new and excited!
Hi Im new to the forum, Ive booked my surgery for June 4th at the CIBO Clinic in Toronto after a long time of research on what clinic I want to go to. Im really excited for this surgery and I know that it will be the help that I need to be successful in my weightloss. I am 33 years old and I have an 8 year old son who its hard to keep up with at this size and I know that I only have a few years left if Im lucky that he will still want to do things with "Mom", I cant wait to be able to use this tool to help propel me forward in reaching my goals (its a lofty one of 200 lbs!!). I know I can do it and I know that I cant just get the band and think thats the it, it will do it for me. I think I have set myself up pretty well so far heading into this, I have found the perfect personal trainer for myself, to help me along the way. I have told only a few select friends what I am doing, Im not entirely sure why Im hestitant to tell everyone, but I will tell them if they ask what I am doing when it becomes noticiable that Im losing weight. Anyway I just wanted to share that I am starting my journey and I hope that I will be able to keep anyone updated on my progress as I go on here and have my questions answered as I go along, as I am sure I will have some throughout my journey. One thing that I do wonder is how fast are people losing? Im figuring it will take me about 3 years to lose the 200, Im hopeful that it will be faster but I know it didnt take me 3 years to get here so that is progress in its self on reversing it.
Thanks
Nicole
Thanks
Nicole
You're setting yourself up for disappointment if you try to plan out how much time it will take to lose a certain number of pounds, honestly. There's no way to plan for this. Your metabolism, how much you exercise and what kinds of things you eat all influence it.
Also, have you researched how many bands fail? It's at about 40% currently... and that's only the ones that have actually reported. My band damaged and nearly killed me, but "on the books," I'm a "successful banding story" because I lost over 100 pounds. (Through starvation. The band didn't allow me to eat ANY solid foods.) This is why I say that you shouldn't set yourself up to lose x pounds in x amount of time. I know that in black and white, it seems logical that if you lose 2 pounds a week, you'll be at a certain weight in a certain time frame. But it doesn't work that way at all.
I really wish I could talk you out of going ahead with banding. It just breaks my heart to see people still going through with this surgery, in spite of all the negative things that are coming to the forefront. There are people WITH bands who currently say that knowing what they know NOW, they'd never have gotten one.
Please read the Revisions forum here, as well as the failed forum before it's too late. I know... it seems like I'm "bashing" the band. I don't see it as "bashing" as much as simply being really honest. It's a harmful, damaging device. I was just talking to a woman who went in for a "simple band removal" and it turned out that the band had eroded into her stomach and she is currently in excruciating pain. It's not a "one in a million" type of occurrence. It happens A LOT. For your sake and the sake of your child, PLEASE read about the complications and take them to heart.
I hate being a buzzkill. In "real life," my friends would tell you that I'm a happy, positive person. But when it comes to the subject of the lapband, I just CAN'T stay silent. And I'm sorry to rain on your parade, truly. I just don't want to see another person get hurt.
Also, have you researched how many bands fail? It's at about 40% currently... and that's only the ones that have actually reported. My band damaged and nearly killed me, but "on the books," I'm a "successful banding story" because I lost over 100 pounds. (Through starvation. The band didn't allow me to eat ANY solid foods.) This is why I say that you shouldn't set yourself up to lose x pounds in x amount of time. I know that in black and white, it seems logical that if you lose 2 pounds a week, you'll be at a certain weight in a certain time frame. But it doesn't work that way at all.
I really wish I could talk you out of going ahead with banding. It just breaks my heart to see people still going through with this surgery, in spite of all the negative things that are coming to the forefront. There are people WITH bands who currently say that knowing what they know NOW, they'd never have gotten one.
Please read the Revisions forum here, as well as the failed forum before it's too late. I know... it seems like I'm "bashing" the band. I don't see it as "bashing" as much as simply being really honest. It's a harmful, damaging device. I was just talking to a woman who went in for a "simple band removal" and it turned out that the band had eroded into her stomach and she is currently in excruciating pain. It's not a "one in a million" type of occurrence. It happens A LOT. For your sake and the sake of your child, PLEASE read about the complications and take them to heart.
