sweetviolet

had band on 6/13/06..trouble all along the way but persisted cause I thought it was normal (distress, pb's etc) my esophagus dialated and it was all over!! Had emergency revision on Nov 27,2008....I am now near perfect...no problems but I have not lost much weight since the revision and don't know why...but no throwing up thank G-d!! Feel great and am happy where I am...have lost 154# and want to lose another 30 or so but not going to have a hissy over it LOL..best to you all...

Yesterday is the second bandaversary for me--june 13,2006....I amm baout 30 pounds from goal but lost my band on Nov 27th of 2007..converted to gastric by-pass at the same time--have not lost much since but my total is 149#...I have had other problems but I assume that if i had still had the weight--I would be DEAD!! Had a hard winter..heart stent March 17th, then another angiogram 2 weeks later, then an obstruction..and finially a bloody nose from hell. I told the doctor that while I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, I did not expect a van from DSW with such a big load.....lol!! All in all, I am a happy camper--I am NO LONGER DIABETIC...and that is by far the best!! Luck to all of you!!

YES!! When it finially becomes apparent that it is not what you are eating but what is eating you...you have finially lost the weight and realize that you can eat, live and lose weight--and the only thing that changes is your size and perhaps your abilaty to move. The rest is the confidence you gain in yourself when you stop beating yourself up for all the wrong choices and just get on with life!! Give yourself time!!!

grazing in general--more than 1 cup of food 3 times a day and calorie free liquid in between...and when you do eat take 1/2 hour--if there is food left, don't save it for a snack later...either thow it out or incorporate in the next meal to equal your one cup of food...took me a REAL long time to understand this...the band is only a tool, lots of ways to eat around it especially when the junk goes down easier than solid protien!! DARN IT

I do the squash in the microwave...about 6 minutes on high in a plastic bag--much quicker....and make turkey meatballs and jarred sauce--or just a pesto w/toasted pine nuts. You can also toss w/ gorgonzola cheese..it has a very mild anise taste.

Hey you guys!!! I just had a light bulb moment... I am posting this here cause I am hoping that a moderator will take care of proper placement if I am too off base....with so many of us sabatoging ourselves it seems to me we should be thinking of what's eating up instead of what we are eating....I just found out my thyroid has not been operating for many months and now I am fixing it w/synthroid but while I have not changed what I am eating, I have not lost much since November.....but my brain wants to eat EVERYTHING and that's BAD...I think I will finially give in and get some HEAD help..even though I have lost 141#!!!! Food for thought!!

I have HMOI and I had a lapband removal on nov 27 and immediately had RNY...I had a dialated esophagus that would have caused permanent damage if not corrected--I cryied about it and was scared to death that I would die w/ RNY--not only did I not die but it was like I never had a problem right from the start!! I wish since I have had both, that I could have eliminated all the trouble I had w/ the band and done RNY in the first place!! I lost most of my weight w/the band, but I have now maintained easily w/RNY and can eat most anything...but still go by the band rules and am careful!! Because of other health issues I only swim for exercise...and it is VERY hard for me to get to the pool--something always seems to get in the way...like a stent on March 17...who knew!! However, if I had not lost 141# the stent would not have been possible and I would be DEAD...95 percent blockage in the anterior left atery of the heart!! Life is not over if you lose the band--only if you give up!! As for the insurance, the doctor does not make this decision to pay--only the wording to help get the job done. You can call the insurance company with a query and not give your name and ask the question!! I fortunately did not have to jump through any more hoops to have a conversion...no questions asked, it was an EMERGENCY as I could not get food down or back up and the surgery was done at night time...got to my room from recovery at midnight...went home the next day as though nothing had happened--no shoulder pain/gas/etc...I called the Doctor to see if he really had done the conversion!! Only thing now is I don't think I can look at another cup of creamed soup of any kink for the rest of my natural life!! If anyone cares to further discuss this, just pm me...I don't come to this board very often anymore...while I would like to be supportive to anyone who need it, I am in a good place and don't think too much about anything except getting on with the routine of life...what a change!!

