stephmccurley

I've been a member of this forum for just about a year now...and have definitely found that reading about the experiences of others and discussing topics related to best practices about adjusting to the new way life with your band to be beyond helpful. They have saved me many a phone call to my surgeon's office.
My concern is that there are some forum members who seem to have taken it upon themselves to venture beyond the spirit of the forum and write in terms of "this is the way you do that". My perspective, which I realize is tempered by my professional training and experience, is that each of us has the right to read what we choose, and can either accept/try the "advice" of others, or ignore it and move on.
When it comes to the area of the "bandster diet", there are many variations, and the best approach will be to follow the instructions you were given by your surgeon. You can choose to modify them, however I feel it is important to discuss your concerns with the physician or nutritionist, and only proceed with major changes with their knowledge. My concern is that the "low carb" or "doesn't matter carb" or "cheat day" regimen has the risk of confusing newer members of this community as to what guidelines they should follow. This is a good topic to discuss with your own nutritionist.
I have great concerns when someone posts definitively that "your doctor does not care"...or "all insurance companies follow the same practices", is just simply inaccurate. Stating broad generalizations about the guidelines each insurance company follows is way off the mark of reality. I know that much definitively...as I have dealt with them for years as both the consumer and the provider of services.
Most concerning to me though is crossing the line to give medical advice in response to some of the questions posted on the forum. I believe that we have paid for the medical expertise of our medical team, so we should utilize their knowledge. I understand that some of the members of this forum have received different levels of pre op and post op education, however it is important to understand that we are not physicians here, and all medical questions are best discussed with your surgeon or medical team. Your well being and health are far too important to be entrusted to other forum members. Peace of mind is a priceless commodity...so call your medical team for your answer!
In the medical field, and other allied professions, we are educated to understand that we must remain within the scope of our specialty. To go outside those boundaries and advise patients in an area beyond your expertise is considered to be unethical. Such actions are considered to be serious violations, and one could possibly jeopardize their professional license to engage in such practices.
The bottom line? Unless you have the proper credentials issued by your state's medical oversight board, it is advisable to not give medical advice to others, even if offered in the spirit of well meaning and only wanting to help others...
IMHO...others mileage may vary...

Anxiety and nervous are perfectly normal to feel right now. Keep yourself busy and focus on other things for now. Or... get busy preparing for the pre and port op diets. Shop for Protein Drinks and powders that you like. Order Unjury chocolate Splendor online. Everyone loves it!

I agree with Ajs post....
for me learning to chew lots and slow down was the key to winning !!!

No one is being mean but I am sorry if you had two lapbands and gastric bypass and only lost 20lbs it was not the surgery. It was you. There are many of us that have been successful and some with complications and have still been successful and yes they do hernia repair at the same time as the band. As far as the bypass there is no reason to not lose weight unless you are just eating what you want. You may gain it back after a year but no reason what so ever to not lose weight with the bypass. No need to be down on weight loss surgery because so many have succeeded at this journey

I had hernia repair at the same time as my band. How experienced was your surgeon? It's odd that he wasn't comfortable doing both at the same time. My hernia was so large that it stuck out under my ribcage. My surgeon recommended that I wait for my band to be put in to do the repair to my hernia because that way I wouldn't be put under anestesia twice in a short period of time. I also think it is harder for some that have surgeons further away. You can't just pop in and get a fill or unfill when you need it! I'm sorry that you had the experience that you did. I know when others are succeeding and your having a hard time it can be frustrating! Unfortunately, not everyones bodies are the same! Therefore, results will not be consistent. I am curious, I take topomax for my Migraines, is it now used as a diet drug? When I take it, it knocks me out. Do they use another drug with it to counteract that effect? Do you have to continue to take it? Anyway, Congratulations on your successful weight loss! Whether we have used the band, bypass, or prescriptions, all of us are looking for the same results! HEALTH! As long as we get there it doesn't matter the road we had to travel!

