Spartan

Soda is just one of those things you should avoid, for a lot reasons. But first....ask your Doctor. ALWAYS ask your Doctor about things like this. The standard practice is considered to be NO carbonated drinks. But Soda is bad for you for a lot of reasons.....the carbonation, the acidity, the lack of nutritional value, and god forbid you are drinking any SUGARED soda! As much as you might crave it now, that will eventually go away IF you STAY away from it. A sip of soda now and then will simply reinforce the cravings, so you should not even think about "sampling". This is a time in which you should be re-evaluating what you are eating, and making the change to more wholesome, healthful, and nutritional foods. And soda in any form is NONE of those.

Abraham Maslow, Mark Twain, Emerson, and many other brilliant people have made the observation that it is important to learn to be "free of the good opinion of other people". So very true. But so important. Learn to live your life in such a way that you come to not care a BIT about what people think or say about you. It's not easy, but once you learn to do that you will find that you have an enormous sense of freedom. Your personal sense of value and worth will never be tied to what someone else thinks....only to what YOU have accomplished in your own life. And the loss of 37 pounds, regardless of how you did it, is indeed an accomplishment, one that you should be quite proud of. And NO ONE can take that away from you.

Each surgeon IS different....and you need to listen to them with regard to when/how much you should be filled. If the surgeon has been doing WLS for a long time (and you should ONLY choose a surgeon that has been doing it for a long time, successfully), then he/she will have a very good idea of what you need, how much, and when.

This subject comes up here quite often. It came up a few weeks ago. I responded, and most people did not like what I had to say, which, of course, makes no difference to me. But, I would enourage you to reconsider your consumption of alchohol while you are trying to lose the weight. Here is the previous thread....you can draw your own conclusions, but I can guarantee you that most Doctors will tell you that it is a BETTER idea NOT to drink while you are working with the band. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/almost-4-weeks-since-surgery-can-i-have-freakin-drink-108814/

Oh, I agree TOTALLY with that. Whomever deleted her post should be.....well, slapped or something. And, I think that the OP should tell us all WHO the clinic was that deleted her post. As a community, I very firmly feel that we should NOT patronize Doctors who do that kind of stuff. They are trying to cover up something they think might appear as an error on their part, and that is WRONG. I have very little trust/faith in the WLS industry as a whole, and when things like this happen, I think it should be made quite public.

Ah, yes....welcome to the wonderful world of Band Doctors doing the CYA shuffle. The WLS industry is a funny bunch of people. They like to sell the procedure as being quick and easy, but when the complications arise (as they do frequently), they will be the first to duck and hide under their desks. However....having said that, I do it is important to note that when you do experience something like "waking up covered in blood", the LAST thing you need to do is post it on an online forum....the FIRST thing you need to do is physically SEE your Doctor.....just get in the car, and GO there. Don't get your answers anywhere but from your Doctor, IN PERSON.

Eating disorders manifest themselves in many different ways....obesity or anorexia, it pretty much comes from the same place. Psychiatric help is a MUST, and the sooner the better. Remember Karen Carpenter? You don't want that to happen. I knew Karen, and what happened to her was awful. Do everything you can to get your SIL some help......

It very likely COULD be a slip.....but, don't take the word of anyone here on that. DO see your surgeon, or ANY surgeon/Bariatric Doctor that you can find. You don't want to mess around with this, seriously.

Yeah, Where's the Android Version?

Something kind of "smells" here..... You were VERY wise to have an independant x-ray. And, the the fact that there is a tube left on the port is very troubling. In some of the bands, the end of the tube that connects to the band has a bit of metal in it, and it can actually be kind of "rough" on the tip. I know of one Banded individual who had that loose tube dangling around inside of him for a while, and the rough end of the tube actually broke INSIDE of his colon, and created a lot of problems. So, his leaving that tube in was VERY irresponsible. And leaving the Port in by itself was just plain stupid. Some one here made that suggestion that perhaps the band was installed incorrectly to begin with, and I would not disagree with that. I am not a fan of many of these Weight Loss Surgeons. A lot of them are hacks who get into the business to make some quick insurance cash. I'm not saying that this is the case in this situation, but it looks a little strange, how this has turned out. I will echo the other comments here by saying bring a witness, if possible RECORD what is said (even though it is not admissible in court and in some situations MAY be illegal in your state, but I would do it anyway just to have a personal record to refer to...), ask for ALL your medical records, and if possible, see ANOTHER surgeon to get an opinion on what might have happened. If the Band having to be removed was a result of incompetence on the part of your orginal surgeon, and if because of that you will be unable to host another band, you might have some recourse. And, I think you SHOULD do something if this is the case. The band Concept was working for you, and if you can no longer take advantage of the Benefits the Band gave you due to Surgeon error, then that would be grounds for some action. And, other people who use this surgeon NEED to know about this. Please keep us posted.....it is events like this that everyone who had a Band or is thinking about getting one should be aware of.

