silvers320

First if the doctors nurse was that passionate about you having the bypass, I would discuss her lack of professionalism with the doctor (assuming she isnt a personal friend). I think most people pick the lab band for the following reasons: 1. Its less evasive with a shorter recovery time frame. 2. Its reversible 3. Its adjustable. 4. None of the dumping issues that come with By pass. That said it is still a surgery with risks. But I am with you, I couldnt think of a reason to have bypass

Here in NYC about 6month to a year ago they passed a law that all chains restaurants (I think you have to have over 15 locations) must post calories at a place the customer can see BEFORE they order. What a difference having all the facts makes. One of the few times I feel the government got it right!

My original surgery was covered by insurance but about 5 months out my port became infected and had to come out. I was told that I would have to wait to have a new port put in - which meant I risked not being covered by insurance. So I asked what it would cost - $1,000. The doctor said that port replacements are much faster, easier to do. He said he would be in there 15 mins and I swear he was. Thankfully was still covered so it mattered less. I find it had to believe that any medical professional would not treat you for an infected port because you didnt pay upfront. You might have to pay upfront to have it put back in, but you can die from an untreated infection. As far as normal - I have seen people on here fills covered for 3 months - some for 6 and some for a year. Much like the pre op and post op diet - most of it is set by your doctor and not any governing standards body. I would discuss you concerns with the doc, and ask him how he has dealt with follow up issues with other self pays. The pre op testing, and hurdles are the worst part - don't let it side track you, unless you are really looking for an out. The benefits are so worth it!

I agree with everything that Kartman said. For me I didn't want to be told there are things I could never eat. If I want a cookie - I have a cookie. But now I eat one or two - not a bag of oreos in a sitting. Couple of other things Early on I measured out my food. This helped me learn what a portion should look like. I had no idea and the food industry in the US doesnt help. Also don't allow yourself to eat next to the fridge. Measure out what your going to eat - put the food away and eat. I find if I leave the food out, I eat mindlessly. Think about why you're eating. Are you actually hungry or is it for lack of anything better to do. If so find a hobby, take a walk - drink some water.

Sure why not

I was a carb freak. I would do Atkins and last a day - 1.5 tops. I was on liquids for two weeks after surgery and was so worried about screwing up my band - that a stuck to the liquids hard core. When I moved on to solids I really didnt have the same carb "high". I do notice on days when I eat more carbs - I want more carbs so I try to really avoid them. The good news is that I do crave them the way I once did thanks to the band. Good Luck

Before- no real experiences, it had taken so long for me to get insurance approval that I think I wasn't sure it was actually happening. After- you will be in some pain for a day or two. Wearing a belt was tough for me for about a week. If you live along, put the things you will need where you can get them without bending. After that pretty smooth sailing. Good Luck

Every person is different and I think how much you are willing to change your lifestyle effects what % of your excess weight you will lose and to some degree the speed at which you will lose. I have lost about 79% of my excess in about 7 months. I think if you search the board you will find a ton of successful losers. The issue of not being filled until 6-8 weeks is fairly common and while a lot of people have a tough time - they make it thru. I cant help you with the GERD because I have never had that. You have to be comfortable with what ever you chose. I knew passed on the risks, and # of people who regain the weight that GBP wasnt for me. Good luck with what ever you chose.

Wow and I thought I was having some issues! I don't really have much advise but I am having some similar frustrations. Was banded 7/25 - Had no issues until October when had some swelling and leakage from the port site. I was told it was nothing to worry about by the covering doctor (regular was on vacation). When I saw my regular doctor he told me I was infected and it had to come out. So back to the hospital, port comes out. I get felt with huge whole in my stomach so it can heal on its own. On 1/9 I have port put back in. I go back to the doctor on 1/25 and have a huge hematoma - again nothing to worry about. A couple of weeks later I am in extreme pain - I go see the doctor and he is convinced that it is headed to infection. So I get put on antibiotics daily which requires a daily trip to the hospital which is 1.5 hours away every day. We are headed to the second week of this fun!!!! On the plus side I have lost about 100 pounds, put I would like to move on with my life already. I think that is what has me so pissed. Anyway - no words of wisdom, other then the Band does work and is well worth all the efforts. Just wanted you to know you are not alone.

Really? I saw it about two weeks ago and thought it was more Lifetime movie then something up for an Oscar. I just felt that the characters hadn't been developed. I like Sean Penn but I thought the guy who played Nixon had a much harder job. I mean everyone knows Nixon and that guys performance was spot on. I don't know if Penn's was because who knows Milk - no disrespect intended to the Milk fans. Not trying to be an A** - just telling you what I thought

It kind of funny, as I have controlled my food issues - I seem to have more control in my life. I spend 2.5 hours each way commuting so maybe that plays into it. Here are a couple of things that work for me: 1. Plan your meals on the weekend. This saves the multiple trips to the store during the week, because you gave thought to what you need. And the money you waste picking up things you don't really need on that trip. Not to mention the end of the day battles of "Whats for dinner" - which can be a time waster. 2. Make meals that you can cook once and eat twice with. The food network has a show called the Quick Fix. Check it out to get the concept here. This is a huge way to get free time back. 3. Start small- If you can squeeze out 30 mins each weekend day and then add one week day at first. Maybe that night is leftovers and you use the time you would otherwise be in the kitchen!

