Jim1967

Great post Jean and good to see you. Hope you feel better soon!!

Mine is messed up as well. It shows pre-op and my surgery was almost two years ago.

Speaking for myself only here.... When I started researching the Sleeve was the newest kid on the block and my Surgeon's practice hadn't yet started offering it so my option was limited Band or Bypass. I decided to go with the band because I did not want my plumbing re-routed. I also figured I would have a better chance at 480+ pounds to survive Band surgery then full on bypass. Some may say the band requires a lot more work in a sense of maintenance, follow up (fills) and such looking for that green zone and the weight loss is slower. I have insurance that covers my follow up appointments along with fills 100% so those appointments to me are no big deal. I found having to do the constant follow ups and fill appointments only helped me in my journey as far as staying focused. If the Sleeve had been available to me I still think I would have chosen the band option only because of the cutting. However, if my band needed replacing today I would not rule out the Sleeve. I would seek out other Sleevers for some insight and talk it over with my Doctor and Wife. Which ever option you decide I wish you all the best and much success!!

Sorry to hear you're having these problems. Hopefully your band can be saved and the removal not even necessary. Best wishes!!

Congratulations on your weight loss and the new band life. Time will fly by before you know it. I can honestly say I fully enjoyed the holidays without depriving myself and still managed to lose a few pounds. Band life is incredible.

Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes... My parting comment for this thread concerns the following of Doctors orders to the letter. I will say though when it came to following Doctors directions I did so to a T in the beginning but even my own Doctor told me I need to learn to live with it and he may not have all the answers. He placed the band but never lived with one. What it comes down to is common sense. Someone posting that they have not eaten in 5 days and throw everything up including liquid and have yet to call their Doctor....clearly lack common sense.

Merry Christmas to you all. Remember it is a lifestyle change not deprivation....dieting is deprivation.

Hey all, I have been touch and go on these forums for the past month and half but mostly due to the holidays, vacation and work commitments leading up to vacation. I am also committed to this site because I believe in paying it forward. If I can reach just one person and provide a little inspiration or helpful advice then it is well worth it. I have met some wonderful people here and the support you've all given me is invaluable. I am sad some have left but understand things change and nothing ever stays the same. I think we can agree we've all had concerns about the forum and the changes but one thing I will say is I have never heard Alex make one negative comment or tell people if you don't like it leave. Instead I have heard him and his team ask how or what he can do to make this place feel more like home. I will stick with this place and I don't mind reading and answering the same questions over and over. There was a time when I lost and people helped me along the way...

As we approach 2014 I thought what a great idea it would be to reflect on where we've been and what we've done and where do we want to go from here. 2011 was the darkest times for me. I could hardly stand up for 10 minutes at a time and walking the grocery store was a real chore. My Wife ended up doing the shopping and I sat in the car. Helping her into the house with the groceries was another chore where I had to sit and rest and catch my breath. I HAD to do something. I was convinced I was heading down a path which led to a grave. I was so fortunate that I had no health issues aside from being morbidly obese. For such a long time it was all about the numbers on the scale and at times my lack of patience derailed my enjoyment of the actual journey and let me just say what an amazing journey this has been so far. There is nothing I would change except perhaps doing it sooner. This past year: I have lost 127lbs in 2013 I am 1lb...Yes 1 from a goal I set back in October 2011 I participated in a 5K for Breast Cancer Awareness I have dropped so many pants sizes this year that I can’t remember how many Attended several concerts and never once got concerned about seating or walking Attended my first NFL game Finally saw NYC at Christmas time and walked 10+ miles to boot Dressed up in Tux for a Wedding this past summer in the scorching 100 degree heat and loved it Arthritis in my knees have not flared up in well over year I went from being stared at like a circus attraction to hardly being noticed at times I can walk for miles and climb many steps without getting winded I feel like I have the energy of a teenager at times I have become a better husband/friend to the love of my life. Not only did she support me even in the darkest times but she also motivated me in wanting to be a better man for her. She inspired me to reach within and find the trapped man inside. 2014 I would like to see 199 on the scale but either way I am and will be happy!! Putting together a team for Relay for Life event in August I am going to do for Kelli what she did for me and that is support her along her journey and be her rock! Hope you all have a safe and happy holidays....

Walking is the best way to get the gas out. Walk as often as you can tolerate. Gas pains for me lasted about about 4 days although we're all different.

Good luck tomorrow!!

Congratulations and welcome to the band-ville!!

Fall down 5 times and get up 6. Don't give up!! Get to your Surgeon for an assessment of your band.. You can do this!!

male or female makes no difference....ASS is the end result

Congratulations Sharpie! You look great and what a nice photo.

You got some great advice here and some great encouragement. You can never do enough research to decide which WLS is better for you. I do honestly believe in the saying "you get out of it what you put into it". Like others have said above it does require a lot of aftercare and you have to be willing to follow through or you could just wind up being your own worst enemy. For me I liked the aftercare because it always keeps me actively involved with my band and it motivates me. I also agree with the others calling BS on your Doctor. My Doctor was a huge supporter of my decision to go for the band and did not once try to sway me in another direction but did warn me of the constant need to follow up as well as slower weight loss. I started out with a BMI of 78. I was 488lbs at my consult and 450 on surgery day. Monday will be my 20th month anniversary and as of today I've lost 227lbs post op. Whoever says you cannot lose a large amount of weight with the band clearly has not met me!! I am not trying to brag and I have no agenda to sell you any type of WLS BUT don't believe the "You can't lose weight with the band" crap.

Been close to two years for me since I've had any of that. I had a terrible addiction. I was drinking two cases a week of diet Pepsi and that doesn't include the ones I would buy from the vending machine at work. I don't miss it now but I do miss having a Guinness from time to time especially on St Patty's day. Like CarolinaGirl said above, Doc said no carbonation. So...I've had no carbonation.

Done! I edited it slightly of course so it would make sense to anyone who read it.

Honestly, I talk to myself a lot. I am always analyzing whether or not I am in need of food or if I just want it. I will admit since finding the green zone last January I have rarely had head hunger issues. Some good questions have been asked above already. How long can you go in between meals before feeling hungry? Also, you need to remember the band will not keep you from over eating. Do you measure out your portion sizes and keep a journal to track? If not those may be good options to see where you're at. For me I no longer journal or measure. At this point it is all habit but if I start having issues I will do it just for analysis purposes. This is a great article on the band and an easy read. http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

Email sounds pretty juvenile to me. He couldn't at least sit down and discuss it with you? You cannot read emotion or body language while communicating via text form. I would reply to that email saying..."Go find the highest bridge and then jump off it"

Not all Men suck but unfortunately yours does. I agree with the others that it sounds like he is looking for an excuse to break it off without actually taking any accountability in it. This is his issue not yours.

Check, Check...Is this thing on? Hello McFly!!

I had the problem as well. I started blending fruit into my Protein shakes and now I am more regular but still not every day.

I have to say this was the most effort-less Thanksgiving ever. Had what I wanted and what my band allowed. No gain and actually down a .5 pound today.

I didn't get stuck on Thanksgiving day and ate very little however a peice of dry turkey got me on Saturday. It was bad....