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Well, this is my first blog post. I have been visiting this site for the past 2 months studying and researching the Lapband procedure. I am a Christian who knows the healing power of God. I went through a divorce 7 years ago after a 10 year marriage. The main reason for the divorce was my husband's infidelity. However, through the recovery process, I accepted my part in the whole thing. This was mainly co-dependency and putting my husband before my relationship with God. Through Celebrate Recovery, my church and family I have recovered from my divorce by giving God control of my life. I was able to forgive everyone who hurt me, and I have remarried to a wonderful godly man. We adopted our daughter after her family fell apart. She is about to turn 14. However, the one area that I have not been successful giving to God is my issues with food. I have been overweight all of my life. I started dieting in high school and lost a significant amount of weight with diet pills. I was still bigger than my friends, but I would love to be that size today. My weight fluctuated within about 50 pounds until my marriage got really bad. At that time, I see now, that food became my friend. I was lonely and often uncomfortable in my own home. Food became my escape. Now I am about 100 pounds overweight. I am 39, and my health is beginning to suffer because of the excess weight. My Mom has type 2 diabetes and multiple other problems and complications mainly caused from an unhealthy lifestyle. Right now my only problems are PCOS, infertility, and painful knees and feet. I have to make changes now to avoid my Mom's fate. About 3 years ago, I began praying about having lapband surgery. I was in a different place in my life wanting different things. At that time I was desperate, but not really ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes to be successful. I didn't know this at the time, but God did. He did answer my prayer then - with a "No." I then signed up for Weight Watchers again. I was determined to do it. I spent 2 years on the program and only lost about 18 pounds. At least I did not gain over that time. During that time, I did learn that my relationship with food was a problem. I would stick to the plan for a period of time. Then I would have a bad day, special occasion, etc. and lose control. On those days, I never really got full. I undid all the good I did in a few weeks in one day. I prayed for help and started each day fresh, vowing to do better. When I did have these weak moments, I usually didn't realize it in time to ask God for help. I had usually done the damage before I realized it. In October, I attended my 20 year class reunion. I found out that one of my good friends from hgih school had lapband surgery. This really got me to thinking about it, but I still wasn't sure it was right for me. In February, I began praying for God to show me if I should have this surgery. There was a seminar on my anniversary at the end of the month, and I planned to attend unless I felt God telling me "no" again, which I fully expected. Surprisingly, it seems like God has opened up doors since then. I went to the seminar at the end of February and had my first consultation with the surgeon that day. I began the process of seeing my primary care physician, nutritionist, psychologist, etc. All of the paperwork was submitted to the insurance company on April 21. I have talked to the insurance company who said that I have met all the requirements and my letter was in the mail. I hope that means that they will be paying for the surgery. I think I will be responsible for about $1,300, but I have saved that much in preparation for the surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday to hopefully to set my date. My big concern now is will I be able to make the necessary diet and exercise changes permanently. I hope that the band will be my backup system. By that I mean, when I get into the situations I described above where I tend to overeat, that the band will be my constant reminder. I have been trying to prepare myself emotionally to let go of food as my friend and escape. I am trying to learn to bring my emotional issues to God (and maybe I can vent them here also) so that I won't need food to comfort me. I so want food to be only nutrition to me. I understand that (at least for me) I have to completely change the way I think about food. I hope the band is the tool that I need to make that change. However, there is also a fear inside of me that says, "I haven't been able to make changes before, can I really do it now?" I guess that is enough about me for now, but I will be back. I have never been one to keep a journal for very long, but I feel like I need to log this journey to be successful. I think it will help hold me accountable.

How much you lose is up to you. Typically they say about 60% of excess weight but it can be more or less depending on your ability and desire to exercise and eat right. But the battle isn't with your stomach- it's with your mind. We have an addiction and you have to treat it as such. And getting active will help. I took up swimming because I have bad knees and it's been great. For a few weeks to a few months eating will be much different than you're used too. Full very fast. EAT SLOWLY. If you overeat I guarantee you will only want to do it once. Follow the plan your doctor gives you and don't deviate. They have a reason they do what they do. You will gradually be able to eat more but never like you used to. I just had my first ice cream in 4 years. 1 scoop filled me up. And no real desire to have more. The quantity you'll be able to eat will vary depending on what you're eating and how fast. But don't push it. I've had to find other things to replace my eating. I can still eat most things just in much smaller quantities. I don't do rice or much pasta or potatoes as they fill me up very fast and no room for the healthier- and tastier- things. I felt great after surgery. Told the doctor I've had worse paper cuts. No pain, no gas, no upset stomach. But I'm one of the lucky ones. Expect some problems like gas and just have a heat pad ready - it helps. There can be complications- that's true with any surgery but, again, follow instructions for hygiene and type of food. Excess skin? Oh yeah! I've lost about 250 pounds and I look like a partially deflated balloon. But I'm working at losing some more to have skin removal. Need a BMI of around 35 before that happens. How long again is a matter of how much and how fast you lose. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! I wish I had done it 10 years before I did. But fear kept me from trying. I heard a quote bt Will Smith. " God puts the best things in life on the other side of fear." How true! Finally I would recommend a book called Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies. Very informative. Good luck

