input on lap band surgery

jas8485

Has anyone had the lap band surgery or know someone who has? Any input positive or negative is GREATLY appreciated. Just curious but don't know much about it. Thanks.

sneezles

the only person I know didn't have any lasting success. I wouldn't do it.

klthomas59

I used to work at a bariatric facility and saw numerous lap bands done....you can lose weight but you can also gain it back. Whether you decide for the surgery or you do the weight loss with diet and exercise it still takes will power to keep the weight off. Also I saw several who did other weight loss procedures who did not exercise but did lose weight and they had little to no muscle tone which looked terrible. I will always believe that the natural way (diet and exercise) is better for a person than surgery with its risks.

LovingMe19

My mom got it done. I've lost more weight than her in the few months I started than she has in over a year. Things get "stuck" all the time when she eats, and sometimes she has to puke it back up. She can't eat certain foods, and she's constantly getting stuck with this huge *kitten* needle to fill up the port again to make things tighter. Not something I would want to live with for the rest of my life. She's on here if you want to shoot her a message, her screen name is mtusek.

metallman9

2 people I know Bypass a surgery and One became a heroin addict and the other an alcoholic. They could no longer eat like they wanted, so they replaced their habit with other things. I looked into surgery and if I did everything they asked(which was excersize and eat a low calorie diet), I wouldn't need the surgery to begin with. You may want to investigate an OA or FAA meeting in your area. There are alot of people in the same position(or used to be) that could help you. Fitness Pal has helped me immensely with my weight loss.

findingfit23

I have 2 friends that have it. One never attempted to diet seriously, paid out of pocket to avoid insurance rules and is still large.
The other went to the gym every night religiously and is now at goal.
Two different approaches, two different endings.

Immaskinnycow

I have a friend who had the lap band procedure done a yr and half ago. She weighed about 295 then and weighs 245 now. She feels she has lost all she can. I don't know, but 50 pounds in a yr and a half seems like very little lost, but that is just my opinion. She didnt and still doesn't like to exercise so she isn't going to shed many pounds. My sister in law had the gastric bypass surgery and lost over a hundred pounds. She is 4" 10" tall and weighed over 300 pounds. Since shedding the weight she has serious issues with extra skin. She is thinner, but like the other poster said she has a lot of extra skin that isn't going anywhere even with constant workouts. If she wants the extra skin gone, she'll have to have plastic surgery, or keep wrapping herself in plastic wrap or spanx on a daily basis. I personally needed to shed over 100 pounds. So far I have lost 44 pounds. I do work out/walk/swim/ride bike/exercise bike and I have gained muscle and muscle tone since starting this new lifestyle. No matter how you go about your weight loss journey, you still have to WORK at it, sugery or not. Best of luck with whatever you decide is best for you.

cownancy

Well, now that all of the people who never had the band have spoken, I would be happy to tell you about my lap band experience and tell you about some of the people in my support group. It's been one year since I started seeing my lap band surgeon and staff about having the surgery. My band was "installed" on 10/1/2010 and a large hernia was also repaired at the same time. Due to swelling from the hernia, I had no help from my lapband until January 2011. I had the fluid removed in June because I had an ear operation and it was just refilled this month. I have lost a total of 50 pounds.

1. A lapband is a tool. It is designed to make the entryway to the stomach smaller so that food will take longer to enter the stomach, remaining at the spot where there are certain nerves located that send messages to the brain that you are full. If you consume liquid calories, such as sugared soda or ice cream, you will not feel full because that food passes right through your system. If you think you cannot give up liquid calories, you should NOT have the band operation.
2. There are two makes of bands: Lap Band and Realize. Both websites have informational videos and other information about how they work and can help you determine if they are the right thing for you.
3. As a TOOL, you will still have to learn to change how you eat, what you eat and you will exercise. Part of my weight loss has been slow because I still don't have my band in the "green zone" (filled to the point where it helps me the most) and because I have many illnesses that have kept me from exercising. I just started very basic, short term exercise this week. But, the band DOES help you with this by curbing your cravings.
4. The band has a small tube inside your body that connects to a port about the size of a small stock of quarters and that port is surgically attached to the inside of your abdomen to permit the doctor to add or delete saline from the band.
5. Everyone has different results with the band regarding what you can or cannot eat without "sliming" which is when food gets stuck. BUT, if you chew your food, take small bites, eat slowly and avoid sticky foods such as rice, white bread, you will not experience this. "Mindful eating" as described above is great for anyone losing weight because you actually taste food and are full much faster.

