newme2013

You can lose weight without exercising... BUT... your skin will be sagging. Exercise to firm up. Yes, you do have to "exercise". If you don't like to sweat, just walk... A lot.

I was banded July 24 2012 @240 lbs, three months later I'm @200 lbs ready for onederland

I personally wouldn't do it. The thing with diet pills is, you will lose, however the minute you stop taking them you'll gain all the weight back and then some. It creates quite a havoc with your metabolism. Plus, if you take them long enough, your body becomes immune to the speed effect (yes, Phentermine is essentially legal speed) and either you need more (which is very dangerous) or have to simply stop taking it.
As far as Topomax, that drug is for seizures and/or headaches. It has some potentially VERY serious side effects, too. I would question the integrity of any doctor using it off label for weight loss.
To each their own and we all have to do what's best for us, however I've taken both drugs before and I personally wouldn't ever again. Just my opinion/experience.

Congrats! You've done a fabulous job! Wow, over 200 lbs in less than a year! All I can say is WOW!
Marci

It's been almost 11 months since I've had my surgery I was at 387lbs its been a struggle day to day with all the cravings but as of last week I have lost 202lbs and in a size 10-12 jeans! I'm just hoping and praying that I don't fail! All the support groups are on the nights that I work would actually be nice if I could actually talk to someone that's been through what I have! Especially moments when it feels like you've gain weight and really haven't idk I know I'm just rambling!

I have to say..huge fan of Dr.Ortiz, I have heard great things about both, but it was a private hospital which I loved. Good luck to you!!!

No slight intended, but I would never want to entrust my health and well being to surgery, doctors and devices used in a foreign country...I do realize that Mexican doctors have some success stories, but for myself I would never feel comfortable with taking the risk.
You did not mention if you ever sought another medical opinion from a US doctor...I'm a strong advocate that we each need to be assertive in areas which concern our health and well being. In other words,
WE need to take the responsibility for our own health and well being.
From your posts, it reads to me that you were not proactive to resolve your medical issues with your band. For that you have only yourself to hold responsible. Not everything about pre op and post op education and nutrition education is related to money. And, after all, you did have the funds to travel to have your surgery. Just saying...
I hope you do find peace and health with your decisions...however in your situation I believe you are more interested in placing blame than accepting your lack of accountability to yourself. And, your insight is accurate...you wrote that you are bitter and disappointed.
For every failure with a band there are many, many more successes...

I'm sorry you had problems, but it's obvious something was wrong with your band from the day it was placed. Maybe it's in the wrong place, maybe your anatomy simply doesn't work well with the band, I don't know. But I do know the fact you've been living on slider foods since the first month being banded means something is wrong.
I might also add you have a 4cc band. There's a reason those are no longer used in the United States- because the company said there were way too many complications with them and now only approve the larger bands. Again, that is completely not your fault, however it stands to reason that band was too small for you from the beginning hence forever being too tight even when empty.
I hope you find what you're looking for after it's removed and I mostly hope you find good health. But please don't come on here acting like everyone who is banded is making a mistake.
We're not you and the statistics are in our favor, especially with the new bigger bands. I've lost almost 150 pounds in 9 months and I couldn't be happier. I never PB, I've never vomited, and it's extremely rare that I get stuck. In fact, I can and do still eat whatever I want without any problems. Some of us are extremely happy and successful with our bands.

Wow, I'd be very upset too.
I have to tell you, I've never used any of the True Results chain but I know from reading about them on these forums I never would either. It does appear just as you said- a cattle call- just pushing people through one after another to make money. It seems their patient care is nominal at best and they seem to pump out a scary high number of totally under informed band patients.
I think if I were in your shoes, I'd start from the easiest point. You say you're starving, so I'm assuming physically hungry. Yet you're sliming/stuck every time you eat and are stuck on slider foods. Has anyone bothered to check your actual band placement? If you band has been slipped this whole time, it would also explain the port flip too. I would not ask, but demand, a barium swallow to check your band placement.
I know $300 is a ridiculously expensive amount of money, but I think it would be money well spent to get your care into the hands of a doctor who actually gives a rip. You deserve good care with a good surgeon. I do have an idea how you could check out the doctor before paying the fee- go to his free informational seminar. This way, you can get a feel for his mannerism and personality before forking over the money. If you like him, then pay the fee and switch your care to him. Just a thought.
As for the Sleeve comment, I personally wouldn't even entertain the thought until you've given the band ample chance to work for you. Check the band position, check out the new doctor, and then go forward with the band from there. IF you reach a point the band just isn't going to cut it, consider the Sleeve, but I personally think it's way too soon to go through that.
Best wishes to you.

