slm2007

It is bitter, and I've taken to putting a 1/2 packet of Splenda in it and it takes the bitterness away

Thank you for the post! 70 pounds in a year is amazing! I am a pre-bander and sometimes get discouraged with the harsh posts and disappointment out there, but things like your post give me real hope again. I know within myself that I'm ready to make this change and I chose the band over by pass because I wanted a more gradual weight loss (and I didn't want my body cut apart inside). But the slow gradual weight loss is the best way to go. Keep up the amazing work and thank you for some inspiration! Staci

I went to psych on a Tuesday afternoon and after 30 minutes of meeting me, she just told me she was going to approve me for surgery. I guess they gave the info to the doctor right away. I just had my last clearance test and they just sent my paperwork off for insurance approval. Getting scared.

I was told no drinking 30 minutes before, NONE during and none for 30-60 minutes after! No drinking with my meal is going to be tough!

I've been researching till I'm blue in the face and now just want opinions. I'm sure this question is on here somewhere but I can't find it. I'm leaning toward the Realize but now am confused because I'm researching too much. Of course I want my surgeons opinion, that is a no-brainer but if I'm given a choice, how do you choose. Each has good things? Things I like about Realize....it is made of softer material which I understand is to assist in complications of erosion? It is the lowest port, which I love. It is supposedly the widest band which assists in the slippage issue. There are less complications with the Realize over Lap? I like the idea of how it locks into the muscle. Things I don't like and why I think about Lap Band...there are kink issues with Realize, and when it is filled, it almost shapes a triangle shape vs. a smooth round shape....which I would think be better contact with your stomach? Initial testing of the Realize-C shows lesser weight loss??? Less fills required with Realize, but if I only get the 9 cc band, is this going to give me enough restriction? Why did you choose your Realize or Lap Band? I know this is my decision with input of my surgeon but this is a big decision. LOw Profile port is huge on my list of Pros however...I know Lap has a low profile and I'd ask for that!

Thank you! You have no idea how much I needed to hear something like this. I'm getting cold feet and posted about how I'm hearing so much negativity that I'm wondering if it is worth it....yes, I'm worth it. I'm not hoping for miracles but IF I could lose 40-50 pounds in a year....amazing. I've been doing well with learning to try and eat differently even pre-band...my mind has clicked recently! I've lost and gained and lost and gained so I'm hoping this Band will help me and work with me to lose and keep it off. My friends at work are very supportive and told me that they will force me to get out there walking at lunch...30 or 40 minutes of walking 3 or 4 times a week will be great for me. I just don't have time for the gym with my schedule (up at 4:30, drop son off at 6:00 a.m., commute, work from 8:30 to 4:30, pick up son at 6:00 p.m., get in the door at 6:30, dinner, bath, family time and bed for son at 9:30, shower, bed for me at 11/11:30, up again at 4:30). I'm pooped to say the least and I refuse to take away from my time with my son at this point..he is only 3 and he is only little once! Anyhow....I'm inspired by your story and we are sending in the paperwork this week for insurance approval. And to those of my family and friends who are telling me I can do it on my own...I know I can lose it, but after 20 years of struggling...I need help keeping it off, so I've made my decision... Regis, that is my FINAL ANSWER!

