Questions about the Lap Band procedure

[MidgeD79]

I am considering having the Lap Band procedure done. For people who have done this what was the good, the bad, and the ugly? Would you do it again? what (if anything) would you do different. Is there a prep to the procedure? How fast did the weight come off? How much weight did you need to lose?

I will be gone for work most of the day so I won't be able to check-in until around 4:30.

 

[1stluvispooh]

ok maybe I shouldn't be eating! But seriously want to know the answer.

 

[Mellie2162]

Sent you a PM

 

[karibritt01]

Please post your experiences... at least vague details if not specifics. I would like to know, and I'm sure there are many others as well.

I would like to know about recovery time and what you can/are allowed to eat afterwards. I have a friend who did gastric bypass, and her diet was SO restricted afterwards. I want to know the comparisons!

 

[Robmom]

I'm curious about this as well. My friend's DD is going to have this done soon, and I'm worried how she is going to handle this.

 

[laracroft]

I am curious as well. I have a few friends that did the gastric and they look awful! They are skiny, but their hair is thin and they look like they aged 20 years. The lap band doen't have that kind of result does it?

 

[alldiz]

Hi,
I am a dental hygienist....and while i haven't had it done....I have some patients that have had the surgery. I was considering it for myself....but I decided to really make some serious changes and I lost 100pds over 1 1/2 yrs.....ahem....recently put 15 back on and now i'm struggling to get my "head" back. The struggle never ends.

It is about making a commitment in your "head".....no surgery will do that. I have had patients have the surgery.....and lose 60pds in like 4 months....and keep going and take more off and keep it off.

I've had others that learn to "cheat"....they eat all day a little bit at a time and hardly lose any weight.

Others have lost maybe 40-50pds....still have probably that much more to lose and get "stuck"....and slowly gain it back.

My point is....unless you are ready to make serious changes.....add some exersize....no surgery will give you the results you want forever.
Good luck
Kerri

 

[Robmom]

Hi,
I am a dental hygienist....and while i haven't had it done....I have some patients that have had the surgery. I was considering it for myself....but I decided to really make some serious changes and I lost 100pds over 1 1/2 yrs.....ahem....recently put 15 back on and now i'm struggling to get my "head" back. The struggle never ends.

It is about making a commitment in your "head".....no surgery will do that. I have had patients have the surgery.....and lose 60pds in like 4 months....and keep going and take more off and keep it off.

I've had others that learn to "cheat"....they eat all day a little bit at a time and hardly lose any weight.

Others have lost maybe 40-50pds....still have probably that much more to lose and get "stuck"....and slowly gain it back.

My point is....unless you are ready to make serious changes.....add some exersize....no surgery will give you the results you want forever.
Good luck
Kerri

See that's what I was thinking about my friend's DD. I don't think she is "ready" to do this. She has done diets, etc, and it always comes right back on, because she goes right back to her old eating habits.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My sis did it. She had once, previously lost 50 pounds, gained it back over the years, has always had a weight issue.
The "prep" you talk about included no food whatsoever for a significant period of time and then only soft food like jello/applesauce ( I think this was more about cleansing body out and also limited diet restrictions to "see' how she'd do.) She also had almost 6-8 mos of medical "tests", protocols to follow, visit with psychologist, and ultimately surgery. (Mind you, there are Many people/drs out there doing this after just two visits, I'd RUN from those people, there are doctors that specialize and are board certified for this, CHECK your doctor out! There are risks! She was inpatient 2 days and released, tolerated it very well.
She can have NO soda Ever, NOTHING fizzy Ever. She can not drink anything while eating Ever. She can no longer eat coldcuts, especially turkey and tuna for some strange reason, its too dry???? She has other food she can no longer tolerate. And when she eats too much, she barfs (sorry, its true, and honestly, it is not much to cross that line)
She HAS lost weight and has not had to have her band adjusted. However the girl that she "roomed" with has kept in contact, her weight loss (over 50 pounds) was all REGAINED. I think my sis lost about 60 pounds total so far.
This is a Lifetime commitment! Many people that are "obsessive" type eaters find that other obsessions replace this, so being mentally prepared for all the changes and "small" meals are important. She actually does very well. She could have and prob should have lost more, has gained back 10 pounds from just (increasing) the wrong type foods, and watching nutrition is also important since you are eating less, it should be healthy food.
She looks wonderful to me, (but always did ) though she is not satisfied but not willing to get it/band tightened, which would further restrict her, instead opting to "shake it up a bit" and get back to her exercise, which for her was walking, nothing else.
She is such a beautiful woman and is about a size 16 now (maybe a 22 when she started??). She is so hard on her self and struggles with this...I wish she had it easier....weight is such a tough issue!!
I would gladly ask her specifics and am sure she'd be happy to tell you. Just PM me.
Best of Luck to you!!!

 

[cabmom]

I had the VSG(Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) July 2, 2009.
I had 85% of my stomach removed. I have lost 80lbs since then. I hope to lose another 30 to 40lbs. I had severe Co morbs that helped with my decision to have this surgery.

My life has been improved 10 fold! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

If you would like to learn more about WLS(Weight Loss Surgery) this is the site to check out. www.obesityhelp.com

 

[nicolita3]

I got the lapband about 3 weeks ago. I have already lost 25 pounds. Here is a little info: Some of the tests they required before the surgery were: sleep study, lung function test, barium swallow, and multiple blood tests. My preop diet was for two weeks and I had to eat high protein meals with unlimited green vegetables. The night before I could not eat anything past 7pm and nothing to drink past midnight. The first week after surgery I was on a liquid only diet. The first 3 days though I was in a lot of pain, but I know people who have said they were fine after. My pain was mostly gas (they use gas to fill up your stomach during surgery) and it felt like it was trapped in my chest and I could not burp. After that I felt fine just a little sore from my incisions. I was back to work in a week. Right now I can eat almost anything just in small portions. They say to becareful with breads, pasta, and rice, as it gives some people problems.

 

[joviroxx]

I know people who have done both the lapband and the bypass. Of those people, there are those that have done well and kept it off and those that have regained it.

I lost 130 pounds without any of that but Im not one to say what the best way is. Everyone needs to figure it out for themselves. The only thing I can say is that none of these is a solution , they are only aids. Too many people go into it thinking its a magic pill and its not. It still takes commitment, it still takes discipline and it still takes a mental change.


Im one of those that has lost weight and has no issue whatsoever with surgical help. I considered it myself, but Im a friggin chicken when it comes to needles and such so the idea of that port kinda freaked me out! Im all for it if it will be beneficial to you and its what will help you! If you do decide, GOOD LUCK! I hope it all goes well!!

 

[wdwfan16]

My sis did it. She had once, previously lost 50 pounds, gained it back over the years, has always had a weight issue.
The "prep" you talk about included no food whatsoever for a significant period of time and then only soft food like jello/applesauce ( I think this was more about cleansing body out and also limited diet restrictions to "see' how she'd do.) She also had almost 6-8 mos of medical "tests", protocols to follow, visit with psychologist, and ultimately surgery. (Mind you, there are Many people/drs out there doing this after just two visits, I'd RUN from those people, there are doctors that specialize and are board certified for this, CHECK your doctor out! There are risks! She was inpatient 2 days and released, tolerated it very well.
She can have NO soda Ever, NOTHING fizzy Ever. She can not drink anything while eating Ever. She can no longer eat coldcuts, especially turkey and tuna for some strange reason, its too dry???? She has other food she can no longer tolerate. And when she eats too much, she barfs (sorry, its true, and honestly, it is not much to cross that line)
She HAS lost weight and has not had to have her band adjusted. However the girl that she "roomed" with has kept in contact, her weight loss (over 50 pounds) was all REGAINED. I think my sis lost about 60 pounds total so far.
This is a Lifetime commitment! Many people that are "obsessive" type eaters find that other obsessions replace this, so being mentally prepared for all the changes and "small" meals are important. She actually does very well. She could have and prob should have lost more, has gained back 10 pounds from just (increasing) the wrong type foods, and watching nutrition is also important since you are eating less, it should be healthy food.
She looks wonderful to me, (but always did ) though she is not satisfied but not willing to get it/band tightened, which would further restrict her, instead opting to "shake it up a bit" and get back to her exercise, which for her was walking, nothing else.
She is such a beautiful woman and is about a size 16 now (maybe a 22 when she started??). She is so hard on her self and struggles with this...I wish she had it easier....weight is such a tough issue!!
I would gladly ask her specifics and am sure she'd be happy to tell you. Just PM me.
Best of Luck to you!!!

