bluetigereyes

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

OK, I will tell you my story....Both my parents had gastric bypass when it was still experimental, about 30 years ago. Things were great with them (although they have both gained part of their weight back). Recently my dad had to have surgery for colon cancer. Due to the way his gastric bypass was done, they needed to reverse the previous bypass and do a gastric sleeve. He had that surgery on May 17th of this year. He was in the hospital for a week, and came home, looking and feeling pretty good. Within 2 days of him being home, he lost energy, became white as a sheet, and was not himself. He only wanted to sleep and take his pain pills. I finally convinced my mom to take him to the ER after he had been home a week. Well, his sleeve had SEVERAL leaks and he had a septic infection. He was in ICU for 9 days, and so far has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks. He has had over 15 surgeries in that time, and still scheduled for at least 3 more, and will be in the hospital another 2-3 weeks. His bill is OVER $1,000,000 right now and the end is not in sight yet.
I DO NOT recommend the sleeve! This has been a horrible experience for my family and my dad almost died several times.
I am SO glad that I have my band. Yes, the weight loss is slower, but the complications are no where near what my poor father has been going through. I have had my band since 12/22/11, and so far lost 50 lbs, I would not trade my slower weight loss for the complications that my dad is going through EVER!
please make an informed decision. I wish my dad would not have gotten the sleeve and they did the band instead for him, he would have avoided all of these complications!!!!

OK, I will tell you my story....Both my parents had gastric bypass when it was still experimental, about 30 years ago. Things were great with them (although they have both gained part of their weight back). Recently my dad had to have surgery for colon cancer. Due to the way his gastric bypass was done, they needed to reverse the previous bypass and do a gastric sleeve. He had that surgery on May 17th of this year. He was in the hospital for a week, and came home, looking and feeling pretty good. Within 2 days of him being home, he lost energy, became white as a sheet, and was not himself. He only wanted to sleep and take his pain pills. I finally convinced my mom to take him to the ER after he had been home a week. Well, his sleeve had SEVERAL leaks and he had a septic infection. He was in ICU for 9 days, and so far has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks. He has had over 15 surgeries in that time, and still scheduled for at least 3 more, and will be in the hospital another 2-3 weeks. His bill is OVER $1,000,000 right now and the end is not in sight yet.
I DO NOT recommend the sleeve! This has been a horrible experience for my family and my dad almost died several times.
I am SO glad that I have my band. Yes, the weight loss is slower, but the complications are no where near what my poor father has been going through. I have had my band since 12/22/11, and so far lost 50 lbs, I would not trade my slower weight loss for the complications that my dad is going through EVER!
please make an informed decision. I wish my dad would not have gotten the sleeve and they did the band instead for him, he would have avoided all of these complications!!!!

I typically put the eggs in a pan and cover with cold Water. Put a lid on the pan and turn on medium-high heat. Bring to a full boil, and let boil for 5 minutes. Then (without removing the lid) let sit in the hot Water for another 10 mins.
After the 10 mins is up, drain the hot water, and fill with cold water and ice. Let the eggs sit in that for about 15 mins to totally cool, then peel.
If the eggs are very fresh, they will need to sit in the hot water for an additional 10 mins before cooling or the shells will not peel off easily.

Bravo, while I do agree that the decision is totally and completely up to the person having the surgery, it is also beneficial to know the stories of others that have had the same and/or similar procedures. I personally have the band, and LOVE it. However, when choosing a doctor, some are totally against the band and will do and say whatever they want to sway the person to the way they prefer to do the surgery. I was just putting out my family's experience with the sleeve. This is just to give one more informed 'possibility of complication' and to know it truly does happen, and can be deadly.

I typically put the eggs in a pan and cover with cold Water. Put a lid on the pan and turn on medium-high heat. Bring to a full boil, and let boil for 5 minutes. Then (without removing the lid) let sit in the hot Water for another 10 mins.
After the 10 mins is up, drain the hot water, and fill with cold water and ice. Let the eggs sit in that for about 15 mins to totally cool, then peel.
If the eggs are very fresh, they will need to sit in the hot water for an additional 10 mins before cooling or the shells will not peel off easily.

