RE: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzi...I wanted the least invasive procedure type so I got a band. If I had it all to do over again I would get a sleeve. It's just easier all the way around. No restriction issues, fills, aftercare, none of it. The idea of the band being reversible is appealing to a newbie but after you hit goal your whole perspective changes and you no longer want reversible, you want forever. The idea of losing your band is like losing your leg, that's how bad you want permanent. I have heard of people losing their band but I have never heard of someone losing their sleeve. ;o)

I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a revision soon to a sleeve, I want forever and no after care. But the thing with a revision is that it is more complicated than just doing a sleeve. It would be a much easier procedure had I just gotten a sleeve to begin with. Point being, be sure you get the procedure type you want the first time. But do get it done. Life without battling weight issues is pretty darn nice.

252/150/128Start/Goal/CurrentDONE!On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 9:36 AM, susan.garde uziq1964@...> wrote:

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for

a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place

if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding,

loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up,

slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason

that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?

Tks,

Suzi

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply Bipley. Doesn't the sleeve cause malupsorption issues...I've seen that on posts. I'm guessing that means not obsorbing vitamins and nutrients. I am just a little below your starting weight. How long did it take you to get to 128? Lastly, can you describe a normal eating day for you now, including quantitie. I really like fruit and salads, and I've not seen many posts of people being able to eat these things.

Tks

From: Bipley@...Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:46:00 -0700Subject: Re: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

Hi Suzi...I wanted the least invasive procedure type so I got a band. If I had it all to do over again I would get a sleeve. It's just easier all the way around. No restriction issues, fills, aftercare, none of it. The idea of the band being reversible is appealing to a newbie but after you hit goal your whole perspective changes and you no longer want reversible, you want forever. The idea of losing your band is like losing your leg, that's how bad you want permanent. I have heard of people losing their band but I have never heard of someone losing their sleeve. ;o)I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a revision soon to a sleeve, I want forever and no after care. But the thing with a revision is that it is more complicated than just doing a sleeve. It would be a much easier procedure had I just gotten a sleeve to begin with. Point being, be sure you get the procedure type you want the first time. But do get it done. Life without battling weight issues is pretty darn nice.252/150/128Start/Goal/CurrentDONE!

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 9:36 AM, susan.garde uziq1964hotmail> wrote:

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi

[Guest guest]

....NO! The sleeve does not malabsorb, that is Gastric bypass. The sleeve is the first half of gastric bypass. With bypass they make your stomach smaller AND then they go on to reroute intestines so you do malaborb with bypass. With the sleeve they just make your stomach smaller. It has the fewest complications of bypass, sleeve, or banding. With bypass you need a lifetime of aftercare, checking blood to make sure the supplements you take are adequate, etc. With a band it requires a lifetime of care for fills and restriction issues. With a sleeve you don't have any of that.

It took me 10 months to reach my first goal of -103#, that got me to a normal BMI. I'm 15 months out now and my BMI is 21. .... something. It is in the 21 range. I was happy 12# ago at 140# total weight (23BMI). Not sure if I want to regain or stay where I am. At 140 I was not locked into a lot of plastic surgery. At 128 I AM locked into a great deal of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon warned me, she was right. ;o) She told me not to go below 140 (I was 165 at the time) and I didn't listen. ;o)

A normal eating day for me during weight loss or maintenance? During weight loss it was protein shakes because I don't like chewing chicken to a paste. ;o) Lots of salads such as tuna salad, veggie salads, lettuce salads, foods like that. Lots of fish, Orange Roughie, Cod, Tilapia. I am the anti-white carb queen. I don't eat white carbs typically but I do eat unlimited veggie carbs. My diet is not low carb, it is no-white-carb. That, and running... those were key for me to lose weight quickly.

Quantity? Not sure, I ate until I wasn't hungry anymore. You can't eat much with a band or sleeve. They are both restrictive procedures.I can't answer about fruits, I don't care much for them and never have. During weight loss I could eat apples, bananas, berries, etc., I just didn't eat them very often.

Due to my lifestyle changes (something I could not do without a band) I think I would have done equally as well with a sleeve but I think my weight loss journey (in my individual case) would have been easier. Weight loss is typically faster because you aren't battling restriction and the sleeve stomach is the same size (or smaller) than the banded pouch with restriction. So bandsters usually have a rough go of it at first until they find their sweet spot. But after they find their sweet spot they lose quite well. With a sleeve you are at your sweet spot coming out of surgery. So the weight loss starts a little sooner most of the time and there is no bandster hell where some tend to regain until they get restriction.

