Dody

I'm jumping through all the hoops and not minding it. Today I found out I have a peptic ulcer the size of a 50 cent piece which was treated with silver nitrate and I will be on Nexium for a couple months, which is going to delay my surgery. It is well worth it to me. I thought I might have an ulcer, but if I had gone to Mexico and got banded I would have been looking at major problems down the road. For me the endoscopy has just saved me a lot of grief. I have had a lot of tests done and lots to go. I hope the board doesn't mind if I hang out and keep reading here, as I'm learning a lot, although I won't get banded for 2-3 mo. because of the ulcer. I'm really glad I decided on a dr. in the states. I could have gotten banded in Mexico with no questions asked unfortunately. I took care in selecting my dr. and checked him out good. He has done a lot of lap band surgery and is also an expert in the field.

Next time make sure it's nice and moist and flavored inside out and get a Butterball. You might have better luck. I'm not banded yet, but I also love turkey, but only the white meat. I hope I will be able to eat it when I'm banded, because I'm sure I'll be trying it again and again. I'm just that stubborn.

From what I've read there was a girl named Michelle on here that only had her band a couple years and lost 105 lbs. and wears an 8-10. Her's got infected and she had to have it removed. God Bless Her she went through a lot, but she certainly is an inspiration to everyone here. Yes I think people reach their goal weights long before 5 years is uf. I was told initially they don't lost as fast as GB patients but in the end they catch up. Let's here from you guys that are really gaining up on that goal weight after a yr. or so. I know you are here.

Can't wait to hear how you make out after banding. I think every surgeon has his own set of pre-op rules. I, myself, have to see a nutricianist for 5 weeks. It's OK I might just learn a lot, and it gives me longer to come here and read things and put it in perspective if this is truly the best step for me. So far I think it is. The pros far outweigh the cons. I was also told that because I have a small liver I don't have to really fast before surgery. I can be on Soups and healthy stuff, but I don't have to drink like Slim-Fast. I guess that's one thing going in my favor. So anxious to hear how you feel after your surgery. Please let us know. It seems like people here learn through trial and error with their bands what agrees with them and what doesn't and everyone appears to be different. I wish you all the success in the world and please keep us posted. Dody

As I retired nurse I have heard a lot about duodenal switch being done in European countries for years before it was done here. It is much, much safer as it doesn't mess with the intestinies, but still is major surgery. Sue, if you had the choice at the beginning would you have chose DS over the band. I can see that the DS revision is not going to require the constant and unending fills and work that the band does, so in your honest opinion what would you have chosen, and did your esophageal problems exsist before banding or did it come along with the banding and continue to get worse. I've heart this to be true with lots of people. They never had esophageal problems before. I'm so glad you switched over and are doing well. I think Gastric Bypass will become a thing of the past with DS on the horizon. Best of everything to you. Sounds like you have been through a lot. Hugs Dody

5 years with the band, and you weren't at goal weight yet. That concerns me, but certainly not overlooking the horrible time you had with the band. As I'm researching and getting ready to get banded I read every post, good, bab or indifferent, because I know there are a lot of variants in the band and people's reaction. There are those doing great; those that seek support; I've seen stories like yours of being having to be unbanded; but still it is the safest almost non-evasive surgery there is. I really feel so horribly sorry for what you have gone through. I wonder if you continue eating like a bandster after that length of time if you still may feel just like one from the built up scar tissue. Please let us know and try and stay positive and focused on yourself and your wonderful family. Hugs to U Dody

I read your last post and felt for you, even though I'm not banded yet. You really, really must want that dark meat of the turkey to put yourself through that. I hope you have learned your lesson. Maybe by next Thanksgiving turkey will be back on your menu. One step at a time...........

It is nice to hear after all the things you hear about erosion that your band was not eroded. Can I ask you how long you had been banded?

I hope this DS is just what you needed. I've heard of many successes with it. Good luck to you on your new journey. You should be able to eat fine now I hope. Best wishes, Dody

I was born and raised in upstate NY and I hear they are getting lots of snow in my old home town of Syracuse. Are you anyplace near there? I miss NY a lot but don't miss those wild winters.

That was an hysterical post from someone only 4 days post-op. It sounds like that bowel movement was all you needed to start feeling good again. Why did you have the band taken out and a revision done if the band wasn't eroded and you don't mind my asking. Chalk it up to not knowing this board very well. Again congrats on your remarkable recovery.

Those two fills seemed awfully close together. Am I mistaken?

Hi, my name is Dody and I'm a retired nurse. I'm going to be banded in Oak Ridge, Tennessee within the next few mo. I've read a lot of posts and find you are a tight knit and supportive group, which is a great thing. I hope that you will allow me to infringe on your space once in awhile and share in some of your experiences. I'm excited, but a little worried. I'm older then most bandsters I've seen on here. I'm 62, but I feel oh so much younger (except for my feet which hurt). I think taking some weight off will take care of that. I'm 5' 9" tall and weight 157. I have sleep apnea; high cholesterol; high blood pressure; heart problems; hypothyroidism; and meet many of the co-morbitity factors. I have studied the band at length and think it meets all the criteria I'm looking for. I'm hoping to get to know all of you very well.

I'm not banded yet. I have weeks of nutrition classes to attend unfortunately and have to prove I can lose weight before the surgery. (If it was that easy I wouldn't be needing the band would I). My dr. discussed with me PB's and the importance of NOT drinking anything if you ever feel anything somewhat stuck. He said it makes it much worse. He said just wait it out. I haven't been there yet, and it sounds scary, but he insists that drinking something only makes it worse and will make you throw-up.

I guess I mis-read the post from Jax. Apparently she is in Italy. Jax, any chance you are military and stationed at Aviano. Just a shot in the dark, because I think they would send you to an Italian hospital for banding. I don't think they have facilities or knowledgeable docs in lap banding on that small base.

Congrats to you on getting banded in December. The idea of a buffet before you go on all liquids sounds awesome, but then buffets sound awesome anytime.

Take aspirin the meantime until you get the prescription fills to prevent the deep venous thrombosis. That should do the trick. I don't think not taking it for a day or so is going to make any difference. I hope if you flew to Italy from the states and back that you got up on that long flight and tried to walk a few steps. That is the important thing, not to sit too long in any one spot. I'm sure you will be fine. Best wishes on your new band.

Although I am one of The Oak Ridge Boys biggest fans and always will be I don't know any of them personally. A long time ago I saw them in concert though. They were awesome. I still love to hear their music played today.

That was a finger hitting a wishful key I think. I'm 257, but my goal is 157. I would be thrilled with that. Sorry about that. I am 100 lbs. overweight for sure. I vaguely remember 157 long ago........long, long ago. Sorry for the mistake. I just happened to hit the wrong key.

I'm glad your doctor's have opted to band you at an early age, because PCOS doesn't get any better the older you get. It will continue to get worse and leave you with more to lose. It toys with your weight and your ability to conceive, but you are a very brave young lady to be getting a head start on heading off any major health problems. Keep us posted and the best of luck to you. You will probably just fly right through this surgery.

Most hospitals and surgeons have a strict policy not to take people who have preveiously had gastric surgery. If they couldn't lose and keep it off on that, the band isn't going to be the solution. The solution is within themselves and they have to search for it. It's a tool, not a given.

They are both basically the same procedure. If you have had one then you know exactly what will happen. They will insert an IV line in your arm to give you medication to relax you and a tube with eyepiece will be induced through the mouth and into the stomach to take video pictures. It sounds horrible, but actually you are pretty much out of it, and you probably didn't find it that bad if you had one of them. You are pretty much looking at the same procedure. Good luck to you.

My surgeon requires an upper GI to see how your gallbladder is before surgery, but then he is anal in all that he requires (but I love it). Too bad they didn't know before the surgery. You could have killed two birds with one stone....(well not literally speaking of course, may be more then one stone). I recovered from gall bladder surgery in 2 days.

Knoxville here and praise the Lord for your talent. He gave you a very special gift. What an awesome crowd. Why didn't I hear about this. Of course I'm about 3 hr. from Nashville, but if I knew there was a bandster singing I would have made my way there. WTG.

Wheat germ. You can buy it at any grocery store and sprinkle it on just about anything. It is great for fiber intake.