Now, the operation is not nearly as dangerous as the bypass and with laser surgery, the bypass isn't so bad. You have to remember that the main reason the bypasses are considered dangerous is because most of the patients have so many co-modbidities that ANY surgery/anesthesia is risky. But, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma and many other dangerous weight-related problems, you are in danger of dying just by sitting around with the weight. The lapband does not have the risk of peritonitis from leaking of the pouch created during the bypass operation.

I had my surgery performed around 9am on a Friday and was up walking around the ward by 6pm. They gave me great pain medication and I was allowed to go home the next morning, so I was there a little over 12 hours. When I went home, I had a little bit of not pain, but discomfort from the hernia operation, but I never took a single pain pill.

In my doctors' practice, we have 3 doctors, there are over 3,000 patients and each support group meeting has about 100-150 in attendance. I have yet to hear ANYONE who regrets having the operation. The statistics reveal that people lose weight faster with the bypass, but the band people tend to keep it off longer long term because they have to work the program to get it off. YES, there are people who fall by the wayside and do not lose the weight. It's not easy. There are some who gain it back. But what's funny is that you usually only hear about the bad ones and I, personally, know FAR MORE successful people than those who failed.

You can expect to lose about 60% of the weight you need to lose during the first 18 months that you have the band, statistically. I have met people who have lost 200 or more pounds.

ANYONE who loses a lot of weight and does not exercise will have sagging skin, and, truthfully, according to plastic surgeons, MOST people who lose 100 pounds or more will have sagging skin on the arms, apron (front belly) and boobs. Your age and skin elasticity will govern that.

Lapband patients should expect to lose about 1-2 pounds per week, more at the beginning, with some plateaus, and less as you approach your goal.

PLEASE feel free to email me with your questions, or ask them here. It is not nearly as negative as most people who do not elect surgery make it out to be and a good doctor can decide if you're a good candidate or not. It is NOT for everyone. But, it MIGHT be for you.
Good luck, whichever route you choose!!!

PlunderBunneh

^ Love you for that post. Not a patient, but my sister has been asking about it for herself, and it's nice to see a post with actual information when information is requested. Thanks.

CoraGregoryCPA

I had gastric bypass surgery. I did not have the lap band, because I had seen numerous people gain the weight back. I am just over 5 years out. I gained back 20lbs then researched and researched and realized what I was doing wrong and (then) found out how easy it is to gain it back. There is a website that helped me called livingafterwls.com.

But, like someone else said, it's a tool. The Roun-Y Gastric Bypass I had helped to curve cravings and limit intake. Like the band, you can cheat. You can eat food that will slide through the stomach. I'm lucky enough to realize this BEFORE I gained 100's back.

One thing different about me, compared to others, is I didn't have a "reason" as to why I was overeating. I didn't have a bad child hood, nothing traumatic happened to me, I wasn't "addicted". I just ate badly. The surgery helped me to avoid sugar (because it made me sick) and eat less (no greasy food because it upset my stomach too). My enemies were chocolate, dessert and fast food. After surgery, I had to avoid it all because it made me sick. Then I lose weight - a lot of weight. Then the restrictions get lifted.. they do eventually go away.. then you need SELF CONTROL. I still limit my intake, but I need to improve my diet. I'm going to change this very soon!

I didn't "move" my addiction to somethign else. I did hear many people "move" their addiction to sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. Please get serious Pscychological help (not the one the doctor recommends). Seriously, find out why you are over weight. Find out the TRUE triggers, don't lie. They will make you gain the weight back if you do. Good Luck

I'm 30, I have skin.. saggy belly skin and some arms and thighs too! I'm 30!!!

onmywaytoskinny155

I am a Lapbander since 11/11/08 and I love it!