Are you kidding me?!! Boycott a store because they put some yummy, sugary, pastries on sale? This is about taking responsibility for you choices and actions. That would be like an alcoholic saying, "Poor me, I'm trying to stop drinking, but alcohol is everywhere. They even sell beer and wine at the grocery store!" How about a law against fast food restaurants, all you can eat buffets, donuts, sodas, candy? I don't mean to sound harsh and flame me if you want but the whining and blaming have to stop. Perhaps those of us with overweight parents and grandparents should just give up. It's their fault too that were fat!
It's not like we walk in to a store and if you're overweight, you get charged more for your food than the thin people. Perhaps diabetics should complain and get a special discount on what they get.
BTW, overweight people cost this country more money. Overweight people tend to have more health problems, take more sick days from work, go on disability, etc. Someone complained about the cost of weight loss surgery. Well, for heaven's sake, if you weren't obese, you wouldn't need the damn surgery. Of course it cost money. Perhaps plastic surgery should be discounted for unattractive people or people that need it to feel better.

But whatever you are buying you can get three, four or five meals out of. I spend less money now since the band then when I was eating junk. You have to look at the whole picture. If you are only cooking for yourself and you buy a whole chicken that in its self can be less then a dollar a meal with about 7 meals. I go to flea markets and get fresh produce which is cheap and good. I buy Snacks that are cheap. You can certainly eat healthy foods for reasonable money. You are eating less so it goes a lot further.

My family, and now just me and my husband have never been ones for the fast food restaurants with the exception of when we are on a road trip. Even the fast food restaurants have gotten the message that many in America want to eat healthier, and you can find healthier choices on the fast food menu if you look for them. They offer salads with grilled chicken and dressing on the side. Definitely an acceptable bandster meal.
Now that we have been "empty nester's" for the past 14 years, and since being banded, we are continuing to eat healthy at home and have seen our monthly expenses for groceries actually go down despite the rising prices. If you stay away from processed foods, and prepare home cooked meals which you can control the amount of fat and sodium, it isn't more expensive. I've had some "sticker shock" of late in seeing the prices of processed foods which contain corn escalate dramatically.
We still have our date night every weekend, and that expense has also gone down. I can sometimes find something healthy on the kids menu, and if my husband and I don't share an entree, I will take my leftovers home, and have 3 bandster size meals from the one entree.
I take responsibility for eating healthier, and if that means that I need to do some planning ahead (like during the day, if I am away from the house over lunch, I bring my lunch with me from home in my small cooler), then I know that I will benefit from it in the long run. Now pre-planning has become habit.
I don't believe we are "setup" for anything...I attribute this mindset to the American culture where we want everything delivered to us fast.
This lifestyle change is a process and not an event...it comes back to motivation for success.
Best wishes...you can do this!

Thanks !! how long have you had the band ?? im just going threw the last part of the pre-op and its looking like surgery in March !! Any other words of advise ??

That's not a small victory, I think that's a HUGE victory!! Congratulations!!!

OK I just have to share. This is a very small victory but a victory still. I have been on my pre op diet since January 16th and its been going pretty well. I figured I made it past the hardest part with great success so it should be smooth sailing until banding on the 30th. WRONG!! yesterday I was craving everything... ice cream, pizza, chocolate, you name it I wanted it. My son had m&m's and I considered just one (what could it hurt right?lol). Now here comes my proud moment.....I MADE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE DAY WITHOUT CHEATING!!! Yaaaay! Like I said....a small victory for most but to me it was like climbing Mt Everest. Today I am back to feeling good about things and so far no cravings. I know there will be many more days like yesterday in my new future but I now feel confident I can get through them and still be here the next day to feel proud again. Thanks for listening to me "brag"!! :-)

I was also banded on the 16th and it is scary...but we will succeed this time...slowly but surely. I go to my first follow up appt on the 29th. Not sure how accurrate my home scales are but I think I have lost between 18 and 20 lbs...surgery day was 218 had lost 10 lbs preop..we will reachbour goals!

The vegus nerve runs from your stomach to your head. It is possible with the increased pressure to have headaches from a fill.

Thanks for all the well wishes!
To answer the question on how it feels different (others feel free to chime in because I'm sure everyone is different) is a little hard to explain. I was eating my Breakfast this morning, and I just happened to realize that I had enough. I wasn't full or overstuffed, but knew it was time to stop. And I didn't eat it all either. Also, for once I wasn't looking forward to having my mid-morning snack. In fact, my appetite has been way down as compared to where it was before this fill. I'm now going 4+ hours before eating again.
I hope this helps you out. Believe me, You'll know when you're there!! Best wishes to you!!!

Ditto on Shady2121. My dr says 48 hrs of liquids. All in all an easy process.
My port scar healed over so well that he says he needs to tattoo it so he can find the port easy, LOL.

