hey everyone

I am new here, and I had a couple of questions. Hopefully getting banded on the 4th of November. ok well here are some of my questions. My doctor(Dr. Jayaseelan) is giving me the larger van gaurd? band because I am a male and he said there is a lot less slipage and problems, I am here for the peoples opinion.

-which band is better for weightloss?why?

-what is the most amount of weight lost by someone with the band/period of time?

-I noticed some people lose extremely slow and some fast what's the trick?

-do these forums have an average lb/month weightloss for the bandsters?

-what is the worst part of the whole process? the liquid diet is killing me already

thanks in advance

I can't answer your questions sorry...but I will say, of the last 5 weeks, the 2 week pre op liquid diet was THE worst part. Hang in there, it's worth it. Every time I felt like caving I imagined my surgeon saying sorry I can't do the band until you do it. That fixed me every time lol.

I'm pretty newly banded, so can't anwser all of your questions...but maybe some.

I don't think either band is better...the vanguard band I believe is a bit bigger and is sometimes needed for men. I'd go with what the doctor recomends as he is the expert hopefully at this.

I dont' know about most...but I know someone just posted their 6 month sucess of 101lbs. Thats AWESOME. I think most people average 1-2lbs a month.

Some people just loose slower based on their body's chemistry I think. Some medications and some medical promblems can make it harder to loose. I think the main trick is following the band rules. It's real easy to eat some foods that might not be the best choices. Try to always get enough protien in...don't drink with meals, and move. Those are the most important rules I've seen stressed over and over by other bandsters.

For me, besides the waiting for a surgery date was the 2nd week of liquid diet. I was getting enough protien in...so I wasn't really hungry. But I was bored to tears with protien shakes. I'm of a limited selection of soft foods now and enjoying it VERY much. I found that when I drank 2 oz of protien every hour instead of trying to drink it all at once I was less cranky.

I didn't experience alot of pain after surgery, I recomend walking as MUCH as possible before and after surgery. I really believe it helps.

I'm sure others will chime in soon with more knowledgeable anwsers.....Good luck on your big day.

Melissa