I hate being a buzzkill. In "real life," my friends would tell you that I'm a happy, positive person. But when it comes to the subject of the lapband, I just CAN'T stay silent. And I'm sorry to rain on your parade, truly. I just don't want to see another person get hurt.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
I dont think you are raining on my parade, but I have done a lot of research into what I want to get and for me this is the answer that I want to go with and that I the most comfortable with for me and my body. I in no way will ever want to get bi-pass or sleeve, thats not for me. I have family members and friends who have done the band and love it, I also have a couple for friends that had the gastric bi-pass and have had a horrible experience with it and are now going to get the band done. I realize that everyone is different and loses at different amounts and rates. I dont think that I am setting myself up for failure by anticipating a timeframe, 3 years is not super fast of a time frame, I am well aware that I may take longer or I may be shorter than that to get to my goal weight, but its my journey that will take me there through my choices along the way. My aunt lost super quick and was at her goal weight of 100 lbs gone in 5 months, but my uncle took 2 years to get to 90lbs. Thank you for your information though its never a bad thing to be too well informed in anything that you do.
On May 11, 2012 at 9:27 AM Pacific Time, NicoleH79 wrote:
I dont think you are raining on my parade, but I have done a lot of research into what I want to get and for me this is the answer that I want to go with and that I the most comfortable with for me and my body. I in no way will ever want to get bi-pass or sleeve, thats not for me. I have family members and friends who have done the band and love it, I also have a couple for friends that had the gastric bi-pass and have had a horrible experience with it and are now going to get the band done. I realize that everyone is different and loses at different amounts and rates. I dont think that I am setting myself up for failure by anticipating a timeframe, 3 years is not super fast of a time frame, I am well aware that I may take longer or I may be shorter than that to get to my goal weight, but its my journey that will take me there through my choices along the way. My aunt lost super quick and was at her goal weight of 100 lbs gone in 5 months, but my uncle took 2 years to get to 90lbs. Thank you for your information though its never a bad thing to be too well informed in anything that you do.~ I realize that everyone is different and loses at different amounts and rates. I dont think that I am setting myself up for failure~
Perhaps you haven't researched as well as you think you have. Some bandsters never even lose a pound!
Allergan Subpoena
Why do you think some countries no longer allow banding. Why do you think some Drs. now refuse to band?
I have to agree with Nic M on this... I almost died in December from my band. I did EVERYTHING right. My doctor told me I was the perfect patient. I lost 80 pounds within about 10-11 months. THEN... it started...
I developed a hernia at the top of the band, they took the fluid out since I coule not even hold ice chips down. They told me that my stomach would heal itself. I lived with the "good food days" and the "bad food days" for the next couple of years. There were days I could eat almost normal, then there were days when I could not eat anything. The doctor kept telling me it was in my head, nothing was wrong. This was normal. REALLY???
I was told that I would be able to eat less. I was told to make wise choices in what I eat, protein first, vegetables, etc. I love salad. I was told to chew, chew, chew. I was told not to drink with meals.
What I was not told.
That after 2 years, I could no longer digest any protein. Even eggs stopped working for me. That salad was no longer an option for me, as soon as I would take 2 bites, even after chewing until my jaw hurt and it was mu**** would come right back up. No one would tell me that I would have to carry a "barf" bag or empty soda cup with me wherever I go, cause God only knows when you are going to have to throw up. No one told me that even though you can sit in a restaurant and only eat soup, you will have to know the nearest route to the bathroom, cause you are going to throw up.
Yet... I still kept thinking that it was me. I was doing something wrong. Now it is really messing with my self esteem. I lost the 80+ pounds (a little over 90 when they took the fluid out). Of course that last 10 was because the last 4 days before that I could not even keep ice down. I thought, it had to work, I wouldn't have lost that weight without it. Well, by the beginning of the 4th year, no protein, no salads, about the only foods that would digest was sugar.. yes, sugar. I tried oatmeal, cream of wheat, anything that was smooth consistency. Mashed potatoes became my comfort food, it was about the only thing I could digest. Well, I gained back 45 pounds... I thought... still not bad, I kept some weight off, it was worth it...
REALITY CHECK....
December 12, 2011 - sharp pains in my back, then my left shoulder (no one explained the left shoulder pain to me before either). I thought I must have pulled a muscle. 2 nights later went to the ER, told them I had the lap band cause that is the first thing I would tell any doctor. They gave me some Demerol, told me I pulled a muscle and sent me home. That was after a CT scan of the abdomen area. Next night, went back to ER. They were ready to send me home again, had me sign my release papers, then my bloodwork came back. I had leukocytosis, they took another scan. Next thing I know, I was being rushed to another hospital by ambulance. I ended up having emergency surgery where the doctor had come in and told me that he could not guarantee I would even make it, that it was a matter of life and death. After 6 - 1/2 hours, I woke up in ICU, where I spent the next couple of days. They had to remove my band, which had slipped, cut off ALL of the blood supply to my stomach. They had to give me a partial gastrectomy (in other words, remove over half of my stomach), they had to untangle the band from my liver because the band had eroded into my stomach and liver. I spent the next week in the hospital. Nothing by mouth for a week, not even an ice cube. I had a feeding tube hanging out of my stomach for the next 2 months, not using it, had to start all over again with the soft foods and work myself to normal.
