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Aw, what a cool pic, Carlene. You two are a handsome couple - you kids better stay out of trouble! :-) Original Poster: Sure you can do it. There are success stories all over this forum and the web. Heck, I'm not far from success apparently - though we're not sure what my start weight is going to be, LOL. But if I lost another 12#-14# I'd be at/near my surgeon's goal... I think 20# more pounds might really take me there, but I'll try to keep it going as long as my body agrees. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Yes, honestly it does seem judgmental - you've got your band and congratulations. So ruminating on how others get theirs does seem a teensy bit critical. I don't endorse cheating any established benefit system - but then, I hardly call the American health care beneficial in any way. I have no idea whether you chose to self-pay for your LapBand or if you were blessed to have insurance cover it. But if you did utilize insurance , with your start weight perhaps qualifying for the band wasn't so much of an issue for you. However for many chronically obese people, getting approved is a huge ordeal and a painfully long process. I see people all the time who are 95# overweight - and have a proven medical need. For insurance purposes, some need to be 100# overweight. It doesn't make me lose an ounce of sleep to tell them to slump down a teeny bit when being measured for height (1/2 inch makes huge difference with your BMI) or even to wear an extra layer of clothes while they are being weighed. I guess it would seem like that. But it's a $15000+ or more operation that is covered under most so-called civilized countries' national health care system. Although we in the US live in a fabulous country we are still a bit behind the curve in the sense of bariatric treatment and coverage. As we can see, the consequences have been detrimental -we're the fattest country in the world. I don't know what a nudge is - but if someone is that close to qualifying, maybe a nudge isn't such a moral dilemma. But why should we all have such a burden for qualifying. I've had friends in the UK, Canada, and Australia who (although they may wait a bit longer in some cases) get their LapBand surgery covered fully - and they most certainly don't have the burden of having to be 100# overweight to qualify. So if you call our Private managed health care industry - "the system" - then I guess there are those who try hard to beat it. Sad that people have to gamble with their health, but sometimes trying to qualify for lifesaving surgery is like spinning a roulette wheel. I have no problem with those who try anything within reason to help themselves fight the cycle of obesity. It's probably easy as a banded person to speculate on this, but I know how desperate some people when Banding (or other Weight Loss Surgery) seems like their only hope and maybe we shouldn't judge them. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Pierced: I think you are confused the Old-School VBG (vertical banded gastro - a nonadjustable band procedure with no malabsorption ) with the newer VBG Sleeve (or Vertical Sleeve features malabsorption and surgical reduction of stomach.) The sleeve used to be done as the first portion of the surgical process for superobese patients that could not survive traditional WLS. Then patients started losing with just this initial portion so its now performed as a standalone operation by some. It features the reduced stomach, gastric sleeve, and malabsorption that Sunta mentioned. It's performed most often by LapSF.com - in the Northern Calif/Bay Area and their website has a ton of info on this WLS procedure. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Congrats on your progress Sheryl. But remember that even the most extreme reconstructive surgeries like Abdominoplasties (Tummy Tucks) and Mastoplexy (Breast Reduction) mean a loss of volume - but not necessarily weight. Even those superobese patients who lose more than 200# to 250# and later have 10#-15# of excess skin removed - might only see a loss of a pound or two on the scale. Both surgeries can reflect a loss of inches, but often no loss of actual weight. As we know, fat and skin weigh much less than muscle and bone - so when we remove skin/flab in the O.R., it doesn't always mean we lose much weight. (That's why Tummy Tucks & Breast Reductions are NOT classified as weight loss surgeries). Often patients see the scale go up with post-surgical Fluid retention and circulatory swelling - but eventually it subsides. Sometimes post- plastic surgery weight loss is minimal, due to reduced appetite and activity after surgery, rather than because of the weight lost by removing skin. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

I've apparently lost about 66# of the approximately 75-80# goal my original band surgeon set for me. He made it clear in January when I'd lost 55 -57# that he thought I probably wouldn't lose any more towards even his lower-end goal (my BMI stalled at 30 for a few months) so I switched fill doctors to someone who thinks I can do more. I need to lose 14# more to get to my original surgeon's goal, but he underestimates me. I think actually losing another at least 20# -more would make me look like a SuperStar. If my body would allow me to lose at least 20# or more, I'd be thrilled. So my new fill doctor thinks I might be able to get to that. I'm at a BMI of about 28.9-29 now but if lose another 14 I'd be down to BMI 26+. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

