Sharpie

Opinions are like navel's or A hole's everyone has one.. You will get lots of advice from people who have no idea what they are talking about. Ignore them and move on towards your healthy life... The lapband is the best thing I have ever done for myself.. should have done it years ago before all the diets, pills, shots, fake food, etc. I would have saved myself alot of money and aggrevation., If I saw that woman again I would ask her which surgery she had or if she had a medical degree...lol

You can never be too skinny or too rich..lol just kidding , but really it's no one's business.. my friends are already worrying whether I will get too thin.. I'm a grown woman and I think I can decide how thin I want to be...but I have a little over 20 lbs to go and I'm gonna finish this journey...

I used to like salads but can't do that iceberg lettuce much anymore without having bm issues.. I stick to green beans, brocoli, peas , spinach or greens.. very seldome have salad if I do it's about 1/4 cup...

I think it depends on how obese you are.. I didn't have a set amount to lose either but my bmi wasn't that high.. it's all for shrinking the liver to make surgery easier.. good luck on your upcoming surgery

Carnie Wilson had band over bypass..Seems to be doing well with it.. I have heard of people doing that but don't know the rate of success... Is there a reason why the Dr. doesn't feel she can succeed with just by pass? I would think if she went back to eating after by pass she would be okay..but her Dr. would know better ...

I thought my Nutritionist was also sknny and wouldn't understand however, I found out that she had once been obese and that is why she became a nutritionits.. so I guess before we judge we might not know the whole story.. Mine gave me the basics and said to eat protein first, veg, carbs etc. but also gave me a guideline.. protein should be at last 10% of the caloires.. in other words 200 calories should have 20 gms protein this is for protein drinks and bars, etc. also to eat wheat bread and crackers i you eat those things... however if you do not feel she is being helpful ask for someone else or perhaps go on line good luck with your next appt

muscle milk has a protein bar low sugar, good protein, my nutritionists says the protein should be about 10% of the total calories.. 200 calories should have 20 gms protein and sugar less than 5 gms.. I have eaten Quest bars but they are a funny texture... cliff bars and some of those are really high in carbs and sugar.. check your labels...

Yellowstone is awesome.. glad to know you felt okay out there.. I am leaving next week for Colorado.. my Dr. said no fill until you return.. I am a little loose and have some hunger right now but I am going to take his advise.. I hope I feel okay at that altitude.. I live in Florida (sea level) so it might take me a few days to adjust.

I also chose the band because of the reversibility. I have known people who had by pass and then had cancer and needed to get all the nutrients they could due to the chemo and radiation.. if they cannot get enough they lose too much weight and are at risk for death from malnutrition.. My husband had esophageal cancer and we had to fight daily to keep his weight up enough to overcome the chemo and radiaton so I know first hand how important this is.. I also wanted something that was less invasive.. I have several by pass and sleeve patients in my support group and I gotta say they don't look good.. they always have complaints about not being able to eat.. most are on protein shakes all the time.. I don't want to live on shakes... I eat real food and I have lost 50# no longer a diabetic, blood pressure is back to normal and my PCP cut my cholesterol meds in half.. There are complications with any surgery you just have to decide which path to go down...

You will get lots of support here and motivation.. I was told by the nurse that was checking me in before my surgery that she didn't think I needed it.. can you imagine how I felt? well at close to 200 lbs and only 5' tall on a good day it wasn't healthy.. I told her I thought she was being unprofessional and that my decision was my business.. Of course she was fat and apparently jelous.. just do what is best for you and ask questions..we are all here to help you. And after my first fill I felt a little nausea .. I drank a little protein shake after asking my Dr. it helped..

