Hi all,

I am scheduled for my first consult in early Dec. and hope to be banded no later than January.

I (regretably) told my sister about my plans and she has had nothing but warnings for me about the risks. She also said that I would feel sick after I eat for the rest of my life. Is this true?

I hope to lose 80+ lbs. For those of you out there who have lost this much weight (good job!), are you going to have to have more surgery like a tummy tuck or breast lift? I definitely want to lose this weight, but I am wondering if I am going to have to have MORE surgery when all is said and done.

Thank you for any input on these two issues.

No, that's not true. You feel perfectly normal if you eat properly, that is you eat small bites, chew well, eat a small amount and avoidany foods that personally cause you problems.

And anyway, "feeling sick" doesnt describe it. Its not nausea and its nothing like vomiting when you're actually ill. The words "productive burp" describe it well. It can be uncomfortable and painful, but its not the same as that awful nauseous, like down on the bathroom tiles between bouts of vomiting sick.

Its more like that lump in the chest feeling that foods can give you now if you eat really fast - bananas in particularl used to do that to me.

As for your sister - dont you just love how people can be such experts on things they havent experienced themselves?.

I haven't told too many people because of the negative remarks I have gotten. For me being banded is the best thing I have ever done for myself! NO, you don't feel sick every time you eat! However if you don't follow the rules like chew chew chew and stop eating when you are no longer hungry you can have problems. I got sick only once. I was out to dinner and just kept eating even though I knew I was full. It just tasted too good. Well I paid for that big time! I will never do that again. Good luck and do what you need to do for yourself!

Thank you Diane. I appreciate your comment. I don't want to do anything that is going to make me feel sick all of the time.

You will do great! Oh I dont think we answered you regarding additional surgery. I know some people have tummy tucks etc once all the weight is gone, I'm too old to worry about that unless I hit the lotto! Every one is different when it comes to how much their skin sags.

And as far as how your feel...I feel great. It has been 2 months and I have tons of energy (more than what I had before). I am one of the few that had complications post op. I am allergic to latex and adhesives. I am also a CCU nurse and exposed to MRSA and all kinds of bugs. 36 hours post op I ended up in the ER with Nausea and vomiting, a fever, pain, and a very swollen port site. I ended up staying in the hospital for a week while they considered taking my band out. Well, they really don't know what happened, but after rounds of antibiotics and pain meds, I was sent home. I feel great now and don't regret a thing (although when I was in the ER I considered clawing the band out...was kinda claustrophobic and it felt like I couldn't breath). Now I am very protective of my band and follow the rules exactly. The only time I got "stuck" was when I ate a boiled egg too fast. No biggie...after PBing, I got down in the "downward facing dog" yoga move and it was all gone!

This is really good info. Thank you. Yikes, those complications sound awful, and I have no idea what I will do if something like that happens since I am a self pay. The hospital charges would wipe us out.

typically when food gets stuck - it's my fault, i've eaten too fast. it's an issue a yr out that i sometimes forget that i have the band, then realize i have to slow down, and chew a bit more. to date there is no food i avoid - aside from fast food & crap, which i really didn't care for prior to banding....

you have as much to lose as i have lost. no issues with skin for me requiring plastic surgery. i do have an appt the first of Jan to get my eyes done....:thumbup:. want the eyes to appear the way the rest of me feels...!!!