ElfiePoo

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – An older kind of Lap-Band weight-loss surgery could lead to severe complications over the long haul, Belgian researchers said… The surgery works by placing a silicone band around the top portion of the stomach to restrict food intake. It has become an increasingly popular option in the battle against obesity, but some experts have worried about its safety. The Belgian team found that as many as half their patients, followed for at least 12 years, needed to have the band removed in that period. And in more than a quarter, the band had gnawed its way through the wall of the stomach.'"

Mousek, Yes, I can only eat the low carb vegies. Think 'green' and non-starchy. Asparagus, green Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, baby spinach. Lots more...about 80 different types of vegies. Yesterday I had an artichoke with vinagrette for lunch and roasted asparagus for dinner. Today I'm having broccoli for both lunch and dinner. .

So then, if I understand some of you correctly, you believe a fad diet is any diet you believe is 'wrong'? By labeling a WOE as a fad, you are judgmentally stating that it is an unhealthy way of eating that just cannot be sustained long term. I won't get into the other diets become I am not that familiar with them, but Atkins can be sustained long-term and it is a healthy way of eating. I lost my weight on Atkins but have tweaked it a bit to follow Dr. Bernstein's diet...which actually is more restrictive...in order to maintain normal blood sugars without insulin. On Atkins, as long as I stayed below my critical carbohydrate level (which varies by individual)...which for me is around 45gm...I'm allowed any carbs. Unfortunately, that still wasn't enough to discontinue my medications. On Dr. Bernstein's diet, I am allowed no grains, no fruits and no starches. I can only eat 'green' non-starchy vegetables. I no longer take insulin as a result. Dr. Bernstein is a highly respected expert in diabetics and runs a clinic where he has been treating Type 1 and 2 diabetics successfully for decades. He has science behind him to back up his diet. .

Conveniently, your tv 'doctor's skewed the definition in order to spin their own point of view. A fad diet is not something most people can't stick with. By that definition, you'd have to include every diet known to man including Weight Watchers and all the other traditionally accepted diets. A fad diet is a diet that cannot be sustained long term because it is nutritionally deficient. Atkins, is not nutritionally deficient. In fact, his diet is very similar to Dr. Bernstein's diet for diabetics. If you would like the science behind why a diet containing no grains, no fruit and no starches is nutritionally sound, I suggest you get his book. Unlike your tv 'doctors', he provides all the science to back up his statements.

Keep reading...still a bit of hype here. Studies are showing that saturated fat isn't a problem either...although it is correct about the trans fats being a problem. A high fat diet (whether they're the 'good' fats or not) is still bad when combined with a high carb diet. If someone chooses to eat a diet high in carbs, then they will have to watch their fats...even the good fats. A high fat diet when combined with a low carb diet (and we're talking less than 60gm per day), however, has shown to be very beneficial. Check out the following books for details... "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes "The Diabetes Solution" by Dr. Richard Bernstein

I pulled one off this site, so you might try here. I've never found a ready made one that was truly low carb and/or that was actually palatable so I just make my own. .

The reality is that most of the world views fat people as lazy, weak, stupid slobs lacking in pride and self-control. Sadly, some of these people are fat themselves. Most have their own demons but they don't see this as a character defect...as they do obesity. I agree with others that you need to speak to someone, no names necessary, because their behavior was very unprofessional. They can 'think' what they like, but should keep their mouths shut. It's called 'sensitivity training' and doesn't just apply to race, sex, religion or the handicapped.