This sounds more like Gastric Bypass. My cousin just had it and this was what she described. She also can never have soda again.

 

[Duchie]

My sister had the lap band procedure several years ago. She did extremely well at first and lost quite a bit, I want to say it was close to 80 pounds.

The thing that I noticed with her is that the band didn't really fix any of her problems. Once she recovered fully, she went right back to eating the unhealthy food that caused the weight gain in the first place. She never really changed her lifestyle, or delt with the emotional issues that she has. For example, once we were out and ran through McDonalds to get the kids some lunch. She ordered chicken tenders (fried) and a large regular Coke. I remembered thinking at the time that if she was really serious about losing weight, she'd at least order a Diet Coke.

I do know that with this procedure you can stretch your stomach back out again and gain your weight back, and that's what happened with her. I think she went back in and had it re-adjusted back down and is trying to lose it again, but she is still struggling. I hate watching her struggle through this.

If you decide to go forward you need to look at this as a tool to help you, but not an absolute answer. You will need to make permanent changes to your lifestyle in order for this to have a long term effect. Deal with any mental/emotional issues that may have caused you to over-eat in the first place. Figure out what your bad eating habits are and replace them with good habits. Learn to love at least one form of exercise and do it regularly. These things will be key to being successful. I wish you all the best in your decision!

 

[dzorn]

DH Aunt had it may she rest in peace. I cringe everytime I hear of someone considering it.

Denise in MI

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

A couple of weeks ago I overheard a conversation while waiting in a line that surprised me. One lady who appeared to be about 250-300 lbs. was talking about her gastric banding surgery. She said she had lost 40 lbs so far and I thought "great for her!" except then she said she had had the surgery FOUR YEARS ago!. So I guess it wasn't that great for her. That's a pretty major procedure to lose 10 lbs a year (although I know that ANY amount is good).
I guess what I'm saying is it is not the ultimate answer for everyone.

 

[MidgeD79]

I did some research on the internet and have decided against the procedure. One of the things that I read said that you had to maintain a 800-1000 calorie diet for 2 weeks before your surgery. If I could do that, I wouldn't need the lapband. I'll talk to my doctors about other options. Thanks for all of the input.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I did some research on the internet and have decided against the procedure. One of the things that I read said that you had to maintain a 800-1000 calorie diet for 2 weeks before your surgery. If I could do that, I wouldn't need the lapband. I'll talk to my doctors about other options. Thanks for all of the input.

Yeah...good idea... I have 2 friends who have done it. One was very successful but had to have it removed, after a few years, due to complications. She has has re-gained most of the weight.

The other has also been very successful and bought a Curves gym franchise in Australia, to keep her going. But, last time she was visiting here, she had to give us instruction on how to "deflate the bad" in case of emergency. And, she seems to have her food come back on up on her A LOT!

My recent motivation was bad blood work! Hypothyroid, highish blood sugar, high liver enzymes, cholesterol was 213 etc... I got meds for the thyroid. Aand just decided to only eat 1200 calories a day, start doing some walking, quit sugar (I chew a lot of Extra gum, LOL!). In four weeks, I lost 13 pounds. I just had my labs re-done and everything is great! Even my cholesterol went down to 150.

Can you team with your Dr. to at least have weigh ins? I found that knowing I had to go back and be accountable to someone else kept me on track.

 

[terri01p]

 

[amez]

I did some research on the internet and have decided against the procedure. One of the things that I read said that you had to maintain a 800-1000 calorie diet for 2 weeks before your surgery. If I could do that, I wouldn't need the lapband. I'll talk to my doctors about other options. Thanks for all of the input.

I'm just finishing up day 1 on New Lifestyle diets-I bought a 28 day supply and figured I should atleast commit to 28 days. It's mostly liquid shakes and then a lean and green meal at night (veggies and lean meat). there is a discussion board for people using any liquid diet and it seems like people are having good results with it. Might be worth checking out.