Thank you EVERYONE. I understand that a forum is a "sounding board" for people that are having problems...I'm not against that...that's what we are here for, but it just freaked me a little that there were so many problems. I went into the Success Stories just to get some inspiration I'm going forward! I have started and stopped this process so many times and here I am...insurance paperwork ready to be sent in! I have a 3 year old son and he is the main reason I'm doing this....I want to be around for him, I want to be healthy and mainly I don't want to be an embarrassment. I'm getting "harrassment" from my family...not really, but you'll see what I mean...that I can do this on my own. Yesterday I get this email from my mom telling me how our family friend lost over 70 pounds just doing it her way and lost it over a period of two years! I get an email from the family friend that it is all about mind control etc. DUH! I've lost 70 pounds before....gained back 90. I've lost 50 pounds before, gained back 70! I know I can do it...I know I have mind control and when my mind is set....I can lose it. I can't keep it off and that is where I pray the band will be my needed friend to assist me in keeping it off. In all honesty, I have a goal of 160 but I've decided that I'm going to set 10 pound goals. Once I break below 200......that is going to be a huge goal set for me! 160 would be perfect...I wore a bikini at the beach at 160 which really shocks me, but I've also decided that if I'm below 200, my blood pressure is down, my body doesn't hurt as bad...that will be a success for me. I'm going to take success where I can find it and not set myself for failure by telling myself I must be a certain size or certain weight. I'm going to take this ride, and see where it leads me. I know my mind is ready (scared to death but ready). I know this will help me with control. I've been doing well for the past two months, like something really clicked inside me. I get hungry and around my period must have my little snack of chocolate but I'm really limiting my intake, stopped my Mt. Dew addiction and have learned to adjust to sugar free and low calorie...I'm even trying to eat cottage cheese (it is the 4% but I figure that is better than not eating it, for protein reasons..I'll take a few more calories so I can at least tolerate it) Thank you again everyone and I welcome the comments. I can't wait to begin this journey so I'm healthier, happier and even just a little bit skinnier! I can do this..... Staci

First, I've been so gung-ho about this procedure and now I'm getting cold feet because I'm seeing so, so, so many negative things about people and their bands. I'm seeing more bad than good and it is very discouraging. I know there is good and bad with everything. I know this isn't a miracle cure...I totally get ALL of that but I am reading more and more about problems, complications and bad results/feelings about people with the band. This is causing me to wonder if it is worth it? I've looked into the sleeve which I was totally excited about but my insurance won't cover it unless I'm a 50 BMI or higher.....sad I wanted bypass originally but couldn't allow my insides to reworked....the sleeve would have been my perfect surgery but I have to settle for lap band to help me on my journey. So, If I do go through with this...which I probably will.....here are my questions: 1) What is this "nerve pain" people talk about that the band can cause? 2) IF you could pick your band, which would you choose...Realize or Lap-Band? Do I ask for a low profile port? Can I ask where the port is going to be located? 3) What do you wish they would have told you before surgery? Do you ever feel like you were mislead? I know this is a "tool" and it needs to be worked, I'm not asking for an easy out, but I also want to be deceived with false hope and promises, know what I mean? I need a tool that is going to help me, not hinder me. Thank you to anyone and everyone who can offer some useful advice.

I've been going to my PCP for six months now doing my monthly weigh-in's. Each month we talk in depth about my decision etc. At first I was all about the band...then I started leaning toward full bypass but went back to band after talking and honestly the fear of the malabsorption and them skipping most of my insides just wasn't for me. Good...we agree on Band....the visits continue and at my last visit (#6) he says to me...have you ever thought about the Sleeve? I honestly didn't know much about this and thought this was a first step procedure for those who are highly overweight and can't get bypass yet. Anyhow, I've researched it and now I'm more confused than ever. The doctors cutting my stomach isn't an issue for me....the fact that it doesn't rework my insides is a great plus and because I was leaning toward bypass at one point because of the great weight loss, I thought...this Sleeve is for me. But, then I wonder, will I gain it back after I lose it? You can stretch your stomach back out if you seriously don't change your habits. Of course my goals it to change them, but as with most of us, we have a history of losing and gaining so I'm not going to promise the world that I wouldn't gain some weight back...I know it could happen. I'm not worried about leakage, I'm not scared of surgery or anything like that. I'm scared I won't have control two or three years down the road. With the Band....you can keep that restriction going....I have no idea what to do...My ideal situation would be to get the sleeve done, lose weight for about two years and then get a band to keep me from gaining....I know that isn't reasonable. So, if anyone has a crystal ball, may I borrow it.

