NurseLydsss

At first my family MD did not like the idea as well....and she said, well I don't think you are that big to require surgery.....So I explained to her that I have been struggling with my weight for the past 7yrs, and each year I seem to be gaining more and if I don't do something about it now, it will only get worst....and I reminded her, she was the one who wanted to put me on metformin. Then she said to me you know what, I get it, I get it.....and have been more supportive since. The bad thing is for me, I work with my family MD, and so she sees me on a daily basis, so I have to push myself harder, just to make sure I do not embarrass myself by failing at this....

I agree with Missy and Jups... I am a nurse as well, and know many individuals who have done the bypass. Besides the malnutrition and higher mortality rate associated with it, it's not adjustable....many have continued with their previous eating habits thus stretching the stomach again and gained the weight back. Now many who have had the bypass are now getting the band as well. The neg. thing I still do not like with the band is the slippage issue, but not many experience it, and the newer bands are a bit better designed to reduce the risk and now they are stitching the stomach over the band as well to reduce slippage episodes. So for me, despite that 1 negative aspect, I chose to go with the band because I could not imagine letting them cut my stomach. But again it is definitely YOUR CHOICE....a lot of people don't like the band because of the maintenance it requires, but that I don't mind at all. I love having that rapport with my surgeon to ensure all is going well.

I agree with Missy, and you also have to take into account the person's weight and BMI. Some people who are doing this surgery are about 400lbs and some are in the 200's.....so the heavier person's liver is most likely more enlarged, thus some doctors are not willing to risk that (safe practice, a really good thing). That's why some people are doing a 5 to 4 wks pre-op diet and some are not required to do none at all. I believe about 2wks ago, I read on this forum, one of the members of this site, went into surgery (given general anesthetic and was cut open), only to get sewn back without a band in place because she was told her liver was too big and it was too risky. So if I were you, I would definitely double check with my Dr. and follow his/her recommendations to avoid a similar situation. My Dr. for example have placed many of his patients on a pre-op diet, and many were not. Same Dr. but treats each patient on a case by case basis.......and he's a very well experienced Surgeon.

Congrats...keep up the good work.I hope to be like you soon.....

I'm not sure what the nutritional values are, but try looking into the Weight Watchers chocolate candies by Whitmans.....they are portion size and delicious...I used to use them around that time of the mnth when I did WW....but again i was going by a points system, not sure of the nutritional facts.....

Hello everyone, Just have a question..... I have been reading a lot about band slippage, re-banding multiple times..... I am wondering, the individuals who are experiencing the slippage, were your band plicated? From my understanding, the plication is done to prevent slippage. Any of you out there who were plicated and still experienced slippage? I will be banded in less a week or so, and my Dr. says I will be plicated....but my mind was at ease knowing it will help with not having a slipped band....just worrying a bit lol.....

I don't have to do a pre-op liquid diet either....My Dr. said, my BMI is not so high, so he's not concerned about shrinking my liver. He just said the day prior to eat lightly throughout the day and NPO after midnight.

Hi Carolinagirl.... I'm curious to know how was your plication done? Cause I'm finding out there are 2 different procedures people are referring to as plication.... 1. was the rest of your stomach Stapled similar to a sleeve or 2. did they use portion of your stomach either from bellow or above the band and stitch it to secure the band? I was under the impression that the plication was option #2.

We are in the same boat....mine is a day after yours and I'm excited and scared out of my mind as well...but we just have to keep thinking positive....we can do this. Good luck and let us know how it went!!!

I saw that too...so now i'm confused lol...but when I spoke with him, he said nothing about folding the rest of the stomach as a sleeve...he mentioned to keep it in place for less possibility of having a slippage....you know what, I am going to email him today, once I get an answer, I will let you know.

He did not mention it either, but I sent him a long email with questions...lol...and taht was one of them. I also asked him about which band he uses and what size I would be getting...cause they have 2 sizes....he answered all and so forth....sometimes they forget to mention things, but upon my research and reading what others posts, I created a long list of questions and emailed him....

They take part of the stomach tissue ( not sure if they go from below the band or above the band and stitch it over the band to create a tunnel to secure the band into position. sutures are placed to hold the Lap-Band in place and prevent it from sliding into a less optimal position (band slippage). It's mostly to secure the band in place.

He just does it generally, no extra cost...but I assume if a patient does not one it, they would have to request not to have it, but he highly recomends it.

Hello everyone, Just have a question..... I have been reading a lot about band slippage, re-banding multiple times..... I am wondering, the individuals who are experiencing the slippage, were your band plicated? From my understanding, the plication is done to prevent slippage. Any of you out there who were plicated and still experienced slippage? I will be banded in less a week or so, and my Dr. says I will be plicated....but my mind was at ease knowing it will help with not having a slipped band....just worrying a bit lol.....

You are not alone...mine is scheduled a day after yours, and have been having negative thoughts about things that can go wrong in the surgery room and leaving my son behind....I'm a single mom, so I'm all he has. As for family I did not tell anyone but 1 person...she's supportive and have not said anything negative. But I do have bad dreams and think of all that can go wrong...I guess we are human, we have to consider the negative aspects as well but hope for the best. but We CAN DO THIS....nothing about this means we are killing ourselves, we are trying to get better and be better moms by trying to become healthier. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

Thanks Deb, That's very encouraging, because today I kept thinking why am I doing this, I can't even sleep at night now. My biggest fear is leaving my 8yr old behind....as I am all he has. I keep trying to cheer myself up saying, I can step out the door tomorrow and many things can happen to me and end up leaving him behind....but I can't help but feeling if something were to happen, I'm responsible for letting him down. At this point, I wish I had the surgery already, cause I think the worst is waiting and counting days, then begin to think of all sort of things....10 days left to deal with these thoughts lol. But thanks, your kind words were very encouraging.

The biggest looser exercising tape...got it for $5 bucks at Walmart....it's great, it does not tire you out too much....but make you work your biggest muscles (thighs) with cardio to burn fat....I lost 42lbs last year eating healthy and doing that tape....but gained 19 back and quickly doing the surgery before I put it all back on and more lol.....hope that helped.

I am feeling the same way you are...mine is sept. 28th, I'm excited but afraid of the pain, I am doing all I can to be best prepared...

It helps to plan a menu for 2wks or a month ahead....that way you do not have to think of what you are going to eat for dinner. That will also help you to buy groceries that you actually need for the 2wks or the mnth. As a single mom with a busy schedule, that has helped me a lot, planning meals weeks in advance....I am pretty sure it will come in handy as a bandster, once I get banded. I also undesrtand how hard it is to work and go to school at the same time; so if your school ends late, I would suggest you have your bigger meals during the day and have a protein shake at 8-10pm....that way you get your protein needs in a "light meal form" with much less calories then and actual meal.....just my suggestion.... but don't give up, we all fall off the band wagon at times, we just have to keep picking ourselves up and try again untill we succeed.....Good luck and keep us posted!!!

Hello Coleeb, After much research and thought.....I went with SWLC, I realized that CIBO does offer a life time and that's great, but as a fellow member mentioned, the clinic may one day go out of busines and they can change their policy as they wish. So then I looked into the surgeons experiences at CIBO...and they really have done about 700 bands or so combined, thogh they are great surgeons as well, but for me I felt safer doing this procedure with a surgeon with much much more experience.. I also loved the fact that my first consult was with the actual surgeon himself, he answered all my questions. After my consult I got home and had tons more, so I emailed him my question list; he did not email me back but called me instead to explain everything in details to ensure I was clear on the questions I asked. Also I found out that they use the top of the line band (the AP system - third generation band and it comes in 2 sizes) and charges 16,000....but at CIBO they used both second and third generation........and CIBO charges 18,000 for the AP and 16,000 for the second generation. Why would I want to pay 16,000 for second generation when I can get third for the same price with a much more experienced surgeon. Now, I am not bashing CIBO or anything, I am an individual, when making huge decisions such as this one, I dig and dig, compare compare as much as I can to find answers.... so based on my research and personal opinion, I feel that SWLC was the best place for me. I wish CIBO had won the argument lol because they are 10mnts away from me....and WSLC is about 45mnts. As for the after care, I can not comment on either because I am not banded yet, however, based on numerous threads I read on this site as well as others, SWLC seems to take the lead in aftercare, I found 1 neg. comment regarding the after care from there. As for CIBO, not many individuals are coming forward with their after care or over all experience for me to judge....and we all know which other clinic has the worst rep for aftercare....and them I stayed away from lol.... It's realy good to do your research, gather as much info as you can, then call all the clinics you are considering and ask questions based on your research and see how they answer and what their answers are, that worked for me cause I realy did love CIBO because of the life time aftercare.....

For me, I chose not to tell but 1 person and my family physician. Reason being, When I was first looking into it 2yrs. ago, I was asking family, friends and co-workers what they thought about it. And I was getting negative comments all over that made me feel really uncomfortable and fearful. For that reason, I gave in and did not go through with the process then. But after trying to lose weight again, succeeded and to re-gain again, I felt enough was enough and this time, I will do what I have to do for me and I don't need any one else's negative opinion about it. I work with mostly women, and many of them gossip about anything and everything (instead of focussing on doing their job). I feel it's non of their business and don't wish to hear different people coming to me telling me what others are saying behind my back while they are doing the same. So I simply ask for 2wks vacation....at which the lady was surprise cause I rarely take vacations....and that's that, some are asking oh where are you going, I tell them, when I find out, I'll let you know....once I say that, they stop talking and keep it moving lol...People do not need to know about your personal business if you don't want it to be known.

So today was a very productive day for me.... Did all blood work, Had pre-op check up and all is good... PAID IN FULL (out of pocket, no insurance in covers this procedure in Canada unfortunately).....so now there's no turning back cause the money is non-refundable. 2 weeks off from work, check..... I also went to Walmart, did some shopping, thanks to you wonderful people on this site, I think I am going to be well prepared lol.... Got my heating pad, my soft plush...and supportive sitting up pillow, have no idea what they are called...loose clothing for the day of (hoping this will be the last plus size clothes I will ever purchase again), pain meds, gas meds... and over the wknd, will be going to Costco to stock up on shakes, broth and Greek yogurt. So grateful for your tips....I'm hoping all goes smooth sailing. So now, just waiting for the 28th.....I am nervous as heck, but excited as well..... BUT MAJOR THANKS TO YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE ON THIS SITE...WITHOUT YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, I THINK I WOULD HAVE CHICKENED OUT AGAIN LIKE 2YRS AGO....I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF 1 INDIVIDUAL IN MY FAM, THE REST ALL HAVE NEG. THOUGHTS WHEN I FIRST MENTIONED IT, SO THIS TIME AROUND DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TELLING THEM.....SO MY FULL SUPPORT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN YOU GUYS........SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS SITE AND ALL OF YOU!!!

congrats Maddysgram.... and melidawn, it all depends on your doctor, your finances and health state. I went for a consult on Sept. 5th, and my surgery date is Sept. 28th, I am also self pay and not much medical issues except for impaired glucose....

Also, I'm not sure if there's a costco by you, but they do have their premier shakes ready to go and it only has 1g of sugar, 30g of protein and 160cal per shake....oh and they taste great.....

That's possibly due to swelling or the body retaining water as a result of surgery....hide the scale for now and focus on healing...and in a week or so, try to weigh yourself again. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!!!