Gastric band advice

princesspiercey wrote: »

I don't eat a lot anyway nor do I eat *kitten*. If I could do it without surgery I'd not still be fat right now. Surgery is my final option or its stay fat for life. It's partly also for potentially eradicating my type 2 diabetes that I'd considered the op also. I don't exercise much but even when I did used to go to the gym it never made a difference. Everyone's body works in a different way and that's what people need to understand. I know skiing people who eat like a horse but cause they don't gain weight no one bothers to moan at them for unhealthy eating habits yet of you're fat you automatically must eat *kitten*, loads of it and be a total pig. This is not always the case and it's about time people realised that. I have a friend who is like me also. Doesn't eat much, eats pretty well, is full easily yet she's also over wright but carries it better as is like 6ft tall so even though she weighs more than me she doesn't look as bad so her weight isn't an issue to her. Having a good or bad relationship with food isn't always truly reflected by a persons weight. The nhs don't tend to offer the bypass anyway unless the circumstances are extreme because of the dangers. The band is still the most common type offered.

It seems like you've made your mind up then. I'm not sure why you requested advice and then are getting angry with those providing it. I say do what works best for you. As you stated every body is different I agree. I think most people are just trying to save you the pain of a major surgery, because surgery is MAJOR and we would hope you are able to put yourself in the safest and healthiest position possible. I wish you all the best!

I'm about to have my band op tomorrow, reading some of the frankly scare stories from some and other success stories from others is just making me more determined to make the band work for me. Like others have said sure you can regain all the weight you lost IF you dont eat slowly, healthily and properly with small portions, not just temporarily (like a diet) but for life. But in most cases when done right, if you work with the band, dont cheat, do exercise you will have weight loss. I may even report back to let you know how it's going x

Talk to your doctor, and try a different diet first. I was on weight watchers multiple times. I lost a lot the first time, but on subsequent times I either didn't lose weight or actually gained. You may need to do something different. My doctor has me on a ketogenic (essentially Atkins )plan, and it's the first time I have lost weight consistently in years. The truth of the matter is that if you are going to make a food low fat, as many foods are trying to do, you have to replace the fat with something. that's usually carbohydrates. I apparently am sensitive to this, and they cause me not to lose weight. There is a body of evidence that suggests -but does not prove - that high carb-low fat diets do more harm than good. I won't cite sources here because it's to a good degree anecdotal.

It's not a panacea, and it's definitely not for everyone. I'd talk to your doctor before trying it. It will, however, be cheaper than surgery and won't be hard to reverse if it's not working.

Everybody I know that did some form of banding regrets it. Many have had to go in to fix slipping issues, which meant another surgery, more pain, extra scarring, and more recovery. They will be on vitamins for the rest of their lives. They did not learn how to eat properly, so most of them gained it back after a year or two.

On the flip side, the friends that had gastric bypass, removal of a large chunk of stomach, have fared better with recovery and have had less complications. They'll still have to take daily vitamins, watch what they eat, and keep active to keep the weight off and their health in good standing.

Both of those options do nothing more than restrict how much you can consume at one time. If you can't use moderation now, I promise you'll find a way around the healthy diet with the band. Sure, you can only eat a few ounces at a time, but after that food has passed out of the stomach, which takes about 30-45 minutes, you can eat more! You can still consume over your daily allowance with the band. Both options stress a good diet and moderate exercise. If you can't do those now, the band will fail within 2 years. Either learn moderation or wire your mouth shut so that you can't eat.

I had lap band surgery July 2011 - so just over 4 years ago. I've been able to maintain an approx 90 lbs weight loss - down from my highest weight of 357. I'm not at my goal weight and to be honest I've been at a standstill for a couple of years. However, I blame that entirely on myself. I'm working to get back the mental motivation that I had when I first decided to go through with the surgery. That's something that no procedure, doctor, diet, whatever can fix. That's totally on me and I own every bit of it.

My decision to get lapband over the other WLS options was done after months of research and introspection. I had very specific reasons for electing lapband. Among them, I actually didn't want or need a rapid weight loss. I wanted a tool to help me as I revamped my entire relationship with food and exercise. I wanted to learn how to make healthy food choices and portion control. The band simply serves as an aid and not a fix or miracle. I also wanted to minimize as much as I could the effects of rapid weight loss in the form of sagging skin. I knew I would have sagging skin regardless, however I didn't want to compound it by unecessarily losing weight too rapidly. I also have a family history of cancer. There are some cancer treatments you become ineligible for if you have had the bypass or sleeve. And finally, I wanted the lapband because it is totally reversible. My plan is to have it eventually removed once I've attained and maintained my goal weight.

There have been some side effects. I had to have gall bladder surgery about 9 months after the lap band. Gall stones are actually common after significant and rapid weight loss. Since the gallbladder surgery, I haven't had anymore of those related issues (pain, vomitting, etc). Food does occasionally get stuck. That's a reminder to eat more slowly and chew my food longer. I've also had to get adjustments from time to time. There are certain foods that give me more trouble than others (salmon, eggs, bread)- again it's important to eat these foods slowly and chew well.

Overall, I'm happy with my decision and would probably make the same choice if I had to do over again. I think the most important thing is to be realistic about your goals and expectations as well as the work that is required of YOU to be successful. Like any other surgery, there are risks and everyone reacts uniquely. Take your time to research and consider your options and make the decision that you feel is best for you.

No matter what procedure you opt to (not a fan of the lap band as I have seen a couple of my friends have complications only to have the band removed and gain the weight back) IT IS ONLY A TOOL....you still have to make a lifestyle change and commit.

Update 1: It's 6 Weeks since having Gastric Band surgery I've kept mostly to a healthy eating regime, I've been excising regularly and so far lost 51 pounds since my very heaviest. A few more pounds to go and I'll no longer be obese! My horrific sleep apnea has dissapeared, I feel much more awake during the day and I feel much more active and healthier. I've been almost strictly following the 20/20/20 rule (google it) and apart from a few crisps I've been eating very healthy. My band isn't an easy way of loosing weight, reading some people saying such things on here is like telling an alcoholic the help they're getting is cheating and it's an easy way out, or telling a recovering drug addict that the help they got was cheating. Loosing weight, being banded and trying to stick to your new lifestyle is very much like recovering from a highly addictive substance, Some rare cases certain people can go cold turkey and go to a Gym and loose weight and keep it off, most.....can't and like me, some realize they need help to maintain weight loss long term either by having a band, sleeve or bypass.

Ofcourse there are dangers with any surgery, I believe there are far more dangers by remaining obese.

A Gastric band will never stop you from stuffing your face and eating as much as you want, that's why so many people fail after having had it. You have to restrict yourself by eating slower, sensible portions and the band will help by not making you feel so hungry all the time. People who have failed with the band I think weren't told this and expected it to do all the work, It wont. And that's why it's not the easy way out, because You have to do all the hard work, the band just helps.

I can report back to let you know if I've had to eat my words x