It all depends on why the band is being removed. If it is permanent, then there is NO reason to leave the port in. In fact, as someone above mentioned, leaving some parts of the port can cause damage down the road. No, your Doctor made a mistake, unless there is something about this that you haven't made clear. He needs to remove the Port, all at HIS expense. And if he gives you any flak over it, consider compaining to your state medical board. We do NOT need any more Doctors around that make mistakes like that.

The subject of Psych Evals comes up here every once in a while , and I am always amused while reading the responses and reactions people have. And, I sometimes get a little angry as well, because of some of the comments I see people making. The “psych” component is one that is REALLY overlooked and downplayed by people when they are getting weight loss surgery. They complain about having to do it, and I think that is a BIG mistake. So….I have a few…(ahem)….”comments”. I think that many people are missing the point entirely when it comes to the Psych Evaluation portion of the Lap Band (or any WLS) process. While it varies from person to person, the problem of obesity comes down to a very simple equation: We eat TOO much of the WRONG stuff. And most of the time, we do that not because we are physically hungry, but because of the “head hunger” that so many of us experience. And, simply because it gives us physical pleasure to eat good tasting food. Sure, there are segments of the Obese population that have some form of metabolic disorder, there are absorption issues, and some other elements that play a role in the path to becoming Obese. But MOST of the problem lies in the fact that we simply eat too much of the wrong food. And, of course, we don’t exercise our bodies nearly enough. The fundamental mechanism of the Lap Band is to restrict our consumption of food. Plain and Simple. If you eat too much, you’re gonna suffer. If you don’t chew properly, it’s gonna hurt. It’s a valve. It’s a Spigot. It’s a throttle whose job it is to keep you from eating TOO MUCH (note to those engineer-types out there: I know it’s not technically a”valve”…it doesn’t open/close. I know…but you get my point…lol). There are some theoretical elements to the Lap band experience such as reduced appetite and hunger, but that does not occur in all people….it is more the exception than the rule. The point here is that a HUGE component of the weight loss process is the MIND GAME. It is psychological in nature, and if that particular part of the puzzle is not dealt with, you will not be entirely successful in your weight loss efforts, with or WITHOUT the Lap Band. Some people get lucky and the band is all they need to lose all the weight, but they are really the exception. And, if the band stops working or needs to be removed, then you have a big problem if you have NOT dealt with the mind/emotional issues relating to obesity. So many Lap Band patients see the Band as some magical device that is stuffed in their stomach and Voila! ….they’re not hungry any more. Nothing could be further from the truth, for MOST Lap Band recipients. It takes discipline, self control, patience, and a strong personal commitment to the process to make it work properly. And THAT is why they make you go through the Psychological Evaluation. To make sure that you are up for it emotionally. For those of you that are complaining about having to go through the process, I would say that your attitude is sorely lacking…big time. Particularly “Shonette”, who doesn’t seem to want to do ANYTHING to help herself in this process. She wants the band to do everything for her, and it’s too bad, ‘coz that AIN’T how it works. You don’t want to do the 6-month diet? Here’s a news flash for ya….the Lap Band IS a diet,,,one you’ll be on as long as you have it in you. So get used to it. Personally, I feel very strongly that regular sessions with a Psychotherapist that specializes in bariatric issues (and I mean SPECIALIZES, not just as part of the practice) should be a requirement of getting a Lap Band, not just a single session before the surgery. This should be an ongoing process, designed to support you in your weight loss efforts, and help you identify and manage the issues that have driven you to overeat in the first place. Now, on the other side of this, I do think that SOME of the consultations ARE a joke. The insurance industry really needs to do some “housecleaning” with regard to how they handle these evaluations. Some of it really is “going through the motions”, and that, honestly, doesn’t help anyone at all. But that doesn’t keep the PATIENT from taking a proactive stance and seeking out quality behavioral therapy to assist them in this process. So, as a prospective Lap Band patient you should absolutely NOT be rejecting the idea of psychological intervention in your quest for better health,,,,you SHOULD be wholeheartedly EMBRACING the idea that your problem with obesity is multi-faceted, and needs help from multiple resources, and NOT just a noose around your stomach. Some comments on what some of you have said here: Cwm812: “I can't imagine any other demographic group having to have a psych consult to get corrective surgery.” Sorry, but what you are having is NOT “corrective” surgery. There is probably nothing “wrong” with you physiologically. You EAT too much, of the WRONG stuff. It is a CHOICE you have made. The surgery will NOT “correct” that. It MIGHT keep you from eating as much as you do, but there is nothing “corrective” about it. It is NOT the same as someone who was born with one leg shorter than the other, or someone who