Hi, I'm new here, my name is Suz. When my niece had gastric bypass 3 years ago I began thinking about doing it myself. I changed my mind for and against probably a hundred times. My brother had gastric bypass about 20 years ago and has gained back almost all the weight he lost, he's an idiot. My niece who was just as big as Carnie Wilson is now a size 8 and has not gained any weight in 3 years. My sister-in-law had RNY and looks great after 2 years. I decided to research WLS in earnest about 5 months ago. First my PCP was not on the same page so I found a new one. Where I live there aren't a lot of choices so it took me 2 months to find a new PCP. But this guy is on the ball. I've already had my sleep study, blood work, and first surgical consult. The surgeon said I was a poor candidate for bypass because I have Irritable bowel syndrome. So now I'm looking into lap band. I've read posts on lots of WLS boards. I've heard lots of good stories and lots of bad stories.I went to a RNY seminar when I was thinking about that, and now I am registered for a lap band seminar. I still don't know what to do, risk the RNY and hope my IBS won't object, or have the lap band and lose weight slowly. Please help. Sorry for rambling. Suz

That is so sad for bypass patients to have that problem. How humiliating!

That IS very sad and I'm so glad I didn't go there.

Hello ladies, welcome! I've heard this band called 'the thinking person's wls' and I totally agree. This band helps you to learn to make the right choices and believe me, if I can lose 62lbs with it, anyone can. I'm the world's worst sinner, but even with that I'm 62 lbs lighter and still moving down the scale.

As for the Protein. The reason you want that first is because as you lose you do not want to lose your lean muscle mass. In order to help prevent this, you must take in enough protein to maintain that balance.

The rules are easy, protein first, veggies second, starches if you still have room. Drink, drink, drink, walk, walk, walk.

I love my band!!

Oh my gosh, that's horrible that everyone avoids your brother. Isn't the odor something that washes away? Is it really anal related? Two or three showers a day seems excessive, but can't that solve or help the problem? Is it a poopy smell?

It smells like hell's bowels. Have you ever been around when a septic tank was being sucked out, it's like that. You can shower all day and it won't help, it's from the especially pungent gas some RNY patients get. Most of them don't get it or maybe not as bad, but my family's chemistry is such that we get it really, really bad. Since I have IBS on top of that I would be in my own pew all the time! lol So now I turn to plan B: lap band. Leatha: Did it take you the whole year to lose 62 lbs? You're making me nervous, I need to lose 120lbs. I was hoping to lose it in about a year. I'm not getting any younger. Is it possible to lose that much in a year or so?

Suz, you're younger than me! Sure, I would have loved to get on the right track a long time ago. But the important thing is I'm doing it now. For years, I just sat around, cooped up in the house, and life marched right on by. I missed out on a lot. Since my banding, I have a whole new outlook -- about everything. I look forward to riding bikes each evening w/ my husband. I still have a long way to go. But I'm finally heading in the right direction - losing. I don't know how long it will take me to reach goal. But I'm willing to work at it for as long as it takes. My band is teaching me healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Please don't lock yourself into a certain amount of weight loss by a certain time.

Suz, Marie is right. You have nothing to gain by setting your sights on a particular number and date. Imagine losing even 60 lbs by one year out. Isn't that a hell of a lot better than NOT losing 60 lbs? Or than GAINING weight? I'm here to tell you that it is. When coming off a lifelong treadmill of fighting to lose three pounds only to gain five back, the experience of taking off 60 lbs in a year and KNOWING they will not come back is absolutely breathtaking.

One year is by no means the end of the road. The band is always there and there is no expiration date on its help. I'm still going strong and feel like I'm still in the beginning stages of my new life.

First let me say this:

DeLarla: Anal odor? Ewwwww. My wife had the GBP two years ago, and.........................I haven't, ummmm.......noticed anything out of the ordinary. Ahem.

Suz, do you know where alma is? The hospital there has started a program for WLS. There is a doctor's office there with Dr. Cudjoe as a specialist in roux en y and lap banding. They have a very good program to help you get through your insurance woes, and they've been doing it a while. That's where my wife went.

It's a bit closer for you if that is a consideration.

