CaGottaBand

1. WOW
2. WOW WOW WOW
3. WOW WOW WOW WOW!
Well I can always lose weight and YOU will always be ignorant!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and wedding!

And if possible, drop the discouragers from your life. Toxic relationships just aren't worth the hassel.
Great post shrcuhm!

Congratulations to you !

Sigh. Look, I have just accepted that I an "sick", suffering from obesity and I always will be.
There will never be a time when I eat what I want when I want and stay thin. I will always struggle with wanting to eat more than I can burn off. I think it comes from both sides of the equation - hightened appetite with slower metabolism.
I could be diabetic, could have a rare genetic order, or Parkinsons or lupus or epilepsy and I would need medical attention and medication to manage that condition for life. I dont suffer from those diseases, I suffer from obesity. Thankfully, with a positive attitude,I have a damn good tool for managing it. Like any disease, some periods of my life I will manage better than others. I have gotten too skinny, I've regained more than I wanted, I've been in despair becuase although my body is no longer fat, I have had weeks of eating chocolate till I want to puke, or let my insane carb and sugar addiction take over again. But it is always possible to get back on track.
Thank god I love to run, spin and go to the gym. It really really helps. And if you dont love it, well do it anyway. Unlike eating, exercise IS all about willpower. If you're able bodied then you can and should be doing it. And pushing hard.
I think the sooner we all face up to that harsh reality, the sooner we can stop beating ourselves up over what we perceive as moral failings, and start the business of managing a disease.

According to the internet......Inferior vena cava filters are often used as alternatives to anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. Many of the clinical data that support the use of these devices stem from relatively limited retrospective studies.
The dual purpose of this review is to examine the incidence of thrombotic complications associated with inferior vena cava filters and to discuss the role of anticoagulant therapy concurrent with filter placement. Device-associated morbidity and overall efficacy can be considered only in the context of rates of vena cava thrombosis, insertion-site thrombosis, recurrent deep venous thrombosis, and recurrent pulmonary embolism.

ugg, I think I would take the anticoagulants.

Smkeller, you sound like you have an axe to grind, don't grind it on the Big Book. I have it, and although I have not read the whole thing, it is very informative and not out of date. If you don't like it here, no one is forcing you to stay. Alex started this site as a help for others and probably to keep himself on track. We are self-help group, but always, advise to seek medical attention. I am not sure where you receive your information. Good luck, to you. karen

You're very misinformed and it's even more obvious to me that you haven't read the book.
There are NO surgeons mentioned in my book. Mexican or US based.
I have the Lap-band and have had no revisions to any other procedures.
We have a chapter that actually goes through the other WLS procedures.
The book is very up to date.
Natalie is awesome but definitely not my girl friend
Again, there are no Mexican surgeons listed or mentioned anywhere in my book.

Why are you afraid to call? It doesn't sound normal that you are constantly getting stuck. Call your dr.

I am also pre-surgery and hear that the band is so fickle that there is no rule as to what you can or can't have....just that you have to find out for yourself. I don't plan on saying goodbye with any particular food but rather saying good bye to the amount of food that I'm used too....like the three unneccesary plates at the Chinese Buffet.
Good Luck =)

Probably sounds lame, but drink more Water? Or perhaps some chicken broth with unflavored Protein added in?

I really haven't heard of ppl with staples. Mostly glue and steri strips.
But I did have staples with hysterectomy and it doesn't hurt at all. Tugging but no pain.
Good Luck!

That is awesome CG! So proud of you!

hey Lee
what a wonderful surprise asking me how i am doing ((((thank you and hugs)))))
i am down 80 since june (i could be more but i only weigh once a month at my dr and i dont go back til 12/11) but am judging my success by my clothes being looser and most importantly, my mobility. before i couldnt walk 10 feet without dying. and my knees/legs hurt so bad that i couldnt stand long/much. i am now walking a block at night (i can walk through a a grocery store/walmart and park in the parking lot without having to be dropped off at the door). that is a great feeling and def encourages me to keep ----keeping on.
trying my best to do what my dr advised me to do with my eating and exercising (Proteins first and veggies) and drinking alot......i think my mental positive is helping me very much. i dont dabble with the latest fads or the next best thing (as those things are like dieting and well, we know how that went).....i needed WLS..haha
so far, i am pleased
i am letting my band/plication do its thing
and the thing i am finding the hardest is looking in the mirror and seeing a change
i dont see it but i hear people say its there. not only in appearance but in my attitude.
i have found some esteem back and i guess the passive person i was is not so passive at work anymore ....you know the jolly ole fat lady, easy going.....
again, thanks for asking lee. this touched my heart today

