Lapband/gastric bypass surgery
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Doesn't a lapband make it difficult to eat? An article I was reading said that it can only hold a tiny amount and the first few weeks you are virtually only able to consume liquids.
I don't know why everyone is so against this? I know everyone struggles to lose weight and I think you are all amazing to be able to do it.0 -
People on this board are amazingly against surgery. You are not going to find what you are looking for here. Find a good Bariatric Dr. who specializes in Weigh Loss Surgery. Lapbands are not being done here in the US on a broad scale now because they aren't considered a viable solution for many, but the Roux-en-y (bypass) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (sleeve) are.
We have Bariatric Centers of Excellence here. They require a certain BMI or co-morbidities to qualify. You need Psychiatric evaluations, counseling, physical screenings, a LOT of tests, dietary counseling and many, MANY other programs to qualify. You will also need to exercise, eat only proteins and low carb, and take Vitamin Supplements for the rest of your life. Meetings and Dieticians along with blood work are also very highly recommended, FOR LIFE.
This will not fix your life. You can still work your way around it and fail. BUT, the people who are all saying that everyone has complications are vastly overstating the true numbers.
Read up on the facts. They may surprise you
I wish you well.0 -
Fatkat121212 wrote: »I still have approx 50 pounds to lose. I would still reduce calories and exercise but just feel it may help me keep the weight off forever.
50 pounds is nothing, you can lose that by the end of 2015 and you can do it without any surgery.
>_<
Some idjit flagged that post.
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misskittyninja wrote: »Fatkat121212 wrote: »I still have approx 50 pounds to lose. I would still reduce calories and exercise but just feel it may help me keep the weight off forever.
50 pounds is nothing, you can lose that by the end of 2015 and you can do it without any surgery.
>_<
Some idjit flagged that post.
I think false flagging should result in not being able to flag. To many people abuse flag because they didn't like being told something true. =\
totally agree!!! It must drive the moderators nuts having to sort through time wasting and unnecessary flags!! There is one particular poster that has every single one of her comments flagged. So, obviously some weirdo is following her around the forums ready to pounce. Pretty sad I think
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I didn't flag anyone. If I did it was accidental this is one of the first times I have posted. I have much bigger problems at the moment than worrying about flagging someone's opinion that I asked for!0
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I did the lap band surgery in 2001, you still have to do a life style change, it is a nice tool to get you started on losing weight. I lost 60lbs and started to gain it back, I now have 115lbs off and hit a Plato on losing weight, I have 40 more to go and struggling every day with it. I know I need to change my eating habits. kind of been eating what ever I wanted but less and doing lots of exercise. It's time for the life style change now.
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Dear OP,
You have received a lot of advice and I have another small bit for you, please , please, please contact people here on MYFIT who have had the surgery and who can communicate with you. There are many forums and many people that can tell you what happened with their individual cases:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1174482/gastric-bypass
http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/771-general-gastric-bypass-surgery-discussion/
Good Luck to you as you strive for a Healthier 2015 and a healthier life.
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Fatkat121212 wrote: »Doesn't a lapband make it difficult to eat? An article I was reading said that it can only hold a tiny amount and the first few weeks you are virtually only able to consume liquids.
I don't know why everyone is so against this? I know everyone struggles to lose weight and I think you are all amazing to be able to do it.
You can put back on weight after lap band surgery, I had it done and did start to gain back weight, you still have to work at it, it is just a tool, I have now lost 115lbs and I am stuck now, my cousin had a revision, I thought about it but I am having problems keeping Iron, proteins and B12 up where it's suppose to be. so I am doing it on my own like I should have done after the surgery.
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I know a very morbidly obese person from work that ate his way around it. I also met some online friends that did it and he had to go to the bathroom straigh after we ate.. he didn't seem well. Just really put all your effort into MFP instead. You are not that fat to risk it in my eyes sorry. Anyhow whatever you decide I wish you well.0
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Thank you DebsMitley.
Did you find it hard to eat afterwards? How much did you lose in the first few months afterwards? And could you still exercise daily?
Thank you 0 -
If you aren't losing, you're eating at maintenance.
Get a food scale if you don't have one, accurately track your intake, and test new caloric intakes to see if you are eating too much.
Also, make sure you are not eating back all exercise calories if you are using MFP burns.
No reputable doctor will operate on someone with as little to lose as you. This kind of surgery is for the morbidly obese, after all other options have failed. And even then, it requires full life changes. You can no longer eat certain types of food with the bypass because your body can no longer digest them, and your stomach is reduced to a very small size. Even then, it is possible to restretch the pouch out and pile the weight back on. There is also a risk of complications, which has been covered as well. This is not a quick fix, and it requires discipline and determination. Both of which you can have.
