My SIL had this done about 2 years ago. Her results were not great as far as
her weight loss. I think she has even gained some weight back the last few
months.

She cannot have carbonated drinks at all. I think it is forever. She was a
huge Coke drinker too.

She gained weight to get the procedure approved. Lost about 40 pounds after,
for a net loss of 15 pounds.  She also has had 2 hernia repair surgeries
since then.

Not worth it at all IMO. You can still eat 4000 calories per day. Just
because it is 2 tablespoons at a time doesn't stop the food issues.

Melissa

Not that it's any of my business, but which one?

If I were doing it I'd go with the lap-band, since it is reversible,
and I'd hate to be stuck in the WLS lifestyle after I had reached the
limit of my loss.

Plus if you were a friend I'd ask you why WLS is preferable to
establishing  a 1 or 2lb per week loss regimen, since the latter (via
maintaining a relatively mild caloric intake deficit) appears
significantly less of a hassle (and expense!) and will also give you
better results over the longterm.

I think a large problem with diets these days is that people try to
lose too much weight too fast. 1 or 2 lbs/week should be the upper
limit on loss, not the lower limit it is with WLS or other radical WOE
changes.

Heywood

232/188.5/192

Go to www.obesityhelp.com for lots of info about gastric bypass.

Many people report that carbonated drinks cause considerable
discomfort after these procedures. The discomfort can ease over time
for some; others find they can never have carbonated drinks again.

Some things to drink besides water can include sugar-free Kool Aid and
Crystal Light, or coffee and tea with artificial sweetner. Some people
also open the carbonated soda container and let them go flat to
eliminate the carbonation before drinking it.

As always, YMMV.

Kasey
365/253/???

Gastric bypass is forever, never mind the stupid carbonated drinks! Why in the world
would you take such a drastic step if you are not willing to change your eating
(drinking) habits -- to me, I am willing to give up *anything* that interferes with
my weight loss success. With the death rate being one in 200, I would never ever
consider such a measure to lose weight -- I don't care what weight you are! I don't
mean to jump down your throat, but I am becoming increasingly alarmed at the number
of people willing to mutilate their bodies to lose weight. Your weight problems are
not due to a faulty gastric system -- so why not address the real issues of eating
less and exercising more -- it truly works, is free, and doesn't carry a death risk!

Mary M
325-160-148

If you haven't even had the surgery yet and you're already looking
for ways around the restrictions, you're screwed.  Change your mind
now while you still can.  The surgery forces permanent changes in
the way folks eat, and when it comes down to it the weight loss is
from those permanent changes not from the surgery.  If you gradually
resume what got you fat in the first place, you will eventually
either blow a gasket and be in severe medical trouble, or you will
slowly stretch out the parts that are left until you can over eat.

Please stop considering ways to get around the limitations.  Try
living with them *now* instead.  If you do that maybe you won't need
the surgery maybe you will, but at least you'll know what you are
getting into.