny how I forgot that little tidbit! Mslynn :wave:

I wanna be a hardcore rule follower. I wish I had lost more before a fill (I get a fill in a week). Mslynn :wave: