Chamie

Hello! I am new to this forum and have a couple of questions.
The first question is in regards to the 4cc LapBand. I assume it is the first generation LapBand. I was wondering about its effectiveness. Do those of you who have it experience similar results to those of you who have a second or even 3rd generation LapBand? I am having surgery out of the US and the Allergan 4cc is my option.
Thanks!
Jennifer

Hang in there with the constructive criticism about having your procedure done in Mexico.......
You know what is best for you, and I think most responsible adults do their homework before making such a big decision. I you have any more questions, I would be glad to help.

Hang in there with the constructive criticism about having your procedure done in Mexico.......
You know what is best for you, and I think most responsible adults do their homework before making such a big decision. I you have any more questions, I would be glad to help.

My husband went with me. I almost went alone, but I am glad he came with. Physically it is certainly possible, (I felt great post-op & went back to work 3 days later) but for peace of mind alone, I think it is a good idea to have someone with.

I get it. I feel the same way. I'm armed with tons of information and I'm still afraid. I have never been successful with long-term weight loss before so why should I now? But this time, we will have a tool. Not something to do it for us, but a tool. We can do it.
Pennie

I didn't tell anyone (other than family just told 2 co-workers this week during an out of town trip) b/c I don't want to be constantly watched and critisized by every little thing I do.

do what you know your suppose to do and you will be fine. Don't worry about what others think. They have to pick on you when they should be picking on themselves. Stay strong you'll do great.

I am being banded on 6/12/2012. Head on over to the June Bandster's Board where we can all share our journeys together!

LOL!!!
You guys are GREAT!! Thanks for the support! I am sure I will need it!! I am scheduled for surgery on 6/12/12. i am soooooo excited!!!!!

I am so nervous! I start my liquid pre-op diet in the morning. I am so excited to start this journey, but I am nervous about this liquid diet. I desperately want to succeed. I am afraid I will be a bear!
For those of you who have done the pre-op liquid diet, how long does it take to "get into the groove" of the pre-op diet routine. What satisfies you the most? Are you always hungry? Ant tips are appreciated!

I am being banded on 6/12/2012. Head on over to the June Bandster's Board where we can all share our journeys together!

Well, I guess I will be the first to post! I am scheduled to have Lap Band done 6/12/12! I am so excited!!! I would love to have some buddies to share this with!

I am being banded on 6/12/2012. Head on over to the June Bandster's Board where we can all share our journeys together!

I have the ones from costco and I do enjoy the taste of them. I have found very few that I like the flavor of.
I understand what Chamie is saying. The instructions do not give you definate instructions on how much or what quantites to take of these items. Yes they give us a list but do not say... You are allowed 3 of these and 1 of these per day.
We are here making changes in our lives and it's frustrating enough with all the "requirements" we have to do before our paperwork can be submitted to our Insurance Company and then the wait for the word on if it was approved or not.
But to be told to go on liquid diet without some guidelines on what our limits should be calorie wise or oz wise just adds to the frustration. We want to do the right thing and not blow it because we didn't know something.
We all need support not attitude. Thank you for remembering that.

Oh Ashley....
I sooooo understand your pain. I am such an emotional eater. It is very self-soothing to me. I am so afraid that this journey will leave me depressed and unable to help myself. But I am so excited to start this journey and find myself again. I am so excited to love life and feel good again.
So you have to do a 3 week, pre-op liquid diet? I have been instructed to do a 2 week pre-op diet. I am a bit intimidated by this, but I know I can do it. What are your pre-op diet guidelines?

I am 25 years old from New Mexico. I am currently on my first week of liquid diet and have two more to go. My starting weight is 351lbs (5"5') and I have an ultimate goal of 180lbs. Eating is a very self soothing activity for me and has been a problem ever since I was born. I don't know what it is like to be in a normal weight range. All I know is that food was the only true, and consistent happiness in my life. But I want to be healthy, I want to feel beautiful, and most of all I want to have children. I am very dedicated to this lapband journey but I would love some support from someone who has gone through or is going through the same.
Ashley

I am not having trouble with the pre-op diet. I am having trouble with the lack of instructions. I need the instructions to be very specific- that way, I won't struggle with liquid diet options.
And I can assure you- I have thought long and hard before making this life-altering decision. It was not made in vain, nor was it on a whim.
And I know you are trying to be helpful, but I dont think that your statement was fair. Please try to be more considerate in the future. People come to this board for advice and help, not criticism.

