123crod

Cheri,
I can't give you medical advice or make up your mind for you, but I'll tell you that I took HRT for about 8 years. I don't think it affected my weight, and it did relieve the menopause symptoms. I stopped taking it because of the cancer risk, and thankfully didn't have any symptom rebound from that.
I have an acquaintance who takes something called bioidentical hormones that don't pose the cancer risk. She gets them from a local compounding pharmacy and her insurance doesn't cover it, but she says they're helping her symptoms.
Jean

Just my advice . . . I have had many questions about my meds and things my Doctor recommends and people just give you their advice and experiences. We decide for ourself what to do. We are all grownups and are suppose to think for ourselves.
But the main thing I want to share with you is that Elcee is full of knowledge that she shares with us. She does not push her opinion on others. She is helpfull and kind. But she is also honest and doesn't sugarcoat stuff and I for one like that. If you don't talk to her or read her post it is your lost not hers. You are missing out!!! Sometimes the written word gets read with an attitude that was never there!
Cheri

Hi everyone. I had made a new thread but I'm okay. They thought I had a blood clot in my lung, but they didn't see anything. I go back to see my surgeon tomorrow. Thanks for your support guys!

My BMi was 93. I am 35 yrs old and weighed over 600lbs. I was banded on April 20th 2010. When I went to support group on Saturday the 12th I weighed in at 450 lbs. I would say that that is very sucessful.

Cool! I'm interested! Another girl told me about the one they hold at the True Results office once a month as well! Once I find out my surgery date and/or get surgery I'll let you know if I can make the next one! Don't wanna make any promises then wind up with surgery that day! Lol.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using LapBandTalk

I was banded Sept 2006, my tubing broke mid tube near my xyphoid process and had to be repaired nov 2009. Today i found out my repair is leaking, no restriction. I am BMI of 24-25. I am not trusting my self to live 30+ years without help. I am converting my band to sleeve sept 6 2012, almost 6 yrs to the date. I am paying out of pocket for the sleeve like I did for the band and the repair. The removal or repair would be 5-7K, for an additional 6k I will convert and never deal with this again- - i hope. My port has been uncomfortable from day one, i have done better than alot of band pts and Im NOT going back to fat ! I have changed my lifestyle, my spouse hasnt, I fight the fight every day! Unfortunately eating is a basic requirement for life, unlike smoking or alcohol- - you cant live without food. I will follow those who have converted and hope I have a positive outcome- - Im aware of the risks- - - none are small including the band.

If you are so happy with the sleeve why are you not on that website sharing your joy with them? Why come here and talk bad about the Band. Many people are happy with their Band.
cheri

I wasnt objecting to anything you were saying or suggesing that you were bashing th band, merely pointing out a few exceptions to your "data". I would indeed consider a sleeve myself. No need to be so fricking defensive. Jeez.

If you are so happy with the sleeve why are you not on that website sharing your joy with them? Why come here and talk bad about the Band. Many people are happy with their Band.
cheri

Whilst its great that you're happy, some of those stats are a bit dodgy. The sleeve hasnt been around for ten years - oh, there might be some early experimental patients but it is almost impossible to state that the sleeve keeps weight off for longer than the lapband - even the band hasnt really been in common use long enough to make that comparison.
That said, lapbands often work and work well but they ARE a pain in the butt. Mine is acting up after seven years, I have no doubt some kind of revision surgery is on the cards for me. I definitely do not feel this thing will be in me for another twenty. I would not change a thing about my journey and I always understood that lapbands didnt last forever. I think I would be brave enough to convert to a sleeve - my initial reaction of reluctance towards that surgery is kind of overshadowed now by the major surgeries I've had since. i live perfectly well without half my bowel so I wouldnt mind saying goodbye to part of my stomach in the name of health and normal weight for the rest of my life.
The only thing about the sleeve is that it IS permanent and it ISNT really known what the long term outcomes are. It probably wouldnt stop me and it shouldnt necessarily mean that you dont do it, I mean so what if something better comes along if its working well for you? But its a bit early to go out shouting how much better than the band it is.
Also, if you only had your band for four months, again, your right to convert and your gut instincts may well have been right for you. But you hadnt even had it long enough to gain proper restriction yet! It may well have kicked in better for you down the track.

Hi guys! I'm new here and looking to make some friends! I start my Pre Op diet tomorrow, another appointment on Monday to finish lab work and we're scheduling my surgery date then as well! I'm getting banded by Dr. Reilly in Houston, Texas from True Results! I'm extremely excited to say the least! I can't wait to be a big fat loser! =P I can't stop thinking about what I want to wear when I hit my goal! I miss shorts and tank tops REALLY BAD! Lol! I'd love to be back in sports and to be able to keep up with my daughter! Man! Makes me happy just thinking about it! A local buddy would definitely be twice as awesome! I'm 23 and currently a stay at home mommy of an awesome 2 year old little girl! Either way, I've been snooping on these forums for a few days and all of you seem like the people I need to be around right now! I'm avoiding telling most people because I don't feel like dealing with negative ones! I'll be on tomorrow! Goodnight guys!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using LapBandTalk

A lot of you are laughing but I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us have consumed this stuff already. Isn't this the stuff that they put in some of the diet pills that are designed to make you feel full quicker. It could even be in some of those diet shakes...........

