Mariasha

If you are willing to go to a gym, most commercial equipment has higher limits

Hey RJ,

I'm a little younger than you. I started right around where you are at 405 pounds. I had surgery 9 months ago and have lost 100 pounds so far.

I couldn't be happier with my band.

Its true that you may lose faster initially with bypass, but many many bypass patients put it all back on. The band is a tremendous tool. If you have the willpower to use it properly there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to lose all that weight and keep it off forever.

Slow and steady is the name of this game.

If you have any specific questions fell free to send me a PM.

One thing I would mention to you if you are using Dr Kuri, make sure you have a doctor lined up back home to take care of your follow up care when you get home. The band is not a one time surgery, you need to get regular fills (once a month for the first year) for it to be effective.

Best of luck!

I am a 31 year old male, 5'10 415(ish) Lbs, and I have a bmi around 60. I have spent years thinking about the band, and I've seen it gone from sure-fire tool, to now, I have been reading alot of stories about failures. I will be paying out of pocket to someone like Dr. Kuri for this operation come this summer. I have decided something needs to be done, and this is the only surgery I can afford to pay out on. I am looking for advice, and experiences, from both men and women who have had the surgery, but I am curious about men, who are "belly heavy" or were anyways, since most of my weight is all in my stomach, do you find that our body type loses more slowly, faster, or no difference? I read alot of results on here, that are alot slower then I would ideally hope for. ...I am a big loss kind of guy, I have to lose around 200 lbs for my personal goals, but for "the standard" im looking at closer to 250 lbs, and I see alot of people losing 20 or 30 lbs, etc. and for me, that would be sort of sad, ive done that just skipping a few meals for a week.... I dont feel as big as I am, I have broad shoulders, grew up athletic, played high school sports, always could gain and drop weight w/o issues, but I love food. pizza, burgers, chips, steaks, and soda...ya..I would totally have an affair w/ a mountain Dew if it would rub my shoulders...I just don't know what to expect, result wise, pain-wise, cravings-wise, I gotta say, I am sick and tired of being big. I still try and play basketball with friends, and after a 2 hour session, my body hates me, and for a week I walk gingerly on my feet, and that hurts inside more thany anything else, knowing I can't keep up anymore because of my size. I used to just overcome it and try harder, but once I hit 30, my "motor" slowed down, I feel like, all those people were right, my weight is finally catching up to me. anyways, I am hoping to hear some advice, and experiences...thanks for your time in advance guys...

RJ

I've been reading a lot of posts latley about how people can still eat as much as they used to . Is that the norm?

If this is the case, how does YOUR band help you lose weight? Its making me nervous that I will feel no change after surgery, and it will be all for not. I'm prepared to do the hard work. I know its "just a tool." But if a screwdriver didn't screw, I wouldn't use it. Does the band really help or is it a "sugar pill?"

When the band is properly adjusted with the right level of restriction it is an unbelievable tool. The posts you were reading were likely from people who had not yet had a fill or had not yet found their "sweet spot"

That is why follow up care with the band is so important. If you get your fills regularly you will do great.

Had my port flip. Was no big deal.

It's a very minor procedure to fix. Mine was done in office with local.

The only way you will know for sure is when you go for a fill and your doctor tries to access the port.

But like the others have said, in all likelihood you are just fine.

I know some days I feel mine and some days not. Don't know why but that's just how it is.

+1 for planet fitness.

Six months out. Down 100 pounds. Love my band.

Try sending him a PM. He has always responded to my messages.

I just registered for another website. I do hope LBT gets it together. If it does, I'll definitely be more active on here again. Alex also doesn't really seem to care or be around (aside from posting news stories...I'd much rather have answers and solutions to website problems than news stories). Anyhow, I'll see how the new site goes. Seems more user friendly than the current LBT.

Sweet spot is eating a small portion of food and not feeling hungry for 3-4 hours.

If you are hungry all the time, you need a fill.

If you are so tight that you can't eat solid foods and are throwing up all the time, you need an unfill.