WOW....really something to think about now. I'll have to contact the insurance to see if this is covered (BCBS). I'm not scared of getting cut and it being a permanent issue, the thing I didnt' like about bypass is that they were really "reducting" your insides and skipping your intestines...that freaked me. As for the "floating stomach"...I think I read that it is removed laproscopically?? I could be wrong (which I usually am) but I know it is left there with bypass but for some reason I thought they removed it with the sleeve? I think what scares me about the sleeve are the staples that hold your stomach together. I thought it would be like skin or a bone, they would staple it and your stomach would "heal" itself and grow back together...but I'm thinking the staples are supposed to hold it together forever? Thank you but now I really have some thinking to do! I love the idea of the sleeve and the fast weight loss where the band is a "test" but I also like that it isn't permanent if there are problems. If there are problems with the sleeve, it is a permanent cut!

I have finished up my six month diet and have one last clearance before this sent to the insurance. Today....after six months of visits my PCP says to me "have you considered the sleeve?" He proceeded to tell me that this might be interesting to me since I was so scared of the bypass because I don't like the idea of them moving my body parts around, that the sleeve would be restrictive but not cause the malabsorption problem because they don't bypass the intestines etc. He said it would help with hunger because they remove so much of the stomach that it reduces the "hunger" hormones? Has anyone thought of the sleeve....why Lap over Sleeve? Curious because NOW I'm really confused!

Funny, but this is my main goal. I will be so thrilled the first time I can buy clothes at a normal store and not in the "plus" section....seriously why do they make such ugly clothes for "women" sizes? Maybe it is to encourge us to lose weight lol. A size 16 in the 'Normal" section will be amazing......my ultimate goal is to be a 10/12. I'm not looking for "skinny" and considering that a size 10 is considered a "PLUS SIZE" model in the modeling industry, I'll be happy with that.

I'm a pre-bander and I'm stalking a lot of postings here....I came across this one and had to put in my two cents of my journey to getting banded. I have really kicked things into high gear the past two months and have decided "IT IS TIME" and I've worked really hard at finding new "yummies" because I know there will be times I give into my head...sometimes you just have to, right? I was a Mt. Dew addict...literally. Nope, now it is Crystal Light Honey Lemon Green Tea. I used to have a Jethro Bodine lunch (meaning huge), now it is a Lean Cuisine or Smart One and fresh cut veggies or a yogurt. Greek Honey vanilla Yogurt with a package of Splenda..Yummy. I've also learned to like the taste of sugar free pudding and Jell-o. I think if you change these simple things, you can still treat yourself once in a while. The sugar free chocolate pudding really satisfied my sweet tooth and the craving was gone. Before I would have had a Snickers.....I'm good now. Also Fiber One oats & chocolate bar...yummy but probably not so good for you (but I'm really need fiber with these changes). Can you suggest some really good Protein shakes and powders? I've tried them before in the past on my many diet adventures and cannot find one that I can even try to pretend is a glass of chocolate milk, or a Wendy's Frosty. I know they aren't going to be the same, but there has to be something out there that tastes good and can be semi-enjoyable. Great work everyone...I am so excited (and terrified at the same time) of my new life ahead. No more ugly fat lady clothes for me. I want to shop in the normal section again....I'm not even looking to be skinny. Healthy is my goal...I will be thrilled to reach 165, anything extra is a bonus.

I came to the "Success Stories" to get some inspiration because I'm getting close and getting scared. I read so many negative things on the the "post op" site that I sometimes wonder if I'm doing the right thing. I've gotten the whole "you don't need to do this." "do it naturally," "your son needs you, what if something happens to you," speeches from those around me who just don't get it. 20+ years I've been yo-yoing and my son is the main reason I'm doing this for myself! I don't want to die of a heart attack at 45 or develop diabetes etc. So far I'm very lucky that my main problem is I'm fat and have slightly high blood pressure (but this has come down since I've lost about 20 pounds). Thank you for sharing your story because I needed a pick-me-up and it helped solidify my decision. Yes, I'm terrified that I won't wake up when I get the surgery. I'm scared of complications but I do have the fact that I'm relatively healthy on my side and that I will hopefully be below 40 BMI when surgery is happening...that is a goal for myself to make my surgery safer. Anyhow, with all that said, thank you again and keep up the amazing work. You have inspired me again.