has a faulty hip. Or a bad heart valve. This surgery is about preventing you from following through on the Bad choices you are making. In your case, it looks like you have lost most of your weight with just the use of the band, and that is terrific. But for MOST people, but problem is a little deeper. And you have to keep in mind that there may come a time when you will have to have the band removed. There is increased incidence of erosion, slippage, and other problems that can happen with the band. These problems are surfacing in people who have had the band longer than 3 years, and it is happening with greater frequency, and more people are having to have their bands removed. So, while you may have solved the “physical” component of your obesity by using the Band to limit your intake, based upon what you have said here it is unlikely that you have addressed the psychological component; and there may come a time when you will have to live without the advantage of the Lap Band and the restriction it places on your eating. “I have no problem with psychologists. I have even gone to them for various problems throughout my life, but as a condition of this surgery, it's demeaning to have to prove that you are competent to be of normal size!” The Pysch Eval has NOTHING to do with “proving competence to be of normal size”. What an absurd statement. What is has to do with is to make certain that you are aware what the challenges are post-surgery, and that you are capable of sticking to the rules, and willing to do the work that is necessary to reach your goal. And a GOOD therapist will want to work with you to help isolate issues in your life that might get in the way of doing so. THAT is what it is all about. Cwm812 and 4Sammy: "I hate when we waste our medical resources in this country." So, you guys see obesity as merely a PHYSICAL issue? Something that just “happens” to you? Something you didn’t play a role in? It’s nothing that you had a CHOICE about? That’s how you see it? You know…there is a significant percentage of people who think that Weight Loss Surgery IS a waste of “Medical Resources”…..Many people think that we, as obese people, simply have no self-control or discipline, and that WLS is a waste of Surgical Talent that could be used on more “serious” maladies, like heart disease and cancer. As a Weight Loss Surgery patient, I do not entirely agree with that notion….but I UNDERSTAND it. I understand what they are saying. I recognize that obesity IS a self-inflicted wound. For the most part, we do it to OURSELVES. And wouldn’t it be great if we could find a way to solve the problem WITHOUT tying up Surgical Theaters and other resources? We all know that it is not that simple….BUT proper counseling and psychotherapy CAN make a world of difference to people who are struggling with weight issues. I have personal acquaintances that have been able to lose significant amounts of weight by seeking out a properly credentialed psychotherapist, and getting to the root of life issues that have contributed to large amounts of weight gain. Regular Psychotherapy played a HUGE role in my own transformation. Christiemr: “Just one more benefit to being self pay I guess, no psych consult! Woohoo!!! In medicine we call it CYA (cover your a--) medicine. I'm sure there's one person out there somewhere who had the procedure expecting the magic quick fix, didn't do what they were supposed to, got stuck, slipped band, etc and then tried to sue their doctor so they all freaked out and started requiring the psych eval.... Just a theory. “ Wonderful. “just one more benefit”….meaning just one less thing you HAVE to do that might very well make the difference between your being successful or failing in this process. Shonette: “Why in the world do someone need to tell me what my thoughts or feelings need to be concerning my over weight condition. I know that am over weight and that is why am doing something about it. “ You really don’t get it, do you? It’s not about “telling you what your thoughts should be”. It’s about finding out WHY you feel how you do about eating and then coming up with methodologies to deal with those issues. And there’s other stuff involved too, but for you to discount something very fundamental to weight loss (and ANY behavioral Psychologist will verify what I am saying) is to dramatically decrease your chances for long-term success with ANY weight-loss procedure, surgery or otherwise. “Am willing to do only those things that I have to do and nothing more.” That is the purest recipe for failure that I have heard in a LONG time. To kagead: It sounds like you have a Dr that’s “gets it”. I hope you keep Psychotherapy as part of your “band lifestyle”….I can guarantee that it will play a role in your success. Ok, I have spent far too long on this. If anyone who is reading this thinks that I have been insulting or something else, that is NOT my intention. But understand that I have been involved in weight Loss surgery-related areas for nearly a decade. I have undergone multiple Surgeries, have made many mistakes, and I have learned the HARD WAY what it takes to be a success at this. And one of the most important elements of this whole process is to pay close attention to the MIND element of this. Because THAT is where the success begins and ends. So, when you are sent for your Psych eval, I would heartily suggest that instead of seeing it as a waste of time, think of it as another component of a successful Lap Band experience….embrace it, and consider making Psychotherapy a part of the process of becoming a Healthier person. It might be the difference between success and failure.

