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Actually...its interesting that your bringing up the Gall Bladder issue. About 3 months ago, I wen to the ER with pain right in my mid section that brought me to my knees. In short, they suspected and found that I had Gall Stones in my gall bladder and the pain was resulting from the "stones" trying to pass. Two people (that I respect and are health nuts) gave me a natural remedy that consists of 8oz of Olive Oil and 8oz of Lemon juice and Apple Cider Vinegar. They said...that if I take the Apple Cidar Vinegar (and drink this from noon on) and then take 1oz of mixed Lemon Juice and Olive Oil every 15 minutes before I go to bed (then lay on my right side with pillows on your back to prevent you from moving and rolling over), the stones will pass in your bowel movement the next day...with these little tiny green stones. Being the skeptical sort, I researched it further and found out that many people on the internet (AND I MEAN MANY) said it worked and was surprised that it did work and that the doctors don't let the patients know that this remedy works (claiming....it is not prescribed by their field of medicine). Research it yourself...but check out what others have said http://cliffsriffs.b...-gallstone.html In short, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain because it sure beats surgery and I didn't want to have an organ to be taken out that the good Lord gave me. Come to find out.....TO MY COMPLETE SURPRISE....I PASSED MY STONES THE NEXT DAY. I even took pictures of the stupid things. After showing the pictures to the surgeon the pictures of the stones....and he said he highly doubts those were stones. I said to the doctor.....I did my research on what the gb stones look like....and they are exactly the same thing. Bottom line....most doctors are not educated with natural remedies and have FINANCIAL MOTIVATIONS of not wanting to be educated wit this. I know the original poster had surgery...but this is the actual cleanse steps to take for those considering it. Please do your own research...I just care and want to encourage people with information so they can be WELL INFORMED. This natural remedy really opened up my eyes to natural remedies and the whole medical field in general. Gall Stone Cleanse Drink as much Water as well as apple juice as possible on the day you plan to do the over night cleanse. Only consume Clear Liquids and broths that day. 2 hours before bed, mix 8oz. olive oil with 8oz. of lemon juice(preferably fresh squeezed). Drink 1oz. every 15 minutes until all gone. sleep on right side all night. Prop pillows so you will not turn over to left side or lie on your back. More than likely you may not sleep very well if you normally move alot while you sleep. In the morning eat a light Breakfast. On your next bowel movement you should expel little green balls. This will be the gall stones that have either dissolved or broken down. Blessings to you all, MD

Here is the article: http://health.usnews...ap-band-surgery Allergan said that many changes to the band have occured. But bottom line.....how prevelant is having the band removed after 10-15 years? It may not be around 50% now...but bottom line...I'm sure its a decent percentage (25-35% perhaps maybe ?) Thoughts or Opinions from experienced Bansters?

Thats the thing...I'm trying to find an updated study !

Here is another interesting study I found. Interesting that their failure rate was around 50% also and the study was from 2000-2005. However, their definitition of failure rate consisted of Expected Wait Loss less was than 25% and lap band removal within 10 years. http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/22219011 I'm still get the procedure as I'm motivated as ALL HECK....but the more studies we find....the more well informed and perspective we will have. Blessings, MD

Can you please share with us other studies they found? I'm sure alot of us would like to see and hear of these updated studies. However, I know asking to get Allergan's Studies is potentially like asking a fox to guard your baby chicken in the barn. Translation: It may not be wise to bark up that tree because they profit immensely from the Lap By and Industry. They could have MANY INCENTIVES to lie about actual quality facts and research. That said....I would still like to know what they are publishing....just don't know the exact place to find this research. Thanks guys...I'm getting the Lap Band in 2 months barring financing. Just want to know fully what I'm getting into . Blessings, MD

I understand how stats can be misleading and you can make stats say anything you want (and the above study does have some question marks as it relates to today). HOWEVER, it still is an important factor when looking at the big picture with the band in terms of understanding the fullness of what may get into. I will be curious to hear more recent studies. Is there anyway we can get any updated studies or good information on this topic?

Please keep us updated. May God's Grace, Mercy, Comfort and Quick Healing follow you during this time. P.S. I'm curious on how this will turn out for you and what your Doctor says.

Fran: Could you elaborate on how the lapband changed your EXPECTATIONS regarding head hunger or hunger in general. Thinking it through...perhaps enough "stuck episodes" will change your expectations of food really quick. Perhaps this is what you meant by how the band had changed your expectation of food. Yes? No?

Thanks for sharing.....willl look into it. By the way....how could you lose 70lbs in a week....haha ?

Thanks for sharing this info as I'm planning to get my surgery within 2 months as I get the money for it. Lord willing.....the Lord will guide me, keep me safe and allow the funds necessary to get this surgery.

Thanks for sharing. Does anybody have any specific knowledge on how this works in Mexico or if anybody has heard of anthing?

Was talking to my dad and he mentioned....one of the negatives of going to Mexico to do this surgery is....what if they mess up.....there will be no recourse against them. So my question is....is there anyway someone could have recourse should the doctor mess up? Again....I'm not worried that something will happen personally....but nonetheless it is something that is part of the overall decision making. Thanks, MD

Any other thoughts out there?

No...I'm not afraid of going to Mexico but when evaluating the TOTAL PICTURE....one negative of going there.....is a not having recourse against the doctor SHOULD something go wrong. And my question was (better stated anyway) is there anyway way a US Citizen could have recourse SHOULD something go wrong like you can here in the US ? Thoughts/Opinions?