MuffinMan25

My Aunt has this done about a year ago. She is now around 100 lbs or less and she said IT WAS THE WORST DECISION OF HER LIFE!!!!! she feels horrible!!!

bevskiwolf

*waves to Nancy*

I too am a "Bandy". I had my band installed 12/11/09. I was at 408 pounds and my BMI was over 71. I was literally dying. I have been dieting since I was 12 and have lost and gained 100 pounds twice in my life. I simply could not do it again. I would go on a diet, then off my diet, every Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

I looked at the surgery, along with my husband, for two years before I committed. I have the Realize Band. I did not chose, nor do I recommend, drastic or gastric by-pass surgery. It just wasn't for me. I wanted something that in case of emergency or life change, I could reverse.

There is a TON of work to do pre surgery and post surgery. They do not just install it and leave you to your own devices. You take classes on nutrition, weight loss, what and how to eat and how to live your new life. There are simple rules, such as not drinking your calories, eating your protein first and of course, exercising.

I couldn't do it alone any more. I need this TOOL. Yes. It is a tool. Nothing more and nothing less. It is not the end all be all, but it does help. It will restrict the AMOUNT of food you can consume. However. Chocolate cake, cupcakes, ice cream and candy go down very easily. Just as easily as they did before. In fact it is HARDER to get down what you are supposed to eat: chicken breast, broiled seafood, etc. I knew a gal who had too much restriction and was only able to get down ice cream. That is no way to live.

Restriction is done in the doctor's office with a needle that enters your port (much like a cancer patient, you have a port under your skin). You do NOT feel it. They numb the spot and then add saline to make your band tighter. I have 10.5 cc's in a 9 cc band. I am tiny (on the inside). My hubby who has the SAME band has only 6 cc and has the same restriction I do.

You really shouldn't and have no reason to throw up unless YOU are doing something wrong, ie, eating too quickly, drinking with your meals or eating the wrong things.

I love my band. I respect my band. My band saved my life. If you or any others have any further questions, please ask. I am 18 months out and have lost about 160. I have stalled due to eating the wrong things. You can stall and you can gain with the band. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! My operation was a breeze and literally withing 48 hours I was up and about like nothing happened. I healed so quickly and that was with a hernia repair.

I recommend the Realize Band only because that is the one *I* have.

xoxoox
Bevy

bevskiwolf

P.S. I have an addictive personality. I was addicted to alcohol in my 20's. Like everything else in life, you need to strike a balance. Just because you have that kind of make up, it does not mean you will transfer addictions. I work hard to keep a balance in my life. Not over eating. Not over spending, etc. If you find you have this kind of pre-disposition then you have to recognize it and gain control. I work out, I read, I meditate, I do crafts, I keep myself busy. Balance. Balance is key. For me.

xoxo

cownancy

I had dinner after I posted and thought of a few new things......
BIG POINT....your band has to be adjusted until they find the spot that works BEST for you. My doctor is very conservative and only adds a bit of saline at a time because it is better for you to eat than to have problems from it being too tight.

You should ONLY get food "stuck" in your band, meaning you either have to relax and wait for it to go down or you choke the piece of food up....just the stuck bite, not all of your food, IF the band is too tight or you don't follow the eating guidelines. The doctors have you practice the chewing, after surgery diet and slow eating from the first day you come in the office. So, it's very flexible if it isn't working properly for you and you are following the program.

AGAIN, BIG HUGE differences between Roux En Y Bypass and Lap Band. Do not compare them unless you are trying to decide which one is better for you.

If you decide to investigate the band and meet the criteria, you will find out, in great detail, your current health condition due to the tests. There are people in my support group whose lives have been saved due to the pre-screening. One person has a congenital heart problem that was just about to cause fatal complications for her. Another person discovered cancer from tests.

There is also a newer procedure called the gastric sleeve, but I didn't pay much attention to that procedure because it was so new.

Because of my lifelong issues with food, I am currently in therapy to deal with my food issues so that I can better battle the issues that might cause me to regain the weight.

OK, back to work again.....

dovesgate

I've never had a lapband, just done some research on it to see if it would be right for me. I decided against it. I recognize there are benefits to it as my ex-supervisor had a lapband put in because of a horrible wound she had on her leg that wouldn't heal unless she lost weight but she couldn't exercise because of a combination of her weight and the wound - classic Catch-22, no? Her weight loss was one of the most crazy cool things I have ever seen as she seemed to melt from the top down. I had stopped working there for a while and when I went back next... Her face was so amazing to me - she was a pretty lady hiding underneath all those layers and her lapband helped her start to shine.

