Alia

I agree if you get stuck or PB or whatever do NOT drink anything it just makes it worse.

The way I explain PB'ing to folks is when you get food stuck and you start to get the spits like normally before if you were gonna throw up. Then, i'll go in the bathroom and bend over a bit and it all just comes up in one swoop like if someone gave you the heimlich (sp?) or kind of like when a cat throws up. Sorry, gross analogy but it is what it reminds me of. Not pleasant, but honestly you hurt so bad when you are stuck that PB'ing is really a relief and to me it isn't as bad as a regular vomit. Mine are very quick and dirty unless I get really stuck like I did the other night and PB 3 times - man, that sucked!

You are gonna PB now and again but try to do it as little as possible and definitely really stay away from throwing up. After a PB if its bad i'll do liquids or mushies for the next day to give it rest time. As far as vomiting, just think, that throw up has to make it's way back up through your tiny band hole - that does not feel good and it's not easy! I did it once and i've done everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen again! It can really do a number on you.

I've never just slimed so i'm no help there. Either i'm stuck and it eventually goes down or I PB. No in between for me apparently!

AWESOME POST! The first time I have ever read about vomit having to make its way up the new stoma. Obviously makes sence but I have never visualized it until now.. thanks!

ALIA, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT, WHEN OR IF YOU START PUTTING WEIGHT BACK ON, HOW DOES THE SLEEVE HELP? TO ME, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE BAND, IT BEING ADJUSTABLE TO FIT MY NEEDS

BEST WISHES TO YOU

That is actually a really good point that I hadn't thought of... Thank you for this!

Hello all. I am still only about three months into my research about the lap band... I have learned a bunch but their is so much to learn yet. I am starting to wonder if maybe I would be better off having the gastric sleeve surgery. I weigh 297 and worry that with the lap band I could not possibly lose as much weight as I need to... YES I know it is not a magic belt so to speak, so please - their is no need to tell me that. When you weigh near 300 pounds you know their is nothing easy about losing weight and when someone tells me that I just feel it is sooooo condescending. I am just wondering is anyone else debated over the two and why the ended up going with the lap band.

Christy you look fantastic! Congrats on your success thus far! =D>

Thanks all for the advice. I must be the only person in the world who on a nice hot day, "guzzle's" down a nice ice cold drink of water. Maybe I will understand better later. Thanks again though.

Keeping this short and sweet! After I am banded... will I ever be able to guzzle a cold glass of water? I don't mean in the begining... I mean maybe six to eight months afterwards?

:lb10: That's fantastic! Can't wait to be in your shoes! Keep us posted!

I do not know how to delete this post, but I found all of my answers in old posts. Sorry and thanks!

What's the answer?

Alia,

I cried when I made my little ticker. Happy tears because I knew it was going to change. Then I sat here forever taking pics of myself. It was actually uncomfortable taking a picture and showing more than just my face. As you can see, I didn't get much below my head. where are you in your thoughts of getting banded?

Thank you all for your support. 1jmk... I have been to my first appointment with my Md and he gave me a referal to a general surgeon who has performed hundreds of lap band surgeries, just ten miles from my home. Now we are just waiting to find out if my insurance will cover my surgery. With a BMI of nearly 50 we don't think it will be much of a problem. We will also discuss the Gastric Sleeve. I am 100% on board with having the surgery and have all the support and love from my family and fiance that anyone could possibly imagine, God bless all of them. Now it is just a waiting game... and not having any answers for certain right now is hard. I just keep imagining a life where I dont struggle to walk up a couple of flights of stairs and it gets me through a bit easier.

Finally after 1 year of research and debating I have decided to move forward with the lapband. My surgery is scheduled for Friday, 8/7.

Now the hardest part will be to the wait until the date comes!!! I am nervous but so excited at the same time. I know my journey will be difficult, but well worth it in the the end.

Thank you for all your postings. They have been a true inspiration to me!!

Congrats on your decision! Are you flying to Tj? I am trying to figure out how to deal with the financial aspects if I have to fly there... but it is all so exciting! Keep us posted! =D>

YAY! It's like I am part of the gang now! I finally got a ticker and picture~ My ticker is kind of sad, lol... but I am starting my journey. I actually am fighting back tears.. sorta emotional posting my wait to everyone... makes me kind of feel a bit naked. I wont be like this forever. I can look forward to my little frog feller moving to a smaller number... YAY!

