Tell me about the Lap Band

[Goofy'slady]

No, the lap band may not be the procedure for you if you would like to or need to lose that amount of weight. I work for the bariatric decision at UMMC and the head of bariatrics.

I tell ppl all the time that the most the average and notice I said average (there are always exceptions) is 30-60 lbs. Find out what your current BMI is by multiplying your weight and your height. Once you find out that you'll have a better idea of which procedure is best for you.

Personally ppl don't realize that you have to be religious about your office visits to have the band adjustments. No adjustments no real weight loss its that simple.

Look into the sleeve or bypass which frankly will probably be your best bet. It's major surgery but the bypass gives the best results that and following you new postoperative lifestyle...not diet.

 

[crashbb]

No, the lap band may not be the procedure for you if you would like to or need to lose that amount of weight. I work for the bariatric decision at UMMC and the head of bariatrics.

I tell ppl all the time that the most the average and notice I said average (there are always exceptions) is 30-60 lbs. Find out what your current BMI is by multiplying your weight and your height. Once you find out that you'll have a better idea of which procedure is best for you.

Personally ppl don't realize that you have to be religious about your office visits to have the band adjustments. No adjustments no real weight loss its that simple.

Look into the sleeve or bypass which frankly will probably be your best bet. It's major surgery but the bypass gives the best results that and following you new postoperative lifestyle...not diet.

Your BMI is not your weight times your height

 

[ccgirl]

I researched the lapband about 2.5 years ago. I was really pushing for it, I didn't want anything invasive and was scared to death of surgery. I asked around and found a great surgeon, he gave me all my options, told me he would give me whatever I wanted but told me the results are not great with the lapband.

I ended up going with the gastric sleeve. I love my decision and have lost 105 pounds in a year. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself as I battled with my weight my entire life. I also watched my mom, brother, grandparents, uncle battle their weight too, so I knew willpower alone was not going to be enough for me.

People will tell you all sorts of horror stories of people they know who died from weight loss surgery. I personally know 8 people who have had either bypass or the sleeve and all have come out fine. Are there risks involved, yes, but you also have to tell yourself that it is the population of people who are getting the surgeries who already have major underlying medical issues which is why a lot of them have complications. Most ppl are already dealing with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc...before undergoing a major surgery, so of course their rate for complications may be higher, but it would be if they were to have any surgery. I was a healthy 34 year old who was just 100+ overweight, so my risks were lower. Also, find a good, experienced surgeon and do your research on them, complications can also be from an inexperienced surgeon, so do your homework on them!


Don't be discouraged by ppl who tell you it might be the easy way out, those that mostly say that are the ones who have never dealt with being overweight ever in their lives and have no idea the struggle. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself, I wish I had done it 15 years ago! I am the sleeve's biggest supporter and would encourage anyone who has struggled with their weight to research the surgery.

Good luck in whatever you decide and if you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me!

Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

 

[aprilgail2]

Your BMI is not your weight times your height

Simply measure your height (in inches) and weight (in pounds). Multiply your weight by 703. Multiply your height times itself. Now divide the first answer by your height times itself. For example, say you are 5'3" tall (63 inches), and 130 pounds. The first multiplication is simple: (703 x 130 = 91,390). Now do the second multiplication: (63 x 63 = 3,969). Finally, the division: (91,390 / 3,969 = 23). Your BMI is 23.

 

[crashbb]

Simply measure your height (in inches) and weight (in pounds). Multiply your weight by 703. Multiply your height times itself. Now divide the first answer by your height times itself. For example, say you are 5'3" tall (63 inches), and 130 pounds. The first multiplication is simple: (703 x 130 = 91,390). Now do the second multiplication: (63 x 63 = 3,969). Finally, the division: (91,390 / 3,969 = 23). Your BMI is 23.

The PP said "Find out what your current BMI is by multiplying your weight and your height", I was pointing out that this was incorrect (or the poor OP was going to end up with a BMI in the thousands!)