I was just banded on August 22, 2012, 12 days after my 30th birthday. I never thought I'd be here at 30. Over the past 3 weeks, I've become overwhelmed. I've been thinking about how much weight I have to lose to reach my goal weight of 160lbs. The number is over 200 and seems a lifetime away and unattainable. I've been thinking about what I will look like as my body changes. I haven't been under 300lbs since high school. Will I be happy and healthy after all of this? I wonder how people are going to act to towards me and how I will respond. I wonder if I'm ever going to have the confidence to enter the dating world so that I can hopefully meet someone and start the family I've always wanted. All of these thoughts keep running through my mind until I simply have to stop...breathe in...and exhale. All of my problems won't be solved because of my lapband and they shouldn't be exacerbated because of my lapband. I can make this process easy or more difficult than it needs to be. So I've decided to set small goals like losing 20lbs within my first 3 months post lapband. I will use the scale as a tool and not let it dictate my mood. I will exercise a minimum of 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes. I will use this site and other support systems as motivation. I will smile more and be more accepting of myself and my appearance. I will embrace this journey and have patience because the weight wasn't gained overnight, so I won't lose it overnight...but I WILL lose it!

That lady is severely exaggerating. I'm rarely hungry, in fact, I miss meals entirely because I forget to eat due to lack of hunger some days. As far as dumping to keep us off sweets- I'm thrilled I don't have dumping. In fact, that's one of the reasons I opted for the band. I don't want to be puking, eewww! I love the fact I can eat whatever I want in moderation.
The thing that you need to remember is, and apparently the people at the group need a clue about, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose the work is yours to do. If you don't change your eating habits to healthy ones, you won't be successful. Band, bypass, or sleeve- they're all just tools. The work is yours to do. I mean, why do you think band over bypass is so popular right now? That is because so many gastric bypass got the surgery thinking it was a magical cure, didn't change their food habits, and either didn't lose the weight or gained it all back again.
Just a little personal experience to share with you: I was banded in January 2012, almost 11 months ago. I have two friends who had gastric bypass within a month or so of me. Both told me how nuts I was for choosing the band and pretty much told me I was a fool for not getting bypass like them. They told me how I wouldn't lose nearly enough with the band and how I'd lose tons more with bypass. Still, I got the band.
Fast forward to now: One friend has lost about 60 pounds, all of that in the first couple months. She hasn't lost anything in about 5 months and even has gained a little back. The other friend has lost maybe 30 pounds. Neither did anything to change their eating habits and one is constantly puking.
I have lost almost 170 pounds. Needless to say, they don't think I'm so "foolish" anymore for choosing the band instead of gastric bypass.
My point is, how successful you are is 100% dependent on you, not the type of surgery you choose.
Best wishes to you

I was banded on 7/25. I do not struggle with hunger. There are a couple key points why I don't - 1. I have had a few fills now and do believe I am in my "green zone". Unlike the band, you don't come right out of surgery and are "in the zone". You will lose but until you reach your green zone, it is mostly you doing the work. 2. People that don't eat per the guidelines for the lap band will be hungrier than those that follow them. I eat my 3-4 ounces of SOLID Protein first, then veggies, then maybe a small serving of starch/carbs.
As for the sweets, honestly, I like that I can still enjoy one here or there. I don't crave sweets or eat them like I used to and a small serving for me is good for many days. I couldn't imagine not being able to enjoy those from time to time.
Now, my other reason for choosing the band. My mother had the bypass and like Patty mentioned about her family members, she has many health issues now and I have also noticed her gaining back weight. She may not have to get adjustments (fills) like I do on ocassion; however, she does have to go frequently to the dr because she struggles w/ many malabsorption issues. She is not a healthy person these days at all as a result. I know another person that has done well w/ the bypass but seeing my mother struggle and be very sickly now, it wasn't for me.
Continue to do your homework but please don't judge based on one person at the support group. Feel free to ask us questions if you are uncertain.
Best of luck to you.

I have decided either one of two things is happening- either doctors are just pumping out patients without actually giving them the necessary knowledge and direction for success, or people are foolishly ignoring the information given to them.
I have an amazing surgeon. Honestly, I'm so blessed because he's truly my biggest cheerleader on this journey. He takes such good care of me and truly wants to see me succeed. I also have a great nutritionist who taught me so much and helped me establish realistic food guidelines for my life. In fact, the entire staff at the bariatric center are great. I know the nurses so well we talk about our children and personal lives like old friends and they are so supportive for me and excited for every pound I lose.
I see a definite pattern here: Look at the comments here. Those who've had good ongoing support from their surgeons and staff seem to do well overall. Those that don't have the support struggle. I see this a lot especially in the case of patients banded in Mexico because they're pretty much banded and sent on their way with little to no direction, even the aftercare is left to another surgeon entirely.
Regardless of whether you have good support and direction from your surgeon, the responsibility to educate yourself is still 100% in the hands of the patient. Just my opinion.