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM, <suziq1964@...> wrote:

Thank you for the reply Bipley. Doesn't the sleeve cause malupsorption issues...I've seen that on posts. I'm guessing that means not obsorbing vitamins and nutrients. I am just a little below your starting weight. How long did it take you to get to 128? Lastly, can you describe a normal eating day for you now, including quantitie. I really like fruit and salads, and I've not seen many posts of people being able to eat these things.

Tks

[Guest guest]

Suzi,

I am one of those people who has not had the rosiest journey with my lapband. However, I would hope that you NEVER interpreted anything I have had to say as negative. If I had known back in February 2006 that having the lapband would have resulted in some of the issues I have had that potentially could have been avoided alltogether by not having the surgery, I STILL would have had the band placed, no questions asked. I have not been able to keep a port. I have had two different ones and am currently (and hopefully forever) without one at all. Having those removed and replaced has required extra surgery. Losing so much weight in such a short amount of time created problems with my gallbladder and I had to have that removed as well. So, it has not been the eaisest journey one could have had. But, I would do it again tomorrow if I had to make the choice. I cannot begin to tell

you all of the positives that have come as a result of my lapband. The positive outcome far, far outweighs the problems I have had. The problems have been easily remedied so who can complain? I am happier than I have ever been. I am healthier than I have ever been. I wouldn't change one single thing! IF the sleeve had been available when I had the lapband, then, maybe I would have gone that route but I can't really say. I struggle with eating issues. My list of foods that don't work for me is quite lengthly. Are there times my lack of food intake gets too me? Sure there are! When my family is eating pizza or a whopper from Burger King. I miss french fries. I miss ice cold beer in the hot summer time. I miss diet coke every now and then. But, I do NOT miss my size 24 pants or XXL shirts, even my size 9 shoes. Times that I miss those foods, I

simply remove myself from the place where that food is and I am fine. I have even resorted to going to look at myself in the mirror, strip down to almost nothing and weighing myself just to remind myself of WHY I don't need those foods. In all honesty, those feelings of loss or grief over not being able to eat those foods goes away pretty darn quickly. My lapband has changed my life. I honestly cannot imagine life without it. Don't let what others say sway you one way or another. You do this for YOU. Do what YOU are comfortable with. I wouldn't change a thing!

Keep posting and asking,

Jenni Currie

DOB 2/23/06

5 fills

3 unfills

Forever Portless

From: susan.garde <suziq1964@...>Subject: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi

[Guest guest]

Running is a real calorie burner....and i'm sure contributed alot to your weight loss...how did the band help you. That may seem silly but i.e. did your satisfaction (full feeling) level change over time so that you were satisfied with 1/2 cup of food? Do you drink while you eat?

From: Bipley@...Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:04:43 -0700Subject: Re: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

....NO! The sleeve does not malabsorb, that is Gastric bypass. The sleeve is the first half of gastric bypass. With bypass they make your stomach smaller AND then they go on to reroute intestines so you do malaborb with bypass. With the sleeve they just make your stomach smaller. It has the fewest complications of bypass, sleeve, or banding. With bypass you need a lifetime of aftercare, checking blood to make sure the supplements you take are adequate, etc. With a band it requires a lifetime of care for fills and restriction issues. With a sleeve you don't have any of that.It took me 10 months to reach my first goal of -103#, that got me to a normal BMI. I'm 15 months out now and my BMI is 21. .... something. It is in the 21 range. I was happy 12# ago at 140# total weight (23BMI). Not sure if I want to regain or stay where I am. At 140 I was not locked into a lot of plastic surgery. At 128 I AM locked into a great deal of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon warned me, she was right. ;o) She told me not to go below 140 (I was 165 at the time) and I didn't listen. ;o)A normal eating day for me during weight loss or maintenance? During weight loss it was protein shakes because I don't like chewing chicken to a paste. ;o) Lots of salads such as tuna salad, veggie salads, lettuce salads, foods like that. Lots of fish, Orange Roughie, Cod, Tilapia. I am the anti-white carb queen. I don't eat white carbs typically but I do eat unlimited veggie carbs. My diet is not low carb, it is no-white-carb. That, and running... those were key for me to lose weight quickly.Quantity? Not sure, I ate until I wasn't hungry anymore. You can't eat much with a band or sleeve. They are both restrictive procedures.I can't answer about fruits, I don't care much for them and never have. During weight loss I could eat apples, bananas, berries, etc., I just didn't eat them very often.Due to my lifestyle changes (something I could not do without a band) I think I would have done equally as well with a sleeve but I think my weight loss journey (in my individual case) would have been easier. Weight loss is typically faster because you aren't battling restriction and the sleeve stomach is the same size (or smaller) than the banded pouch with restriction. So bandsters usually have a rough go of it at first until they find their sweet spot. But after they find their sweet spot they lose quite well. With a sleeve you are at your sweet spot coming out of surgery. So the weight loss starts a little sooner most of the time and there is no bandster hell where some tend to regain until they get restriction.