I was a BMI of 41 in July of 2008. I am currently at around 29.5 - a loss of about 100 pounds. I still have 20 or 25 more pounds to go. But I dont think that is going to be an issue. Unlike the many diets I have tried and had some success with (only to gain back more)- the band truly is a lifestyle adjustment. I think some cold feet are normal, I think. My cold feet didnt set in until after the surgery. I asked myself --Why did I do this? I could do it on my own. I must be weak. Now, I wouldn't change it for the world. I will admit I am one of the rare people that has had some port problems. All manageable, but point being - I will still do it a again in a NY Minute! Good Luck

I watched Desperate Housewife's this week and the concept of a porn name came up. The idea is its the name of your first pet and then the name of the street you grew up on. So I thought the same concept would be fun for naming the band - although with a twist. So my idea is your favorite food as a pre bander and the name of your first car. So that makes me Entenmann Supreme!

I vote for wait, you dont want it to interfere with your ability to do the Chicken Dance!

Everyone is talking about the how much she cares for these kids. She was on Dateline the other night and they were filming inside her house - which was gross! Not just messy with kids stuff, as will happen when you have kids but dirty. If this is how she keeps her house when she KNOWS the TV crew is on its way - what kind of mess is it the rest of time! As for plans of TV shows and book deals. I plan on leading the charge against whatever networks and publishers sign this woman. Yes, its partially her abuse of a system that needs to be reworked that bothers me, but its the also the fact that she put her wants over the needs of her 6 children. I also think the doctors license should be revoked. And don't even get me started on her back trauma. Think about this for a moment, this woman had no issues problems, etc racking up easily 1,000,000 worth of medical bills - their estimate not mine. And yet how many people come into this room every day and cry because they want to change their lives with WLS and can't afford it. Why are her choices more important then an obese persons?

Pre Surgery 1. Bring a pillow and an insulated mug (for ice chips) for the ride home. 2. If you live alone make sure you move your 1st week food to the top shelves of the refridge. Post Surgery 1. The mental part requires some work too. Your making a huge change, its more then just a pant size. 2. The value of this website. I didnt find it until about 3 months after the surgery. 3. Follow your Doc's orders to the tee. I did, but I see more and more people on here who are eating solids 2 or 3 days out. I think these first weeks are important not only for healing but for "retraining" yourself how to eat.

I can understand being upset with your mother. However, don't write her off so quickly. On one hand you should consider yourself lucky that in your mid -30s your mom is still with you. You should try to look at it from Mom's point of view. She is more then likely of the generation where love was shown thru food. Try taking to her about your concerns for your DD health and get her on board with the family's new healthier ways. Wow - I feel like Dr. Phil!

Guys, I have done really well on the Couch to 5k but I am looking for something to do on my non running days. I am looking something like the podcasts from Couch to 5k but for spinning. Anyone have a suggestion?

WOW! I guess your entitled to your opinion but let me say this. The site is designed so that you can avoid the areas you have no interest in. In the real world do you only discuss one topic with one group of friends? I think not. The fact is people become friendly on here and as in the real world they elect to discuss multiple topics. In the 8 months or so that I have been on here, I cant say that I have seen anyone be deemed for a silly question. What I have seen is people who are too lazy to research and want information spoon feed to them. I have seen people get snipped at for that as they SHOULD! They are adults making major life changes, and should be committed to educating themselves

As you weight drops you might what to think about saying: I am watching my portions, eating healthier, and working out more. All of which will be true. Not everyone needs every detail.

I lived on SF pudding with protein power added, might not have been the most balanced but of the things I tried it was what tasted the best. As rough as this period is, think about this- 8 or 9 weeks of hell to get back to small amount of real food vs a lifetime of yo yo dieting and being unhealthy. I figured I could do anything for 8 or 9 weeks. Good luck

It seems, if I understand that you have insurance and the approval is done! That's the hardest part. Take it for someone who fought over a year for insurance approval. So congrats. I know that my insurance was billed about 35,000- and paid somewhere around 16,000. I was then charged I think less then $200 between the hospital, surgeon etc. You have to do what's right for you but make the decision based on the best thing for you- not out of frustration.

Not really a list of bring with you items but things I wish I had done differently: If you have things on the bottom shelf of the refrig - move them up the night before. Bending will be rough for the first couple of days. Same goes for other areas of the house - if your socks are in the bottom drawer thats going to be a problem. Take pics of yourself. I know no one wants Fat pics or thinks "oh I must have some around the house - I have been fat for years". The fact is when your are at a plateau pics to remind yourself of how far you have come will be very helpful. And the fact is most of us have avoided pics for years! I went home the same day and was very dry mouthed. I wished I would have had a large insulated mug (like a DD coffee mug) for ice chips from the hospital. The pillow is a biggie for the ride home.

I was out xmas shopping yesterday, and had to eat lunch, out. So I went to Wendy's for the first time since being banded. Its not my favorite anymore but it was a busy day. I thought when I got home about my typical meal before surgery (which I was usually still hungry from) vs what I ate yesterday. Thought I would share: Before - Baconator Meal/ FF & Diet Coke - 1,300 calories After- Jr. Cheeseburger/ Small FF (ate about 1/3) - so I figured at the Wendy's website -350 calories max. No wonder I was busting out of my 44 pants!