Corrigan

You do good work Cindy, I wonder if you could explain the success rate for unaffiliated WLS centers and the American College of surgeons Centers of Excellence? Another question I have Is, what is the difference between plication and "modified plication" where a portion of the stomach is folded over the band and stitched in place to prevent slippage, and how successful is it? I go in Monday and would really like to know.

Isn't that "Plication"? I go in Monday and am interested in it. Apparently (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) there is the type of Plication where the stomach is inverted and stapled in place and "modified plication" where a portion of the stomach is just folded over and stitched in place to prevent the band from slipping. I know this is a simplistic explanation, but It's what I have.

At my initial consultation, we were told that a hospital accredited by the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network as a Center of Excellence had a complication rate of less than 1% and 0 fatalities since 2004. I found that to be pretty impressive, and after reading some of the horror stories on some of these forums, I thought that would be the way to go. Everyone has to go with who they feel most comfortable with and for me it was Cedar-Sinai in W. Hollywood, although the travel for the entire program, will be over 2500 miles (half of that in LA traffic) which is the worst part of it all.

I took Advil for several years until they ate a hole in my stomach, then tried Aleave an finally Mirapex and it seems to be the only thing that works for me. If I work outside (we have a ranch) for six or eight hours that helps, too.

If you can find an immersion blender (there are a bunch on ebay) they mix Protein Powder to the consistency of a milkshake (almost) and make them much more palatable. A little fruit helps too.

I'm going the twelveth, I'll let you know how it turns out. Good luck.

Boy, listen to you! All professional and stuff.

Hi Patty, (my daughter's name too), after studying everything I can find for the last 4 months, l have a lot of questions too. I go in next Monday and am on Protein shakes and one little bitty meal a day 'till then, and I don't want to think about after that. There are a lot of people on this forum that can help you with almost any weight problem if you'll just listen. You have to reach down deep and find all the will power you can muster, pay attention to the advice you're going to get and you'll do wonderfully. Best of luck and hang in there.

Hi Sue. I hate to tell third party stories, but I have a close friend, 66yrs, who was banded last Dec. and has lost 70 lbs and is off all diabetes medication, his sleep apnea is gone and his night time leg cramps no longer bother him. He's the one who convinced me to get the Lapband (I go next monday). I have most of the health problems he had, along with an extra 100lbs. Some people ask "Why bother at your age?", but I've been active all my life and hate to quit now. If you compare the sleeve to the Lapband online and in this forum, I'm sure you'll come to the correct decision for you, and you'll probably get a lot of posts here that'll help you make up your mind. Whatever you decide, the very best of luck.

Hi, I'm just down the road from you (near Newberry Springs, CA). I'm a little older than you and also getting the band. From what I've read, the Lapband is just as effective as the sleeve over a year's period. I also have about 100lbs to loose and have no doubts that I will. I go next Monday and I'll let you know how it goes. Best of luck and keep in touch.

Welcome Carla. I bet I'm from a smaller town than you. How about 200 people? If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have any real world information at all. My hospital and doctor are 150 miles away. I get banded next Monday and I'm ready to get this over. Best of luck, you won't have any trouble making friends, this is a great place to be.

I've had it for several years and take Mirapex three times a day, but suffer greatly if I forget to take them. I bought a recumbent excercise bike and use that to relieve cramps that happen at night (walking probably works as well). I've tried a lot of things that were supposed to work, but the pills are the only dependable thing I've found.

I'm about to be banded and I'd like to ask a question in all seriousness. Is all fried food bad? If I put a spritz of Pam in a frying pan, does a chicken breast somehow suddenly become unhealthy? I've been reading post after post about avoiding fried foods and was wondering where, between deep fat and Pam, do we have to worry? I know there are a lot of good cooks on here and hope someone can clear this up for me. TIA

You probably have gotten more replies than you wanted, but just for information, a 5 0z glass of fairly dry wine has 2 to5 carbs and 100 to 125 calories.

If you can find a hospital that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center, there are four in Pennsylvania, you can be assured of proper education, professionalism, and, imho, a much better outlook. The very best of luck to you.

I have a new handout from Cedars-Sinai Center for weight loss that recommends popcorn on their "Healthy Foods Shopping List" as a healthy snack. Actually it calls for Fat Free Microwave Popcorn, but if I cut back somewhere else on fat, the 1/2 TBS canola oil my popcorn maker takes should be good. But then I only have eight days to worry about it 'till I go under the knife .At least for a few months.: > )

You are going to be taking some of them for a very long time, so go to Walmart or a big box store and buy house brands where you can. I doubt if you'll spend more than fifteen or twenty dollars a month.

From a guys point of view, if he asked you out he must have found you attractive so why not just go, be yourself, and have a good time. Guys aren't like girls, they don't care if a hair is out of place or your jewelery doesn't match. He's looking for a good sense of humor and a person he can be comfortable with. Don't over think a date, just go and have fun.

A week ago I ordered a Book: " Eating well after weight loss surgery". They sent me two copies and don't want the extra copy back so, the first name and address gets it. The book is,Of course, spoken for.

I'm going the 12th, I'll let you know how it goes: > ). Good luck and remember for all the posts you read with problems, there are hundreds that have WLS surgery without any difficulty at all. Just keep a positive attitude.

Cindy, I hope you have as much success as you wish for everyone else.

I buy the regular vanilla Protein shake powder from Walmart or costco, mix with milk and beat with an immersion blender. It gets foamy, a little like a milk shake and I think it's great. I've been using it for years for weight control, (doesn't seem to have worked all that well. :>). But it does taste good.

Cindy, you were one of the folks I had in mind when I wrote that post. Reading through posts from the past few years, you've never had a bad word to say to anyone, only good, positive advice and for that I'm grateful. As to my age, I consider myself 35 or 40 years old. I still ride (horses and my motorcycle), I just bought a new road bike to ride with my son, have half a dozen hobbies, and just don't feel like quiting yet. I have a few health problems that WLS should help, so here I am.

And the very best of luck to you. Keep us posted with your progress and so will I.