Bariatric/Weight Loss Surgery

My aunt had lap band surgery nearly 10 years ago and while she was successful (and lost 152 pounds to get down to her current 150ish) she agrees with MizzTweezy -- if she had the chance to go back and do it over again, she would *never* have had the surgery. She continues to have a very difficult time with dumping syndrome and struggles with ensuring her intake is adequate for providing the micro-nutrients she needs without taking vitamins.

2 of my cousins had the banding. They were always heavy and yes it's worked for them but there are some foods that they can't eat.
I looked into it, went to an orientation and a meeting about what one can eat and what could cause issues.

It's not a cure all and you can gain it all back, no matter which procedure you go thru, if one continues to maintain the lifestyle that got one fat to begin with.

I prefer to do it the natural way, counting calories (or WW points as I had done in the past) as I don't want to avoid certain foods for the rest of my life, or run into complications that I know exist (I work in a hospital and see problems with bands eroding thru the stomach wall, bands slipping, roux en y surgery causing strictures and other problems one doesn't get by losing weight naturally.

I know there are many many folks here that had bariatric surgery and they have no food restrictions or any complications. With my luck (Murphy's) I would.

Hi

I had the gastric sleeve at the end of April. I've lost 45lbs. I wouldnt recommend the surgery for anyone, only because its a decision that only you can make. I did everything I could before for years, because I thought surgery was too drastic a step. I was on WW and low calorie, no carb, ect and everything I did I failed at. I journaled like crazy, I knew every calorie I put in my mouth, but still, I would eat 1/2 gallon of ice cream and then write it down. Finally at the end of last yr since my insurance covered it, I decided to go for it. I had no complications at all, and I have heard that the sleeve is a much better surgery for a lot of people because theres not as much malnutrition issues and the RNY and a lot less complications as there are with the lap band. My recovery was fairly fast, I went grocery shopping at WalMart 4 days after, but I was sore. Whoever said that it doesnt get rid of the issues though is right. I struggle still with making the better choices in my small stomach. They dont operate on your brain unfortunately:) I have to say though, it does force me to eat less and gives me incentive to get to the gym. Since I'm lighter, its easier for me to work out, where before, I couldnt make it for a long walk. My weight loss is slowing down now, but I'm consistently losing each week, and thats the most important thing, that I know its coming off. I should be at my 1st goal of losing 65lbs by Nov if not sooner. I know that there are people that have had surgery that have lost more than I have, but you really cant compare yourself with anyone else. Anyway, I feel that, for me, it was the right decision, but your best bet is to find a surgeon and go to a seminar to see what its all about. Theres a lot of misinformation and i know a person that knew a person blah blah out there, so your better to do your own research and talk to real Drs. Good luck!

I had the Lap Band one year ago yesterday. I have absolutely no regrets and I think that's due to a combination of several things. This was a decision that was several years in the making. I have struggled with my weight my entire life, so I started looking into WLS in my early 20s (I'm 31 now). Ultimately I decided on Lap Band because it was reversible should I develop complications. And for what may be a turn off for some people, was a positive for me and that is that the results of the Lap Band tend to come at a slower pace. I didn't have the need or the desire to lose 100 lbs in 6 months. Yes, I had (and still do) a significant amount of weight to lose, but I wanted it to be at a steady pace. I understood the importance of really learning and adopting healthy lifestyle habits. I wanted to have the Lap Band as a tool and not a crutch. In fact, my ultimate goal is to have the band removed 5 years out because I have reached and maintained my goal weight and no longer need the band. The amount of food I'm able to eat is less, but I still have the responsibility to make smart choices. I'm still learning. I still have to stay motivated to keep physically active. As I type this, I am having an internal battle about whether I will get up in the morning to make a 9 am yoga class and hit the treadmill. The surgery doesn't change that or make those decisions easier. But I am happy where I am today. I've lost 72 lbs since my surgery and 87 overall. This is the most weight I've ever lost. And the most motivated I've ever been to keep going.

The decision to have WLS should involve a lot of soul searching. It's not a permanent solution - regardless of what surgery you choose. Everyone who is considering WLS needs to take inventory of why they want it, what their expectations are, how much work they are willing to put in, and long term goals. I think being realistic about all of that is the key to success. Good luck to you in whatever you decide. Feel free to friend me.

There is a VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Sleeve) Group here. Search for VSG and join the group. The group is not the most active, but the members of the group form a very supportive friend group and have an active news feed.

I am on day 15 of my liquid diet...have lost 16 lbs so far. I am having RNY gastric bypass in one week. I have been in the bariatric program for 2 years and feel I am more than ready for all the challenges that having this surgery will bring.

Hello, I have questions on how lap band works. Does lap band inhibit the body's ability to absorb calories? I read through some lap band literature and it mentioned that patients must eat a "well chewed" 1200 calorie per day diet. I'm just curious if it helps if you're already on a 1200 calorie diet?

It's my understanding that gastric bypass can inhibit the absorption of calories which is why nutrition deficiency is a risk with that one. I guess I just don't understand how lap band constricting the stomach works. Does lapband just make you feel full or is there more to it?

I have NOT had WLS, but I figured I would give my opinion since it's something I have pondered and looked into. I think it is drastic and scary, but I also think it's a tool. I think people who are in the appropriate weight class and willing to do the work can certainly use all the help they can get. I know that gastric bypass is the most successful. To me, it's also the scariest. You should know that WLS is much more successful in the long run than losing weight without it, but that it still has a failure rate of 80% - meaning 80% of those who have the surgery regain most of the weight.

I had the sleeve done 6/23/15 and have lost 33lbs since surgery. The decision to undergo surgery is highly personal. In the past I was very against surgery... I was great at losing weight. Did it so many times but I'd always come to a breaking point and gain it back. Over the last year I actually struggled to lose weight. That's when I decided to do more research about the surgery. Yes it's a tool, you need to also put in the effort. But for me it has worked wonders. I have absolutely no hunger whatsoever. I have no desire for crap food. Something about the surgery really changed my hormones and metabolism. They are starting to research this more. My only regret was not getting it done sooner. Do your research and do what's best for you.