GuyMontag

I'm not so sure about this. I just talked to my lap band doc's office just two weks ago and asked them what kind of complaints they got from their 'sleevers' and was told they didn't complain much at all. In their own words, No where NEAR as much as banded patients complain or have problems.

If I had the choice now from day one I'd probably lean towards the sleeve. I'm glad I had my lap band but it sucks to think that I'm one gallbladder going bad or stomach flu away from a slipped band not to mention the everyday hassles the band causes. Over the last five years it's really depressed me to see many of my lap band buddies go through pouch dilations, band slips, and band erosions not to mention port flips and leaks that require revision surgery. The number of friends that are as happy about their lap band now as they were in the beginning is fare less than the ones that have had problems. Since you asked specifically about lap band and sleeve let me help clear up a couple of misconceptions. First, the band is removable, not reversible. Even if you have the band removed you will not have a virgin stomach like before you were banded due to scar tissue at minimum. Also, not only can you revise from band to sleeve but you can also revise from sleeve to band (while you cannot undo the sleeve you can add a band on top). So you're not as stuck with the sleeve as I've heard some say. If you get the sleeve and it 'doesn't work' then you still have options. Of course, revising from one surgery to another will cost you money again if it's not covered under insurance but it is possible. However, one thing to consider for revision is that you are not using a virgin stomach so to speak. So anyone thinking, if the band doesn't work, I'll just get the sleeve!, needs to remember that it will not necessarily be the same as starting from scratch with the sleeve and vice versa if you've had the sleeve first. I have no agenda. I'm not trying to bash the band. I just think there are too many people getting it without knowing all that they are getting themselves into. Sometimes it's out of laziness on their part and sometimes it's because people like to convince themselves and others they made the best decision and they'll gloss over some parts of the journey to make it seem more appealing than it really is. I'm glad I had the surgery. If I had the choice to do over and the band was the only option, I would get banded again. Living with the band is better than living with the extra weight. If I had the option to get the sleeve when I got banded, I probably would have gone with the sleeve.

I put my utensil down between each bite and chew. I also do not get my next bite ready while I'm chewing like I used to do.

It's not THAT much of an overkill. 12g over isn't that big of a deal.

First four days are usually the worst. After that you can expect some pain at the port site for a couple of weeks. Keep taking the pain meds they gave you and it should get better.

I've heard of this happening but I've travelled many times on planes and never really experienced it myself.

I can eat sushi just fine. I could tolerate something like that about two weeks out. After that my ability to tolerate sushi is simply based on my level of restriction.

Atkins, South Beach, Mediterranean diets are all good and usually band friendly. Honestly, I just can't imagine how hard it must be having a baby with the band. Lose your weight, get some fluid out, gain baby weight, and then try and lose it again. You have my admiration. Good luck!

I think the elliptical is a GREAT tool for rehabilitating knees and is also great for providing low impact workouts. However, for long term cardio I prefer either a treadmill or walking outdoors. Whichever you choose I would recommend using your target heart rate as your fat burning guide. Don't trust the machines that tell you how many calories you burned based on your height and weight. For some odd reason ellipticals are notorious for being inaccurate. http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/how-inaccurate-are-calorie-counters-gym

Yes. It can take up to a week to really feel the effects of a new fill.

Nope. My doc is located in West Chester, Ohio.

I'll be honest that the only thing I have to back up my generalization about hospitals is my own anecdotal experience and in no way do I think it applies to all hospitals. I think it's easier in general to get lost in a large operation than it is in a small one. Kind of like the attention to detail you might get by dealing directly with the owner of a local restaurant vs. calling a large chain's 800 number. When I deal with my lap band doc I'm dealing with the owner of the business. It's a pretty safe assumption that when you're dealing with a lap band doc at a hospital you're not dealing with the owner of the hospital. My generalization can probably just be attributed to the fact that hospitals are large and are probably more likely easier to get lost in the shuffle of paperwork. However, I'm sure there are many doctors that work in hospitals that are just as attentive as local lap band doctors who own their own clinics. And, for the sake of full disclosure, my doc is now head of the bariatric department at a local hospital now but I do not know if that's affected the quality of his aftercare. Bottom line, before you get a surgery like this where aftercare is essential to success or in worse case situations, losing your band, it's a good idea to talk to current patients to see what kind of care and attentiveness they get from the doc's office whether it's a small or large operation. And in reality, no matter how awesome THEY are if you choose to not take advantage of their care there is not much they can to do stop you.

This may be a HORRIBLE generalization and I by no means stand by it but it seems to me that a lot of people I have talked to that got banded in hospitals have received poor aftercare more so than people banded in stand alone clinics. I've met many people that got banded at a hospital, never got fills, then think they'll lose weight eating Soup and Cereal all day every day. Again, maybe that's just the hospital in my area or maybe I have talked to people that just didn't pay attention to their aftercare. The fact is the band is VERY high maintenance and requires much learning and attention. There's a lot to learn and aftercare is PARAMOUNT to the band's effectiveness.

I'd be interested to know more about your band. Is it the 4cc one? Did you ever need much Fluid? We don't see too many 10+ year veterans hanging out on the site! Glad to see you are doing well.

Just to point out, you can have referred pain and it can be something as simple as eating too much or just eating when you're tight. There's nothing about referred pain that points to an overall problem. Just something to know about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain is something that bandsters often live with.

The not drinking during eating and 30 minutes after are standard. I don't know of any docs that disagree or give conflicting advice on those two points. The 30 minutes prior is debatable and different docs give different recommendations.

You can still have referred pain that isn't anywhere near your band. I get this when I'm having trouble with my band. I believe it's caused by the esophagus or pouch pushing up against the diaphragm but I could be wrong. With the tingly hand and the clicking back into place it probably wasn't your band but don't discount shoulder pain as not being band related. Here's a link to an article about referred pain that will explain it better than I can: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain

Such a bummer. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Upper GI's are standard for gastric bypass but not for band from my understanding. I've never had one either.

Jerky!

I've always used the formula .36 times your weight in pounds to find protein recommendation.

I've never heard of a rule that you HAVE to drink water before. I tend to drink right up until I eat normally.

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ When my band is acting up I do liquids only or mushies and it seems to help.

I alternated cardio and strength training every other day so certain muscles could rest and repair while I worked other ones out.