Hello. General Questions, Thoughts/Comments.

[Kevin86]

Hello.

I have enjoyed reading some posts. I have decided to peruse the idea of having the lapband surgery.

1) Are there any vegetarians out there? I'm curious how the lapband diet is different for you in comparison to a non vegetarian, if at all. Obviously you wouldn't be chugging down chicken broth anytime soon, guess that can easily be replaced with vegetable broth though.

2) I have heard some people on this forum mentioning some shoulder pain. I would like to hear more information about this, I've never seen any details on this. I find it strange since there is only a restrictive device being placed on the stomach, not sure how it would affect somebodies shoulder.

Guess that's it! I'm thinking about having it after I finish graduating from college... that's in June, so almost a year away. I'll try to do a bunch of work this school year to save up some money for the surgery. I've also requested people send me money as a graduation gift so I can apply it to the surgery.. !

I don't think people understand the lapband yet. My grandmother (obscenely fat) said it was an "easy way out" -- I just thought that was hilarious coming from her. My mother seems to scoff at the idea but I talk to her about it all the time, just so she realizes I am not changing my mind. I guess that is part of the beauty of being an adult... I get to make my own decisions!

I'm about 6' tall and weigh about 295 pounds. I have lost weight before, I mean to the point where I weighed a nice 180 pounds... but I was addicted to exercise, basically. I'd eat 500 or less calories a day and I exercised for a few hours every day (Intense stuff, I'd easily burn 1000 calories an hour). That was pretty crazy. Eventually I caved in to my addiction... I am a volume eater-- I can eat a lot. I think that's why the lapband will work well for me. I can lose the weight, I just need help ensuring that I do not eat a ton of food and gain it all back. This physical limitation will help relieve so much pressure from me-- I wont have to rely on the mental will power not to eat gigantic portions.

So, if somebody would like to comment on my questions that'd be nice. Also interested in people's thoughts about my situation-- whether they think I'd be a good candidate. Or if you just want to say "Hi", that's cool too.

[YorkieMommy]

Welcome!

I'm not vegetarian, but can let you know that it's really important to get in a lot of protein each day. So, you'll just have to get creative on where your protein comes from. Most things I have read say to have 60 grams of protein a day, but after 20 grams at once the body doesn't absorb it. If you find a protein packed shake/liquid that has more than 20 grams, just split it up through out the day and all will be well.

The shoulder pain comes from gas. When they do the surgery they squirt some gas in there to help give them more room to do the surgery. The gas heads north apparently to try to escape so that causes the shoulder pain because that's where it all builds up. How that "escapes" through the digestive system, I have no idea. That part doesn't make sense to me, haha.

If you wanted to get it done while in school you could totally do it. I had my surgery about 2 weeks before summer quarter for my graduate program (final summer, had to defend thesis and all that). I didn't feel any different, other than them teasing me because I was on liquids for the first week of school. So, if you get really anxious, just wanted you to know it's an easy surgery so you could get it done during a break between quarters if you wanted. My sister-in-law and I had surgery on a Wednesday and were back at work Monday. They have weight loss surgery loans too, if the immediate cash is an issue. Just wanted to let you know, just in case. Think of where you would be a year from now if you got the surgery sooner!

While you are waiting on getting the surgery you could start checking out where you'd like to get fills done. It's nice to have someone within a 3 hour drive or so.

[Kevin86]

YorkieMommy:

Thank you for your response!

Yeah, the protein was the primary issue I was wondering about. I didn't know about the 20 grams thing, that is interesting. Thanks for that bit!

So the gas they put in there will eventually leave? I've had some shoulder issues in the past and I was just a little scared it'd be a permanent thing. That'd be annoying!

Ideally I would get it done as soon as I could. My finances are always a bit jumbled... never certain how much school will cost me. I will definitely consider getting it done sooner rather than later. To be honest, I know I'm only 21 years old (22 in a month)... but I'm sick of living this battle! The sooner I can have a tool to help me fight and win this war, the better. Perhaps I can sneak it in over Winter Break. A graduation gift to myself. My school does have some wonderful exercise facilities.

I'm not sure where to begin looking for a good weight loss surgery loan. I'm not interested in anything too high interest... I have a boatload of student loans already! Haha Any tips?

I have researched where fills are available. At first, there wasn't any place that was too close-- or a place that would allow for people who went to Mexico to get fills. Can you believe they will turn people away because of that? Sounds ridiculous to me. A place has just opened up near me that accepts everybody, not too far away! About 45 minutes.

[AmberLam]

Hello Kevin! Welcome!

I'm sorry but I cant offer any advice regarding vegetarians (I'm not one) or the shoulder/gas thing (this didn't happen to me). But something that YorkieMommy said really struck me...

"Think of where you would be a year from now if you got the surgery sooner!"

