maryrose

Rmann, Thanks for reminding me about the protien bars. Sometimes I forget about those. They do help. Something I like also is a caramel rice cake with Peanut Butter. They are really yummy. You would think that would choke me, but it does not. lol. :tt2:

I could not handle the raw food diet at all with my band, but I thought about juicing. I would like to try a juice cleansing fast sometime.

I love word games, already banded by came up with June Platoon. googled word that rhyme with June

lol BgBp, why does there have to be such good food out there? Those Dunkin lattes are my downfall and the ice coffee, but I resisted today and made my own ice coffee with fat free half & half and tiny bit of Hershey syrup! Even when thin (if I get there), I know this is something that I know I have to deal with every day, though some days better than others. :glare:

Big momma, so true! When I first read about the band years ago I actually thought the port was "outside" the body like a catheter. Even then, I would have probably gone with it! I can see how we could be lured in by these centers because I was desperate to lose the weight. Bottom line, do your homework and do what is right for you. One of my best friends came to the first information meeting with me, she stood up and asked "you mean I can't have my white russions on the weekends". I knew right then & there she would not be a good candidate for the band as she also smokes, so I stopped pushing her to do it with me. Had she gone ahead with the band, I don't know if she would have done very well. Hopefully, they would not have banded her even if she wanted it. I know others smoke/drink, but that is looking for problems in my opionion. So, she was out and I was in. She backed out, but I went ahead with it.

Mjalways, I agree! My doctor actually recommends anyone over 100 lbs. to lost to have the bypass, but I was just scared to death of having that type of surgery and am glad is went with the band. It was actually this site that helped me make my decision. The doctor did support my band decision, but just wanted to give me the facts so I could my "my" decision wisely. He is happy with my progress so far. Going into my third year I am still thrilled.

Debbie, That is wonderful that you volunteer and play. I was just talking about that the other day to a co-worker. I would like to maybe play for a hospital or nursing home if I can brush up and feel confident enough. Wow, I would love to do a show. That sounds like soooo much fun! Even playing in church would be nice. I really like hymms, they are pretty songs. It is a lot of work though. The professionals make it look so easy, but it's not. Even after 1 and 1/2 years taking my lessons, I don't even feel confident to play for anyone yet.

Big Mama, You are very welcome. According to Bubblebut, some of the info is outdated, but I think that can be true of any article we find. I really do not know a whole lot about it either. There is not a whole lot on the internet about it. I like doing research and it took me a while to even find that. I agree, I love my band and have not had one single problem, but it differs from person to person. Knock on wood. I chose NOT to alter my anatomy. Even with the sleeve, it is still altering your stomach and there is a lot more to it than I thought. As far as the sleeve making you "less" hungry, that means nothing to me being a food addict. I can be on the brink of PB'ing and still wanting food. I don't see how onother poster can say the Band is more dangerous than the sleeve having part of your stomach surgially removed. I would like to see the DATA to support that information.

My doctor told me 60% and one of the doctors in my group worked with the very first bands in the very beginning stages, so they know their stuff. He also told me that the good thing about the band versus surgery is that even after the 60% loss with the band if we keep on track his patients are STILL LOSING weight as opposed to the surgical bypass, whereas they can become stretched out. I like the fact that after years his patients are still losing with the band. That is good to know. On the other hand, my husband would not last ONE day with the band, you have to be made of STRONG stuff! Like it states on the bottom, LAP Bands are not for sissies!