The only thing I would stress though is that having weightloss surgery is not a quick, easy fix for anyones' weight issues. Like the previous posters who have lapbands have said, this is a tool to help you on your journey. You will most likely lose lots of weight because it shrinks your stomach. You can and most likely will also gain all that weight back if you don't use this tool like the other tools in your arsenal (willpower, healthy foods, exercise, therapy for food issues, etc).

inlander

I don't know much about lap band surgery but I've known several people to get gastric bypass surgery. One died at 24, and the other two put all the weight back on because they didn't learn how to eat properly to maintain a healthy weight. I also, personally, feel like such a low caloric intake, regardless of doctor's orders, can't be healthy for a person.

Fluffy333

Nancy! Thank goodness! There you are...I desperately need someone who support the lap band lifestyle. I'm determined to let my band do as it was designed to do...

Thank you for your post.

patricia184

I had bariatric surgery 25 years ago! Almost died when lung collapsed! Have to have B12 shots the rest of my life. Stomach troubles, can't eat certain food. Gained back all the lost weight plus more! Now I'm on MFP. I watch my sugar, refined carbs. I exercise. THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT! I can't stress it enough!!!! No to surgery!

Jeliica

Honestly, it really depends on who you are as a person and how willing you are to commit to something like this. People look at WLS has something drastic, but really, for others it's helpful. I can't tell you, I've tried numerous non-sense diets, the watch what you eat, eat under 1000-1200, eat smaller portions, do this, do that. Seriously? If we were all the same and all had the same bodies, then I really doubt we'd all be here. It's honestly how you take care of yourself. I've met people who have issues with their bands, I met a woman, who literally right after surgery, went to smoke and drink and ate ice cream for 2 weeks. Seriously? Her excuse, "Well, it's the only thing that could go down." Uhm, they have yogurt, 100 calories or less that goes down the same way.
That's why you do extensive testing, you see a psychologist, nutritionist, and you go to meetings. It's better to hear from people who have had it done than from people who think they know or relay what they heard. Every experience is different. Good luck to whatever you decide!

cownancy

Patricia: 25 years ago, the surgery was a completely different animal than it is today. Heck it's different than 5 years ago. You had an open surgery and now it's done laproscopically. Just recently, I hear that the band is being done with a single incision through the naval now to avoid a scar!

It was much more dangerous with many more complications 25 years ago. But, again, it's great for some and not at all for others and the band is NOT Roux En Y Bypass Surgery!

Jeliica

They have robotic surgery now where instead of the doctor doing it with his hand, a robot does it and the doctor controls it.

DafphineSpencer

I cannot help but notice that most of the negative comments on this thread are made by people who have not even had the surgery. I LOVE the one comment by the lady who stated...now, from someone who has had it. I was banded on 5/16/11. I am still a baby bandster, but I would do it all over again. I went through 9 months of counseling and preop tests before I had the surgery. Unless you are a self pay, they test you for every risk before you even get to the operating table. The one thing I would tell anyone considering surgery is this....Bariatric surgery is NOT a cure. If you are unwilling to follow the program with whatever "tool" you receive, you will fail. I can only fully speak for the band since that is what I received. If i eat appropriately and exercise, then I lose weight. If I don't, I gain weight. YES, you can gain weight after bariatric surgery but it will be because you are not following the guidelines and have not made a lifestyle change. I had dieted since I was a teenager. Due to all the dieting and hypothyroidism, my metabolism was shot. I could starve myself and gain weight. I could eat appropriately and exercise...still gain weight. I had tried diet pills, dieting, exercise and NOTHING was working for me. Surgery should always be a last resort. That being said, I much preferred the dangers of having surgery as opposed to slowly dying from obesity related illnesses. I saw one comment about a HUGE needle being put in the stomach and couldn't help but laugh at all the misconceptions. Yes, there is a needle used to fill and unfill. It is not huge. My surgeon does not even numb the area and it hurts less than having blood drawn from my arm. The recovery time from gastric banding is minimal. I had surgery at 10 am and by 2 pm, I was up walking the halls of the hospital. I was released the next morning. There was more pain from the gas they use to distend your abdomen than anything else and that is easily handled by moving and forgetting to be a lady...let the gas go, lol. I have yet to vomit. I eat my food slowly and chew it properly. That is also something that anyone should do whether they have surgery or not, but with surgery, your "tool" will remind you if you do not follow the rules. I guess I have rambled enough, the short of it is this...do as your surgeon instructs you and, for the vast majority, all will go as planned. They tell you that you will lose up to 60% of your weight, but I have numerous friends who have followed instruction and lost 100%. It is all about how dedicated you are.

