Has anyone had the Lap Band surgery done?

[maslex]

Just looking for people who have had this procedure done. I have always said that I would never go under the knife, so to speak, especially for weight loss. But I'm to the point of no return it seems. No matter how well I eat or how much I exercise, the weight is at a stand still. I've had my thyroid checked a couple times and it's come back normal each time.

I have known a couple people who did the gastric bypass and that is something I KNOW I wouldn't want to do. (one gained all her weight back and the other fell into a coma during surgery and never came out until she dies a couple years later) But my friend just did the lap band back in May and she's doing wonderful (I know everyone responds differently to these surgeries) so that's why I'm looking for others who have gone through it. She said that if I can get through the first month, then it gets so much easier. She said that she was not in any pain (which I fear) but it was just trying to get used to just liquids, then soft mushy foods, then gradually adding in things along the way. I talked with her the other day and she says that she doesn't regret it in the least and if she had to do it over again, she would in a heartbeat.

I have over 150lbs to lose. And my doctor has even asked me if I've ever thought of surgery. As of right now, I've always told him no. But lately, it seems like the only thing on my mind.

If you've done it, what are your pros/cons to the surgery and afterwards? Have you ever regretted it? Is it also possible to gain all your weight back like with the gastric?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[M 'n C]

I've never had it nor do I know anyone who has been through it. But... it was brought up at my WW meeting last week and there was a girl there who had had it done and she actually had to do WW afterwards because as she put it no one taught her how to eat properly after it so she ended up with a "double stomach" as they call it similar to cows and apparently that happens alot to people who have it but don't change their eating habits. I would bring it up with your doctor before agreeing to having it done.

Has he talked about any other procedures? My brother has about 100 pounds to lose thanks to a medicine he has to take everyday. He finally decided to do something about his extra weight. His doctor put him on shots and he working out daily. I think he's down 10 pounds in 4 weeks. If you want more information on the shots I can ask my mom for the exact drug name.

 

[DISNEYDUET]

My mother will be having the surgery in 3 weeks. I am her supporter for this and have gone to all her meetings, Psych eval, Nutrition classes, support group, and Pre OP eval with her. I am in the healthcare field and know the surgeon who is doing her surgery.
As far as pain, have you had children? Have you every had a Laparoscopic surgery? The pain level for most people on a scale of 1-10 is 4-7. Weight gain? Yes, you can gain all the weight back if you are not careful! Weight Loss surgeries are about a lifestyle change. This is not a get thin quick thing. It takes time and dedication. The best advise I can give to anyone is talk to your doctor!! If they offer seminars on weight loss surgery (our local hospital does) then go to them.

 

[DisneyAunt]

I hope to inspire anyone who is frustrated with their weight loss.

I was about 150 pounds overweight. In May of 2006 due to incredible emotinal stress due to family illness I lost about 10 pounds. Now....I was a "healthy" except stress was causing me a lot of distress. I was fat but I was fit. I could run up 3 flights of stairs without getting out of breath and I was always the person on the go 20 hours of the day. So I wasn't sedentary but I never had regimented exercise program. And believe it or not I wasn't eating enough. I knew this was wrong (and by the way I am in the Health profession).

Here is how my day went, up at 5am, 6am the latest. No breakfast but coffee lots of it. No morning snack.....sometimes a sandwhich for lunch if I had time.......and then when I got home by 9pm I would have dinner. It is absolutely the wrong thing to do. The problem was not only did I not have time to eat but I wasn't hungry until I got home at night and at that point you all the wrong things.

I knew I had to do something. Previously I had tried weight watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins, SOuth Beach, Diet Center, you name it I tried. As I was going through my mail at my office one day I had a package from Medifast. I began looking into and it seemed right for me. For those of you who don't know wht Medifast is....it's "liquid" diet. It consits of Protein shakes, protein bars, soups, oatmeal and several other products. I thought to myself I can do this its easy enough. You know what......I took the step and I have never looked back. Was I able to eat regular food on this....yes I was. It gave me the jump start I needed and really motivated me to eating healthier. From May 2006 to now I have lost 125 pounds. I stopped using Medifast in March of 2007, I had lost 100 pounds by then. Now I just make sure I eat "healthy" and make wise choices. And I try and eat something every 2-3 hours to keep my metabolism going.

Did I exercise....yes I did...I began a walking regiman everyday and then after 2-3 months I started jogging. Just when I was really getting good at running....I became very ill with an infection and had to put my running shoes and all exercise on the back buring for 4 months. (thankful to be here writing to everyone) When I finally got better in April 07 I began running again....and in May 07 I ran my first 5k race....and I finished!!! Since May I have run 10 races most were 5k but 2 were 5 milers. I am scheduled to run the 10K Race for The Taste and look forward to it. I never thought I would be able to do this...but I discovered a secret through all this.....It's mind over matter...you have to really want it bad....it's 90% mental. (sometimes enough to make you mental)

If I can do it anyone can!!! I never thought in my wildest dream I would loss all that weight. I would set small reasonable goals for myself every month...and if I didn't reach that particular goal....I was happy that at least I lost weight and not gained. Will Medifast work for you maybe not....will running work for you maybe not. You have find what will work for you and what makes you feel good and stick with it. Your mental attitude and your thoughts really contribute to your weight loss.