OK, I will tell you my story....Both my parents had gastric bypass when it was still experimental, about 30 years ago. Things were great with them (although they have both gained part of their weight back). Recently my dad had to have surgery for colon cancer. Due to the way his gastric bypass was done, they needed to reverse the previous bypass and do a gastric sleeve. He had that surgery on May 17th of this year. He was in the hospital for a week, and came home, looking and feeling pretty good. Within 2 days of him being home, he lost energy, became white as a sheet, and was not himself. He only wanted to sleep and take his pain pills. I finally convinced my mom to take him to the ER after he had been home a week. Well, his sleeve had SEVERAL leaks and he had a septic infection. He was in ICU for 9 days, and so far has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks. He has had over 15 surgeries in that time, and still scheduled for at least 3 more, and will be in the hospital another 2-3 weeks. His bill is OVER $1,000,000 right now and the end is not in sight yet.
I DO NOT recommend the sleeve! This has been a horrible experience for my family and my dad almost died several times.
I am SO glad that I have my band. Yes, the weight loss is slower, but the complications are no where near what my poor father has been going through. I have had my band since 12/22/11, and so far lost 50 lbs, I would not trade my slower weight loss for the complications that my dad is going through EVER!
please make an informed decision. I wish my dad would not have gotten the sleeve and they did the band instead for him, he would have avoided all of these complications!!!!

I had to have surgery 6 weeks after my band because my port had flipped. My doctor could not get me squeezed into the procedure room at the hospital, so he opened me back up (in the office) and fixed my port. I totally agree that its discouraging, however, I had to take a whole different approach to the situation and tell myself that life cannot be all easy roads, every so often we will come upon a speed bump. Generally I try to go as fast as I can over those speed bumps so I dont really feel them, but sometimes you have to slow down and make that climb over the bump....once you are on the other side, things go easier and you will be back on that smooth road for a while. Take this as one of those speed bumps, keep your chin up, and this will pass. Dont regret your decision, it will all work out in the end

You cannot physically FEEL the band. You do know its there when you eat too fast, eat certain foods, drink while you eat, or get full. You do get full much faster when you are at your 'green zone'. Personally, I cannot eat breads with my band, they will make me VERY sick. So, I have realized that the breads just are not worth it and I stick to the better foods. In return, because I have cut the carbs so much, I dont crave them nearly as much anymore either. I have had my band for 6 months, and I have lost 50lbs now. I was getting discouraged at first because I didnt lose as fast as other people that I have seen on the boards, but it does work. There is no magic number as to how much or how fast you will lose. That will be up to you. You can choose to eat/drink the foods that go through the band way too easily that are high in calories, or you can choose to stick with the Proteins and foods that will help you stay full longer. The choice you make will directly affect the end result you achieve. The band is only a TOOL....it does not force you to lose the weight, you still have to use the tool correctly to be successful.

I get the Premier Protein shakes from costco. They are really good, 30gr Protein, and only 1 gr sugar. They are less expensive than the ones online and I dont have to pay shipping either (They are about $24 for 18 shakes)

I've taken it. I would suggest you start on a Friday morning, because you will be so wired the first couple of days that it will be hard to sleep. After the first 2-3 days, you will get in a better pattern, but those initial days are insane!!! It does work as long as you take it daily.

I just have to say, I havent bought any new clothes since I started this journey. However, all my pants are getting VERY big on me (They are all 20-22's). So, I decided to clean out my closed/drawers and have 3 HUGE bags of pants that are all too big. This is great, except I needed some new pants. So, I went to Old Navy last night and grabbed a pair of 18's, tried them on and even those were too big. So, I tought, there is NO WAY that I can be down to a 16......but I tried some on anyway and they fit! not only did they fit, they looked great! I am so happy.....I can fit into a 16 again. I havent seen a 16 in over 8 years!!!!!

I just have to say, I havent bought any new clothes since I started this journey. However, all my pants are getting VERY big on me (They are all 20-22's). So, I decided to clean out my closed/drawers and have 3 HUGE bags of pants that are all too big. This is great, except I needed some new pants. So, I went to Old Navy last night and grabbed a pair of 18's, tried them on and even those were too big. So, I tought, there is NO WAY that I can be down to a 16......but I tried some on anyway and they fit! not only did they fit, they looked great! I am so happy.....I can fit into a 16 again. I havent seen a 16 in over 8 years!!!!!

Just an update...my dad had the sleeve on May 17th, (I had the band on Dec 22, 11), I went to visit my dad yesterday since it was his birthday, he is having a VERY hard recovery, he is depressed and all he wants to do is sleep. He is in alot of pain and honestly not doing well. The Sleeve is not the only surgery that he had done, however, that is the one that is making him not want to eat at all. He refuses to even drink his 4oz Protein Shake, all he wants is Water or crystal light.
In my opinion, the sleeve is a VERY drastic way to go, I am so glad that I have my band. My recovery was about a week, and I was feeling back to normal.
The choice is yours, do your research, and make the decision that you can live with!!! (remember, the band is fully adjustable the rest of your life, and can be reversed if needed, the sleeve is a one shot deal)

I have the band, and my dad just had the sleeve done last week. This is how I look at it. With the sleeve you will drop the weight qucikly, however is typically only effective for about 80% of your weight loss. It is NOT reversible and can never be revised. Witht he band, you can have revisions and it is fully adjustable the rest of your life.
Get a second opinion and talk to people that have both the sleeve and the band, make an informed decision and do what is going to be the best for YOU!

