horsegirl315

The same negative nelly we have all seen posting anti-band rants posted one woman's account of her gastric banding nightmare, but STILL had something positive to learn from it: "Sure, I could say getting the gastric band was a stupid thing to do, but why would I do that? In hindsight, I would not have done it, but that’s hindsight. Having already learned the hard lessons, it’s easy to look back and say “I shouldn’t have.” I’m where I am now as a product of my mistakes, a product of my hard life lessons, a product of my past. I’m not stupid, I’m learning. I failed so that I could succeed. I wouldn’t trade all the wading through the muck and murk for an easier path because then I wouldn’t have learned as much. Thank God for my muck, murk and mess. Thank God for my hard lessons. Now it’s time to innovate. Time to succeed." -Lisa Sargese Heres the link to the entire post, for anyone interested http://www.formerlyfluffy.com/lisa-sargese-gastric-band-nightmare/

You will do GREAT!!! Let me know how it goes, I'm going in Jan 30th!! I will pray for you : )

Thanks for your research, Denise. That Dr Phil article is very interesting! Here are a few points from it I found extremely helpful and encouraging: "men with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater — 100 plus pounds over their ideal body weight — have a 52 percent higher death rate for cancer. Women whose BMI is 40 or more have a 62 percent higher death rate." THATS FREAKIN SCARY!!!!!! Encouraging was the things that are recommended for good health: Drinking at least 64 ounces of Water daily. Limiting or avoiding processed foods. Limiting white sugar, white flour and simple carbohydrates. Consuming as many organically grown and hormone-free foods as possible. Taking a multi-Vitamin containing antioxidants, preferably one free of yeast, dyes, sugar, dairy, soy, corn or gluten. Now, we are ALL aware that these things are what helps you become (and stay) healthy. But, these are the things our band will HELP and PUSH us to do. I feel much better, I love this forum. You guys are awesome!!!

enough to kill a HORSE, huh? no pun intended, i'm sure...LOL.

Out of curiosity, what were your expectations about how the band works and what you have to do to benefit from it? You mentioned you didn't do enough research, did you go through a lot of hoops for preop? I have learned a lot that way, and a lot from these boards as well. I hope everything works out for you!

Hi Erin, sounds like you have already have committed to making some major changes. Good luck to you!

Thanks guys, this is what I have always told myself--the benefits of the band outweigh the risks. And I have been pretty good at sticking to that until i saw the cancer post. I am scared to death of cancer, I guess that fear comes from watching both of my grandfathers suffer through it. One grandfather died at 72 from bladder cancer, before I even graduated from high school, and my other grandfather also died at 72 after an 18 month battle with pancreatic cancer--probably as a direct result of him being overweight. I'm not saying I'm the only person that has ever seen someone suffer from cancer, but it has really affected me. I do trust my Dr, although I haven't actually met him yet. My appts have been with the RN and NP that work with him, who have been great. I have heard great things about him. I just turned 25 and have a lot of life ahead, I believe I am making the right decision, its just scary. I think you may be right, Corrigan, last minute jitters.

Im not banded yet, getting banded Jan 30. As of right now, I have had my period, on and off since OCTOBER 20. So if after surgery I don't have it for a few months, thats good enough for me!!

AWESOME!! When I tell you I have tried every diet and exercise program, I mean it. I think I was the only 260 pound person that completed the Insanity workout, P90X, and even have ran 5k's without losing a ton of weight, thanks to my portion sizes...which won't be a problem soon! As a word of encouragement, stick with it! You will start to notice HUGE improvements in a very short amount of time. You will be able to go longer, stronger, harder in as little as a week, and you will only get better. I am excited to get my band on Jan 30 so I can start to see some results from all my hard work!

I have been so excited about my upcoming surgery (Jan 30) until I recently read about a possible long term complication: esophageal cancer. I am going through this surgery to avoid obesity-related complications, such and cancer. So imagine my surprise when I discovered this was a possible issue, as a result of continued acid reflux/GERD. My question is, does anyone know how common this is? The person I read about had no symptoms of reflux. I would like to think it would be as easy as taking a daily acid control medication, but I have heard this isn't good either. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this? How will I know its happening/or not happening? I can deal with fills and appointments, pb-ing and sliming. All this I was aware of a prepared for, but this is the first complication I have heard of that has really made me doubt this decision.

I remember seeing you write before that you are still on clear liquids, and will be for 4 weeks, maybe ask your Dr if you can incorporate a protein shake or two a day? I know sometimes if I get too hungry I feel sick, maybe thats the problem.

I bought a case of the Isopure rtd and I HATE IT!!!!!!!! glad I'm not alone! They sure as heck dont taste like candy!

http://m.walgreens.com/mt/www.walgreens.com/store/c/thick-it--regular-strength-instant-healthcare-food-thickener/ID=prod384427-product Here's.a link to the thickening product!

They have this thickener at walgreens that is specifically for that purpose...it is sold with the diabetic/special diet stuff. As far as another Protein shake, I really like zero carb Isopure in chocolate, two scoops is 50 g protein and it tastes pretty good when made with milk, ice, and powdered Peanut Butter (85% less fat that regular pb!). I just ordered some samples from juven to see how those taste, 100 cals and 20 g protein a serving. For more protein, you can find protein "bullets" that pack 42 g protein in just a few oz. But i would save that for a day where I was falling short on protein, as I believe they are expensive.

I would probably become addicted to buying craft supplies. I'm hard wired to shop. LOL!

My instructions: day before surgery-light breakfast, then clear liquids all day, nothing after midnight. Good luck!

"I'm amazed I had time to eat. That's not true" LOLLLL This entry had be giggling all the way through, thanks for the laughs, I look forward to more entries!

If you suspect you are pregnant, make sure you are taking your vitamins and getting balanced nutrition (which is probably currently better than you were eating before). Then, call your Dr immediately. I don't want to scare you, but I was just reading last night that nutrition-related birth defects occur in the first two weeks of pregnancy, which is why it is so important to plan your pregnancies, and if you THINK you may be pregnant, see your Dr immediately. Don't wait. Let us know how you make out!

I can honestly say I think I will be addicted to shopping before I would be to working out--don't think that will ever happen...have you ladies tried crafts or scrapbooking? I have heard a few ladies on here say they have become addicted to that, and it is something easy to pull out whenever you have a craving...maybe you could even make things to SELL...then you would be MAKING money! lol

Seems a little early for solids, especially the ones you have eaten. I havent been banded yet, but my plan from my Dr is liquids week one, then alternating liquids and mushies week 2, then after that I believe it is full mushies...then week 4 is creeping back into solid foods...I know it is the holidays (or was) but try to keep in mind that your body is healing, and probably will be for some time. That being said, I have had instances where alcohol has given me some of the symptoms you listed (even without being banded), so maybe it was that...no alcohol for at least 6 months after surgery is what my doc recommends

Good for you, they have had some pretty funny commercials lately!

Wow!! Almost a pound a day! Exercise must be a lot easier when you know you're gonna see results!

All the power to you if you choose to do this without fills, but I didn't go through all this preop crap for no fills! Sounds like whatever way you have chosen to do it, its working!

Hi there, and welcome to the boards! I do not forsee your prior surgery having any bearing on your ability to have lapband. Oftentimes, a hiatial hernia is repaired during surgery, as it is a common occurrence. Always best to ask a Dr though!

BCBS of RI approved me in 32 days, hope you get a faster answer than I did! Good luck!