RestlessMonkey

I aint ignerent.

I like the EAS Carb control AdvantEDGE ones too. They are the only shake I'll "eat". They're only $4.99 a 4-pack here in San Antonio, thank goodness!

I had my very first surgery in 2003...gallbladder had to come out. I was PETRIFIED. I told my husband People DIE in hospitals. I had my will ready and everything. No kidding. BUT...one way I combat things I'm scared of is to try to learn as much as I can about them. (not saying everyone should do that; and trust me I still run screaming from spiders and scorpions. No "learning" is gonna fix that LOL) I tried to interest myself in the waiting room, the OR, what the nurses, techs, docs, staff were doing, etc. When they rolled me in to surgery I actually sat up to look around (it was NOTHING like I expected) and they had to cajole me into lying back down. It was interesting. And I lived, and I did all the tricks my husband told me to get through and recover fast, and I did. Then a year later I went back to college to start the process to get my BSN! So facing that fear literally changed my life! Just wanted to say I really was terrified to my toes but got through it. I don't suppose everyone will decide on a 2nd career in medicine after the experience, but it's not so bad once you get through it (the surgery, that is, not the career LOL)

I agree it is totally personal and there's no "right" or "wrong" except as we each individually experience it. I couldn't care less if people look at me and wonder if I can eat something or not, for example, (and that's probably part of the reason I got up to 405, to be honest!) but I truly thank GOD everyone isn't like me. How dull this old earth would be! Variety...that's the spice of life.

I thought men would ALWAYS want to show their johnsons, given the chance. Or maybe that's just in porno flicks....

it'll probably be fine; run it by your surgeon to be sure!

Don't "over buy" the protein shakes. Find out what your doc wants you to do pre and post op. I wasn't even allowed any protein drinks week 1 post op; and that's not that uncommon. So check, maybe save yourself some bucks!

They use whichever fits best! Just like you choose a pair of pants or a shirt...they choose which will go around your stomach most easily; which is the "best" for you.

There isn't a "regular" lap band. There is AP Standard (holds 10) and AP Large (holds 14) and the one before the AP called "VG" that held 10, and the "first" one used in the US called 9.75/10.0 and it holds 4ccs.

Welcome and good luck! You have a great attitude!

Sorry but I disagree...don't take the pain medication if you don't need it. It will just make you groggy for no reason! You MAY need it and if you do, TAKE it! If you don't need it, of course it's safe to pass on it. I didn't take it and slept fine from the first night. I used tylenol. Opioid meds just constipate me (as they do many people) and make me feel odd and "out of it". I would've felt WORSE if I'd drugged, not better. So of course do what you need to do! Take if if necessary, pass if you aren't inpain!

Agreed! And if, instead of getting defensive, knrpick had asked me if I went to therapy, the answer would be yes. Sometimes every pound is a battle, sometimes it isn't. My therapist has helped me immensely with the "head hunger" part.

krnpick, if you think I was harsh then you may certainly disregard it. and so may she. I don't quite see how telling her some therapy may be in order is "ragging"...since I usually think offering an option and HELP is supportive. She didn't say "please tell me I'm ok" she wanted support. But whatever!

OTC stuff doesn't help. If it did, most of us wouldn't be here because we wouldn't have the band because we'd just take "whatever" and be slim. I think you need to chill out. Some of your gain may have been Water, but you'll get it all under control on the 19th. And if you KNOW it's head hunger and aren't stopping it, then therapy would be more help to you than a diet aid (they don't take care of head hunger either) Most of us got the band for a reason...we needed it. But you were too tight so you weren't really working it right, and I know you know this. I think a therapist appt is in order, and until then, just do the best you can. That's all anyone CAN do.

delora, no one here can answer that for you. for one thing, the lap band has only been approved for use in the USA since 2003 so no local 10-year data is available. You have to pick; it's your life, you know how you want to live it.

Call your surgeon for direction with this. Many would prefer you don't do ANY OTC medicating (even fiber!) unless and until they tell you it's ok. They may have a brand they prefer etc. And realize men need somewhere around 35g of fiber a day for health. That is a LOT of benefiber at 3g a "dose". So check with your surgeon, what and how much.

:confused: very clever. Well done! :

Congratulations and good luck! Sometimes the only way to face a fear is just to face it! Be sure and follow all your post op diet instructions and you'll be set!

So...you feel guilty because you want to! Ok..whatever works for you I find guilt is pretty draining, but that's me! I'm not perfect (Lord knows I am FAR from that) but if guilt isn't going to make you change, to keep feeling bad about something is, well, something I don't do. However if it works for you, then you go! :confused:

A surgeon who plays "head games". Lovely.

Go to another surgeon and seminar. I feel your surgeon is wrong, but I am not a surgeon. I know how MY surgeon comported himself, however, and it wasn't anything like what you experienced. I weighed 405 and I was 53 years old. I had no comorbidities; I was "borderline" everything. My sugeron calmly and concisely laid out current procedures and statistics for lap band, the sleeve, bypass, and the duodenal switch. He said he only does (did) lap band and bypass but he wanted us to know there were other options and be able to choose what was right for us. Once I selected lap band, I told him it seemed to me lwith that tool I would be able to lose as much or as little as I wanted; that I would have control. He agreed this was a correct assessment. I went with it and have never once looked back or regretted it. Had he given me good valid reasons (that tiny hammer to hit a big problem has visual impact but no facts to check out) to get bypass over lap band I would've considered it. However, he is a smart, compassionate, skilled surgeon and was behind MY choice. You need someone like that. I know that great as my Dr. Cavazos is, he is NOT the only good surgeon practicing! So look around some more. ByPass MAY be the correct surgery for you and/or your husband, or the sleeve may be correct, or the lap band. Don't go with a surgeon who seems to push his agenda on you without giving you good solid facts. From what I've read, at 5 years post op, lap bander and bypassers experience similar losses. Some lose all, some don't lose much, and the average is around 50% if I recall correctly (some say 55%, it depends) The band works IF you work it. That is the case with all surgeries except the duodenal switch. You choose what fits your life, your lifestyle, and where you want to be in 5 years or 10.

Mickey mentally you're where I was in 2003 when I weighed about what I weigh now and was thinking about the band. In other words, you aren't there yet, you may never be. If you honestly think you can diet and exercise and lose and keep it off, do NOT get the band. You may be one of the 5% who is successful in that venture. And the band isn't something you get removed. It's like marriage; it may not work but going in you assume it's for life. Many (if not most) who have the band removed, regain all their lost weight unless they revise to a different weight loss surgical method. You need to understand you aren't the first (nor will you be the last) overweight person who mulls the band and says "I like Pizza and Margaritas". You think I got to 405 eating celery and tofu? By all means, research it. But don't move forward until you are as sure as you can be that it is the surgery for you. There are other options, not all surgical.

If it's a Lap Band it holds 14 cc. If it's a realize-C it holds 11.

I have a suggestion that may help some of you. I had a friend who felt her band was almost psycho...tight in the mornings, too tight sometimes, etc. I asked my surgeon and he said the key is hydration. dehydrated people=tight bands. now, some this doesn't help. But some think it over and realize they are not getting 64 oz of Water each day. If hydration is your issue, drinking will make a quick impact. I start each morning with 16 oz of water and my band functions then like it does in the evening. Lying down doesn't make you tighter. Going without liquids for the span you're asleep DOES. You may want to try the water thing.

You guys have crappy docs. They may be fine surgeons, but they are lousy docs. I weighed 405 and my doc laid everything out for me and let me decide.