general_antiope

Personal observation. There is so much data that can prove why you shouldn't get the band as much as there is data on why you should. I really feel sad for people who hate bypass patients, or sleeve patients who hate the band. Whatever "camp" you're in, stop spending all this energy being angry at other camps and heal that hurt inside. Life is precious. Anger is a wasteful emotion.

Hm. Well I'm not here to defend my decision to you (unless you want to know because you care, not because you want to convince me I'm making a mistake and want to convert me), and more importantly, this topic is about the information you posted. So I'd rather focus on that, if you don't mind. What irked me about the post is that the whole tone is very misleading. If you are here to offer your experience and insight and possibly help others, then great. But you just posted a study summary that, after reading it, didn't pass my sniff test. I assume you downloaded (paid for) this entire study and didn't post just some vague conclusion about the lap band being inferior to the sleeve to explain why you made the choice to switch after a poor band experience. (which, by the way, is not everyone else's experience) I approach scientific data with healthy skepticism, and I'm happy to keep an open mind. So here are my questions on the abstract and results: What is gastrointestinal quality of life? What does it mean - how is it measured in this study? Are we talking good and bad bacteria, number of bowel movements, rate of intestinal distress? What is food tolerance? What does it mean - are we talking what variety of foods are able to be eaten? Quantity of food? This is most interesting to me because the band's primary purpose is to keep food tolerance low. I'm not sure why, otherwise, it would be part of a study. That's like measuring the light and heat from the sun and declaring that it's hotter and brighter than a lamp. lol. How significant is "significantly lower" did the AGB score? What do the numbers mean? Does it mean that because of these parameters, AGB patients had less long term weight loss? Lower quality of life? Less complications, less revision rates? Worse overall health? These things would get my attention, and cause me to look into my options again. Don't get me wrong, MsMaui, I wouldn't wish complications on anyone, I don't want the whole world to be banded. It's for specific people. And sometimes even good band candidates have a crappy surgical experience, like perhaps yourself. And maybe me, but I'm not convinced yet. As for me...My band has failed, yes, but for logical reasons. There is no reason to think it won't work again once replaced with a newer model and the port located to a less stressful place. Also, I am opposed to permanent surgical alteration, and will do everything in my power to avoid it. The band is still good in my eyes, especially seeing the results personally.

I used to be a know it all - I fell off the wagon and would think I was eating past the band and not losing. Reality was I had a slow leak and when I finally went to my doc she verbally smacked me around in a good way and said this is not magic. You're either able to eat or you're not. If you are eating bad band foods I haven't filled you right. So I believe in the green zone. I can't wait to be rebanded and kick this faulty band - I've only had a working band 2 years out of the past 8. I'm do e screwing around - I will exercise and stick only to friendly foods (I lived on mashed potatoes and cookies). I was lying to myself even though I dropped 100 lbs. I couldn't lose more for those reasons. No exercise, wrong foods, and a legitimate failing band. No way I'm doing that this time around. I'm lucky j haven't had erosion or a slip.

Back to Terry - have you named the Mistress yet or is she just "Mistress"?

Oh, I don't have a personal problem with you at all! And I do agree, if the band is doing more harm than good, yes, it's not a good option. but those complications are few and far between.

food tolerance and GI quality have nothing to do with weight loss or complication rates. Of course the band scores low in food tolerance. Restriction is the point! I personally would never choose permanent digestive surgery unless my life depended on it. Thankfully right now it does not. I have a food addiction not a physical disease. I've had nothing but malfunctions in my band for 8 years. Even when it had a slow leak or a fast leak I still fought to contain my weight gain. I committed to the band and it has proven to me over and over that it works for me. That being said, the band isn't for everyone. I just get so irritated with people constantly trying to prove its bad. You know what's bad? Irreversibly disfiguring your god given perfectly healthy digestive track for a psychological addiction. All my personal opinion.

P.S. don't eat that again!

Lol. Yes that is the band working. Welcome!!!

BTW, I had a bad morning (Tastykakes...ahh god) but for lunch I made a salad with cherry tomatoes, a little goat cheese, and 1 tbsp blue cheese dressing. I didn't eat all my dressing (always on the side, dip the fork!) and had some tuna with light mayo. It's still got fat and calories but it's the first "diet" meal or ANY type of restraint I have done since I was 4 months preggo and my band unfilled (about 8 months ago). LOL. Tonight we're having baked haddock and orange-vanilla carrots.

OK so I have to start my 7 day liquid diet Monday. I did NOT do well the first time around and fortunately was not turned back in surgery. but I really, really struggle with liquids only. I'm very much attached to solid food. I've been starting to cut down my portions and get back into low fat land this week, but last night I flipped out. I bought bad food. I am eating it. I know with my head that I'm emotionally reacting to "losing" food, but I feel a little helpless at the moment. I intend to go the entire 7 days next week on liquids. I have great shakes (www.shakeology.com) and they are thick and filling. I just know I'm going to need support by day 3 or 4. And the last weekend before banding! How are you folks doing on your diet? For those who haven't started yet, are you ready? Did you stock up?

Fixed!

Danielle - My doc does a 7 week liquid diet, specifically to get the liver less fatty so she can maneuver it during surgery.

Yes I know how you feel! You're "detoxing" from having chewing and solid food during your eating. if you can't finish a whole shake, the band is working How long is your post op liquid phase?

Congrats everyone!! Woo too, Feb is ALMOST here! Can't wait! Feb 2013 Group http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/

Throwing up after surgery is painful, sore, cause they cut through your ab muscles. But it's not horrible pain, imho, just very sore like you did a million sit-ups. If I recall correctly, it didn't hurt unless I moved my abs. (which was whenever I moved!) I also would eat applesauce. But it's very thick, so I always had to water down the applesauce to get it down. I love apples, and I am enjoying eating whole fruit now...won't be able to soon. When in doubt with consistency, just water it down a bit!

