Lapbandster

Chezonel: I don't think Ms. Maui's (now known as leavemealoneplz) statement is "outright wrong" or "ill informed". It happens to match a lot of what my doctor said. He told me that they cut off some of the blood supply which can cause necrosis. If using the word "necrosis" scares people then they shouldn't be doing the procedure (or weigh the benefits against the risks). No need to sugar coat things on these forums- if something causes necrosis, then by all means, use the "scary word". You say: "if you don't approve of the band, try saying nothing" Why shouldn't she speak up if she has had negative experiences with the band? I think its very important for people to get all opinions/hear all experiences (good AND bad) before doing surgery. Not sure why your being so militant? All this being said, I do wish I could have done plication with my band, but my insurance wouldn't cover it. Oh well

Today was my 6 month bandiversary, and i'm down about 50 lbs. But just because us posters are losing weight doesn't mean it's a GIVEN that everyone with a lapband loses weight. In fact, im working my butt off counting calories/measuring food/ working out 5x a week. That said, the lapband can be a useful tool when used correctly Good luck in your decision

As everyone else has stated, I chose the band because it was the least scary to me. My mom had gastric bypass and lost 100 lbs. She had no serious problems but now at 54 years old she is severely anemic and cannot take certain meds- all because of her absorbtion issues. So while i'm happy for her, and she doesn't really complain, that was just not something I was willing to do. OF COURSE i'm terribly scared that i'll have band issues later on, but the band issues that people have don't even touch a candle to the severity of the issues the other WLS's pose. I have been banded for 6 months and have lost 50 lbs but I actually work my @ss off to lose the weight.... Don't be fooled, the band is not magic

Yah! I usually try SO hard to eat properly when dining with friends so that I don't get stuck, but once (about a month ago) I ate too much, and we walked home about a mile. Let me tell ya, that was the WORST walk of my life. I was in agony! I was sliming and pb'ing the whole time. The people who I was with were SO worried and agitated Boy, that sure taught me!

Hey guys! I've been perusing these forums more and more lately and I've noticed something disturbing: that anyone who's been banded for a while has had some complication or another- either a slipped band, an erosion, a flipped port, a leak etc... I bet this is just my imagination, but I'd love to hear from old bandsters who have NOT had any complications with their band Thanks!

Whoa... I can't believe that insurance won't cover a slipped band procedure. I never really inquired about this before my surgery, but reading about it is really scaring me

By my surgery I had it on a friday morning early and was home by noon. I felt awesome right away and didn't even need the prescription painkillers. I was up and outside by monday and could have gone to work if my job was sitting at a desk or something non strenous/stressful. People with comorbidities or other complications have to usually stay in hospital overnight

I agree wholeheartedly with TMF Your doctor might be ok with your weight because he's used to seeing morbidly obese patients on a daily basis, so to him you're skinny. But if you don't feel too great and you're able to lose a few pounds without being underweight, then you need to have a chat with him That being said, congrats on your weight loss and being in a place that your doc doesnt want you losing any more weight! yay for you!

nope, i do not feel my lap band. if i eat too much then i feel sick and sometimes even pb. but thats all i feel i can feel my port and am starting to see a bump because im losing weight chez- you have lost 90 lbs and your port is still unnoticeable??

I still eat carbs, but 1) not nearly as often or as much as i used to 2) It's all whole wheat or whole grain etc. Maybe that's not good, but to be honest NO carbs whatsoever will make me nuts!

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not getting support from some of the people who you have told. That must be so hurtful and irritating! That was exactly what I was so afraid of.... My whole life I got no support from some of the people who should have really been supporting me. They chastised me about my weight since I was a little kid and now I have decided that I am NOT gonna deal with the negativity ANY longer, because quite frankly, it makes me way too miserable. Unfortunately MOST people do not understand how the band works and that 1) the weight comes off (very) slowly 2) it requires a TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of effort (and as I read these forums I see that even some fellow bandsters do not realize this) Because of this, I was afraid of being called "lazy" or "cheating" or "taking the easy way out". Believe me, this is NOT the easy way out. I count every calorie that goes into my mouth, workout 5x a week and REALLY cut down on my portions (even though i'm not at restriction yet)

Whoaaa!!! You are so brave!

Ahh Sorry to hear that- so annoying! GUess you'll just have to celebrate Valentine's day in 2 weeks!

This is great!

Welcome to bandster hell! It may take you a few more fills and a few more weeks to feel proper restriction I have been banded for nearly 6 months and do not have proper restriction. But I have still managed to lose 50 lbs So just keep at it, and try to be patient

I go to the gym 4-5 times a week on average (unless i'm sick or something) I spend at least an hour there, and I used to spend a lot of time on the elliptical (30 mins) and the rest strength training (weight lifting, situps, calf presses etc.) but now I'm doing the couch to 5k program (Just finished my first week, yayyy!!) and i'm exhausted! Running really exhausts me, and interestingly i'm only burning 1/3 of the calories on the treadmill than I normally burn on the elliptical . I'ts so frustrating.... So what's YOUR routine?

Ahhh!!! Good for you!!! This is so exciting!!!!!

I am 6 months out and have told no one besides for my mom and 3 sisters. I don't need anyone giving me a hard time. Most people do not understand what this surgery is all about and are just not accepting.... I am glad everyday that I made this choice

Yep, when I travelled overseas to Europe on a 9.5 hour flight my band tightened. Thank goodness it was a drop loose before I left so the tightness didn't bother me while I was away. It's also tighter (for me at least) in cold weather and when I'm stressed

Like the above posters said, it's totally normal for weight to fluctuate a little My advice to you is to only weigh yourself once a week, as opposed to every day. It becomes torturous to keep seeing the scale go up and down like a seesaw. It sounds to me like your doing great! Don't worry if you gain a little but, your body is still adjusting. If your doc gives you a hard time then just give him a kick where it hurts

What do you mean by low 14's? I did day 3 of my first week and next sunday i'm onto week two! Running for 60 seconds wasn't too bad in the begining but towards the end I was feeling pooped. I really don't think i can do this, but then again I never thought I could lose 50 lbs either lol

Ugh So true! all my morbidly obese friends are salivating for me to give up and rejoin their "fat club" Can't stand it

He Probably won't do the plication because insurance doesn't cover it (application is still a fairly new procedure so some insurances won't cover it) This was the reason why I didn't do plication

Just wondering if people have had success with this program Did the first two days so far and hope to continue and run a 5k this spring!!!