tigerlilly

I have been reading these forums for a little while now, in a bid to keep researching until I actually have my band put it. I'm a little confused about the differences in vertical gastric banding as opposed to the regular lapband. Is the VGB the same as the "sleeve" I keep reading about? I gather the lapband creates a pouch with a small exit, and the sleeve creates a narrow tube for the food to pass through. Does the VGB do something kind of inbetween? I don't want to undertake a procedure that is going to change my digestive tract to the point of being hard-to-impossible to reverse, in case of complications down the track. That's why I thought the lapband would be best, as there is no cutting of your stomach or small intestine. I don't really want to go with something that uses malsorption as part of the weight loss, because for one thing, I'm wanting to get pregnant in the next year, and I don't think it would be wise to get pregnant after having a malsorptive procedure done. I don't know. I think I've been reading so much that I'm starting to get confused! I'd love to hear from VGB's and lapbands alike. Good and bad testimonies. I like to know what I'm getting myself into! Cheers!

I think the general concensis is that pcos is a complication of obesity. But it causes problems that can kill you, so I hope that they change the category it falls into. I'm really looking forward to losing weight and watching my symptoms go away. Even if they never leave entirely, I'll be happy with a reduction in them. I'm not expecting miracles. As far as the weight, I would be happy to be in a healthy state, and not really concerned about being "skinny". I don't have the frame to be skinny without looking emaciated and I like some curves, but I personally think curvy and overweight are two very different things. Right now I'm the classic apple shape (huge throughout the shoulders, chest and abdomen, with smaller hips and legs.) Very unhealthy, and to be honest, unattractive. I feel like a stack of tires on legs! lol I had a period in December, the first one I've had since Apr/May of 2007. Whenever I get them I'm always relieved. I have a fear of the buildup of endometrial tissue causing uterine cancer or something! I don't get any pms,I guess I'm lucky, except for some cramping, but I think that is because my body has to work so hard to get rid of the lining for being there so long.(??) Just being in the "normal" range on weight and female bodily function is my main goal. the rest is icing on the cake! Cheers!

thanks for your reply Mindy. I suspect that the band can only help the symptoms as the weight comes off. At least, I HOPE so! lol I'm supposed to get my referral tomorrow, as the doctor has been out the past few days. I can't wait to schedule my consultation, and REALLY can't wait to get my band. Cheers! Kristi

Karen, I too would be quite interested to hear about this. Not expecting, but hoping to get pregnant after losing some weight with the band. Can anybody help us out? Cheers! tigerlilly

Hi there! I'm just wonderng if anyone here that has been banded has/had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)? Or do you know anyone? If so, I'm wondering what affect the lap-banding and subsequent weight loss had on your PCOS. Did it help it? Make it worse? Have no affect? Fix some PCOS symptoms and not others? I'm a PCOS sufferer. Also strongly suspect insulin resistance, but have not been formally diagnosed with that......yet. My PCOS comes complete with every single symptom on the list, plus obstructive sleep apnea, blood pressure that is creeping up a little bit higher every time, and diabetes, cancer, and hypertension runs on boths side of boths sides of my family. (man, when my family does something, they do it all the way!) I'm curious to see what results other ladies have had after being banded. Thanks in advance! tigerlilly

Hi Kym, I just wanted to say that I think you look fantastic, and that I think you've done a fabulous job. People think that having any kind of WLS is the easy way out, but it's not. People who don't have a food/eating issue simply can not understand what it's like. Keep up with the good work, and try to be more objective about your reflection. Cheers! tigerlilly (Kristi)