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM, <suziq1964hotmail> wrote:

Thank you for the reply Bipley. Doesn't the sleeve cause malupsorption issues...I've seen that on posts. I'm guessing that means not obsorbing vitamins and nutrients. I am just a little below your starting weight. How long did it take you to get to 128? Lastly, can you describe a normal eating day for you now, including quantitie. I really like fruit and salads, and I've not seen many posts of people being able to eat these things. Tks

[Guest guest]

I hate running, I hate it with a passion. The only reason I did it was because it burned more calories in less time than power walking. So it meant less time on the treadmill.With the band i was losing well and I wanted to lose better. I wanted the " fat chapter " of my life over with so I did it in a hurry as many choose to do. With weight loss from the band it gave me more motivation to lose more and faster. Thus, running. Then came white carbs, when I cut those out I felt better, was less hungry, lost weight faster... it was a cycle. ;o) Everything I did made me lose weight faster and that gave me more motivation to keep going.

Never could do it before the band.On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 1:50 PM, <suziq1964@...> wrote:

Running is a real calorie burner....and i'm sure contributed alot to your weight loss...how did the band help you. That may seem silly but i.e. did your satisfaction (full feeling) level change over time so that you were satisfied with 1/2 cup of food? Do you drink while you eat?

From: Bipley@...Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:04:43 -0700

Subject: Re: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

....NO! The sleeve does not malabsorb, that is Gastric bypass. The sleeve is the first half of gastric bypass. With bypass they make your stomach smaller AND then they go on to reroute intestines so you do malaborb with bypass. With the sleeve they just make your stomach smaller. It has the fewest complications of bypass, sleeve, or banding. With bypass you need a lifetime of aftercare, checking blood to make sure the supplements you take are adequate, etc. With a band it requires a lifetime of care for fills and restriction issues. With a sleeve you don't have any of that.

It took me 10 months to reach my first goal of -103#, that got me to a normal BMI. I'm 15 months out now and my BMI is 21. .... something. It is in the 21 range. I was happy 12# ago at 140# total weight (23BMI). Not sure if I want to regain or stay where I am. At 140 I was not locked into a lot of plastic surgery. At 128 I AM locked into a great deal of plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon warned me, she was right. ;o) She told me not to go below 140 (I was 165 at the time) and I didn't listen. ;o)

A normal eating day for me during weight loss or maintenance? During weight loss it was protein shakes because I don't like chewing chicken to a paste. ;o) Lots of salads such as tuna salad, veggie salads, lettuce salads, foods like that. Lots of fish, Orange Roughie, Cod, Tilapia. I am the anti-white carb queen. I don't eat white carbs typically but I do eat unlimited veggie carbs. My diet is not low carb, it is no-white-carb. That, and running... those were key for me to lose weight quickly.

Quantity? Not sure, I ate until I wasn't hungry anymore. You can't eat much with a band or sleeve. They are both restrictive procedures.I can't answer about fruits, I don't care much for them and never have. During weight loss I could eat apples, bananas, berries, etc., I just didn't eat them very often.

Due to my lifestyle changes (something I could not do without a band) I think I would have done equally as well with a sleeve but I think my weight loss journey (in my individual case) would have been easier. Weight loss is typically faster because you aren't battling restriction and the sleeve stomach is the same size (or smaller) than the banded pouch with restriction. So bandsters usually have a rough go of it at first until they find their sweet spot. But after they find their sweet spot they lose quite well. With a sleeve you are at your sweet spot coming out of surgery. So the weight loss starts a little sooner most of the time and there is no bandster hell where some tend to regain until they get restriction.

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 12:38 PM, <suziq1964@...> wrote:

Thank you for the reply Bipley. Doesn't the sleeve cause malupsorption issues...I've seen that on posts. I'm guessing that means not obsorbing vitamins and nutrients. I am just a little below your starting weight. How long did it take you to get to 128? Lastly, can you describe a normal eating day for you now, including quantitie. I really like fruit and salads, and I've not seen many posts of people being able to eat these things.

Tks

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply. So what does a normal eating day look like for you without a port but still a band right?