I have no problem at ALL with what your "thing" is....just when you post the same thing multiple times all over the site.....

Ok, Gotcha.....we HEAR you....how many posts are you gonna make here advertising your....uh....thing?????

While it is nice to get answers to your questions here, when it comes to serious issues like Physical activity post-surgery, do NOT take what people here say very seriously....the ONLY person who you should listen to is your SURGEON. It's ok to get some eating advice and other benign information here, but it is VERY important to do what YOUR surgeon tells you to do, NOT someone else's Surgeon. If you are not sure how to schedule your return to a normal work load, then DO call your surgeon. That is PART of what they are being paid to do, to take the time to advise you in areas like this.

DeeDee; From what you are describing it does, in fact, sound like the Gastric Bypass WOULD have been a better choice for you. The Lap Band and the bypass are two entirely different procedures that are meant for different people, with different eating and/or metabolic disorders. If it has been suggested that you have consume 600 calories or less to lose and then maintain your weight with the Lap band, then something is very wrong. I would, seriously, speak with a surgeon about having a revision to a Gastric Bypass. And not your original surgeon. He seems "married" to the Lap band, and even some bariatric surgeons do entirely "get" the differences in the surgeries, especially if they are really new to the field. Do some serious research in your area, and find a different surgeon who can advise you. I am all for making the Lap Band work IF it is possible, but for many people it is simply the wrong choice. Find a surgeon that will do the revision, and let them convince the insurance company that a revision is required for you to achieve your desired results....

I think Dr Aceves is in mexicali, mexico.

