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:guess Well let start Monday is my 1st appointment wih MMCP in Grand Rapids Mi Right now my bmi is 40 I have high blood presure, high chol. high blood suger, and sleep with a C pac. Banding will be a tool that I feel I need to contol not only my weight but my life.

I will say this from my experience. My doctor did not do any of these tests before hand & I wish so badly that he had. I also have a narrowing in the esophagus they have discovered & I am now dealing with so many issues. I had vomiting in the hospital & had to stay an extra 3 days. I'm now dealing with horrific acid reflux that I've never had before. I'm also having to go for a scope to dilate my esophagus because of the severe swelling I am unable to hardly eat anything & am on the verge of dehydration daily. I honestly thought that this surgery was going to be the end all fix for all of my weight loss issues & it's actually been one of the most rough & exhausting things I've ever been through in my life. Please don't think I'm trying to be negative just consider carefully going forward with the surgery because there hasn't been a day when I wish I could go back in time & NEVER have done this. I just wished I had more information like this before I had done mine.

I am in the process of "working my way up" to P90X. I currently do an advanced Tae Bo tape 3 days a week and the treadmill 2x per week. My question is, does anyone have decent long term experience with P90 X? I have a naturally higher muscle mass (according to my docs) than the average woman, so I don't want to bulk up...yuck! I still need to lose more weight, and wonder if I should focus on losing more weight first. In short, is it any good for real weight LOSS, or just extreme toning? Thanks!

It mostly depends on the genetics of your skin. However, doctors agree that age takes a role in skin bouncing back. If you're younger then your body recovers much quicker than say someone in their 60s. However, another study I have read (Can't find it atm) says that people that have stretch mark and or scar tissue lose the elasticity in their skin. So if you have had babys and you have lots of stretch marks and lose alot of weight.... They say there is a big chance that the skin will not bounce back. I have stretch marks on my stomach, I am in my 30's, and plan to lose 100 pounds. I assume I will have to have surgery hehe. I have lost 40 pounds and no major hanging yet but I plan for the worst and hope for the best.

So I have a friend who has RNY in 2009. She started off at 410 pounds and at surgery day she was 398 pounds. 6 months later she was 185 pounds. She was telling me all about how she felt and how everything worked for her. She felt she was losing too fast and was scared and nervous. She also wasn't use to being able to feel her bones or other people feeling them either. She was losing more down to 174 lbs and felt she was losing too much, so she asked her doctor about gaining back up to 185 lbs. She has stayed within 10 lbs of this weight for the last 4 years, she has recently gone back down to 175 lbs after she had a tummy tuck. She hasn't had any complications besides 1 stuck moment because she ate taco salad too soon, she said she was 8 weeks out at that time. I'm so lucky to have someone who has already done this and been successful to be around to help. So with her story I'm even more encouraged and happy to move on with this journey.

Hi Sherilynn, glad to hear from you. I understand exactly how you are feeling. There is a fine line in the sand when it comes to good restriction. In my opinion and my doctor's opinion, 1 cup of food is too much. With good restriction you should only be able to consume 1/4 cup of food. I always start my day with a protein shake to make sure I get my 60 grams in. One example of good restriction is recently I went from 3.2 to 2.9 ccs and I've gained 3 lbs since I did that. I am so use to eating only 1/4 cup of food I guess my body got use to it. You may only need .2ccs or just a slight fill. Keep that in mind as well. Good luck with your fill. There is nothing like feeling satisfied. Julie

As 2muchfun has posted, you really should not be going against the instructions of your surgeon. If you are newly banded, and already want to break the rules, what will your attitude be when you are 6 months or a year post op? Once you give yourself permission to cheat, it becomes progressively easier to do it again, and again. I call it the "slippery slope". Bandsters do cheat; but those who do, especially early on will likely diminish their motivation to remain diet compliant, and therefore perhaps compromise their success with weight loss. I'd definitely let your surgeon know how you are feeling, and follow their instructions. I may be possible that they would give permission to begin mushies or soft foods early. Definitely DO NOT use chewing gum...prohibited my surgeon, and not advised by others! I had to be on liquids for 2 weeks post op, then on mushies for a week, and soft foods for another week. By week 5, I was able to tolerate moist poultry, fish, overcooked broccoli and cauliflower, and well chewed strawberries and blueberries.

I am almost 3wks post op and for some reason this week the weight is not going down!!! ???????????? is this normal? I am following all the directions from the doctor. On the puréed stage! I started at 251lbs Sw:240 lbs Cw:231 lbs

It's been my experience that a fill can take a couple of days and known for a week. Don't be to quick to run to the doctor every few days. I actually noticed one of my fills two weeks later. BE PATIENT!!!! We didn't put the weight on in one night, we won't lose it in one night either. How far post op are you??

I wish I knew more about how to get good restriction early on including fills. It has taken me forever to get the right restriction. Because of that I have maintained for probably 6 months. I just got another fill last week and I do have better restriction so we'll see if the weight loss starts again. Good luck.

