marypetunia

Dear jrob, Given your health issues, it sounds like the band is a much better choice. I'm living proof, as are so many others on this board, that it works! I am 140 lbs lighter, very healthy, walking everyday, hiking UP hills, and feel 20 years younger after just two years with the band!May it go well with you and may your health improve every day! :cool: Blessings, Mary

I chose the band because the complications from the bypass were too much for me to think about. Although the weight loss may have been a bit quicker with a bypass, the band was the right tool for me and has helped me curtail my eating which was the problem. The center I went to pushes the bypass all along the way, especially because of my bigger size, but I just refused to go that route and my compassionate surgeon finally gave in... he now says, "That was a good choice for you!" I did NOT want malabsorption issues, which often result in patients having to get life-long B12 injections. My primary care doc was happy with my decision because she sees many more bypass patients coming in now for BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS because they can't maintain Iron levels. You are young, if possible, don't go for a malabsorptive procedure, the band may take a bit more work, but the bottom line is to be HEALTHY for the rest of your long life!! Blessings to you in your journey!:smile: Mary

Yup, just had my first consult with plastic surgeon. Hoping for insurance coverage and keeping my fingers crossed!! Good luck with your journey, it's a life changing little device and I'm SO glad to have my band!!!

I have a lapband and have fasted with no ill effects. Just be sure to drink plenty of fluids and take your vitamins. I did notice that when I began eating again, I filled up very fast, my restriction seemed to actually be tighter! I don't know about those with the RNY... they should consult their doctor because their malabsorption issues may play a bigger role. With the band, however, we bandsters are still absorbing all our vitamins, etc.:car: Blessings, Mary

Dear Trystelle, LOL! Love your three hour trek! That's great!! I just took up hiking this summer and am loving it!!! Looking forward to new trails to climb, new mountains to conquer! It's not something I ever thought I'd enjoy! The miracle is not jsut that I'm accomplishing it, but that I ENJOY it! LOL! Keep it up, you'll be hooked" again in no time! Mary

I have been getting night time leg cramps severely for several years, the worst being in my inner thighs(ouch!) They have definitely lessend in the past few months. Per Dr. advice I take an extra calcium/magnesium supplement and B complex supplement. I keep sugar free Powerade (works like Gatorade) on hand, which usually works when they're bad, since dehydration probably plays a key role in the cramps. For days when even that doesn't help, I have a RX for a muscle relaxer which I am grateful for. Hang in there, I am happy that with the weight loss and increased exercise, they ARE getting better. YAY!

I started working out at Curves three months before my band surgery. It was the only thing that helped me lose a few pounds before surgery.. all my other attempts were unsuccessful up to that point. I actually got a JOB at Curves two weeks before I was banded.... at 340+ pounds! LOL! It made for a very comical response to the question, "And what do you do for work?" LOL! God knew what I needed to help me be successful with the band, and He has a great sense of humor! Exercise has been one of the major components for my success with the band... no coubt about it to me! It's kept me on track even when I hit weight plateus (Had three of em so far...aaagghhhh!) and has made me FEEL REALLLY HEALTHY for the rirst time in a long time! YAY! I started out walking only 1/2 mile (and that was difficult for me...) and now do 4-6 miles regularly. I've hiked up a small mountain 3X and actually LOOK FORWARD to the next trek up hill! LOL! This, from a woman who couldn't make it up one set of stairs without hufing and puffing long afterward!THAT's a MIRACLE! LOL! Addicted? I sure HOPE SO! I hope this joy in exercise will last a life time.... a LONG, HEALTHY life time! It's SO nice to chat with others who are enjoying it!:clap2:

Hi All, I'm from Worcester...otherwise known as "Woostah!"! I've been banded for 16 months and thrilled with the results! It's the best thing I could have done for myself! :clap2:

First Bite Syndrome.... certainly an appropriate name for it! I don't have alot of stress, but I do have the first bite "ouchies!" I'm a little over a year out and definitely have trouble with the first few bites every meal. I have to consciously eat slowly and take very little bites for about the first 20 minutes. Once I feel it go down, I can resume eating pretty normally, without much problem at all, thus the need to be very careful about what I put in there! (It's a big temptation to eat mushies too often.) It would be interesting to know physiologically what is happening to the band and my esophogus during that time. Does anyone have a clue about that? I find it helpful to understand the process, helps me get my head around what is happening in my body. Somehow I wonder if it's just a matter of the band "loosening up" after the first swallow goes through. Any other thoughts?