For what it is worth....I just went to the ER 1.5 months ago with abdominal pain. Since no one knew what it was....they wanted to rule our heart problems. In short....they found stones in my gall bladder...and the pain was RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF MY STOMACH. Instead of surgery...I was very thankful for a natural cure of Olive Oil and Lemon juice...and sure enough.....these tiny green gall bladder stones came out in my stool. Not saying this is your gallbladder....but don't rule out gall bladder if its not on the right side of your stomach as it doesn't have to be there..

I"m curious about this as I"m hoping that us bandsters (or soon to be bansters) don't have to get fills/unfills for the rest of our lives. I mean....heck...what if the economy gets really bad (and you have to travel 1-2 hours to get a fill or emergency unfill)? Although us Americans take it for granted that we can easily get around....and money is easier to get (compared to many countries around the world) ....but what if a major economic collapse happens (in the next 5-10 years) and now your stuck relying on these fills and unfills...(fill cost rises due to a dollar devaluation) and you have to travel a decent way to just to get a fill. If the dollar devalues (like many high level econimists predict)...gas prices could be $10/gallon. I know this is a rare occurance and a hypothetical scenario...(and many here will try to critisize this thinking......not to mention the majority have incapability to think long-term and potential realities down he road) but when considering getting the lapband....one does have to think about potential scenarios like this down the road. P.S. Many here are not trained in world economics and the major media NEVER gives people the reality of where world economics is currently at....but TRUST ME...this could be a real scenario for us bandsters (or soon to be bandsters) down the road.....and must be factored in when making a life altering and life long decision like this. Any thoughts or opinions?

Interesting...many thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions Mis73...and CONGRATS on your amazing weight loss. Blessings, MD

So are you saying that you will have to have fills/unfills for the rest of your life?

I understand what you are saying (trust me...I get you)....However, I'm not going to go into a major economic lesson with you....I will share briefly that the world is in a much different place financially then in the year 2000. Moving forward, do you have any thoughts as to people having to have fills/unfills the rest of your life? No one really talks much about this side of having the band in them. My brother has these fills/unfills as a convenience to his lifestyle. He is definately more liberal with the band....eating and drinking more than he should and not eating right (stretching pouch). But I"m wondering.....do most people (who have the band or soon to have the band) will they have to have these fills/unfills for the rest of their lives? EVENTUALLY....I'm hoping you don't have to have them anymore....or on a very limited basis. Maybe seeing my brother making frequent trips to the doctors (for fills/unfills -- 6 years post surgery) has skewed my thinking that the majority of bansters will be making frequent visits for these fills/unfills for the rest of their lives. Thoughts/Opinions?

Believe it or not...this is a conscern of mine...as well as the long term effects of having the band inside us.

I used to live in the Scottsdale/Phoenix/Tempe/Chandler area for 6 years and can't wait to move back. I feel like its home. My wife and I are looking to move back there...but just waiting for the good Lord to breathe on our plans. P.S. If you don't mind me asking...what was the cost of his surgery? At the moment...Dr. Kuri is $5500...although cost is not the MAJOR consideration of a surgery...it is a variable. Congrats on your making the plunge...my wife and I are currently saving up for surgery as we speak!

Who did you get your surgery by? I've decided that I"m eventually going with Dr. Kuri....although there are other well respected doctors down there.

Yes...although she is not a doctor....Wendy is licensed to do fills. I belive her certification she got from the State of Washington. She fun and very likable person. She travels all around Arizona and is in Phoenix and Mesa once a week. Her number is 928-536-5377. She will contact you within the week....at least this is what I experienced personally. P.S. Once I get the band and we move to Arizona...I'm going to use her. I've talked to her already and she has rave reviews from many people. Do your own research...but this is what I have found. Hope this helps !

My brother was 429lbs before surgery. He is now 165lbs and needless to say his life has changed dramatically. One big thing I've noticed is his increase in alcohol consumption. HE NEVER drank as much as he does today. After work...its nothing for him to grab a 6 pack (a night) and finish his appraisal work on the computer with drinking. 2-6 beers (a night) is a typical range for him now....with the average being around 3-4 beers a night. Being that I have a behavioral background, my theory is he now has this increased desire to be social(because of his new found self image and overall zest for life from being alot thinner). Being that the American Lifestyle involves drinking when socializing.....he now drinks more..... (they go hand in hand). People with Weight Loss Surgery typically have been "in the closet for many years" (in terms of being very social). My theory is (because of this) they tend to overcompensate their social desires by going out ALOT more (especially when the weight loss has come off). Going out alot more....(in an American Culture) definately means alot more alcohol tendencies and temptations. P.S. Another theory is he is missing the mental stimulation (i.e. endorphins) that he used to get from food. His body still craves these endorphins....so he gravitates towards alcohol because he can't get that from eating a mass amount of food anymore.....alcohol is a very easy thing to replace and get these much needed endorphins. Just my theory

I know this is a forum that is typically positive when it comes to the lapband surgery...but I want to know some of the negatives that people have experienced. An example of this is my brother....he went from 429 to 160 at his current weight (positive but see below) He told me the other day...that once a week he hacks up this "black bile" which he doesn't like....and he misses the "taste of things". I know about band slippage, erosian ect....but these are the main negatives that people talk about.... SO PLEASE SHARE SOME HIDDEN NEGATIVES that fly under the radar when one is considering getting this procedure. Thanks, MD