As someone who has been involved in LapBand-related litigation, this is something I can speak about with some authority. There are a number of issues here. The Weight Loss Surgery industry has mushroomed into a nearly billion-dollar business over the last several years. There are good Doctors, bad Doctors, and everything in between. I cannot begin to tell you how offended I am by the marketing tactics used by many of these Doctors and Weight Loss Surgery “mills”. Here in Southern California, you cannot go any distance at all without seeing billboards, bus-bench signs, or taxi ads spouting the virtues of “easy” weight loss with the Lap Band. Even more offensive are the Television ads that show a fat person “morphing” into a slender one. Any one who has ever had a lap band knows that this is not the way it works. While the lap Band has been successful for many people, MOST people do not lose all the weight that they need/want to. The failure rate is pretty high. The experience with the Lap band is a crap shoot at best. And for most people who have the band, it requires a very significant amount of work and some pretty dramatic lifestyle changes. And it is THIS part of it that many of the Doctors do not tell their patients. Now, to be fair, most reputable Doctors inform their patients going in about the realities of weight loss success with the band. But the key here is “reputable”. As with any other business, the Weight Loss Surgery industry has its share of crooks and charlatans whose primary goal is to get you into the operating room to perform a surgical operation on your wallet. They do not take the time to explain the realities of WLS, and what is expected of you, the patient. Some of them are not crooked, of course…they are merely inept. And they have lousy staffs that do NOT educate the patient and provide them with the information they need to have to increase their chances of success with the Lap Band. On the other side of this coin is the significant population of WLS Patients who ARE given the proper information by the Doctors and Staff, but who choose to disregard the instructions provided. I was involved in a discussion here at LBT recently on this subject, and I was astounded at how many people thought it was simply “OK” to ignore the recommendations of their surgeon. So, it does work both ways. But EITHER way, it still results in a high failure rate for the band. Now, having said all that, I do have to point out that the notion of any form of litigation in the situation being discussed here is not realistic at ALL. I will say that it is entirely probable that the OP was not given a realistic expectation of the amount of effort that would be necessary on his/her part, at least not verbally. However, I can say with almost complete certainty that these issues were covered in their entirety in the MOUNDS of paperwork that you had to fill out and sign prior to your surgery. This paperwork would have included statements to the effect that there is NO guarantee that you will lose even a single ounce as a result of the procedure. These people are not stupid…..they cover themselves very well, and you can be certain that the contract you signed is pretty airtight with regard to expectations. Now, if your Lap Band was installed incorrectly, then you might have some recourse, but from everything the OP said, this is not the case. It is simply not functioning as he/she was led to believe. About the best you could really do in this situation with regard to causing your Surgeon some grief would be to file formal complaints with your State Medical Board, the local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, etc. Of course, the Chamber and the BBB have no real power, and some Chambers do not even listen to complaints. Complaining to a Medical Board is also a crap shoot, because the Doctor will claim that specific results were NOT guaranteed, etc, etc. I could go on about all of that for hours, because I have been through it….but, frankly, it is NOT worth your time. You will not force the Doctor to be more forthcoming, and you will not get anything out of it. One other avenue would be to complain to the FTC or the FCC, if you sought out this particular doctor on the basis of Public Advertising. They COULD force the doctor to alter their marketing and advertising practices….but that is really unlikely. The bottom line here is that litigation will get you NOWHERE. The very best thing that you can do at this point is to turn your attention to MAKING the Lap Band work for you. Some good advice has been given to you here already, so I won’t repeat what has already been said. But you need to be very realistic about where you are at THIS point in time, and move forward from there. You have a Lap Band. We’ll assume that it has been installed correctly. You’ve had one fill….and, history proves that you will very likely need several fills before you hit the “sweet spot” that will give you the results that you want. So, before you give up, you need to consider the fact that you are not done with YOUR part of the program yet. You still need fills. Kat817 put it very well when she likened it to buying a new car and then not driving it because there is no gas or insurance….it won’t do you any good just sitting there. And the band will not do you any good just sitting there in your gut. You need to find a way to get your fills funded, and then you will have the best chance of having your Lap-Band experience be a positive one. But it is NOT going to happen until you do YOUR part of it. So forget any litigation. Don’t waste any time or money on that, because it will not get you anywhere. Concentrate on finding some resources to get you the fills you need. There are PLENTY of stories here on LBT about people who ALSO thought that the band was a waste, UNTIL they found the “sweet spot”….which can only be achieved through a combination of proper fill level, exercise, and proper eating habits. That’s the bottom line. So, it’s time to move forward, and make a success out of what you have already invested.

The Lap Band really is NOT for everyone. It doesn't work for a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. The Lap Band is "hard sold" to people. But it isn't right for everyone. Do consider the alternatives; the Sleeve, and the gastric Bypass. They are all different procedures that are meant for different people. You have to do a lot of research to find out what is appropriate for you. Too many people just jump right in and decide on the Lap band, because it sounds easy (it's not). But there ARE alternatives....!