I am 22 months out with my share of problems from the band--did not want to have bypass because others that I know had it with their share of BIG problems...I had problems with the band and ended having it removed and bypass on Nov 27 2007--had lost most of my weight..and had gall bladder out in Oct...thoght that was the problem--then had dialated esophagus and had band removed...thought all was fine, G-d knows I had every test under the sun...March 17 I had what I thought was indigestion--not that simple!! had a stent put in my heart--not the fault of the band/bypass/gall bladder--just a lifetime of bad eating and genes!! If I had not done something about my weight over the last 22 months what I had was called the "widow maker"...hopefully I have beat the grim reaper...and LOL without a"white castle" eatery ( I am sure you have seen the comercial) all kidding aside, I am grateful for the journey and the results no matter what...it hasn't been easy but noone gave me any guarantee!!! Make an educated decision and be mindful of the pitfalls. Best of luck!!

I now have had both the band andthe bypass....I lost the weight with the band--141# in 16 months. The bypass is much less of a hassle. no stuck, no adjustment but boy was I scared that I would die from the complications...I am fine...but I have kost very little weight with the bypass..11# in4 months...but I also am close to goal and have lost more that 60 percent of my weight...the choice is yours....educate yourself and make a decision...work with the tool and the tool will work with you

The going out is a social event not a food-a-thon...buffets here in Chicago seldom honor the card--nor do I care to discuss it with people. Ameal at McDonalds these days is as costly as a buffet and does not give the variety nor do I wish to take it home so the money is all the same. If you go to a regular place you can share or take home whats left if you choose....all that said, I make up my mind that the company is what I was going for and whatever the price it was the price of entertaining myself with friends...it is a insite...and what a pleasure it is now to go to a concert and be able to be comfortable in the seat...costs the same but the pleasure is much greater now that my thighs are not black and blue from squeezing into the seat!! Why bring attention that is negative to yourself by ordering from the childrens menu that probably does not have what you need to eat anyway?? I am after all trying to be "normal" and normal people leave food on their plate and think NOTHING of it...I am done with the clean plate club/ and the starving children in Europe...just a few thoughts!! THANX!!

when someone asks me how I lost all tat weight I tell them one day or one meal at a time..that's enough of an answer for most people...if they want more I tell them don't eat and drink at the same time, and I gave up bread/past/rice. If that helps them great--they don't need to know my life history--nor do they need to judge me for having taken the EASY way out when they have NO idea!! I still have a food problem--I want to eat chocolate...thank G-d there is seldom room for it!! Best of luck to everyone here who support one another....let th rest of the world fend for themselves!!

OK so here I am with both experiences--first the lap band....had nothing but trouble from the start but did not know any better so I just delt with all the fills and unfills, pb's,etc until I was to the point of nothing in...and if in...nothing out and a dialated esophugas(sp). Doctor id an emergency band removal and a gastric bypass that I said I would NEVER do...never is a long time. I did not and have not had one problem--no more reflux etc...I have lost a total of 141# and am not looking back!!! All but 8# was with the band...I am maintaining with no complications and am now exercising 4 times a week at the YMCA....all works if you work with it!! I am not at all sorry for either procedure..just greatful to have the weight GONE!! I carried fat around all my life and just celebrated my 61 b-day...free at last!!

I have lost a total of 141 lbs--would never have believed it could happen!! My goal along the way has always been to be able to get dressed from the thrift shop...and I have beautiful things for very little money....thank God!! cause now I need all new furniture!!! I was told I would not live another 2 years the way I was...so my other goal was to live long enough to be an aggravation to my adult children...I work on these projects EVERY day ....so far so good!! Thought I would add a little humor to this topic....so far I am succeeding at all endevors...luck and love to all of you!!

you should be drinking enough so that your urine is able to be read through--pale yellow not dark

protein shake of my own making--1 frozen banana/1c skim milk/2scoops protein powder/1carton lite strawberry yoghurt ..truned out to be large glass. Just ate a small orange....have a great day--we are fairly well snowed in in beautiful Chicago area!! 25gr protein

its not which test was the most unfavorable--it was so many so close together I did not know which end was up--and even though I wrote everything down, I did miss appointment--well I think a couple...or got there at the wrong time. I wonder if that says anything about the fat clogging my brain..oh well things are better now that I have taken off 140#..and best of luck- just take one day at a time, this is NOT a race. and Wheetsin--never underestimate the power of ONE stupid person, let alone a crowd of them LOL!!