First of all regardless of whether I have been banded four months or four years I have educated myself with this lapband process. I researched it for one year prior to making the decision so I fully understood what I was getting myself into and to be 100% that this was the right decision for me. My surgeon is a the leadind lapband pioneer here in Australia. Before my initial appointment with him I had a list of questions which he answered thoroughly. My appointment was one whole hour, I wasn't rushed through, it was easy to talk to and I felt comfortable with him from day one. Now lets roll forward to me being banded four months and having a "vast knowledge" in that time in relation to the lapband. No, I do not claim to know it all but if I come across something on the forums that hasn't come up with my surgeon or nutritionist I query it with them when I go in for my appointments, gaining more knowledge along the way. I am one of the lucky ones, had a smooth operation, smooth recovery, everything has gone smoothly so far. I have followed the rules given to me by my surgeon and after care team.
As you read on these forums there are different sets of rules for so many different people and of course we are always to follow our own surgeon's instructions but to go out there and say you must never do this or that is wrong, you must follow your own instructions but as you can see so many people have been successful with different instructions.
So many people who have the lapband really do not know how it actually works. I was confused by it all too but I made it a point to understand 100% how it works by reading, researching and asking questions even if I thought some of those questions were silly at the time. And of course I came across the no drinking rule in these forums (and I respect each person's individual rules) so even though it had been explained to me by my surgeon and nutritionist about the drinking and eating, I still queried it with him over and over and he explained that in the past they believed that if you did drink whilst eating then yes the liquid would make the food too much of a liquid and it would pass through the band and not help give that satiety feeling. He then went on to explain that after studies, conducted by him and his team that it was ok to drink provided you followed the one minute rule as you do with food to give whatever you have above the band to pass through so it helped trigger the communication between the brain and the stomach and at the right consistency.
The video you posted is very outdated.
When you take the right amount of food into your mouth you chew, swallow and wait a minute, the reason why you wait a minute is so your food passes through the band, the food does not sit in the little pouch above the band, if it does then that's when you get stuck episodes, pb's vomitting yada yada yada yada. Then and only then if you feel you need to drink then you sip, swallow and wait a minute. Not saying that's what you or others have to do, that's what my instructions are.
I've dropped 80 pounds since pre op diet, which is 5 months and if I have needed to drink whilst eating I have done so by following the rules and have been fine and proof that drinking whilst eating is not something that should not be done. Now I am sure others who have been given the it's ok to drink whilst eating don't do well, one set of rules does not work for every single person.
So yes only been banded four months and yes have been drinking with my meals and yes I have gained a lot of knowledge since being banded through experience and through asking questions. I'm sure as time progresses I may encounter issues and if I do then rather than say oh I know it all I will look into it further and be in contact with my care team to sort things out.

So, I'm a grad student in counselling psych and I found an interesting stat that I think might be relevant: For whatever reason, it turns out that bariatric patients seem to have a slightly higher suicide rate than those in the general populous, and my guess is that the weight loss, for some, doesn't always cure the underlying depression. I bring this statistic up because ultimately I think our happiness depends less on our weight, and more on how we view ourselves *outside* of this thing that has defined us for so many years (who are we when we are no longer the fat chick?). Some of us are still going to be depressed when all the weight is gone and all that's left is a beautiful, skinny person with no more fat to blame for our sadness. Your post echoes a sadness that I have felt before, and it runs much more deeply than we think it does.
I think as we shed the pounds we also need to shed some of the hidden beliefs we have about ourselves: Instead of recognizing achievement (even small victories like eating less dessert or staying the same weight over a big holiday) a lot of us spend more time thinking about what we *could* have done, rather than what we did do. It's so much easier to get down on ourselves than to have to face our fear of failure by admitting that we *can* be successful (and hey, if I get down on myself I don't have to be as upset when others do, right? Cause deep down I know I deserve the poor self-talk and negative things I'm saying about myself...right?! No). Weight has always defined many of us. It has always been a source of woe (or sometimes comfort). So, I ask you this: Who will you be when the weight is gone? Will you be just as hard on yourself, or will you be ready to admit that you have the tools, drive, and skills necessary to be successful? And further, will you be able to admit that you *deserve* to be successful and happy in your new body? You are so much more than the pounds you lose (all of us are), and while it's important to Celebrate success and feel pride in our achievements, I think it's important that we allow our self-consciousness, self-doubt, and fear erode away with each pound.

17 pounds in a couple of weeks is wonderful. Don't count on fills to lose the weight.... you have to eat the right foods, in the right amounts, and chew, chew chew. I did not get a fill until I was 6 weeks out, only had 4 total in 13 months. You will be fine! Look at the positives and don't be a slave to the scales!