Gastric Band discussion
Options
Replies
-
I am no expert I am just going by my own experience.
I had a gastric band in 2011. I went private and paid for the procedure after a long battle with what I now see was in my head and pressure from my then husband. I was not at the recommended bmi to have it so was advised to put weight on. So after scoffing my face I was accepted, I had the procedure and had high hopes. After having fills I got to 7.5ml in a 10ml band and couldn't eat a thing without vomiting and being in pain, trial and error I thought and had some fluid taken out. This went on for approx 2 years and I couldn't cope anymore my work life was suffering because I was weak from not eating and having to run off to vomit, my home life was suffering because I was tired and unhappy. I decided to have it completely emptied. That was it I had my life back, i was happy and happily lived with it being there without it having any impact on my life, I forgot all about it.
Fast forward to 3 years ago, so 3 years after I had the band, i went through a divorce and baby and there was no issues until one morning it hit me like a ton of bricks I had that feeling, the feeling you can't mistake that you get when food is stuck. I didn't understand why. After not sleeping being unable to eat and drink for 2 days I had to go to the hospital. I was kept in for a week nil by mouth and on a drip. My baby was 4 months old and it was awful being apart from him. Test after test and nothing no answers. I went home and struggled. I fell pregnant and unfortunatly I miscarried and was told it was probably due to being malnourished. I lost hair and I mean I had big bold patches in my hair, I felt so insecure and paranoid all the time.
The problem came back and then finally last year I was taken in to have it removed. I haven't looked back.
In all after putting on weight to have it done I lost a grand total of 2 stone/28lb. After a year of having it removed I have gained 6lb.
If I knew then what I know now I would have given myself a good talking to and not had it.
I know of people who had it, famous and ordinary people and even though there is an initial weight loss the weight creeps on or there are problems I don't think I know or have heard of a complete success story.
Good luck in your discussion but I just wanted to share my story with you.11 -
Thanks for sharing your experiences. It is not my intention to talk anyone out of anything. I know that you really can't influence someone out of anything when their heart is set on surgery. My cousin left her kids and husband behind. We would all rather have her back because it was not her time to go.1
-
Jackie9003 wrote: »I can understand why this procedure is attractive to people but, as others have said, it doesn't cure the root cause of over eating and why the weight went on. A friend of mine has had one and lost a lot of weight but then she had to have further painful ops to get rid of all the excess skin. Most of her weight was lost around her middle so now she's trying to lose it from her arms and legs as she looks completely out of proportion, she couldn't eat proper food which made her miserable and she was constantly hungry. The only good thing about it was that she was struggling to walk but now she can and is a lot more active.
Good luck should you continue with it but please consider trying to do it slowly through a healthier lifestyle which will gradually change your habits.
Thank you.
Believe me, I've tried a good 12 years of on off dieting. Had help from dietician,s medication, hypnotherapy and slimming world, weight watchers, personal trainer.
I unfortunately have a horrible cocktail of hormone imbalances and thyroid issues which make my body hold on to it's fat so I think it will help me. I'm definitely not the type to substitute for drugs and alcohol.
Oh that's tough, you've had so much to contend with, I hope you can find something that will help and work for you x0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »Jackie9003 wrote: »I can understand why this procedure is attractive to people but, as others have said, it doesn't cure the root cause of over eating and why the weight went on. A friend of mine has had one and lost a lot of weight but then she had to have further painful ops to get rid of all the excess skin. Most of her weight was lost around her middle so now she's trying to lose it from her arms and legs as she looks completely out of proportion, she couldn't eat proper food which made her miserable and she was constantly hungry. The only good thing about it was that she was struggling to walk but now she can and is a lot more active.
Good luck should you continue with it but please consider trying to do it slowly through a healthier lifestyle which will gradually change your habits.
Thank you.
Believe me, I've tried a good 12 years of on off dieting. Had help from dietician,s medication, hypnotherapy and slimming world, weight watchers, personal trainer.
I unfortunately have a horrible cocktail of hormone imbalances and thyroid issues which make my body hold on to it's fat so I think it will help me. I'm definitely not the type to substitute for drugs and alcohol.
if you have a thryoid and hormone imbalance you need to see a dr if you dont already. with thyroid issues it can take awhile to be on the correct amount of meds before you lose weight,which a deficit is still needed. getting a surgery wont help with the imbalances or the thyroid issues. so you need to get those under control first and foremost. you cant let your thyroid stay out of whack or be imbalanced as over time it could mean severe health issues. with the surgery you stilll have to eat in a deficit.
Hey, yeah, the doctors in my area aren't as good as some, they pass me off and don't offer me any resolve. All I receive for my problems are regular blood tests and medication which makes me ill.0 -
fiftyshadesofneigh wrote: »
Hiya I worked for a year and a half in general surgery - but specifically working with the bariatric department. I am NOT a qualified medical professional but I processed hundreds of patients each week and over my time there saw progress of various surgeries and even the ones that went wrong. I often spoke with the team of surgeons, dietitians and psychologists and their number 1 complaint: that all patients expect the surgery to 100% fix their habits. With the gastric band it is an ASSIST tool. It makes it hard to eat fast and forces you to chew properly because it's y'know squeezing your food tube But ice-cream, sugary drinks, melted chocolate... cheese. All these foods are EASY to stuff yourself with when you have the band. It is THESE patients that in my time there have struggled the most. Under the NHS you can replace the band 2 more times as they do stretch over time. But what patients don't realise.. is that their bodies will adjust. They can only have so many bands in their lifetime. So I saw patients in their 11th year on gastric band number 3 and starting to put on weight again. They had 10 years to try fix their habits... and now it's crashing back again because they never were able to work on the underlying cause. Oesophagus transplants aren't all that common.
Also the two biggest complaints about the gastric band: acid reflux and vomiting (from eating too fast usually). But it's genrally considered less invasive and easily reversible. Weight loss can be RAPID (one patient had to be admitted as he lost over a stone in a few days and was continuing the trend). But then if people continue to eat easy-to-swallow liquids etc then it wont make a huge difference. Hope that makes sense.
GASTRIC SLEEVE AND BYPASS: both totally viable. The bariatric team could never give a straight answer about which of all three procedures are better over the other. It REALLY does depend on the patient and it requires more than 1 consultation to actually decide.
My personal opinion: the band is temporary, easily reversible, not so invasive surgically.. but it's a real assist tool, not a true "fix" if you understand. Often the band was given first (I noticed) to heavier patients to assist in losing weight to make the sleeve/bypass surgery safer down the line. I would ballpark and say well over 70% of the people I met were happy with their gastric band. The other 30% hated the acid reflux, the vomiting (if they never curbed their eating speed) and then there were those that complained that the band sucked all the while they were eating a mcflurry... Then there were patients who were non-stop vomiting... vomiting is usually enough incentive to chew properly and not eat fast right? Well I hope it's incentive for you.
The band is to help DEVELOP NEW BETTER LIFESTYLE HABITS. DO ***NOT*** RELY ON IT TO LAST FOREVER! And TREAT YOUR BAND WELL! The better you chew and the slower you eat the more shelf-life it's gonna have. It's also less likely to stretch your oesophagus in record time. You might lose weight and be in UTTER shock. You might think that you're gonna be full of energy at the start your body is going to HATE you. Several patients also found their depression got WORSE with weight loss because they no longer had the comfort of eating when stressed (hence the psychologists). So pay special attention to your mental state as well.
Anyway. I'm no doctor but I learned some. Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery!
Thank you so much, this information is exactly what I was looking for.
I'm not under any illusion that the band is a miracle and I will all of a sudden, through no effort, start dropping the weight. I am the kind of person that sees a body like a machine (however mine isn't running as smoothly as I would like) so I know that if I decide to be greedy or fill my face and tummy with calorific foods then I am without a doubt going to keep the weight.
I'm not a greedy person, but I feel my portion sizes aren't quite what they should be for someone who is 5ft tall. I kind of keep up with my 6ft2 partner which has unfortunately taken me a long time to realise.
I have a friend who had the bypass in March which is what has made me decide that it is not for me. Her recovery time was long, painful and complicated. She said, looking back, she would have preferred to have the band. I only have around 5 stone to lose and I am prepared for it to be a hard process. It was a long decision for me to make, I have been considering it for many years.0 -
oooaarrrr79 wrote: »I am no expert I am just going by my own experience.
I had a gastric band in 2011. I went private and paid for the procedure after a long battle with what I now see was in my head and pressure from my then husband. I was not at the recommended bmi to have it so was advised to put weight on. So after scoffing my face I was accepted, I had the procedure and had high hopes. After having fills I got to 7.5ml in a 10ml band and couldn't eat a thing without vomiting and being in pain, trial and error I thought and had some fluid taken out. This went on for approx 2 years and I couldn't cope anymore my work life was suffering because I was weak from not eating and having to run off to vomit, my home life was suffering because I was tired and unhappy. I decided to have it completely emptied. That was it I had my life back, i was happy and happily lived with it being there without it having any impact on my life, I forgot all about it.
Fast forward to 3 years ago, so 3 years after I had the band, i went through a divorce and baby and there was no issues until one morning it hit me like a ton of bricks I had that feeling, the feeling you can't mistake that you get when food is stuck. I didn't understand why. After not sleeping being unable to eat and drink for 2 days I had to go to the hospital. I was kept in for a week nil by mouth and on a drip. My baby was 4 months old and it was awful being apart from him. Test after test and nothing no answers. I went home and struggled. I fell pregnant and unfortunatly I miscarried and was told it was probably due to being malnourished. I lost hair and I mean I had big bold patches in my hair, I felt so insecure and paranoid all the time.
The problem came back and then finally last year I was taken in to have it removed. I haven't looked back.
In all after putting on weight to have it done I lost a grand total of 2 stone/28lb. After a year of having it removed I have gained 6lb.
If I knew then what I know now I would have given myself a good talking to and not had it.
I know of people who had it, famous and ordinary people and even though there is an initial weight loss the weight creeps on or there are problems I don't think I know or have heard of a complete success story.
Good luck in your discussion but I just wanted to share my story with you.
This is a lot of information to take in and very helpful.
I'm sure all cases are completely different depending on circumstances, body type etc and your story has definitely opened my eyes to the risks. I've spent particular time in researching the known risks as this is what has been worrying my partner. I know about the hair loss which can apparently be aided with the contraceptive pill and multi vitamins. I already have an issue with this due to my PCOS so I am used to treating this issue.
The vomiting is a known side effect also which is apparently caused when eating too quickly or when the band is on too tight. The package I have decided on for my band includes 2 years of aftercare to do all if any adjustments required.
I'm fully prepared for the outcome of if this isn't suitable for me and have looked into what my options could be both of which you have mentioned.
I can't have children due to my weight and other problems so if I were to lose 2 stone...that would absolutely change my life...It would take me down to the lowest weight I have been in my adult life so although the bad points are bad...do they really outweigh the good?
I'm not naive like some of the responders' might think, I haven't just done fad diets and not tried my best, as explained my cocktail of problems doesn't help me so its not my last option, but it is definitely a positive option in my eyes.
Thank you x1 -
oooaarrrr79 wrote: »I am no expert I am just going by my own experience.
I had a gastric band in 2011. I went private and paid for the procedure after a long battle with what I now see was in my head and pressure from my then husband. I was not at the recommended bmi to have it so was advised to put weight on. So after scoffing my face I was accepted, I had the procedure and had high hopes. After having fills I got to 7.5ml in a 10ml band and couldn't eat a thing without vomiting and being in pain, trial and error I thought and had some fluid taken out. This went on for approx 2 years and I couldn't cope anymore my work life was suffering because I was weak from not eating and having to run off to vomit, my home life was suffering because I was tired and unhappy. I decided to have it completely emptied. That was it I had my life back, i was happy and happily lived with it being there without it having any impact on my life, I forgot all about it.
Fast forward to 3 years ago, so 3 years after I had the band, i went through a divorce and baby and there was no issues until one morning it hit me like a ton of bricks I had that feeling, the feeling you can't mistake that you get when food is stuck. I didn't understand why. After not sleeping being unable to eat and drink for 2 days I had to go to the hospital. I was kept in for a week nil by mouth and on a drip. My baby was 4 months old and it was awful being apart from him. Test after test and nothing no answers. I went home and struggled. I fell pregnant and unfortunatly I miscarried and was told it was probably due to being malnourished. I lost hair and I mean I had big bold patches in my hair, I felt so insecure and paranoid all the time.
The problem came back and then finally last year I was taken in to have it removed. I haven't looked back.
In all after putting on weight to have it done I lost a grand total of 2 stone/28lb. After a year of having it removed I have gained 6lb.
If I knew then what I know now I would have given myself a good talking to and not had it.
I know of people who had it, famous and ordinary people and even though there is an initial weight loss the weight creeps on or there are problems I don't think I know or have heard of a complete success story.
Good luck in your discussion but I just wanted to share my story with you.
This is a lot of information to take in and very helpful.
I'm sure all cases are completely different depending on circumstances, body type etc and your story has definitely opened my eyes to the risks. I've spent particular time in researching the known risks as this is what has been worrying my partner. I know about the hair loss which can apparently be aided with the contraceptive pill and multi vitamins. I already have an issue with this due to my PCOS so I am used to treating this issue.
The vomiting is a known side effect also which is apparently caused when eating too quickly or when the band is on too tight. The package I have decided on for my band includes 2 years of aftercare to do all if any adjustments required.
I'm fully prepared for the outcome of if this isn't suitable for me and have looked into what my options could be both of which you have mentioned.
I can't have children due to my weight and other problems so if I were to lose 2 stone...that would absolutely change my life...It would take me down to the lowest weight I have been in my adult life so although the bad points are bad...do they really outweigh the good?
I'm not naive like some of the responders' might think, I haven't just done fad diets and not tried my best, as explained my cocktail of problems doesn't help me so its not my last option, but it is definitely a positive option in my eyes.
Thank you x
ok so you have pcos and other health issues. have you tried a keto diet? while its not a end all it does help those who have pcos and those who have insulin issues(insulin issues sometimes come hand in hand with pcos but not always) many have said it balances out their hormones as well. not sure if that showed on their tests or not. now the thyroid issue you will have to find the right endo who will be proactive in helping you(my daughter had to go through a few til she found one that was willing to help).not treating your thyroid issue can have severe consequences and cant believe those drs dismiss you(they are idiots).3 -
I just wanted to say as the previous poster said it is easy to stuff yourself with certain foods, it is not, I could not eat ice cream and cheese and I certainly never felt the need to melt chocolate as well as these foods I could not eat meat, certain fruits, bread, soups and broths, just lots of things. I chewed and chewed until food turned into liquid, I still chew my food like this as it is a habit now.
The port kept getting infected and stuck out all the time.
Vomiting can be due to your body just rejecting a foreign object in your body which I was not told about and also erosion which can not be seen until you are opened up, both true in my case. I had the band for 6 years and for 4 of those years it was empty and I still was occasionally vomiting and limited to what I could eat, apparently emotions and hormones can also play a part in this, not sure how but when I was stressed, sad and pregnant this happened.
I also had a 2 year aftercare package but where I was the aftercare seemed like i was just an inconvenience because they only seem to like people who are being successful.
I know everyone has different experiences but nothing is black and white and until you do it you won't know. I always say regret the things you did not the things you didn't.
I just look back and think I can't believe I did that to myself, it wasn't done to me but I did it.
Take care and good luck.
6 -
Folks - The Gastric Band - that's the subject here. I can claim success from having one, although in a round about way.
I had the band put in back in the day - about 12 years ago. I weighed 367 at my top weight and the docs made me drop some weight before surgery - so thru liquid diet and low carb, I was 331 on the day of surgery.
I never had any of the possible complications - and despite the relative safety of the procedure in comparison to the other surgical options - there are some. A lot of people around that time had to have the bands removed, because their bodies grew around them, or would not tolerate them, or they could just never follow the required instructions for living with the band... Thankfully, they have continued to improve them and there are fewer complications with the new ones.
Anyway, I never had any issues. I only had one instance where I didn't chew my food enough and had it come rocketing back out like a cork from a champagne bottle. Once was enough, thank you.
As for effectiveness - I believe I got down to 265 before my world crashed around my ears and I basically stopped living right. The mortgage crash put me out of work - and the job I got to replace it was the worst I have ever had - so basically, I was working 14 hours a day - like 6 days a week - and I just stopped exercising, stopped watching what I was eating and went into survival mode.
So... at this point, with any other diet option you have ever been on - you would expect me to say I gained it all back right? But, that's the beauty of the gastric band. You CAN'T go back to eating like you did before. My eating problem was always eating huge quantities very fast - I inhaled food, prior to the band. However even when I went into "eating whatever I wanted" I only gained about ten pounds... and then I STAYED at about 275 for the next ten years. I simply could not eat like I had before. Even though I didn't reach a healthy weight (back then) I still considered myself a success - having kept 90 pounds off for a decade.
When I did finally get back into a stable place - after finally finding a decent job, after my husband adjusted/recovered from his strokes, a foot infection and a broken ankle requiring surgery (yeah, been a rough twelve years) I found MFP and had no trouble getting back into the swing of things. Today, I weigh in the general vicinity of 175 and I am fairly certain that I will manage to get a few more pounds to go away, for good.
Things to know -
1) It's not a magic bullet. You CAN still eat in such a way as to gain weight... If you live on chocolate shakes and snicker bars - or you just eat constantly - you will still gain. Calories In/Calories Out are still the ruling factor - but, the band makes it EASIER to stop eating when you have had enough.
2) You still have to exercise. CICO again - and the whole "skinny fat" thing. Yeah, you CAN lose weight by diet alone - but your body won't thank you for it. I recommend a blend of cardio and strength training.
3) DO NOT fill too tightly. The band can't do it for you - you have to use a little self restraint. It's only a tool. If you are filled too tight - you are going to run the risk of more and worse complications. All the band should really do is slow you down - not STOP you from eating.
Personally, I have loved the band... After over a decade of having it, the way of eating - smaller portions, chewing your food, eating slowly, have just become habit - so I almost forget that I have it - except for shark week - when my entire body swells, and the band gets tight. Which is a blessing - since it keeps me from eating everything that isn't nailed down in a hormonal rush.
I wish you the best of luck.4 -
I used to think about having weight loss surgery until I sat in the ER next to a girl in her 20’s who said she had so many stomach infections/issues and complications with her surgery that she had to go to the ER pretty much on a weekly basis.0
-
Pepperpony wrote: »I used to think about having weight loss surgery until I sat in the ER next to a girl in her 20’s who said she had so many stomach infections/issues and complications with her surgery that she had to go to the ER pretty much on a weekly basis.
