Skywalker

Sounds straightforward, but since you're spoiling your diet on sliders, I'd say scale them back to around 10-15% of your diet maximum. You really need to put more vegetables/fruits, Protein, and some carbohydrates in there, and I'm sure once you do (even something really tasty like pasta) you will fill up in a hurry.

I understand how you feel--about any surgery. I'd recommend these tips: Read only success stories prior to surgery; don't get bogged down in reading the horrors of occasional complications once you've made your choice because it will just psychologically torment you for no good reason. If you worry you're taking a lazy/pointless risk, think of it this way--your short and long term health is in more danger, statistically, staying this way than having a proven and effective surgery. That's one way I look at it--I can either have this surgery now under controlled conditions, or wait for them to rush me to the hospital 10 years from now with a heart attack and have major emergency surgery. Just some tips, good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!

Yea i want to have a baby slso thats why i didnt get sleeve got bypass instead didnt want my stomach cut either You guys are correct about the sleeve not being reversible; however, I don't think it has a negative impact on becoming pregnant (providing you are willing to wait a year after the surgery to stabilize weight): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23306797 http://www.marinahospital.com/blog/will-i-be-able-to-get-pregnant-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery Studies stated, "Barring very uncommon complications of surgery, this should eventually make it easier both to conceive and to carry a child to term with less risk of negative consequences."

I can understand the rationale of getting the band. Being a little gun shy about surgery myself, the band is really, really tempting--it promises to help us lose weight with minimal invasiveness, very low up front complications, and no stomach cutting. Each surgery fits a different need and different demographic of people. All surgeries can have complications and whatnot, and from what I read they all improve in technique and efficacy over time. But I do understand wanting to get the sleeve, because I've been leaning that direction myself (yes, more short term risk but lower long term maintenance and risk).

I'm not doing it just to become fertile, but I learned that was one of the possible benefits so I'm definitely welcoming it. Of course, they say to wait at least a year once you reach your goal weight so your body's not all over the place, so I'm going to try to do that. If you want to see more about stuff like this, you can actually watch "My 600 lb life: Melissa" streaming on Netflix (http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/my-600-lb-life/videos/my-600-lb-life-where-are-they-now.htm). She started out young and huge, got a weight loss surgery, and she and her husband were finally able to conceive and had a little girl.

That sucks. I probably don't need to remind you at this juncture to take care of yourself, your body, and not overeat. The last time I had a depression, I gained almost 100 lbs (that I can't get off), which has led me to where I am today--WLS.

I don't know, but I would guess you are drinking milkshakes and other "sliders". If I was trying to cheat the band and have fun, that's how I would do it.

I agree with recycled that once you choose, you're done. What is the point of beating oneself up or second guessing, even if they did happen to make a less than optimal choice? Forums are only personal/anecdotal data. Scientific studies, if they have any constructive use, are probably best for helping someone formulate their goals and what they want/expect out of surgery before any surgery has taken place.

It will be interesting to see what newer studies show; unfortunately, we're here and living with it now, so we all just have to make the best decision with the data available to us. There are some sources that are quite obviously biased in either direction (Failed Bands and www.lapband.com), so I prefer to check out WebMD, sometimes, and nih/PubMed sources if I can find them. Dated a couple years ago, for everyone's reference, if they want some thick (but accurate) reading: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339264/

Not only that but objective evidence often points to the truth--such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, thyroid levels--and politically correct attitudes (not to be confused with manners) have no place in a Dr's office. That's what the doctor's there for, and let's not beat around the bush--being overweight is bad for us!

Well, starting at around 250 lbs, I could start to see the difference around 25-30 lbs, but not really before then. I looked significantly different at about 190 lbs. Of course, what I lost over the last two years I've gained all back, thus the WLS.

This is a good point. A lot of times, we get so caught up in a hard goal it's hard to digest when we've crossed the finish line. Like finishing a master's degree, when the ceremony is finished and there's no more studying, you might pause and feel, "Now what?" I remember back when I was on weight watchers, and it was actually working for me, I found I enjoyed the structure of WW almost as much as I did the loss. It's not that I still wouldn't enjoy the structure of WW today, it's just that there's no sustainable loss so it's just frustrating. While on this topic, another thing I forgot--when I get to goal, I want to be able to go out and buy a couple things off the rack (including a stunning business suit for interviews) and actually wear them.

I don't blame you about being gun shy about the knee surgeries; those are actually a huge (if necessary) operation on one of the body's largest joints. My husband had a knee problem and lived with it for about 8 years until he was scheduled for a knee surgery with a cadaver tendon (torn meniscus). He was booked with one of the city's leading ortho physicians too--the guy had worked on a whole sports team. Unfortunately, he developed a DVT/blood clot that has stayed present at that knee and bothered him to the present day. I'm not trying to scare you, just sharing our story. But I would recommend, if you pursue knee surgery, asking the Dr. what DVT prophylaxis they offer. Some do, some don't, but since the knee is near major veins I think it's important to keep that in mind when they get in there and mess with them.

This is a topic that's been on my mind for a while, and one of the driving factors leading me to WLS. I remember not too many years ago having the "full" life experience--hiking, taking family pictures, going on cruises, etc.--and not having to be ashamed of myself for any of it. Recently, I've withdrawn from most of those things and put my life on hold because of weight. I've already decided that, about a year down the road when my weight loss makes me feel like a human being again and I want to dress up, get out, and walk, I'm taking the family for a trip to Disney World. I plan on having the full experience--rides, souvenirs, and of course, pictures taken to commemorate the event. What, if any, is your big plan for when you reach goal? It could be 5K, cruise, or anything....

This is a topic that's been on my mind for a while, and one of the driving factors leading me to WLS. I remember not too many years ago having the "full" life experience--hiking, taking family pictures, going on cruises, etc.--and not having to be ashamed of myself for any of it. Recently, I've withdrawn from most of those things and put my life on hold because of weight. I've already decided that, about a year down the road when my weight loss makes me feel like a human being again and I want to dress up, get out, and walk, I'm taking the family for a trip to Disney World. I plan on having the full experience--rides, souvenirs, and of course, pictures taken to commemorate the event. What, if any, is your big plan for when you reach goal? It could be 5K, cruise, or anything....

You look great, and so sexy now in those form fitting clothes! I bet you actually feel satisfied, and look forward to going shopping, hiking, and other stuff that was problematic before. Again, congratulations. Well done.

I have back pain as well (pain in all four extremities now and a disability rating for it), and was wondering--can you swim? I know that is a great exercise that both takes the compression/insult off of joints for exercise, is safe for elderly, and keeps us cool. If other exercise was too painful, I would try to grab a YMCA membership and do that...

I've wondered about this question a bit, so I thought I'd ask it here. When I used to be overweight 20 years ago, diet and exercise brought me down about 70 lbs, and at that point, I couldn't eat what I used to eat--full size pizzas, alfredo sauce, and other rich stuff upset my stomach and no longer appealed to me. I realized after the fact that I had naturally readjusted my stomach size. So I was wondering--does the same happen with LapBand? Since you're being granted an instant minimized appetite, does the stomach below it actually decrease in size over time. Maybe a question for a doctor, but I thought I'd ask....

I decided on a goal weight by remembering my most reasonable and comfortable adult weight, which was back when I could wear skinny t shirts, my capris were a little loose, and weight watchers was working. It was twenty lbs heavier than the thinnest adult weight I ever was (around 135), but that's not really reasonable since it was during basic training and such.

Yeah I was watching that one too at the same time you were! My husband, actually, kept saying what a selfish prick Chuck was and how it was good she was leaving him. I thought it was interesting, the meltdown Chuck had when he was served divorce papers--he actually started wailing like a little kid. Oh well, the period of reflection did him good. He really needed to take a hard look at things, start contributing, and grow up.

To elaborate on what Chickie said, also do the research from credible non-biased sources (like PubMed, nih, and WebMD) and see how they stack up to each other. If you're looking for the least up front cost and least invasive, band might be for you. But if you're not good on follow-up, want fewer late complications, and want to lose a little more sleeve or bypass might be for you. Each WLS has it's strengths and weaknesses so everyone should look into them and find a best fit.

Careful. Lower quadrant pain can be appendicitis, as well as a bunch of other things. I don't know what your insurance story is, but post Lap Band (and in this Obamacare climate), I would highly recommend looking into Medicaid or at least a health exchange to cover you. We should never be in a position where we are troubleshooting ourselves and hedging our bets as to whether to go to the ER or not. Go see a Dr. and sort this out as soon as you can. Best of luck. Edit: And if you are low to moderate income, just see about getting the ER fees waived on the basis of income later on when you deal with the billing statement. I've done that, even for the deductible that applied to my insurance. Each hospital has a charity plan like that.

You must have talked to the rare customer service rep who had no idea what they were doing. I would try again and ask specifically for someone who could explain plan benefits. This is their job, and really something they should be able to answer for you. I recently called a health insurance provider, and they were very simply able to tell me what they approved/did not approve. What they could not answer, they transferred to a higher ranking rep in another department and stayed with me on the phone until they got on.

And what's wrong with him offering her different links on both band removal/complication, as well as revision links in case she's interested?

Wow that was so rude of her. I'm with everyone else on this board, talk to the manager. She should be fired/suspended, and you shouldn't have had to justify your purchase or your procedure to her.