Woody Denham is an angel with golden hands and a great disposition ALWAYS!! His staff is also super and efficient!! I would highly reccomend him...he did the lap band on 6/13/06...had many problems and lost the band on 27Nov 2007 converted right then and there with rny and feel great!!! Lost so far 140# lbs.....UNBELIEVABLE

I use my husbands handkerchief folded---and I also used to use them under my breasts...no need now but it worked great!! also DO document document document....cannot stress this enough. Not having ps anytime soon but want to be ready if and when I choose to!! Another solution is to wear undies that fit!! The spandex kind w/cotton crotch by bali work great...a little on the costly side but I seen to be able to "arrange" my flab in them....

yes--suffered!! on Nov 27th had band out and rny instead...happy camper!! don't be surprised if you lose your band...had double pnuemonia twice from aspirating food into my lungs...now perfect! and perfectly happy with the outcome!! ddown 140# and still losing. good luck and don't put off going to the doc if necessary...

as far as I am concerned I have not only LOST 140#--but I have not gained ANOTHER 140# I never thought I could do it--and we have all failed again and again...trust me, its a different life from this spot...and in 19 months...and no more meds!! yipeeee!!! we are all here rooting for ya!!

your days of gulping are officially over!! you may drink as much as you need to quench your thirst--just take it easy--this is for always!! the slower you take in the liquids, the less stress to the pouch--yes it does go through but w/swelling it does take time...you do not want to stretch your pouch! best of luck to you on your journey...

I joined the Y---I hate it!!! Well not the Y but getting there, getting into a swimsuit, but once into the water, I really enjoy the swim and aerobics!! I live just outside Chicago and the thought of freezing skin and stiff hair-even though I dry both, is just over the top for me!! But I have made a commitment and I go every other day and stay for an hour on my own and a 45minute class in the water for arthritis and it does help. I have been working on changing my attitude and so far so good!! Best of luck to all of you...the band is only a tool...the rest we have to do by ourselves....

why did the doctor not do the rny at the same time as the removal?? Mine did and I have had no problems at all!! Finially feel gret, down 140# and am never looking back--still use the same amounts to eat but NEVER throw up or have to go to the doc for adjustments or anything else unless I choose to go visit!! I am finially not dealing with a foreighn object--if I would have known how easy life could be I NEVER would have gone through the pain...He also should not have charged you for removal after so little time. If you are going to have surgery anyway, have that done also--its like I never had it I SWEAR...except I finially feel GREAT and joined the Y and swim 4 times a week..OMG I am sooooo happy...wish the same for you!!

I have lost 140lbs since 6/13/06--my goal is to get to goal which is a mear 30-35lbs away but my long term goal is to live long enough to be an aggravation to my adult children!! I work on both goals EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

I joined the Y on Jan 4th--have been every other day since--up to 20 laps in the pool.. my Y has a 12 week program that has a trainer for free every 3 weeks for 1 hr to help. Haven't signed up yet cause i am going to Fla in Feb for 2 weeks and can't commit to the whole 12 weeks but will when I get home. There are many free classes and free time for swims at all different times--have horned in on some of the water arobics but I do better in deep water only--have trouble with broken ankle that didn't properly heal...looking to have total ankle replacement in the spring. I converted to rny when I had esophagus issues...I now have NO problems with what to eat and vomiting is nil...so exercise can be more of a focus!!! I have never exercised in my long life--61 next month--and I will tell you I hate going but once I am there it feels great!! If the below 0 temps would go away, maybe I would feel more like going to the poos/gym. Everyone there really is nice and you don't have to be embarrassed about how you look...we are all the same..in need of being thereLOL!! best of luck...