Dody

Is there any chance you smoke? That may be the reason you are coughing up lots of junk. Sometimes that happens with smokers in operations. Just a thought. I hope you are up and around and feeling great before long. Hang in there. I imagine the first couple days are tough.

Be kind enough if you will to let me know how lap banding "rearranged your innards". Did they do anything to your intestines? Nope they didn't. They merely put a band around you stomach and inserted a port to fill though. They didn't arrange a single thing at the time of your lap banding. If you had further surgery they may have re-arranged your innards a great deal, but they didn't when they banded you.

"There are risks with any surgery". This statement is true, but in lap banding your main concern is general anesthetic. It can be risky at anytime in any surgery, but the lap banding itself is not nearly as invasive as GB is. The risks in GB are not only from anesthetic, but much more involved. I've seen the worse of the worse, but I also have a wonderful friend who had GB and has lots of problems, most of which come with the surgery, some that do not. She has excessive skin loss, and I think every GB patient should be entitled to having reconstructive surgery to remove the loose skin. Now if you never plan on anyone seeing you sans clothes it might not bother you, but I figure you would lose another 30 lbs. if this loose skin were removed. If you have a choice I hope that first you will give lap banding a try, and if it isn't for you then it isn't, but you haven't gone and arranged your plumbing or done anything you can't change. I didn't mean to come on so strong, but I do worry about people that opt first for gastric bypass. The band is a tool for sure, but people do lose weight on it if they are dedicated. You can screw up a GB real fast too. Anyway, I wish you all the luck in your decision and hope that you find happiness with it.

I could say so much here about GB and all the repercussions, but you probably wouldn't pay any heed to me. As an ER nurse for years I've seen these GB patients by the hundreds in the ER. You've never heard anyone that wouldn't do it again? I hate to tell you the stories I've heard about how they wish there had been an alternative. Not one of them wouldn't have preferred the lap banding had it been available years ago here in the states. I've seen some pretty horrible sites..from the massive hanging skin that needs to be surgically removed (a series of operations should take care of that), to people who never get far from the bathroom because everything runs right on through. Guess how much of your intestines are actually gone and not just rerouted. Then there is always the dumping syndrome which in itself is a major issue for these people, not to mention all the Vitamins they have to take for malabsorption. You should be happy that you don't have to go through this. I'm guessing from your post your don't have a medical background, or I don't think you would have ventured out on a limb as far as you did. How many people exactly would have this surgery again in a heartbeat? The pouch can be easily stretched, and more so now that it is done laparoscopically, because actually they can't get the pouch quite as small. It is nothing to see the staples ripped out and wow another surgery which your dr. probably won't authorize. You are talking MAJOR surgery for GB, so please study all your facts before you tell me about GB. I've spent to many years looking after people that opted for this surgery. Ask one of your friends that "would do it again" to show you their stomach and then see what you think. OK, I probably won't change your mind, but then again this is your body so I guess you are free to think whatever great things you want to about GB. It is an absolutely last resort, or should be. Wake up Call!!

So happy for you and just a little bit jealous:) that you are banded. I'm so happy you are having a speedy recovery. That's what I'm looking forward too and hope all goes that way. Good luck to you on your journey to a healtier, happier you.

This friend of mine paid $500.00 above and beyond her insurance for "literature" for the next year. She never went back to the dr. for any sort of checkup or anything. I don't understand why, except perhaps it was a 3 hr. drive, but she has never, ever gone back. She receives literature in the mail (same junk you could read on line). She belongs to no support groups on line, and is not happy with her body without clothes. Now, this woman is 34 and should be thrilled with her body. She looks great in clothes, but she has a lot of loose skin that she absolutely hates and is looking into the cost of a tummy tuck and having skin removed from under her arms. I don't envy her. I truly think she is almost as miserable as she was heavy. Just my 2 cents.

The post by LaMadam was right on the money. I know my friend has lots of sagging skin. She holds it in right now with panties that have a tummy holder inner in them, but she has showed it to me and it is UGLY. She lost all her weight in a yr. but she wants cosmetic surgery because of all the lose skin. Ask this friend of yours if you can see that tummy. People can cover it up with clothes, but the fact is she has sagging skin big time.

Wow, not sure what can be done to control the arthritis, but my hopes are that with weight off it won't be nearly as painful. I guess that is a bridge I have to cross when I come to it. My neighbor has had GB and she lives on carbonated beverages? What is the difference with the lap banders and the GB's do you know? I don't think she is supposed to be drinking all that pop but she does, and seemingly with no real effects. She has lost tons of weight, but she just doesn't really look good (not physically-she looks very thin, but she looks white and sickish). I think her body has been robbed of Vitamins and she isn't following the regimin she is supposed to. Again thanks for the link.

Isn't it true that with DS they have to cut you wide open and it can't be done laparoscopically? That to me screams I don't want it. I will take my chances with the band. If it works it works, if not I've really lost nothing literally. I haven't endured major surgery with both GB (which can be done laparoscopically) but has horrible side-effects, and I sure haven't had my whole stomach cut open. Now If I've been mis-informed that DS requires a huge incision, feel free to correct me, but this is what my doctor has told me.

A post worth reading. I think I am informed that the band is the right decision for me too. Did you find out anything about the slippage you thought had occurred? Out of curiosity; have you truly required only one fill, because that is awesome. Dody

I was told that due to port problems; erosion; and slippage that very few people just have the one surgery for the band. Now, this is a dr. touting GB, so I don't know how much stock I can put in what he says. He said the same thing; the band has a low success rate, but for me it sounds like the answer. I am happy to lose slower and not have my insides arranged. That is just what I was told; that lap banding rarely stops at one surgery.

I literally live on ibuprofen for my arthritis. No one has said that I won't be able to take it afterwards. I was originally on Celebrex, but heard so much controversary about it as related to the heart that I asked my dr. to take me off it. She did, and put me on ibrupfen. I take over 1000 mg a day for the arthritis. As for beverages, she told me if you allow the pop to go flat you can have it. That doesn't sound very good to me...flat soda sucks. I have a neighbor that has had GB and she drinks loads of pop. I wonder if she is doing something she shouldn't. She literally lives on diet soda. Take away my pop and ibuprofen (and then tell me I can't have coffee with sugar in it) and I'm done for. Do I really have to give up all three of these things. I can't stand sugar substitute in my coffee but don't mind it in soft drinks at all. I only drink diet soda and caffeine free (love root beer). Now I'm wondering if I have to give all this up. I haven't started the nutritionist part of this yet, as I'm working on healing up an ulcer. It sounds like I'm in for some bad news about what I can drink and what drugs I can take. Tylenol for arthritis doesn't help me at all. Another question, if you take liquid percocet or something like that after the surgery, why on earth would ibuprofen hurt you? Pain medications like Percocet are much stronger.

A lot of doctors that offer lap banding don't offer GB or DS. They normally plug their own product. The GB doctors will give you info that the band is not proven; that the success rate is very low; that they don't do it because it requires more than ONE surgery almost always. On the other hand the seminar that I went to for GB scared the heck out of me, and I also learned that whereas I thought DS was simpler it is actually more dangerous. The dr. told me it can't be done laparoscopically and they need a huge incision. That scared me plenty. As for the GB, the drs. that do it rave about it, but they don't tell you all about the horrible "dumping syndrome" that always occurs, nor do they tell you that they are going to completely rearrange your intestines and leakage is a major problem that can lead to death even. Maybe you can't lose 90% of the weight you want in a yr. on the lap band, but it certainly sounds much, much safer and less invasive than having something as permanent as GB. Actually, if you are my age, which is 60+ they don't give you an adequate amount of time to live to enjoy the GB, so it isn't for me. If I need more than one surgery to fix something it isn't the end of the world, but it could be with GB. That's just my two cents worth from what I learned going to the seminars, and the fact that my GP said absolutely NO to the GB surgery because she doesn't think it is safe by any means. Every dr. touts their own surgery.

I'm not banded yet, and I stopped making candy years ago when I lost my husband and the kids had left home, but I still buy candy for my dogs' groomers. I had all I could do to get that box there with a ribbon attached without opening it. I'm not doing this anymore. Next year I've decided I'm giving them something healty. Lima beans is definitely a thought...but do you actually cook them and eat them Chocolate is my biggest downfall. When I'm down or depressed I want that chocolate fix. I don't care much about deserts or breads, but oh I love chocolate. It seems to cure everything except my waistline. Get them all delivered as soon as possible and next yr. think of something else to give besides chocolate

I read all the posts on here, and am always amazed here in cyber space at how very close this forum is. I'm feeling better after a week or so on Nexium and the terrible burning is going away. It's like I said, nights are lonely. I have 2 dogs and a cat, but I lost my husband some years ago, and lonliness and worry set in when the darkness falls. That's when I come here and read how much you all seem to really care about one another, and your posts are so encouraging and sincere. I want so much to have my band, so I have to get better. The dr. seems to think that once the problems are cleared up I will be good to go. It's the darned waiting and trying to not stress over it. Thanks again for all the support you give me and others. It's a pleasure to come here and read your posts. God Bless each and every one of you. It's wonderful to see you reach out to others for comfort and receive it some heartfelt. You are all great.

It's the middle of the night and my stomach is killing me, and I'm not even banded. I have a peptic ulcer that is being treated (they found it on my endoscopy) and a small erosion in my esophagus. The dr. said not to worry that it will be cleared up in a couple mo., but I am worried. It seems that esophageal problems are very real with the band, and I'm worried I may be prone to them. I hope I'm worrying needlessly. Ever since I found out for sure I have the ulcer and have to postpost the surgery for a couple mo. I'm bummed out, but I know the dr. is doing the right thing. Has anyone ever had problems before banding with an ulcer or any irritation of the stomach lining and do you think it will be a major problem afterward. Will I be able to take my medication which comes in a capsule form without too much trouble. I hear you have to break up pills and this is timed releast and it says to take it the way it is. Dr. also said not to empty it and take it. Anyone had any similar problems. I'm sure I'm making this ulcer worse staying up and worrying so much about it.

I won't be having surgery till the spring, but I have to see the nutritionist for 5 weeks beforehand to show I can lose weight and I'm dedicated. Hope I can do it. No..I will do it!! I have to clear up an ulcer beforehand so it moves my surgery up till Spring, but that is a good thing as my daughter is going to come and stay with me for awhile. The weather will be nicer and I might have time to get my garden started first. I'm feeling lots more positive than I was a week ago before I started on meds, and feeling better too, so I hope I'm on the road to recovery. I'm also having my teeth worked on in the meantime and won't be done for a couple months, then they are all getting bleached and I bet I feel like a new person. I'm excited but nervous. I guess it all goes together. Good luck to you.

I quit years ago, but I would be more worried about my heart and lungs if I smoked than the band I think. I don't know the statistics on the band and smoking or if there are any, but you should really try to quit........and I know you've heard it a million times huh?

I've read so many posts about erosions and slippages (and a few flipped ports) that I'm wondering just how long some of you have had your bands. Can you keep them indefinitely? Does anyone have a clue what causes erosion? Could it possibly be something done in the first surgery when it is placed, or is it stomach acid or something. That would do me in. I already have an ulcer to clear up, and couldn't stand having another one. Will the band work if you can't exercise. I have arthritis and a plate and screws in my left leg from a bad break. It always hurts, but I do believe it hurts more the more weight I gain. I have an important question. I have a pouch (I think they come with C-sections and I don't think they can be gotten rid of completely) but I have pain in the lower left side when I walk. Could it be from the weight which is all in my stomach it seems. I had a CT scan 2 weeks ago for a small aortic aneurysm to check the size of it, and it should have showed up if there was a cyst on my dried up ovaries. Does anyone else have pain on walking in their lower stomach. It doesn't hurt when I sit or lay down. I'd sure appreciate someone chiming in. I could really use some encouragement and some good info on whether the band can help me without exercise. Maybe if I can lose some my feet won't hurt so terribly bad. Did anyone else have problems like any of these? Thanks for the input.

I read all your posts. You are a true inspiration to everyone. Just thought I'd let you know that. You seem to have a great attitude. I wish it was contagious instead of being the worry wart I am. I'm not banded but I keep thinking you guys sound like you are choking. That would be a horrible feeling. You would either want to get it down or get it up it seems. Scary a little bit. Again, thanks for the great posts.

I may get a membership at the sports center in my area because they have water aerobics and things like that. I have had water therapy for my arthritis, and I imagine I could do that and perhaps get some excercise. Thanks for a great idea. I'm not thrilled about being in a bathing suit, but hey I figure you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm 5'9" and weigh 259, but it seems to have settled in my stomach for some reason. I don't have a stomach that hangs down a lot, just this darn pouch thing from both C-section and abdominal surgeries, but you are right. I want this band to help me help myself, so I need all the positive help I can get. Thanks again for the wake up call

I've lost so much weight in my life on diets only to gain the weight back and more, that I've given up on that. I too was on Phentermine for years off and on, only to lose the weight and gain it back. I hope the band will not only help me lose the weight but help me keep it off. I'm anxious to know how long people have had their bands and if it has exceeded or met their expectations.

My weight isn't so much from what I eat as the fact I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and can't excercise. I can't even take the dogs for walks. Good thing cats don't need walked. I would love to get out and do more and I'm afraid the surgery won't work for me either. I'm hoping it will help with some of the pain of the arthritis by losing weight, but I have no guarantees. I flying blind on this one too, but I've made up my mind to do it and I'm one of the older ones to be getting banded. That fact scares me too, but I have to do something just like you, so I'm putting my faith in the band that it will help me. Good luck to you.

You know your own body better than anyone else for sure, but here's hoping that this isn't what you think, or if it is it will go back into place. You certainly are an inspiration. I was going to start a thread because I was curious the longest that people have had the band. It seems like some run into trouble after a year. 4 Years is awesome and inspirational to me. I haven't yet met anyone that has been banded that long with or without problems. I hope when you see your dr. he will know exactly what course to take. I read someone's post on here that had a slipped band and it went back into place apparently. My prayers are with you. Please keep us posted. Wow, have you reached your goal weight? If so maybe you can keep it off and just continue to eat like a bandster. I'm not an expert but it seems like there would be enough tissue that has formed to almost be like a permanent band on your stomach.

ANYTHING implanted in your body is a foreign substance. If you have a splinter in your finger, it will get infected because it is a foreign body. Plates, screws, iud's.......anything the body didn't produce on it's own is considered a foreign substance. Plates and screws don't wear out, but the bands are made of a plastic/rubber substance and my dr. tells me it could erode in a yr. or possibly never erode. It is simply the bodies resistance to a foreign object, and the band is easier to erode then most implantable things.