slm2007

What are you thoughts on the new news report I saw this a.m. about gastric banding and the study that over 40% of people that have them have complications and either have the band removed or replaced within 12 years. Most said they were happy with their results on keeping the weight off and opted to have the band replaced....what are your thoughts? Have you had problems? How many have had their band replaced? How far out are you from your band? I'm not getting banded until April 18th and I'm not changing my mind based on this report, but I'm curious as to the amount of "complications" that are out there. http://news.yahoo.co...vecomplications My issues with this "research" - - this was done on patients that had surgery between 1994 - 1997....haven't things change a lot since then regarding how the band is made, how it is placed etc? Don't they know much more now about the band than they did in 1994?

I am definately going to discuss this with my doctor. My first wish was to get the "sleeve" because bypass is too much for me to deal with but I'm not heavy enough to qualify and self-pay is not even an option. I'm hoping that the band will be a success for me although everyone around me is trying to talk me out of it and now this new report will just add fuel to their fire. I've made great attempts to make changes to myself prior to the band being put in place and I tell myself that it is not permanent. If I have problems, and it needs to be removed, hopefully it can be done without complications. I've been successful at losing the weight many times, and know I can do it, my problem is keeping it off and I hope that is where the band will be my friend. But, with that, I'm definately talking to the doctor about this.....gosh I wish I could get the sleeve.

Whoot Whoot :success1:

check out the lap band success stories forum. There is where I go when I need a pick me up and reassurance that I'm about to do the right thing. Lots of good stories there. I hope you get some good comments cuz I like reading them .... helps me confirm my decision too. Getting banded April 18th

I like the Oh Yeah brand of the ready-to-drink shakes. the bottle I had was 14 ounces and 220 calories. WHich I figure isn't too bad because I'm only supposed to drink 8 ounces at a time, so it is a little over 110 calories per serving. I'd rather have something a little higher in calorie/carb if I can get it down. If I have something that tastes like crap, I'm not going to drink it so what is the use. I tried the Pure Protein and just couldn't do it...I still have 3 bottles in the fridge. The Oh Yeah cookies and cream and the chocolate milkshake flavor went down easy....almost too easy :tongue: I bought a few samples from Vitalady. They are $1.99 per sample and it was worth it to me to give them test runs. I like the "Dessert" line if I have to do a powder mix. I have also heard that if you mix SF pudding mix that it makes them more yummy. Oh, I get banded on 4/18, so I'm doing testing too.....good luck to you.

I've been giving protein shakes the test run just to see what I like but if you are looking to lose weight and want to try the shake thing, then perhaps something like a Slimfast meal replacement would be better? Two shakes a day and a little dinner? I am doing this now to get some weight off before surgery. I've lost 10 so far w/o the shakes but want to lose a little more before the surgery. I'm not due to be banded until April 18th but I want to get more off.

I just had an Oh Yeah cookies n cream and it was very good. I had the chocolate milkshake from Oh Yeah and it was awesome too.

http://www.realizebandsupport.com/ I saw that they started a "sister site" with Realize band individuals. I know there are both on this site but I thought i'd pass this along..you can use your same log in information from LapBandTalk to log into this site too. There aren't a lot of people on it, but I thought maybe those of you who are Realize bandsters would want to check it out.

I've been trying different premade protein drinks so I'm ready when surgery arrives and I have to rely on these. I went to Vitalady and ordered some samples and even some ready made "shakes." I am picky and wishing they tasted like a Wendy's chocolate frosty but have been unsuccessful. Today, I opened an OhYeah cookies and cream...success. I can drink this one......granted I have a cold but it tastes pretty good. I've tried Pure Protein in the bottle and pitched them. I'll buy more of this OhYeah brand. so far so good.

It is 14 ounces with 32 grams of protein, but I'm not supposed to finish the full 14 ounces, so I split this in two "servings." OhYeah! Proprietary Protein Blend (Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate), 3 grams of sugar and lactose free. The 14 ounce bottle has 220 calories, again, I'm not supposed to drink the full 14 ounces, so I split it in 1/2....110 calories per serving. This is for the Cookies N cream that I bought, didn't check out the others yet.

My dr. said no carbonation. I'm a Mt. Dew addict and have given it up for almost two months now (I'm not banded yet). I am trying to get it out of my system because the doctor said it can make you really uncomfortable by trapping gas/air in your stomach and can cause you to bloat. It's not worth it to me.

Psych eval was easy peezie....nothing to stress about. She just pretty much talked to me about noticing the signs of depression and how I would deal with depression. She did ask me if I heard voices, which I thought was funny. I asked her if having conversations with myself counted....she laughed. Nothing to worry about unless you tell her that you talk to invisable clowns, and they tell you to do bad things, you'll be fine. She told me while in her office that she was going to approve me for surgery so there was no waiting and wondering. Good luck and don't worry.