.... But, Were Afraid To Ask This is an interesting concept. All the LapBand literature stresses a loss of 1-2 lbs per week - which leads one to naturally assume a loss of 52-104# the first year if we multiply that times 52 weeks. Errr, not exactly. Face it, often LapBand patients do not lose 52-104# in their first year of banding. There is a surgeon who has said on this very website that he dreams of having his LapBand patients lose 1-2# per week consistently. So why does it not happen for all of us? Let's take a look at two important reasons. Number One: In this longtime-banded gal's observation the rate of 1-2# a week is optimally achieved when you have proper restriction. That's a big concept - when you have proper restriction - because newly banded folks, long time banded folks and every one in between deals with time when we are not well restricted. If we were all properly restricted all the time, we'd never need fills but it happens. Quite often, the more you lose, the more fill you might need to keep a good restriction level. Think of the LapBand as a leather belt around your stomach. As you lose weight and get smaller, you often have to tighten it so it continues to fit, right? Remember that your stomach often gets smaller as the body does, so sometimes it takes a little bit more fill to 'feel' the same amount of restriction you had when you were heavier. And during those times, frankly, we do not generally lose 1-2# a week in general. I am now tireless about my fills but if I total up all my overall time as a banded person (excluding the time that my older band had no working tubing, ) then I've only been properly restricted for several months of my time since having my band repaired last year. In other words, since that period of time I only had optimal restriction for maybe 30-40 weeks total - which translates to my current loss. Number Two: Those who have higher start weights, higher starting BMI's and more to lose - generally lose more and lose quicker than those who have lower starting weights or have less to lose. It's a simple math equation: those with more to lose tend to easily lose the 2# a week (or more) when properly restricted. Those with lower start weights (this includes a lot of those who self paid and went to Mexico if they didn't qualify for insurance coverage in this country) will often post weight loss of approx. 1/2 to 1# a week, even with the proper restriction. A LapBand patient who is trying to lose 60# overall to get to goal will usually not see the same fast loss as a patient who is aiming to lose 160# to get to goal weight. Just some things to keep in mind. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

Congrats on your date :clap2: or two dates But, why two? Many many patients have their GB's taken out at the same time as LapBanding. (The incisions for Lap Gall Bladder surgery are actually quite similar in size and position so it's a relatively easy surgery to do along with the Lap Band.) Why is your doctor having you do two surgeries when you could only have to deal with one O.R. visit, one round of anesthesia, one recovery period?:confused: Plus having two surgeries is riskier and more expensive than just one double procedure. I'd be curious to hear why your medical case is different from those of the thousands of patients who get both simultaneously. Good Luck to you, in any case. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

We really hate to think of people having Weight Loss Surgery to look better, don't we? Well, I did. Yes, I had surgery to look better.( The Shock! The Horror! :faint: ) I certainly think I was attractive before LapBanding but being obese overshadowed that. It overweighed everything in my life from my dating, my relationships, my career and more. Now I'm slowly migrating back to where I need to be. I absolutely know that how we look affects many, many aspects of our lives. Sure as a single gal I may feel it more than some others but I am sure that we live in an environment, a country or a world that thinks it's perfectly OK to treat people based on how they look (or what they weigh.) That's a fight I was tired of losing. Not being obese is a lot better, and a lot easier than being obese - for me, anyway. Now the process of going from obesity to non-obesity has been pure hell. But I will stand up, anytime, anyplace and say " I did this to look and feel better." And it doesn't embarrass me at all. We are living in a Material World, and I am a Material Girl. Somehow I manage to earn more of that Material when I'm not obese. Coincidence? I think not. (*shrug*) Ironically, now that I AM happier with who I am... <snip>...It's only in looking back that I realized how embarassed and unhappy morbid obesity made me. Hear, Hear. Exactly what I think also. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

That's true, Myra, my surgeon basically did call me a failure. I think he sees HIMSELF as a failure - the band failed me, I didn't fail it. I'm clear on that point. If it continues to fail me, I'll move on to something else if I need to. But I will not view myself as a failure. Why? I don't call myself a failure because I have never lacked for determination. I have the same fierce determination now that I had to research Weight Loss Surgery, to get myself approved (before I had a surgeon) and lay on that Operating Room table twice - and I applied that determination to try to succeed with it. If I'm not a success, fine. When I used that terninology I was referring to the idea of having the band not do all it could for me. But a peer calling me a LapBand failure was a bit much. And yes, I am not near where I'd like to be weight-wise, but to be frank, having someone that potentially weighs 100+ more than I do now call me a failure really seemed crass. It's bad enough from a normal-weight surgeon but from another patient who hasn't even started? OUCH. But although I stand by my feelings, hopefully one day I'll be at/closer to my personal goal so comments like this wouldn't even be something that could affect me. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

I'm with Pugmum: Anti-biotics on a prophylactic basis is indicated for some higher-risk patients (like my sister with heart disease) but I have never heard across the board for all LapBand patients. I don't know any stats that say LapBanders have a higher rate of infection... We'll all stayed tuned to hear more, though Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Oh yes I had my port and tubing replaced. NOTHING like the original surgery, the replacement was much easier. (I still wore my abdominal binder from my first surgery, though, and it helped me get on my feet quicker.) It went like a charm and I was back in Recovery before I knew it. Within 2 hours out of the OR, I was walking through the store and pushing a shopping cart. Then later I went home. Two days later, I was at Happy Hour (errr, having a non-alc drink, I'm sure.) Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

This is very common. I believe it peaks within the 3-6 month after surgery phase, when you're actively starting with fills and begin your real weight loss. Our bodies never stop shocking us, do they? I've heard great things about both the Nioxin topical hair treatments and ESPECIALLY about the oral Nioxin vitamin supplements. They've helped scores of Weight Loss Surgery patients. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

WELCOME, Dr. C! Welcome! Bienvenidos! Wilkommen! Bienvenue! Boa Vinda! Benvenuto! Cool! Dr C does lots of insightful posts over on OH, and his input will be SO valuable here. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Yes, I guess so. It's just like when you think you're chugging along and makind some progress - having something like this was a setback. After the initial shock of reading what she wrote, I replied to her and told her how hurtful it was, and she did apologize I'm going to move on. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

OK, I'll admit it - I'm absolutely fuming. Someone sent me a Pvt message here on this forum and without saying who did it, the title alone got my blood boiling. Um, actually I do mind. The writer goes on to basically say (not in exact words but I'm basically paraphrasing) "I know you're a LapBand failure so maybe you can help me. You've been banded so long and haven't made it to goal yet. I'm not banded yet, but I want to make sure that this doesn't happen to me. Can you tell me why you think you were a LapBand failure?" Grrrrrr... Does it occur to this person that I have enough on my plate without being tagged in such a negative way. I've had many, many Ups and Downs with my Band Journey but I've made my decision to not continue to drag the detritus (oh, go look it up) of my whole journey along with me every single day - on here or in my life. So maybe it just doesn't occur to me that I'll have to hear about this everytime I truthfully say that I was banded so long. I almost liked it better when my original surgeon had mt be pretending to be a new Bandster - maybe part of the reason was that neither he or myself wanted to have to deal with the weight of bearing being considered a Five- Year-LapBand-Failure. Yes, that's the word that the Private Message Writer used. I'll admit to having a Remedial Band, but make no mistake - I'm clear on who failed who in my Journey - or what failed who in the case of my questionable Old-School original LapBand. I don't need to beat myself up about the mechanical failure of a silicone object. So do the increasing number of now-bandless Forum members also find inquiries from the curious as to why their bands failed (oh, if it were always that simple) or what they did to cause the bands to have to be removed? How idiotic are the questions that the Forcibly Unbanded must have to endure - if I'm experiencing this, and I've still got the little Silicone Freeloader? Attention, Newbies: Actually I find myself really not wanting to be associated as the World's Biggest LapBand Failure, so no more inquiries about how to avoid my fate (as if!) are necessary, thanks. As usual: Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Just under 5'9" with my hair up, LOL....:rolleyes Seriously I'm a large frame girl for sure. And I'm not the tallest in my family by far - my mother was 5'10" my older sister is nearly 6' feet tall... and the nieces in my family are pretty tall too. So a Regular -14 looks OK on me - but if I got down to a real 12 that would be a huge improvement. If I get down to a size 10, then I'm out of here. It will be HELLO, HOLLYWOOD! (OK, I know most Hollywood actresses wear sizes 2,4, or 6 maximum :kiss2: but hey, not everyone can be a Size 0 like Eva Longoria. ) Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Wow: It finally happened. I went to a plus size chain store ( Avenue ) with my sisters today, and tried on pair after pair of pants, capris, skirts etc. I kept grabbing Size 14's. And they were all too big in the legs (I have enviably-shapely lower legs, but oh those Upper Thighs! ) and the waist. I tried to find size 12's (Avenue now carries some 10/12's in certain items) but they did not have any 12's in the items I looked for, the smallest was 14. (Now these are plus sizes of course, so really these were 14W's that were too big for me.) In fact, only one pair of slim-fitting cropped pants in size 14 actually fit me. They were on sale so I grabbed them but hopefully it will be one of the few 14's I ever have to buy, at least them. I know it sounds weird to celebrate not being able to fit 14's but for a tall, large framed gal like myself - it's a minor miracle. NSV, indeed. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Hey, Kellie. Believe me, it's a process, but sounds like you're on the mend... And "Swell Hell" is absolutely real, and it absolutely sucks when your body has a mind of its own. Luckily, being banded is a good practice for that, probably. Continued success Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

