RestlessMonkey

I think it's more about being ready and knowing what you want than it is about who's paying. When I was 17 my parents paid for me to go to college. I was too young, had no idea what I wanted to do, would rather have gotten to work and knock around a while first. They were quite firm about "now or never" So I went. I got 100 hours, didn't finish. Later I wanted to go back but couldn't afford it because life has responsibilites we grown ups have to meet. Eventually in my late 40's I got a chance to go back and did. It wasn't because my mommy and daddy paid for me that I blew it off. But because I wasn't ready. Had I been the one to pay for college when I was 17 I wouldn't have gone. Why? Because I DID NOT know what I wanted to take/learn/be yet. See? The "it" factor is readiness, dedication, how well do you know what you're in for, how mature are you...not "who paid".

You answered WHY WLS in your sentence "I've been obese almost my entire life". Why haven't you just dieted and exercised? Huh? Or have you, and then you relax and it comes back? WLS because for over 90% of the overweight population, diet and exercise doesn't work. If you needed a pacemaker for your heart would you get it? Or would you think "no, that's too easy that's the chicken's way. It should beat fine on it's own". Well, many of us need a pacemaker for our appetites. Simple. Real limitations vary from person to person. Caffeine is on the do not list for some, not for others. I'm 13 mos postop and drink caffeinated coffee and tea whenever I want it. In fact at 1 year check up doc told me I'd healed and was doing so well that in his opinion as long as it didn't HURT me physically, I could have carbonated beverages. Again, that's individual. I also haven't found ANY food that I can't eat. White bread, dry chicken, whatever. It goes down. Finally yes you need willpower. If you overeat because your portions are too large the band will help. If you eat for emotional reasons (whatever they are...reward, sad, bored, because you LIKE chips and feel 1 bag a day is a god-given right, whatever) then the band won't help at all. It helps you feel satisfied with less food. You are not physiologically hungry. For some that's all the assist they need. For others, it does no good. A good surgeon and seminar will go a long way towards educating you on the basics. I suggest you attend one or two. Mine wasn't hard sell but rather informative and low key. Risks...there are risks. Acid reflux, a slip, erosion. There are also risks to obesity. You'll have to weigh the odds, look at yourself and your personality, see if it will work for you. It doesn't work for everyone. But for some of us it's nothing short of a miracle. And as to the fatty liver and ulcer, probably won't disqualify you. Your surgeon can guide you. However if you really ARE a hypochondriac, the band may not be for you. Some see ever little muscular twinge as a slip, some can't even swallow their tiny little pills (I can take my potassium horse pills just fine) because they are worried about being stuck, etc. It takes all kinds but for a person who is more, well, nervous about being well, I'd think the lap band would be almost like signing up for torture. There are probably better options for that type of person. Again, a seminar and a surgeon can help.

One big thing about the band that I think I "knew" but didn't really understand before I got it is this: The banded person has a large degree of control over his or her banded life. How tight you are filled is in YOUR hands. I can eat a cup of food; my doc said that is perfect because I am losing. I get satiety (one doesn't go for "full", just satisfied. And honestly for me, full hurts! LOL) on about 1 cup of food, I am losing weight. I could be tighter, but why? Then I probably would need to sip, I could only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup (or whatever) and certain foods would be off limits. As I am I can take all my pills without crushing them, I even (at one year post op the doc actually told me "do it as long as it doesn't cause you any pain) can drink carbonated beverages and occasionally have a beer! Could I be tighter, and more miserable? Sure. Do I want to be? No. I got this for life. It's my tool, not my warden. Life is good, it's grand. And too tight, a person always risks eating the wrong foods because they go down more easily, and thereby gaining. I don't mean to imply that anyone who has a food intolerance is too tight, ok? I don't mean that at all. BUT WE are in the driver's seat. How your banded life goes is largely in your control. You DO have a band around your stomach. You will need to make good choices, stay hydrated, be responsible. But most of the choice is yours. I guess actually if I decided I wanted to go on an eating spree I could even do that. I'd need an unfill but once unfilled I really can go to town. It's all my choice. So yes, 1 cup of food. You may find that's good for you, or too much, or just right. But you'll get to tinker with it and make it work for you. I love that about it. Just read KLZ's post (before mine) and her doc's goal is 1/2 cup, 3 meals 3-4 hours apart. Mine wants 3 meals 5-6 hours apart, and he said a cup is just perfect. And I do NOT drink with my meals. Not sips. NOTHING. It hurts me, and I feel it's not productive. So you see? There's no hard/fast RIGHT way to do this. Some very successful bandsters snack, too. I do better if I don't, but not all are like that. It's really really individual. Love it.