I am a Dr. R patient. Kelley has been amazing and I think she talks to me so often now that she knows my voice over the phone before I tell her who I am. I have my last weigh in next Thursday (2/24) and then they ship the paperwork off to the insurance to get approval. I'm hoping to have surgery in April because I'm trying to schedule it around some holiday time at work so I don't have to take as many days off. I'm very excited, nervous, scared, anxious and hopeful. I've made huge changes especially the last two months so I'm hoping that I will be successful in the long run with this tool. I've yo-yo'd all my life and I'm hoping this will help me maintain. Good luck and keep us posted.

Feel so much better after reading these...thank you (again)......I know this is the right decision for me and it will help me be here healthy and happy for my son.....not sick, tired, achy, uncomfortable, full of medication and FAT........I should tell her that women also can die from giving birth but she took that risk three times!

Maybe I'm doing to much researching about this procedure because now I'm reading about the studies they are doing about people who are having bad complications after 7+ years of having the band....a lot of erosion issues etc. Has anyone's doctor discussed this with them? Has anyone else read about this? I'm driving myself crazy aren't I? The purpose of me getting the surgery is so that I'm healthy and active 10, 20, 30 years down the road, not opening myself up to more complications like stomach erosion?????? How is everyone doing if you have had your band for more than 5 years? I need to get off the internet but I'm really trying to be as informed as possible before I stick out my arm for the happy-go-to-sleep medicine.

GOOD LUCK........here is to a new you..............

I really don't have advice on the surgery itself because I'm going through the pre-process. I will tell you how I came to my decision....I'm turning 40 this year. I've been struggling with my weight for 20+ years. I'd lose 40-60 pounds to gain it all back plus more. I had a son at age 37 and now that he is so active, I decided I needed to get this done. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I want to be around for my son, I don't want to be an embarrassment. I've stopped and started this process probably 3 or 4 times and was originally going to go with bypass but the whole idea of them cutting my stomach and reducting my insides, freaked me. Permanent freaked me out. The band is such a great tool, I think. Am I worried about complications, yes. BUT, what about the complications from our weight issues? Am I worried about death? Yes, but what about dying from a heart attack at age 45 (for me). I think the risks are worth it. I have really changed things about myself just preparing for this surgery. I know if I would stay on track with the changes I have made for myself, I could probably lose the weight alone but I know it would come back on quickly and the lap band will help me maintain control.. I am a frustrated dieter/life changer. I am able to diet and lose but I get so frustrated when I'm living off of raw vegetables and lean cuisine and not seeing that scale move. I get mad and quit....and the cycle continues. I'm hoping this band will help control the hunger so I'm not "starving" and getting frustrated. I've researched, and weighed my options. I can remain overweight and risk the chances of diabetes, heart disease and cancer to name few or I can gain control of this weight and gain control of my life. I want my son to be proud to call me his mom. I want to take pictures with my son so he has memories of me, but I wont' do it now because I'm humiliated with my appearance. I'm done living in the shadows and I want to be healthy. I'm not saying I want to be skinny...healthy. I've told my surgeon....If I could get to 165 and stay there, I would be thrilled. I want to be able to shop in the normal clothes section and not have to shop in the chubby chic section where they only sell clothes with big flowers and fish on them! In my opinon, you have quit smoking....great move to improve your health and kudos for your decision. Losing weight will only add strength to you and make you feel better, inside and out. I am excited about my decision and will eventually look and feel on the outside like I do on the inside. Do the research.. try www.lapband.com - I got a lot of information there. Go to the surgeon and ask tons of questions. I probably call the nurse at least once a week with a new list of questions and they gladly answer them for me. There is a lot of information here too, just don't listen to the horror stories, because they are with every situtation. Some people have horrible pregnancies, gall bladder removals, perms.....but it doesn't stop other people from have successful perms and births....