I second Calorie Counter....love, love, love it. If you can't find the food, you can scan the bar code of almost any food and it will enter the information. There have been a few things that when I scanned the code it couldn't "find" so I entered the information manually and saved it for future use. You can then download the calendar and print it out. I love it and it has really kept me in line for this presurgery weightloss.

That is awesome! When I get my band in April I'm hoping to have lost a little more weight before that but I'm at your starting weight now....I would be so thrilled to lose the weight you have lost in the amount of time. Congratulations, you are doing awesome!

I've used that "So how's that working for you?" on my friend who is trying to tell me that I can do this on my own and do it "naturally." She continues to tell me about a family member who had a band done 8 or 10 years ago and has regained most of her weight. Weightloss advice from my friend who is overweight and can't get a knee replacement unless she loses weight??? Theres the pot calling the kettle. I do like the "You can't talk the talk unless you walk the walk." Perfect! I keep getting told if I just set my mind to it I can do it w/o surgery.....get your mind set and get out of mine! I have just learned to plug my ears and say "lalalalalalala" when someone who is overweight and not doing anything about it tries to give me weightloss advice....I even do that to skinny people who try to lecture me. They act like "poof" one day I was fat and I've NEVER done anything about it before resorting to surgery. Anyone that knows me, knows what I've done and anyone that knows you .... should respect your decision and know the attempts you have made. Support me or shut up, that's my opinion anymore

I could relate to sooo much of what you are saying. I've struggled for over 20 years with every diet known to man. I lose, I gain and I lose and I gain more. I'm done, I'm exhausted and I'm ready. I've quit the process myself out of fear. BUT, what has changed me....my son. He is going to be 3 and I want to be here to raise him and I want to be healthy and have some fun doing it. Right now, if I stay like this...I won't be able to ride with him at the amusement park. I wont' be able to chase him at the park etc., etc. I don't want to be an embarrassment to him when he starts school....I"m already going to be the "old" mom, I don't want to be the "old, fat mom." My husband doesn't think I need it but I KNOW I need it. I'm terrified of flabby skin but it is a price I'll pay to have a healthy heart and body. Someday, I'll get surgery for it but until then, I'm going to be here for my kid. I chose the band because I didn't want to lose it super fast like you can with a sleeve or bypass. I'm willing to make that sacrifice to lose it slower. I too have the willpower and ability to lose it on my own....I've done it...quite a few times as a matter of fact, but yet, here I am. I'm not doing this anymore and no one understand but me. My husband tells me that I'm "not that big".....if he only knew my weight he would be shocked. Only you can make this decision because you are still going to have to diet and work at the band. I'm scheduled to be banded on April 18th (one month sooner than originally scheduled) and I'm scared, but I'm not looking back. I have a future and I'm going to love living it.

I'm scheduled for April 18th. I was originally scheduled for May 16th but the surgeon's office called and said that he was going to be out of town so I need to reschedule. I jokingly asked if they had anything sooner than later and to my surprise they did, so there I am, scheduled for April 18th instead of May 16th. Guess it was a sign that I'm supposed to be getting this done despite my cold feet. Scared, excited & nervous :woot::Dancing_wub: :grouphug:

Mine too. I was originally scheduled for May 16th but dr. is going out of town so they bumped me up to APril 18th. Nervous, scared and excited all at the same time! good luck everyone.

I'm a prebander and I'm scheduled for surgery on May 16th (whoo hooo). Anyhow, I've been doing the 6 month diet and really took it seriously in January and then kicked it into high gear in February...... the reason I'm telling anyone who will listen this story is because I sometimes read posts and wonder "if it's worth it", or "can I really do this"....today I put on a shirt that I noticed for the first time is loose around my stomach and looks actually a little big. That is when it hit me...."Yes, I can do this. I'm doing okay without the band imagine how much more successful I can be with a little more help from the band." I know I've made the right decision for myself and cannot wait to get this done because I'm going to be a good story in a year when I can say....I've lost over 50 pounds. See, I'm not trying to be unrealistic. I have over 80 pounds to lose but I'm not going to set myself up for disappointment by not losing it all in a year. I'm going to be satisfied with an average of a pound a week...If I lose more...all the better, but I'm happy with slow and consistent weight loss. I didn't get huge overnight - well, actually, I think I did because one day I woke up and wondered who the heck was staring back at me in the mirror - but it is going to come off...I'm going to make it come off. I've done it before w/o the band and this time, I'm going to do it, change my life for good and the band will help me keep it off. Okay, I'm off my soap box but it felt so good to have this shirt fit loosely around my midsection....that is positive step for me. Thanks for listening.

