Anyone with a LapBand for a weight loss tool?

I was banded on May 17, 2013 so I am fairly new to this journey as well; however, I do think it was a great decision for me. I'm down 35 pounds and it makes me very conscious of what I eat. The tool does limit how much you eat and the portion and exercise as with any wls helps to boost the weight to come off. As of now, I can say that I'm HONESTLY pleased with my band. I will say that I did think it was going to be easier than what it is. I think any wls surgery is going to be hard because it really makes you change your thinking about food.

I just celebrated my 7th year "Banniversary". The lapband was the best investment I ever made in my health. It saved my life.

The only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner.

I started with a 54" waist now I'm a 30" waist.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me. I also have free long distance and would would be happy to chat with you on the phone.

Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss: 160 lbs
tomander@bell.net

Hello Sr. I just had my lapband surgery on July 2, 2013. I've considered weight loss surgery for years but my prior insurance companies wouldn't pay for it in the past. Thank God my insurance company that I have now paid for it. I have just fininshed up my protein shakes/broth diet and moved on to pureed foods today. I had do do protein shakes two weeks prior to my surgery and two weeks after my sugery and I have lost 30 pounds as of today. I am healing up nicely and feeling good. I am glad that I was finally able to get this done. I did lots of research about the procedure before I had it done and feel that I have made the right one for me.

I want to also say Congrats to Tom. I hope my band success will be like yours. Keep up the great work!

Lillie and Sodapop good luck to you! I wish you much success. Just follow your doctors orders.

Good luck with your lapband surgery. I'm sending good vibes your way. I had my surgery on July 2, 2013. A little something to help you is I experienced a lot of gas pain after the surgery that lasted for about 4 days. I was able to take Gas X strips. They help a lot. Also, I experienced left shoulder pain and it was from the gas as well. I slept in my husbands recliner for about 8 nights. Get lots of rest. Follow your doctors orders. My doctor had me walk 30 minutes every day even the day of my surgery. I was able to do little 10 minute walks through out the day. The walks will help you get rid of the gas as well. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I has a lap band in 2008 (i think) and it didnt work for me. I found that I could eat around it and had it tightened twice but still i could eat around it. I occasionally get food stuck now and Im eating regualr portions. The only good thing it did for me was stop me from being able to eat an enormous 16" pizza all by myself plus wedges and garlic bread. I could never do that now. 2 slices and Im full! As someone above said, its different for everyone. I got mine in the Uk where there is no per-requirement to get therapyy/counseling before hand to deal with food issues. I really wish I'd had that to be honest.

I am currently working towards getting LapBand - looking at a possible October surgery date. I have done a ton of research and I really feel that it's the right things for me.

I know it is a very personal journey and it will be different for everyone. That being said, it did not work for me. I spent $15,000 of my own dollars and in the end I could not deal with the sensations and getting food stuck and such. I am not sure how much more research I could have done as I feel I went in to it with my eyes wide open. There was just no way to know that the swallowing, gagging, sliming, etc. would be such an issue for me. For many it is not too bothersome. I had no gag reflex issues before the surgery and having had all of my fill removed have no problems now. I simply have a very expensive band inside me with no fill and for me, was a complete waste of time, energy and money.

I did buy into the mentality that it is simply a tool to help with weight loss, but hindsight being 20/20, if I am honest with myself I did expect it to do the majority of the work in helping me to lose weight. I think anyone who gets the band, if they are really really really honest with themselves, is hoping and expecting the same thing. At the end of the day when I spend time here and see the people that are truly successful for the long tern....it is because they eat less, eat well and exercise. We all know there is no magic pill, potion or "tool". It just comes down to sacrifice and hard work.

I wish you much success and health in your journey, whatever you decide to do.

Edited to add: You will see that I originally joined this site in 2010 but today is the very first time I have ever posted. I just started getting truly active here as of July 5th of this year and your question was just too important for me not to give my knowledge on. It is a huge decision.

If the band did not help you, because you have poor food relationships and negative thoughts, there are other options. You can message me and I can give you some info that helps with the mental parts of weight loss.

Sharon the problem with the band was not poor food relationships and negative thoughts. If you re-read my post it was a physical problem. As far as my current situation you will see that I am down 17 pounds having just started to log and be involved on MFP as of July 5th of this year. Things are well for me and it is simply about eating less, healthy choices, plenty of water and moving more. Take care and good luck in your journey.

Hi just joined myfitnesspay and fitbit (we have the scale and hubby has the flex band). I was banded 6 years ago on Monday, Aug 10th, 2007. My sister asked me to be her bridesmaid exactly 1 month after I had chosen and submitted all my paperwork to my insurance company to have it covered. I was mortified in the dress we all wore, two of us were about the same weight, which was 240 lbs and 5'2. all of her bridesmaids had large chests (why not share), most of us were DD. so the floor length skirt and halter top in deep red was so not a fantastic idea. I still have it actually as a reminder. My sister's wedding was May 2nd, and my surgery in Aug, by the time early Dec 2007 rolled around I had lost 80lbs and together we went on a shopping trip for clothes for me to wear on my first cruise set for Christmas 2007. I had the dress taken in for the trip and as close as a week before I'd even be wearing it. Figured I'd still need spanx etc. What I really needed was a lot of Hollywood tape? No spanx needed:) Turned out a had lost another 25 lbs by that night. My lapband surgery was the best thing I've ever done next to marrying my boyfriend, now husband. I was so worried that in a few years I'd be struggling to get around with the extra weight, and I was completely sick of trying to find size 24 jeans for a 5'2 person...........After one year I lost 100lbs and its gone up and down here and there, but now at almost 46 yrs I'm very happy I did it. My niece had it done too, two days after me, completely different hospital and she has lost 250 lbs, and has a flat tummy for now..........she's expecting her 3rd kid this fall.

As for fitness, I have knee, foot, lower & upper back arthritis. All of which make finding inexpensive exercise alternatives very hard. I finally got some better shoes, Dansko's (had the sandels and clogs) these are gym shoes basically, and so comfortable. I'm going to work with my neighbor to find a power adapter for her used treadmill so we can both use it. We live in the Chicago area and seems spring will be a whole lot later this year for exercise outside.

I'm looking for lapbanders that have problems as I do with eating bread, etc. I don't eat much dairy, don't like and allergic, but I do some yogurts with hemp seeds (lots, lots of protein-2 tsp have like 10g). I'm having problems getting enough fruit which doesn't get "stuck". Also, for any newbee's, after my cruise trip, about 6 months after surgery, I found I had a cracked molar from chewing so much more..........be careful.

Jennifer
banded 10 Aug 2007