Soundman999

Moron...hmmmmm, haven't been called that in awhile! Brings back mammories (wink, wink) Other WLS surgeries have a lower fail rate because the patient really doesnt have to do anything. Weight loss with some of the others is solely based on the malabsorbative process. Compare RNY to adjustable gastric band at the 3-5 year mark...Statistics almost identical! I do wish you good luck! Not trying to bust you ovaries!! Merry Christmas!

The following is a quote from your first post..."that it wasn't working" Well, just an FYI, you are the one who is not working....Seems to me that many go on this journey without researching the pros and cons...! Some expect to have this magic wand wrapped around their stomach...and...POOF...they're Skinny Back to reality!! Use it! Let it tell you when to stop! Stop making excuses as to why it's not working...bands rarely fail...hosts fail the band! Success requires a significant lifestyle change...sacrafice...Healthy foods and portions versus anything and everything!! 14 fills???!?!? Another suggestion would be to find another surgeon...14 fills seems to me to be way too many!

Alcohol AND common sense...Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...Interesting....It will never catch on!!

14 bags...was 15, but I ate 1 LOL!!!

Hmmmmm....I guess that I'm am in a different mind-set than some of you...because I really don't care what anyone thinks!!!! My life...my decision!!

Do it NOW if you are able! I had my surgery 3 days before Thanksgiving, 2010. I sat at the dinner table and had high Protein chicken bullion. It wasn't easy, but i do not regret it at all! We are constantly making excuses for everything, like when to start a diet or to start exercising... If you use holidays as an excuse, then you will NEVER be ready...There are around 10 major holidays throughout the year! If you are healthy enough, psychologically ready, and you have jumped through all of the pre-op hoops...then go for it!!!

WOW...Gag reflex....Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...let's meet!!! LOL

8 months post op. Lost 60 pounds 42% of excessive weight (surgeons goal is 30 % at 1 year!!) Began to plateau a few weeks ago...need tune up...maybe 0.5 - 1.0 cc's It has been a pretty cool journey ...so far... not even 1 regret!! Best part.......I feel awesome, I mean, I don't just feel good...I feel healthy! For a few years, i had forgotten what that was like!

If I can do it, so can you!! I'm a man who is 5 1/2 months post op and down 56 pounds. Feel awesome! Been stuck 3 times...all my fault!!! Slow down and chew, chew, chew! We eat out often and have not had any problems. Take the whole process slow.

I am 13 weeks post op and I am extreemly, extreemly happy with my decision. (down 44 pounds) Since surgery I have had a craving for sweets, particularlly chocolate! Pre-op, sweets were not my vice! Has anyone else had any of these strange cravings?

Overall, the majority of WLS patients have a hiatal hernia diagnosised and repaired at the time of surgery. (? 98 - 99%) I had a hiatal hernia repair, umbilicaql hernia repair, and a liver biopsy. My average post op pain was: 6 out of 10...very well controlled with pain medications. Good luck!!!

Good morning! I front load my protein in the morning with a 60 gram protein shake. This way I always have the bulk of my protein finished by 8:30 in the morning. Whatever else I eat throughout the day will just contribute to the total! One prorein drink in the AM will hold me easily to lunch! Occasionaly i'll have a yogurt around 9:30 10:00.

I guess someone beat me to an answer: I use Centrum Adult Chewables...reasonablly priced and available at CVS, Watmart...

I would make every effort to get some Protein in. If you are having difficulty getting in anything of volume, try one of those protein shots! You can get them pretty much anywhere, walmart. target... You get a good amount of protein in such a small volume (3 ounces). Once you get past the immediate post -op time, try to get in as much protein in the morning. I have found that if I front load most of my protein in the morning, I usually don't have any hunger issues throughout the day. Just my 2 cents!

Hi! I will venture a guess that you are having a skin reaction to the sticky stuff from the steristrips, or tape... Ask your healthcare provider if could be that! Maybe some benadryl cream?? Ask Doctor first!!!

I am wondering if it is in fact...gas! I am guessing that the pain is coming from the Vagus nerve. One of the jobs of the VN is to control hunger. Its origin is in the stomach wall and travels up toward the left shoulder, under the left clavicle, up the left neck and finaly into the brain. So, my theory is that when we get a fill, it stimulates, and in-turn, inflames the vagus nerve causing pain along its natural path in the neck and shoulder (left) Or..maybe you have gas!

Goal! Goals, Goals! My goal is to feel better! I couldn't possibly give you a number that would equate to feeling healthy!

Will be banded on the 22nd as well. The reality of it all happening so soon is beginning to make me anxious as _ _ _ _!!! (HELL) Never had surgery or general anesthesia. So nervous! I didn't have a pre op diet, so I have been eating all of the things that I know that I wouldn't be able to eat post band! Looking toward a thinner, healthier future! I would like to wish all of the future bandsters (especially those on 11/22) good luck and a uneventful recovery!

Hi all! I was asked a simular question at my psyche eval and by my nutrtionist. They asked if I had any goals and what they were. My response was that i wanted to lose enough weight to feel good again; to not have my weight get in the way anymore! I don't have a specific number in mind. At my hospital, the success rate is between 12% and 84%, with an average weight loss of 41% of excess weight. I figure that I have always done things that were well above average in my life, that if I were to fall into that same range with my new banded life, i would lose about 50ish pounds at the minimum, and I would be very happy with that!

Move on! Your surgical group sounds like a group of general surgeons who have jumped on the WLS bandwagon for reasons of financial gain! They don't sound like bariatric specialists! Travel if you have to. Look for years of bariatric experience... I chose my surgeon because he has been a bariatric surgeon for 15 years and does about 500 bariatric procedures per year!

Good morning, I am not banded yet; but soon! I just jumped through my last hoop in the pre-op testing. During my psychology evaluation, the psychologist ask me what I thought my friends and family are going to say when they learn about my surgery. I paused for a microsecond and said...I DON"T CARE!!! i told him that I was doiing this for me to feel good and to feel health again! His response was "Cool"! I do and don't want to sound cocky, but we have to stop and think about ourselves for a second...Will this affect our friends and family? sure...but it affects us directly!!! I am looking forward to, and hopfully depending on them for support...but with it, or without it the weight (no pun) of our success all rests squarely on our shoulders. This website is awesome! I have learned a great deal here from you folks...you are and will be my support group... :smile:So get ready!!

This post is for anyone with, or have knowledge of, hairy abdomens! Do they shave hairy abdomens prior to laporoscopic surgery?:biggrin:

I'm another one! Not banded yet...maybe in 3 weeks! I have also been wondering about how the guys deal with the whole process. I am like most men...a baby!!! Very informative site...I am hoping to post my experiences as soon as I have experiences...So far it has been smooth sailing...I still can't believe I am brave enough to even get this far!! Excited and apprehensive all at the same time!