karewpah

Exactly what B52 said...go to a specialty store. They will have books there too. I use Runners World website and find it has a lot of good info.
as for how you think you look...quiet the criticisms in your head. Other runners will look at at you and think...way to go...taking back your health. The people lapping you in their cars...they'll be jealous that they're not out there taking care of themselves.
As you lose weight...you can reward yourself with flashy running gear

I have been banded 2 1/2 years - lost over 120 pounds with 15 more to go...that all being said in November I started that nasty acid reflux mess. I have been one miserable puppy. My doctor said I needed to have some Fluid removed from my band..in fact, he did a barium swallow and showed me where my band has been too tight for a while and now I have a bubble on the side of my pouch. NO, I did not want any Fluid removed..I didn't want to gain, but I need to get some sleep and that darn reflux wasn't going to let that happen. I was taking Prilosec twice a day and Nexium once a day. I have fluid removed on Friday, take nothing and not had any reflux. Talk to your Doctor...reflux can be dangerous..follow what he says even if it means having a slight unfill. Good luck, thoughts and prayers with you because I really know how you feel!!!!!

I did and it's been awesome. Dr Chris Conburn is top notch. Aftercare with the nurses is STELLAR
I highly recommend SWLC

Me Dec 2010 DrCoburn

Hi Megan,
I suppose at 5 years post banding, I am not what you would call someone in the 'first flush' of the glory days of my band. Nor am I by any means a newbie, and as time goes on I am more interested than ever in posts that discuss the longevity of the band, especially with regards to symptoms experienced, in the hopes that I can in fact be vigilant of possible complications.
First let me qualify that I'm Australian, and Australian surgeons have been placing bands for a lot longer than American doctors. My surgeon has well over a decade's worth of experience and to this day, still thinks the band is the most effective wls there is. I just wanted to make that clear so you understand where I stand on this.
I recently had band replacement surgery as a result of a leaky band. I had the option of revising to a sleeve but both my surgeon and myself agreed that the band was a better choice. I have lost 100% of my excess weight, I have not experienced pain, reflux, nothing at all that has caused me concern, and even when my band was leaking for 15 months, I only gained 35lbs of which I then lost 40% of without the band's help before my replacement.
All the recent posts I have read regarding complications experienced by banders who have had the band for 5 years or more have the same theme to it: pain, reflux, weight gain, discomfort, damage etc. I have experienced none of these. I maintain my weight easily when my band is working. I live with my band very easily. I have had a multitude of tests as a result of my leak and I have no physical issues or damage caused by the band. I have no reason to believe that will change, either, seeing as it hasn't happened yet, and if it was going to, I'd expect it to have happened before now.
I also have a good lot of bandster friends on FB who have been quietly living their lives with the bands without complications, who have had their bands as long or longer than me, who just don't talk about it that much any more, unlike when they were first banded.
So just to provide some balance, I do believe people have complications, and in many cases, serious ones too. And I do believe you have and it's always a wake-up call to see it talked about. But I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that everyone will, or that it will even be as common as some people make it out to be. Nothing you've said about your personal experience or anything I've seen posted about complications just recently has convinced me of that at all, especially since I see so few similarities with my own experiences with the band.
So I'm piping in, I guess, to give a different view of what long-term life with the band is like so anyone reading understands that there is more than just one point of view to everything. And I personally have nearly nothing bad to say about my experience with the band.

Good response.. for someone who didn't want to be attacked .you immediately went on the defensive when Missy makes a perfectly good statement . so what exactly is the purpose of your posts? Do you feel it necessary to "save the world" from the band? My surgeon has been doing bands for many years has a excellent success rate and stands by the band.. He will do sleeve's but believes the band is safer than the sleeve or RNY.. so, I think your point has been made and answered.. No One on here wants to see anyone else fail..I hope you are successful with your sleeve.

Both Dr Mumford and Dr Coburn are great...Dr Coburn has an AWESOME bedside manor and is a very caring, hard working Dr.

Yes, there will be a risk for complications. There is a risk associated with all medical procedures. We all are also aware of the medical complications associated with being obese or morbidly obese.
There is no way to predict who amongst the population who opt for band WLS will develop the complications. I made a calculated risk to have my band placed, I did my research, and knew ahead of time the risks, which I discussed with my internal medicine PCP.
At this point, I believe that you have gotten your point across. Many times over.
Perhaps it is time to accept that this topic is like the proverbial "dead horse". There is no sense in continuing to beat the dead horse.
Time for you to get down off your "soap box". We get your position. Perhaps you should begin to listen to the feedback you receive here on this topic..j/s.

This is my opinion... but if you have no other options and no one else to help he can't do it for free.
No one is saying you have to call him... he's just making the offer.
If I were in this situation I would be thankful there was someone willing to help.
Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss; 156 lbs

Hi
I host several coffee groups in the GTA area. I've met several CIBO Bandsters.
Dr. Chris Cobourn from Surgical Weight Loss Centre (Now Smartshape) has been out to several of my coffee group to give a presentation on how the lapband works.
Dr. Cobourn contacted me today and said that anyone that was banded at CIBO could contact his clinic. They are putting together a plan to help CIBO patients.
You can reach the clinic at 905-278-8000 and ask for Teresa or Rita.
Dr. Cobourn will be coming out a special coffee group in Mississauga on May 16th if anyone is interested. Space is limited to 30 seats. Please email me if you would like further details.
Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss: 156 lbs
tomander@bell.net

Hi Lapbandster...I did have a slip and needed surgery to revise it, but it was due to extreme vomiting and not the band at all. I would suggest to anyone to either a) carry prescription strength anti nausea drugs (my PCP makes sure I have a recent prescription at all times because I travel and get to the Dr when you start vomiting.
For me, I was travelling in a foreign country when it started and slipped all in 1 day of extreme vomiting.
Other than that...the band has been GREAT!

Wow...I'm almost 3 years out and only @ 5.8 in a 10 band. Remember..it's not how fast you fill. The band shouldn't restrict the amount you eat. It is truly only meant to allow you to feel satisfied for longer.

Forget the cup measurement and look at what is happening. You are losing weight(a large amount of weight) every week. Why would you want to mess with that? Save the fills for later when you need them, just keep doing what you are doing as it is obviously working.

I do. I just count the calories in my daily target...and I don't do it often

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best

If I'm reading correctly, you're hoping to lose 58 lbs in a month and a half? That seems like an unrealistic expectation to me. Just focus on one day at a time and one hour at a time. Stay away from the foods your surgeon hasn't approved. This phase before you start your fills is called banister hell...a horrible time for sure, but if you manage through it, it will prepare you well for when the fills start coming.
My recommendation, start discussions with a nutritionist and look at setting realistic goals.
All the best