Gastric Bypass/ Gastric Band- i would like to hear from thos

Jadiebabe91

I had lap band surgery about 2 and a half years ago. I am currently just a few pounds from goal. Please understand, that this WAS and STILL IS HARD WORK! I did not lose very much in the first 8 months after surgery. Then I joined MFP and for over the next year logged my calories. I continue to work out at the gym 5-6 days a week. I am quite pleased with my success and feel like a new person- both physically and emotionally. I had tried dieting and working out for the last 20 years and had very little success. The Lap Band was the tool I needed to change my life.

I had mine done 3 months ago. People need to understand it is a Tool, not a cure! It's the hardest thing I've ever done, harder than any kinda weight loss programme or diet, but it has given me the means to start eating healthy. I can't eat alot, and what I eat I want to be good an nutritional for me. I get exactly what you mean. I use MFP as a guidance of nutritional value

Heelen1993

On this and other sites I have seen that a lot of people think the gastric would be the answer to their weight loss problems, the truth is as others have said it is a tool and you have to work at it with your providers to get the right restriction so that you feel satisfied after a small amount of food, about a tea plate full. If anyone is considering do your research, understand what slider foods are, foods that slip easily through the band like food in sauces, food like biscuits or food that crumbles which are not band foods so yes you can still eat icecream and calorie laden liquids. The band works by making the recepters at the top of your stomach stretch as they push food through and this tells your brain your are full. Also check out the 'golden rules' on you tube. It can take upto 6 months (some people more) to get the correct restriction for you personally. Also have to bear in mind you general state of health, hormones if you have lost weight, you are dehydrated. This is why a lot of providers have after care packages, to help you get there.

Also the healing process takes upto 6 weeks, the band is put at the top of your stomach and your stomach is stitched over it so that you body will make scar tissue to keep it in place, a lot of the animations do not show this, That is why you have to follow a post op diet of liquid, to mushy food to gradually introducing again normal foods.

I hope this is of interest to someone.

eve7166

My BFF had the bypass and lost all the weight she needed and kept it off so far 5 or6 years. It was a slow journey for her too it doesn't happen overnight and now she still needs to eat healthy to maintain... It's a help but not magic... I've seen ppl who had it gain it all back!!! I also knew someone with the band but he never really lost much not sure how that works.

eve7166

Btw band and bypass differ in that most pll with bypass will get "dumping syndrome " if they eat ice cream or too many sweets or certain carbs ... Look into it

K8EYDID

I hope this is of interest to someone.

Your post is spot on and full of true, usefull information. I had Realize band surgery April 5, 2011 and am down 103 #. My highest weight was 280 and now I'm 177 and my goal is 150. It is a long journey and a complete lifestyle change, for me, worth it, very worth it. At the age of 46 I had tried it all, succeeded and gained it all back. I did the math from my last low weight and figured I gained 7 pounds a year, for 14 years. 7 pounds doesn't sound like much, but after 14 years, it adds up to an unhealty, unhappy person!

I was lucky to find a surgeon with a great program, both pre and post op. Support group, education in nutrition, exercise and habbit forming are a must for success. I have met a few unsuccessful patients of this surgery and wonder "why haven't they lost any weight"? They did not have the benefit of a great program. The band is a tool, and you have to use it to make it work. Sure, I can eat cookies and ice cream with no problem, they will slide right through the band, and when I feel deprived or want something sweet, I will have a cookie, but just one, eat it slow and enjoy it, without any guilt.

There are some foods I think I may never eat again, they "get stuck" every time, no matter how much I chew....each person is different and you have to follow up with your Doctor and get regular band adjustments. My doc's rule of thumb is 1 cup of food, if I can eat more than that at one sitting, have stopped loosing weight and wake up hungry, then it's time for a "fill". I currently have 8.5 cc in my band. The first fill was 5 cc's @ 6 weeks post-op. Since then I averaged a 1 cc fill every 12 weeks, then once I hit 8 cc's only 1/2 cc fill. After I lost about 80 #'s the loss slowed down but I am getting very close to goal weight.

For anyone considering band surgery, do your research, add me as a friend, message me or email me @ k8eydid@aol.com.

Good luck to all :flowerforyou:

mom_of_3_ts

You are so right!!!! I weighed my options and I had the surgery done last week so far so good and down 14 pounds. I could either not walk and live with full blown diabetes. Live with all of the shots and pain arthritis sleeping problems maybe end up blind and lose of limbs and kidneys .. no let me have the surgery lose the 100+ lbs and give up the foods that make me sick. and be healthy.
for the first time in my life I'm losing weight and not starving to do so. it's a relief to know that I there is a light at the diet tunnel and I will reach . it's as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and it has and will be :happy:

this is my frist post almost a year ago. i'm now 109 pounds lighter and so much better!!!!!!! only 4 more to go and I;'ll hit my goal.