Has anyone had Lap Band weight loss surgery or know anyone who has?

[delilah]

I am a family physician, and I have seen many patients who have had weight loss surgery of many kinds. I would put the complication rate at least 50%. I have had people lose more weight because they were so ill after surgery from complications. I have had several pass away because of complication, including pulmonary embolism, pancreatitis and liver failure. Several have had deep vein thrombosis. I remember my first patient who had gastric bypass surgery, which resulted in hair loss due to malnutrition. Her hair remained permanently thinned. My brother had surgery--he lost weight initially, but, regained most of it. My partner's mom had surgery--she plateaued at about 250lbs. Recently, I had a patient who had a band removed because it had eroded through her esophagus. The original surgery was done in Mexico. Apparently, they also removed a kidney without her consent. For real. She only has one kidney now. I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. One patient I had recently passed away from liver failure, which was caused by severe EtOH dependency. This in most centers is a contraindication to the surgery. I didn't refer her for the surgery--she went on her own.

So, I would be careful about where you go, and the surgeons you see. Make sure they do a comprehensive screening on you to be sure you are a good candidate, both psychologically and physically. Good luck.

 

[okeydokey]

My friend did the lapband and she lost quite a bit of weight but then went right back to the fast food lifestyle and put a whole lot back on. You really have to work at if to keep it off.

 

[phorsenuf]

I am a family physician, and I have seen many patients who have had weight loss surgery of many kinds. I would put the complication rate at least 50%. I have had people lose more weight because they were so ill after surgery from complications. I have had several pass away because of complication, including pulmonary embolism, pancreatitis and liver failure. Several have had deep vein thrombosis. I remember my first patient who had gastric bypass surgery, which resulted in hair loss due to malnutrition. Her hair remained permanently thinned. My brother had surgery--he lost weight initially, but, regained most of it. My partner's mom had surgery--she plateaued at about 250lbs. Recently, I had a patient who had a band removed because it had eroded through her esophagus. The original surgery was done in Mexico. Apparently, they also removed a kidney without her consent. For real. She only has one kidney now. I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. One patient I had recently passed away from liver failure, which was caused by severe EtOH dependency. This in most centers is a contraindication to the surgery. I didn't refer her for the surgery--she went on her own.

So, I would be careful about where you go, and the surgeons you see. Make sure they do a comprehensive screening on you to be sure you are a good candidate, both psychologically and physically. Good luck.

Ok, so there's the bad. Certainly you know some success stories.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I had RNY (gastric bypass) surgery 18 months ago. I'm down 203 pounds. Could I lose another 20 to hit the perfect BMI, yes. But I'm down over 200 pounds and my surgeon is happy and I'm happy. My numbers (frequent blood work) are perfect. I take supplements every day and will for the rest of my life. However, I am no longer taking high blood pressure pills every day.

I have had 0 complications. To anyone considering surgery please do your homework and find yourself a GREAT surgeon. Go to someone that has a full staff backing them. Find someone who has a nutritionist attached that is fully aware of your new nutritional needs.
I know people that have had excellent luck with Mexican surgeons. Its not for me. I found a perfectly great one in NJ that accepted my insurance.
Yes, there may be complications but there are also incredible results as well.

 

[Buckalew11]

A very dear friend of mine is having lap band surgery on Thursday the 14th. I'm worried about her but also excited for her. I hope everything goes well.

 

[PirateMaiden]

allie to you-
I had my Realize band placed on 2/10/09. Fortunately, my insurance company only required that I meet the BMI of 40, so I had no waiting period. I've had no complications, no difficulties with eating and have lost 50lbs. so far. My knees don't hurt, I can walk a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm going to die, I can NOW tie my shoes and paint my toenails (if you are reading this and have never been there you can't understand the greatness of that last part)... I wish I had done this a long time ago!

The surgery isn't that bad, mine was on a Tuesday and I went back to work on the following Monday. I found that after the surgery, I wasn't able to drink those horrible protein drinks, so my doc told me to do my best but the important thing was to stay hydrated. So don't freak if you can't tolerate something, if you pick a good doc they can help you through it.