The band is OUT... I can now eat salad and chicken again. I can't eat as much as a normal person because I only have half a stomach, but I can eat the foods that are good for me.
I learned that the failure of the band was NOT my fault. I have met a lot of wonderful people that have been through the same things. Some not as bad, some worse. I almost died because I wanted to lose weight to save my life. I was told the band was the safest device out there. Guess what... It isn't.
Yes, it has worked for some people, however, like Nic, I was classified as a positive percentage. They do not check years later to find out how people are doing and add that to the percentage. A lot of people that the band has failed do not step forward because it makes them believe they are the failure.
Please before you get the band, do ALL of your research. Look into VSG, or RNY. Really look at the faiure rate of the band. There is a lot more out there today than there was when I got my band in 2007. Most of all, Good Luck with whatever decision you make.
Like Nic, I am not bashing the band. I just want you to know ALL the sides...
I developed a hernia at the top of the band, they took the fluid out since I coule not even hold ice chips down. They told me that my stomach would heal itself. I lived with the "good food days" and the "bad food days" for the next couple of years. There were days I could eat almost normal, then there were days when I could not eat anything. The doctor kept telling me it was in my head, nothing was wrong. This was normal. REALLY???
I was told that I would be able to eat less. I was told to make wise choices in what I eat, protein first, vegetables, etc. I love salad. I was told to chew, chew, chew. I was told not to drink with meals.
What I was not told.
That after 2 years, I could no longer digest any protein. Even eggs stopped working for me. That salad was no longer an option for me, as soon as I would take 2 bites, even after chewing until my jaw hurt and it was mu**** would come right back up. No one would tell me that I would have to carry a "barf" bag or empty soda cup with me wherever I go, cause God only knows when you are going to have to throw up. No one told me that even though you can sit in a restaurant and only eat soup, you will have to know the nearest route to the bathroom, cause you are going to throw up.
Yet... I still kept thinking that it was me. I was doing something wrong. Now it is really messing with my self esteem. I lost the 80+ pounds (a little over 90 when they took the fluid out). Of course that last 10 was because the last 4 days before that I could not even keep ice down. I thought, it had to work, I wouldn't have lost that weight without it. Well, by the beginning of the 4th year, no protein, no salads, about the only foods that would digest was sugar.. yes, sugar. I tried oatmeal, cream of wheat, anything that was smooth consistency. Mashed potatoes became my comfort food, it was about the only thing I could digest. Well, I gained back 45 pounds... I thought... still not bad, I kept some weight off, it was worth it...
REALITY CHECK....
December 12, 2011 - sharp pains in my back, then my left shoulder (no one explained the left shoulder pain to me before either). I thought I must have pulled a muscle. 2 nights later went to the ER, told them I had the lap band cause that is the first thing I would tell any doctor. They gave me some Demerol, told me I pulled a muscle and sent me home. That was after a CT scan of the abdomen area. Next night, went back to ER. They were ready to send me home again, had me sign my release papers, then my bloodwork came back. I had leukocytosis, they took another scan. Next thing I know, I was being rushed to another hospital by ambulance. I ended up having emergency surgery where the doctor had come in and told me that he could not guarantee I would even make it, that it was a matter of life and death. After 6 - 1/2 hours, I woke up in ICU, where I spent the next couple of days. They had to remove my band, which had slipped, cut off ALL of the blood supply to my stomach. They had to give me a partial gastrectomy (in other words, remove over half of my stomach), they had to untangle the band from my liver because the band had eroded into my stomach and liver. I spent the next week in the hospital. Nothing by mouth for a week, not even an ice cube. I had a feeding tube hanging out of my stomach for the next 2 months, not using it, had to start all over again with the soft foods and work myself to normal.
The band is OUT... I can now eat salad and chicken again. I can't eat as much as a normal person because I only have half a stomach, but I can eat the foods that are good for me.
I learned that the failure of the band was NOT my fault. I have met a lot of wonderful people that have been through the same things. Some not as bad, some worse. I almost died because I wanted to lose weight to save my life. I was told the band was the safest device out there. Guess what... It isn't.
Yes, it has worked for some people, however, like Nic, I was classified as a positive percentage. They do not check years later to find out how people are doing and add that to the percentage. A lot of people that the band has failed do not step forward because it makes them believe they are the failure.