I have done all my soul searching and decided on the band, and my wife has had good luck with her "rny" but I have always taken a minimalist approach to medical help and the band still leaves me and my body in charge of my nutritional needs, and my weight loss.

My wife's weight loss was fast, inevitable, and completely out of her control.

Good luck!

ok guys, chill. I said I was hoping to lose 120 lbs in a year or so, emphasis on "or so". Meaning I have no set agenda for this just wanted to know if it was possible, relax. In 1966 I lost 66lbs on my own, not a real diet per se, just ate healthier. What lost the weight for me was probably more the exercise. I did that in 6 months. One of the things I like about the lap band is no one will stare and think I have cancer or something because I won't be taking it off so instantly like RNY. I value my privacy. It's just if I could take it off on my own, why get the band. I'll tell you why. Because after my husband kisses all that fat goodbye, it's gone for good, that's the bottom line. I'm thinking if I hoist my fanny off the couch and start exercising again like I used to I maybe could do this in a year, but don't worry, that's just my goal. If it doesn't happen I'm not gonna get the band out and cry in my beer, I'll keep pushing on. All this hassle for nothing? I don't think so. So the last time I looked up the WLS in Alma there was some problem, I don't exactly remember but I think they had just lost their bariatric surgeon, or didn't take my insurance or something, I will definatley give them a call Monday, thanks

Yes, they lost the first surgeon. This new guy seems very good, and he's done a lot of surgeries. I'm gonna trust him with my chubby little self.

They've gotten a coordinator from outstate who is a whiz at working with insurance companies, especially tough ones. She speaks at their seminars, which are free, and I found her quite impressive.

Hi there fellow Michigander, could you possibly give me Dr. Cudjoe's phone number ? If you'd rather not post it for any reason, email it to me, I'd really appreciate that. Thanks

Mmmmm, she said, "beer." Can anyone around here still drink beer? I was told "no carbonations" and so far I haven't tried any. I hear they are very painful, but I sure do love a good beer.

I started at 313. When I got below 300 for the first time in years I simply couldn't believe it. Then I hit the 280s and was floored. When I hit the 270s, I figured my scale was broken, because there is just no possible way I've lost that much weight.

Today I'm buying a new scale because my broken one says I'm in the 260s. No way.

When my doctor asked what my weight loss goal was, I said "I don't want to have to rock back and forth several times in order to gain the momentum to stand up from a chair."

I reached my goal. Any other weight loss is now gravy.

Actually I don't drink beer. I don't drink any alcohol, it gives me migraines. I have never had a cigarette in my mouth, I'm just a sguare, but it's hip to be square! I did not start putting on weight until I was in my late 20's, that was 20 years ago. When I really get motivated I'm successful at losing weight. Once after a successful diet I weighed 105 and they wouldn't let me donate blood! I was so skinny I was ill, anything under 130 and I get sick. I think it's true that if you've been obese all your life it's much harder to lose the weight. However I weighed 250 the last time I went to the doctor and probably have gained since then. I'm older now so it's a lot harder to lose, that's why I'm looking into wls. I'm babbling again, so sorry.

Originally posted by DeLarla

Mmmmm, she said, "beer." Can anyone around here still drink beer? I was told "no carbonations" and so far I haven't tried any. I hear they are very painful, but I sure do love a good beer.

I started at 313. When I got below 300 for the first time in years I simply couldn't believe it. Then I hit the 280s and was floored. When I hit the 270s, I figured my scale was broken, because there is just no possible way I've lost that much weight.

Today I'm buying a new scale because my broken one says I'm in the 260s. No way.

When my doctor asked what my weight loss goal was, I said "I don't want to have to rock back and forth several times in order to gain the momentum to stand up from a chair."

I reached my goal. Any other weight loss is now gravy.

I've been given the "You can't drink alcohol anymore" speech several times. My husband and I are big football fans and have season tickets to the Tennessee Titans, not having a beer or two during the game will be tough, but I figure it's a small price to pay to get the weight off. That doesn't mean I won't miss it!

Suz, haven't you figured it out yet....this is a "babbling board."

I don't see any reason not to put his number here, but the moderators might. So I'll e-mail you through your profile.