They're not suggesting that eating these things will cut down on fat. They're saying you will lose weight. Sounds like they're basing this on the belief that the body doesn't store excess Protein. The problem with this theory is that if someone has a metabolic disorder (e.g. hypoglycemia, diabetes), excess protein will act like carbs in creating a glucogenic response which affects their insulin resistance which will actually slow down their weight loss. That's the problem with taking bits and pieces of information from the low carb diets like Atkins without really understanding how they work. First, what you're doing is basically Atkins induction except you aren't getting your 2 cups of salad per day, he's limiting you to lean meat only and is allowing you 'unlimited' cheese. Even Atkins, a diet that is high fat only allows you to have 4 oz of hard cheese per day because if you eat excess fat you will not lose weight. In fact, many people gain when they allow unlimited cheese. Excess cheese also tends to constipate many people. The idea of unlimited lean meat and eggs is a bit misleading as well. Even Atkins does not suggest you can eat unlimited amounts of protein and still lose weight. He just made the assumption that when people got the carbs out of their system (usually takes 2 weeks), the appetite suppressing effects of ketosis would set in and they would naturally choose to eat less. This would offset the excess calories they tended to eat during induction (as a result of carb withdrawal and physical cravings). You can improve on what your doctor gave you *and* improve your nutritional intake just by limiting your cheese to 4 oz of hard cheese per day and adding in 2 cups of low carb vegies (salad and any 'green' non-starchy vegie)...and will most likely lose more weight. I eat like this all the time - 2 scrambled eggs for Breakfast, 3-4 oz protein and 1 cup cooked vegies for lunch and dinner. .

According to my surgeon it would take long-term abuse to stretch your pouch. .

I was the same. When I woke up in recovery, they asked if I was in pain. I wasn't so they didn't give me any more pain meds. Same over the next several hours. I went home with a prescription for pain meds, but never filled it and I was back at work the next day. .

Postop diets vary quite dramatically. Some are right back on solid foods within days, some within 2 weeks and some doctors keep their patients on liquids for a month. I asked my surgeon why such drastic postop diets and he said it's because many surgeons just use the same diet for banding as they do for bypass and sleeve. The bypass and sleeve require such a drastic postop diet because they've literally cut into your stomach and it needs time to heal. According to my surgeon, such a drastic diet is not necessary for the band. That said, if you're having trouble sticking to it, talk to your doctor and tell him/her. You may find they'll move you along faster through the stages. That's happened to a number of people here. .

My surgeon didn't feel it was necessary and I was comfortable with that. .

♫♪It's raining, It's pouring...and I'm not complaining because at least it isn't snow!! So no trip to Ohio this weekend. Driving 5 hours in the rain with a headache (from the barometric pressure changing) is not my idea of fun. What to do...hmmm...my youngest has been bugging me about repairing his baby quilt (actually the size of a lap quilt) so he can use it again. I'm not sure what that says when your 3 grown sons cart their 'yaya's' all over with them...including onto the plane. Oh...and so do their wives!! My oldest son's quilt is over 20 years old and *somewhere* inside all of the Patches is his original baby quilt. He actually made me put in a 'trap door' about 3x3" so he could get to the inner original quilt. I have weird sons. So, off to take some aspirin, relax with a hot cup of tea and Martha Stewart and see where I go from there. Have a good one! .

Just get up and move around, Gax-X and heating pad...and time. Usually goes away in a few days if it's gas. .

If you won't follow the rules for any WLS, I guess there's nothing more to be said. .

Nykee, Unfortunately, the bypass won't make eating impossible. Have you determined 'why' you eat? You asked why you should get an unfill if you're going to eat if you do. Well, you're 6 years post band surgery. Bands have a limited life span so at some point they're going to have to go in and take yours out and/or replace it. It's very possible that you're doing enough damage to that band area from being too tight that there is a very real possibility that you'll lose that band completely.

Nights were the roughest for me too. I found that if I kept my hands busy while I watched tv, I didn't get the munchies. Most likely because if the hands were busy, my brain was engaged as well. So now I do needlepoint or quilt or even scrapbook when I watch tv. Sometimes I just play solitaire on the computer. Anything to keep the head involved in something other than wondering what's in the refrigerator. .

