FailureIsntAnOption

Hello, Congratulations on making the decision to be healthier. Don't be nervous, the procedure only takes about 30 minutes and it's relatively simple. The first week and a half I felt pretty uncomfortable most likely from the gas they pump in during surgery. (no pain, only discomfort) I felt like my stomach was in my chest cavity and there was and elephant sitting on my chest lol. Also could tell there was a foreign object in my body. Once that feeling went away within 10 days I felt great. I returned to work 2 days later. I had a strange rash breakout that I think was my immune system recognizing the foreign object in my body but it went away after a couple weeks. The surgeon may or may not place a drain near your port scar but that just depends on the surgeon. It is normal for the port area to be sore and tender for 4-6 weeks. That was the worst area for me. I've had two c-sections so for me the recovery from the lap band surgery was nothing compared to the c-sections. Be prepared to crush any meds you may need to take but you will only need to do this for about the first week or so. Be prepared to exercise daily because you will need to exercise everyday to keep the weight coming off. I began walking the day I had surgery and did so for an hour everyday for the next month until I could start working out at the gym. Drink a lot of water. I also recommend the Special K-2-0 protein water available at walmart. It tastes good too. I had a very difficult time with the Isopure since I couldn't stand the taste or the floaties that were in it. The clear liquid phase is tough since you will be having food cravings but this is when I lost the majority of my weight. You will get through it somehow and the full liquid phase and mushies is much easier to stick with. Just be sure to get all your needed protein in so you don't feel week and dizzy. I purchased online IDS protein viles that helped me to get my protein in daily during clear fluid phase. I had no band restriction for the first 6 weeks and felt hungry in between meals. Once I got my first fill I felt so much more restricted. Remember to chew thoroughly and take small bites is VERY important and for me the hardest part. If I loose my concentration I tend not to chew enough and then the food gets stuck and comes back up. Be careful. You do not want this to happen for the first 6 weeks while you are healing since you run the risk of band slippage. You will do great! I have no regrets and I'm so grateful this option was available to me. Best of luck and success to you. Keep me posted on your progress. Sincerely, Donna Banded 4/17/09 10cc band w/.08 saline First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

Fatleen, Why mixed feelings? From where I stand I hope I make as great of progress as you have. Congratulations! Banded 4/17/09

Daren, You are very lucky that 2 days post-op the pain is gone. It took about 10 days for my pain to stop. 31 pounds lost on pre-op is awesome. Your off to a great start. As far as the upset stomach goes you should contact your surgeon to see what you can take. Congratulations on beginning your new healthy life. Banded 4/17/09 10cc band w/.08 cc saline First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

My libido has certainly increased. I thought that it possibly had to do with the increase in exercise. I know my husband sure is enjoying my increased energy level. My bicycle riding with my husband has certainly increased his libido. Banded 4/17/09 first fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc next fill sch for 6/26/09

I've wondered that myself! Banded 4/17/09

Igosnell, When I first mentioned wanting the band to my husband he told me I should just eat less and save all the money the surgery would cost. I'm assuming your husband doesn't have a weight problem because if he did he would understand your desperation. Put him on a calorie restrictive diet with you for a couple weeks and see if he still feels the same way. They don't understand that going hungry is painful. Make him see this and he will change his tune.

Pixelsmack, Have you researched the gastric sleeve? Maybe this would be an option for you. I am a 45 year old female. When banded I had a bmi of 53. The band was my first and only consideration for WLS. I have Kaiser insurance and Kaiser was pushing the bypass to me and I am completely against it. I know several people who have had bypass and all but 3 of them have gained most of their weight back. One of them is in ICU with liver failure brought on by her bypass 6 years ago. One of them died and one other has had serious complications and multiple surgeries to repair these complications. I chose the band because of the low risk associated with it. I will use the band to its full advantage for weight loss and I will not give up. It will work for me because for me it is the only option I am willing to put my body through. I had my surgery in Mexicali, MX done by a surgeon who has performed over 2000 of these proceedures. Everything went well and I have no problems and I am loosing. Good luck to you and don't be discouraged. If I were you I would make gastric bypass my last option. Try the band first. Banded 4/17/09 Start weight/surgery weight/current weight/goal 330/319/288/170

Hi Deekel, I have not taken the time to read other responses to your post. I am just going to give you my perspective here. It shouldn't really matter what anybody says or thinks about your decision to get the lap band. As long as you have a supportive spouse and you are ready to take this step then I say go for it. If I were you, I would have the surgery then let the people closest to you know what you have done and let them know you could really use their support not their criticism. You must go into this realizing that the only help the band will give you is in eating less/have a decreased appetite. You still will have to exercise a great deal of self control over what you put in your mouth. You will have to work just as hard as any other diet you have done. You will have to exercise regularly in order to loose and maintain. My experience since being banded 4/17/09 has been a huge learning curve. I am learning a lot about myself as well as the affect certain foods have on my weight. Since I am perimenopausel the weight is coming off even slower than I imagined. The emphasis here should be on that the weight is coming off. I exercise for 30 minutes 3 times per week and the other 4 days I take a long, strenuous bike ride with my husband. I weigh daily which at times is discouraging BUT, I can see the result of eating even just a little of the wrong thing. Thus, the learning curve. If you have tried all other non-surgical means to loose weight and have failed at keeping it off, but still are determined to loose the weight........I say go for the lap band! Much luck to you in making a decision and sticking with it.