Check with your doc to be sure but generally yes. However try to get at least some Water each day too. And you may want to ask your doc why caffeine is banned. Mine banned it because it was an appetite stimulant. When I told him it didn't have that effect on me (I think I had iced tea in my baby bottle LOL J/k) he gave me the all clear to drink it. I do get 64 oz of water in though.

Call your surgeon. Do it now. I'm shocked you've suffered this long. S/he can change your pain meds. Make sure you follow the post op diet; but tell him you have trouble (if you do, it sounds like you do) getting the daily liquids in. Very important that you stay hydrated; dehydration can start with a headache and progress from there. And (sorry if this is TMI) if you've been taking an opioid based pain med (like vicodin, hydrocodone, lortab) then you are probably constipated. If that is a problem for you tell him THAT, too. Even though you've only been on liquids, something should be moving on through. Ok? Hang in there. We're all different.

Just follow your postop diet as given to you by your surgeon. Don't add anything that isn't approved without clearing it first. For example I was on clear liquids week one and that meant NO Protein. NO fruit juice. Mostly just broth and Water and decaf tea or coffee. We have fat stores so as long as we're hydrated, (and if you're diabetic, as long as your blood sugar is controlled) going a while with little/no calories won't hurt you. If you are weak, well, you just had surgery. Even laparoscopic, it is considered "major abdominal surgery" Give it time. You'll feel better each day. And again, check with your surgeon before eating or drinking anything not on your post op diet. I know many of us don't think too much of "cheating" on a diet but the post op one is VITAL to your recovery; think of it more as a prescription for health. And remember right now you are healing. Dont' worry about calories, weight loss, etc. Just let your body recover and get used to the band. And most importantly: Congratulations! :thumbup:

I drink normally. I don't chug but don't sip either. And my doc is one who says 3 meals only no Snacks. The point of the band is portion control; if you graze you can effectively bypass that and cause "failure". Some do snack, but many others are told not to. If I eat a healthy meal (and I can eat up to about a cup) I usually am full for about 6 hours. So no need to snack. When I want to it is 99% "head hunger", not because my body needs the fuel, but because I "want" the snack for whatever reason. The band doesn't make that go away (just the true physiologic hunger) but knowing I an not REALLY hungry helps. I'm also one of the lucky ones who can eat anything. White bread, red meat, dry chicken, whatever. As long as I take small bites (and for me that's about 1/2 to 2/3 of a normal bite size; it is NOT pencil eraser sized! LOL) and chew well, I am fine. It's great. Not everyone is that lucky, but it does happen!

If your doc tells you "you must lose 15 kg before surgery" then I would figure you will be weighed to make sure it happened. If you're afraid you won't lose it, call your doc and ask for help! There are drugs, and/or diet plans they CAN give you to help!

You really can book your own; if you need to pay an agent a fee, save it and invest it there! :thumbup: Disney has GREAT deals and packages. (I worked for a travel agency for 20+ years and have been to Disneyland 3 times and Disney world about 8) If you like to do things yourself, wouldn't mind reading a book about it, etc, then that is totally the way to go. Please PM me if you'd like me to share whatever with you. After the first time we always stayed on property and we've stayed at 4 different hotels on property, plus I've seen (at least from the outside) several others. I love the mouse and would be glad to share "good times to go" etc with you if you'd like! :smile2: AND if you aren't a person who likes to nose around, get the deal, research, "know what you're in for" (in other words, not much of a control freak) then a good travel agent can book it for you. The all inclusive packages that include meals may not be the best deal for you, depending on your family's eating patterns etc. :eek: We're going Oct 2010 ourselves! :eek:

I am "just amazed" that so many people can't take their pills. I have great restriction and take mine fine. I wonder what is missing from their post op recovery? Or maybe...MAYBE some can take them and some can't?

