OldMomOf3

All in all it wasn't so bad, except that 1) I had to wait 3 hours at the hospital before they took me in and 2) my throat is killing me! I mean very bad pain that isn't gong away or getting any better. Frozen yogurt is the only thing that helps, and that only temporarily - just seconds before the pain is back. Oh, and I do have a small hyatal hernia. Will fix when banding

LOVING all of your posts!!! Thank you so much and keep them coming!! WaitingPatiently raised a really good point and I wanted to respond by editing my original post above and adding.... "*Just to clarify, I'm not asking for success stories only (there is a super section under "forums" for that), but all types of stories so we can get a fuller perspective all in one post. I REALLY want replies from people who love the band and people who hate it, and everything in between. I love the success stories and totally empathize with those who are struggling. I'm looking for a TRUE picture from people with experience they are willing to share.."

I'm not a health expert and I'm not a sales person for Isagenix but here's what I know about the shakes. 1. I can read, and I see that their shake contains mostly the same ingredients as there are in other healthy, high Protein products. This makes me think it's just as healthy as the next thing. There are many Vitamins and minerals and amino acids, etc. I had my doctor look it over and he was fine with it. Hi protein, low fat (though sightly higher than others), and low carbs. Bottom line: Not a BAD product. Also meets the standard carb/protein/fat balance for diabetics. 2. It tastes great to me, and leaves me very satisfied for about 3 hours. My kids even like it if I add a banana and some cinnamon. 3. The 2 shakes, 1 meal, 3 tiny, healthy Snacks plan helped me to loose weight just as much as the next program (Weight Watchers, SlimFast, etc). So, I'm not saying it's a wonder shake and it probably does not live up to all of the miraculous claims the company makes. However, when I used it as a Meal Replacement and followed the suggested diet, I felt good, it tastes good and I did loose weight. Again, I'm not a sales rep for the company and I'm not interested in persuading anyone to try it. I just wanted to share with you my actual experience with this product. I wouldn't turn to it as a silver bullet, or magical weight loss product, but I found that I liked it and there isn't anything in it that makes it BAD for you - compared to similar products. Seems like it's just a personal preference thing.

I had the same issue a few days ago and the link below will connect you to some more answers to your questions. It is my post and the replies people gave me. I came to the conclusion that the band is the one for me. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/147951-doc-pushing-toward-sleeveany-thoughts/

.

I've been drinking their original chocolate and vanilla for 2 years and I love it. Very satisfying and tastes very good. To me, the newer formulas aren't as good tasting as the old ones. If you ask for the original formula when you order you can get it, but it isn't on the order form (at least I don't think it is). You also can't get the individual packets in original formula. Yeah, this stuff is really good. I add cinnamon to it for a little change up.

I was super nervous too, TXKMB, and I'd prefer to not do it again. However, it was much smoother than I expected. For me it was just very painful for about 24 hours. The only thing that calmed my throat was ice cream, Popsicles, Succrets, and ice cold water. I also took Tylenol PM so I could sleep through the pain. By the next evening I was much better. I did hack a lot, and to tell you the truth, over a week later I still seem to have gunk in my throat. Other than that, it was fairly simple. I felt like it was a dress rehearsal for the band surgery, Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

Very good input. Thanks everyone. I will give a few of those a try. Soccer, Bariatric Advantage is the product my doctor is pushing. I wonder if the kick back he's getting is good, or if he really believes it's the best? He gave me a free sample. Yuck, but it fits the limitations HONK was mentioning above.

Has anyone been required to drink a shake brand sold by their doctor? Mine does, but it tastes absolutely awful and gives me terrible lower abdominal issues. What brand do you use?

So this is a little bit embarrassing, but .... Is the gas just painful, or is it loud? Is it the upward gas, or the downword gas? Yikes, I have to go back to my teaching job 4 days after surgery. Am I setting myself up for a super embarrassing situation? And the liquid diet - um, I can only leave my classroom 1 time each hour, on a very tight schedule. Advice? Experiences?

Oh, so strange, Dreamalways, how long did that last?

Anthem BC of CA, I had my first visit and was approved 5 days later. No diet required. The doctor's office was so sure I'd be approved that they scheduled my surgery when I was finished with my consult. My BMI is 41, and I have HBP. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, I had to make the surgery apt for 2 months after my consult. I'm being banded June 21.

Has anyone been required to drink a shake brand sold by their doctor? Mine does, but it tastes absolutely awful and gives me terrible lower abdominal issues. What brand do you use?

I've been approved for the band and have a date, June 21. However, doc is saying I'm looking at about 40 lbs weight loss (that is 50% of my excessive weight). He says sleeve will give me greater weight loss. Is this band procedure really worth 40 lbs? Anyone lose more than 50% of your excess weight? Anyone have the sleeve? Love to hear your thoughts.

Today the doc told me I have a fatty liver and that they will biopsy it when they do the band. Anyone else have that. Also, as part of my pre-op instructions I was told to go off of the pill (birth control) for 3 weeks before surgery. Has anyone else been told the same thing?

I'm june 21. Is that too late to join the fun?

I'm right there with ya! I just found out yesterday that I have diabetes too. That was a bit of a shock to me because I've never tested positive for that. It just has me all the more convinced that WLS is the right thing to do. Learning I have diabetes just removed that last shred of doubt I had about WLS. I'll consider the bypass surgery if weight loss via band does not resolve the issue. I hope you can move your date forward now. Let's keep tabs on our diagnosis and hopefully we will see it improve!

Wow, you guys! You are soooooo helpful. This is such good reading for me. I was very down, feeling defeated even before surgery and absolutely perplexed after I walked out of that appointment. Your posts have really encouraged and enlightened me. I have done all the reading about the risks from medical websites, but hearing if from real patients and potential patients just means so much more. Thank you, and I welcome even more replies. I hope this is good reading for others facing the same choice.

All very good info! Thank you. I'm especially concerned with the effectiveness of my birth control after surgery. I'm in my 40s and not looking to have another baby. 117823, Did you have any additional pain or any issues with your liver biopsy? I'm still not sure why the livery biopsy is necessary. They already know it's fatty. When the doc said I needed it I was too shocked to ask questions. Will have to do that next time. I just don't know what they would be looking for. I'll search the internet, but I'm sure that will leave me thinking I'm gong to die any minute.

Thanks for the recent input, banders. You're giving me lots to think about. I may try to cut my classes short so I don't have to worry about an embarrassing gas moment. I would just die if gas came from either the top or the bottom in front of my students (they are all Marines who have heard gas before, but I'm not one of them, so a little awkward).

Thanks for your input and wisdom everyone. I called he hospital and it is not a teaching hospital. I'm all for new doctor's learning how to do procedures, just not on my body and not on my buck. I know some may be comfortable with it, and for those who are, great. But I want the doctor with the most experience. I researched very carefully and chose the doctor based on the fact that he had done over 1000 of these procedures. If we were talking about a mole removal or something minor, I'd be okay with it, but we're talking about a surgery and procedure on my stomach. I'd go to a brand new hair styles or a student manicurist, but surgery, no. Fortunately, I'll be able to discuss my concern with the doctor and I'll see what he says.

Just wondering, is it normal to be hacking up gunk after the endoscopy?

Thanks for the compassionate words! I am feeling better this morning, though still tender. Yes, Kat, I was OUT! I remember starting to cry (because I was scared), then the doctor said, "don't worry, I learned it all on youtube," then the next thing you know I was in recovery laughing in my mind about his comment. I'm glad it went that way.

Love that verse, Texas! This might sound crazy, but I actually think that I will be able to serve God more effectively when I loose weight. I don't think my heart toward serving and bringing him glory will change, but I think it will change the way people respond to me. I think my weight gets in other people's way. I certainly don't think that's okay, on their part, but it is the way our culture is. Our culture sees heavy people differently, negatively, etc. I hope that losing weight will make people look at me more for who I am inside and for the words I speak about the Lord, and for the way he has changed me (new creation in him). I hope they will see God at work in me when they see me and not just a big overweight person, which is where their eyes stop right now.

Awesome replies everyone. I'm right there too - nervous as all get out, but trusting God and knowing he has control and will work all things out for good - even if they don't feel real good. I know God would not allow me to come this far (approvals, timing, husband's support, etc) if this was wrong. I know he will close the doors to plans he does not have for me. Still nervous, so much so that I cried while going into my endoscopy today, but trusting, nonetheless. Thanks for the posts and the wisdom.