From: giftedtch@...Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:44:32 -0700Subject: Re: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

Suzi,

I am one of those people who has not had the rosiest journey with my lapband. However, I would hope that you NEVER interpreted anything I have had to say as negative. If I had known back in February 2006 that having the lapband would have resulted in some of the issues I have had that potentially could have been avoided alltogether by not having the surgery, I STILL would have had the band placed, no questions asked. I have not been able to keep a port. I have had two different ones and am currently (and hopefully forever) without one at all. Having those removed and replaced has required extra surgery. Losing so much weight in such a short amount of time created problems with my gallbladder and I had to have that removed as well. So, it has not been the eaisest journey one could have had. But, I would do it again tomorrow if I had to make the choice. I cannot begin to tell you all of the positives that have come as a result of my lapband. The positive outcome far, far outweighs the problems I have had. The problems have been easily remedied so who can complain? I am happier than I have ever been. I am healthier than I have ever been. I wouldn't change one single thing! IF the sleeve had been available when I had the lapband, then, maybe I would have gone that route but I can't really say. I struggle with eating issues. My list of foods that don't work for me is quite lengthly. Are there times my lack of food intake gets too me? Sure there are! When my family is eating pizza or a whopper from Burger King. I miss french fries. I miss ice cold beer in the hot summer time. I miss diet coke every now and then. But, I do NOT miss my size 24 pants or XXL shirts, even my size 9 shoes. Times that I miss those foods, I simply remove myself from the place where that food is and I am fine. I have even resorted to going to look at myself in the mirror, strip down to almost nothing and weighing myself just to remind myself of WHY I don't need those foods. In all honesty, those feelings of loss or grief over not being able to eat those foods goes away pretty darn quickly. My lapband has changed my life. I honestly cannot imagine life without it. Don't let what others say sway you one way or another. You do this for YOU. Do what YOU are comfortable with. I wouldn't change a thing!

Keep posting and asking,

Jenni Currie

DOB 2/23/06

5 fills

3 unfills

Forever Portless

From: susan.garde <suziq1964hotmail>Subject: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi

[Guest guest]

Still, the complication rate with the band is relatively low. It seems that those of us who post are generally very very happy and sharing victories, challenged and seeking support, or on the boards to help. There are hundreds who are just living their lives with bands who are not "here."Many complications wih the band are a direct result of our choices-- NOT ALL, but many I would guess. The strict guidelines are out there for our protection and success with the band. Those who adhere to the guidelines fare better. As you know by now, the band requires our cooperation. When I fight my band, it fights me back. I am SOOO glad I have my band and it is well worth the risks involved, in my opinion. It is good you're thinking long and hard about it. I did too and wanted the good, the bad, and the ugly before signing up! : )"susan.garde" <suziq1964@...> wrote: Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump? Tks, Suzi

[Guest guest]

Yes, I still have my band and I still have a fill. I have 1.6ccs of saline in my band and that seems to be right where I should be....MOST days. Some days I wish I were a little looser but, all in all, this really is my sweet spot.

Don't ask me about eating. I tend to eat alot of soups but that is mostly because I have always eaten alot of soups. I eat hot soups in the winter and cold soups in the summer. I eat little to no meat but, that too, is not all that unusual for me. I've always been a side dish sort of person. I eat salad, melons, most veggies, and most casseroles. I don't eat bread or pasta or eggs. I don't eat bread type of products such as cakes or pizza dough. I can eat the topping off of pizza but not the crust. Smooth, creamy things like yogurt are no problem at all. Potato products are sometimes a problem but if I am having an open day, I can eat some mashed or baked potatoes. Hmmmmm.....as far as my daily eating schedule, I don't typically eat anything until late in the afternoon. If I eat earlier in the daytime, say before 4:00, it has to be something light like yogurt, soup, etc or it has

the potential to create some difficulty. By supper time, I can eat most things without any problem. I don't drink things with ice. My band doesn't like really cold water or other drinks for some reason. Everything I drink is room temp. None of this is an issue with me. Some of these things are issues for OTHER people for some reason but I am perfectly fine with my eating. Sure, there are times, like I already said that I would love to have a whopper or quarter pounder but that feeling disappears almost as quickly as it appears.

So, for what it is worth.....there it is.

Jenni

From: susan.garde <suziq1964hotmail (DOT) com>Subject: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! @groups. comDate: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi

[Guest guest]

This is something I don't understand if you don't eat until late afternoon and lots of other bandsters eat so little ...it would make sense that their metabolisms would slow right down....yet they still loose weight. I don't get that.

From: giftedtch@...Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:48:29 -0700Subject: RE: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

Yes, I still have my band and I still have a fill. I have 1.6ccs of saline in my band and that seems to be right where I should be....MOST days. Some days I wish I were a little looser but, all in all, this really is my sweet spot.

Don't ask me about eating. I tend to eat alot of soups but that is mostly because I have always eaten alot of soups. I eat hot soups in the winter and cold soups in the summer. I eat little to no meat but, that too, is not all that unusual for me. I've always been a side dish sort of person. I eat salad, melons, most veggies, and most casseroles. I don't eat bread or pasta or eggs. I don't eat bread type of products such as cakes or pizza dough. I can eat the topping off of pizza but not the crust. Smooth, creamy things like yogurt are no problem at all. Potato products are sometimes a problem but if I am having an open day, I can eat some mashed or baked potatoes. Hmmmmm.....as far as my daily eating schedule, I don't typically eat anything until late in the afternoon. If I eat earlier in the daytime, say before 4:00, it has to be something light like yogurt, soup, etc or it has the potential to create some difficulty. By supper time, I can eat most things without any problem. I don't drink things with ice. My band doesn't like really cold water or other drinks for some reason. Everything I drink is room temp. None of this is an issue with me. Some of these things are issues for OTHER people for some reason but I am perfectly fine with my eating. Sure, there are times, like I already said that I would love to have a whopper or quarter pounder but that feeling disappears almost as quickly as it appears.

So, for what it is worth.....there it is.

Jenni

From: susan.garde <suziq1964hotmail (DOT) com>Subject: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! @groups. comDate: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi

[Guest guest]

Your metabolism speeds up if you eat, true. But the weight loss saved in a faster metabolism is used up in the calories you just ate so you could increase your metabolism.Personally, I don't eat until I'm hungry. That took a lot of practice but it comes with time.

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 5:43 PM, <suziq1964@...> wrote:

This is something I don't understand if you don't eat until late afternoon and lots of other bandsters eat so little ...it would make sense that their metabolisms would slow right down....yet they still loose weight. I don't get that.

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm certainly no expert so I don't know how to explain it. All I know is that it works. I don't get hungry so there is no reason to eat. My band loosens up as the day progresses so I eat what I can, when I can. It has worked for me.

Jenni

Subject: RE: To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 7:43 PM

This is something I don't understand if you don't eat until late afternoon and lots of other bandsters eat so little ...it would make sense that their metabolisms would slow right down....yet they still loose weight. I don't get that.

@groups. comFrom: giftedtch (DOT) comDate: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:48:29 -0700Subject: RE: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] To DO or not to DO....decision time!!!

Yes, I still have my band and I still have a fill. I have 1.6ccs of saline in my band and that seems to be right where I should be....MOST days. Some days I wish I were a little looser but, all in all, this really is my sweet spot.Don't ask me about eating. I tend to eat alot of soups but that is mostly because I have always eaten alot of soups. I eat hot soups in the winter and cold soups in the summer. I eat little to no meat but, that too, is not all that unusual for me. I've always been a side dish sort of person. I eat salad, melons, most veggies, and most casseroles. I don't eat bread or pasta or eggs. I don't eat bread type of products such as cakes or pizza dough. I can eat the topping off of pizza but not the crust. Smooth, creamy things like yogurt are no problem at all. Potato products are sometimes a problem but if I am having an open day, I can eat some mashed or

baked potatoes. Hmmmmm.....as far as my daily eating schedule, I don't typically eat anything until late in the afternoon. If I eat earlier in the daytime, say before 4:00, it has to be something light like yogurt, soup, etc or it has the potential to create some difficulty. By supper time, I can eat most things without any problem. I don't drink things with ice. My band doesn't like really cold water or other drinks for some reason. Everything I drink is room temp. None of this is an issue with me. Some of these things are issues for OTHER people for some reason but I am perfectly fine with my eating. Sure, there are times, like I already said that I would love to have a whopper or quarter pounder but that feeling disappears almost as quickly as it appears. So, for what it is worth.....there it is. Jenni

From: susan.garde <suziq1964hotmail (DOT) com>Subject: [Dr-Aceves-bandster s] To DO or not to DO....decision time!!! @groups. comDate: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well my birth certificate is on the way...and only 2 week wait time for a Canadian Passport. Loan has been approved, so all would be in place if the answer was to DO. There are so many negative posts regarding, loosing hair, not being able to eat anything at all, throwing up, slipping ports. I need to make a decision. What was the final reason that swayed those who have made the lap band jump?Tks,Suzi