I am not saying this surgery is bad; it has been an incredibly useful tool for many on this website. But I can say that you definitely would not qualify for it, and I would question anyone willing to operate on you.
Start with the factors you can control now: your intake and your exercise. Speak to a doctor or a nutritionist as well for additional guidance on how you should eat and exercise to lose the weight.0 -
Fatkat121212 wrote: »I still have approx 50 pounds to lose. I would still reduce calories and exercise but just feel it may help me keep the weight off forever.
50 lbs?? I had over 60 lbs to lose when I first started losing and I would never have considered gastric bypass! It's not worth it. I work in healthcare and every day I see people that have serious complications, and even die, from the surgery. Give yourself a year, count calories, weigh your food, and exercise. You can lose a conservative 1 pound a week, and by the end of the year you will be there! Bam!
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happyfeetrebel1 wrote: »People on this board are amazingly against surgery. You are not going to find what you are looking for here. Find a good Bariatric Dr. who specializes in Weigh Loss Surgery. Lapbands are not being done here in the US on a broad scale now because they aren't considered a viable solution for many, but the Roux-en-y (bypass) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (sleeve) are.
We have Bariatric Centers of Excellence here. They require a certain BMI or co-morbidities to qualify. You need Psychiatric evaluations, counseling, physical screenings, a LOT of tests, dietary counseling and many, MANY other programs to qualify. You will also need to exercise, eat only proteins and low carb, and take Vitamin Supplements for the rest of your life. Meetings and Dieticians along with blood work are also very highly recommended, FOR LIFE.
This will not fix your life. You can still work your way around it and fail. BUT, the people who are all saying that everyone has complications are vastly overstating the true numbers.
Read up on the facts. They may surprise you
I wish you well.
Yes, I am against weight loss surgery, and there is a reason why. Surgery overwhelmingly causes more problems than it solves. Nearly EVERY person that has it, their health suffers, even if they do everything perfectly. That is just the nature of the surgery. It is nearly impossible to get the proper nutrition after surgery like that. It can also cause DEATH. I am against it, because I care about people and their health.0 -
I had a lap band...and another one after that when the first one slipped....then I had a bypass and almost died...don't do it. All it does is restrict your ability to eat. I am 2 years out and never lost all my weight. I still have 30kg to lose and I am doing it the old fashioned way....0
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happyfeetrebel1 wrote: »People on this board are amazingly against surgery. You are not going to find what you are looking for here. Find a good Bariatric Dr. who specializes in Weigh Loss Surgery. Lapbands are not being done here in the US on a broad scale now because they aren't considered a viable solution for many, but the Roux-en-y (bypass) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (sleeve) are.
We have Bariatric Centers of Excellence here. They require a certain BMI or co-morbidities to qualify. You need Psychiatric evaluations, counseling, physical screenings, a LOT of tests, dietary counseling and many, MANY other programs to qualify. You will also need to exercise, eat only proteins and low carb, and take Vitamin Supplements for the rest of your life. Meetings and Dieticians along with blood work are also very highly recommended, FOR LIFE.
This will not fix your life. You can still work your way around it and fail. BUT, the people who are all saying that everyone has complications are vastly overstating the true numbers.
Read up on the facts. They may surprise you
I wish you well.
Yes, I am against weight loss surgery, and there is a reason why. Surgery overwhelmingly causes more problems than it solves. Nearly EVERY person that has it, their health suffers, even if they do everything perfectly. That is just the nature of the surgery. It is nearly impossible to get the proper nutrition after surgery like that. It can also cause DEATH. I am against it, because I care about people and their health.
That is NOT true. I know many, MANY people that have had this. I belong to groups for support. The complication rate is simply not that high. IF you take the correct supplements, you can easily supplement your nutrition. My blood work has been PERFECT for 3 years, and it's really fairly routine and easy. You just have to not shirk the responsibility. If you don't take your vitamins, sure, it'll be tough; but if you do, it's not hard at all. I know (of about probably 100 people) 2 that have had complications, one who was very seriously. Everybody on here 'knows someone who put the weight back on' or "who had complications'. I personally know a lot of people who haven't.
It's like this board wants to believe the unfounded hype and myth. It's not the EASY way out (as so many say, trust me, it's not), but it's a TOOL to help you get to that place in your life where you can go out and live it and get better. I run 4 miles a day, just did my first 5k and plan to do a 10 in the spring. I've lost well over 100 lbs and maintained for 3 years now. But you have to DO it, you can't just have surgery and live the same way.