If you were just banded on the 1st.. I'm not sure if you should be eating mushies or anything ... I was put on liquids for weeks then creamy , mushies and then regular it was about 4 weeks before I could eat real food.. My dr gave me a big book of do's and don'ts once I could eat I tried to change it around.. Best of luck on your journey.. It takes time but so worth it..

so good to hear Joanne.. I was diabetic as well and thanks to my band I no longer take any medication for diabetes or blood pressure..For those who are critical of some of our long term bandsters and most successful.. missy, Carolina girl, etc. They are so helpful and so motivating.. I have seen them been very sympathetic to those who have issues and always refer them to their Dr's .. I have not found any of them to be rude or nasty.. sometimes people don't want to hear the truth.. The only thing I know is.. I would not have gone 8 or 9 years with all of the problems Megan had without getting something done about it.. hope it all works out but I am truly tired of this thread and how negative it has been...

It all depends on how much you have to lose overall.. also my Dr. said 1-2 lbs a week is good.. you are right on target.. don't compare yourself with others.. weight loss is varied depending on your body.. I have been banded for 7 months and I have lost 50 # and I am extremely happy.. but I only have 25 or so more to lose.. so if it takes awhile I am fine..good luck on your continued success.

You look great.. having those times with your kids is so important and they grow up so fast.. My "baby" is 40 and thankfully my grandkids and I do alot together so keep on doing what you do it's worth it...

oh how great for you.. you have done so good.. congratulations and keep up the good work...

I am 5' and I started at 198.8 but I also had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.. I have lost nearly 50 # since being banded in January.. so, my insurance paid for my surgery..

I am not sure why a surgeon would say those things but the sleeve is fairly new and not really tested for long term success.. I am in a support group and there are a few sleeve patients and by pass.. they all look so bad. their skin is so unhealthy looking and they all have serious malnutrition.. not to say all sleeve or by pass patients are the same because I know there are complications with band patients as well. but so far in the group I am in the band folks are happy and healthy... I think another opinion would be good..

Good for you girl.. brag away.. As you know this isn't easy but so worth it when you slip into a smaller size.. I shopped with grandkids yesterday too and for some reason I keep looking at size XL which I am no longer.. my daughter said Mom why are you in the wrong size? I said I am not sure if my brain has caught up with my weight loss.. anyways it was great to try on a Medium shirt and it fit.. so I'm Bragging..lol

everyone has second thoughts .. I should have had my surgery years ago.. I struggled with every diet gimmick out there.even did HCG (real) that is dangerous.. but I was desperate.. finally realized that the lapband was the answer for me.. I knew going in that there might be complications but weighed the pro's and cons.. and at 5'3 at your weight yes you are obese no matter how you carry it.. I am 5'0 and I weight 198 so I was considered obese.. There have been a few negative nellies on here and it's okay to see all sides but don't let someone else's bad experience keep you from doing what is best for you..ask lots of questions of your doctor.. make sure they have a good post op program and nutritionist.. stop reading the really negative posts.. I almost changed my mind too because of another group site that had super negative posts.. but I talked it over with my husband, primary care physician and bariatric surgeon all said go for it.. I am thrilled.. 50 lbs lighter I feel like a new woman ..Best of luck honey

The shoulder pain is from eating too much or too fast..I get it every now and then ..I am 8 months post op.

Not sure it can be done.. since they staple your stomach .. You might ask a Bariatric surgeon .. I have heard of the bypass people getting banded over their bypass..

I noticed I am a little tight in the morning.. but after my coffee and a little time, I can eat my breakfast as long as I don't eat too fast... I think it's normal for some to be a little tighter in the morning..

Good response.. for someone who didn't want to be attacked .you immediately went on the defensive when Missy makes a perfectly good statement . so what exactly is the purpose of your posts? Do you feel it necessary to "save the world" from the band? My surgeon has been doing bands for many years has a excellent success rate and stands by the band.. He will do sleeve's but believes the band is safer than the sleeve or RNY.. so, I think your point has been made and answered.. No One on here wants to see anyone else fail..I hope you are successful with your sleeve.

when were you banded? how you eat or drink is a big part of the success of the band and yes it is worth it... without the band I would still be obese and suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. not to mention the lack of mobility. If you are past the recovery period and have had a fill you just need to concentrate on protein and chewing and eating slowly. Drinking at least 30 minutes after your meals..

Excellent.. how pretty you look...Best of Luck and success on your maintenance.