 

[shellybaxter]

Almost a year and a half ago I was told there were markers in my blood that showed I would be diabetic within a year. I weighted around 355 pounds at that time. I had weighted as much at 375 pounds the summer prior. I do not do needles or blood, so dibeties was NOT going to work for me. Gastric Bypass (but not lap band) has a research history of reversing dibeties immediately after surgery, not just because of weight loss. I chose to have the surgery, which I had considered medical anorexia prior to that. I was having it for a medical reason, not vanity, and that made all the difference. I had no complications. And have lost almost 200 pounds from my highest weight. My friend had the lap band a couple of years before I had the bypass. She lost 60 pounds and that was it. Nothing more. My doctore recommended against the lap band. My only recommendation is to find a "center of excellence". Drs. who do bariactric surgery can become centers of excellence and some insurances will only work with these centers. but the centers also give a lot more support to the patient.

 

[starann]

PLEASE research any dr that you want to work with. I am a nurse and let my husband have the bypass only after I researched his dr, the program the hospital ran and their outcome data. Any WLS can be risky with any dr, but at least give yourself the best chance with a good program. The program he went with was with the hospital I work with, they offer pre and post surgery support (office visits, a forum board and a FB page), are a center of excellence and are picky/strict with their patients (won't do surgery unless you stop smoking and you have to lose weight before the surgery). My hubby, at his heaviest was 385, was about 350 pre surgery and is 204 now (10mo post surgery).

Good Luck!

 

[Mrs.Malone]

If you have to follow such a strict diet afterwards, why not just follow the diet now and avoid having a major surgery?

This is what I'm wondering.
Say two people of similar size/metabolism/activity level etc follow the post surgery diet religiously for 6 months. Say one of the people has a lap band and the other does not. Would they both lose the same amount of weight?
Is the advantage of the lap band only that it makes you sick if you overindulge, so you learn to keep your eating in check to avoid being sick? Or does it do something to your body that actually accelerates weight loss?

I have 50 lbs to lose. I have a friend who has a similar amount to lose and is going for the lap band soon. I wonder if I could follow the post surgery diet she'll be following, and have the same results without the surgical risk.

 

[Robbi]

If you have to follow such a strict diet afterwards, why not just follow the diet now and avoid having a major surgery?

I don't know but I guess maybe because the miniscule amounts of food you can handle with a lap band would leave someone w/out it feeling very hungry. My niece got a lap band and I went to the doctor and nutritionist with her several times and she was shown the proper amount of food that would satisfy her with proper band adjustment. It fit on a saucer the size one would use with a coffee or tea cup.

 

[heartsy77]

Congratulations, that's fantastic!!!!

Thanks! It's nice to know it works for some!

 

[aprilgail2]

The PP said "Find out what your current BMI is by multiplying your weight and your height", I was pointing out that this was incorrect (or the poor OP was going to end up with a BMI in the thousands!)

Sorry- I was agreeing with you--- just forgot to add my comment before I added the cut and paste to figure out your BMI...

 

[Julylady]

If you have to follow such a strict diet afterwards, why not just follow the diet now and avoid having a major surgery?

As a bariatric surgery patient I will try to answer this question. I have been overweight my entire life. I weighed 200 lbs at 13. I first joined Weight Watchers at 14. In my early 30s I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I spent my entire adult life trying to stay on a diet. However, I had an enormous appetite and never ever felt full. Twice as an adult I went on very low calorie diets under a doctors supervision and lost 80 pounds.

However, as soon as I transitioned back to normal food I would begin gaining weight. I would eat heathy foods, but my portion sizes were huge. I thought about food constantly. I rarely exercised since I was so out of shape and thought I was way too big to go to a gym. And I did find comfort in food.

At one point my PCP asked me if I would ever consider bariatric surgery. I was adamantly against it and told her I could do it on my own. And I knew I could since I had already done it twice. She planted a seed that day though. I did try to lose weight again and was able to lose about 15 pounds, but then gained that back. About 18 months later I attended the free overview session at our local bariatric center of excellence. I thought I would have the lap band, but my surgeon recommended me for the sleeve since I travel a lot for work.

I knew my relationship with food had to change, but I felt the surgery would be drastic enough to cause a permanent change. And that's exactly what happened. It's hard to explain how you feel about food after surgery. Eating was difficult for several weeks. I had zero appetite and eating became associated with discomfort rather than pleasure. Like can't explain how freeing this was! It was like I finally got the food monkey off my back. There is a honeymoon period of about a year where the weight comes off pretty easily. Wise people use this time to develop new, healthier habits.

I am now two years out from surgery. I can pretty much eat anything I want, but only a few bites. I have to eat 70 grams of protein a day to stay healthy. It's still a chore to eat that much. I can only eat about 1cup of food at a meal. Tonight I had a small slice of meatloaf along with a single bite of cauliflower. That's it. I am stuffed. I never eat bread, rice, or pasta. More than a bite or two of cake makes me feel sick, but I do enjoy the one bite! I am limited to a single glass of wine at a party and no soda ever.

I am thrilled with the results! I lost 110 pounds the first year and have maintained that weight the second year. I would still like to lose another 20 pounds but if I stay at my current weight I am okay with that. I eat a high protein, low carb diet of very small portions. I average about 1300 calories per day and I am never ever hungry. I basically eat what I want, I just don't want much. I go to the gym 4 times a week. I go to a support group at the bariatric center for excellence and have made some wonderful friends with other bariatric patients.

If anyone is still reading, thanks for listening to my story. Bariatric surgery is a wonderful tool for those obese people who are ready to make a significant, permanent change to their relationship with food.

 

[dogluva]

As a bariatric surgery patient I will try to answer this question. I have been overweight my entire life. I weighed 200 lbs at 13. I first joined Weight Watchers at 14. In my early 30s I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I spent my entire adult life trying to stay on a diet. However, I had an enormous appetite and never ever felt full. Twice as an adult I went on very low calorie diets under a doctors supervision and lost 80 pounds.

However, as soon as I transitioned back to normal food I would begin gaining weight. I would eat heathy foods, but my portion sizes were huge. I thought about food constantly. I rarely exercised since I was so out of shape and thought I was way too big to go to a gym. And I did find comfort in food.

At one point my PCP asked me if I would ever consider bariatric surgery. I was adamantly against it and told her I could do it on my own. And I knew I could since I had already done it twice. She planted a seed that day though. I did try to lose weight again and was able to lose about 15 pounds, but then gained that back. About 18 months later I attended the free overview session at our local bariatric center of excellence. I thought I would have the lap band, but my surgeon recommended me for the sleeve since I travel a lot for work.

I knew my relationship with food had to change, but I felt the surgery would be drastic enough to cause a permanent change. And that's exactly what happened. It's hard to explain how you feel about food after surgery. Eating was difficult for several weeks. I had zero appetite and eating became associated with discomfort rather than pleasure. Like can't explain how freeing this was! It was like I finally got the food monkey off my back. There is a honeymoon period of about a year where the weight comes off pretty easily. Wise people use this time to develop new, healthier habits.

I am now two years out from surgery. I can pretty much eat anything I want, but only a few bites. I have to eat 70 grams of protein a day to stay healthy. It's still a chore to eat that much. I can only eat about 1cup of food at a meal. Tonight I had a small slice of meatloaf along with a single bite of cauliflower. That's it. I am stuffed. I never eat bread, rice, or pasta. More than a bite or two of cake makes me feel sick, but I do enjoy the one bite! I am limited to a single glass of wine at a party and no soda ever.

I am thrilled with the results! I lost 110 pounds the first year and have maintained that weight the second year. I would still like to lose another 20 pounds but if I stay at my current weight I am okay with that. I eat a high protein, low carb diet of very small portions. I average about 1300 calories per day and I am never ever hungry. I basically eat what I want, I just don't want much. I go to the gym 4 times a week. I go to a support group at the bariatric center for excellence and have made some wonderful friends with other bariatric patients.

If anyone is still reading, thanks for listening to my story. Bariatric surgery is a wonderful tool for those obese people who are ready to make a significant, permanent change to their relationship with food.

Thank you so much for posting this. We have a family member getting the sleeve in June and I am worried sick. I appreciate you honesty and information. Thanks again and great job!

 

[wvjules]

As a bariatric surgery patient I will try to answer this question. I have been overweight my entire life. I weighed 200 lbs at 13. I first joined Weight Watchers at 14. In my early 30s I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I spent my entire adult life trying to stay on a diet. However, I had an enormous appetite and never ever felt full. Twice as an adult I went on very low calorie diets under a doctors supervision and lost 80 pounds.

However, as soon as I transitioned back to normal food I would begin gaining weight. I would eat heathy foods, but my portion sizes were huge. I thought about food constantly. I rarely exercised since I was so out of shape and thought I was way too big to go to a gym. And I did find comfort in food.

At one point my PCP asked me if I would ever consider bariatric surgery. I was adamantly against it and told her I could do it on my own. And I knew I could since I had already done it twice. She planted a seed that day though. I did try to lose weight again and was able to lose about 15 pounds, but then gained that back. About 18 months later I attended the free overview session at our local bariatric center of excellence. I thought I would have the lap band, but my surgeon recommended me for the sleeve since I travel a lot for work.

I knew my relationship with food had to change, but I felt the surgery would be drastic enough to cause a permanent change. And that's exactly what happened. It's hard to explain how you feel about food after surgery. Eating was difficult for several weeks. I had zero appetite and eating became associated with discomfort rather than pleasure. Like can't explain how freeing this was! It was like I finally got the food monkey off my back. There is a honeymoon period of about a year where the weight comes off pretty easily. Wise people use this time to develop new, healthier habits.

I am now two years out from surgery. I can pretty much eat anything I want, but only a few bites. I have to eat 70 grams of protein a day to stay healthy. It's still a chore to eat that much. I can only eat about 1cup of food at a meal. Tonight I had a small slice of meatloaf along with a single bite of cauliflower. That's it. I am stuffed. I never eat bread, rice, or pasta. More than a bite or two of cake makes me feel sick, but I do enjoy the one bite! I am limited to a single glass of wine at a party and no soda ever.

I am thrilled with the results! I lost 110 pounds the first year and have maintained that weight the second year. I would still like to lose another 20 pounds but if I stay at my current weight I am okay with that. I eat a high protein, low carb diet of very small portions. I average about 1300 calories per day and I am never ever hungry. I basically eat what I want, I just don't want much. I go to the gym 4 times a week. I go to a support group at the bariatric center for excellence and have made some wonderful friends with other bariatric patients.

If anyone is still reading, thanks for listening to my story. Bariatric surgery is a wonderful tool for those obese people who are ready to make a significant, permanent change to their relationship with food.

That was a great explanation. Thanks.

 

[cm8]

As a bariatric surgery patient I will try to answer this question. I have been overweight my entire life. I weighed 200 lbs at 13. I first joined Weight Watchers at 14. In my early 30s I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I spent my entire adult life trying to stay on a diet. However, I had an enormous appetite and never ever felt full. Twice as an adult I went on very low calorie diets under a doctors supervision and lost 80 pounds.

However, as soon as I transitioned back to normal food I would begin gaining weight. I would eat heathy foods, but my portion sizes were huge. I thought about food constantly. I rarely exercised since I was so out of shape and thought I was way too big to go to a gym. And I did find comfort in food.

At one point my PCP asked me if I would ever consider bariatric surgery. I was adamantly against it and told her I could do it on my own. And I knew I could since I had already done it twice. She planted a seed that day though. I did try to lose weight again and was able to lose about 15 pounds, but then gained that back. About 18 months later I attended the free overview session at our local bariatric center of excellence. I thought I would have the lap band, but my surgeon recommended me for the sleeve since I travel a lot for work.

