not2big42long

Congratulations dawnsunshine35, This is so great. I am getting banded on the 24th and it's nice to be able to read about what to expect. All the info will make it so much easier. Thanks for letting all of us that have yet to get our bands know what to expect. Take Care

Hi Alexandra, Your comments are like a balm on a wound, very soothing. I wish I were already where you are but I will get there soon. I completely agree with you about the band, although I do not have experience to base my thoughts on yet. I only have what I have seen and researched. These were my thoughts on why I chose the lap band over GBS Marc I hope this helps: Hi Marc, First of all congratulations, I’m getting my band on 3/24. I think you made a good choice with the band. For one it is completely reversible. Although the malabsorbtive part may sound good, did you think about all the nutrients you also don’t absorb? Most having the GBS have to take a lot of supplements because their bodies have lost the ability to absorb them from food. They end up dealing with osteoporosis, anemia, and metabolic bone disease. The "dumping syndrome" in which food moves too quickly through the small intestine can cause nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and sometimes diarrhea after eating. There can also be an inability to eat sweets without severe weakness and sweating causing patients to lie down to let the symptoms pass. The enzyme needed to digest milk and other dairy products (lactase) does not reach food in the usual fashion and may not be able to fully digest milk. Undigested milk can lead to gas, cramping and diarrhea so you may need to avoid dairy products and eat foods that do not contain lactose (i.e. soy milk, lactaid). And the BIG fear with GBS is staple line break down or leakage, which leads to emergency surgery and a longer stay in the hospital. The great thing about fills is it means that what you had done is adjustable. You get to decide what your “sweet spot” is. When a GBS patient’s smaller stomach begins to stretch they have no other choice than to have another surgery. Also the massive amount of weight lost in a short amount of time with the GBS often causes massive loss of muscle mass. Losing a little slower and in a more controlled fashion is significantly healthier. After all the research I did and the actual part of seeing and doing the surgery, I do think they both play an important roll in weight loss. The band can easily be cheated where as the GBS will make you pay for the cheating. But the band has minimal side effects compared to that of GBS so I guess it’s up to the individual and whether they think they will try to cheat the band or do they need the retrictiveness of the GBS??? Can you tell I have been thinking about this for a while LOL? :laugh Take Care and Good Luck,

Thanks Gabby and Alexandra, The idea of taking this time to allow yourself the luxury of eating all those things that your family doesn't like is a great way to get through the first couple of months that, from what I have read, seem to be a little tough. I will take your advice and eat as much salad as I can before I get banded - I love salad and I'm sure I will miss it also. Sorry about the name, I couldn't think of one so I had my husband and daughter make one up for me. Should have just used my name like I was going to. Can you change your user name?

Hi All, Wow what an informative site. I am going to be banded on 3/24. It took me a while to decide. I work in the operating room and in November of 2002 our O.R. decided to start doing WLS. I was involved in getting the program started and have seen first hand the pros and cons for both the Band and the RNY. Quite a few of my friends that work other places in the hospital have had the band done, so for the last year or so I have sat back and watched their progress and wished I had had the guts just to do it back then. My friends are elated and have done very well and I have finally decided to take the leap and get banded myself. :Bunny Now that the date is nearing I find myself getting a little frightened but completely excited. I have a couple of questions I was wondering if someone could answer. How long did it take to feel better/regain energy after surgery? How soon did you go back to work? After the week of fluids, how did you eat? Did you puree the meals that you cook for your family? Any other helpful hints would be wonderful. Thanks for being here, even though we are all over the nation, it's nice to know you are all just an email away.