Good luck Danielle and Mandy! I'll be posting surgery dates in the Feb 2013 group (click here) so we can all cheer each other on for the big day!

Congrats to all the upcoming bandsters!! I can't wait to get banded on Feb 4. My doc has me on a 7 day liquid that I start on Monday. Feb 2013 group: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/

I'm going Feb 4, and I'm a little nervous about surgery because my old band (broken) is being removed and a new one put in. I'm nervous because my tube is disconnected and has been 'free floating' in my abdomen and causing me immense pain since April (I was 4 mo pregnant and they couldn't do anything about it). I'm wondering if there will be adhesions...is the tube stuck to my intestines or abs? Could there be complications? I'm not nervous about the banding, I'm excited. But I've been through it before...it was a fast surgery and the wounds didn't hurt nearly as much as the shoulder pain Hey girls, sorry if this is getting annoying, but I did create a Feb 2013 group...please feel free to join! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/

Good luck Marci! I'm going to shamelessly plug the Feb group I just created here. We'd love to support you! I'm going Feb 4, but we have a few people around the 21st. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/

Here's the link to the group http://www.lapbandtalk.com/groups/show/124-february-2013-bandsters/ Come on by and join us!

Crystal, I love reading your stuff You have a nice writing style. Missionary work? How cool! How did you get into that? I have no major health issues other than my degenerative lumbar, great cholesterol and such, too. I feel like I wanna hurry up and "catch up" before my age starts taking my weight seriously, LOL. I'll tell you what my experience with this was...Once that weight started coming off, I literally lost interest in the scale. I would weigh myself every day, then stopped and did it once a week. Life started taking over! It was amazing. My mom would exclaim that I was shrinking every time she saw me, but I didn't REALLY see it. Or believe her. The scale said I was losing, my clothes were hanging on me, but for some reason I ignored weight and weight related stuff and just got distracted by work and friends and personal projects. I actually like that. I stopped obsessing, watching, waiting for my moments to live. Before I knew it, I was 190. All I kept seeing was another 30-40 lbs to lose, but when I took pics of myself I would be SHOCKED at how thin my face looked. It took me a while to resolve the person in the 14 pants and having only one chin with how I still felt. It was weird It took a year or two to accept a size 12 as normal, and feel normal, and no longer shop at Lane Bryant.

HERE COMES SURGERY!!! Please reply and update/add your surgery date, and I'll update the first post. FEB 1 NJDanielle27 (Danielle) MandaMom23 (Mandy) FloridaSunshine 50for50 FEB 4 kateeryn (Kate) can_do (Susan) SaraJ91263 (Sara) FEB 5 Rockstar_Jen (Jen) meganb0216 (Megan) ATXveg FEB 6 Redesigned_Curves cksweetpea mg25 ireallywannabthin FEB 7 Spaness2012 (Vanessa) FEB 8 Twinband FEB 12 sugiesug FEB 13 dmccord0213 Scotslass FEB 14 Onamission2013 Fabric-wife Rcaruthie FEB 15 akwright68 Taliegurl FEB 18 Mrs.LadyPrice FEB 19 WANTMYHEALTHBACK (Dave) LadyDreadHead (Felicia) FEB 20 Anxiously waiting FEB 21 Booyah!!! NurseKelly FEB 22 kvr1977 FEB 26 bout-time FEB 28 Frederic MCE TBD Crystal927 (Crystal) - TBD Cindy2013

My husband is a teacher. Since we've been together I've "helped" him gain 50 lbs He was lean when I met him, now he's overweight and tired. He's going back to healthy eating as I go on my post op diet. He also sits more teaching his classes than he used to! What grade do you teach, and subject?

So much to reply to! Here goes... Dave, so great to meet you. I'm looking to lose 100 lbs too! Can't wait to start the journey with you. Hi Felicia! It sounds like you have a good, healthy attitude toward the band. That will absolutely be a great asset in the coming months. What kind of concerns about post op do you have? Ohh I'm interested in the C25k. I would need to walk, as I have a degenerating lumbar that I had surgery on, but I want to do marathon walking. It's my goal. You and I are about the same weight. I refuse to weigh myself til next Monday, when I start my pre op diet. lol. We'll do it together! Crystal, great post! You have done tons of research and thinking, you're going into this experience well informed. And wow, already practicing the band lifestyle? And what a great job on your self motivated diet! You're going to do a fantastic job with this. Kudos to you. Cynthia, the fact that you're being so honest with the pitfalls and obstacles is healthy and positive. The family can also adapt to you...after all, although you're the one going through the surgery and weight loss, this will impact them too. You'll be happy and excited, energetic and will be doing more, even with your injuries. And losing the weight will certainly improve many aspects of your current medical issues, I bet! I'll cheer you on, if you'll cheer me on, okay?

How frustrating! okay let's break this down. You say you're eating 1000 calories a day - I'm going to estimate that your basal metabolic rate (the minimum amt of calories your body burns in a day to maintain weight) is at least 2500. That's a daily deficit of 1500 calories a day - you should be losing 2-3 lbs a week. If you're not, there is something else going on and it's not the band. The band can't interfere with your metabolism. The PA may have been right about your thyroid issue, but wow that docs office sounds like a circus. It seems like life is telling you that you need to advocate for yourself more. Doctors aren't god. Some suck! Don't live with it, don't tolerate it. Get yourself tested for other metabolic issues that could be sabotaging you. I'm also stumped about you not tolerating a small fill well. Some ppl may not feel they need a fill but are you struggling with hunger and portions or are you comfortable? While investigating other reasons for no weight loss, keep up with your routine. The math will owe you.