You've been banded 3 years. It hasn't worked. The band doesn't work for everyone. Don't be afraid to go to your surgeon.
Before you go, journal you food, every bite and sip for two weeks. That will give your surgeon information about your caloric intake. You might need the malabsorption of bypass.
Bypass often cures diabetes. It has a strong effect on metabolic systems. You do have to be committed to changing your eating habits and following the guidelines. People who have bypass that do not work hard on their new eating habits can easily regain after a couple of years.
Personally, if I were having troubles with my band, I'd not hesitate to revise to another procedure...I'd work with my surgeon to decide what was the best way to go.

It is hard to give the correct advice . What works for one person does not always work for the rest. Theoretically if you are consuming less calories than you are expending you should lose weight.
If i was to comment on your sample menu it would be to say that to me it looks to be pretty high in fat and low in good carbs - veggies etc.
Some people find they can lose eating the same type of food as previously but smaller portions. Others find they need to do a high Protein /low carb type diet and still others have to cut out almost all carbs. What have you tried so far? Are you being honest with yourself? We would all like this to be an easy ride but for most it isn't. Most people have to make conscious decisions as to what to eat/how much etc. Many people find that logging their food helps them whilst for others this does not work.
For many exercise is the key and without you will probably not lose what you want to lose - yes some people lose without exercising but they are the lucky few not the norm. Even with arthritis there should be some form of exercise that you can do. Swimming is good for the joints, supports your weight etc.
Don't expect that losing weight will solve your hypertension. I am normal weight and have to take a daily pill for high BP. The reason for it still being high is unknown and that is true for many people.
Even though you don't feel as though you need a fill you should still go back to your specialist for support,encouragement and to check that everything is OK.
I hope you find the key soon. All the best.

That sounds really serious. I hope that you make a full recovery really quickly. Good news that your Dr was on the ball and did the right thing to prevent future problems.

No it's not that kind of gas. It is gas that they pump into your chest/abdominal cavity to give them more space to work. Some gets left behind and that puts pressure on nerves/organs which can cause pain. Often the pain is felt in the shoulder. Because it is not in your digestive system antiflatulence type meds won't work, you will need to take the prescribed pain killers.

We are getting lost in the crowd. We need to keep communicating with each other. It has slowed way down for me. Lost 68 lbs in my first year . . . wanted more but not giving up.
Lets hear from some more July 2009 bandsters!!!
Cheri

I am happy for those who have converted and are happy. That is the aim, to have the WLS that suits you.
However I am wondering if you would have been so happy if you had been one of the people that had a leak. Reading the stories from those who have had leaks they sound awful. So the bottom line is how much risk is someone prepared to take. Some of you were lucky and had minor complications with the band - far better that than being unlucky and having complications with the sleeve surgery.

That's unreal, I think I'll start my food journal again, it's the only way to keep me on track

You look great! Congratulations!
cheri

I have been in the a couple of times and there are people in there but say nothing, even when you speak to them.
cheri

You have had the band 6 years, lost and kept off 80lb and you call that a failure????? Where would you be now without the band.
If this was me my first choice would be to get the band fixed. But if that was not an option then I would investigate all the other types of surgery in depth and try to decide what I thought was best for me. Yes with a bypass you probably will lose quickly initially( although as you have already lost a considerable amount of weight that may not be so) but you still have to make sure you change your eating habits or chances are that the weight will come back on. There are many people who have had the bypass and lost weight only to regain it. Some of those people are now having bands over their bypass.
The bottom line is which tool will be the one that you are best able to work with for optimal results.

I kept craving hotdogs. I hate hotdogs, but I could smell them everywhere. I did not even know they smelled, but if I walked into a store that solded them like Target's snack bar I could smell them. My husband thought I was crazy. I never did eat one and now 3 years later I couldn't eat one if I wanted to.
One thing I did and still do find myself watching the food network where I never did before. Now I watch Cupcake Wars, Cake Boss and the one where the guy goes around eating the biggest burger, pizza, pancake or whatever, so weird
cheri

I once heard the a compulsive overeater is like someone digging a grave, one fork full at a time. Man, that is a horrible image.
But.......to be quite honest, taking the big plunge has been my safety net most of my life, I would think, "If it ever got too bad, I would just pull the plug, and put a cap in my ass." You see, I have never been scared of death. Quite the opposite, I have lived on the edge a lot and taken a lot of chance's, and believe me I have the body scare's (inside and out) to show for it. But, the digging my own grave thing has always been in the back of my mind, I somehow seem to want to kill myself in a slow and painful way. Like punish myself for not being enough, or for being so rotten. Whatever, I was killing myself with food, there is no other way to look at it. Just like a Junkie, or a Drunk, or a Anorexic..... I want to kill myself, or hide the real me under a much fat as I can.
But.......To really be honest, once I started to look at myself and start to work on knowing ME, and looking to a Higher Power for some kind of help and insight into His will for me, then I was ready to look at surgery for the first time. Once I made up my mind I was going to do the ban and I did a lot of research on all the ways I could go, the ban was the only way to go. I was scared and nervous about the whole thing but the thought of death never went through my mind. And suicide is no longer an option.
Butch from Florida

The only time I have had problems with popcorn was when an unpopped kernal slipped in. That was uncomfortable :/
Otherwise, I have it about once a week - ActIII light snack bags - 100 calories per bag. It's nice for a treat.