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Should I get the band



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I'm getting the band in Tuesday but I'm ready so many people are getting switched over to the sleeve. My doctor does less bands and more sleeves now. I'm concerned about not absorbing Calcium as I have some osteopenia. My mom had gastric bypass years ago and can't absorb Calcium and has osteoporosis. My sister recently has had issues with her sleeve she needs surgery for scar tissue. Too much info out there. Me being a R N doesn't help.

Are people happy with their bands? Why did you choose the band? Anyone recently get banded and why that choice?

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Being a RN you have access to information on all of the WLS surgery options. I cannot give you medical advice only my personal experience. I was 66 years old when I made the decision to try to improve my health. I had type 2 Diabetes, High Blood pressure and HIgh cholesterol. My mobility was decreasing daily, I had no energy . I went to a seminar and talked to several friends who I knew had had weight loss surgery. Every WLS has side effects or down sides. I made my decision to get the band because I did not want to lose 80 % of my stomach (Sleeve) I did not want to have my intestines re-routed (bypass). the band was minimally invasive, and after talking with my banded friends determined that this surgery could be a long term solution to a long problem. It is not the easy way out as some say, it's still work and you have to follow the rules. However, I have lost most of my weight and feel like a new person. After almost 3 years I have changed the way I look at food and even this Thanksgiving has been a challenge but I know even though I ate more unhealthy than normal I will be back on track today and will continue to maintain my loss. Recovery from band surgery was pretty easy, I had some shoulder pain for a few days and some Constipation. Both resolved pretty quickly. Staying hydrated has always been a priority. Drinking tons of Water every day and taking my Vitamins is a daily routine now. I take calcium chews I have osteoporosis and have arthritis in my hips so the Calcium is a must. The other plus side to the band is none of my Vitamins are malabsorbed. I'm not sure why with the other surgeries that happens but I know in my case with the band It does not.

As usual, you are the best judge of what you need for you. Just wanted to give you my experience. Best of Luck on your decision and Let us know how you are doing.

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Great post, Sharpie! I love my band -- this has been an amazing two years and I'm very grateful for all that has transpired. Best wishes to you! There are a couple of links in my signature below that explain more about how the band works.

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Thanks Bandista.. those are good links. life is so much better being banded...

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Thanks for the response. Yes, I've done my research. I don't want my stomach taken out and I would never have my intestines rerouted. I exercise and enjoy it I look forward to doing yoga where my stomach doesn't get in the way of floor exercises. I've been working on eating smaller portions and see how my family contributes to eating also. I'm changing what food we have in my house. 3 years ago I had to have a hysterectomy and a lot of stress at work and my BP sky rocketed so now I'm on BP meds. I have sleep apnea but really think I've had this since before college when I was thin. My entire family has sleeping disorders. A couple of years ago I realized I sleep eat on ambien, scary. I know I shouldn't read too much. I've found a lot of good info to prepare for post op. Today I'm cooking Soups and freezing in ice cube trays. My liquid and full liquid diet is ready to go.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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