Sandiago, I agree with you. Here is one article I found about the sleeve. I still prefer not having my anatomy changed which is why I chose the lap band. If the band did not work, then yes, lets move to Plan B, but the sleeve is not something to rush into either. Gastric Sleeve Resection Wednesday May 6, 2009 One of the newer surgical options in the field of weight loss surgery is the Gastric Sleeve Resection, also known as the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG). This restrictive weight loss procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach which limits the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time. While the gastric sleeve is sometimes effective as a stand-alone weight loss procedure, most bariatric surgeons consider the gastric sleeve as the first operation in a two-stage process. The second procedure, which is either gastric bypass or duodenal switch, is performed at a later time. The purpose of the two-stage approach is to make weight loss surgery safer for high-risk patients, particularly those individuals with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 60, who have health conditions that make them unacceptable patients for a combined restrictive/malabsorptive surgery. During gastric sleeve surgery, the bariatric surgeon removes approximately 60 to 80% of the stomach along the greater curvature and leaves only a small tube, or “sleeve” for the new stomach pouch. By reducing the size of the stomach, an individual should eat less and lose weight. The stomach reduction is not reversible and the cutaway part of the stomach is removed from the body, not left in place as with other bariatric procedures. Since the normal stomach outlet and small intestine are left intact with this procedure, it is a less complicated operation than either gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery. Compared to adjustable gastric banding surgery, the gastric sleeve does not involve implanting a medical device into the body in order to restrict eating. Expected Weight Loss Results Patients who undergo the gastric sleeve procedure will typically lose 30 to 50% of their excess body weight during the following six to eighteen months. This weight loss will make it safer to proceed with the second-stage of the process, either gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery, which involves rerouting the small intestine. The timing of the second procedure will depend on the rate of weight loss following the gastric sleeve surgery. Patient Considerations for Gastric Sleeve Surgery Safer option for individuals with BMI greater than 60 to undergo two-stage process of gastric sleeve followed up with duodenal switch or gastric bypass after partial weight loss Option for patients concerned about long-term side effects of weight loss surgery that involves rerouting and bypassing a portion of the small intestine, such as intestinal obstruction, ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, Protein deficiency, and Vitamin deficiency Restrictive weight loss option for patients who are not comfortable having a medical device implanted into their body as with the LAP-BAND or REALIZE Band Surgical weight loss option for patients with health problems or complex medical issues that may prevent them from having other types of weight loss surgery, such as anemia, Crohn’s disease, anti-inflammatory drug use, or extensive prior surgery Revision option for gastric band patients experiencing problems with their band but who do not want to convert to a bypass type of operaton Advantages of Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery Promotes weight loss by restricting amount of food that can be eaten at any one time Removes the part of the stomach that produces the hunger stimulating hormone ghrelin Digestive system it not changed and digestion occurs normally Does not cause malabsorption or nutritional deficiencies as it does not involve rerouting or bypassing the small intestine Less chance of developing ulcers than with gastric bypass surgery Dumping syndrome not likely to occur as the stomach outlet (pyloric valve) remains intact, unlike gastric bypass surgery Less complicated procedure than gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery Can usually be performed laparoscopically on extremely obese patients Does not require a gastric band being implanted into the body Does not require adjustments or fills as with a LAP-BAND or REALIZE Band Safer than a combined restrictive/malabsorptive weight loss surgery for patients who have many health problems Expected weight loss is 30 to 50% of excess weight in the first one to two years May be converted to gastric bypass or duodenal switch if necessary for additional weight loss Disadvantages of Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery As it is a purely restrictive weight loss procedure, inadequate weight loss or weight regain is more likely than with a procedure involving intestinal bypass With time, new smaller stomach pouch may stretch (also occurs with gastric bypass surgery) Although the gastric sleeve helps control hunger and limit amount of food that can be eaten at any one time, weight loss will not occur without a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise (same as with other purely restrictive procedures such as LAP-BAND and REALIZE Band) If performed as the first part of a two-stage process, a second malabsorptive weight loss surgery such as the duodenal switch will need to be performed at a later time The surgery is not reversible as a portion of the stomach is permanently removed Leaks or bleeding may occur along the stomach stapling edge Procedure may not be covered by some insurance companies All surgery and anesthesia involves some level of risk including bleeding, blood clots, infection, pneumonia, or complications Lack of published data for long-term weight loss results Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery While the gastric sleeve procedure will help a person control their eating, weight loss depends on adopting a new diet and exercise lifestyle. Many bariatric surgeons recommend eating five small, healthy meals a day with no snacking in-between meals. The surgery itself does not require many food restrictions as the stomach continues to function normally, but high-calorie and high-fat foods and drinks must be avoided for weight loss to occur. Performing the Gastric Sleeve Resection as a stand-alone weight loss surgery is a new approach and considered experimental by many bariatric surgeons and insurance companies. Long-term weight loss results are not available, although expected weight loss in the first one to two years is 30 to 50% of excess weight. At that time, a malabsorptive weight loss procedure such as the duodenal switch may be performed in order to promote further weight loss.

I agree with Aubrie. My doc tried to push the bypass too. More money. You have to do the research and do what is right for you. I agree, the band is not for everyone. You have to follow the rules. One thing for certain, morbid obesity is a disease. Just think for a minute about any surgical procedure. If you needed back surgery you would hear a hundred horror stories if you did enough research. Who really knows why complications arise? Every person is different. I love my band! At close to 300 lbs. I could have dropped dead at age 52 with my high blood pressure and other complications from obesity. Something had to be done.