I knew my relationship with food had to change, but I felt the surgery would be drastic enough to cause a permanent change. And that's exactly what happened. It's hard to explain how you feel about food after surgery. Eating was difficult for several weeks. I had zero appetite and eating became associated with discomfort rather than pleasure. Like can't explain how freeing this was! It was like I finally got the food monkey off my back. There is a honeymoon period of about a year where the weight comes off pretty easily. Wise people use this time to develop new, healthier habits.

I am now two years out from surgery. I can pretty much eat anything I want, but only a few bites. I have to eat 70 grams of protein a day to stay healthy. It's still a chore to eat that much. I can only eat about 1cup of food at a meal. Tonight I had a small slice of meatloaf along with a single bite of cauliflower. That's it. I am stuffed. I never eat bread, rice, or pasta. More than a bite or two of cake makes me feel sick, but I do enjoy the one bite! I am limited to a single glass of wine at a party and no soda ever.

I am thrilled with the results! I lost 110 pounds the first year and have maintained that weight the second year. I would still like to lose another 20 pounds but if I stay at my current weight I am okay with that. I eat a high protein, low carb diet of very small portions. I average about 1300 calories per day and I am never ever hungry. I basically eat what I want, I just don't want much. I go to the gym 4 times a week. I go to a support group at the bariatric center for excellence and have made some wonderful friends with other bariatric patients.

If anyone is still reading, thanks for listening to my story. Bariatric surgery is a wonderful tool for those obese people who are ready to make a significant, permanent change to their relationship with food.

and congratulations on your lifestyle change

 

[heartsy77]

I just wanted to UPDATE everyone and let you all know I had the gastric sleeve on 8/5/13! I decided if I was going to do surgery I was only going to do it once, and not take the chance that the lap band wouldn't work!

I have to say, the first few days were not pleasant, but overall I feel like never had surgery! I have no pain and the worse part is I feel so good I want real food not liquids! I will get advanced to diced foods this week so, I'm almost there!

I weighed 326 before I started the "program" and day of surgery I weighed 290 and I know I have lost more since, but I purposefully don't own a scale so I will find out at the surgeon's office.

 

[powellrj]

Glad everything went well! Good luck!

 

[Robbi]

I just wanted to UPDATE everyone and let you all know I had the gastric sleeve on 8/5/13! I decided if I was going to do surgery I was only going to do it once, and not take the chance that the lap band wouldn't work!

I have to say, the first few days were not pleasant, but overall I feel like never had surgery! I have no pain and the worse part is I feel so good I want real food not liquids! I will get advanced to diced foods this week so, I'm almost there!

I weighed 326 before I started the "program" and day of surgery I weighed 290 and I know I have lost more since, but I purposefully don't own a scale so I will find out at the surgeon's office.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far!! Glad everything went ok. Continued good luck on your weight loss journey.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I just wanted to UPDATE everyone and let you all know I had the gastric sleeve on 8/5/13! I decided if I was going to do surgery I was only going to do it once, and not take the chance that the lap band wouldn't work!

I have to say, the first few days were not pleasant, but overall I feel like never had surgery! I have no pain and the worse part is I feel so good I want real food not liquids! I will get advanced to diced foods this week so, I'm almost there!

I weighed 326 before I started the "program" and day of surgery I weighed 290 and I know I have lost more since, but I purposefully don't own a scale so I will find out at the surgeon's office.

Congratulations! I have heard great things about the sleeve!

I'm glad you did not go with the band. I had one "installed" (lol) in 2006. I was a member of a 15 person support group. EVERY single person in our group has gone on to have their band removed because of complications, including me. Went to another surgeon to talk about other options, and she said it won't be long before the lap band is no longer available in the USA. I cringe when I hear someone is going to get one....

 

[njmom47]

I know someone who has had the lapband (she put all the weight back on), someone else who had the sleeve done in May (she says she's lost almost 50 lbs) and someone else who had GP. She lost over 100 lbs. I wonder if the 2 successes will last as there are major underlying psychological issues that I'm not sure they've dealt with. Is counseling part of the process after the surgery?