Hi curvy, I am in Louisiana,USA. Getting ready to be sleeved in late March. ( I can not wait!!!) I have rather low BMI also. My dr believes this is best for me. Make sure you get all your information. I understand the dr should have preformed at least 300 of these prior to you is best. Also, know and understand the size bougie that he will be using on you. Some believe this in combination with how tight the stomach is pulled will make surgery successful. Seventy pounds was great. Was that goal. With the sleeve, I have heard weight loss may be a little faster than the band. Good Luck. PS My hubby worked off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea back '88. He was working in the oilfield. He was there when the big rig went down. We lost some friends that day. I know many lives were changed that day in Scotland. Our hearts and prayers have always been with your country. pf337

My Dad is on town visiting and the kids decided we were going to Red Robin for dinner. Red Robin, where I would previously inhale a Bacon Cheeseburger and fries. Please note they also have bottomless fries. I often took advantage of that option. Along with the burger I would also have 2-3 refills on my beloved Diet Coke. So tonight...I order a Water to drink, but push it to the side to abide by the 30 minutes rule. When my sandwich arrived I promptly cut it in half and peeled off 1 half of the bun. I ate 1, yes 1, fry. I ate the majority of the half of my sandwich, but stopped when I felt satisfied. It was hard to fight my head and the notion that I must clean my plate. That was always the "rule" growing up, if you take it, you eat it all. It was so nice to walk away and not feel stuffed. I could also eat with family and not feel weird about it. I feel like this was a good mental turning point for me. When I got home I weighed myself...I still weigh exactly the same amount that I did this morning, previously I would have gained at least a pound if not more. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Hi. I'm new to this forum but would love someone that I could communicate with regularly. I was banded 11/24/09 in South Carolina. I'm 35, married, no kids....lots of pets! I'm a veterinarian with a weight loss goal of 100 pounds. Having some trouble being excited about this liquid phase! Ready to get on with it! Will someone mentor me? Thanks! sara

I am only 4 months out so I am not sure if this will help you. I was eating around 800 and my weight loss slowed down to like 2 lb a week, for about 4 weeks. I started running 30 min 4-5 days a week(c25k) and it picked up a little. I track all my food, well last week I lost 6lb and realized I have been eating around 1000 calories a day. Sometimes I don't understand it at all. But I think (and want to say you can read about it in work out websites) that it's important to vary your calorie intake. Your body can adjust and maybe get compliant to any calories limit. I think that's why workout folks have cheat days.

Just thought I'd do a boring formal intro...:thumbup::ohmy::thumbup: I am Katherine... 26yo from Australia... I work in the medical field.. I work crazy oncall hours.. sometime 60-70hours a week! but I do love my job... I've been overweight my whole life at least the last 20years! Ive got high blood pressure, kidney problems and now some insulin intolerance! I am desperate to loose this weight so I can live a long healthy life and maybe one day have a baby! I have approx 60-70kg to loose... :thumbup: My op date is the end of March 2010!!! I just cant wait:tt2::wink5::ohmy::wink2: K xxxx

Hi. I'm 31, 5'8" and I weight 270.5. My highest weight was 286 after the birth of my son. I gained 86 pounds but I've always been on the bigger side. I'm in the process of going through all the pre-testing stuff. I'm also in the middle of the insurance appeal nightmare. Does anyone out there have BCBS of South Carolina? I live in WA state but my husbands company is based from there. They directly exclude the lap band from our policy and I'm trying to appeal before the surgery. Has anyone else tried this? I found a great appeal letter online at obesitylaw.com. I'm excited to be here and learn. :clap2: imak

Honest opinion is this. At your weight you could do it on your own. But you will more than likely put it back on plus some. My whole life has been up and down .. Now ive lost almost 200lbs in 9 months and i am so normal and will never put it back on.. You cant unless you "screw it up"... so u can but not me. I wish you all the luck Chris

New to the forum: Going to pre-op today. Have been on the miserable liquid diet for 1.5 weeks. Procedure is Tuesday. Have been "cheating" on the liquid diet but not too bad....Just have more of the lean Protein than the sheet indicates...i.e. broiled shrimp, tuna sashimi, crab legs. My surgeon is a very close friend of mine. Who's been doing the band for 2 years. He's quite passionate about it and is very excited that I've decided to take the plunge. I've got a lot of naysayers (everyone but him and my wife) around me. I combat them with facts: 1. NIH study indicating that less than 5% of people can maintain weight loss from diet and exercise 5 years out vs published long term lap band results from Dr. Obrien in Australia and Italy. 2. LSU study released this year that essentially says that the battle of the bulge is won at the dinner table. 3. The fact that you are combatting the most primal urge you have...to eat when hungry. 4. The fact that I've done diet and exercise and regained the weight (as have most of the people I argue with) To hell with them. I just tell them that in about 9 months I'm gonna have their wives wanting to cheat on them.:heh: :heh: Podna Louisiana

