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Tell them in simple terms. Maybe say that Mummy has to go into the hospital so that the Dr can do something to help Mummy lose weight. Explain that being over weight is unhealthy. I wouldn't go into great detail about the op and anaesthesia etc as you don't want to scare them. I would focus on how afterwards you will have to eat slowly and carefully and exercise. it might be a good opportunity for everyone in the family to get involved in healthy eating and exercise etc.

I'm probably perimenopausal but this Dr said that my hormones are fine. He's a guy - what would he know! I don't have anxiety at all and no I am not in denial. There is no way I would even consider taking Xanax. My BP is all over the place and has been for years.Unexplained Hypertension. 140/80 is high for a normal person but it was not high enough to be concerned about. I have a home blood pressure monitor but the Drs have tried to discourage me from using it. Apparently they are not as accurate as the old fashioned type.They checked my Iron,potassium etc when they ran the initial bloods a couple of weeks ago, apparently they were all fine. I actually came off BP meds for about 6 months after I got banded but it has crept up again. I'm not overly worried about the palpitations, they are more an annoyance than anything else and I still believe that they could have something to do with menopause or perimenopause. The episode last night was scary as it felt like something was squeezing my heart. I don't think I saw a ghost and I don't think I had a nightmare or night terror before it started! The only thing I am stressed about ATM is having to take the cholesterol lowering meds.The pharmacist didn't exactly help the other day when he gave me the list of side effects and the things I should look out for that should make me go straight to emergency. I know all meds have side effects but I've never had a pharmacist do that before. Even the contraceptive pill seems quite benign in comparison! I am still in shock that this guy is such an idiot and knows so little about the band. I am very tempted to print some info off and give it to him to educate him but that may not be a good idea!

Thanks No they are definitely not panic attacks. Normally it is just palpitations and I thought they could be menopause related which was why I requested my GP do the hormone level tests.The tightness so far has only been the once and there was no reason for me to be stressed or panicked in the middle of the night. The Dr also asked me who I live with am I stressed etc. Well I live with my hubby and 2 "adult" kids and no I am not stressed except for on the odd occasion when my son is being the typical BA know it all teenage boy! I actually have quite a relaxing life at the moment, the same wasn't true earlier this year as my husband and daughter both got retrenched.

I am sure if you stick to it then everything will be ok. Good luck for take 2

Avo's are very healthy but they are also full of calories. Normally a serve of avo is 1/4 of a small one. They are definitely not an unlimited veggie.

It is because you have a Realize band. It needs more fill to achieve any kind of restriction.

Can't imagine wanting to spend money to feel like that. I think spinning and nausea is the worst feeling ever.

I'm the same as Jachut. My weight loss petered out and I have actually gained about 3kg in the last 6 months. Apart from the change in your metabolism and the lower no of calories required to maintain a lower weight you will probably also find that the longer you have the band the less you feel its effects. things that were difficult or impossible to eat become really easy. Maintenance seems to be the time when the band really is a tool. When I was in the losing phase my band actually did most of the work, I didn't really have to think about it or put in much effort and the weight came off. Now I have to consciously think about what and how much I am eating. I don't think that it would ever be a good idea to have a band removed just because you think you have it all down pat and can cope without it. The reallity is that without it or some other form of WLS you will probably regain.

Just had blood tests done this week and my cholesterol has gone up to 8 ( don't know what that is in the US) but it puts me in the very high risk category. I ahve been refusing to take statins for years but it looks like I will have to bite the bullet and do as my Dr advises. He has prescribed Ezetrol which I think is Zetia in the US. No idea if it is better or worse but I am going to have to avoid the internet, throw the list of side effects away and just take them. I do not eat a high Protein diet. I eat oats almost every day or homemade muesli which is also full of raw oats. I eat nuts, veg ,seeds and wholegrain. I do eat eggs a couple of times a week but the jury on whether they are good or bad is still out, they change their minds all the time. I also take a daily coq10. I think I might have to up my dose and maybe start taking daily metamucil as well. there is no point to me buying one of those sterol enriched spreads as I don't eat spread often enough for it to have an effect. Not looking forward to muscle aches, memory loss and loss of libido! Oops those are supposedly things that happen naturally with menopause and ageing anyway - they are NOT side effects of anti cholesterol meds. Maybe if I repeat that to myself often enough I will start believing it. My biggest worry are the reports that say cholesterol reducing meds do not prolong your life they just change what you die from.So instead of a stroke or heart attack I will be able to look forward to cancer or something instead. I really do have a problem don't I. Someone please make me feel better. tell me that the Dr's are right that it's not just a conspiracy by the drug companies to make as much money as possible by having as many people as possible on a drug for the rest of their lives $$$$$$