Alabama state law prohibits how much insurance companies can charge employers who purchase the coverage. So in a way, you already have socialized medicine down there. There's no competition, so you're stuck. Sorry; call your congressman.

It has to be Water. Most people literally can't eat enought "extra" to gain 6 pounds of FAT in under 7 days. If you are drinking enough water check with your doc. Salty foods may be the culprit, you may need a diuretic. And it seems counter-intuitive but for mild water retention, unless you have a kidney issue, drink more water to get rid of what you're retaining. It works.

I think that people who are just getting it almost on a whim won't usually do it unless insurance pays for it. Usually. Otherwise I don't think it correlates. I wanted the lap band since 2003, for example, but couldn't make myself pay out of pocket. Furthermore, there are many strongly committed people who would love to have the band and would most likely work wonders with it who don't have the wherewithal to scrape together 10-20K (plus the possibility of post op complications) to get it. Whether I pay or my insurance pays, what matters is ME. That's true for each person. It's not fair or right to say "well if a person has to PAY for it he'll work it harder and better". You don't know that. Plus you don't know what some of us might have to tolerate etc to GET that insurance. It isn't "free". What matters is what's within, the dream, the gumption. How we realize that dream is almost secondary, for those of us who have insurance or the means to pay out of our own pockets.

RNY patients don't SEEM to lose faster, they DO lose faster. They have restriction from the start (most of us Lap Banders don't) AND they have malabsorption. Lap Banders don't. Many RNY'ers have dumping syndrome and so avoid sweets. Lap Banders don't. RNY'ers lose most of their weight the 1st year. Lap banders can, but we can also continue to lose, well, as long as it takes. I have no idea if RNy'ers have to avoid bread etc but not all lap banders do. Further, the Protein first thing is a guideline, not a requirement. You can sit and eat Cookies and chase them with milkshakes all day with lap band, if you want to. A seminar run by a good surgeon will help you sort it all out.

Wow changed your pic! Too cool! (I liked the other too though you looked so happy!) I just remember the hunky daddy and laura and dear dear nellie good grief she was just too obnoxious for words! There was another daughter and the mom...

I think he's hawking Mercedes Benzes. Benzi? Benz? (can you tell I don't own one and probably will NEVER be able to afford one so I don't even need to know what you call two or more of them?)

Ok but I get to be Laura. I've missed you chickie!

Good idea about the crusts. I still hate those darn things.

Mary Ellen, is that you?

I wish they'd bring back Seinfeld. Or The Waltons.

I am a strong STRONG proponent for following the pre and post op diets scrupulously. Having said that, the post fill diet? It's to allow your stomach to go back to normal if you're one of those who swells when filled, etc. And as you get closer to "tight", or the "green zone" or the "sweet spot", that swelling becomes more likely. In order to prevent vomiting that can exacerbate the swelling (a vicious cycle) and/or cause a slip, most docs have patients do a mini-liquid/mushie/reg food diet. In the early times before you're well restricted, if you aren't one who has a sensitive or reactive stomach, it's not so dire. And apparently, since you didn't feel any pain, you're one of those. Just realize that as you get closer to your green zone it will be more important that you "baby" your stomach a little after a fill. I'd chalk this up to experience, count it a lesson learned, and don't "cheat" next time.

Vicodin can cause some people to vomit. Anesthesia and recovery, having the stomach agitated, many things can cause a person to be nauseated and vomit post op. It's not something one generally wants to let go on post banding because the band is sewn into place and violent vomiting can cause a slip. Be sure your doc checks you out once you get it under control. You must feel miserable! Good luck!

Different surgeons require different preop diets (or none) depending on the patient etc. If you decide to have surgery and your surgeon wants you to do a preop diet, s/he can explain the rationale behind the one you are given.

Many surgeons require you do not smoke because of the multiple deleterious effects on the body (lungs don't recover from anesthesia, wounds don't heal as quickly due to restricted blood flow, etc)

Careful Paracelsus..in some circles "BOB" is an acronym for an adult toy Although that might be kind of fun?....