Interrupted sleep is probably the hardest part (for me) when I'm in the hospital. It definitely messes with my coping skills. Unfortunately, you can inly be assessed for complications when you get woken up for vitals, lab. I wouldn't say people seek out surgery to get pain meds. Like I said, pain during and after surgery is implied. It's usually always legit. Most drug seekers get admitted with chest, abdominal, back pain or headaches. Those are the usuals. That's not to say many patients who get admitted with one of those aren't legit.. But diagnostics have to show something to continue narcs. Usually it's a medical and not surgical complaint. The problems with surgical pain management become more challenging when the patient has been on long term pain pills at home before surgery. They can have over saturated pain receptors. They are HARD to keep comfortable and still keep alive and breathing. Those are usually back surgery or some type of ortho surgery. It's legit pain but sometime no amount of med is going to help. Again, the goal is to keep the patient breathing and without complications of over sedation. If you look at childbirth as an example..... There are women who go into labor completely against epidurals and some if them succeed without. There are some who tolerate a lot of pain but then just can't anymore, and then there are those who are freaked out at any pain and want to feel nothing. Everyone is different. Everyone tolerates pain differently. I wasn't pain free for several weeks after VSG but I only used the lortab for 4 days. The pain was tolerable, I know it's not that way for everyone. I would be concerned if I still felt a need for narcs 3-4 weeks out. I still am tender 8 weeks out but I can't imagine needing pain meds for this long. I'd be worried I was leaking or something if I had that kind of pain.

My doc won't reband after an erosion either, says the risk of complication is too high....good luck! I've had my RNY 6 months now and its been such smooth sailing compared to my 3 years with a band

The statistics of something happening to a 2nd band once theres complications from the first are really high. I wouldn't risk it. My band slipped last year and 5 weeks ago I had a sleeve revision. Lost 18 lbs of the 30 I gained over the last year that it was slipped. Only about 26 lbs left to goal. Glad to be rid of my contraption (as my hubby called it!). Took my dr 30 minutes to dig it out of my stomach. It was totally embedded. Good luck to you!

Thank you for ALL the advice!!! Today was a MUCH better - I have been on soft food since Sunday as per my meal plan from my doc. Foods on my acceptable list are : eggs, chicken, baked fish, crab, melon, pear, banana, yogurt, steamed veggies. (I had to be on pureed foods for 3 days before that and "full" liquid for 3 before that - and clear liquid for three before that. I have been VERY blessed to have very few complications and only felt that I have had "too much" restriction once when I didnt chew well enough before I swollowed. I was feeling hungry because I have reactive hypoglicemia because of my p.c.o.s. -but today I took Betsy's advice - and toughened up!!! I moved my meal times back later in the day and stuck with a skim milk with sugar free carnation this afternoon and NO cheating!!! Yeah!!! One good day down and many more to come. (My morning weigh in was a huge wake up call - only lost 3 ounces since Sunday!!) THANK YOU SOOO much to my new lap band friends - this has been a HUGE help and encouragement and look forwaed to many more pounds lost together!!!:thumbup:

Banded on 03/28/07. No complications. I felt almost completely healed at two weeks out. My Doctor wanted me to remain on Clear Liquids and Protein Shakes for two ADDITIONAL weeks (until one month after surgery). He said this was for weight loss as well as to let adhesions develop around the band. I could lie and say I was following his rules, but at the two-week mark I started on full liquids, then mushies. Never felt a twinge from the band on any of it. Couple days later, I was on solids again, chewing well and feeling great. I've got a valid excuse in that the Protein shakes were making me gag- literally. Seven different brands of powder and can, all nasty. Plus, the only clear liquids that tasted good to drink were sugary fruit juices- I am not a broth/soup person at all. I was genuinely worried that I would "sugar" myself out of losing any weight. I wasn't getting enough protein, felt weak and tired. Now, my doctor and I had already discussed me doing Atkins on the band until I'm done losing. He also put me on Phentermine (appetite suppressant) to speed this whole process and help me through bandster hell. Anyway, I've been doing Atkins with only a couple minor cheating incidents. I get my protein from real meat. I avoid sugar. I feel FREAKING AWESOME. Today is exactly one month out and I'm down almost 50 pounds. I know, I know, should have followed doctor's orders... I know, I know, could have lost more already w/out the food. And yes, I have been exercising a little bit and taking my Vitamins. My portions went from tiny to almost-normal as my body got used to food again, so that I can just about finish a chicken breast, burger patty or can of tuna and I feel very satisfied with that. But even in supposed bandster hell with no fill, I just am not that hungry. I have to force myself to eat, most days. Some of that is the Phentermine working (you can feel it when you're on it), but even without the pills my hunger just isn't like it was. Don't doubt, I already pushed myself once, trying to eat the old way: I overdid it on on chinese spicy beef and the band let me know about it! Just ate too much, felt like I was bloated and it was pressing up UNDER the band? Wierd, but it went away when I took a gas-x tab. Regardless, I am so glad I had this surgery done. I plan on going under 300 pounds next month. I can't wait to get a fill (on 05/10/07)and watch my portion size drop back down again. Oh, one last dark little confession because I am a bad man: In order to avoid stressing the band, I've been drinking with meals to keep it flushed. I don't have restriction ANYWAY, but I wanted to let the adhesions form like the doctor talked about. He said food sitting in the band would push it down, that was the reason for the long liquids period- I tried to get around it my own dunder-headed way. So, it's time to buckle down and stop drinking with my meals. Thanks for reading this novella, please berate me for being pigheaded and breaking the rules. I know I deserve it. *ducks and covers*

Hello all, I am getting ready to begin the process for getting the sleeve hopefully. I have my first appointment this week with my Medical Doctor and psychologist. I hope I can get approved for real. I haven't been to the doctor in years almost 10 so I am scared with what they may say and if that may have any complications. I'm 480 6'6. I am pretty active. I just started back working out. Been playing basketball 2-3 times a week. Don't have as much energy as the competition lol. Any tips on how I can be successful??

I would just talk to your surgeon. If your just sitting barring you have no complications I don't see why you can't go back after a week.

Not everyone has "damn complications." I'm doing very well after gastric bypass, and I say that even though I developed an internal hernia nine months later. This is a SERIOUS complication but I caught it on time, had outpatient surgery and am doing great. I am grateful I was able to have surgery and I don't regret it one bit.

I have tried to keep upbeat during my journey even though it has been through it all. Band 2009 revised to sleeve 2014 and revising to bypass in April. One thing that I do know, is if I hadn't been through this journey, I would still be diabetic. I take the good with the bad and being diabetic for me was the really really bad. My family has had both my maternal great grandmother and grandmother losing legs to diabetes, my mother is diabetic and when I was diagnosed in my 30s I wasn't having any of that. Yes I have had so many complications, but I also have my life and I am thankful for that. I am concerned that someone on this page is so adamant on not getting revised that they are trying to scare people into making decisions that are only their own to make, not their families, not truly their spouses, this decision is truly only between that person and their doctor. My spouse is supportive, my mother is not. I don't really care. I have not been diabetic since 2009 and that was my main goal!

I have tried to keep upbeat during my journey even though it has been through it all. Band 2009 revised to sleeve 2014 and revising to bypass in April. One thing that I do know, is if I hadn't been through this journey, I would still be diabetic. I take the good with the bad and being diabetic for me was the really really bad. My family has had both my maternal great grandmother and grandmother losing legs to diabetes, my mother is diabetic and when I was diagnosed in my 30s I wasn't having any of that. Yes I have had so many complications, but I also have my life and I am thankful for that. I am concerned that someone on this page is so adamant on not getting revised that they are trying to scare people into making decisions that are only their own to make, not their families, not truly their spouses, this decision is truly only between that person and their doctor. My spouse is supportive, my mother is not. I don't really care. I have not been diabetic since 2009 and that was my main goal!

