I chose gastric by pass instead of the lap band mainly because there is research out there showing that the ghrelin (a hormone that regulated appetite) levels in your body change after gbs but not lap band. That is a HUGE plus for me. I have been able to lose weight in the past - just not keep it off. So, I based my decision on the hope that the ghrelin level change after gbs would give me the extra "umph" I needed to keep the weight off long term. Also, I was told with the lap band you can feel the device they implant under your skin - yuck. Personally, I know 2 people who have had the lap band and you would never know they have lost any weight.
I had no complications from surgery.
My only regret is not doing it a long, long time ago.
I have only experienced dumping 3 times. Two times were from eating something with too much sugar in it and then all that happened was I got a rapid heart beat. The other time I got really sick, shaky, thought I was gonna throw up RIGHT there, light headed. I am not sure what caused that. I was eating out at a restaurant and was eating a chicken breast without any coating on it and steamed vegetables. Maybe the steamed vegs had something in them.
I do get hungry once in a while but if I eat then I am fine. In the past, I could eat a LOT more and still want to eat. Now when I eat, I am satisfied. It's like someone flipped a switch inside of me.
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Veronica
Lap 7/6/05
215/155/123
start/goal/current At NORMAL weight!
BMI 39.32/21.8
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