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no idea what the criteria is in your area, but here, you need a BMI over 40 which usually works out to about 100 lbs overweight.
a gastric bypass is probably completely inappropriate for you. it is life-altering surgery and you need to make very restrictive changes FOR LIFE. you need to take a handful of supplements every day until you die. you need to follow a very strict diet. there are risks of complications including death. for 50 lbs, even if i was eligible, i wouldn't dare.
lap band has complications too but can be reversed. again, with so little left to lose, i wouldn't.
i am getting a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, where they remove a large portion of your stomach and leave a tube of stomach roughly the size of a banana. again, potentially deadly risks, strict diet, supplements for life. my ideal body weight is between 125-155. i started at 287.
they're wrong when they say it's a cop out, the easy way out, or any other such nonsense. and it won't magically solve your problem. it is a tool to help prevent overeating. that is it! you still have to do all the work. with your weight, i would not choose any type of gastric surgery.0 -
IF you take the correct supplements, you can easily supplement your nutrition. My blood work has been PERFECT for 3 years, and it's really fairly routine and easy. You just have to not shirk the responsibility. If you don't take your vitamins, sure, it'll be tough; but if you do, it's not hard at all.
This quote was from someone who was validating weight loss surgery and how to make it successful... but please read those words and you can apply that to a "get healthy without surgery program"... NOTHING is easy.... and seriously, as the quoted poster stated -- they know people who have had this surgery and was very successful and also know of one or two who have had complications....
SORRY-- but if there is any risk of complication why in the world would anyone choose to have elective surgery??? and yes... this IS elective. The OP needs to work on her mental health and self acceptance in order to successfuly work on weight loss whether it is through surgery or through sheer will and determination. And before anyone blasts me, I am not saying the OP has mental problems.... I am saying that she is currently not in a good place with how she feels about herself and there is nothing in this world that will make her succeed in becoming healthy if she has a negative attitude. I know this because I've lived it.
Work on who you are mentally... put together a step by step plan and stick to it. And don't whine about "it doesn't work". I was almost 9 lbs when I was born 59 years ago and proceeded to be a big child who grew up to be a morbidly obese adult and it wasn't until 2 years ago that I finally faced the facts that *I* am the only person who can change me. It's all in your hands, OP... and you CAN do it. My only wish I would have come to this realization sooner in my life... but heck.. I am still young and you can bet I will live the rest of my life to it's fullest! AND.... you CAN do it too... it's all within yourself.
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Nope. My sister in law lost 100 pounds after gastric bypass and has gained a lot back. Surgery is not the magic answer.Fatkat121212 wrote: »I still have approx 50 pounds to lose. I would still reduce calories and exercise but just feel it may help me keep the weight off forever.
50 pounds is nothing. You can diet and lose the weight.
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Thank you MrM27 for your kind words but do you think I dont already know that?
I came here looking for support scared my weight is going to kill me. Even with the next 50 pounds gone I will still be obese.
I admit my sheer laziness got me to this point but having lost 38 kg this year I am a lot less lazy than I use to be.0 -
I kown in Canada IIRC its a min 35 BMI if you have other major health problem and you have at least exshusted other methodes. There a lot of otherthings you have to give up like all carbinated drinks and being emotionally ready and it take a year before they do the sergury and there is a lot of screening and check in during that time. Its the bigest decidtion of your life.
Hugs
Scott0 -
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Sure wish there was a "like" button on these forums because MrM27 has hit the nail on the head.... IF you found a doctor who is willing to perform a weight loss surgery on you, I'd question his credentials. A reputable doctor would order not only a physical eval but also a psychological eval as well. And if the psychologist is doing THEIR job, they should easily see that you are not prepared for this.
You admitted yourself that you are lazy. This might be harsh or cruel, but truth is you are looking for someone to do this for you and that isn't going to happen. You have to pull up your britches, tie on those walking shoes, clean the junk out of your cupboards and start digging yourself out of your own pity party. Everyone here... including me ...has been lazy at one time or another, or we wouldn't have weight problems. YOU, my dear, are the only person who can make the changes in your life that you want... and really -- get off your butt and move a little... and then move some more... and most important -- be honest with yourself....
Harsh??? yes, it is... but this is what got ME moving off MY butt and start making changes. I spent 2 hours on the treadmill today and I enjoyed maybe 10 minutes of that-- and when I was done, I glanced at the left over Christmas candies and cookies.... then reached for an apple. I would have LOVED to park my butt on my chair all day today and feast on Christmas leftovers but I know that it could have led to me becoming very lazy..
I walk -- at a minimum -- 5 miles a day/10K steps.... come rain or come shine... sometimes it is pacing or jogging in place in front of the tv....but I get the job done. I've done this almost every day for the past 18 months and have no intention of stopping. There are days I am dead tired and I hate it, but I still force myself to do because I know no one else can do it for me...you make the choices in your life and until you are ready to face reality, even surgery will not be successful for you.