I go for my second fill 5/14 and looking forward to it becuse I can tell tht my band needs tightening. The fill process isn't bad. It's according to my doc, like a big bee sting... one giant killer bee After the initial injection of the numbing agent, you don't feel any pain just the movement of the needle. It's actually pretty cool because you get to watch the entire radiology process
(at least I do.)

A 50% complication rate is something you shouldn't find if you go to a competent surgeon. Find a surgeon, check his outcome rates,make sure he does his surgeries at a Bariatric Center for Excellence,do your part of taking care of yourself and you should have a great outcome. My surgeon is
Dr. Anthony Terracina and practices at The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads.

The only thing I can tell you is that if you aren't prepared to be on the biggest diet of your life, then you aren't ready to have your surgery done. This is a lifetime commitment. The band is only a tool and will only work as well as you use it! Best wishes to you and I hope your journey is a great one!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Ellen

 

[allie_to_you]

allie to you-
I had my Realize band placed on 2/10/09. Fortunately, my insurance company only required that I meet the BMI of 40, so I had no waiting period. I've had no complications, no difficulties with eating and have lost 50lbs. so far. My knees don't hurt, I can walk a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm going to die, I can NOW tie my shoes and paint my toenails (if you are reading this and have never been there you can't understand the greatness of that last part)... I wish I had done this a long time ago!

The surgery isn't that bad, mine was on a Tuesday and I went back to work on the following Monday. I found that after the surgery, I wasn't able to drink those horrible protein drinks, so my doc told me to do my best but the important thing was to stay hydrated. So don't freak if you can't tolerate something, if you pick a good doc they can help you through it.

I go for my second fill 5/14 and looking forward to it becuse I can tell tht my band needs tightening. The fill process isn't bad. It's according to my doc, like a big bee sting... one giant killer bee After the initial injection of the numbing agent, you don't feel any pain just the movement of the needle. It's actually pretty cool because you get to watch the entire radiology process
(at least I do.)

A 50% complication rate is something you shouldn't find if you go to a competent surgeon. Find a surgeon, check his outcome rates,make sure he does his surgeries at a Bariatric Center for Excellence,do your part of taking care of yourself and you should have a great outcome. My surgeon is
Dr. Anthony Terracina and practices at The Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads.

The only thing I can tell you is that if you aren't prepared to be on the biggest diet of your life, then you aren't ready to have your surgery done. This is a lifetime commitment. The band is only a tool and will only work as well as you use it! Best wishes to you and I hope your journey is a great one!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Ellen

Thank you so much for all the information. I will be having the surgery at a center for excellence. Dr. Jeffrey Hannon will be doing mine.

I wish I didn't have to go through the waiting period, but unfortunately with BC/BS of AL I have to.

I'm not really nervous about the surgery at all and am definitely ready for a tool that will help me maintain a good diet. I have the exercise part down as I go to a gym several days a week, but with my metabolism,I just can't get the weight off on my own.

 

[lotzasunshine]

I had my lapband placed in July 2008, so I am almost to my year mark. I have lost 65 lbs so far and have abt 95 to go. I opted for the WLS because I have not been able to get pregnant, and we use no protection/prevention. I researched it a great deal, and love my surgeon! I am well within the healthy weight loss range of 1-2 lbs a week. To be honest I wish it was going faster, but I am a slow loser, and am glad. It is really helping me change the way I see and feel about food. I am feeling so much more energetic and HEALTHY than I did 65 lbs ago. I chose the lapband because I know that it is reversible if there are any unforeseen complications. I have an aunt and 2 uncles that had GB and my aunt just recently had to have it reversed (she was lucky because that is hard to do) because her intestines were so screwed up that she was having to use a feeding tube. Her husband had GB and hasn't changed the way he eats and is gaining some back. My other uncle is undergoing a miraculous transformation as he was over 500 lbs. WLS is helping improve the quality of life for so many, I just hope that those who get it stick to what they are supposed to do so they can really CHANGE their lives. I know that WLS is not the answer for everyone, and there is not one type of WLS that works for everyone. I am just grateful that the lapband is working with me to change my life!

 

[lotzasunshine]

forgot to subscribe

 

[Mickey527]

I saw the Dr two weeks ago, the psychiatrist last week, and the nutritionist today. I am hoping to have the lap band sometime in September.
I have to get my gallbladder out first because I have a history of stones and quick weight loss will cause more. So tomorrow I go for the abdominal untrasound and will see the surgeon at the end of the week to schedule the surgery.
I don't have as much weight to lose as some people, I am just at a BMI of 35, but with my health issues my insurance has approved it. I can't wait to be able to climb the stairs quicker, I had to move my bedroom down to the dining room and I don't sleep well anymore since my sons work late nights and I hear them come in and make food etc.. at 3 am. I am also looking forward to lowering my blood pressure meds, and having some improvement of the sleep apnea. And I had arthroscopic surgery on one knee a few years ago and the Dr said I may need both knees replaced in time. I hope the weight loss will improve that too.
My sister had gastric bypass and she breaks every rule they have, she eats to excess, then forceably vomits. She drinks an average of 6 beers or sometimes a full bottle of wine every night. She did lose 140 lbs but not the right way.
My nutritionist told me about protein water called Isopure that you can find at GNC and the Vitamen shoppe. She said if I have trouble tolerating the p-rotein shakes that these can be used instead, but they should be mixed with 1/2 water and drink in slow sips, do not chug.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

An excellent Web site for learning about all different types of weight loss surgery is obesityhelp dot com.

You might also want to look into the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is a permanently restrictive surgery (i.e., restricts similar to a lap band and does not expand once healed), but has the advantage of not requiring fills. With this type of surgery, there is no rerouting of the small intestine as is done in the gastric bypass.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My nutritionist told me about protein water called Isopure that you can find at GNC and the Vitamen shoppe. She said if I have trouble tolerating the p-rotein shakes that these can be used instead, but they should be mixed with 1/2 water and drink in slow sips, do not chug.

I used Unjury protein shakes. I thought the chocolate was delicious (made with skim milk). Just put it in a container that you can shake as it mixes much better that way. They have a website - unjury.com. I know its geared toward weight loss patients. Good luck with your surgeries.

 

[lotzasunshine]

I forgot to mention to those of you who have already have or have chosen the lapband, there is a great site www.lapbandtalk.com Look me up, I have the same screen name there good luck to those of you who are still deciding, or even just thinking about WLS!

 

[ms.yt]

I had lap band surgery in 2004, and I lost almost 100 pounds. I had some problems about 9 months after my surgery because I had a fill that was too tight and I didn't go back to my surgeon to have it adjusted (mainly because I hated the guy's personality). As a result, even after it was adjusted 2 months later, I still had some problems getting food down fairly often. When I decided to get pregnant, I had all my fluid removed. After my son was born and I changed doctors I started getting fills again. Things were going good until my dad had a stroke and was put on a vent for 3 weeks. The day we were going to go to the hospital to take him off the vent, I got incredibly sick to my stomach and started throwing up. I threw up for 3 days thinking it was a stomach virus, but I now believe it was my nerves due to what I was about to have to do regarding my dad. Anyway, I didn't call my doctor for 3 days, and by the time I did my band had slipped. I couldn't get anything down, not even water. I was severely dehydrated, and I was immediately admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery and fluids. I had to have my band removed, and I've gained back all the weight I lost. I'm now trying to lose weight with the help of Weight Watchers.

I didn't tell you this story to scare you away from the surgery. In fact, I would do it again if I had $15,000 to spare. I tell people who are considering this surgery to convey the most important lesson I learned from this experience. YOU MUST LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR AND FOLLOW THE RULES! If I had gone back to the doctor immediately after I knew my band was too tight, I wouldn't have had the problems I had before my pregnancy. Just because my doctor always berated me (the man was a wonderful surgeon, but had a horrible bedside manner) I avoided going back to him for a simple 10 minute appointment that could have saved me tons of discomfort. If I had called my doctor the day I started vomiting, he could have given me something to stop my nausea or calm my nerves so my band wouldn't have slipped. The problems I had were my fault, and if I ever did it again I would be much more aware of the consequences of my actions.

Good luck to you & I'd be happy to answer any more questions if you want to PM me.