Gastric bands?? A lazy way out or good choice? x

Only for the really extremely obese 400+ and even then doing it the natural way is much better. Remember there's a large medical industry pushing these procedures to sell the equipment etc (true in the UK too) and because the procedures are evolving there is very little data on the long term effects what there is for the older operations is not good with evidence of long term side effects from malnutrition. As one critic said 'it's just surgically induced slow starvation'.
IMHO (In my humble opinion) aplies.

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I think for some people it may be a good thing. It certainly isn't a lazy way out, because they still have to put int the work with a proper diet and exercise or they will gain all the work back. I would rather not go that route, but if a doctor told me do this or die I would do it in a heart beat.

@craft338 - Yeah....she's going to gain it all back. Sad.

I have 2 experiences in my personal life with it....


My sister in law just had....one of the 2 procedures, can't remember which one. Before she did, she spent a year working with a nutritionist & getting counseling. Her doctor required it of her. She probably could have found another doctor who would have made it easier but she didn't (and I'm super proud of her for taking the extra steps). As a result, she's started cooking healthier food a lot time ago which means my brother and nephews are eating better, too.

Also, my boyfriend's sister had one of the 2 procedures done in Mexico a couple of years ago. First, it created an issue for her with insurance here in the states. That sucks. But other than that, her eating habits are much better and she's sticking with them. She's happy with the way she looks, proud of being able to make lasting changes to maintain her new body and, as a result, has been able to stop taking anti-depressants.

The reasons motivating the choice, I think, are what make it a "good" choice or a "lazy" choice.

I agree bellarox13 - If its medically needed then no problem, other than that log and jog the way to go!!!

I see this is a very hot topic and people are responding passionately on both sides. I wanted the surgery for a long time, but could not afford it. The jobs I had/have would not provide insurance and I couldn't pay for it with my salary. I was betting my future on this procedure and felt like it was my only way out. After years of not being able to afford the surgery, I finally found the motivation(long story I won't get into in this post) to do it the "old fashioned" way. I must say this is the best decision I've ever made! I'm not going to put down people who feel they need this, but I'm sure most could do it without if they REALLY tried. You have to look deep inside yourself and find the strength that we all have. Find a defining moment or motivation that will keep you going. Surround yourself with people who will be supportive in your efforts.

In case any of you are wondering, my case is probably about as extreme as anyone on MFP. My starting weight was 665lbs:sad: :blushing: . I couldn't walk from my car to my house or job(desk job, btw) without breathing really hard & coughing.
I even found it nearly impossible to stand long enough to take a decent shower or even clean myself after going to the bathroom. These things aren't easy for me to say, but if it helps someone it was well worth it.

Now after 6 months of losing weight the natural way, I've lost nearly 160lbs. I'm feeling better than I have in years. I went from barely able to walk to the house from the car, to doing over 1 1/2 miles a day on the treadmill, I know that as I continue, I will keep on improving.

I just said all of that to say this. People, you can do it without the surgery if you really commit to it. Reach deep down and find the strenght to get started. Trust me the results that follow will then keep you motivated. I'll be here to support you no matter which route you choose. :flowerforyou:

Gary1977 your weight loss is truly inspiring!! Keep up the great work! I struggle with every lb so to see you've lost 3 times as much as me shows it really can be done.

Now.. back to topic.
I do think theres is a reason for them, but all too often we hear of people who rely on them and don't learn the basics. This can be said about many things though. My aunt for one has always been morbidly obese since her early 20's, she had a heart bypass 4 years ago (quadruple) and still today lives her life eating rubbish. I was shocked that her daughter was BUYING her sweets and sugary snacks yet full of concern about her mums ever failing health. She is almost housebound now and struggling to move around as her legs have swollen etc etc.. the doctors are now saying 'we can't work miracles'.. and daughter was shocked by this attitude.

Honestly, something has to change to aid the surgery. Often in the UK under the NHS scheme people are told to lose a % of weight before surgery is given. This I feel is an incentive and will teach people to an extent. Sadly they don't always uphold it later on though.

I know a woman who is relying on getting surgery - she had a stroke and has gained weight but then eats everything and anything. She wants surgery and has applied for it. Personally if I'd had a stroke I would be avoiding a general anaesthetic at all costs let alone the effects of her weight. Sadly her daughter is a mirror image of her on a slightly smaller scale.

So.. lazy way out would be my overall judgement.. but it is a judgement and doesn't mean there is never a case for it.

Because of my history sometimes I wish I had had the surgery instead of doing it the 'old fashioned way'. I lost 40 kilos over 2 years and gained back 12 (lost 6 of those now),in the last 3 years and I still have about another 15-20 kilos to go from this weight to a 'healthy' BMI.

I am eating disordered in a big way. I either eat almost nothing at all or am bulimic and in between those episodes I don't seem to care what I eat so the pounds pile on. I have been between 52 kilos and 140 kilos at different times in my life. The 140 kilo high was achieved with the help of anti-bulimia meds - I sort of wish I'd never taken them, but at least I still have some of my teeth thanks to the meds!

Keeping the link between food and health uppermost in my mind without slipping from one extreme to the other is incredibly difficult for me. I think that the band would have helped take some of that sort of pressure away from me and I think that it does help a lot of people in this respect if they can follow the rules, for the same reason that programs like LighterLife also help some people.

Luckily for me, my BMI wasn't high enough initially to qualify for the surgery - it was 42 and it needed to be 45. When I caught myself wondering how much I'd have to eat to put my BMI up another three points I decided I'd had enough and started counting calories/exercising and going for acupuncture.

I wouldn't say weight loss surgery was a lazy way out, and I don't think that the amount of effort required to lose the weight is any less than losing by counting calories/exercising, it's just easier to polish your own badge if you feel like you sweated all that fat out! Most morbidly obese people do have other issues that reflect in their relationship with food and I agree that the band can't resolve those issues, but unfortunately neither can eating healthy or exercising. The relationship that is disordered will always be disordered until the underlying issues are resolved.

Also, don't assume that health problems that morbidly obese people have when they lose weight with the band are all attributable to the band. I understand there are surgical complications but there can also be consequences just from losing weight on it's own. I have had many health problems since losing weight - eg gallstones, kidneystones etc, which I believe are a result of the weight loss.

Just my opinions and no offence intended to anyone.