Hi Kristi I know that there are so many changes we bandsters have to make. I have been forced to make most of them, through the restriction I have. I just CANT overeat, or gobble anything. My challenge is keeping liquid, non nutritional, calories at bay. Often, I don't feel like eating, either, and force myself to make a protein shake. Somehow, you need to not compare yourself, and you have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and eat/drink what you need to. I know that higher protein, and consistency with it help us lose weight. Do you have any other support at home? I know you can do it! You can make it, you were strong enough to get banded, and you are strong enough to get healthy

Kristi, You are not alone with your struggles with the band. We all have our own "little" things that make us depressed and drag us down. You can get through this. I, too, compare myself to other banders, but we have to try to stop doing that. Everyone is different and everyone's body is different. For example, just last week I saw a womans profile that was very similiar to mine. She currently weighs one more pound than me and she said that she wears a size 12 pants. How could that be, I thought. I weight one pound less and I'm in a 16/18. What in the world is going on? Then...after about a day or so...I realized that we all have different body types, different shapes, sizes, heights, etc. I cannot focus on her great accomplishments...I need to concentrate on myself. I have come a long way and I have a long way to go. We can do this!!! It's a journey that we signed up for when we went to the doctor and said that we wanted the lap band. Every ounce lost is an accomplishment. I can't imagine what my weight might be right now if I didn't get the band. It was a steady climb up and it never went down. food was running my life and for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I'm in control. I love the saying "Thin feels better than food tastes". Although I'm not thin (yet)...I am smaller than I was and I'm starting to feel good about myself. I notice that I hold my head up higher than before. I am actually enjoying shopping for clothes. All of these things I dreaded before. I didn't buy clothes because nothing would fit and I would settle for anything that I could get on, no matter how ugly it was. Now I have a variety...I feel like I have a choice in what I buy. I too have a bad back. I just had x-rays on Friday and I go back to my doctor this Friday to try to figure out what is wrong. It's painful, but I try to find exercises that aren't uncomfortable. It's difficult, but I manage. One thing that I found enjoyable that didn't hurt me was Water aerobics. Prior to going to my first class I thought that I just crawl into a hole because I had to put on a bathing suit. Much to my surprise, the class was filled with woman of all shapes, sizes and ages. I felt like I really fit in. Everyone was so nice and nobody judged. It was great. You should look into something like that. Kristi---pick your chin up...face the evil of food!!! I will be your buddy...I will help you in any way that I can. I'm no expert by any means, but I know how to be a friend and if that's what you need... I am here for you!!!

Hello Everyone!! well i had the sleeve on the 9th of last week, and i can actually say im doing fine. only thing is my left side hurts a little and my wound where the drain is tries to open up, word of advice, if this happens to you, swab it with some peroxide and put some gauge over it, everyday once after cleasing. i guess you could say im writing this because, this is a major surgery, a life changing event, if you have been overweight all your life like i have, this could be very dramatizing and very unfamiliar territory. i started with the weight loss in june (my dr was giving me phentremine) and this does work, i started off at 322!!! i am now down to 279 and thats with the 2 weeks and counting of the liquid diet i am currently on. its hard i must admit, but one question i would like to ask to anyone who has had this, is it ok if i eat a peanut or 5 (lol) im serious!!! i drink the water, the broths and i are at a constant battle of should i drink it or not-and needless to say i win. i was eating sugar free popsicles for a while, but the dyes in them will make you run to the bathroom everytime so i really dont encourage that!! after surgery i was a whimp i must admit, i cried and cried for the gas pain that was in my chest, i kept thinking, is this what they mean by gastric bypass? but that soon enough went away, along with the intense pain in my shoulder, needless to say the liquid vicodin gods are helpful. if anyone would like to just talk about it with me please feel free, i think i need more encouragement and inspiration, cuz if you havent had this, like i mentioned before, if youre not prepared its a big step and you can instantly go into a depression if your not ready. lets all be in this together. oh and by the way walking alot really helps, it makes it better. until later God Bless nae

I just can't believe it! May 7th is the beginning of the rest of my life. I wish it was tomorrow. Some people think I'm crazy...I know you've all gotten the looks..."you would have surgery to lose weight?!?" Well you would do chemo if you had cancer, huh? As an addiction therapist I would give my left arm for a cure for addiction. Anyway, what an amazing medical intervention for those of us who have suffered from an epidemic disease. And people ask, "arent you afraid of the pain?" Really? Two major C-sections for my bundles of joy.. Nah...not scared at all. Some pain has a means to an end. Anyway, I had to share my excitement with those who truly understand. Thank you for listening!!

Update: I went in yesterday and had .5 removed. Today I woke up very hungry but with a protein shake and a banana I feel pretty good now. I ate probably 7 oz of solid protein yesterday and yes, I did gain .5. Wonder how long it will take my body to adjust? Also, I had no alcohol yesterday which is a good thing.

Honestly, I don't drink or eat protein as I should and I'm sure it will catch up with me real soon. I tend to eat soups and junkie stuff like chicken pot pies. I have to do better. I am losing weight, but probably losing muscle too.

Hello fellow March 2007 bandster's. I,M down 16 lbs. Feeling great. Hope all of you are doing well. Now, it's time to exercise. God bless us all and continue to see us through.:clap2: