emjay

I have been sitting at my desk today wondering why I kept thinking today was somebody's birthday, anniversary or some other important day I was forgetting until it just hit me, it's MINE! 3 years ago today (which was Good Friday), I had my surgery. It has opened up a whole new life for me in so many ways. For the first time in my 47 years of life, I feel like I have some control over my life and what I put in my mouth. I've managed to keep most of the weight off, having gained back about 10-12 lbs from my lowest, but knowing that if I concentrate on what I need to do, I can get it off. I have the confidence in myself to be able to achieve that. So, I hate to toot my own horn, but I felt like I needed to tell somebody. I'm very grateful to everyone that has helped me along the way, including many of you on this forum. Support is a beautiful thing and a tremendous help. Get it anywhere you can. So to all of you on your journey and beyond, be proud of yourself for making a difference in your life and having the courage to do what you can to make your goals happen. And thanks to all of you who have helped me.

I'm 2 1/2 years out and down 1/2 my body weight and maintaining for the past year - something I've NEVER done in the past. I was a yo-yo dieter - I just couldn't keep it off. The band has allowed me to do that but I"m one that has to work at it. Eat right, exercise and portion control (band) has worked for me. I am thrilled with it and have had no complications. I can eat anything and keep my band on the loose side to prevent as many problems as I can. Best decision I've made for myself in trying to get and keep the weight off. Absolutely no regrets.

I would say you can. If surgeons are doing banded plications all at once, I'm sure you can have a band put in after a plication. It's possible that your friends' surgeon didn't want to put in a lapband over a plication he didn't do in the first place. Just guessing. The banded plications are becoming more and more frequent.

Once you would get to your proper fill level, you shouldn't have to get fills that often at all. I've been at my fill level for 1 1/2 years, with the exception of a little tight episode where I had some put in and the same amount taken out. I plan on going annually to my doc to get a flouro and get my band checked and get a touch of a fill if needed. But I haven't needed it yet. What I found out with myself is I feel like I have a bit better control over food. Not to say I'm totally cured of my food issues if I would have complications with the band. Just saying it's much easier now than a year ago mentally in my relationship with food. In my opinion with gastric bypass, you lose the weight quickly and MAY have dumping syndrome (some don't), but there is a honeymoon period of about 18 months where you will lose weight without adjusting your eating patterns per se. And if you haven't learned to adjust your eating habits and eat healthier, better foods there is a great chance you will gain back the weight if you aren't doing your part. It is also strongly suggested that you use supplements for the rest of your life due to the malabsorption inherent with bypass surgery. With lap band, the weight loss is slower since after you get surgery, you are not at your proper fill level. It may take 5-6 fills to get to the "green zone", but once you find the ideal spot for you, the weight loss should be easier with less hunger. With a slower weight loss, I believe you have a less likely chance of having skin issues. There are ways to "eat around the band" (shakes, junk food that goes down easily, high caloric drinks, etc.). But if you follow your doctors guidelines, you should do just fine. I've lost quite a bit of weight with the lap band and it was a journey. But I think it was the best way to go and gave me the time to get my "head in the game" as far as food goes. Exercise is absolutely the key to getting it off and keeping it off and that comes easier as you lose the weight. Do whatever feels the most right for you. There are also a few others you may consider. Plication, duodenal switch, band over plication, etc. I did the only one I would even consider at the time and it has served me well.

I'm pretty much like Thee-O, I don't count carbs anymore, but watch the "white" stuff. I don't entirely eliminate them. I save them for the weekends, or special occasions or have a very small portion. I lost 136 on Atkins only to gain it all back, so I've been there done that. I try and focus on Protein, moderate fat, moderate carb. Aim for eating healthier by focusing on the way you prepare your food, what you eat and how much. Be mindful of your calories and exercise...that honestly helps to keep it off. And best of luck to you!

My doc didn't exactly specify how often but suggested annually to make sure all was going okay. I'm about 2 1/2 years out and I feel like I'm doing pretty well with maintenance, so a flouroscopy annually to check the bank and have a chat with the doc would be fine with me - unless I feel something out of the ordinary is going on. I think at this point I don't want the band to be a huge part of my life the way it has since I got it. If all is going okay, I see no reason to make appointments unless you need the moral and emotional support and accountability. If you're at a comfortable stage where you are able to manage everything on your own - an annual visit should be fine.

I'm about 2 1/2 years out and still drink Protein Shakes every day. During the week - twice a day. Just a routine I got into and I think it has helped with muscle tone. I prefer Unjury - unflavored mixed with Crystal Light lemonade, chocolate with skim milk, and vanilla mixed with frozen yogurt and frozen berries and milk. I make my own smoothies and freeze my own yogurt so I know what's going in my shake. As long as you remember that shakes are calories too and compensate for that, go for it if that's for you. My doc has gotten to the point that he knows what works for each bandster is different. This works for me. Best of luck!

Hate to tell you my shoulder pain lasted about 6 weeks and it was like a dagger with every breath. A heating pad was my best friend. I also used chewable or liquid ibuprofen washed down with alot of liquid. Moving around should help get the gas out. From time ot time, I still get a twitch a couple of times a month, but nothing like right after surgery. I think it's the phrenic nerve barking at me. Anyway, don't get too discouraged...it does eventually go away. At the time though it seemed unbearable. Good luck on your journey!

Best of luck to you. I don't think the band does the work for you - it just makes it a bit easier to manage. A slight unfill sounds like a good idea. It means it is more your responsibility to choose the correct foods to eat. My band is pretty loose, nothing gets stuck. But I do get satisfied and I eat every few hours a small meal or snack to keep myself from getting hungry. A Protein shake, yogurt with granola, dried banana chips, piece of fruit or mixed fruit, cottage cheese/crackers, and usually a meal with chicken or fish. I eat totally different than pre-band and a heck of alot more healthy. On the weekends, I eat basically whatever strikes me. Moderation is the key. And exercise - it's so important. I wouldn't have lost probably 1/2 my weight if it wasn't for that. I can tell when I don't - the scale doesn't budge except to go up. Keep positive - and keep a realistic goal in mind. Mini-goals are wonderful things to keep you motivated. You have alot of people who will support you here. I wish you the best!

I agree CindyC. The band IS only part of the equation. Thank you for putting it so eloquently. Personally, it somehow makes everything else a bit easier to manage. Getting a handle on one aspect of the reason I was overweight made it easier to tackle the others. Not effortless by any means, just easier.

My parents were - I guess you could say not so encouraging. They knew I could lose the weight because I did in the past, however, my issue was with keeping it off and the deprivation that would inevitably cause me to go back to old habits. I've had some people make comments that they would never have surgery, but yet again, that's their choice. Nobody knows what it's like to live YOUR life and how YOU feel about your weight. If you are at a point where surgery is the best option for you - go for it. As long as you're making an informed decision and know all the good, bad and the ugly about the experience and still want to do it - don't let anyone stop you. That being said...it's WORK! To get the weight off, to maintain the weight loss, to change your eating habits and relationship with food. It's very difficult - but not impossible. Personally, I will always struggle with food. It's a combination of my childhood, past experience, current influences, and my own demons. But I own it and I work at it. Somedays are relatively easy, some I fail miserably. But all in all - it is much easier when the hunger factor is gone and you see results from your work. I wish I could tell you exactly what it is that helps me stay on the path (for the most part). It is partly the decrease in hunger, the ability of your mind to finally catch up to your body and just realize that the amount of food you eat is really what a somewhat "normal" portion size should be, looking better, feeling better, etc. But it's much more than that. My best advice is to go with your gut (no pun intended) on the surgery and after your healing stage, concentrate on eating healthier. It will help you to lessen the amount of hair loss and help you feel better. And get moving. That is the key. I don't like exercise, never have, but I do it. And I tell myself I do it for all of those people that can't. Like my parents, a friend of mine with serious arthritis, my in-laws, and all those folks who wish they could just walk down the street. If I don't want to end up with the hereditary medical conditions that plague our family, I needed to make serious changes. I wish you all the best. I truly do. Don't let those that are ignorant of what the lap band can do for you deter you from reaching your goals. mj

I am flying cross country is a couple of months and actually looking forward to it - since the last time I too was too embarrassed to ask for an extender and acted like I was belted. It is one of the things that I hated the worst about being overweight because nobody wanted to sit next to me. Now I don't care where I sit - I know I'll fit. And if I have a heavier person beside of me, I know exactly how they feel. Good luck on your trip and look forward to your future of "friendlier" skies. No extenders - no looks - no extra ticket.

Just go with your gut - no pun intended. Make sure your wife is on board and be considerate of her needs. I've been fairly open about having lap band, however, I don't feel the need to tell someone when I standing in line at a funeral home (I wasn't fully honest when asked about my weight loss there). Not appropriate conversation at the time. I am more open about it with people I feel closer to - but people that are just being nosey - I don't go into much explanation. Being from a small town is a different animal. Lots of people know you or think they do and seem quick to judge. If I feel someone is truly interested and I think the info would help them I elaborate. I've had some reactions that were less than pleasant or people that say things that are a bit spiteful, but in the end I blame it on their ignorance about the band and about what my life was like. If you want to shout it from the rooftops - by all means go ahead. Just be prepared. If you put yourself out there - some people may judge you harshly and relationships with people may change. That's the part that is not fun. Best of luck to you!

Yipee Jachut for conquering that evil cancer! My hope for you is to continue to feel better and get plenty of rest and get back to feeling "normal". Hopefully within the next few months you will be able to do that without too many speed bumps along the way. You have definitely figured out working with the lap band and making positive changes in your life to keep yourself healthy. I'm sure it had alot to do with your ability to overcome your cancer and help with your recovery. Thanks for the update to all of us and God bless you! I'll keep hoping that all continues to go well and that you've got it kicked for good!

I'm 2 years post-op and still do 2 Protein shakes day. One for Breakfast and one in the evening during and after my workout. It does help me to keep the munchies at bay - although I still find myself grabbing things even when I'm not hungry. Really hoped that would go away. I take in around 340 calories/day in protein shakes and add that to my overall caloric intake when I'm tracking it. I use unjury and I do think it helps me maintain/build muscle tone when using weights in my workout. It simply is a matter of preference whether you do drink them or not. Right after surgery I couldn't hardly gag them down. I finally found a brand I like and stuck with it. As far as the interrogation when getting fills, I think it is really just a time that your physician's office spends with you to make sure you have the proper tools and to reiterate what is recommended that you do and what to avoid. It also helps them determine the amount of the fill. I just read this morning that for some people, things have to be repeated 7 times before they commit it to memory. Reinforcement of what is preferred with the lap band is never a bad thing. Best of luck to all!