Please forgive me for being blunt... You need to get an unfill. If you're having days where you can't even drink the necessary fluids to keep you hydrated and you're living on slider foods...you are *too full*. If you're unable to eat Protein and vegies...you are *too full*. Frequent episodes of ejecting stuck food may not 'technically' be called vomiting, but it is still damaging to the esophagus which was not designed for that kind of frequent abuse. The band was designed to put pressure on the vagus nerves which tell the stomach to stop producing 'ghrelin' (hunger hormone) so we can eat a normal meal (e.g. 3 oz of protein, 1/2-1 c vegies) and be satisfied for 4 hours or so. It won't stop you from eating as there is very little 'restrictive' component. No WLS will do what you want it to. You can eat your way around all of them...including the bypass. Just ask those who've had one and now weigh more than when they first had the surgery. WLS is only a tool...and I know people hate that word...but that's what it is. *WE* still have to be willing to make the necessary changes in our eating. We have to be the ones to choose to eat the right food and choose to put that fork down. My .02...get your band completely unfilled and allow your band area to rest for 3-4 weeks. My guess is you're probably dealing with swelling from the stuck episodes. Then I'd do several days of Protein shakes...again, to let the band area rest *and* get the sugar out of your system. You need to stop eating the junk and get yourself on some type of eating plan that you can follow. Most importantly...you need to stop expecting the band to do all the work. No WLS is going to fit that criteria. Don't look for the band to stop you from eating. Look for it to stop the 'hunger'. *That* is the sweet spot. No...4 years of not complying with the rules of the band are not 'proof' that you will comply with the rules of bypass. I am sorry if that seems harsh, but in this instance, I really feel it is best to be blunt. .

Denise, My sister-in-law and my daughter-in-law are both federal employees too. Not sure what my sil does, but my daughter-in-law is a social worker with the VA helping returning disabled vets find housing, employment and get into training programs...so I'm sure they'll consider her 'nonessential'. God forbid our government should actually live up to its obligations to our returning soldiers. I'm thinking if our congressmen and senators would each give up a week or two of their salaries, the people who actually *need* a salary wouldn't have to do without. .

Many people say they're addicted to 'food'...and that may be true. Some believe they eat for emotional reasons...and that may be true also. It may also be that their bodies just don't process certain carbohydrates properly and as long as they're eating these particular carbs, their body physically craves them. Stress can cause insulin responses in our body as well and again start the carb cravings. Diabetes has become an epidemic in the U.S. and what a lot of people don't realize is that insulin resistance generally starts years before the diabetes and can be prevented and reversed in these early stages just by eliminating these particular carbs. There's a wonderful book by Dr. Richard Bernstein called "The Diabetes Solution" that explains all of this and the science behind it. As a result of Dr. Bernstein, I no longer eat grains, starches or fruit (none of which are necessary for the body). Many people might say that you can't eat this way for life. They're wrong...people do. It just depends on the motivation. Some people would say you can't give up peanuts or wheat...and yet people with allergies to these things do because their feedback for eating these foods is immediate and, perhaps, fatal depending on how extreme that allergy is. Their motivation is literally keeping their life. My suggestion, if you're struggling with carbs, experiment and see if ridding yourself of them decreases or eliminates the physical cravings. It may provide the answer you seek. It may also eliminate the depression (they're finding a link to that as well. .

This is what my surgeon said as well. Slippage is not as common as it once was because now most surgeons will take a fold of the stomach and pull it over the band and stitch it down...similar to the elastic waist of a pair of slacks. .

Never heard of the Synthra shakes. I do the EAS chocolate powder mixed with unsweetened almond milk - 25gm Protein and 4 carbs. .

Never heard of the Synthra shakes. I do the EAS chocolate powder mixed with unsweetened almond milk - 25gm Protein and 4 carbs. .

Karen: Congratulations! Enjoy your pregnancy...it's a great time! Deb: My sympathies on your dad's passing...and big smack of bad karma to the jackass who broke into your house! Lynn: Love the NSV (re: recuperation time). They just keep coming! Woohoo! Crystal: How are you doing with the 'hunger' control? Not much new going on here. Just trying to tweak my WOE so that it's working at optimum to control my blood sugar levels. For any diabetics here, I highly recommend Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetic Solution". His solution for diabetics (Type 1 or 2) is similar to what Atkins recommends for everyone, although there are some slightly different things because Bernstein's goal is to get consistently 'normal' blood sugar readings for both Type 1 and 2 diabetics. So goodbye my lovely tomatoes...which I could have on Atkins but can't according to Bernstein. For the anti-Atkins (low carb, high fat) folks, Bernstein does a much better job at showing and explaining the science behind why fat is not the problem than Atkins did. I'm debating about visiting my folks this weekend, but good grief it's more complicated when you have to pack up and take food as well. We'll see if I have the mental energy for that much pre-planning. Have a good one! .

I don't go over 1200. Otherwise I don't worry about it.