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Congrats!!!!!! I'm being banded the day after you!!!!!!!!! I'm freaking out about the pre-op diet, its 10 days and I'm going on vacation 4 days into it for memorial day weekend! Should be interesting... Good luck with everything!!!!!

Only 10 weeks congratulations you are doing great!

Apparently LapBandTalk is wondering where all of it's former members went and why us "old timers" no longer post. So far the first 4 pages, to my surprise have been "I'm doing great, lost my weight and enjoying my new body" type posts. I was the first bust thy bubble with complications. I figured those who had bands prior to VSG would at least enjoy the read if not want to share your story to prevent another poor soul from going through what we have. I did NOT go looking for this thread of LBT, they sent an email out asking where some of the "Old Timers" were and I figured perhaps some of you who used to post there may have changed your email address but would still LOVE the chance to be honest with what the band did to you and your body http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/126044-any-old-timers-still-around/page__st__60#entry1584321 is the link. Enjoy!

String cheese wrapped with a turkey slice, pinto Beans with cheese and a little taco sauce, Peanut Butter on whatever u can tolerate, "mock lasagna" which is ricotta cheese with pizza sauce and mozzarella in a little crock and baked about 10-15 minutes (yummy) and I added some turkey pepperoni once I could tolerate it. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am the same way and I work 3 - 15 1/2 hr days a week on my feet most of it. My surgery was 4/10 I was back to work 10 days post-op. It wore me out.

The easiest way for me to break down the surgeries for you is: RNY and DS both malabsorptive. DS is the most complicated, and most drastic with a true switch in how your body metabolizes food, fat, calories. High fat intake is necessary, and the Vitamin regimen is on average of 20-30 Vitamins per day, and this is not an exaggeration. RNY had too many long term complications, and far too many people looking for revisions due to stoma or pouch stretching and high incidence regain. DS was a no go for me. You could not pay me to have that surgery. Sorry, but the malabsorptive rate on DS is far too much for me to accept. I know it's a great surgery for some, but honestly I figured if I couldn't lose and maintain with a restrictive only procedure then I didn't need to be having WLS to begin with. All of the others you've listed are, would not be an option for me, nor did I do tons of research on them. The mini GB is a waste of money. So many people have revised to the full GB because of lack of weight loss. RNY with ring or band is just wasteful and most end up revising, most good surgeons won't In my blog, you'll find my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision. Google : DS long term complications and vitamin regimen Check out obesityhelp.com and look at the revision board, and RNY board so you can get a good view of other people's experiences. I know more people with complications with RNY and DS than I care to count. Also for me, I found great comfort in doing research on gastrectomies performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients. Gastrectomies have been performed for over 30 years, and I found a lot of people living very full, healthy, with either most or all of their stomachs gone. The sleeve has actually been performed as the first stage of the DS for around 20 years. It was actually started as the first step for patients with BMIs over 60 as a safety precaution to get them down to a safer weight to either revise to DS or RNY later after losing some weight. The techniques have now been standardized after the first studies came out showing a higher incidence of slight regain (10-20% bounce back) was seen when bigger bougies were used in the stand alone procedures. When the standard size dropped from 50-60fr to 32-40fr bougies, the numbers for complications, weight regain, hunger returning, all decreased. The bougie is the measuring tool they slide down your throat that the surgeon uses to guide the stapler while dissecting the fundus away from the "sleeved" portion of the stomach. The VSG became a noted successful stand alone procedure when those same super morbidly obese patients didn't need the 2nd stage surgery to DS or RNY. Results were that good, that they started offering to lower end BMI patients, and it's since gained in popularity. New research results will be out next summer from 2 of the pioneers of VSG. Dr. Cirangle and Dr. Jossart. I could seriously go on and go on. And don't want to overwhelm you. I think being informed is great, but make sure you get the good, bad and long term ugly on all of the options. The vitamin regimen, and personal friends in real life I have that have dealt with RNY kept me from having it. Neither the DS or RNY fit my lifestyle, and I wasn't willing to have a surgery that would not last a lifetime since I had already had one that failed me miserably.