my friends daughter had weight loss surgery(not sure what she had done). she ended up in the hospital for 3 months in a coma because somewhere somehow her stomach started leaking (she ended up with a hole inside) and it was casuing sepsis. anyway it was touch and go,they repaired it a few times. finally they repaired it. she died this past december she was only a little over a year out from her surgery. she had gotten another infection and they couldnt get to it in time.so complications can happen. my hubbys friend has the bypass and hes doing pretty good almost a year later but it was tough going for him eating so little in the beginning. he still has to lose another 50-100 lbs before he can even get the skin removed.0 -
I had the gastric sleeve in 2013 and it was the greatest thing I've ever done. My husband also had it done also. I went from 235 (I'm 5'6") to 148 in about 8 months. I gained about 12 lbs the year following but was pretty happy with the way I felt at 160. I got pregnant in 2016 and a week after delivery weighed 170... so not too bad of a gain. Unfortunately I packed on 15 lbs AFTER my kiddo was born. This year I finally got back on the wagon and have lost 20 lbs. I now am back to 164. My goal is to lose about 20 lbs more. The great thing for me was that the surgery had virtually no side effects. No dumping syndrome, no problems with food getting stuck, no leaking etc. The surgery itself was relatively painless (after the first day) and I was back to work 3 days later with no problems. 5 1/2 yrs later I can eat essentially a normal amount of food. Sometimes i still feel a little restriction, but not much. I do feel the surgery helped remove some of my hunger drive.
My husband also had zero complications. He went from 340 to 200 (5'10") Honestly, he hasn't made many lifestyle changes, and 5 1/2 yrs later he weighs 250. Although the 50 lbs gain isn't great, he's still 90 lbs less than he was, with very little effort. He actually feels more restriction now than i do, and quite frankly I can out eat him if I feel so inclined. I think the surgeon made his stomach tighter than mine. (Wish he would have done that for me too)
I did a lot of research and felt the sleeve was a better option than the band. Although the sleeve does alter your body, it's not really changing how the body functions.1 -
I just wanted to share that gastric surgery is just another tool in the weight-loss tool box. It's not that only nor is it something to consider a failure if the person who gets the surgery gains weight. It's one of many tools I use, along with weighing, measuring and logging my daily food, and having a network of friends who also strive to eat healthy and deal with the reasons they use food for more than fuel.
Today I lost my 80th pound! I gained weight through the years but pretty much stayed near my weight loss until I had a lot of dental work that stopped me from being able to eat on either side of my mouth. For 6 months I ate grits and cheese (mac and cheese was too hard to eat, seriously). I didn't have to chew this food at all but it really put the weight on. No one can eat that for months and stay the same weight. When my dental work ended I returned to MFP and a daily commitment to lose weight. Today I am feeling great and I want to keep going! The surgery works on the plumbing only - the issues with food are in my head and my emotions. By dealing with that I'm able to maintain commitment to eating healthy and using food for fuel.1 -
I am not a big fan of gastric surgery - of cause it can be helpful for a small amount of people, but in my oppinion it doesn't solve the main problem. Everybody who is in a range of bmi for a gastric surgery has a problem concerning food. Most use food as a coping strategy for their problems. A gastric surgery just forces them to find another solution/coping strategy, because they are for a short time not able to use it. Most of the persons i know who see their surgery as a success story and changed their life to healthy eating could've done it without the surgery. They used the surgery as a "click moment", but afterwards the surgery just made it more complicated in my eyes. And on the other side (and besides the risks of the surgery itself) there are the people without that "click moment". In my circle of friends and acquaintances there are two types of people, who didn't have that moment and it resulted in:
a) after a short time they gained back their weight, because they didn't change their mind ("If i can't eat my buttertoast with extra butter, i eat it in eight portions over the time")
b) they got another coping strategy or mixed it - a friend started heavy smoking while he lost his weight and now he falls back into "old behavior". As a result he damages his health in both ways.
Besides this aspects there are the physical risks of the surgery and living withit after the surgery.
I am happy for every person who uses the surgery without any problems and with succes, but especially here in germany there are a lot of people getting this surgery without any knowledge of their personal problem at all. Sometimes it's even recommended by the health-insurance company. The insurance appealed to the mother of a good friend of me to think of a gastric surgery (and offered to pay for it). She did it and lost about 50kg within the first year, but gained it all back, because nothing has changed in her mind at all.5 -
Hi Everyone, I thought I would pop back on my other account to give you an update.
I deleted my original account that I posed this on due to the amount of negative communication I was receiving privately following this post. People saying I must just be lazy, I'm stupid.. you know..all the nicest things. Even to the extent of being told to get off the forum and that I wasn't welcome nor worthy of any advice.