partyat2am

I was also recently banded (6/7/11) and I'm so glad I had it done. I've lost close to 80 pounds in 4 short months, I try to eat 1200 calories each day, but some times that's a hard task. I found that making up the difference with protein shakes helps a ton.

I lost 18ilbs 1 month prior to the surgery on a complete liquid diet. I told myself if I can make it through this month, I can make it through anything. I've been losing 15-20ilbs per month, which is pretty high for the band, but a good diet and plenty of exercise makes it happen.

I only have one suggestion for those looking into the Lap Band. Try the diet/exercise out before you have the band, if you can't do it without the band, what makes you think you can do it with the band? I think that's the biggest difference in those that succeed with the band and those that fail. It's not this magic tool that will make you lose weight without any changes in your lifestyle. It's a tool meant to help your weight loss along with the other changes that need to be made.

vickyd205

Anyone thinking about being banded definately needs to talk to someone who has one (not just people who "know" someone who has been banded). I was banded on December 2nd, 2010...my highest weight was 325 lbs. As of this morning (a little over 9 months after surgery) I weigh 219 which is a loss of 106 lbs.

I will be the first to admit that my rate of weight loss isn't typical...you should expect to lose 1-2 lbs a week with the band. Now that I've said that I am sure that some people will say that you can lose at that rate just with diet and exercise and that is true but there are many of us who for various reasons have not had success with dieting. We have lost and gained 100s of lbs in our lifetime...the band is a tool to help you control your portions and to help you maintain the loss over time. It doesn't do the work for you...I monitor my calories, protein and carbs everyday and exercise 5-6 days a week...but for those of us who couldn't do it alone it is a life saver.

It isn't the "easy" way out like a lot of people think. There is a lot of hard work required to be successful and I would only recommend the surgery to those people who are willing to do the work...otherwise, they are just setting themselves up for another failure.

melissaNY

i also love the comments from people who "know" . I was banded in march of 2011, amd am glad i did. I wish i did it sooner, I have gain and lossed over 300 lbs b4 i was banded, its a tool, and if u find a great Dr and follow a plan u will be successfull. i was 267 and now i weigh 208 , and will be at 150 and will stay there with my band

I think that a lop of people have a misconception about over weight people. its not just math. its not just eat less and exercise like most people that only need to loose 10 lbs think, Id switch places with anybody who thinks that in a second and then lets see who has anything negative to say about weight loss surgery,

hardatwork45

Okay
I had the lap band surgery in May 2005 I was at my heaviest weight of 283, the band helped me get to 199 with a ton of inches. I went from a size 22 to a 14 in less than 6 months. I didn't diet and ate pretty much what I wanted but its portion control. I am ever so grateful that I had the surgery it basically saved me because I wasn't at a point in my life where I wanted to diet and exercise (borderline diabetic and high blood pressure) I still have blood pressure issues but I'm now on the lowest dosage you can get, no signs of diabetes (thank God)
The surgery is wonderful but the thing is you must follow the rules of having the band, like no soda EVER and when you feel full stop eating and work with the nutritionist. I didn't do those things so my stomach started to stretch after about 3 yrs. Another problem I had was I didn't go back to get fill-ins of saline like I was supposed to, I only had like 3 adjustments. Now I went from 199 to 160 after I relocated and started jogging everyday and walking and watching my diet. I am fine with being 165 if I can ever stay there. I'm battling with the same 30lbs for the last 2 yrs and now I'm using MFP to help me attain my goal of loosing 30lbs. The lap band was a WONDERFUL starting point for me because I couldn't do it on my own but now that I know I can loose the weight, I'm focusing on doing it the regular way. If you ask me if I would have the surgery again and my answer would be YES!!! I never had any problems with my band and I was only off work 5 days and like a previous poster said I was up and walking the same day. Good luck to you, do what you feel is best for you.