Real name- Breanne
Goal weight for November 29- 164
Weight on November 1st- 171.4 (thanks to Halloween candy!)
Age-24
Goal for November- be in low 160's for my vacation!

From maddysgram:
8 Can Taco Soup" that I have fallen in love with. It could be use for any type of diet, from liquid or puréed to regular.
1 can black Beans drained and rinsed
1 can pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chicken broth
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can corn, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 large can chicken (I used two to increase protein)
1 packet taco seasoning
I cooked in the slow cooker for the whole day. I put it in the blender for the first day after a fill and ate it all chunky after the liquid phase.
I did nutritional info on it through My Fitness Pal. It has about 200 calories in one cup but it provides 20 grams of Protein when 2 cans of chicken are used.

wow... I love a heated debate. When you look at everything as a whole.... everyone is right and everyone is wrong in some aspects No one has all the answers on what does or what doesn't cause bands to fail. All we can do is our best with what we have and what we know.
this i do know..... i have seen first hand the following:
four friends that had Gastric bypass.... Jenny who has maintained her weight loss for over 10 years now, Todd gained all his weight back, EJ gained all his weight back plus some, and Krystal who is in the process of gaining her weight back.
two friend that had the sleeve.... tammy lost over 100lbs, but recently put back 30 (according to her), and Kelly who has the sleeve done about a two years ago. She has lost weight, but not as much as she could have... according to her.
and then there is the LB friends..... Paula.. who was my mentor, is over 4 years out and has lost over 100lbs, smokes, drinks soda every day all day and so far so good. Her girlfriend Mia.. who had surgery same day and same dr. as me.... has lost 100lbs and has kept it off. No problems so far. Tamiko.. who lost over 100 and until recently kept it all off. she got in a bad accident and is on steroids and has made her gain a little back.. she was a by the book person... her band is six years out... and so far so good. And then there is my sister in law... Jenny... she had hers done in Mexico and one year out had to have it re done here in the states.... she didn't fellow the rules and lost about 20lbs and then gained it all back.... but hey if you eat ice cream and candy all day... you will gain. three weeks ago, she had the band removed and had gastric bypass.... so we shall see.
Bottom line is .... with every surgery there is success and failures..... some or due to the surgery and some are due to patient compliance..... Either way... we all have to step up and take accountability for ourselves... I know that i have gained 5lbs back... but i'm at fault... eating wrong and not going to the gym.... my bad... not the band, and not the doctor... me.
Best of luck to everyone

I'm 7 weeks post op and I've had steady weight loss. The problem is I'm so burnt out on cottage cheese, string cheese and eggs.what do you eat for Breakfast and lunch?

My NUT says only eat when hungry and just eat healthy, 3 oz Protein, veg, and good carb. No counting anything. I do count calories and eat between 500-600 per day and exercise at least an hour each day. Talk to you NUT,they know your body.

Well I had surgery on the 25th of October 2011. I was 360+ pounds going into this wonderful journey, Today I am a solid 197 ish. Would I do it all again? YOU DAMN RIGHT I WOULD!! But.... It truly is what YOU as a person make it to be. The hard work, determination and tenacity MUST be there to reach your goals. God bless you all.
Feel free to check out my before and after photos. But be kind;)

Mix fat-free cream cheese (1 pkg) with a package of fat-free, sugar-free instant pudding (I love chocolate); add an egg and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. You won't believe how good those little "cookies" can be. Oh, and be sure to spray your cookie sheet so they won't stick. Pure Protein, no fats! Love it, love it, love it!

You ladies are strong and should just continue to look forward to the future. Our bands are going to help us build a new life that will give us the strength and will power. Please gang in there. We are here for you!

Well, where do I begin! For starters my new birthday began June 13th, 2012 when I was banded and I thank my surgeon and God everyday for saving my life because I was eating my way to a slow death, literally. For the past 3 years I've gone thru a separation and divorce after being married for 25 yrs and boy was it heartbreaking and depressing. I was in a deep depression and threw myself into a feeding frenzy. At the time I lived alone and at night I would sit and watch TV and eat and eat and eat, anything. I was out of control and getting bigger by the day each day and knew it but didn't care. How could someone you loved for so many years have this affect on you I wondered but he did. I live in a small town of 45,000 and it's nothing to see him out in a restaurant with his "new" woman that he left me for and yes she is skinny for those of you wondering. Anyway, I got out of my funk and in May of '12 I picked myself up and went to a Lap Band seminar and let me tell you if the surgeon would have stayed late that night and done the surgery I was ready...lol. I called the next day and got a letter from my physician, got an appt witht the surgeon, called my ins. company (they covered it and since my BMI was over 50 I didn't have to do a 6 months diet) so I was well on my way to being banded. within a few short weeks I was being wheeled into a holding room and being prepped. Some friends came to the hospital that morning at 5:30 and prayed with me, had my mom with me and I was set to go. Surgery went well and came home same day. First few days were to put it bluntly HELL! Painful, I threw up a lot but come to find out it was all from the pain meds and Constipation, go figure! Now after being banded 4 months and 2 weeks things are settling in. I'm still learning, oh yes, I'm still learning my band and how to eat and chew. Had my spells of being stuck several times, not pretty! One lasted 5 hrs, broccoli, never again!!! I think I currently have 5.5cc's in and eat about every 4 to 5 hrs or 3 times a day. My only weakness, sweets. I currently live with my mom and she keeps candy and Cookies around. Not to tempt me, please don't speak bad of her. I can limit myself to one or two pcs of candy a day or one cookie a day but the fact remains it's still there. She is my accountability, when I want to graze she reminds me, "you don't need that" or "it's too late to be eating" and I'm thankful. Though my weight loss may be slower than some of you on here, I'm down 39 lbs so far, I'm proud of that, it's coming off slow and slower now than before like right after surgery. I'm not up to exercising yet, just don't have the energy. I seem to feel zapped all of the time. I plan on calling my physician this week and seeing if he will order a blood test to check my Ferritin levels since I am always tired and fatigued and always stay cold.
For my life right now, I'd do this all over again in a heartbeat. My only regret, is that I didn't do it years ago. I've go to many things I want to accomplish yet only as a healthy and thinner me. Heck who knows maybe even get remarried some day. Ha. This forum is wonderful, lots of you have been great support to me in times of need and I thank you!
Taking back my life!
Donna

Maddy is right. Now is the time for you. Don't let your mom get to you, she'll get over it (or she won't) it's her choice.
Focus on yourself, if she wants to be a paet of your journey (& you want her a part) great. Just don't let her get in your way.
We are here for support if you need it!
Take care of yourself, you are worth this!

I cannot WAIT to loss that amount! Congrats!

Congrats. I just hit my 50 lb mark and it was such a sweet victory...

My surgery date was July 2nd and I'm down almost 50 lbs!
A top I bought two yrs ago and could never wear just took tags off.

Best decision I made for myself! Although I did not reach my yearly goal of 100lbs, the number is slowly starting to not take control, it is about getting there, period. I have lost about 90lbs (89.6!) and I am grateful. I am not there yet but I am on my way, however I can now say that I can stand on my own and no longer need to lean on my band "Oscar the grouch" to take the lead. I am doing it on my own and loving it!
Perhaps, just perhaps I will get another fill when I hit a plateau and need that extra push.
I appreciate this forum for the guidance it has given me, although I have never physically met anybody who has had the lapband yet, I know I can pick the brains of all you fellow cyber-bandsters!
Much love,
-Jason

Wtf just happened here! Lol.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using LapBandTalk

Good reading material.