serious

Ryanband, You might also do a search under doctors and hospitals...there is very long comparison between Spiegel and Spivak from their respective patients.

Genius, I had lasek eye surgery last year. The first two weeks were rough, I felt like a vampire because I could not tolerate any light. But, now that I am recovered, I can't really remember ever wearing glasses. Anyway, good luck with your recovery. I see things now that I could never see before. The sclera of my eyes is super white, now I realize the contacts were really just irritating my eyes.

Kyethra, Well said. I went with the lap band for all the above stated reasons and because as someone who does not have a lot of weight to lose, it was the only option. I have a family history of obesity and all the related complications. I also have a history of dieting and all the other non surgical techniques and the lapband was the answer to end that madness. Whether you have 50# to lose or 250#, there are health consequences with being overweight, both physically and mentally, and I wanted off that rollercoaster. If for some reason, the band did not work for me or it has to be removed, I would then look into the gastric sleeve. For my situation, the lapband was the obvious first choice.

Randi, I don't know anything about that particular product, but I have friends who routinely go and get colonics. There is a nurse here who has her own spa and performs them apparently with great success. It not only helps you lose weight, but increase the mood because it detoxifies. The only issue with having someone do a colon cleansing is that you have to make sure your practitioner has done a lot of them and has a good track record, because the colon can be perforated in the hands of an inexperienced practitioner. I hear the over the counter products don't work quite as well, and you can get the same effects, (diarrhea), by drinking warm prune juice mixed with milk of magnesia.

LapBandit, Ditto. That's what Dr. Rumbaut said happens too.

Bjean, I admit it. I sinned. I should be lashed with a wet noodle, or at the very least, be made to PB on a bowl of spaghetti !

Bjean, I admit it. I sinned. I should be lashed with a wet noodle, or at the very least, be made to PB on a bowl of spaghetti !

Please excuse the typo, "my bad," I'll try and proofread next time.

TommyO, Only if you've actually seen the face of Tony Soprano in your moring oatmeal.

Madden, Amen to that!

Kaboom, Agreed. But there is a honeymoon phase for new bandsters.

Missy, Thanks. I'm glad she only put 1.1 ccs in...I don't think I could have handled more. If I don't slow it down and chew, it doesn't go down, gets stuck and hurts. Nothing like negative reinforcement to give you better eating habits.

Sunta, I have "visions" of lasagna as you speak. Preach it Sista!

Sunta, and to think you were able to say all that without mispelling one single word!

Audree, You will probably fluctuate, but only by three to five Lbs, most women do....but after your first fill if you follow the bandster rules it's all down hill from there. You are probably going to be one of those people who lose all your weight in 6 months. Dr. Rumbaut said lower BMIs can usually lose all their excess quicker because we have less to lose. In your case, 50#, in my case 60#.

Hi Audree, I am doing great! Just have your first solids at home....I got too excited when I finally went to solids and went out to eat breakfast. I ordered a cheese omelette, and was only able to take two bites before I was full. So, it was a waste of money. Oh well, this is definitely a learning process.

Genius, Get the fill when you are ready...I can't over emphasize how this is not about weightloss at this stage of the game. Step one: you got the surgery, Step two: you heal from the surgery, Step three: you adapt to the bandster lifestyle, learning to eat the bandster way, learning to recognize when your pouch says you are full, drinking your water and getting in your exercise. You get the fill when your body tells you it is time; you are not satiated on portions, you are not losing weight after following bandster rules, and so on. It is an individual response based on your body signals.

Audree, That's good, but keep in mind, that you may gain some of that back initially. I stand by what I originally said, ( I am a critical care nurse), you are still in the healing phase. I think it's important to not get caught up in the weight loss right now, because your weight is probably going to flucuate....( some of the weight loss is water weight, the surgery caused edema, and that is some of what is being reflected initially, also, the deprivation caused by the pre and post op diet). I just don't want you or anyone else to get discouraged. The weight will come off if you follow the bandster rules. I have read too many posts on this and other sites about people saying the band didn't work. Sometimes, it's not the band that is not working, it's that they had unrealistic expectations and did not fully understand how the band is designed to help you lose weight. Of course, we got the surgery in order to lose weight, but with the band it is a set process. I think focusing too much on weight loss during the early stages sets people up for failure, especially since the weightloss may be reflective of other physiological adaptations, and thus not a valid number.

BJean, Please don't correct his posts. Then he'll say the dictionary he has which pre-dates anything we've seen and was actually composed from 6,000 books is the only authentic one, making the rest of us idiots.

Audree, IMHO, I think you should probably wait...The first 4-6 weeks are for healing, not weight loss. The band is the easiest of the WLS, but it is still major surgery. Also, as you and I have both previously posted, and am finding true of most of the lower BMIs, we were already working out pre lapband. Our problem is we are volume eaters. My point is that we are not going to necessarily rack up the big numbers like the higher BMIs. Dr. C says in his experience, lower BMIs usually loose about 30# the first year. However, I do understand everybody is different. I just think you should concentrate on the bandster rules. This is not another diet. It's a lifestyle change to bring about permanent, slow, steady weightloss. The scale should not be the focus right now.

Tommyo, Bjean, Amen. His spelling creeps me out more than anything. Reminds me of an old Steely Dan song, "The things that pass for knowledge....

Julestwu, Thanks. I remember sitting in Weight Watchers, and they were clapping because this woman had lost 50#, but she looked so depressed...I used to run out of points when I did WW, and became even more obsessed with food. Today, I ordered what I wanted, ate some of it, and then was able to pack it up, put it in my refrigerator without obsessing about eating it later. I feel like I'm finally in control instead of the food controlling me. Hope is a wonderful feeling.

Hey everybody!, Just went to lunch and ate like a normal person. I am full, happy and not depressed, angry and hostile like when I did diets. It has been 30 minutes, so now I'm drinking my water. I went for a walk this am. I am also not focused on my next meal. Usually, when I dieted before, (especially weight watchers), I ran out of points and was starving. All I could do was think about food. To be able to eat regular amounts and not have any bad feelings or hunger is something I've never experienced before. I'm still getting used to portions, though. I still order based on what I used to eat: the entree, salad, dessert, drink. Trust me, I used to EAT! So, this is going to take some getting used to, but one day at a time. This whole lifestyle change is amazing. I feel like a new person. Most importantly, I finally have hope. This is not just another diet.

Hey, Finished my shopping and went to get something to eat. Was only able to eat about as much as a picky three year old. Ate slowly, chewed well, listened to my body, and realized, I'm actually full. I had to ask the waittress to bring me a to go container. It is so nice to be able to eat like the petite woman that I am, instead of a longshore truck driver, wow! And I am not angry or depressed or deprived like when I did weight watchers. All this on one fill. How great is that!

Waiting too long to eat-which caused me to get too hungry-which caused me to forgo the bandster rules- which caused me to PB.