There are people here on the forums who have put on weight in order to qualify. Not getting in to the ethics of that, just letting you know it is an option.

Additionally, the FDA will most likely soon be changing the qualifications for lapband from a BMI of 40 to 35. You may soon find yourself being eligible.

Good luck!

People call your doctors!! That is what they are there for!

We can not possibly diagnose your incisions over the Internet.

I love my lapband, but using the official lapband site to compare different types of surgeries is definatley going be slanted in one direction.

You really need to research each option on it's own and then make a decision.

Here is a great website to compare different surgeries

http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/compare_lapband/

Yes.

I am in the same boat. I have only lost 15 lbs since my surgery on Dec 15I the I thought I would have lost more, but I getting discouraged..(or am I) t

Only?

What in the world were you expecting??

You are doing great. Normal weight loss with the band is one to two pounds a week. This is not a quick fix solution. But if you stick with it you will do great!

I was 24 when I had mine done and wish I would have done it sooner.

It depends on your maturity level and if you feel you'll be able to stick to the rules to make it work.

How old are you an where do you live?

You can do anything for a couple of weeks. Just tell yourself that it is the last time in your life that you will need to be hungry in order to lose weight.

The reason that many surgeons require this pre op diet is not so much to lose weight, but rather to help shrink the size of your liver. When the surgeon performs this procedure he needs to lift up your liver and go in under it. Doing the liquid diet greatly reduces the risk of complications during surgery.

When a person had an eating disorder it means they are out of control.

The lapband is a tool for regaining control.

Significant difference.

Make your own food.

Eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full.

Hit the gym. (Once your surgeon let's you)

Get regular fills.

Enjoy your new life!

It is normal to feel this way until you start getting fills and get restriction. Hang in there and try to eat carefully until you do.

It can flip over. I've never heard of one becoming detached. Go see your doctor. He'll be able to do an X-ray and see exactly what's going on.

The FDA is soon lowering the requirement from 40 to 35. No need to feel guilty at all. Your taking control of your life and doing what is nessasary to improve your health.

I did. But I'm a guy, I'm young and started at over 400 pounds. Even with all that my doctor says I'm doing exceptionally well.

Notmal weight loss with the band averages 1-2 pounds a week. Anything more than that is a gift. If you get lucky and lose faster just say thank you and move on. Don't set unrealistic expectations for yourself.

I believe I'm eating just to be eating. I really don't get hungry much, but due to the loss of a family member, I've found myself dependent on food again. Whenever I begin to eat the food comes back up, but then I try eating again, and that's when the over eating starts. I looked up this 5 day pouch test, and I'm going to try it starting tomorrow. Hopefully it'll help.

The 5 day pouch test or even the lapband itself wont help you if you are eating to fill an emotional void. The lapband only helps you with the physical feeling of fullness.

You need to go for counseling or therapy in order to learn how to deal with the pain and suffering you are feeling without turning to food.

Best of luck with your journey.

My wife and I both used the center at NYU. We used Dr Fielding but I have also had occasion to meet with Dr Schwack and he seems like a great guy. In general we are both extremely happy with the NYU program.

This happens to me too when I eat too much.

I know for most people here getting stuck happens right away, but for me it seems to kick in hours later.

Hi everyone! I was banded on 9/2/10. I have had 1 fill of 1cc with 2 cc added during surgery and had been doing great. For the last few weeks though, I have been getting a pain by my upper right abdomen and about every three or four days the pain gets so bad I have to vomit (sorry, gross). This happens about an hour after I eat and it has been different types of foods (not band friendly--bread, rice, peanuts). Is this what stuck is? I don't feel it right away like I have read others that take a few bites and feel it. I eat and I feel fine and then it hits me...and it hits me hard. I am in pain for about an hour or more. The pain travels to my back. I am going to call the doctor tomorrow. But since the pain goes away and I feel fine, I have waited.

I have tried to read other posts about getting stuck, but none seem to describe what I am feeling or the onset of how I feel. I have tried papaya enzymes, the chicken dance, grabbing my ankles, but none have worked.

Any advise/suggestions will be appreciated.