As a matter of fact, i found this online. VERY INFORMATIVE! !
www.permanente.net/kaiser/pdf/63278.pdf
Copy and paste into ur address bar.

HI. The big questions I would have for your doctor is how many calories per day can you have. Clearly they want to limit your cals if they are saying to mix the Protein shakes with Water instead of milk (fat free still has about 90 cals per cup).
Be aware some protein powders are VERY high in cals, fat and carbs so read the labels. Gold Standard Double chocolate and Dymatize Nutrition Gourmet vanilla are very good and are about 110 cals,with low carbs and fat for about 23 g of protein.
As for premade shakes look for something that will get you at least 25 g of protein for 150-200 cals. I second Premier Protein (they now advertise on this site but I discovered them before that). Avaialbe at SAMS and costco. Post op I use them for my prework out snack since I have a looong time between lunch and dinner and I exercise in between.

I have my pre-op diet in hand, just not scheduled yet so I'm anticipating you 'pain' only. Besides the high protein/low carb shakes, liquids (water, broth, sugar-free pops and gelatin) I can have, twice a day, certain yogurts, cottage cheese (1/2 cup nonfat) 1 hard boiled egg 2 oz. deli turker/chicken. Also, once a day steamed or raw veggies.
Maybe your doc will go along with this.
Good luck. Sorry you were beat up at the beginning of this post, I knew what you were trying to say. Just think, besides being banded at the end of all this you'll be able to say you survived the pre-op!

I am not having trouble with the pre-op diet. I am having trouble with the lack of instructions. I need the instructions to be very specific- that way, I won't struggle with liquid diet options.
And I can assure you- I have thought long and hard before making this life-altering decision. It was not made in vain, nor was it on a whim.
And I know you are trying to be helpful, but I dont think that your statement was fair. Please try to be more considerate in the future. People come to this board for advice and help, not criticism.

I haven't been banded yet, scheduled for the end of October in Mexico with Dr Ortiz. I do know,however, that the band is an object. It is supposed to be built to last a long time, but like any other false implant such as hips, knees, etc; it is going to need to be replaced or revamped someday. I know this going in, and for me, it is still less risk than getting a part of my stomach cut out or re-routed. I'm sorry but anytime a bodily organ has to be removed or cut, it is much higher risk than just putting something in. I may feel differently a year or two after my surgery, but for now, this is best for me. My cousin has had her band in for 7 years or so. She had to have her port replaced a month or two ago, a very minor surgery - I have also read that people have had to have the tube replaced due to leaks or that the tube is now too long because they lost so much weight that it now needs to be re-lengthened. Stil, I am choosing the band because it is adjustable, completely reversable, and according to statistics, the lowest risk of all weight loss surgeries.

I agree with you as well. I am scheduled for LB in June and the negative posts have me concerned, too. But I do agree with the majority of the posters who responded that it is more common to see posts about complications rather than lack of, because people who are having complications need to explore other's experiences or "vent."
I also agree that maybe we are experiencing more complaints due to recent events.
With all due respect, however, I would like to say, as a health care professional myself, that we need to take such with some skepticism. I do believe that some bandsters have had catastophic events, but I believe that such events may not be the result of the band. If you review the posts a bit more thoroughly, you will see that spelling and grammar, as well as basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology are somewhat lacking. Therefore, I believe that maybe the story isnt quite what it may seem. And as all of us who experience the pitfalls of obesity know, there are multitudes of potentially deadly co-morbidities that accompany obesity. That is, after all why we want to change our lives- isn't it? Good luck with your journey. I look forward to reading about your success!

up near the clavicle? WOW!!
I would be too tempted to try and fill myself.
I am only taking 3 days off. I am the boss, so I can stay away from patient care if I have to. I hope all goes well. I am a bit nervous!

LadyHawk~
To be completely honest with you- I am not taking off enought time. I think a week is sufficient. My surgery is 6/12, so I am sure you will be able to give me advice! Good luck!