Fantasy

I think the most important of all is to have your surgeons phone # and any important instructions near your phone and bed. Make sure you have all your prescriptions handy. Get them filled and ready before you even have your surgery (speaking from experience). (Banded 8/12/05)

I would say both. However, I would get the smallest fill possible, that way you will work up to the right restriction and be perfect. You would be surprised to find out how a little fill can make a big difference. When you are at your sweet spot you get full sooner and hunger goes away. We still must factor in head hunger, unfortunately. (banded 8/12/05)

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better. Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be posted 3 times. however, now that I think about it you deserve to be congratulated multiple times.

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better.

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better.

Thank goodness, I never had to do a pre op diet. I never would have made it to surgery. I didn't cheat on the post op diet. I was too afraid I would mess up the placement of the band. However when I could eat solids. I ate a side of ribs. Of course I only did it once, a last hurrah before I started to get fills. :wub:

I guess it is not how fast or slow you lose the weight. It is whether or not you can maintain it. You know we have all these rules we have to follow. I found out first of all I can't follow all of the rules. I don't want to. So I had to learn to adjust this band journey to rules I can live with and that work for me. My two major ones are chocolate everyday and to exercise as little as possible. My other main rule is to be accountable to the calories I consume whether it be a lot or a little everyday. Also not to consume junk or fast food. This works for me.

Are you at the right fill? Your band will not stretch. Your stomach might stretch above it. Good luck.

I think one should really research this. I have read not so wonderful things on the internet about this surgery. Mainly about the folded tissue turning necrotic.

I was banded almost 7 years ago and I haven't had any problems.

It is just amazing how cavalier people are about having 85% of a major organ removed (VSG). This major organ contains hormones and nerves, including ghrelin which is necessary for our bodies to function. Removal of ghrelin can cause depression. Has it dawned on anyone that this surgery was used in the past only for cancer and ulcers that wouldn't heal. No,even if my band was to be removed I would not have this surgical alteration done to my body unless I had cancer or non healing ulcers.

Sorry to hear there was a glitch in your band removal surgery. Get well soon.

A wise person told me once, "We make plans and God laughs". You have a good attitude. If it was me and I just woke up from surgery and was told that, they would have had to put me in a "padded cell."

My heart breaks for anyone who is unsuccessful with any weight loss surgery. Some of the suggestions given to you seem pretty good. Good luck to you.

Sorry to hear you had a little glitch in your band removal surgery. Get well soon.

In August I will be banded SEVEN YEARS. I lost all of my weight and then some. I have not had any problems at all except finding clothes small enough. Size 4-6. Everyone is different. Don't judge yourself against anyone else.

Jean, was sorry to hear that you are having your band removed, but am glad to hear that you will be getting a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy next month. Hope you are successful with that.

I will have had my band 7 years in August. It took me a year to lose all of my weight. I have kept it off. I have had no problems. There is a learning curve as how to eat. Slowly and chew food well. This was the hardest part for me to learn. I had an excellent doctor who was very strict about following the criteria. I had very small fills and it took about 9 months before I got perfect restriction. I was in no hurry and just took it one day at a time. I only lost about 6 lbs. per month, but I got to goal, actually lower and have stayed within 10 lbs. I never compared myself with anyone. I did mild exercise. I never pushed myself as I knew if I did this I would be sabotaging my self and get back into the habits that got me fat in the first place. You MUST make a committment especially til you get to goal. Best of luck in your journey.

I never had hair loss. I think it has a lot to do with making sure you are eating (drinking) enough protein.

Hi, I just found this sight. I have been banded almost 7 years. It was the easiest and best thing (and completely painless, really)I have ever done for myself. I have had no complications at all and I have kept off all of the weight I lost. Best of luck to you.