I really think that you need to pursue this. Even if your surgeon is putting you off, I would insist that he perform some tests to determine the cause of the pain. The body experiences pain for a reason. It usually means that there is a problem of some sort. It might be something minor, but then again, it could be something more significant. There is a long, long list of things that can go wrong with the Lap Band, so when you do experience extreme discomfort, particularly on a recurring basis, you NEED to have it checked out. You will probably get a lot of replies here saying it "could" be this or that, but to be honest, I would ignore all the possibilities presented and simply go to your Doctor and find out for SURE, if only for your peace of mind. Again: Some very bad things have happened with the Lap Band, so you HAVE to see your Surgeon. If he puts you off, DEMAND that he see you. If he won't, then go elsewhere. Please let us know what happens, it's probably nothing major, but you really don't want to take any chances!

I would consider donating at least some of it. Think of it as celebrating your success with the Band by sharing with someone else. There are also some clothing exchanges on some WLS Boards where your clothes might be able to find a new life. Congratulations on your "new size"!

Lol! You guys are pretty funny. You know, honestly, I really don’t care all that much if you drink or not, so knock yourself out. Have one for me, while you’re at it. But I’ll just finish with this, and you can do what you want with the information (you’ll probably drink it…lol) Sure, you can drink. Sure you can have that piece of Pizza, that slice of cake. But will that move you ANY closer to your goal? Nope. Will it keep you away from your goal? A little, tiny bit, yes. And it will continue to expose you to the foods that made you fat to begin with. Sure will. A couple of you have said your Drs have said that it is OK to have a drink.. The OP said that her dr advised her not to. You will find Drs that say both. But….I would challenge you to ask any Dr if it would be better that you did NOT have a drink/Pizza/whatever. I can guarantee you that probably %100 would say that it would be better if you didn’t. But, that’s up to you. You really don’t seem to want to give your band the best chance it has to succeed. And, if you have been a good student prior to your band installation, you will have learned that the Lap Band has a fairly low rate of complete success. And one of the reasons is because people want to continue living pretty much the same way they are now. They want the band to do all the work. And guess what: it won’t. So, go on booze it up. And I’ll check back here with you in a year or so and see how you’re doing. I can pretty well predict how you’ll be doing. If you succeed, then you will be very lucky. And me? I am at my perfect weight…happy, healthy, and enjoying my life a great deal. And I do wish that for you. I just don’t think you’re going to achieve it with that attitude. Good Luck!

It is, indeed, that kind of thinking that brings many people to the point of needing Weight Loss Surgery. Again....it's the accumulation of small, poor choices in eating that help to contribute to the predicament that we are all in. There are certain things you need to eat to live....alchohol is one of those things you do NOT need. And it can hurt you in a number of ways. Also, consider the very real idea that after you have had one or two drinks, your will-power does tend to diminish, if not vanish entirely. This could lead to more drinks, and then the snacking that can often accompany a buzz. This is all about making changes. And giving up the ingestion of totally hollow calories is a small price to pay for robust health. As far as leading "normal lives", just consider what state of "normal" you are in now, having to have an artificial device implanted inside of you to keep you from eating too much. Really....how "normal" is that? It is that version of "normal" that put us all in the position that we are in today. I think you need to re-think your concept of what "normal" is.

You know, if you are really serious about losing wieght, you need to consider giving up the booze. It is NOT conducive to good health OR weight loss, regardless of what some small studies say about the occasional glass of wine. Don't get me wrong; I always enjoyed a good blast of hootch, but NOTHING could make me feel as good as I do as a thin person. Sure, you could have a drink occasionally; you could also have a snickers on occasion. Or a Hot Fudge Sundae. But why would you want to, after everything you have been through with your weight? It's the little decisions that we make on a moment to moment basis that impacts our health so dramatically. A shot of booze here, some cheez whiz there,....it all adds up. And you don't NEED a drink to be happy or have fun....if you DO,....well,,,,there are perhaps some other issues that you might want to address

Have you considered using another Provider for your fills? Some doctors will perform fills on Patients from other Doctors. Not all will, but some. I can understand your frustration....you are so close to your goal, a simple fill may be all you need to kick you over the top.....I would look elsewhere, and find someone that will give you the assistance you need....we are not married to our surgeons.....lol! I would also call the Surgeon you are seeing now, and raise a little hell....if he is part of a Hospital, call the Hospital Administration and let them know about your dissatisfaction with the service you have been getting. Sometimes it simply takes a little screaming in the right ears to get these guys off their butts!:biggrin: