Hi,

I am researching the Lap Band, and my doctor says he would rather that I didn't get the Band at this time. He said I am too healthy for it and it is dangerous. I reminded him about my high cholesterol, and my request for Motrin for my aches and pains in my back, knees and now-heels and feet. He wants me to wait for some new pill that is suppose to be available this summer, something that doesn't have any bad side effects and having great results in testing. I don't remember what the name of it was.

So, anyway I am not real happy about our discussion about the Band. I am still researching.

What I want to know is this: do any of you smoke cigarettes? I smoke about a pack a day, which is WAY down from what I had been smoking. I know, it's a bad and unhealthy habit. I am asking because so many doctor's say they will not install the Band to a smoker. Just wondering if there are any smokers with the Band? Please don't yell at me. I know I need to quit--and have in the past. Just wondering about smoking with the Band... :smoke And I am not talking about those funny looking cigarettes!

Thanks a bunch!

I believe the name of the drug your talking about is called Acomplia a.k.a. Rimonabant. It is supposed to stop cravings through chemical changes in the brain and is also known to help smokers according to what I've read. You can do a web search or here's a quick link: www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/rimonabant .

My PCP recently told me about this as well b/c he knows I'm going for the lapband (which he still supports). I am starting to get the impression that this drug mfgr is putting a lot into marketing of this drug with PCP's to get the word out that it's coming this summer.

I am still more convinced then ever, that the band is the way for me. This drug does seem to have some good advantages however, we have seem so many of these "miracle" drugs come & go. Who knows, maybe this would be a good tool to use to stop smoking b4 having the lapband surgery.

I smoke. I should quit before surgery. But I probably won't. My bad. My surgeon knows I smoke and hasn't said a word to me about it. And I am NOT saying it was the right thing to do... but I smoked during the time I had to have a hysterectomy and didn't have any surgery/recovery complications. I do agree healing is easier without this nasty monkey on a person's back. I just can't seem to kick the habit. It's frustrating.