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I think you should consider a nutritionist or a dietician before you go the step of surgery. It would be amazing what someone else can see from looking at your diary: what you eat, when, what type of exercise, how much, etc. They have the education to get you on track. Also, you might need some blood work done. Possibly you have a thyroid issue, or if you are as heavy as you allude you might be diabetic or pre-diabetic. Attention to those underlying causes would go much farther to helping you than the surgery. Surgery should be the last option, IMHO.0
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Fatkat121212 wrote: »Thank you MrM27 for your kind words but do you think I dont already know that?
I came here looking for support scared my weight is going to kill me. Even with the next 50 pounds gone I will still be obese.
I admit my sheer laziness got me to this point but having lost 38 kg this year I am a lot less lazy than I use to be.
First you said you have 50 lbs to lose. Now you say if you lose 50 pounds you will still be obese. Something is not adding up.
What is your current:
Age
Height
Weight
What was your weight when you started losing weight
I was thinking the same....
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since i'm apparently the only one who is undergoing bariatric surgery, i thought you might want to know a little about what you'd be facing (again, i DO NOT THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU).
first, there is a basic qualification. is your BMI high enough to meet the surgeon's criteria? in my area it is bmi 40-55. you also have to NOT smoke for at least a year. you don't fit either of those, you'll get rejected flat out.
then, there is an information seminar where they explain the different types of surgeries available and the POTENTIALLY DEADLY risks.
then, you meet with a team of bariatric experts. my team consists of a nurse, a kinesiologist (exercise expert), a registered dietitian specialist, and a psychologist. they will put up barriers for you. the nurse had to put me through a battery of tests to determine if surgery is safe for me, plus had me list all the ways i have already attempted to lose weight. the kinesiologist gave me orders to seek physiotherapy for a chronic pain issue, and follow a schedule of daily physical activity (cardio in particular). the dietitian made me come to MFP and record all my stuff so we can look at it and analyze whether i've made any permanent changes to my lifestyle. no more soda (ever ever). no more alcohol (ever). limited sugar. take vitamin supplements. reach MFP caloric and macronutrient goals. and the psychologist asked me a bazillion questions about my mental health, what my expectations are about surgery, whether or not i was ok with the overhanging skin that will result, what my goals are, what my relationships are like (immediate family, extended family, friends, coworkers). you HAVE to pass all these hurdles to move on.
after a few months we meet with the team again to evaluate progress and if the team says so, set up an appointment with the surgical team, who then has to figure out if physically you are a good candidate for surgery.
at any point in time, if you mess up on these expectations, you will be kicked out of the program. weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out. it is only a tool to prevent overeating. you still need to follow a prescribed diet (even more important after surgery), exercise, and supplement regimen FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. you decide to go off the rails, you gain the weight back. that's the way it goes. and most do gain part of it back.0 -
Just pretend you've had the surgery, it will be cheaper and less risky.0
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Since msging you, I have gone back and read your thread....youre asking about surgery for 50 lbs?
Your acct says you've lost 90 of the 114 which only leaves you to lose 24.
It sounds like you've already done good for yourself and that youre on the right track.
Surgery should only be considered a last resort and I don't know anyone who would seriously consider you a good candidate, let alone insurance.
For wanting surgery, most have to endure a tough regiment and lots of hurdles.
Its not as easy as having a spa day, it can be tough and stressful.
We haven't even gotten to ALL the many requirements for before/after and the pain that most endure, ALL of this is a serious consideration....none of this should be taken lightly! Apparently (by your account) you must be doing something good/right to have lost 90 lbs, good job, keep that up and youll get there 0 -
Just out of curiosity, have you ever Googled what the post-surgery diet looks like?
For the first 2 months after surgery it's liquids and then pureed foods in 2-3 ounce servings multiple times per day. "For the first two months following surgery, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, with a focus on thin and thicker liquids." ( http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary_guidelines_after_gastric_bypass/)
At 300-600 calories/day, anyone is going to lose a bunch of weight, especially considering that post surgery they are supposed to be walking 5 miles (~8km) per day.
A friend of mine just had the surgery and she was required to lose 50 pounds before they would schedule her surgery, just to prove that she could stick to a prescribed diet and that she was truly committed.
I had another friend who did it several years ago. She worked really hard at the recovery and doing everything that the doctors told her. At one point she was even climbing mountains and had a goal of climbing Everest! She had so many complications, from infections to not being able to absorb a lot of the nutrients anymore, she has had a total of 7 surgeries to try and fix the problems and has almost no stomach left. She is in her early 50s and had to retire from her job because she didn't have the stamina anymore to stand all day after all of her complications.
By all means, do research and ask advice from doctors, but it isn't and "easy" fix by any stretch of the imagination.
I hope that gives you something to think about and good luck with your weight loss! 0
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