16. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:05 am PDT

It is a drastic change, but I'd do it in flash. But not all of us can afford it.

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17. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:14 am PDT

It is a drastic change, but I'd do it in flash. But not all of us can afford it.

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18. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:22 am PDT

UUUHHHMMM.Support groups? E-diets? New internet friends? Lost 2 lbs? Let me know when you have lost the 50. For people who have over 100 lbs to lose and have lost weight before and then gained it back plus some, there is such a small chance that any diet will work. I speak from experience!! WLS is a tool to help you keep the weight off while you work on the issues that got you to Fat City in the first place. Surgery has it's risks, but being overweight has more. So does living in fantasy land. And they all lived happily every after....

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19. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:24 am PDT

I had the vertical gastric banding in Dec 2002. I lost 60 lbs quite drastically as I was sipping broth soup from a plastic jar lid. Since I have been introduced back to wholesome eating, I have gained the 60 pounds back and weigh 5 lbs more now then at surgery. It's depressing. I hate going out to eat. I can only eat 3-4 ounces at a sitting...but seem to have numerous sittings in the day. NEVER would have predicted this. Never never never.

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20. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:33 am PDT

Those of you who have had surgery with no complications great. I was not so lucky. From spending 10 days post op in the hospital to going home and returning with pneumonia and staying in the hospital for 5 more weeks- it hasn't stopped. I have scar tissue and must get the opening stretched every 4 months if I have time - if not (like now) I'm stuck with a liquid diet. I can't eat solid foods most of the time. I was 5'5" and 351 now- 5'4" and 117 and I need skin removed (if I could afford it, I can barely pay my medical bills) - I'll end up about 108 - a below normal weight. The farthest I dropped has been 107 and I had to drink protein drinks 8 times a day to regain weight. I HATE protein drinks now. I had to buy more yesterday. I have developed severe osteoporosis (broken bones and spinal problems), severe anemia (recurrent transfusions), asthma from reflux, tooth loss, constant vomiting because of the restricted opening, plus the constant battle not to lose more weight. I take eleven pills each morning and another 7 each night. Prescription CO PAYS are $240 each month. A friend said I look great. I'm not sure I agree. I am more active and energetic (if my blood levels are okay). I don't have a knee that throbs anymore, but the damage remains from my prior weight. Now my back pain is severe. I'll have to have surgery to repair that damage soon. I still have different sizes of clothing (0-6) except I call the small sizes my bone covers. The cost so far $340,000. I am only thankful I didn't die.

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21. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:35 am PDT

Those of you who have had surgery with no complications great. I was not so lucky. From spending 10 days post op in the hospital to going home and returning with pneumonia and staying in the hospital for 5 more weeks- it hasn't stopped. I have scar tissue and must get the opening stretched every 4 months if I have time - if not (like now) I'm stuck with a liquid diet. I can't eat solid foods most of the time. I was 5'5" and 351 now- 5'4" and 117 and I need skin removed (if I could afford it, I can barely pay my medical bills) - I'll end up about 108 - a below normal weight. The farthest I dropped has been 107 and I had to drink protein drinks 8 times a day to regain weight. I HATE protein drinks now. I had to buy more yesterday. I have developed severe osteoporosis (broken bones and spinal problems), severe anemia (recurrent transfusions), asthma from reflux, tooth loss, constant vomiting because of the restricted opening, plus the constant battle not to lose more weight. I take eleven pills each morning and another 7 each night. Prescription CO PAYS are $240 each month. A friend said I look great. I'm not sure I agree. I am more active and energetic (if my blood levels are okay). I don't have a knee that throbs anymore, but the damage remains from my prior weight. Now my back pain is severe. I'll have to have surgery to repair that damage soon. I still have different sizes of clothing (0-6) except I call the small sizes my bone covers. The cost so far $340,000. I am only thankful I didn't die.

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22. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:36 am PDT

I had gastric banding done 15.5 months ago...To date I have lost almost 40% of my starting weight...That is over 125lbs. The band is a tool that allows me to make the necessary lifestyle changes to become and stay healthier. I eat less, and make better choices and I exercise. I am planning to have plastic surgery after I lose my last 30-35lbs. (sometime in June 2007) I believe that the surgery is the third best thing that I ever did for myself...My kids are the first 2.

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23. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:38 am PDT

I had Gastric Bypass Surgery 12/20/04. At that time I was 300lbs and now less than 2 years later I weigh 135lbs. If I had to do it again I would do it in a NYC minute!

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24. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:44 am PDT

I had the gastric bypass two years ago and would have no reservation about doing it all over again. I have lost 97 pounds. I researched several places and decided on the Barix clinic who specializes in weight loss surgery. They were great. I received a consultation from doctors and the nutritional staff. The surgery changed my life and I will always be greatful. The"Diva"

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25. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 10:55 am PDT

I don't agree with surgery at ALL. Who wants to be sick and eating portions the size of a pea for the rest of their lives? I've gone from a size 18 to 8 by portion control and exercise. What a concept! I beg anyone who's even considering gastric bypass to think it over. Nothing that's worth having in life comes easy and weight loss is no exception.

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26. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 11:02 am PDT

6yrs out and happy but it is a live changing thing,i went into it, openminded i never wanted to be a size 3 and i read allthe horror storys of i can,t gain wieght.i was 5'10 and 346 i could not get around because of my knees i have real regetes of the play time i lost with my kids and husband.but now i,m 5'10 and 219 the smallest i got was 207but i would never get PS.that is not why a got the surgery.i can eat healthy foods but the sugar kills me.not many have this trouble and they don,t tell you that this is posible.if i eat sugar.(i try to stay under2 grams)i get low blood sugar 28 i stop breathing once.I would never of not got it but that is one of the side effects that you don,t hear about.but i am very against poeple who are too young or not very over weight that get it!!! i am a happy size 16 mom of four boys and a happy wife and i could not of said that six years ago!!!!

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27. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 11:09 am PDT

ultrasoundmike, are you taking about Magee Hospital in Pittsburgh?

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28. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 11:13 am PDT

The people who have died from this surgery obviously can't post here. A young woman I worked with, the mother of three young children, died of post-op infection after bariatric surgery. It is NOT a risk free procedure.

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29. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 11:18 am PDT

I am 61 years old and after many many years of yo yo dieting losing and gaining I was up to 244 lbs. I am diabetic, had one heart attack and a double coronary bypass. After much research I chose the Lap Band!! This was the BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!! No it's not a magic bullet, I eat right and exercise, I also am off most of the medications I was on I can walk 2.5 miles at a brisk pace without pain and I feel better than I did 10 years ago. I firmly believe this procedure saved my life. I know for a fact it increased the quality of my life!! I chose the Lap Band because it is the least invasive surgery and also the safest. If I could have broken the yo yo dieting cycle without the surgery I would have. This surgery gave me the help I needed to do it.

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30. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Oct 28, 2006, 11:21 am PDT

I am 61 years old and after many many years of yo yo dieting losing and gaining I was up to 244 lbs. I am diabetic, had one heart attack and a double coronary bypass. After much research I chose the Lap Band!! This was the BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!! No it's not a magic bullet, I eat right and exercise, I also am off most of the medications I was on I can walk 2.5 miles at a brisk pace without pain and I feel better than I did 10 years ago. I firmly believe this procedure saved my life. I know for a fact it increased the quality of my life!! I chose the Lap Band because it is the least invasive surgery and also the safest. If I could have broken the yo yo dieting cycle without the surgery I would have. This surgery gave me the help I needed to do it.

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