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Hi, I went with Dr. Rumbout. I was offered bypass by my insurance and didnt want my insided re-routed. There is also the deal with phyc-eval approval and doctor supervized diet. NO THANK YOU. I was impressed with Dr. Rumbouts EXPERIENCE. I wanted the BEST. AND no waiting or jumping through hoops. I have 2 friends that had their surgery there with 0 complications and both have lost over 100lbs. I did check with about 15 or so previous patients and all who got back with me had glowing reports. I was very impressed with the whole experience. A friend of mine who had gastric lost 150 lbs and now gained 70 of that back. It does require work for this to work. But I find the trade off is so worth it. I am down 16 punds from April 1 and couldnt be happier. In 1 more weelk I go to regulas food. THIS is the reason I chose this method. To eat like everyone else but way less and be satisfien and not obsessing over my next meal all the time. Everyone is different. You never know what you can handle while others cant. Moderation is the key with this. I tend to err on caution, so I figure Ill do what the nutritionist recomends, at least in these healing days. I feel since I paid for this thing I can deal with the basically small time out of my life to do the stages of eating they recomend after surgury. I am 42 am 5'2" and at my surgery I weighed 240. Now I an 223. I have a ways to go but I am so glad I have a helper inside me.

Jgreen - I just wanted to give you my thoughts and feelings. Now, these are just my opinions - and you can see there are so many stories here of how things have worked for so many different people. I had surgery about 5 weeks ago. I am very similar to you - I was about 225 prior to surgery and am 5'3". I am fairly active and have to be with little kids to take care of (we don't allow TV so we are on the go). I had sleep issues and polycystic ovaries, so I have been listening to my doctors tell me that I would always have a very hard time losing weight and keeping it off - especially as I get older. I know I have certainly been feeling that. In the past 6 years, the weight has crept on and no matter how active I have been, I have not been about to manage things as I had in the past. So I sort of felt like I was fighting a losing battle and really wanted to find a way to get myself back in control. I knew that I needed to sleep better. I need to get headaches in control. I have a feeling that so many things are related to weight. I think I talked myself into surgery as the only option. And really it may have been, because I was not making anything else work for me. I did my research and decided the lap band was the only type of WLS that I was willing to do. I can tell you that emotionally, it has been a struggle for me now that I have had the surgery. That is hard for me to admit, because I am ordinarily someone who is careful about decisions and really secure in them. But I am not sure now that I have the lap band that I feel like this is "normal". Again, I have to say this is a very personal feeling and I do not want to take away from how wonderful this is for others. I have lost about 18 pounds in 4 weeks since the surgery. My fears though are reading about everyones trouble with "PBs", sliming, throwing up and other things that just don't seem to fit into what I want to have as a healthy and normal life. I have not had these issue yet - I have not had any fills and I am not sure when I will be ready to move on to that step. For now, I am really relying on my own self control for eating and managing where I am. I do have to say that the longer I have been banded, the better I am able to deal with the fears I have about the band. But I do still worry about having an object in me that may fail. I worry about having fills and not being able to even keep water down. I guess I am just trying to say that I will in all the seminars and with all the people I spoke with that they would have been a bit more up front about some of the realities that come along with the band. I think I needed to be hit over the head a bit more with this information prior to surgery. Good luck as you think through this process.

I feel just like you do - and have similar height/weight. I went to the seminar last night and was not impressed. I felt the surgeon was pushing other bariatric surgeries, not lap band. He said absolutely no sugar, no milk, no caffeine. Sheeesh...why not just cut those out without getting a band. I don't think it's realistic to cut out these two foods completely!

So I haven't had the sleeve done yet but I am on the pre-op diet and well I am the somewhat the same way. If i do something awesome, or have a bad day I am like "I totally deserve ice cream and not the small little one either I deserve the large Peanut Butter bash". Yeah not such a good idea. So anyways yesterday I had a good day did everything right and I rewarded myself with a small salad instead. Since I am on pre-op thats okay. I know rewarding with food is not a good idea, but changing how and what food I reward with is a start. Since being pre-op ( I am only on day 6 ) I have already been forced to deal with some triggers that would have me running to food. Sooooo I have started reading books a lot more, I come on here a ton, also me and my BF bought monopoly for Wii and I play that. We also spend time watching movies now and we just bought the LIFE board game lol. I may be a dork but it's my rewards and their not food so I'm happy with it. When I sit down to watch movies and my BF starts munching out on beef Jerky and chips I grab my bowl of sugar free Jello and some sugar free popsicles. (BTW my bf is super skinny and actually has to count calories to make sure he doesn't lose weight.....doesn't make my life any easier) This is how I am coping. It's so hard for me because food and I well we have a love hate relationship. Sometimes I find myself almost shoveling something into my mouth and not even knowing I'm doing it lol. If you have a bad day go home and take a bubble bath, or maybe stop on the way home and pick out a new book. I hate buying clothes for myself right now but I love to shop and really anything that involves spending money makes me happy. But lots of people cope by working out and hitting the gym. Taking a walk, listening to music, scrapbooking and crafty stuff too.

My favorites, Premiere Protein peach and cream, some people think it taste fakey but not me, I think it tastes like the candy circus peanuts, and I loved them critters when I was a little Frustr8. Muscle Milk, strawberry, blueberry Greek yogurt , the strawberry - banana you would hate, I do eat bananas but I didn't like it either, my only other Premiere Protein was the caramel, I can't have chocolate and I feel pretty much about vanilla shakes as you do bananas, who wants thick, white and tasteless.? Adkins are not as good--, sorry I know you were an Adkins baby. DO NOT BUY WALMART EQUATE! They are cheaper, but they taste of over processed evaporated milk, leave a vile aftertaste, poured the remainder in a old pie plate for the outdoor cats and other animals and it sat and soured. A couple soy based I found okay. I just got a box from Bariatric Pal store with other flavors to mix with skim milk, anxious to try the cheesecake, orange creamsicle and their 🍓 strawberry delight. See I am 3 weeks pist, my surgeon swiches many of his Bypassers to stage 3 sooner but Precious Pouch and I am going sliwer, I'm staying level 2 until October 9th at my next surgeon visit. That way she doesn't upchuck, I'm happier and I still keep looking. 18 pounds down since surgery, best weight loss I have had since having a baby. Dropped 25-30 pounds with each one, but pain, muss, fuss and bother to do that!

my insurance if it covered it was going to require 2 years of weight documentation-like what I had tried-what Id lost etc..... but since I ended up paying for it myself in mexico they require nothing.

I was banded back in 2011 and lost over 100 pounds. Since then I have gained back about 30-40 ponds. I have the hardest time eating in the mornings and have to have liquids (coffee/water) before I can even begin to think about eating. I know I'm not eating the right things but I can't keep many fruits or veggies down. The last time I went to the surgeon for a check up I had a fill (over a year and a half ago). Since then I've had issues waking myself up at night coughing bile from time to time and the bile is always there in the morning. There are times when I can eat amounts that are far too much and then there are times I can't keep anything down. I haven't been back for a check up because my insurance isn't the best but I finally gave in and scheduled an appointment for later this month. I'm an overly emotional person and have struggled when trying to face this problem head on. Because I'm still young and a newlywed my husband and I are thinking about having children in the near future. I have no idea how the band will affect that aspect and all I want is to be healthy. I'm ashamed of myself for letting it go on this long and I'm scared that this may be a slippage. Has anyone else experienced a slip? And if so how did you proceed? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am so Thankful to hear from you and to know that you are doing well. I am also so sorry that your scar tissue kept the doctors from being able to band you. Just remember what an AMAZING person you are and BEAUTIFUL on the inside and outside. Keep up what you were doing before and the weight will come off, just a bit slower. I am here for you if you need me and will continue to keep you in my prayers . Here's a gentle hug my dear friend and hope you have sweet dreams while you nap! Patricia

I was sleeved 4/23, highest weight 237 lbs, weight day of surgery 227 lbs. 1 month check in I weight 208 lbs. Happy with my progress thus far. I've been using 100% pure Argan oil and A&D first aid ointment with vitamins 2x a day - my incisions are healing nicely - my surgeon even made a comment about how good they look! I started weight training and Pilates to attempt to tone any developing excess skin, so far I've been lucky but it's still very early in. Still struggling to get all of my protein in, I'm just not hungry! Happy to answer any questions - Hope everyone is progressing well - Nikki

winnk I would do it again. I am almost 4 mos post op and i have lost 43 lbs. I still eat pretty much what i want. I do try to make healthier meal choices but if i want a cookie for dessert or a snack i will allow myself to have one. Notice i said one and not 5 (that would have been the old me) And i don't do it regularly. i'm sure my weight loss would be faster if i cut out all the carbs but i don't want to feel like i'm on a "diet" because we all know diets don't really work long term. I do try to work out at least 3x a week for at least 1 hour.

Like all you bandsters, I've tried most everything to lose wt...all the food and exercise plans...even had a 'gastric pacer' implanted...part of a research study. It didn't work. I've been able to lose wt in the past...I got down to 127 lbs on Nutrisystem...but haven't managed to come up with the self discipline to keep it off forever. Soooo.... Feb 17, 2009, I had lapband surgery. I've had the band for 3 months now, and I've only lost 4 lbs since the surgery. I am feeling almost no effects from the band yet, but the nurse tells me...'no worries'. I'm just not in the 'green zone' yet. But...today, I've decided to buckle down anyway. The band is helping a little, I think, and I'm determined to come up with more self control than I've mustered in the last 3 months. I have a friend that is getting banded tomorrow, and I want to start fresh now...along with her. I have NO problem with exercise. Sometimes I hit a lull...but, mostly, I love exercise. I play tennis 2-3 times a week, and soccer once a week, and plan to get back into my strength training right away (got out of it for surgery). My knees, especially my right knee, is not happy that I'm playing tennis and soccer....so I need to get some of the stress off of them. I'll get an 'official' weight at the dr's office next week, and I'll post a picture here (if I can figure out how to do that). For the record....I've had 3 fills Feb 17, 2009....lapband surgery.. March 19th, 2009...1st fill...4ccs April 7, 2009...2nd fill....1.8ccs (I think) April 28, 2009... .8ccs Total fill amt is 7ccs...(a little bit of fill in band at surgery)

I have this scale: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/SALTER-9007BK3REF-BLK-GLSS-SCALE/dp/B0018BOMGS/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223162059&sr=8-23]Amazon.com: SALTER 9007BK3REF BLK MRR GLSS SCALE: Electronics[/ame] It's reasonably priced and the weight is accurate up to 400lbs. I compare it with the doctor's office and it's always been spot on.

Welcome and congratulations on your weight loss!

If it's going to happen it's going to happen no matter the rate of weight loss. Take advantage of the "honeymoon" stage, which is the first 10 months to a year after surgery where the weight drops rapidly. After that you will have to work much harder. Personally, after losing almost 60 lbs in 2 months, my skin seems to be a bit squishier and my stomach is still hanging a little low. My arms have always been big so I know for a fact I will have a lot of skin there. I am 25 years old. I'd rather have loose skin than have it full of fat. Bring on the skin!

I'm only 34, and I have more crows feet than other women my age. Unfortunately, the fat stretched out our skin, it's the same everywhere, and as we lose our weight, those plumped out little wrinkles become more apparent. I am currently using a Mary Kay firming eye cream. It's only been 2 weeks, so I can tell if it's making a difference just yet. Botox and juvederm on my list of "to-do's" after I deliver this little tater tot in November. My husband is totally against it. However, it's my face, and I'm not going to grow old gracefully without full on medical assistance. Even though everyone tells me I look 10years younger than my fat days, I can see them more, I am vain, and I hate them so I'm going to fix them.

Hi, I am Yvonne. I had my surgery on March 9th and think I am doing ok. I am not in the green zone yet but hope to be soon. My highest known weight was 296 but currently 255. What pushed me to have the surgery was getting dianosised with Diabetes in Oct. 2011. I had been thinking about the surgery since my youngest sister had the surgery 2 yrs ago but never thought "I needed it". I thought I could do it myself but I have failed all the diets I've tried. I was turned down by 2 doctors, they told me I was too fat. I was determined to check out one more dr and go with their decision. Dr. Carcamo agreed to do the lapband. Now, I am down 255, a little over 2 months after surgery. My name on MFP is weightloss_dreamer if anyone wants to add me.

Don't worry you are doing great! Just think if you hadn't had the surgery you probably wouldn't have lost even the 22 lbs, and you may have gained. How many fills have you had... you may need to have another one done... or even talk to your doc about an appetite suppressant. But you are doing great... you have lost 22 lbs in 2 months, count that up thats 44 lbs in 4 months and soo on.

I feel your pain. I am constantly being ask how much weight have you lost now? Sometimes by a person who ask me the same question 2 days ago. I have just started telling those people I don't know. I don't weigh every day and leave it at that. They usually let it go. It is annoying esp. since I seem to be at a stand still. I think if I were losing 5lbs a week I would probably be more than happy to tell everyone I meet.

Welcome Whiterabbit. I personally would talk to a weight loss surgeon first. Have your family Dr. run test to make sure it isn't your thyroid. Make sure that you do a lot of research and do what is right for you. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Hey there; I am going for a Beltline Lipectomy consult. I think some of the questions you should ask are....What should I expect? How long is my recovery? Bloodloss? What is your weight going to change by? Have they dealt with high weight loss patients before (some PS's don't have a clue about dealing with the obese) Just a few hints....that I thought of! POPT Tracey

It's VERY important to follow your surgeon's plan. If you don't think you can even before starting this process, maybe you are not ready for this right now, and need to do some reading about what happens to people who have complications. The preop diet is meant to shrink your liver so the surgeon can work safely in that area...if it is in the way there is a higher chance it will be "nicked" and you can hemorrhage. At best this can be managed with blood transfusions (do you really want that?). At worst, hemorrhage can cause death. How badly do you want to lost weight? What sacrifices are you willing to make for a BRIEF period of time, in order to reach your goal?

I made it to the green zone in my first year. I lost more weight during my first year than my second.

I hit the Green Zone about 4 months into my first year. The weight definitely came off a lot faster the first year than it is during this second year but that's also because I had more to lose. I lost about 175 pounds the first year and about 25 pounds 3 months into the second year.

Well, it's been a while since I posted (I've been posting on the weight specific boards), and my surgery is tomorrow May 24th @ 8:30. I am on the last day of my pre-op diet...it's been rough! Well, as I said before, I weighed 619 when I went in for my consult about a month ago. Because of the pre-op diet, I'm down to 561. I can't believe I dropped 58 lbs in 3 weeks!! Tomorrow morning is my surgery, so I would appreciate any of you saying a prayer for me. Thanks in advance! Dave