Serenity, sounds like a plan! Those monthly sessions sound like a great idea. We have a phychologist too, but it can take up to a month to see her she is flat out busy. I does get easier serenity, just hang in there. :cool2: Serenity now! Ever watch Seinfeld?

Serenity, I forgot to add, I am 54 also and also play the piano. I think we are band twins! lol. Wanna do a duet? I am taking lessons, I just don't pratice enough. :thumbup: Right now working on The Entertainer and Amazing Grace. Good thing I have a digital piano and can turn down the volume! I took lessons as a kid for 5 years, thought it all would come back...NOT!

I tell myself I can have a "teaspoon" of anything. (Of course not all at once). I teaspoon of Hershey's syrup has less than 20 calories. It's delicious with my sugar free iced coffee. You just have to find subsitutions for the things you miss and crave and try to work it into your calorie limit for the day. No, I NEVER stop thinking about food, but that teaspoon of Peanut Butter or teaspoon of 1/2 & 1/2 in my coffee goes a long way to keep me happy once in a while 2 years out. :thumbup:

Thank you all for the great responses! OK, so I have conclused what my doc told me at the beginning, I am a grazer indeed! I just like to fill my friggin face! lol. :thumbup: Lets just be grateful for the band and know it's doing it's job, we just have to kick ourselves in the A$$ once in a while. Ok, so week 3 I still have not eaten at my desk. I know I could eat healthy foods as one of the posters suggested, but give me an inch and I'll take a MILE! :tt2: Also, I am a workaholic and am ALWAYS at my desk, so I needed to get this under control. I also have 2 Protein shakes a day and plenty of drinks while working. I do allow myself to eat my healthy lunch at my desk somtimes, but I realy don't miss the crumbs and ickies on my keyboard! Thank you all for your support. :smile:

It's a great feeling going into the dressing room and actually trying things on! Before, I just basically looked at something and if it was BIG enough, I just would buy it. I hated to look at myself in the dressing room mirror. If I saw myself in somethin I would NOT buy it. I still have a few more sizes to lose, but it least now I don't hate myself in mirror. It really is a good feeling. :thumbup:

Melly, :tt2: Glad you are resting! Gosh, you are so close!! I'm gonna kick my scales's A$$ lol. Hee..hee. Holding at 211. My scale is not digital. I think the digital scale would freak me out! LOl...if I swing around on my regular scale It looks like maybe I lose 1/2 pound! Good grief. I need to get a grip and stop weighing myself every day. got sick as heck on some chicken last night, felt like pb'd up about 10 lbs. Oh well... Swore off dry chicken for the rest of my life. I'm still hanging in there. :thumbup:

Staying on plan because it's been 2 years and now I feel like I am being judged by family and freiends, like they expect by now I should be skinnnnny. but it's all good! I'm losing again and 11 lbs from Onederland.

My port is located just under my breast bone. I would have preferred it a little lower as I have a good amount of "fat" in that spot. I do find it uncomfortable at times when I am wearing an underwire. I would ask that they put it down about an inch or two lower. It's fine, I'm not really complaining, but if I had a choice I would prefer it a little lower, but I don't know what to compare it to.

Mom, I agree with the other poster, you sound a tad too tight. I have had this happen to me. I would ask for a small unfill.

Gosh Melly, You take care of yourself! I hope you are not like my lil nurse daughter that won't take care of herself! I have to give her heck all the time to go the doc when she gets the flu. :wink: My daughter works with 3 or 4 nurses that had bariatric surgery. That helped me make the decision as she was very supportive and kept me updated on how here co-workers were doing. I think 1 was banded and 3 had gastric bypass Well, the swine flu has definitely made my job busier. Lot of chest x-rays. I am a radiology transcritionist and at the Center I work at with the economy the way it is they do not refuse any patients and they double book now, that means a lot of chest x-rays right now. Here in Mass. we have had some swine flu cases. I am still holding at 211.

Awesome! People must really be taking notice! That's great. Congratulations. You definitely need to treat yourself always while on this journey. :thumbup:

Karen, CONTRATS! It must feel wonderful. I can't wait. Still stalling at about 211, but that's OK. I'm down almost 10 lbs. from about 6 weeks ago. :thumbup: Been working a lot of hours, stuck behind a desk not burning a lot of calories. Next week going to have to get out of that rut.