I think you are doing great. I also had lap band booked but had to post pone due to some other issues. Since then I have started eating healthier and I wouldn't even call it dieting because I still treat myself and I have lost 20.5 pounds. I was starting to have cold feet with the lap band when I had to post pone it and now I'm glad I did. I'm not naive enough to say that this time it will work for sure but for now it's working and I feel great. All the negative postings and complications that I have read on this forum had me thinking twice but since I did postpone the surgery I am ok with my decision. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your updates on your weight loss. Prove to everyone that willpower can go a long way!

Hi, I have Multiple sclerosis and was dx about 5 years ago. I am just starting the lapband journey. I went to see my dr today and just filled out some paperwork and got some labs done. My neuro said that he did not know of any complications with ms and the lapband and the surgeon said it would not be a problem. I am still kind of nervous about it though . I am so glad that you have had good results with the band mis73!

I was out patient however not on fast recovery. My surgeon only did outpatient on Monday mornings in case there were any complications. Could not eat day of surgery, 2 protein drinks and dinner of protein & veg. No juices, no sodas. Post surgery the same as most here, clear liquids to liquids to puree etc.

Sometimes in life we have periods of intense lonelyness. This may be yours. The question is how much do you need their support? Is your mother your primary means of child care? Are you leaving you child when her when you go? If you are doing this on your own and you are planning on not asking them for anything then I would advice you to proceed with extreme caution and get what you need. If they are giving you money, or doing you other big favors though... It's a little more complicated.

Hay im in clovis as well finally someone from where I am ....lol I was just sleeved friday nov 1.....no complications thus far DR. JUAREZ DID mine great doctor

It is the actual stomach tissue that erode..... come on.... think about it. I'll see if I can find an actual picture or something...... The use of NSAIDS, alcohol and smoking are proposed as three of the main factors contributing to hyperacidity and irritation of the mucosa layer of the stomach. This important layer prevent us from acquiring an ulcer and when the irritation is persistent causes its erosion and then the erosion of all the wall layers of the stomach favoring the lap band to migrate into the stomach (”inside out” erosion theory). just found this at "thinner times" Lap-Band erosion is migration of the band through the stomach wall into the stomach. This complication occurs in less than 2% of patients when surgeons use present day technique (pars flacidatechnique). It was significantly more common early on when the band was placed tightly against the stomach (peri-gastric technique).

Hi - I am one year post-op tomorrow. What a difference a year can make! I thought I would respond to some of your worries. They are all very legitimate worries. I am the Queen of worrying, so I had an even longer list one year ago today! 1. Hair loss. This happened. I thought I was going to get away without it happening, but between 4-5 months it began. I lost a lot of hair. It is now growing back. 2. Blood thinners. Didn't need them or clinic didn't prescribe them. But I do have MS and have had to give myself injections over the years for that. It really is amazing how fast you get the hang of it. 3. Gas. They do pump you full of gas. The best way to get rid of it is to walk as much as possible as soon as possible. Walking will help with every part of your recovery. I was up the evening following my surgery and walked every few hours all night (they are coming in and waking you up anyway!), 4. Catheter. I had a catheter. It was inserted after they put me out and it was removed before I regained consciousness. No memory of that at all. No infection. 5. Complications. I had NONE! I worried I would have them all, but I sailed right through. I could have gone back to work after a week off I felt so good - I work in an office. I am 49 years old, so I am not a kid saying this either. Being active makes all the difference. 6. Family / Friends / Coworkers. My family have all been terrific - I could not have done this without them. Friends and coworkers, some have been great, others not so much. I have taken a lot of support right here. It is one of the things I love so much about this site. 7. Dehydration. For the first week you full time job is to drink. It is very possible to get it all in and be fine. Just think of it as the number one thing you have to do in those first days. 8. Stomach. This one I can't speak to. I have not had any problems now or in the past. But this surgery has been around for decades. I am sure they know how to scope and look for problems post RNY. It is one of the advantages I think of having this surgery over some of the other choices. 9. Dumping. This has never happened to me. I have been very careful to follow my clinic's plan and have not had any dumping symptoms at all. As time has passed I have tried sweets, even a few M & M candies or a bit or cake or pie. For many people, as long as you follow the rules, it doesn't happen. 10. Lose skin. I wish I had a more positive response to this one, but this is a big problem for me. I have lost 198 pounds in the last year. I was 331 when I began this journey and am now 133. My arms are the worst. I had HUGE arms. I also have lose skin on my legs and stomach. I was never big breasted, but now am probably an A-B cup. I work out every day. I don't think there is much you can do about this one. They say age and genetics and how much you lose will tell the tale. I wish there was a magic answer for this one. Best of luck to you! Even with the down stuff, I wouldn't go back to where I was a year ago for all the money in the world. I love my new healthy life! Carol

My insurance sent a denial letter for my lap band removal, calling it bariatric surgery. But, the letter also said pre-certification wasn't required for outpatient stays, which I was. So we're submitting and hoping fot the best. If they deny, I plan to fight until the bitter end because my health, and life, was being put at risk from my band-related complications.

From what my surgeons office educates you on is that the RNY is the best bang for your buck so to speak. You loose the most on RNY, 2nd is the sleeve and 3rd is the band. I figured that if I was going to have any type of surgeryit was going to be the one that will allow me to loose the most weight. I read that the band could slip, cause complications etc. and the sleeve you do not loose as much with either surgery vs. the RNY. So I chose the RNY....not that you cannot run into problems with the RNY but if you follow your dr's orders you will have no problems. I and 10000% glad I chose the RNY, I sailed thur surgery and recovery with no problems.

I'm so happy for you, I have surgery on Friday and I hope my recovery goes that well! I'm a revision from a sleeve after complications and my sleeve recovery was great (beyond the major complications) so I'm hoping I'll get lucky again and have another easy recovery. Keep us updated, I'm hoping you stay feeling this good but we are here for you if you hit a speed bump

Hi, I am Tiffany. I am 37. I am married to very supportive man. I am a long haul truck driver. I am having surgery August 10th in Bakersfield, CA. by Dr. John Garcia. I have to lose 20 pounds before surgery, I have already lost 13. liquid diet starts July 24th. Final weigh in is August 7th and then Monday the 10th is THE DAY! I have 5 kickbutt sisters, a fab mom, a great dad, and a wonderful mother-in-law, along with the hubby that are my support system. I have researched all WLS and I think this is what is right for me. My GP is wonderful and she is very supportive. I am a self pay, so I am a bit nervous for complications due to the $$$ factor, but I am trying not to get obsessed about it. Good luck everyone!!!:thumbup:

I took 10 working days, which wound up equaling (sp?) 16 days off for me with regular days off in the middle. I was going to go back sooner, after the first week. But I had a complication, my body decided it didnt like the dissolvable stitches. So you know how when you heal, it itches? Well, I thought thats all it was at first. Then it got insane! I went in and they gave me a short few days worth dose of prednisone. My job is sitting on the phones all day, so it's not like it's physically strenuous. But mentally... it can be from time to time. 911 calls, you never kow what's on the other end of the line.

Well, you are probably surprised because you list advantages that are really marketing gimmicks and not really advantages. So it is understandable why you are surprised. 1. MUCH less invasive Yea, it is less invasive of a SURGERY, but in reality is more invasive in daily life, and it is only slightly less invasive then getting a sleeve. Some would argue it is actually more invasive then the sleeve, since it creates a restriction point "stoma" to get food stuck on instead of just making the stomach smaller. 2. Reversible if needed. Well, when exactly is it needed to reverse the band surgery? Well frankly, when it fails due to complications......Slips, Erosions, Infections, Port Flips, Acid Reflux. 3. Fewer complications. That may be true for the surgery, but as for actual long term complications, it simply isn't true. In fact many would argue that long term complications are more with the band. I think that is pretty obviously true, but bury your head in the sand and pretend like it won't happen to you, if you want. 4. No malabsorption are vitamin deficiency. Well some people need malabsorption to be successful, and why do I have to take Vitamins everyday on the band, if it is not an issue? 5. No dumping syndrome. Well, true, but if you eat those things that cause dumping with a bypass and you have a band, you are pretty much guaranteed to not lose weight with the band. So what really is the point? What your really saying is that the band will let you cheat and eat sugary stuff without a consequence other then no weight loss. 6. Corrects overeating behaviour. NO it does not correct the behaviour. It prevents it to some extent, but so do the other surgeries, so how is that an advantage over the others. It doesn't truely correct the behaviour, because the people who don't have restriction because the band isn't adjusted correctly simply aren't going to lose weight. If you remove it, you behaviour isn't corrected, you gain the weight back. 7. LIFELONG? Yea right, thats why there are so many banders who have had the band for so long. Please everyone with any research will tell you that for a majority of people 10 years is about the most you can expect to get out of the band before it has to come out, or has to be unfilled because of complications. Man, every one of your reasons are BS. Quit reading the marketing BS of these companies and think about the realities of the band.