Wednesday, August 20th was my one year anniversary date. I have lost 100 pounds since being banded. I weighed 295 pounds the day of surgery.

I cant imagine what I would weigh had I not had this done. I cant imagine going back to not having ANY self-esteem. Cant imagine hating waking in the morning and already being tired, just from getting up. Waiting for Diabetes to set in.. Waiting for my heart to give out... Waiting for my knees to quit carrying me. Waiting for yet another doctor to tell me I was too heavy to have children..

This was more than just a weight loss surgery for me. It has given me life!

I wish that I could have had it done sooner. I'm sure that you will make the best decision that is right for you.

All the best,

Amber

[momonamission]

Hi Kevin- Gas pain does go away. It is just annoying while it is there. Mine was never too too bad. It is VERY important to get in your protien. The good thing for you is that it always seems to be easier for the guys. GO FIGURE.

[momonamission]

Hi Kevin- Gas pain does go away. It is just annoying while it is there. Mine was never too too bad. It is VERY important to get in your protien. The good thing for you is that it always seems to be easier for the guys. GO FIGURE.

[momonamission]

Hi Kevin- Gas pain does go away. It is just annoying while it is there. Mine was never too too bad. It is VERY important to get in your protien. The good thing for you is that it always seems to be easier for the guys. GO FIGURE.

[karenlynn79]

Hey Kevin,

I am not a vegetarian but I do get most of my protein from soy beans and veggie burgers because I just prefer it most days. With those things and supplementing with whey powder twice a day (half scoop each time) and milk, I get close to 70 g of protein daily. I agree with being able to have the surgery while in school, I actually had it my second semester of grad school and was at school about 7 days after and was fine. However, if you need time to save up the money that of course needs to be considered. I think it's great that you are taking this step now! I am only 29 but I wish I'd done it sooner too!

Good luck! Are you going to Dr Ortiz?? He really is the best!

Karen

[Kevin86]

AmberLam: Your progress is quite commendable! I'd love to lose 100 pounds! I've done it before and I know I can do it again, just need a little help from the lapband in assisting me from keeping it off.

momonamission: Then the gas pain doesn't seem like much of an issue at all since it goes away-- definitely worth it! Glad I wont have to worry about that.

karenlynn79: Yes, I think I am going to Dr. Ortiz-- that is my tentative plan anyway. Doing some research, he seems to be the most experienced-- or he's really high up there at least. That's comforting to know. Although a strange term to use for surgery, I get the feeling he is the "best bang for your buck."

[YorkieMommy]

YorkieMommy:

Thank you for your response!

Yeah, the protein was the primary issue I was wondering about. I didn't know about the 20 grams thing, that is interesting. Thanks for that bit!

So the gas they put in there will eventually leave? I've had some shoulder issues in the past and I was just a little scared it'd be a permanent thing. That'd be annoying!

Ideally I would get it done as soon as I could. My finances are always a bit jumbled... never certain how much school will cost me. I will definitely consider getting it done sooner rather than later. To be honest, I know I'm only 21 years old (22 in a month)... but I'm sick of living this battle! The sooner I can have a tool to help me fight and win this war, the better. Perhaps I can sneak it in over Winter Break. A graduation gift to myself. My school does have some wonderful exercise facilities.

I'm not sure where to begin looking for a good weight loss surgery loan. I'm not interested in anything too high interest... I have a boatload of student loans already! Haha Any tips?

I have researched where fills are available. At first, there wasn't any place that was too close-- or a place that would allow for people who went to Mexico to get fills. Can you believe they will turn people away because of that? Sounds ridiculous to me. A place has just opened up near me that accepts everybody, not too far away! About 45 minutes.

Here's some financing options listed on the OCC site. http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/surgery_finance.php

I just accepted the max amount on student loans for a couple of quarters and used the refund money to get the surgery.

The shoulder situation does go away. Mine was almost more in the neck region and felt like when you get a pinched nerve. More annoying than painful.

I'm 24 and so glad that I did it! It's funny because for the last 5 years every time I would lose and gain back weight I would joke around with family and say, "Next time I'm getting lapband." Then it turned out that I actually did it. I don't know how to say this without offending some of the more mature members of the forum, but I think it's so awesome when we are able to do this at a younger age because we will have so much of our lives to live ahead of us! It's all so exciting!

[Cujo]

Hi Kevin;

Have you considered the effect of lapbanding on your diet? The restriction of the band will affect what you can eat and from my wife and my experience, lots of fruit and veg were not consumable after banding.

Anything with a skin like grapes and plums get stuck. Anthing too fiberous, like celery, asparagus, rhubarb bananas etc gets stuck.

The diet won't bother me as I'm basically a carnivour and the key there is to chew, chew, chew. A vegetarian might find it much more limiting.