One of the reasons laparoscopic surgery is done so often, and for so many different procedures, is because the risk of a hernia is so much smaller because of the incision size. In an "open" procedure, the incision is often 8-10 inches long. Such a long incision does come under stress and the internal edges can separate and allow the bowel to intrude. It's highly unlikely that a laparoscopic incision will herniate. Not impossible, just rare. If you did have one, they are surgically repaired and the weakened area strengthened with sutures or, sometimes, surgical mesh. If nothing is bulging out of your incisions, if they are not red and swollen, and you do not have a fever, you probably don't have one, and if you did it would be tiny. Really, this is not something you need to worry about, but if you need convincing, go to your doctor and ask them to palpate your abdomen. They can feel a hernia.

thank you so much for this tip. I have severe allergies to dust mites (IgE antibodies came back at 20x the normal limit). Shortly after starting full liquids abt 9 or 10 days post op my post nasal drip got really bad, and it was deep in my throat not something I can blow out or even hack up, whenever I blow my nose the pressure from doing so gives me a headache. I think what may have made it act up initially is my much higher than usual dairy consumption. I do not like any Protein shakes, so have been eating fat free yogurt, milk, FF SF pudding, cottage cheese, creamed Soups, my entire diet is pretty much dairy which I have since read is a HUGE culprit for PND. I also have an air purifier in my room, which I set to high every night, is has helped with the dust, but I can tell the humidity in the room is VERY low. SO I am thinking of getting a humidifier. I am also sensitive to drugs and don't like taking too any antibiotics cuz yeast acts up, so I prefer natural. Thank you for telling me about neilmed, I am def going to try it. Tried the neti pot, and it works, but you are right it is annoying and takes practice to get your head just right, holding your head at the wrong angle it will come out your mouth haha.

La Madam!!!U made me cry. You are so awesome! Always an inspiration to this forum!!!! Thanks. I agree 200% with the saying, Just because u can doesnt mean u should!!! I try to drink a Carnation Instant breakfast and it does great for holding hunger. Been doing Boars Head Sausalito Turkey and Fat free cheese, tuna, chicken salad, yogurt.....I even started doing situps yesterday, did 20 and 10 today. 8) AND i bought a Tae Bo DVD....havent been brave enough to try that though!! I have to remember to NOT snack!!! Thanks again!!!

I focussed on water - somewhat - yesterday. I still need more! Todays menu - Bfast 4 slices of thin, very small bacon 1 cup of coffee with cream Lunch organic salad with feta cheese sunflower seeds, chicken breast, balsamic vinger dressing. Dinner DH & I are going out to celebrate our 19 yr wedding anniversary, so not sure what I will have, but will try and choose something healthy. I will be having a glass of wine.

Congrats on getting banded tommorrow. I was banded on Aug, 27, 2008 and had my first fill 10/1 and second fill on Monday 11/3. I'm still getting used to be being banded and the new lifestyle but i'll be glad to be your lapband buddy. I was also nervous but 2 mts post op I know it was the best decision I made for me and my family. I am also married, a mother of 2 girls and shortly turning 32, from Louisiana. Good Luck Tommorrow!! :smile2:

Hey Julie, Congrats on getting your band. Glad to hear that you are getting around pretty good. As far as being emotional you just had a major surgery that is going to change your life and coming off pain meds if you are not use to them can make you feel like you are on a roller coaster. I know I have been heavy most for most of my life, and really never was skinny per say so the thought of me actually being skinny in the future is scary. Change in anyway is scary and stressful, but I keep telling myself that I made a decision to be healthy and to be able to do more with my family instead of finding excuses not to do things or go around others. Stay positive it will pass. At least your home 4 days post op I was on the highway for 10 hours evacuating for hurriccane Gustav on my fourth day :eek: I promise your normal and you will get past it. Hope this helped!! I'm here if you need anything!

My ribs and hips and collarbones have been killing me. I have pain for a about 10 days then it goes away. I have had this happen 4 times since being banded in Oct.2005. My husbands theory is it is my bones reajusting after losing weight. Not sure if I buy that ...what do you all think? I keep forgetting to ask my dr. but I will see him on the 5th so I will ask him then.