Dear Tricia, Wow. I never expected to read that scenario in your post. I am so sorry to hear of your cousin's death. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

I have consistent port aches and pains... especially at night if I lay on my back. (It was severe a few months ago when I had to have umbilical hernia surgery. The port pain seemed worse than the hernia pain for some reason at the time.) I thought the port pain would go away altogether after the hernia fix, but it has not. Some days are worse than others. It's not unbearable, but is a distraction. My doctor checked it all out when he did the hernia surgery and said it was fine, so I just live with it and am grateful for this little device! I think it has something to do with the muscle attachment, it was the worst after my initial surgery last January when I slept in my recliner for 6 weeks because that area really hurt to lay down. Other than that, no pain unless I overeat or eat too fast!

Hi Joe, I count calories every day, but try to be sensitive to getting in more protein and lower carbs. Fitday.com has been my saving grace, since it keeps me honest about what I'm eating. By the way, you're doing great! Congratulations on your weight loss!!!:clap2:

Carrie, Could something else be going on? Perhaps it's not the band, have you had the same pain before???..... I think you should pursue another medical avenue right away if it continues... chest pain is not a good symptom... Bless you.

THIS PLUS SIZE WOMAN WORKS FOR CURVES! LOL! I started working out at Curves last October, which was just enough to get my metabolism finally moving and lose a few pounds before surgery. (Prior to that, I couldn't lose for anything and was very discouraged!) The staff was great, very supposrtive. I then needed a job. So when they posted a sign for help I mustered up the courage to apply, saying, "I know I'm not exactly the poster girl for Curves, but...." I laughed myself silly when they hired me in December! (I weighed in at 340+ pounds!) I started working a few weeks before banding in January and the combination of exercise with the banding has been just what I needed...Not to mention the encouragement of all the members! I highly reccomend it for anyone who may be a bit intimidated about exercise, or worried because of their size. We have women of ALL ages and fitness levels working out and being consistent. It's been a BIG BLESSING to me. It has also provided lots of laughs along my weight loss journey... every time a nurse, counselor, etc. asks me, "WHat do you do for work?! I break into a huge grin and reply, "I work at Curves!" LOL!!! :clap2:

Dear Fauxnaif, Your symptoms sound familiar... I had an emergency umbilical hernia repair three years ago. This year, in the process of losing 95 pounds after banding in January, I took up a great exercise routine, but found myself in pain around the belly button area again, once painfully sending me to the ER. I just got done having hernia surgery again,(two weeks ago) this time to repair the previous site (which had opened up again) and all the "Swiss cheese" defects surrounding it... all in the umbilical area. My Doc was aware of the occasional pain I'd been having, and we had hoped to wait for the repair until next year when I hope to have the panni surgery. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait but am very happy to be on the other side of the surgery now. Can't wait to exercise again, with NO pain! Good luck, check with your doctor, but you could definitely be having symptoms of umbilical herna. I had mine for many years, but always figured the pain went with the territory of just being fat. Your body has a way of telling your something is wrong... so be blessed and take good care of yourself!!!