Thats fantastic! > Someday I will be able to say the same thing. Congrats!

Well congrats to you!!! Please keep us posted on your progess... I know we say that to everyone but truely it is the only way those of us who aren't yet banded get to absorb useful information... and I am sure it helps those who have been banded. Now do you live in Kuwait? If not what lead you to have your surgery there? My family is from Egypt and I have played with the idea of going there to be banded... take a tiny vacation, see my family AND get banded? Sounds good to me... but who knows- I am still hoping my insurance is approved and I can do it just 12 minutes from my home in Binghamton, Ny. Anyhoo... Congrats again!

I get headaches most usuallly every evening. Sometimes severe and sometimes just annoying, but they are always there. I am wondering if it is blood pressure related. It is nice to hear that maybe they will go away... meanwhile I will bring it up at my consultation with my surgeon. :-?

Congrats to you! You sound so excited! I can't wait to have my surgery! I am curious... did you experience bad gas pains? And if so what did you do for it? And how does your port site feel? I am a sponge trying to learn all I can, lol! Congrats again! =D>

Congrats! Tell us what it is you are doing to lose your pre op weight? I am nine months away from my surgery but the more information I get the better! Congrats again, and keep us all posted on your journey!

Lol.. the creative ways people come up with to exercise... it never stops amazing me! It sounds like a blast! Where are you going to put it? Keep us posted on the progress!

Good luck!! I can't wait til I am in your shoes! Let us know all about it when you are up to it!

=D>

Good Advice!!! Somedays you just need, well... a "funk" day! We don't have to make ourselves depressed over it, just get up the next day and do it right!

Thanks for all the info!!! I am partially afraid that, that could end up being my story. I weight 297 lbs and because it is "medically necessary," my insurance will be absorbing most of the cost. That does not mean, however, that I am in the clear. My md told me that they will still find a way to hold payments and run me through the ringer so to speak, and I have to write down everything any insurance person tells me... with the date, their name and whatever else I can get ahold of. Basically the OCC may still be in my future because I will be darned if my insurance company stops me. I am still waiting for my consultation with my surgeon and it this point have heard both good and bad about him... YIKES??? I dunno! This is such a long process.... it would be better if I could just cough up cash and fly to mexico... but the only way that is happening is a second mortgage on our home and most people tell me I am psycho for even considering that... lol... what to do what to do. :-?

no, not originally. I hope that at my real consultation that we get to talk about all those options. I too have thought about the gastric sleeve... I don't know as much about that as I do the lap band though. how bout you? Keep me posted- maybe we can learn from eachother.

I love how animated your post was... lol, I felt like I was right there with you! I can't wait to hear what happens tomorrow! What an accomplishment so far though, congrats to you on your almost under 200 mark!

How did it go? I'm going to my first appointment in an hour and am terrified.

Well, the first one was cake! Basically they asked me a bunch of questions, weighed me and all the jazz. Next time I get to sit down with the surgeon, Dr. T., and do the same thing all over. Basically that appointment was just to tell me that yes, I am fat, lol and that I do qualify for the surgery! Will you let me know how yours went?

> Hello buddies! I am SOOOO excited right now! I am leaving my house in about two hours to go to my very first lap band appointment. I am trying the insurance route before we dive into the Mexico route (which I would rather do, but my wallet says otherwise) I hope all goes well, I have a good feeling and have learned to trust my gut several years ago. YAY LAP BAND! WOHOO! I have recently been doing a little extra research on gastric bypass as well... I figure the more information I have regarding any of this the better off I am... Bye for now, I will re-post and let you know how this appointment goes when i get home!

I have said this before but to say it again... everyone is so helpful here. Somehow I feel like this is a big lap band family and we should someday all have a family get together... lol. Will someone explain what Flouro is? My fiance and I have decided.... DRUM ROLL PLEASSSEEEE........ if I don't get an insurance approval in the next eight weeks... I am going to MEXICOOO!!!! I don't want my insurance company to drag me through the mud... and it feels as if they are. I am so ready to do this for myself and commit to a healthier SKINNIER life! YAY!