I hope that I have motivated anyone who is on a platau or discouraged. Remember its a mental game to.

If you would like you can PM me with any questions or if you just want vent.

 

[Geekerbell]

maslex-I have not have the procedure done, but have looked into it extensively. (Unfortunately, DH does not approve of it )
My mom has two friends who have had it done and both love it and think it is the best thing they ever did for themselves.
Now the "catch" is, yes you do have to change the way you eat in order for it to work. My doctor has said it is only a tool in achieving weight loss-you still have to work at it.
As for pain and recovery time, my mom's friends both said they did not have much pain at all. Both were in the hospital for only about 24 hours. One had the procedure done on Friday and was back to work on Monday.
Like one of the above posters, I strongly suggest you go to a seminar about it, ask your doctor lots of questions, and talk it over with your family (you'll need their help and support for those lifestyle changes).
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck!


DisneyAunt-Thank you so much for that post. I have about 150 total to lose and it is so inspiring to know that someone out there has done it! Congrats to you!

 

[DisneyAunt]

After my long drawn out story above....sorry I got carried away

To answer your question about lap band. It's not always the answer...there are lots of complications with that and gastric bypass. I have seen it first hand. It's pretty scary to think you will have device permanently in your body to control how much you eat.

My suggestion is do your research and make sure what ever decision you make you know in your heart it is the right one.

 

[ggeorgiagirl]

Hi! I had it done in 2003...unfortunately, I have not lost any weight. Yes, it is my own fault and I beat myself up about it every day! It seems as if everyone is successful but me! I was at 215 when I went...I am now 218, 4 years later! Like I said, it IS all my fault because I eat the same way that I always have I have gotten 7 fills and I have never experienced the "full" feelings that everyone has talked about! go to LapBandTalk.com there are a lot of good people there!

Now, I exercise and try to stay somewhat healthy. I love this site because everone here is soooo positive and uplifting!

 

[catherine]

After my long drawn out story above....sorry I got carried away

To answer your question about lap band. It's not always the answer...there are lots of complications with that and gastric bypass. I have seen it first hand. It's pretty scary to think you will have device permanently in your body to control how much you eat.

My suggestion is do your research and make sure what ever decision you make you know in your heart it is the right one.

I'm an Endoscopy nurse and have also seen first hand the complications that can result from having a lap band. One patient who had one fitted came to see us because the lap band ended up in his stomach! needless to say he had to have surgery and now he comes to see us because of the resulting complications!

Whatever you decide I hope that it works out well for you!

 

[JudyS]

I have seen research saying that overall, people who have bariatric surgery not only lose more weight than dieters, they are much happier with the procedure than dieters are with dieting.

I've considered having bariatric surgery, but I'm not sure it would work for me. I've been fat all my life, but I've managed to limit my weight gain by eating a "high volume" diet (i.e., lots and lots of veggies). I'm not sure I'd still be able to do this if I had bariatric surgery.

My sister-in-law had an adjustable lap band put in -- it can be made tighter (that is, more restrictive) by adding saline. She hasn't had any complications, however, her rate of weight loss has been slow. She has lost 40 pounds in six months. Her lap band is set pretty "loose" and last time I spoke to her, she planned to have more saline added to tighten it.

 

[DisneyAunt]

I have seen research saying that overall, people who have bariatric surgery not only lose more weight than dieters, they are much happier with the procedure than dieters are with dieting.

I've considered having bariatric surgery, but I'm not sure it would work for me. I've been fat all my life, but I've managed to limit my weight gain by eating a "high volume" diet (i.e., lots and lots of veggies). I'm not sure I'd still be able to do this if I had bariatric surgery.

My sister-in-law had an adjustable lap band put in -- it can be made tighter (that is, more restrictive) by adding saline. She hasn't had any complications, however, her rate of weight loss has been slow. She has lost 40 pounds in six months. Her lap band is set pretty "loose" and last time I spoke to her, she planned to have more saline added to tighten it.

I have been fat most of my life and now for the first time I'm not. When you have a lot of weight to lose...whether it be 20, 30 40 or even 100 pounds it can be discouraging. It can be done. Just take small steps and set small goals. Your on the right track by eating lots of veggies. Just try and make small changes everyday or even every week. Making drastic changes sometimes sets people off to fail.

What really helped me is that I kept a pair of pants in every size that I was and every time I got discouraged I tried on those pants and thought to myself I can't stop now. Just the other day I tried on my size 22 pants I could fit in one leg of them. I am now a size 6. It wasn't easy and it is not easy to maintain it.

You Can Do It!