America's Most Remedial Bandster checks in. About Me: Confirmed 30-Something single gal. I have no kids of course (and not planning to having any, considering the trouble I've had with my weight. Oy!) but I have a kitten that thinks she's a puppy and has taught herself to fetch. She's a cutie. About my Band: I've been banded since the invention of fire (or just feels like it - anyway, it's been 5 years) and have apparently lost about 66# of the approximately 75-80# goal my original band surgeon set for me. He made it clear in January when I'd lost 55 -57# that he thought I probably wouldn't lose any more towards even his lower-end goal (my BMI stalled at 30 for a few months) so I switched fill doctors to someone who thinks I can do more. It sounds great to say I only need to lose 14# more to get to my original surgeon's goal, but he underestimates me. I think actually losing another at least 20# -more would make me look like a SuperStar. But we'll see. I see enough people setting unrealistic goals, and after my experiences I don't want to be one of them, but if my body would allow me to lose at least 20# or more, I'd be thrilled. I call my LapBand the "Silicone Freeloader" but it might actually start pulling its weight now and get me smaller. Remember: Often when we get down to or near - a 30 BMI - weight loss slows considerably. Every pound lost is a mini-miracle. Losing Weight: The biggest thrill about losing weight is being able to wear more fashionable clothes again. I love shopping, love clothes, absolutely love shoes. So it's nice to be able to get into certain brand names and wear certain brands of clothes. For me, the worst thing about being so heavy for so long has meant I've had to wear more conservative clothing. I'm single and want to wear things that other young single gals wear at parties and Happy Hour. That's very important to me so above all: I want to get back into bad girl clothing. :heh: Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

I'm not sure Donna... but I think the stitch technique discussion is probably more well known here as the Perigastric vs. the Pars Flaccida technique. I don't hear many surgeons using the "Proximal Stitch" terminology and it's not on the Lap-Band-related medical records I've read. This might jump-start discussions on this issue. Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Misfortune: I had a really hard time following your post for many reasons - and not the least because everytime I read the word "satin" I thought of the shiny, soft, synthetic fabric and not Satan. It took me a couple of times to read it to have any idea what you meant. And then I wondered why it was included on a post about my first two-piece swimsuit but, it's here, so there you go. Believe me, I understand what it's like to feel like plus to have everyone around you (from friends to family to other miscellaneous folks) think that you made a huge mistake in order to look better. I also had a near-fatal experience just after LapBanding. It was awful - my life was completely at risk. And I ended up with more scars, openings, incisions than I thought was possible for one person to have. Since then, for five long years I've been told by everyone (including my original LapBand surgeon) that "I shouldn't care about how I look, I should just be happy to be alive!" Well, I am very happy to be alive.:scared: You know what? For me it's not just enough to be alive, I want to thrive. I know the horrors of just wanting to live... but now, at this stage, I hope to live well. I've been at the stage where you are now, Misfortune, and I'm here to tell you that while it is certainly not easy - there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I'm still healing 5 years later, but I'm really focused on getting better and moving on. Wish me luck in my Quest. I have had a horrible band journey, which made for a difficult life journey - but now I feel I deserve any and all success. You do too. Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All...

I see it's coming on again at 1:30 am Eastern Time so I will check out and say what I think... Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

Wow... the pictures tell the story... From the 1980s to right now. I really do wonder exactly what happened with her and her LapBanding - but I didn't realize it was paid for by Inamed. Interesting.... Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...

I can't believe I did it. I'll put my scar pics out there, temporarily. They WILL be edited off very soon - no need to randomly scare people out in cyberspace. :scared: Remember, going from Morbid Obesity to just plain overweight is a process - so let's concentrate on the scars rather than body parts that might need work! :phanvan I am fully aware I need about $12-$15K more surgery work, but I'm doing what I can, OK! I am convinced I'll look like a star when I'm done! By the way - the pinkish thing in my Belly Button is a BB jewel, it's not a complication! I had to hurry up and take them in the mirror before my post-surgical swelling got too bad. (Other post-TT patients might know exactly what I mean...) Happy Band (And Life) Journeys To All...