So true. We are all working towards the same end goal. I think a lot of it maybe defensive .What do they say about attack being the best form of defence?

It could have been that although you lost weight that you didn't follow the correct diet. This is why the Dr's have very specific prediet requirements. This happened to another member a couple of years back, she had also lost weight but had not followed the diet she was told to. The second time she followed the diet strictly and there were no problems. All the best for band surgery take 2!

Why does a sleeve seem less drastic than a bypass? There seems to be this weird perception out there that a bypass is really bad - have no idea why. With a sleeve they chop of a large proportion of your stomach and throw it away,with a bypass they reroute your intestines. The bypass has the advantage of malabsorption as well as restriction whereas a sleeve only has restriction. It is also theoretically possible to reverse a bypass ( although only very rarely done in practice). So why does a bypass have this reputation for being a serious op to be avoided at all costs and the sleeve a reputation for being the holy graille?

What an idiot! I wonder if she would have been so stupid if it was a pacemaker that she had just had implanted!

What exactly went wrong?

The preop diet is hard but it is important that you stick to it. If you are having problems phone your Dr's and ask if there is anything else you are allowed to eat.

I got to hospital in the late afternoon/evening, was one of the last patients to be operated on, stayed overnight and was released the next morning. I think it is standard practice here in Aus to be kept in overnight.

Good luck

Just found this on the lapband site http://www.lapband.com/local/files/ALG_LAP_08084_B_011_AD_1C_lr_PostOp_Brochure.pdf It clearly states eat ONLY when you are hungry About 3 small meals a day ( that means you can eat less)

I was wondering what the OP was talking about but seeing the other responses it now makes perfect sense! Hope you are OK

I have had my band 3 and a bit years. Got to goal weight in about 6 - 8 months and have been maintaining around there ever since. I did have some reflux at the beginning of the year but since having some Fluid removed that has disappeared. I do find that now there is less motivation to eat and exercise the way that a person needs to maintain weight loss. But that is true with all types of WLS. You go through what is known as a honeymoon period where it is new and exciting and you are trying to reach your goal and the weight comes off easily. Then when the 2 of you have been together for a while things change, you get tired of saying no to chocolate biscuits.It doesn't matter what type of WLS you choose , the same thing happens. You often hear stories of bypass patients regaining and some even opt for a band over their bypass. So the bottom line is that no matter what you choose you have to realise it is not going to be a quick fix. Obesity is a disease that cannot be cured but there are surgeries that will help to control it so long as you do your part . So you have to commit to healthy eating and exercise for life. I sometimes think (and I may be wrong) that this battle is harder for women. Typically men don't eat as many Snacks , sweets, candy etc. they like meat and lots of it. All the WLS work well for that type of eater. Unfortunately for those of us that love candy and Cookies etc it is harder because they are still easy to eat post surgery and often we are eating them not because we are hungry but because they fulfill some other kind of need.

Maybe it would help to completely distance yourself from food for a period of time. Don't buy it, don't prepare it and don't eat it - just have shakes. It may sound extreme but it might help.

I agree - if you're not hungry don't eat. Eating just because some external stimulus such as the clock says you must is crazy. You should learn to eat when you are hungry .

After being banded you should try to cook your own food as much as possible, store bought foods are not as healthy. Veggie soup is quick and easy to make especially if you make a big batch and freeze it.

Did someone forget to tell you that mood swings during menopause are quite common too? LOL

Most of those people that you are calling rude and judgemental were the ones that were in disbelief that you seemed to be taking your health so lightly. They were the ones trying to tell you that you needed to get proper treatment, that the infection could be something like erosion, that your health and getting better should be your main focus.