palarin

jmcambra,
The thing about the Lap band is that it can take up to 3 years for you to lose the weight. It's a much slower pace and that isn't necessarily a bad thing because in the long run, you are bound to keep it off.
I can understand how frustrated you must be after 2 years and only losing 50 lbs. I am very happy that I was able to have the band removed and converted over to Gastric Bypass because the band was really the wrong choice for me to begin with. I think that if you talk things over with your doctor, the two of you will come to the right decision for you. Be sure to write down all of your questions ahead of time to take with you so that you are able to get all of the answers. Note: there is risk involved with the RNY and luckily I haven't had any problems. I don't know anyone personally that has had any problems but there is always the risk which is something else that you need to discuss with your doctor.
Yes, I admit that I was a little bit scared as they rolled me into surgery, but I knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. I was amazed how I was able to get up and sit in a chair later that afternoon. I felt better each and every day after surgery. The pain was minimal for me and the binder that they put on you really helps when getting up and down or out of bed. I used mine for at least the first 4-5 weeks after surgery. The big reason I used mine longer was because I had basically 2 surgeries in one. They went in Laporscopically and at the very end had to open me all the way up due to not being able to reach a couple areas to put in staples.
There is long term commitment though that you must be willing to make after going through this surgery. This is a life change and if you are not willing to follow the guidelines that are set forth by your surgeon, you will fail. I must take a multi-vitamin with Iron and Calcium with citrate every day. I also must take Vitamin B-12 (1000mg) once a week. On top of that I must pay attention to all food labels and be sure that I am not taking in more than 6 grams of Fat & Sugar during each meal. I also must get in 65-70 grams of Protein each day. Hopefully you have already found a protein brand that you like but if not you will need to try some different types to see which one is for you.
I get my protein in by having a Protein shake, protein liquid, or protein found in my meals. My favorite Protein powder is unjury (Chocolate Flavor) 20g of protein in each scoop. I mix this with 8 ounces of Skim Milk (8g) and it provides me with 28g of my daily protein. Unjury has many different flavors and you can also purchase individual packets to try different ones. I also purchased some of the New whey Liquid Protein (42g) bullets. They look like a large test-tube and hold 3 oz. of pure protein. I must also note that your taste buds will change some after surgery. I noticed that a packet of sugar free Kool aid was much sweeter after surgery; therefore I must mix additional Water in it to lessen the sweetness.
I'm dedicated to doing the right things so I keep a journal of everything that I eat. I got a journal called Diet Minder on Amazon for $10. It was well worth it because provides you the ability to track everything that you eat along with the calories, fat, carbs, protein, Fiber, and sugar. It also provides an area for tracking 8 glasses of water, Snacks, Vitamins, and exercise. There is also a section to set goals.
I'm sure that there are some people out there who have had Gastric Bypass surgery but don't bother to follow any of the rules behind it because they think that the weight will just fall off. I've seen some people go right back to their bad eating habits and eventually gain back all the weight plus some. You must be serious about this commitment and doing all of the things that your surgeon/dietician recommends. As long as you follow the guidelines and teach yourself a new and healthier way to eat, you will be successful when having the Gastric Bypass done.
I hope that I have been able to provide you with the information that you were looking for. Let me know if you have any more questions.....Best of Luck, Marie

Startingover,
I would be amazed if ANY Doctor out there would do a Gastric Bypass on someone that is only 26 lbs. overweight!!!! There is certain criteria that you must meet in order to be a candidate for Gastric Bypass surgery. I may not be a doctor but I'm pretty sure that you DO NOT meet that criteria. It seems that you were doing just fine with the Lap Band, so why on God's green earth would you have it removed??? Maybe your plan is to go down to Mexico where they will do a Gastric Bypass on ANYONE for the right amount of money!!!!
I am appalled to hear that you are trying to get a quick fix for your weight loss instead of eating healthy and exercising. After all, that is how you lost your weight to begin with, correct???
I have a disease that has taken over my entire body since 2005. I was unable to exercise due to the enourmous amount of pain that I endure each and every day 24/7. After two years or so of sitting in a wheelchair I had gained a lot of weight. I discussed things with all of my doctors and I decided to have the Lap Band put on in Dec. 2007. After having fills put in monthly until there was no more room, I was only able to lose 12 pounds. Yes, I followed the program to a "T". I continued to get more and more depressed over my weight. I spoke to my surgeon along with all of my other doctors to see what they thought about me having the Lap Band removed and converting me over to a Gastric Bypass. They all agreed that it would probably be more benefisical not only to lose weight but to also help with my high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and depression.
I had my lap band removed and converted over to a GB on January 12 of this year. After almost 4 months now, I have lost 52 lbs. I still have another 68 lbs. or so to go. I had all of this done because I NEEDED to do so for the sake of my health. After all, that is the biggest reason why people have a Gastric Bypass to begin with. Can you honestly say the same thing about your situation???

Startingover,
I would be amazed if ANY Doctor out there would do a Gastric Bypass on someone that is only 26 lbs. overweight!!!! There is certain criteria that you must meet in order to be a candidate for Gastric Bypass surgery. I may not be a doctor but I'm pretty sure that you DO NOT meet that criteria. It seems that you were doing just fine with the Lap Band, so why on God's green earth would you have it removed??? Maybe your plan is to go down to Mexico where they will do a Gastric Bypass on ANYONE for the right amount of money!!!!
I am appalled to hear that you are trying to get a quick fix for your weight loss instead of eating healthy and exercising. After all, that is how you lost your weight to begin with, correct???
I have a disease that has taken over my entire body since 2005. I was unable to exercise due to the enourmous amount of pain that I endure each and every day 24/7. After two years or so of sitting in a wheelchair I had gained a lot of weight. I discussed things with all of my doctors and I decided to have the Lap Band put on in Dec. 2007. After having fills put in monthly until there was no more room, I was only able to lose 12 pounds. Yes, I followed the program to a "T". I continued to get more and more depressed over my weight. I spoke to my surgeon along with all of my other doctors to see what they thought about me having the Lap Band removed and converting me over to a Gastric Bypass. They all agreed that it would probably be more benefisical not only to lose weight but to also help with my high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and depression.
I had my lap band removed and converted over to a GB on January 12 of this year. After almost 4 months now, I have lost 52 lbs. I still have another 68 lbs. or so to go. I had all of this done because I NEEDED to do so for the sake of my health. After all, that is the biggest reason why people have a Gastric Bypass to begin with. Can you honestly say the same thing about your situation???