PhotoNut

food for thought - Lapband surgery is 10 times safer than gastric bypass surgery. (1 in 200 bypass patients die - 1 in 2,000 lapband patients die) In 5 years, bypass paitents have lost an average of 59% of their excess weight, while bandsters have lost an average of 57%. Bypass patients usually begin to regain weight after the first few years. Bandsters lose an average of 8 pounds per month. Losing their weight over a three year period. Bypass patients drop weight with amazing speed at first but the follow risks are specific to gastric bypass surgery: Dumping syndrome. Usually occurs when sweet foods are eaten or when food is eaten too quickly. When the food enters the small intestine, it causes cramping, sweating, and nausea. Abdominal hernias. These are the most common complications requiring follow-up surgery. Incisional hernias occur in 10–20% of patients and require follow-up surgery. Narrowing of the stoma. The stoma, or opening between the stomach and intestines, can sometimes become too narrow, causing vomiting. The stoma can be repaired by an outpatient procedure that uses a small endoscopic balloon to stretch it. Gallstones. They develop in more than a third of obese patients undergoing gastric surgery. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that accumulate in the gallbladder. Rapid or major weight loss increases a person's risk of developing gallstones. Leakage of stomach and intestinal contents. Leakage of stomach and intestinal contents from the staple and suture lines into the abdomen can occur. This is a rare occurrence and sometimes seals itself. If not, another operation is required. Because of the changes in digestion after gastric bypass surgery, patients may develop such nutritional deficiencies as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be prevented by taking Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B12, and folate supplements. It is also important to maintain hydration and intake of high-quality Protein and essential fat to ensure healthy weight loss. I have worked with a man who had this proceedure done. He looked horrible. Dark circles under his eyes, skinny, LOTs of loose skin. He had trouble eating many foods and noone wanted to be in the hallway near the bathroom after he'd been in there.. let alone go into the bathroom! And my final thought.. lapband surgery is reversible. Bypass is not. Am I biased.. well no, I have just been reading the facts and like to share them. Best of luck in your decision.

*chuckles* I know, I know.. its not funny. But Kim you are so bullheaded girl! *hugs*

Aww shucks.. we do rock, don't we? *grins* Glad to hear you feel better about things Kim!

For anyone interested. My son is going to help me get the Total Gym out and fully set up with all of the accessories around so I can take pics of it. Probably wont happen until Monday tho - tomorrow is Seahawks Victory day you know. *winks* When I get the pics done, I'll post an addy for everyone to look at. Thanks for the interest!

Ok, this surprised me and might get some reactions from you all as well, but my surgeon said he would wait 4-6 weeks for healing and put in a new band. Ack, my poor tummy!

Heya Not4Long! Welcome to LBT. Might I ask why you think you will go for the complete bypass rather than the lapband?

Lots of new bandsters joining the club in March! Good luck to each of you and we do share your excitement!

I was on a "liquid diet" for two weeks prior to my surgery. It's usually 3 weeks but I was a 'rush job'. Anyway, I was told to have 60 grams of Protein shakes (whey protein and slim fast shakes) and then all of the RAW veggies I wanted. I was told that if I got really hungry I could also have some carbs (they burn off fast) but to have small amounts of Pasta or brown rice. I did a bite or two of chicken and tuna in my salads when I was most hungry. I lost 16 pounds in just over two weeks and my liver was in great shape for surgery. All that said, you should do exactly what YOUR doctor told you to do. If you dont have faith in him for the pre-op stuff, how will you trust him for the after care. And.. how -are- you going to get after care when your doc's in France? Got something set up here? If so, you might check with them on this as well. Talk to a nutritionist they work with. If not.. you should!! Best of luck to you!

Hiyas Mary.. I have been in your shoes twice in my life. I survived it and I think that even tho there are always complications of divorce that seem to affect our kids forever more, I believe they were better off with just me rather than being treated like crap by anyone else.. family or not. Be strong, think with your head not your emotions, consider long term consequences and dont ignore that 'nagging little voice' in your head that's telling you what you should be doing. I don't support divorce as an answer to problems but then I've been divorced twice. And I swear, I can't say I'd do it any differently if I had it to do over again. But I also know the heartache that lingers long after. Tough spot to be in girl. Pray, lean on friends and family you trust, and keep trying until the bitter end to get thru to that man of yours. Best of everything to you and your family, Sincerely, Susan

Oh yeah!!! :clap2: :whoo: :peace: Go Seahawks! :first:

Oh geeze. I remember how bad it hurt to try and take a deep breath. I was sent home with a Incentive Spirometer, which was a gadget I had to suck on to get this blue marker to rise to a certain level. Gawd I hated doing that. It always made me cough, which as the purpose. It hurts to breath in because of the diaphram. There has been trauma to the area, and there is a lot of gas left in there pushing up against the diaphram as well. This means you will want to avoid breathing in deeply, but you must to prevent pneumonia. I also had a band of pressure around my lower rib cage that made me groan and whine whenever I had to sit up. I moved slowly, I felt like I had been hit by a truck! But I'm just ending week four now and all of that has been gone so long I had almost forgotten it. I need to get that in my journal before it's lost for good! Hang in there buddy. We are all different. Some walk out happy and not hurting. Some take two or three weeks to get on their feet again. Just go with what your body tells you it needs. Take it easy, follow doc's orders, and call him or her if you have any significant pain or worries. Best of luck to you, and grats on your Band!

*waves hello to the tar heels* Both of my kids were born in Goldsboro.. east of Raliegh. Their dad's side of the family is in "North Cakalakie". I've been all over the state, really liked Charlotte! LOVED Ashville.

Hey Patty! You know, I was thinking we should get a group together for a once a month lunch thing like other groups do. I've also joined (but havent participated yet) smartbandsters and I've notices some folks on there from Idaho too. We might find some great friends amongst us. Anyone interested? We can post our Idaho losers group prorgress photos on here too! Yehaw! And.. Dawg and I are going to start going to the support group on the Tuesday night (Feb 7th) at St. Al's. Anyone else going? It will be my first time and I'd love to meet some of you there!

Welcome, grats, good luck, and yay! This place is awesome, stay plugged in and keep us posted on your journey.

Thanks Teresa! That's encouraging.

*laughs* These were so cute. Although Dawg did chuckle, he said "Aww.. boo" alot (when he finally got it). *grins* Thanks for the Saturday morning chuckle, Vines.

I saw that you did, Penni. You're such a sweetheart. I'm sure there are doctors who are compassionate enough to help where others shy away for fear of medical malpractice suits, but the point is.. here is yet another person who was banded by this same group in Mexico and is now having problems AND is frantically trying to find someone here to help them. I have to point to Big Paul's post again. This is not just about finding someone who can get that band in you and send you on your way. It's about thinking ahead, thinking smart, covering your bases, and being prepared. If you can get to Mexico for after care and you have a good relationship with your doctor there, that's awesome. But if you're thinking about putting all of your savings into a quick trip to Mexico and you know you won't have the money or whatever you need to get you back down there when and if things go wrong.. you might want to pay that extra bit upfront and find a surgeon with a completel plan for your well being here in the states. Again, Penni.. you're a sweetheart! *hugs* And I sincerely wish the best to all pre-bandsters who are struggling with their decisions, and for those who are in the same position as this gal is. There are so many choices to be made, and none of us can see into the future to know for sure if our choice was the right one. We can take all of the information we have gathered and make what we consider to be an intelligent, well-thought-out deicion and still end up with problems. Life is fickle.

Woah.. someone sticky this puppy! What a great reality check list for us all! Thanks Theresa

So this question just made me stop worrying about erosion. Thank you! No way is anyone taking my band. I came into this with eyes wide open, I knew there was a 1% risk of erosion involved. I also knew there was a .1% risk of dying from complications. Why I ever let this bother me so much now is beyond me. With an endo at 18 months, or sooner if you feel that unsettled about it, you should know in plenty of time if the band has to come out. And, as everyone has said, it is rare that anyone has long term problems associated with the erosion. Nope, Im going to soldier on with the information I have gained from all of the folks here (still banded, newly banded, old band heads, eroded angels) and make the best of this gift while being wise about taking care of my body with endos and eating properly. Even if all the bands fail, Im going to get the most out of mine while I have it. Y'all are going to be smelling smoke from my treadmill when I get it. Im on the road to health and nobody better get in my way - or try to take my band! *laughs* Reminds me of that bumper sticker "If you want my gun, you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands" Party on bansters! Life is good, live it like there's no tomorrow. That fabled bus could be around your next corner! :bananajump:

Heyas Kim.. I saw my surgeon last Tuesday for the three week follow-up and expressed concern that I can eat too much at one time. He said the band is wide open still and I should be physically able to eat just like I could prior to surgery. The reason we are on soft foods is so we dont push the band until its good and healed. Remember, you have stitches in your stomach where they pulled the stomach over the band. Princess was funny but Im afraid there's a lot of thruth in her humor. You shouldnt worry about stuff too much right now. But you should be practicing following the rules. If you dont, youre going to feel that lightning strike! And 18 pounds!! Excellent! *cheers* Go Kim! I have no idea where I am since last Monday. My DH took away the scale batteries and I can only weight on Mondays. Youre right on track girl, stop worrying and enjoy the ride! :bananajump:

Girl..where do you work? I want your insurance coverage!! I paid over $26,000. I say "over" because even tho I prepaid, I keep getting these bills for more things. Blah.

*covers Dawg's eyes* No, not yet. *whispers* Ok, there is one oddity about him. He has this thing for goats. *laughs*

This if from another thread.. and it REALLY puts a spotlight on what we have all been trying to say in this thread: Ok I just got off the phone with Dr. Neal's nurse. I talked to her about my problems that I have been having. Now I don't know where to turn. She basically said that I should contact Dr. Lopez in Mexico and let him know what is going on. Well that is not a option for me like I told her. I want a american Doctor that I can depend on. She gave me the cost of the Endoscopy and it is about 4200.00 and my insurance will not cover, if the band is eroded or there is a problem with it. From what I told her she didn't say whether she thought the band was related to my problems. She did say that if there is a erosion and it is left untreated it is very serious. So now what do I do? I don't have the finances for this type of procedure right now unless they take payments??? Delarla, Penni any advise. What about Dr. Billy what is the deal with him. Would he see me? I am getting so frustrated I am about to have my husband just take me to Portland and check me into the hospital and see what they can do. What should I do?????????? ----------------------------------------- Get the point now? <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Very well said Des! Dr. Ortiz.. you there? Listening? How about a REAL response to that one?

Karen -- shhhh dont spoil it for me! LOL