GoyaMommy13

I'm a bandster!! bandy - whatever you wanna call me- i LOVE it! i had it done 03/24/08 - i was 240 lbs at my heaviest, steadily was around 180 -- bc i didn't continue my weight loss. like many have said-- it's a tool and just like any other diet or tool- you can trick it!

so here i am- 3 and a half years later, with a 9 month old baby, actively losing since my pregnancy and i'm right at 180. i had a problem with over-eating and the band has helped me with that. i needed a physical indicator that i'd had enough.

and by the way- i haven't gotten filled in 2 years. and i still feel restriction.

let me know if you have questions!

rhonda_does_life

Oy, all these people who knew people, you'd think the whole world was banded. I agree with Nancy, Lapband and Gastric Bypass are NOT THE SAME THING! There is no stomach re-routing with the band, it's much less invasive.

Maybe I'm biased.

I was banded 12/20/2010, so almost 9 months, and I've lost 82 lbs thus far. I've exercised, I've eaten well, I've gotten fills (have 5 cc's in my 10 cc band). I'm working my band - much like Vicky!

That being said, my mother is also a bandster - she was banded 12/26/2007 and has put 80% of her weight back on. But she does not and HAS not exercised, she hasn't gotten a fill in years, and eats much more than the average bandster should.

The band is a TOOL - plain and simple. It's not going to be a quick fix for anyone, and if that's what you're looking for... I say look elsewhere.

marquesajen

An acquaintance of a relative had it and she hated it, she lost weight, but couldn't bear to change her lifestyle so she undid it. My husband's sis-in-law had some procedure done and she lost alot of weight, but it's hard for her at family gatherings because a piece of fruit pretty much fills her up.

abeachlife

Be very careful with the lap band surgery idea. There aot of things most people don't thnk about when having this done. I work in surgery and have seen first hand a few of the "unexpected' things. Let me explain.
Once you have the lap band it works very well. Theorhetically it will for life. But what people don't factor in is that the lap band is adjustable. This is both good and bad. Getting to big, tighten the band. Lost too much losen it. But most of the time you will have to have a physician do this for you. Lap bands are closely monitored by the surgeon who applies them.
This is the first bad thing. Why? Because everytime you see a doctor there is a fee. So if you don't have insurance and are saving up (like some people do) you'll be shocked that the 6 or 7 thousand dollar sugery is just the beginning of fees. Monthly can run anywhere from a 125 dollar doctor visit to a 1000 dollar visit running blood test, urinalysis, barium swallows and sometimes x-rays. If you have good insurance and a stable job then your chances of success are much better.
Also you better really like your doctor. Why? Welll because most surgeons that apply these only adjust "their own work" so moving away or not paying a billl isn't a option. Your basically marrying this person for life.
Make sure and pick a doctor that has been in town for a while, has a family and roots in your home town. There are alot of fly by night docs doing this for 2 years in a town and disapearing. Your Doctor needs to be reputable and long standing.
Once everything is taken ito consideration the choice is easy. The good news is after 3 to 6 months if all goes well you can adjust he band yourself. How? Yep by the little strange port attached to your abdomen. You may get hot losing weight but the port is weird to try and explain while out on that date in your new dream land life of being skinny. So think about the process as much as the outcome and you'll make the decision best for you.
I personally had the gastric bypass called a roux-en-y. It is permanent and requires basically no dr visits after a year. I eat everything under the sun 24 hours a day. That why i'm here. I was 250 at surgery, went down to 170 with basiically no effort and after 10 years of eating 24 -7 I'm at 220 again. I'm also 40 a y.o. If you can, get the roux-en-y. If I had followed directions i would be around 140 or 150 perfect for my heighth. But I strayed form the meetings about 1 year out. I also know lots of banding success stories but it takes discipline.
Remember the only way to find real true self dignity is through self denial and time. Ony those two wil make you the person you see in your dreams.