Thank You.

I asked this same exact question to my doctor. I was told that this does not matter, it goes by your initial weigh in amount and your consultation weight. They want you to lose some weight to show that you are going to make the effort...the more weight you lose the better because it brings your BMI down and makes the surgery safer.

Okay, 20 years I've been yo-yo-ing with my weight...probably like everyone here. Three or four times, I've started and stopped the surgery process...originally going to do bypass but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Ahhhh, then along came the lap band...perfect, no reducting of my insides and not permanent so I felt safer about it. Started the process and my last weigh in is at the end of February.... here comes my vent.... I get this email from my sister in law today.....I know they love me and I know they don't want anything to happen to me...I appreciate that so much, but she starts telling me about this news story she saw where four women have died from lap band surgery. Yes, people die from surgery every day...people die from getting their gall bladders out, but I needed that done. People die from getting hernias repaired, but she had that done twice. People die from getting wisdom teeth removed! She pulled the "your son needs you" card but she doesn't understand that my son is part of my motiviation to Get this done! I want to be here for him, I want to be healthy and I want him to not be embarrassed to be with his mom. I don't want to be his Fat Mom. I understand her concern and even my mother gets on me about getting surgery...okay, how is your weight loss plan working for you mom? I get to the gym 3-4 days a week, not long because I have to do it on my lunch hour, but I try. I've been really really watching what I eat and I've lost almost 20 pounds...in six friggin months...that is not good motiviation to keep feeling like you are starving all the time. What is motivating me is to lose enough before surgery that I'm safer! Anyhow, I just had to vent as to why do people have to use "you might die" against you....and when they use your child/husband/wife/family "needs you" card it makes it so much more difficult. I almost feel guilty now even considering this surgery. Am I wrong for doing this? Am I being selfish by risking surgery? Then I bounce back with I'm risking cancer, diabetes and heart failure by being fat! I'm just really frustrated now. Of course I haven't taken this decision lightly....one day I didn't wake up and say "poof" I'm going to get a lap band surgery performed.....whoo hooo. I've thought and thought and thought. yes, I'm scared absolutely, but I feel this is the best decision for me....in the long run? Thanks for listening....I think I'm going to go sulk now....

I choose my doctor and filled out the form they required to see if I "fit" for bariatric surgery, i.e. BMI, co-morbidity issues etc. Once I was "okay'd" by them, they contacted me and I scheduled my consultation with the surgeon. At that appointment I was give a book of instructions, prescriptions for testing, and the steps to follow. I have to do a six month (consectutive) weigh-in with my PCP or you can do six months of "lifestyle" visits with the surgeons program. I had to see a nutritionalist and get a psych evaluation. I also have to see a pulmonolosist for clearance for surgery (some do, some don't). Once I get my sixth weigh in from the PCP and since my nutrition and psych eval are done, the surgeons office will submit paperwork to insurance company. WHen you have your consultation, they are pretty knowledgeable of each insurance companies requirements and will help you out. After paperwork is submitted, I sit and wait. If I'm approved, I schedule my blood work and ekg....and off to surgery I go.... Start with the surgeon and consultation....they should be really great at guiding you (mine has been). Good luck

I might be stupid here but I'm going to ask.... because it seems like everyone here is talking about the pre-op diet. My surgeon never mentioned this to me and probably because I haven't been approved yet (I have one more month of weigh in before submitted). Anyhow I guess my question is...how much weight do you need to lose or do they want you to lose to be "safer?" I've lost about 22 pounds now and will hopefull lose a little more before the surgery. I'm down to 245 and my goal is to be at least 240 before surgery (hopefully lower). OR, is the "shrinking liver" diet something they do just before surgery to really get it smaller and that is what the liquid diet is about...no foods, no fat?