labwalker

I am happy for you. I am at 278 trying to get to 269 is next goal...moving along at about 5 lbs a week.

I've been banded for several years and have zero problems with the band and there are no foods I cannot eat, so long as chew properly. I've lost more weight than expected, and it is still coming off slowly. I have no regrets having the band. If it comes out, there are other options that I will explore. But, the band gave me my life back and it works for me. I've learned how to eat and how to control the quality of what foods I choose to eat.

I've been banded for several years and have zero problems with the band and there are no foods I cannot eat, so long as chew properly. I've lost more weight than expected, and it is still coming off slowly. I have no regrets having the band. If it comes out, there are other options that I will explore. But, the band gave me my life back and it works for me. I've learned how to eat and how to control the quality of what foods I choose to eat.

I live on coffee and diet root beer. If there is enough carbonation in a beverage to cause belching or even mild discomfort I would avoid it. I have not had a problem with diet sodas and I am several years post surgery. I am also constantly losing weight--even this far out. So long as your doctor is fine with the beverage, I would also be comfortable... but I would avoid gulping it down to avoid problems with internal gas pressure. But the doctor's rule.

They are falling out of favor because they require follow up with the surgeon and that leads to problems when a doctor folds up his tent, or when insurance changes, or when a patient receives substandard surgery from a quack. Bands require some effort.

They are falling out of favor because they require follow up with the surgeon and that leads to problems when a doctor folds up his tent, or when insurance changes, or when a patient receives substandard surgery from a quack. Bands require some effort.

I had my surgery back in 2011... I've learned that the band is a tool that helps to control my weight, but in the end I have to carefully count my calories, carbs and protein intake.
I went through a few years of having the band tightened and loosened. Either I was getting stuck all the time, or had no restriction. The magic spot for me was when I had a fill that allowed me to eat one slice of pizza in comfort (a rare treat these days!) without feeling the need to eat the whole thing! I have had years where I've gained some of the weight back, but that was due to my lack of diligence.
At this point there are no foods I cannot eat as long as I chew properly. I've learned that counting carbs was very critical when I hit a stall. I've managed to lose weight continually by carefully monitoring and controlling the quality of what I eat. Giving up sugar and switching to fat free Half and Half in my coffee was enough to cause noticeable weight loss. Little things add up. That means I have to keep a computer log of my daily food intake and activities. I've learned that becoming complacent leads to weight gain.
I've learned a lot reading these forums. In my humble opinion too many banders think the band is going to do all the work. Living with a tight band and being in discomfort IS not what the band is about. I have not been stuck if over five years. I don't have any sensation that the band is there, except that I know I feel satiated sooner because I do have the band. I am now averaging about .7 lbs a week weight loss, which is pretty good for a guy in his seventies and who is several years post surgery. I want to lose another 20 pounds before I leave this earth, makes it easier on my pall bearers.
Good luck on your journey, it is worth it.

the jeans do a great job. You really only know what a wreck you are when naked.

Every morning. Keep a running log in a notepad.

I weigh daily. I only log a loss. I feel it helps me recognize trends and not obsess so much when I’m a few ounces more today than yesterday. I fluctuated with 3lbs during my first stall. Weighing daily helped me see it was just moving here and there and then took off again.

Lean deli meats--turkey, chicken, etc.
Can you handle low fat Greek Yogurt? If you shop for yogurt you will find products that have around 100 calories, 15 grams of protein and 7 grams or less of natural sugar. Yogurt has become my go to for snack foods. It is also a tad less expensive than deli products.

Lean deli meats--turkey, chicken, etc.
Can you handle low fat Greek Yogurt? If you shop for yogurt you will find products that have around 100 calories, 15 grams of protein and 7 grams or less of natural sugar. Yogurt has become my go to for snack foods. It is also a tad less expensive than deli products.

By mid morning I have 46 grams of the 80 grams of protein I need for the day. For breakfast I eat One hard boiled egg (6grams) One Oikos Triple Yogurt (15 grams) and 30 minutes later I start drinking 32 ounces of water with one scoop of Isopure "unflavored" protein powder (25grams) with crystal light and Optifiber. The rest of the day I'm eating mostly fish, beans, nuts or other seafood. I stopped drinking protein shakes when I found "unflavored" protein powder. I get a twofer, protein and my water. Note: The Isopure "unflavored" protein powder has it's own taste and I had to get use to it. The better tasting "unflavored" protein powder is Unjury (21grams) but it does cost more.

1b. Be HONEST about what you're documenting. Lying to yourself about those little nibbles here and there will only be disastrous to the bottom line. Also, if you aren't weighing and measuring CORRECTLY, you could be grossly underestimating your totals.

Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg.


Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg.
Brown eggs are not healthier than white eggs. Omega-3 fats are present only if the chickens eat a special diet. The yolk contains a robust array of nutrients that help with our health from when we are conceived to when we are old. Protein and nutrients in an egg can aid in muscle strength, brain development and function, weight management and eye health.
Not bad for a food that’s about the size of your new stomach pouch after bariatric surgery. Research now points to genetic and lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, smoking) factors having a much greater impact on the development of heart disease than how much cholesterol from egg yolks you are consuming. Newer research indicates about a third of us need to limit cholesterol. Tracking your labs is a good way to find out if you should avoid eggs or enjoy them. Those with an egg allergy need to avoid eggs.
Weight loss after bariatric surgery is one significant lifestyle change that improves cholesterol numbers. More information and recipes are available on www.incredibleegg.org or www.eggnutritioncenter.org. For bariatric patients, you can start having eggs again when you start the soft/puree foods. This means 1 week after RNY gastric bypass and 2 weeks after sleeve gastrectomy.
Image: Incredibleegg.com - Easy Hard-Boiled Eggs

It is worth bothering labwalker. You know why? Because like you said, it's a small but vocal minority. As a fellow successful bandster, I think it's our obligation to stick around so other folks who want to be banded same as us, have our experiences to draw from.
When I was still waiting for surgery, and terrified of what the future would bring, I found this site and read everything I could from successful bandsters. I am so grateful to folks like Missy and CG who helped me every step of the way along with many others.
I'm paying it forward and all of us who understand that bandsters choose this procedure to avoid more invasive procedures need advocates on this site. Please don't leave.
Liz

Labwalker - I completely understand your feelings. I loved the old Lap Band Talk site, and though at times there was bickering about various things, it was never about which surgery, who's doctor has better credentials, etc. It was a lap band group, and we were all part of that same "club". I too wish the surgeries weren't combined, but now.....it is what it is. Though very frustrating at times, it's still a good place to come for support. Even if not support, just nice interaction with others who share the struggles, fight the fight, etc.
A few of the comments by sleeved patients in the thread were ridiculous. Worthless, actually. It makes no sense to trash others surgical path, who are seeking to improve their health, etc. The babble about archaic procedures and lack of personal research, can only come from those who are insecure at their core, and have to beat their chest like a gorilla in the wild. As I stated in my above post, there is absolutely no debate. We all moved forward with the surgical route, and chose procedures we deemed the best for us.....for WHATEVER the reason.
Lab - please stick around. I get into moods like this too....like you feel this morning. It is frustrating at times, but there was bickering on Lap Band Talk, too. Get a lot of different people together, and it's going to happen. When I start to feel the bile rising after reading some stupid s-hit, I click to a different thread; just walk away :-)

Quite frankly, some (a very vocal and small minority) of the VSG members of this forum have been as ignorant and hurtful as those expressed on the View, far beyond the damage done by Rosie.
This is a support group. No one cares what your surgeon opinions are or were. From some of the comments that were allegedly made by surgeons, I'd seriously wonder why anyone would ever consider having surgery done by that group or practice? Dated opinions based on archaic surgical practices and devices has nothing to do with efficacy of lab band procedures being done in this current decade by competent surgeons. As I noted, I can quote questionable sites that diss other procedures... what does that prove??
I honestly think Alex made a major gaff in combining the various WLS platforms into on group. It is painfully obvious that a fEW VSG patients chose to be smug and ignorant and are here to demean anyone who has chosen alternative surgeries, regardless of there effectiveness. I wonder if it is even worth bothering with this site... if anyone can recommend a site that only deals with lap band patients, I'd appreciate the link.

My doctor is in a "Circle of Excellence." I wanted a sleeve, he strongly recommended the band based on my age, health and on his experience. My wife wanted a band, and because of some medications she had to take, he advised her to have the sleeve.
The band works... if someone goes to a "freeway clinic" and has problems, the fault most likely lies with the surgical group, and not the procedure.

Oh Please.... give it a rest. I can find lots of internet sites that spread fear and nonsense... You had a sleeve? Maybe you should read this. It has as much value as any other internet news blurb.
http://gastricbypasskills.blogspot.com/2013/02/think-gastric-sleeve-is-safe-think-again.html
They claim a 1 in 50 mortality rate. I guess you beat the odds?
Surgeons don't like the band because it commits them to years of follow care. If the patient is on Medicare, they don't get a dime for follow post surgical care. It is a lot more profitable to cut and slice, and forget.

Jessi-- back that up with facts. Any elective medical procedure with the failure rate you claim would not be practiced. No doctor needs that failure rate, nor the risk of dealing will a sullied reputation. So, show us facts for lap band failure rates for procedures--excluding the archaic 4 CC band which is no longer used in the US. Surgical techniques have also improved. Your research?? I suggest it is flawed, and myopic.
I did my research, and was aware of the risks. My doctor could have done any procedure, but strongly advised the band based on my health, age and other parameters. Why would he risk my health if the band was a failure? And his practices credentials are above reproach and has a very high success rate with the band.

LOL!!!

"http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lap-band-surgery-half-patients-complications/story?id=13187452
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4452159/Lap-Band-more-than-50-FAILURE-rate/
http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/dangers-of-lap-band-surgery
Do you need more? You will find that more and more surgeons are not doing lap band anymore. Why would your doctor recommend it for you? Maybe because HE hasn't done his research either. LOL. Either way. Mine stopped doing it this year and mine too has "credentials above reproach."
Sometimes, the doctors are not recommending the band, but it's what the patients want for themselves. That was the case with me. I researched ad nauseam, and made MY choice on what I felt best for my health, and long term options. The band is my surgeons least favorite, but he still does them. He's got plenty of VERY successful band patients, but still favors some of the more invasive procedures. It's all about choice.
Jessipug, try & keep in mind that this isn't a contest of who's doctor has the best credentials, what procedure is the best, etc. No one is slamming the sleeve. That was your choice, and I'm glad it's working out for you.....so far.

Aside from the political rants above, there are two actual issues raised by Rosie's comments:
1. She dissed the lapband's effectiveness, angering lapband patients who found and/or still find the band successful for themselves (whether they still have the band or have had it removed). Should she have done that?
2. She "divided" the WLS community where (I did not know this until Rosiegate) that it's politically incorrect to say that one WLS procedure is less effective or desirable than another. Did she cause a division?
My take on Rosiegate is that it's illogical to deem off-limits debates about the relative effectiveness of WLS procedures within, of all places, the WLS community. Every prospective WLS patient has to deliberate about and decide which form of WLS is appropriate for them. It's one of the biggest decisions about WLS we all made.
FTR, I'm 6 1/2 weeks post-VSG-op. I've never had a lapband, but it was the procedure I first explored with my surgeon, since I had thought lapband and gastric bypass were the only two WLS options. Until he described the sleeve, I had never heard of it.
My surgeon (who has done thousands of all three WLS procedures--and supports his past lapband patients) discouraged me strongly from having the lapband citing these facts, based on his education and experience and the experiences of thousands of his WLS patients over the past 10 years:
* The lapband wasn't designed to be a permanent fixture in the human body,
* Fills / adjustments can be difficult to get right,
* The band works imperfectly for many patients in helping them to lose weight,
* Patients find it easy to game/cheat the lapband, obviating the lapband's efficacy,
* Most lapband patients regain their weight when the band is removed, and
* It can slip and erode in ways that damage patients' stomachs and other nearby body organs and tissue, * Some lapband patients find they are unable to fly due to pressurization changes that may affect the band's fill and cause major discomfort and pain Those of us who are sleeved have met online many banded patients who wish to transition from the band to the sleeve. Some of their stories of banded life are horrific, particularly about stomach damage caused by their bands that sipped or eroded.
Therefore, this forum and its members don't want to discourage anyone from discussing WLS procedures' pros and cons, their continuing / changing utility, and their risks.
And now that I know more about the three WLS procedures, I agree with the gist of Rosie's comments about the band. What would be very interesting to me would be a civil discussions about which procedure is appropriate for whom and which one(s) are NOT. The decision tree can't be that complicated.
Geez..... This thread is like the gift that keeps on giving.....
I chose the lap band/plication because it leaves me with an option at a later date; the choice to reverse it if something changes in my life. I have ZERO judgement on what others have chosen for themselves. ZERO. I was scheduled for a bypass, but cancelled two weeks prior; too permanent for my personality type. When considering all surgery options, and forward thinking about illnesses that could arise in my aging years, I did not want to remove most of my stomach because I may need it for absorption of nutrients. AGAIN, no judgement on those who chose to go that route. Believe me, I love the idea of having surgery & being done; no fills, no whatever. But I'm very cautious when it comes to permanent changes to my body, and what I chose is what I can live with. To each his (or her) own.
Lets give this a rest already. I cannot stand Rosie O, and chalk up the crap that comes out of her mouth as her personal "agenda". Lets all live and be well with our choices. After all, we've lost weight, reversed co-morbidity health issues. There is no debate here. Live....and let live.

I don't think we truly understand why some people are more prone to obesity than others. I believe its more than lack of exercise and overeating. I think there are multiple factors involved: psychological, genetic, hormonal, environmental, etc. I've known people who live unhealthy, outrageous diets of bacon, steak, and such but they live thin, healthy lives past 100!
Speaking for myself, obsesity has been a long and difficult journey for me. Bariatric surgery was the "silver bullet" to help me achieve a healthy lifestyle. If anyone has a problem with that, they can stuff it!