Well I had a scare there for a bit. On the 28th I lifted a watermelon and I pulled some muscels. On Monday of this week I felt really bad. It hurt to do just about anything that involved my left side. I took some meds. Lortab and I felt better while sleeping and yesterday I felt better then I had in a few days. It's even better today. NO MORE LIFTING FOR A LONG TIME!!!!!! The boys have been helping me lift or bend over to pick up things. The girs too. I'm still at the same weight. I guess that is good but bad. I think I'm going to do the fill next week. I wonder what would happen if I did a 5 or 10 day liquid again? I know it would work and I would hate it but.... Well see after the fill how things go. We've been working on the kitchen--the kids and--and things are looking better.

I only get them when it is time to stop eating! And it is not one but about 10 and they come straight from hell! Cheri

Oh Kristina! I am so happy for you! I have been researching and trying for 3 years to switch from my lap band to the sleeve! I have been banded for 10 years now and at times have felt so badly that I just was meant to live life as a fat woman. I have battled insurance and only came to brick wall contract exclusions. Starting a year ago, I decided on Mexico and even picked a surgeon, but we live on one income while I stay home with our young kids. So 2 months ago, decided it was time to get healthy, no matter what it took!! I saved, begged & borrowed and came with the money and scheduled for May 11th. After 10 years and a roller coaster of weight issues stemming back almost 20 years, it is finally time and I have 100% faith that this is my time and I couldn't be more excited. You are so very right!! NEVER give up hope!!!

Denise, I applaud you for taking the first steps of taking back control of your life. We've all been ther with different circumstances but low never the less. My suggestion is to find a consulor. If you have health insurance, call them and ask for an in network referral to keep the costs down. Each area seems to be a monumental life stress in intself. By talking and creating a to do list a daily action plan to help each area you will find after a few weeks you are gaining more and more control. I too hit very rough times with stress coming in all directions a few years back and I found a professional to help me crisis manage. Just for 6 weeks or so I recall. My to do lists incuded: 10 minute self pity time 10 take a walk xxxxx time working on info gathering for my sons disability xxxxx time for house work xxxxxx time thinking and stratergizing about family issues etc etc. But every night I took off the master llist things I could do to accomplish my ultimate goal in bit size pieces. I really feel like I accomplished something if I can cross it off a list. I was told not to think of it all al the same time - crushing and not productive. I wish you well on your journey. The other girls are sooooooooooooooooooooo much more experienced at the weight loss band thing - I'm just starting that journey. ((((((( HUGS)))))))))) Debby Bandster in training

I have the same problem as you - we are short. When you are short, you just can't eat the same amount of calories that others do. It is not really fair. If you or I have a Big Mac, we can't eat anything else all day - no fries, sodas, salads, etc. I am surprised that the doctor didn't recommend a high protein (90%) with 10% complex carbohydrates. It is quite effective and you really don't have to worry about calories although I would keep tract for my own information. There are a lot of "hidden" calories. Before my surgery, I had to keep daily sheets of everything I ate, where I ate it, when I ate it, how much water, protein did I take, how much exercise, and how did I "feel." I hated it but it forced me to look at the big picture or the big plate - ha.

Your 19 lbs loss is great Once you get into a routine you will see a steady weekly loss of anywhere from 1 lbs to 3 or 4. It all depends on how much you have to lose... I believe RNY you will lose 70-80% of your weight where the band and sleeve is something like 60% only.

Hello all, I have not been here is ages. I was banded six years ago come the end of this month. I have lost and gained - lost and gained, usually the same 10 pounds. I have just come from getting a long needed fill and will be back on the wagon of using my band as a tool to get to my goal. Just wanted to share.

I have been reading through many of the posts about fills and I have noticed many times people mention that the 4cc band is not used much anymore and has been replaced by a 10 cc or 14 cc band. I was just banded February 13 of this year and my Dr. gave me a 4cc band "based on the size of my stomach". Did he give me an outdated band? What would be the reason the 4cc band is not used much anyomore if this is true?