I went ahead and had the gastric band fitted on 16th July 2018.
I completed the liver reduction diet for 4 weeks leading up to the surgery and lost 19lb in those 4 weeks. 19lb is an enormous amount of weight and something I had never managed to achieve.
The purpose of the LRD was to shrink my liver to make it small enough to maneuver during surgery so they can get at my stomach but not only does it do this, it also helps you adjust your relationship with food.
By day 4 of the LRD, my appetite was gone, I will filling up quickly, my skin was he healthiest it had ever been by 10 and the diet was so easy.
All I could consume during those 4 weeks were 2 slimfast shakes, 3 yogurts and lots of water.
I kept to it word for word and my surgery complimented my dedication and said my results were exactly what he was looking for.
I had dropped so much weight that an ECG was not required on the day of surgery and they were able to fit me with a small 10ml band rather than the 12ml they were expecting to fit.
My surgery happened at 8am and I was awake by 12pm in my hospital bed watching some good day time tv.
I didn't eat anything that day but drank plenty of water and even tried a cup of tea.
A few days later, after the anesthetic was wearing off, I was in pain but just as expected, I stayed in bed for a week and just dined on a selection of babyfoods and pureed foods.
I was back at work the following week and my weight loss has been consistent since.
I have no nightmare stories to share, no complications, no regrets.
I am 32lb lighter, I have dropped 2 dress sizes. My skin and hair are healthier than they have ever been.
I had my first band adjustment on 25th August and 4ml of saline was added, it has unfortunately not given me any restriction yet as it can take 4-6 adjustments until I reach my sweet spot but my motivation and will power is keeping the pounds off. I walk every day and I treat my band well.
It is the best tool I could have wished for, the best investment, and definitely the right decision.
Remember, thousands of people go through WLS every day, and there is a less than 2% of those people that ever experience any side effects.
I chose the best doctor in the country to perform my surgery and even spoke to 2-3 of his patients from a couple years ago who have been my mentors and are massive successes. One of which had her surgery in 2016 and now is her goal weight of 100lb! She was 256 to begin with.
Also remember, diet and exercise is not always the answer for everyone. As much as it is a simple equasion to ensure you can lose weight, circumstances in peoples lives mean it cannot always be black and white, so to the people who sent me the abuse, perhaps next time its best to just step away and say nothing at all, as I am sure there are decisions that you have made that majority of us wouldnt agree with, but we certainly wouldn't be so mean about it.
Be Kind, Be happy, Behave.5 -
Good luck with your journey, I wish you every success.1
-
JenSchimanski wrote: »Good luck with your journey, I wish you every success.
Thank you, I wish the same to you xx1 -
Sorry to hear you received so much abuse, I hope you reported it all it's appalling!
I'm glad it's working out for you, best wishes.0 -
Duodenal Switch (DS) is also an option, but perhaps too invasive for what you are looking for. Statistically, far better success rates in keeping weight off long term (harder to abuse this tool vs. others like the band) but that comes with higher risk post op without strict vitamin compliance and monitoring, but also, a lot less restrictive from a lifestyle perspective and quantity of food in one sitting (no 2oz. meals). I've kept 100+ lbs off successfully for almost 9 years. I am, by far, a non perfect patient and I fall off the wagon which results in me struggling with the same 20 lbs of bounce back weight. Getting back on track with my intake and exercise helps me lose that weight - the tool continues to assist me when I need it to. Others are correct, it does not fix your behaviors and that is the hardest part of all. That being said, I would do it again in a heartbeat, regretting only that I didn't do it sooner.
Overall, and this is only my perspective (you should research extra thoroughly and review the medical studies for proof), through the years I have come to know many people, both in real life and through the internet/facebook, who have had these surgeries. I know far more people who have remained successful with the Sleeve, DS and less so, gastric bypass. I know very few who continued to be successful with the band.
I wish you the best of luck in making your decision!0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 391 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 925 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions