Anthony

I went to Dr. John Feng, who was then at LapSF, he is now at his own firm called Crystal Springs ( www.gastricbypasssanfrancisco.com )

I highly recommend him.

Did I mention that my biggest problem these days is keeping weight on? I never thought I'd ever be in this situation, it's just beyond weird!

Hello all! I'm doing very well.

My biggest problem is my inability to eat enough maintain long durations of physical activity. I'm lucky if I canbreak 1800 calories per day, which isnt nearly enough for my work/school/ average recreation. I've actually had to cut back on hiking severely due to this.

I recently had surgery on a direct inguinal hernia which was work related, and boy, do I wish I could eat more. It would have made recovery much easier.

I also continue to take Nexium when I take NSAIDs, but I don't need it for the most part anymore.

I think I've slimed/thrown up from food about 5 times now, it is ALWAYS connected with raw vegetables, particularly carrots or other difficult to digest products like pineapple. Not bad, considering that is over an 18 month period. When I had the band I would slime and vomit up to twice per day.

Back pain is still gone.

Anthony,

I had far more pain with the lap-band, but I bounced back within a week.

It seems that most people take a week or so to recover from VG, but it took me nearly a month. More than likely, this was due to the extensive surgery that had to be done to undo the contortions which were created by the lap-band.

Just browsing for lapband information, experiences and ran across the talk about the vertical gastrectomy. Does anyone know of a surgeon who performs this procedure closer to Texas than either the east or west coast? Thanks.

Time to create a new thread.

my question is this. what happens if after you reach your goal weight with the band and then it has to be removed? if you have already had wls and been successful, does that automatically make you a candidate for another wls. or will you have to gain tons of weight and have a high bmi again?

Time to create a new thread.

Any hunger? This is my biggest issue with my band - I stay hungry!

No physical hunger still.

203 now. My medical goal is 200. My personal goal is 180, or 200+ with 12% body fat.

Pictures coming soon!

Drink Water, or get your band removed.

I have been suffering from horrid insomnia. ...I should have slept like a baby, but I was awake at 3:30, wide awake!! Does anyone else have this problem? I have suffered from insomnia all my life and have yet to find something that doesnt leave me with a "sleeping pill hangover". What can I take for this? Something has gotta give.

I have had this my entire life also. Weight loss greatly magnifies this effect for me. I have tried every known sleep inducing agent that has a short half life, yet they always leave me with the "hangover" or they simply stop working altogother.

My solution? Low dose lithium, we're talking 75mg, 150mg, maybe a max of 300mg (as opposed to the 900mg-1200mg range which is for bipolar). It can even be used every other day. It doesn't work instantly, I allow about 2 weeks for the effects to become noticable.

At these doses it will not sedate you, but it will keep you asleep without feeling drugged. Also, the effects at this dosage are drastically different than those attained at high doses (lack of weight gain, etc).

And I don't have bipolar, nor does it run in my family, I just happen to have a history of long enduring insomnia.

Just an update.

Currently 208.

For the first time since 7th grade I can wear LARGE Shirts (Without an X in front of the size!). My size 36 jeans are almost too big, which is also the sam esize that I wore in 7th grade.

Endurance and energy levels are way up. A 6 mile hike feels the same as a 2 mile hike used to feel before I had surgery.

Hopefully I'll be running within the next year.

My insurance didn't cover either procedure.

Simply put, lack of calories=lack of energy. More specifically, I think low intake of "real foods" (rather than Protein shakes)equals lower energy levels.

According to LapSF, it can take up to 2 years for people to adjust to WLS level calorie intake, regardless of the surgery type.

I experienced the same effect for about the first 3 months of having the band.

Just an update. Last week I weighed in at 213. I am now regaining enough energy to exercise regularly and maintain my previously physical intensive hiking and gym schedule.

Dumping is next to non existent.

I am 13 pounds from my original set goal of 200, but I may be able to lose down to 180 with some serious training.

Once this hellish SoCal heat dies down, I'm sure I'll be at my goal in no time.

P.S. This lack of physical hunger is amazing!

I'm looking for hiking partners in SoCal. I am looking for people who would like to do anything from short 3 mile hikes to 20 mile daytrips. All experience levels welcome.

I am in Riverside.

I am constantly hungry, I even wake up in the middle of the night ravenous.

I too used to experience this with the band, now it is COMPLETELY GONE! :eek:

Ther RnY DOES have malabsorption...that's why the dumping. But it primarily restrictive in nature. So it has more in common with the band than one might imagine. Even similar "end results."

Actually, I believe that dumping is a result of concentrated/undigested food reaching the intestines too quickly.

Example: I can experience dumping with my Vertical [sleeve] Gastrectomy, yet I have no malabsorptive component.

What's the cost for the VG sleeve? Can you have the surgery in Mexico or Europe?

Thanks

It costs about $16,000 in the US.

I'd imagine that you could have it done in other countries.

All of the surgeons at LapSF in San Francisco are very skilled as well.

I gave up sodas with my band by switching to carbonated Water for about a year, then i tapered to plain Water.< /p>

I find that elimination of both artificial sweeteners and caffeine from my diet significantly decreases my sugar cravings.

...Remember that Cola nut extract has been a longstanding appetite stimulant that was in use much before sodas were even invented.

I had reflux before my band was put in. Within a week of having it installed, my reflux was COMPLETELY gone.

La Madam,

I have not had problems with my gallbladder, although I do have a stone. Preventing gall bladder disease is one of the reasons I want the Lap Band. I know I'll have to watch myself like a hawk because gallbladder disease is common with rapid weight loss.

NancyRN

And rapid weight loss is a common cause of gallstones. Try not to lose any more weight!

My name is Missie Fisher and I have had the lapband for a year and a half. I have been suffering for the last week from severe stomach pain and mid-central back pain. I have spent 2500 bucks in the last week on internal EDG tests and exrays, etc etc etc. They can find nothing but minor irritation. I know its from the band b/c this pain worsens when eating or drinking. They say that it might be acid reflux....if anyone has had acid reflux due to the band please let me know how long after taking the medications did the pain subside. I have been crying all day and night and I dont know what to do...I almost want to have it taken out.:help:

In my experience, consuming NSAIDS or antibiotics caused something very similar to what you are describing.

Ok I am having band put in july 25th and I knew this day would come (where I have a date ) but now I get this nervous pit feeling in my stomach when I read about complications.. (no, it's not hunger) My DH are doing this together and I am so scared that one of us will have problems. My questions is "IF" you have band complications do most doctors offer to do another surgery in place of the band? And if so will they do them at the same time? I don't want RNY but if it is that or nothing, if I lose the band, I would do it. (I think ) Thanks

There are other surgical options besides RnY

http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html

I hear about this V.G. after band removal and I am very curious as to what it is. I had my band out in Aug 05 and banded again in Jan06, I was never told about this V.G.

This is a VG: http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html