People post about their NSV's and I have had my share of them. I was blessed that I could have this surgery and have the surgery team and follow up that I do. Over the years and even up to now I have had and still get NSV's. The first one and one that is a biggie amoung weightloss patients is crossing their legs, now I will share some more: I have more confidence than I ever had in my life, I love having my picture taken (I don't have many pictures of me prior and that is sad), I love clothes shopping, I love dressing up, I can fit into a resturant booth with plenty room to spare, I fit in my seat on an airplane and not invade someone's space, my tray on the airplane comes all the way down, I have plenty of seatbelt left over and don't have to ask for a seat belt extender. I have made many good lapband friends all over the country and the world and one has turned out to be one of my best friends-Em, you know who you are . This year and it is early in the year...I have done an interview with a local magazine about my lapband story which was published this month. I was honored when asked to be a guest lapband speaker at the hospitial seminar (hosptial where I had my surgery) and I did good too. I reached the people attending...why because I've been in their shoes. I have lost a person or 2 small children in weight and I have maintained my weight for 3 1/2 years. Yep, I know there will be more to come.

I cant tell you how much the lap band has changed my life!

So I went in for my one on one with my surgeon and he said the lap band doesn't work for everyone. I'm so confused now because everyone I've been talking to says the Sleeve is a better choice and I will lose weight much faster. ???• Now I'm just confused and don't know what procedure I should do. My date is set for February 27th and I have to be on an all liquid diet for 4 weeks ???‘ frustrated !

i make an orange Protein Shake. i have vanilla Protein Powder and i mix it with OJ in my magic bullet! tastes like a creamscicle!

Way to go Roxygirl! Woo! Hoo! Keep us posted!

I am not a doctor. Personally I would say it would be better to consume more of what you are allowed than small amounts of what you are not allowed. For example 8 oz of chicken broth has like 10 calories and no fat. A piece of cheese has 80 cals and 8 g of fat. Also I used Protein Shakes preop that had at least 30 g of fat (protein powder plus fat free milk). Premier Protein has a pre made shake that is only 160 cals for 30 of Protein. Available at costco and SAMs (yes they are advertised on this site, bu they are quite good).

I had lapband surgery in 2001. Yep, 2001. I lost 60 pounds in the first 18 months and then went into hibernation... raising the family, living life etc. I had taken enough off to live comfortably and not feel so awful (I started at 263 pounds). Fast forward to two years ago, my husband had gastric bypass and both kids were now out of the house. I renewed my efforts alongside my husband, and lost the last 40 pounds to get to my century mark. (although my BMI still reports me as 'overweight.') yippee for me! Now that I'm down 100 pounds (and my husband's down 200 pounds) we're much more active than even before and eating a healthy diet/lifestyle. To me, this has been the perfect tool... it's there to assist in my efforts to be healthy.. but by itself, or me by myself, can't be effective unless combined with the other component.
I have had no complications- have been living off the same fill for seven years (four in totality). I have not been the most compliant patient (unlike my husband.. he's textbook perfect patient) but I have done this as a piece of my life... not my entire life. I have learned to be forgiving and go with the ebbs and flow of challenges and my life. I go to the gym when I can and don't beat myself up when I can't. There are weeks that I don't weigh myself.. and there are weeks that I gain a wee bit of weight. I take the weeks that I am the same as victories and those weeks that I reduce by a little as celebrations. I try to remember that I didn't become this way (heavier or thinner) overnight and I'm not going to return that way overnight either.
I have only had one hiccup on my path.. about three years ago I was violently ill.. throwing up. I felt a slight pop and was concerned my band had been damaged. I went to my new doctor (since WLS was more prevelant, I didn't have to drive to LA to get services any longer, I just had to go down the road to a nearby doctor, conincientally, my husbands surgeon) and he said things were fine... the band is a part of me and will continue to be as long as it will have me. If the time comes that I need to get it removed I will actively seek a new one. I can't imagine my life without this companion.
Color me 100% happy.

I was self pay..took about 3 weeks from meeting with my surgeon till actual surgery..had to do 2 week liquid diet...a few blood tests and EKG and that's all..best wishes to you!

My surgery is also 8/27. Lap band sisters!!!!

I was on my pre-op before he called. But I was able to eat just little bit measured out. But now he wants nothing but liquid. I have faith I can do this. But ready for surgery to just get here already