Dear Nathalie, I heard that from the professionals in my program as well... including doctors, nurses, and therapists... however, RNY was a definite NO for me, so they finally agreed to do the lapband. (Though I could tell by the looks I got that they didn't think it would be very successful.) I was going through some major changes in my life as well and had struggled (and I mean struggled!) to get just nine pounds off before the surgery. (They would have been much happier with more weight loss before surgery, and I probably have "not very compliant" written somewhere all over my charts! LOL) Well, I am eight months out and down 91 pounds and still losing! YAY! YOUR determination is what will make it work for you. I didn't want to compromise my health with the RNY and I AM SO GLAD I didn't. My "gut feeling" (no pun intended! LOL) was to do the lapband. Everyone is different, and many do better with bypass, but for me, I KNEW I didn't want to go that route and I was determined to make this work and it is! YAY! It really is YOUR decision. Their advise is helpful and certainly to be considered, but in the end it is YOUR body. SO, READ, READ, READ everything you can get your hands on so you can make an informed decision for YOURSELF! Blessings to you, Mary

Dear Susan, I just happened by this thread and wanted to send a quick hello. I can't imagine being in your shoes right now and I am so sorry you have to endure so much. I don't have any great words except to say except that I'm thinking about you today and wish you improved health and relief from pain.

Hi Mel, So glad all went well. I had a real hard time laying in bed without geting cramps and pain so I slept in the recliner (which was comfortable for me....) for almost two months. But... it was worth it!! I'd do it again in a minute! Congratulations on beginning your journey!

I've had bad leg cramps for some time and I've discovered they usually are from dehydration.. if really bad, I down a dose of gatorade which I keep in the fridge for emergencies and the cramps subside right away. I also keep a bottle of "Leg crampS With Quinine" (available at Walgreen) in my cabinet for those occasions when I know I've over exercised during the day and take them before bed which helps ward them off. The "inner thigh" ones are the worse, and seem to happen most when I've done some new exercise or sat in an awkward position for too long that day. Truly, though I don't like the sugar content, Gatoride does wonders!!!! Good luck, they sure can be painful!

Congrats Mel! The time will come up quickly and yes, it will feel SO good to be on the "losing" side after banding... and very soon for you! YAY!

Have you tried Milk of Magnesia to help alleviate the constipation?

Banded 7 months, NO problems with reflux at all.

None of the beauty shops in my area carried Nioxin so I bought it online at sn2000.com. You can type "nioxin" in Google and pop up several sites, even find some on ebay. You can read about how it works, etc. on the company site. I bought the shampoo (Scalp Therapy) and conditioner (Cleanser) combo (25.4 oz.large size) and the scalp treatment spray and vitamin supplements (90 capsules). I use all of them every day and it should last me about 3 months. I think it was around $70 with shipping for everything.... but it has been SO worth it!:clap2:

Dear Gina, I was beginning to experience similar traumatic hair loss....AAGH! I asked about hair treatments here in this Complications forum (Post titled: Nioxin and thinning hair treatments) and got very god advice, so you can check it out if you like. I've been using Nioxin for just a short time and am already seeing good results... I don't have quite as much hair showing up in my brush every morning! ... and my hair "FEELS" better...YAY! I know it won't take care of it completely, but if it slows it down I'm grateful! Everyone says it wil grow back eventually when you stop losing weight, but in the meantime, I'm glad for anything that helps!

Dear Melanie, I have been logging my food on fitday for the past 114 days and keep a running total in an Excel spreadsheet. I have had good, consistent weight loss (2 to 2 1/2 pounds per week) with the following DAILY AVERAGE numbers... Average calories per day: 830 Average Fat grams per day: 36 Average Carb grams per day: 69 Average Protein grams per day: 57 I am noticing that my daily intake is increasing a bit as I'm getting used to the last fill, but I still try to follow the protein, veggies, first rule. I'm averaging closer to 1,00-1100 calories lately. My carb counts are mostly good healthy carbs... fruits, Beans, whole grains, etc. (I stay away from all white starches, have only the occasional (maybe once a month) piece of chocolate...) I agree with the others that 400 calories is WAY too low. I also exercise at least 4 times a week (weight training at Curves and/or walking) which I think is the necessary ingredient for me. Hope this info is helpful to you! Blessings, Mary