Please before you get the band, do ALL of your research. Look into VSG, or RNY. Really look at the faiure rate of the band. There is a lot more out there today than there was when I got my band in 2007. Most of all, Good Luck with whatever decision you make.
Like Nic, I am not bashing the band. I just want you to know ALL the sides...
On May 11, 2012 at 10:07 AM Pacific Time, SeriouslyDoubtful wrote:
I have to agree with Nic M on this... I almost died in December from my band. I did EVERYTHING right. My doctor told me I was the perfect patient. I lost 80 pounds within about 10-11 months. THEN... it started...I developed a hernia at the top of the band, they took the fluid out since I coule not even hold ice chips down. They told me that my stomach would heal itself. I lived with the "good food days" and the "bad food days" for the next couple of years. There were days I could eat almost normal, then there were days when I could not eat anything. The doctor kept telling me it was in my head, nothing was wrong. This was normal. REALLY???
I was told that I would be able to eat less. I was told to make wise choices in what I eat, protein first, vegetables, etc. I love salad. I was told to chew, chew, chew. I was told not to drink with meals.
What I was not told.
That after 2 years, I could no longer digest any protein. Even eggs stopped working for me. That salad was no longer an option for me, as soon as I would take 2 bites, even after chewing until my jaw hurt and it was mu**** would come right back up. No one would tell me that I would have to carry a "barf" bag or empty soda cup with me wherever I go, cause God only knows when you are going to have to throw up. No one told me that even though you can sit in a restaurant and only eat soup, you will have to know the nearest route to the bathroom, cause you are going to throw up.
Yet... I still kept thinking that it was me. I was doing something wrong. Now it is really messing with my self esteem. I lost the 80+ pounds (a little over 90 when they took the fluid out). Of course that last 10 was because the last 4 days before that I could not even keep ice down. I thought, it had to work, I wouldn't have lost that weight without it. Well, by the beginning of the 4th year, no protein, no salads, about the only foods that would digest was sugar.. yes, sugar. I tried oatmeal, cream of wheat, anything that was smooth consistency. Mashed potatoes became my comfort food, it was about the only thing I could digest. Well, I gained back 45 pounds... I thought... still not bad, I kept some weight off, it was worth it...
REALITY CHECK....
December 12, 2011 - sharp pains in my back, then my left shoulder (no one explained the left shoulder pain to me before either). I thought I must have pulled a muscle. 2 nights later went to the ER, told them I had the lap band cause that is the first thing I would tell any doctor. They gave me some Demerol, told me I pulled a muscle and sent me home. That was after a CT scan of the abdomen area. Next night, went back to ER. They were ready to send me home again, had me sign my release papers, then my bloodwork came back. I had leukocytosis, they took another scan. Next thing I know, I was being rushed to another hospital by ambulance. I ended up having emergency surgery where the doctor had come in and told me that he could not guarantee I would even make it, that it was a matter of life and death. After 6 - 1/2 hours, I woke up in ICU, where I spent the next couple of days. They had to remove my band, which had slipped, cut off ALL of the blood supply to my stomach. They had to give me a partial gastrectomy (in other words, remove over half of my stomach), they had to untangle the band from my liver because the band had eroded into my stomach and liver. I spent the next week in the hospital. Nothing by mouth for a week, not even an ice cube. I had a feeding tube hanging out of my stomach for the next 2 months, not using it, had to start all over again with the soft foods and work myself to normal.
The band is OUT... I can now eat salad and chicken again. I can't eat as much as a normal person because I only have half a stomach, but I can eat the foods that are good for me.
I learned that the failure of the band was NOT my fault. I have met a lot of wonderful people that have been through the same things. Some not as bad, some worse. I almost died because I wanted to lose weight to save my life. I was told the band was the safest device out there. Guess what... It isn't.
Yes, it has worked for some people, however, like Nic, I was classified as a positive percentage. They do not check years later to find out how people are doing and add that to the percentage. A lot of people that the band has failed do not step forward because it makes them believe they are the failure.
Please before you get the band, do ALL of your research. Look into VSG, or RNY. Really look at the faiure rate of the band. There is a lot more out there today than there was when I got my band in 2007. Most of all, Good Luck with whatever decision you make.
Like Nic, I am not bashing the band. I just want you to know ALL the sides...
Thanks for sharing your story. For some reason many bandsters/perspective bandsters do NOT want to hear things like this.
You are so right about how they don't check years later to find out how people are doing and add that to the percentages! The only half way realistic stats I have seen are the ones quoted in the Allergan subpoena!
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