Replies to '01/29 Extreme Weight with the Doctors'

I think lap-band procedure is a better alternative to bypass. It's less invasive, the band can be adjusted, and there are fewer operative and short-term mortality (about 10 times less) than bypass. There's no dumping syndrome and reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies than with bypass.  Here's  a good resource, check it out:

 

http://lapband.com/lapband/portal.do

From what you state, I would conclude that you haven't made the "lifestyle" change that all the professionals talk about.  If you diet, of course you will return to old habits and routines...One really simple lifestyle change - pick up a basic pedometer and walk 10,000 steps each and every day...It doesn't sound like it would take much to get to 10,000 - but even walking all day at work, I still have to add an addition 2 - 3 mile walk to get 5,000 steps!   One day at a time!  Good Luck!

After years of fighting obesity, I can say, I am thin again.  December 16, 2006, a date I will never forget, on this date I had the lap band surgery, since then I have lost 115 lbs.  I'm currently in bed recovering from my first body reconstructive surgery, I had all the excess skin removed from my abdominal.  Yes, I was scared, but I must say, Dr. Phil was right, you need to learn to love yourself so you may love your family.  I too was scared to undergo surgery but knew I had no choice, I had to jump on what would had been my last opportunity to live again.  Although, I'm pain, I'm already feeling happy.  For anyone that needs a buddy to pump them up, I am here willing to help, because I was were you are now and I already notice the change on how I feel about myself, not necessarily from the outside, but the inside as well.

  I had the surgery in October 2003.  It was the best decision I ever made.  I was at my highest weight of approx. 400 lbs.  I'm now down to about 200.  I was on oxygen, C-Pap, and border line diabetic.  I couldn't walk through stores; I always had to be on a motorized cart.  The doctors said if I hadn't had the surgery when I did, I would probably have died within six months.  Several other members of my family have also had the surgery.  For some reason, none of us have had the same reaction to it.  I vomit almost daily, and I don't know why.  Nor, do I care.  That seems to be a small price to pay for having my life.  Three of the other members of my family do not do that.  However, two of them are starting to regain their weight.  It is definitely a life style change.  You have to change your eating habits, or you run the risk of regaining what you have lost.  And, I have.  I do not ever eat anything fried, no sugar, as few carbohydrates as I can get by with.  I basically just eat healthier.  And, I don't ever eat fast food.  Before the surgery I drank cola's.  After the surgery, I switched to caffeine and sugar free.  And, it also had to be a citric flavored drink.  That lasted a couple of years, and then I switched to sugar-free tea with lemon.  Now, I drink only sugar-free apple juice, which I make from those on the go tubes you can get at the grocery.  I had no complications from the surgery itself.  And, if I had it to do over, I would.  My biggest problem is the excess skin.  I'm at an age where I really don't care about cosmetic things.  I can live with my arms and my legs, and throat area.  But, the stomach skin causes me problems.  It pulls on my back and it constantly hurts.  It also stays raw and irritated.  It also produces a foul odor, because it stays moist.  I do not know what to do about that.  My insurance will not pay for the removal, and I do not have the financial means to pay cash for it.  I do not make enough to take out a loan either.  My budget will not allow that.  Does anyone have suggestions for me?