If you aren't eating enough you will not loose weight.

Hi Susan, I was banded by Dr. Aceves 2 months ago and wonder if I should have gotten the sleeve. Did you have any success with the band? Banded 4/17/09

I feel the exact same way! Banded 4/17/09 w/ .08cc First fill 5/30/09 1.60 cc

The band isn't going to loose the weight for you. You will have to work hard and follow the rules of the band. The weight doesn't come off very fast. The rule of thumb is 1-2 pounds/week. I lost 24 pounds the first month after banding but I exercise a lot because I wanted to loose 50 pounds before summer. I am still 11 pounds away from my first goal. It is important to set small goals along the way so as not to become discouraged. I am so very happy that I had the lap band surgery. I feel great and have so much energy. The band will help you to eat less without being hungry period. The rest is up to you. Good luck to you. Banded 4/17/09 First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

Good for you! I felt like I was given a second chance at life when I got my band. I now live my life as a thin person even though I still have a long way to go. I have become extremely active. I go to the gym 3 times/week. I ride bikes with my active husband and have tons of energy since I'm no longer eating crap. My husband loves the new me. I am confident that I will reach my goal with my new band. I hope you will feel as good as I do. Banded 4/17/09 w/ .08cc First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

I made the decision to have the lap band because the risks were'nt as great as with the gastric bypass. Malnutrition is a big problem with GB. Lap band takes some work, the weight isn't going to fall off by itself. You have to make healthy food choices and exercise. Lap Band is completely reversible should you have any problems. GB is permanent and re-routes your small intestine. It was not a difficult choice for me at all. I'm very happy with my band. Banded 4/17/09 w/ .08cc First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

My favorite Protein shake is Muscle Milk. It doesn't have the Vitamin taste to it. The Special K shakes and protein waters are really good too. Banded 4/17/09 w/.08 cc First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

There is a much cheaper way to go.....I went to Mexicali, Mexico and had mine. It cost me $7,000 and included lifetime fills. The surgery staff is awesome and the hospital is new and state of the art. I was worried about traveling to Mexico to have surgery buy once I got there I felt very much at ease. The care I received was excellent. If you would like more info. please feel free to email me at donna2153@aol.com. Banded 4/17/09 w/.08 cc First fill 5/30/09 w/1.6 cc

Will your insurance cover gastric bypass? Some will even though they don't cover lap band. If you are certain that the lap band is what you want to do then email me and I will tell you what I did when my insurance wouldn't cover lap band. donna2153@aol.com

My liver shrinking diet consisted of a Muscle Milk for Breakfast, low fat cheese between lunch and bfast. For lunch I had two In-n-out Protein style burgers (wrapped in lettuce instead of bun or another Muscle Milk. Lowfat yogurt or another low fat cheese stick for snack and for dinner a grilled chicken breast and some broccoli. I lost 11 pounds in 10 days doing this. Also, be sure to get out for at least a 30 minute walk each day. Good luck to you! Banded 4/17/09 w/.08 cc First fill 5/30/09 1.6 cc

You can have it done in Mexico for relatively cheap. I paid $7,000 for mine in Mexicali and would do it again in a heartbeat. The care was excellent and they provide transportation from the airport to the hospital to your hotel (included in price) then back to hospital and back to the airport. Price also includes all fills. Something to think about anyway. Banded 4/17/09 w/ .08cc First fill 5/30/09 1.6cc

Folks, I'm telling ya, you need to focus on eating Protein first then fruits and veggies. This is true even on the pre-op diet. Banded 4/17/09 37 pounds lost 11 pounds lost on 10-day pre-op diet

In the past week I have had a few vomiting episodes. I have decided not to eat meat period. Tried a couple wheat thins and couldn't handle those either. It's okay though, I'm content with salads and cottage cheese, Protein drinks and protein smoothies. Banded 4/17/09

I plateaued at week 2 post-op then by week 3 I began loosing again. Now I'm at week 6 and haven't lost any weight since week 4. I work out regularly so I know I am doing everything right. I have been told it is time to get my first fill. Keep doing what you are doing until it is time for your first fill. Banded 4/17/09

make sure you are eating enough protein. Not enough protein will make you dizzy.

I too attended orientation at Kaiser Van Buren offices in Riverside (So. Cal). They are NOT currently doing lap band. They refer to Harbor City and since there is such a huge waiting list they are not doing lap band at this time. I opted to go to Mexicali and self pay $7000 to have my band. I'm glad I did. Kaiser is handling my follow-up care though and has scanned all the Mexicali records and films into my computer file. And now after surgery I get to see a nutritionist and have all the benefits that Kaiser Patients receive. I get lifetime fills for free in Mexicali which is only 30 minutes farther then Harbor City. I highly recommend Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali. Brand new state of the art facility and the care is awesome. Price includes hotel stay night before surgery and 2 nights inpatient care and my husband stayed both nights in my private hosp. room with me. Very American friendly place. Banded 4/17/09 in Mexicali Mexico

For the first couple weeks after banding I felt like everything from my stomach was now in my chest. I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and it made it hard to breath. That feeling just disappeared one morning somewhere around 2 weeks. I think it's the gas that makes you feel that way and it does take time to get rid of the gas and remember, the surgeon moved things around in there while doing your band and this will leave you sore also. I was really regreting the band at first but please know it does get better. Soon you wont even know it's there and you will be so glad you did it. Banded 4/17/09