Tracistrying

AWESOME....AWESOME....AWESOME!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

Carrie, best of everything for you! I'm that girl that gained that extra 50 pounds and can't believe how awful I feel. Now my BMI is over 40. Be thankful that you've made this decision sooner rather than later :-h

That's the kind of information I'm looking for! Do you know where I can find actual studies/numbers of bypass and lapband failures? Somehow I hae been unable to find that yet.

I know what you mean about the salesmanship, it's kind of a turn off. However I am trying to get to the meat of the information about both the lapband and MGB, and am finding conflicting information, or studies that don't answer my questions, or studies that I am uncomfortable with because there are too many bias's and it seems slanted to support whatever product is being sold. I really do appreciate everyone's input! I've spent the last 48 hours mostly on the internet checking out all this info.

Thanks for the reply and best of luck to you. I wish I was to the point where I knew what I was going to do and moving forward to do it!!!

Hey Mama, I spent all day yesterday researching the mini. I had never heard of it either until I was researching lapband. There is a website, www.clos.net which has a great deal of info from a Dr. in Las Vegas who has allegedly patented some of this procedure. I would never do the RNY gastric bypass as that is way too invasive but the mini sounds like a viable option and may help more with my hunger pains and the surgery is only about 15 minutes longer than lapband. You've had great success with the band! Congrats and thanks for the photos! This is such a tough decision and I really want to do what fits best for me and my circumstances. I have not heard one negative thing about Dr. Ortiz and his staff so my real decision is between the types of surgeries. Oh I'm so confused

This is great information. I too am considering all options. I'm considering the "Mini". Any stories out there?

CONGRATS! Keep us posted.

I'm very glad that you have had great success with the band. One of my concerns is that I will not be able to use the band well and that I will have little to no weight loss. In my research that has come up frequently. Also the feeling of being hungry all the time. I feel as if I don't have a turn off valve and I'm hearing that people still always feel hungry with the band.? By the way, I'm in Spokane. Nice to hear from a fellow Washingtonian.

OK everyone, help! As I researched information about lapband, I came across info regarding the mini gastric bypass. As you guys have done your research also, I'm sure that some of you considered that alternative. From what I can tell there would be less follow up after surgery(no fills) along with some other benefits over lap banding. I'm leaning towards the MGB instead yet I feel that I am missing some vital information as the lap band is so very much more popular. Any ideas, thoughts, research etc. about why you chose lap band over other options will be greatly appreciated!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM AND HAVE FOUND YOU GUYS MORE HELPFUL THAN OTHERS ON OTHER FORUMS1

If I had any suggestions that worked for this subject, I probably wouldn't be considering lapband Seriously though, my hope is that I will remind myself regularly of the seriousness of lapbanding and try to take the best care I can. I'm really nervous that I won't be able to stop myself from the soft sweets!! Good luck!!

=D> Congrats and best of luck. I'm still trying to get to the trigger point and confirm an appt. I believe I'll do it soon tho!! Traci

Wendy, How did it go? Hope you are feeling well and everything went as well as you expected!!

Jaime, maybe if you get close we can share some of those traveling expenses in San Diego. I think I am aiming for June or July

I have a little something else to add to my dilemma. I donated one of my kidneys to my husband last year, and yes I was able to get down to a BMI below 30 to do it and am now at 41 again..., but I can no longer be on a high protein diet. Has anyone had any ill effects on their kidneys before or after surgery with the shakes/food sources?

Awesome information everyone! I've been very busy today as has my husband. We've researched all over the web and at local bariatric doctors. I found an MD in Spokane who would allow me to become a patient if I was banded elsewhere. His name is Dr. Lee Trotter. Anyone in Washington (or elsewhere) heard of him? Talked to Carolyn a couple of times. For people who have been banded for a while, how many adjustments have you had? I didn't find any negative comments/experiences with the OCC group in TJ. Once you made the decision to get banded, how long before surgery was scheduled? So far I'm leaning towards June if I decide to do this. My husband has more doubts about the discipline that is required afterward, and I am worried about my ability to refrain from eating and it seems that I have days that I never get full. Well enough questions for now. I hope that I can make the final decision in the next few days and be as excited as the rest of you!

Thank you both for your quick replies. What do you do about the fills? If you have the sx done in TJ, will other agencies, MD's do the fills in States?

This is my first time in a forum room so first I will apologize for the boring format:) I am considering lapband and have been reading about some of your experiences. Some of my questions are where are you going? costs? I live in Spokane, WA. We have a reputable agency that does lapband but is pretty expensive. Any concerns about going out of country? Thanks for taking the time to read and help me with this decision.