Start by going back to your doctor. You will more than likely need a fill. The doctor can take all the Fluid out of your band to see how much is in there and start all over with the fills. Taking responsibility is the first step, go forward from here. You already have the tool, now its time to start USING the tool. What works for me is first and foremost, go on a VERY low carb/high Protein diet. Get past the point of craving the carbs and sweets. Once you can get that behind you, then you can get to the best part, which is seeing the weight come off. BUT, you have to get in to your doctor first, get a fill, and start over again.
The best thing is, today is a new day. YOU have the choice of what you are going to do. Yesterday is gone, you cannot change what happened, tomorrow is not here yet, so make today the first day of the rest of your life.
Choose your attitude, remember, your attitude is 9/10's of your success! You CAN do this, remember why you got the band and how you felt when you were making the right choices. That feeling will come back and you will gain that motivation to get the ball rolling again. Dont give up on yourself!!!

Start by going back to your doctor. You will more than likely need a fill. The doctor can take all the Fluid out of your band to see how much is in there and start all over with the fills. Taking responsibility is the first step, go forward from here. You already have the tool, now its time to start USING the tool. What works for me is first and foremost, go on a VERY low carb/high Protein diet. Get past the point of craving the carbs and sweets. Once you can get that behind you, then you can get to the best part, which is seeing the weight come off. BUT, you have to get in to your doctor first, get a fill, and start over again.
The best thing is, today is a new day. YOU have the choice of what you are going to do. Yesterday is gone, you cannot change what happened, tomorrow is not here yet, so make today the first day of the rest of your life.
Choose your attitude, remember, your attitude is 9/10's of your success! You CAN do this, remember why you got the band and how you felt when you were making the right choices. That feeling will come back and you will gain that motivation to get the ball rolling again. Dont give up on yourself!!!

Start by going back to your doctor. You will more than likely need a fill. The doctor can take all the Fluid out of your band to see how much is in there and start all over with the fills. Taking responsibility is the first step, go forward from here. You already have the tool, now its time to start USING the tool. What works for me is first and foremost, go on a VERY low carb/high Protein diet. Get past the point of craving the carbs and sweets. Once you can get that behind you, then you can get to the best part, which is seeing the weight come off. BUT, you have to get in to your doctor first, get a fill, and start over again.
The best thing is, today is a new day. YOU have the choice of what you are going to do. Yesterday is gone, you cannot change what happened, tomorrow is not here yet, so make today the first day of the rest of your life.
Choose your attitude, remember, your attitude is 9/10's of your success! You CAN do this, remember why you got the band and how you felt when you were making the right choices. That feeling will come back and you will gain that motivation to get the ball rolling again. Dont give up on yourself!!!

VERY Cute!!! I keep a candy bowl on my desk filled with all different types of chocolate. I have found that if I have it readily available, I couldnt care less about it. Its those days that I have no candy anywhere to be found that I crave it so badly. Its almost like reverse psychology on myself, because I only want the things I cannot have. Since I have candy available, I dont want it.

Dear candy Bowl,
I noticed this morning that you've been refilled by some well-meaning member of my team.
I also noticed that shiny Cadbury Creme Egg sitting there in the midst of all those other naughty treats.
And I walked right past you. Sure, I may have glanced your way for a minute, but don't misread that as a sign of weakness!
I don't need you any more. Yeah, you heard me.
I've moved on, mister. Edamame may not be as flashy as you are, but he's reliable and has always treated me better! I'm better off hanging with him and his friends Almonds, tuna and Yogurt - they might not always take me for that wild sugar-rush ride, but they're dependable and they don't drag me down! They make me feel better about myself - you never did that for me and you never will.
Goodbye, Candy Bowl. It's been nice knowing you.
I feel sorry for the next silly girl that falls prey to your good looks and fast moves!
Sincerely,
Eye on Onederland

This stage is commonly known as "Bandster Hell" It will continue until you get a couple of fills. Its not necessarily bad to eat every two -3 hours, and dont get discouraged if you even gain a few pounds at this point. Its perfectly normal