Would You Do It Again

[Cocoabean 430]

Love this truly educated response! So often on the forums if you say anything good about another procedure you get slammed. What works for one doesn't work for all... Kinda like chocolate, I don't like chocolate, does that make me a horrible person?

Thanks Christie! You are a horrible person! Actually no, more chocolate for me! yay!

My perspective comes from 4 1/2 years of banded life. Some of the lessons came from hard knocks. I have also learned to work with my band and I love it. It has worked out very well for me.

I am sad for your experience and slip. It totally sucks. I can't wait to hear of your success with bypass! Everyone on every forum should keep in mind that we all have the same goals. To be healthier and lose weight. Whichever procedure is chosen, successes and complications will occur, through no fault of the patient. Although sometimes we can help a complication along, it isn't always the case.

[bandedsinger 20]

only wish i would have done it sooner

the band and plication gave me my life back

i wont waste another minute

What exactly is the "band with plication surgery?" I've heard it mentioned many times on this site, but stil do not know what it is.

[a1990 55]

Thanks to everyone replying to this all this make me want it today I can't wait to change my life style and lose the weight I have tried to lose for years

[Toddy 758]

Find the most skilled, smartest, most experienced surgeon you can find. You want the person that other doctors go to for advice. This will minimize the risk of an improperly placed or adjusted band. My surgeon is scary good and that's exactly what I wanted. He placed my band with one 1-1/2" laproscopic incision.

Follow the rules to the letter. A lot of people (including me) have major psychological issues with food. If we didn't, a lot of us wouldn't be in this position. Stick to the fundamentals so you minimize the risk of problems with the band being a result of something you did or didn't do.

I got my band in 2010. I've lost about half of the weight to my goal since then and kept it of - 60 pounds. I've NEVER been able to keep weight off that long before regaining it, so in that sense it's worked. I also "fell off the wagon" for a period and I'm back on now thanks to my surgeon's great advice. I've lost another 15 since my last fill and consultation with my doctor. I sheepishly went in to my appointment and explained the whole situation, and he told me something that really hit home.

a. It takes most people about 5 years to REALLY learn how to use the tool correctly. I'm a food addict, so breaking the chain of addiction for me has taken longer than most already. Would I have done it without this tool? Absolutely not.

b. Had I fallen "off the wagon" and had surgery that was non-adjustable, I would have little recourse. As it is, doc gave me another fill, reiterated the rules to me, and I'm now 15 pounds lighter because the band is restricting my hunger as it should.

c. After a while, the "restrictions" of the band become part of your make-up. I can't run a 5-minute mile, but that limitation doesn't stop me from living an exciting, fun-filled life. The way I eat now is comfortable and part of my daily life. I don't miss gulping down huge portions of food, and don't miss weighing 300 pounds either.

I know I keep suggesting this in my posts, but go to YouTube and search for "Dr. Paul O'Brien 8 Rules Intro" and watch all four parts. Dr. O'Brien is probably the most experienced Lap-Band surgeon on Earth, and these videos explain the mechanisms that make the band work. This information is what allowed me to get back on track.

Long way around, but yes, absolutely I'd get the band again. It's saved my life. It's adjustable, it's reversible, it's effective. Recovery time is shorter. I have a friend who had bypass and has had great results too. It's an intensely private decision, but at least now you have one more perspective.

D.

I was going to reduce your quote to the two things that struck me the most, but as I was going through what sections to delete, I realized that everything you said was right on target and worth seeing repeated!!

The two pieces of advice I like the most was, No. 1, to find the best doctor. I love my surgeon! I had a severe episode of pain (totally my fault; I was abusing my band) that sent me to the ER last month, but once my surgeon walked through the door, I knew that I was going to be all right!!!

Secondly, just yesterday I saw your Dr. Paul O'Brien video recommendation and was just so incredibly amazed at the knowledge I gained from his four, nine minute videos! They should be required watching for all considering the band. I have done a ton of research, had a long one-on-one educational seminar with my surgeon, thought I had a really good grasp of the mechanics of how the band works, but after watching those videos, I learned so much more. It was very valuable to me and I hope everyone will take the time to watch them.

[Toddy 758]

What exactly is the "band with plication surgery?" I've heard it mentioned many times on this site, but stil do not know what it is.

The band is just the standard band. Plication is where they fold your stomach in and stitch it up to make it smaller. It is still in the study phase, so not all surgeons are doing it. So far they are seeing that it reduces complications from the band like slippage and erosion. Patients with plication will also likely need fewer band adjustments, and have the added benefit of losing weight faster than with the band alone.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

What exactly is the "band with plication surgery?" I've heard it mentioned many times on this site, but stil do not know what it is.

they fold the stomach into itself and suture it (no cutting)

its kinda new but it is working for me

here is a link to show you

http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/gastric-band-plication.php

[FLHgal 68]

93 pounds down, other than random stucks and slimes.......my life

is so good. It is what is...A TOOL...you got to know how to use it to make it work. Good Luck

[bandedsinger 20]

they fold the stomach into itself and suture it (no cutting)

its kinda new but it is working for me

here is a link to show you

http://www.peachtree...d-plication.php

Thanks for the info on what plication is. It think I did read about it when I was doing my research, but it was not an option where I had my surgery. Regardless, I have no complaints with my band, at least not yet, but I'm a newbie, still haven't had my first fill.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i havent had a fill yet for like you, am still a newbie

keep up the great work

[SueBee01 630]

I agree that I should have done it earlier. I am now 51 and have been overweight since I was a teenager. I was still very active until two years ago when the pain got to be too much from the weight so I decided last year to do something about it as the Yo-Yo dieting definitely was not working! I started changing how I ate two months pre-op to get used to smaller meals, chewing everything to mush, no soda, no white bread and no sweets. So the transition after surgery Jan 30 was much easier. It is truly a learning curve that is not easy, takes lots of exercise, and dedication to yourself!

[bigenuff 302]

Love this truly educated response! So often on the forums if you say anything good about another procedure you get slammed. What works for one doesn't work for all... Kinda like chocolate' date=' I don't like chocolate, does that make me a horrible person?[/quote']

Saying good things about another surgery...Still can be a good person...not liking chocolate DEFINATELY makes you a HORRIBLE person !!! (J/K :-) )

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

I've tried!!!! I just can't handle it forgive me please!!

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I've tried!!!! I just can't handle it forgive me please!!

Don't sweat the chocolate thing. I've delivered coca Beans to 2major chocolate manufacturers. If you saw their process, you'd never even look at chocolate again. Even if you loved it.

[Cocoabean 430]

Don't sweat the chocolate thing. I've delivered coca Beans to 2major chocolate manufacturers. If you saw their process, you'd never even look at chocolate again. Even if you loved it.

Let me live in my uneducated bliss! :-)

How is the sleeve working for you?

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I'm in dog heaven. This thing has changed my life. I was sleeved on may 23rd and as of today I am down 70lbs.

I was very health conscious & athletic in my youth. I feel I am getting that back. I am even considering going further into my youth and perusing dreams I had then of becoming a NUT and personal trainer. That's kinda the reason I am here. I want to thoroughly understand the effects of all WLS.

After being a very healthy person, then becoming 150lbs overweight & now returning to the old me. I really want to specialize in helping WLS patients improve their lives.

Don't worry, I won't tell you about the **** in your chocolate.