okay, PA just called and told me my surgeon is going to be gone for two weeks in May and one week is when my surgery was scheduled. They can move it up to April 18th. FREAKING.... Anyhow, I really need a pep talk. Of course I'm scared of the surgery thing but I'm also scared of the lifestyle change...even though I'm prepared for it, if that makes sense. This is huge, and I'm getting some really cold feet here. I know I want to do this by my emotions are getting the best of me right now. I'm looking for some reassurance that this is "good." I know the rules etc., etc., etc., I know I have to make the decision for myself, I guess I'm just looking for "this is the best thing I've ever done for myself" pep talk. I am taking this cancellation from the doctor as a good sign that I'm supposed to get this done sooner than later and I'm supposed to get my new life started. I know there are going to be ups and downs and I'm semi prepared for all of that (can you ever be fully prepared). I was originally scheduling May because it would be after my son's birthday party but April 18th gives me 4 weeks till his party so I should be pretty okay by then physically, right? I'm just a basket case right now because it is really happening and can be done in 6 weeks. Pep talk please....I even need to know the negative stuff. My sister just sent me the best email and the jist of it was if she were in my shoes, she would do it (she knows how long I've been struggling). My sister has two kids and is still a size 6 or 8. She said she was so scared when she got her lasik eye surgery but it was something she wanted so badly for her confidence and that is how I feel about this band surgery. She told me how much more confident I will feel but she understands my "concerns" because of the risks with any surgery. If I want to be thin again, I will make this work for me. She told me that I won't be sorry I did it when I reach my first goal of not having to shop in the chubby chic section and I will feel so much better not only mentally but physically too. No regrets for the most part, right? I know the risks, I know the ups and downs, I know it is a mind-set and i have to work it I just need some real encouragement because I'm scared, excited, terrified and more terrified. I can't believe that I am "here" and getting this done...... sorry for blubbering but I just need to vent and thanks for listening..... P.S. my mother just sends me a text message saying ... "don't forget this is in your mind, Annie had hers done 8 years ago and is almost back to where she started." Thanks for the encouragement mom....

GOSH, I can't WAIT till the day I don't have to shop in a chubby chic store! I'm freaking because they up'd my surgery date from May to APril, so reading these things about having to shop in a normal store are great because I'm scared out of my mind about this "change" I'm making to my life. Good for you...and continued success!

At first I was all about the band, then I thought "oh, the sleeve is it for me, it's less invasive than the bypass and they aren't moving my organs around...I'm all for it" but after researching and talking to myself about "why" I didn't want bypass in the first place, I'm sticking with the band. First of all, the insurance will only cover the sleeve, in my case, if I have a 50 BMI, so I'm too "small" (sounds funny to say that) and #2 I didn't want bypass because it was not reversible if there were problems, and neither is the sleeve, #3, the band is adjustable, it's more work but in 5 years you can still have adjustments where with the sleeve and bypass, people can eat through it, gain the weight and then what?, #4, I'm still a little to vain and because the band is slower weight loss, I don't think I will "age" as quickly. I've seen people who have bypass and I didn't even recognize them and that scared me. My aunt aged 20 years after her surgery. Not all people age like that and I think eventually their bodies figure it out and everything sort of fills back in....but it just freaked me when I didn't recognize my own aunt. The complications with the cutting also concerns me, the staples growing into your stomach and the leakage, ulcers etc. I just like the band for me.....it just makes me feel more secure and I'm so excited to get this done, despite everyone around me telling me not to. I don't know how much you have to lose but honestly, IF I had to lose significantly more than 100 pounds (like probably closer to 180+), I'd do the sleeve in a heartbeat if the insurance paid for it....BUT I don't have that much to lose, so I'm hopeful the band will work with me. This is totally my opinion, but you have to choose if you want to do the work with the band because even with the sleeve or bypass, you can gain it back if you don't have the control and do the work once the weight is lost. I've seen people eat their way through bypass and regain almost all their weight back. The weight comes off pretty easily with those two procedures, but out of probably 20 people that I can name that had bypass....at least 12 of them have gained all their weight back if not more. I know three people with the band and they probably fluctuate 10-15 pounds max from their goals. Anyhow, that is my two cents. If I had a lot more than 100 pounds to lose, I'd opt for the sleeve. Good luck in your decision, because you are the one that has to live with it and work it for you.

Prayers to you and wishes for a comfortable recovery and success on with the band. Let me know how it goes.

You are awesome! Keep up the fantastic work! This gives me such hope to read things like this. I have such high hopes for this procedure and my first year goal isn't necessarily to lose all that I want, which is about another 80 pounds but if I could maintain losing an average of 1 pound a week and lose a little over 50 pounds in the first year...I would be elated. Thank you for posting this because it gives me so much more incentive....

I've been approved and scheduled for surgery for May 16th. It's really happening....anyhow, I don't have my preop appointment till April 20th and I was just wondering what you did for a liquid diet. They told me that I have to be on a 5 day liquid diet, which sort of bums me out a little because my son's birthday party is the Saturday before surgery so I'll be crabby and miserable from not eating...but I have to do it. What did your doctor tell you to do as far as a liquid diet. It has to be more than Slimfast, chicken broth and Water, right? Any inside tips would be appreciated.