Thats All Folks

Terry, as usual, your post is spot on. I often think the same thing when I see people sabotaging themselves, especially really early in their journey. I see people talking about eating hamburger a week after surgery when they're supposed to be on liquids and I think... why the heck did you even bother with the surgery at all? You will hear over and over on these forums, it's not about willpower it's about want power. It's about how badly you want to lose the weight and be healthy.

Here's the really sad part: She won't do any better with Gastric Bypass either. It doesn't matter which WLS surgery you choose, unless you change your eating habits for a lifetime you simply won't lose weight and keep it off. I mean, this is exactly why there's so many cases of band over bypass lately. When I was banded 14 months ago I had 2 friends who were getting Gastric Bypass within a month of me. I heard constantly how foolish I was for not getting Bypass like them. I heard how I'd lose weight so much slower and I wouldn't lose nearly as much. Still, I stuck to my decision and got the Lap Band. Today, one friend has lost about 60 pounds (all in the first couple months) but is slowly gaining it all back. The other friend only lost about 30 pounds. I have lost over 190 pounds. Needless to say, neither friend bash the band anymore. So what's the difference? Is the band better than bypass? No! The difference is, I changed my eating habits and started exercising. Neither of my friends did, as a result, I have lost a lot of weight and they haven't. WLS isn't a sure thing unless you are willing to do the work.

I actually have lost weight from the very beginning. I had lost 44 pounds by my first fill a month after surgery. But, I have also religiously counted calories since the day I got home from the hospital, too. In retrospect I think that's why I lost weight even in the very early stages.

No I know you didn't Leslie did. That's why I quoted her post in my response. My response was to her, not you.

Could you just take a cab? At least then you know your ride won't cancel.

How many calories a day do you eat? Do you get in all your protein daily? Do you exercise?

I would tell him you will be losing weight with diet and exercise, the only difference between you and your friend is you'll have help controlling your appetite so you don't gain any weight you lose right back again. Unfortunately, you'll realize how ignorant well meaning people can be. I had a friend comment to me how I took the "easy way out". I responded "If tracking every piece of food I put in my mouth, never going above 1200 calories a day, and walking 2 miles a day is the easy way, I'd sure hate to see the hard way". Hang in there. I know it's hard but you have to remember you're doing this for you, it doesn't matter if anyone else understands or approves.

But if you're hungry only 30 minutes after eating, then you do need a fill or something done to fix your band placement because the band doesn't have enough Fluid in it to control your hunger. It's like not having a band at all if you can only go a half hour before you're hungry again. I understand there's an issue with the shape of your stomach, but how much is in your band? Has your doctor tried very little fill amounts? Even a fill as small as .1cc can make a difference. To be real honest, if I were in your shoes, I would seek out another bariatric surgeon for a second opinion. Something just doesn't sound right at all. A good bariatric surgeon wouldn't let their patient go with a poorly fit band that isn't doing them any good.

Scroll up, the formula is above in an earlier post.

Then you have no business even trying solid foods. You need to stick to your doctor's diet. Your stomach has been sutured and needs time to heal. By not following your doctor's diet, especially jumping to solid foods when you're supposed to be on liquids, you're risking serious damage to your stomach as well as causing your new band to slip. Stick to the post op diet.

It doesn't matter what you desire to eat. What matters is that you stick to the post op diet your surgeon gave you. I highly doubt that you're supposed to already be eating solid foods. What post op diet phase are you supposed to be on?

It depends on your doctor. It could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months.

Everything you need for your first week of post op diet. I'd just take your food list to the store with you. Start trying different Protein shakes to find one you like now, otherwise you may be stuck with a yucky one after surgery.

I couldn't justify re-routing my intestines or hacking out 3/4 of my healthy stomach without trying something far less drastic first. Plus, I didn't want to deal with malabsorption and dumping. So, I chose Lap Band.

I know it doesn't seem like it, but it's a good thing they realized your platelet count was low. Platelets are what clot your blood and for surgery it is crucial your platelets are at a healthy level. Not to scare you, but if they're low, you can bleed excessively or even to death. So, it's a VERY good thing they caught this and can treat you to raise yours up to where it should be. Did she say why they've changed their stance on plication? I know of a couple people who've had great luck with it, however, I've also heard more doctors are ceasing to do it recently and I don't know why that is. It seems to me plication would be less dangerous than the Sleeve yet they still do the Sleeve so it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I'm curious what your doctor's reasoning is. For the record, you can be just as successful without plication so even if you can't get it don't be discouraged. Hang in there, this is just a little bump in the road. Don't give up! Best wishes.

I think there's a couple issues here. First, I don't think band popularity is waning as much as surgeons who got into it strictly for money are realizing they can make far more doing the Sleeve or Bypass. So, they are trying to sway people towards those money maker surgeries and trying to get out of doing fills (because fills make them no money). It's clear that you need a new surgeon to handle your care because yours obviously doesn't have your best interest at heart. Second, you only wasted your $17K if you are giving up. If you're willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes to be successful with the band then you will lose and it wasn't a waste of money. If you aren't, then yup, it was a waste of $17K. Whether or not it waste of money is 100% up to you and in your control. Third, you said she stated you were "eating wrong". What is "eating wrong"? Are you eating too much? Or not enough? Or unhealthy food? Just remember, this is all in your control. It's up to you how you handle it and what the outcome is. Best wishes.

Wow you look great! Congratulations!

Oh that's wonderful!!! I'm very happy for you

I didn't use True Results, however I wanted to make sure you have a doctor to treat and fill back home before getting the surgery. Unfortunately, a lot of doctors won't treat people who travel to be banded. The ones who will usually charge a program fee on top of their fill fee, too. So, just be sure to establish care back home ahead of time. Coming home with a band and no doctor to care for you would be a nightmare. Good luck on your journey!

It is possible to cause a slip from forecful, violent, continued coughing but it's pretty uncommon.

I doubt it's anything to worry about, but I would call your doctor in the morning just to be safe.

You're very early in your journey and likely haven't even been back on solid foods for more than a month. It's a big adjustment and there's a lot to learn. Be patient with yourself. Never, ever avoid your doctor either. Patient compliance is critical to success with the band and that includes regular visits. Plus, there's nothing to be embarrassed about it. It's his job to help you. How many calories a day are you eating?

Mine is almost identical. Minimum 60g of protein, 1200 calories a day, and I don't count carbs.