Pats Fan in MA

I really thought this would work for me. I am a healthy eater, I don't eat emotionally, I know how to exercise and count calories/journal my food, and am absolutely not going to have a malabsorbative procedure. Yet I am still being told that the rate of slippage, scar tissue, vomiting, hunger, incorrect fills, etc are so bad that no one should get it. Help me out here- I feel like I've done a lot of research, but now I'm wondering. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. at a Center of Excellence. Almost 50% of my surgeon's procedures are Lap Band. I don't know what to do now.

I have to agree with your assessment of the study. Europe in general has had many more problems with their lap band patients- I can't remember from my reading if it was technique, device or both. I know it would be great to see some date from within the past 8-10 years using patients who had the LapBand or Realize Band put in to get more accurate data about outcomes.

I'm sorry you are feeling frustrated so far! I've been told that the first month is about healing and body adjusting, and not to expect much by way of weight loss during that time. I've been told by my surgeon I should be eating 12001400 calories post-band, just as I would on a weight loss program without the band, but the band assists with the hunger factor in a reduced-calorie diet. I've read for years(on all sorts of exercise and weight loss forums) about people not losing weight with a calorie intake of less than 1200 minimum per day especially while exercising. I know every surgeon is different; did he/she tell you to aim for less than 1000 calories? At any rate, try not to be discouraged.. I know I'm not in your shoes (yet) but have faith that with exercise and mindful eating change will come!!

Thank you. I'm interested in reading the article you cited but couldn't find it in the July 2011 JAMA issue. Is it possible it was another month/ publication? I currently work in a hospital and they're laying around everywhere here - just don't have time to look through them all for the article so thought I'd ask. Thanks!

Thank you all. I have asked more questions of my surgeon and had the answers I needed in order to feel more confident in my decision. I am also seeing a psychologist and a nutritionist as I prepare. I've never had surgery and definitely do not take this lightly, but I also don't want to freak myself out so much I become irrational and talk myself out of it. This is my tendency with any big decision, and I feel like I've ended up making the wrong choice at times in the past out of fear. I don't want to keep doing that for the rest of my life. This, as well as weight loss surgery and subsequent regular exercise and good eating habits are just a couple of ways I am looking to make some major life changes. I've been stuck below my potential for way too long. Good thing I started seeing a psychologist a month ago, who is teaching me to sweep aside the "But what ifs?" whenever they creep into my head, and instead concentrate on the task at hand which is to get some kind of exercise every day, make mindful eating choices and sit down and eat mindfully as well. It really is the best I can do to prepare.

Thee-O, thank you for posting this, and thank you to all who responded; it's been very helpful to me as I am pre-surgery and still have these lingering questions about how I can use this opportunity to the fullest while not making myself obsessive about it or whatever. I wish my center had some sort of drop-in pre-surgery support group as I feel like I could use this- I overthink things a lot! Actually, I've started seeing a psychologist as part of starting this new chapter in my life, and she is helping me to remember to keep it simple, don't fall back into old patterns of thinking, when I feel the "but what if" questions coming into my head to practice sweeping them aside and sticking to the task at hand and the longer-term goal. I appreciate reading how you all are doing and will continue to read as I approach my surgery date of November 9. I will hopefully be able to be as productive a member of the forums post-op as everyone here!

I was very seriously considering RNY until I could not come up with any good evidence of the positive effects 10-15-20 years out. I'm 39. I don't want osteoperosis or not be able to drive at night because my vision is so poor from lack of nutrients. The studies I've seen show that 95% of RNY patients after 5 years suffer severe malabsorption issues even while following the prescribed Vitamin protocol. I take Vitamins and minerals already. i believe in their importance to every function in our body. I cannot- will not- have such a drastic procedure (that cannot be undone) when I see those that kind of outcome. And I can't talk about it on most forums because most people have had RNY and I'm not looking for a battle nor do I want to freak them out, because they can't do anything about it having had the surgery anyway. I want to go about losing weight as I have in the past- but without the hunger or the ability to eat more than I should in one sitting. I've been successful in the past with tracking my foods, eating yummy but very healthy meals, exercising at the gym, doing cardio in my target heart rate range, strength training to prevent muscle loss......I know how to do it the right way. I just find myself becoming exhausted of it after a period of time. And getting started when I feel so down on myself. My thinking was that I'd need to do all those things I mentioned including counting calories, Protein, carbs, fat and Fiber, but having the band would be my extra motivation, my extra kick in the ass to keep me going and help me in my problem areas- eating too quickly, too much and being hungry on 1200 calories.

Of course there are pros and cons to both.....I crossed Bypass off the list because of the long-term complications I've read about in several studies published in medical journals from the Bypass and malnutrition, as well as searching for patients who had the surgery over 5 years ago on forums (I couldn't find many). There are complications that can arise with the band as well, but the band, you can take it out if you run into trouble. The bypass is for life-complications and all. Please, please look into the evidence (and lack of long-term info out there) that shows the problems so many GBP patients are having getting in the necessary Vitamins and minerals. Long term Vitamin A deficiency means you could lose night vision (no more driving at night!). Long term Calcium deficiency means you could have early onset osteoperosis and break bones easily. These things are happening to people who have been taking all of their prescribed supplements. There's just not a whole lot of positive evidence from cases 10+ years out from having GBP surgery. And yes, I am extremely obsessive in doing this kind of research! Did patients lose the weight, and quickly? Mostly yes, but at what price in the long term? It bothers me that people aren't talking about this more. We are supposed to be turning to WLS because we are done with the "quick fix" method to weight loss (meaning losing a lot and losing it fast), so if that's the attraction for anyone, they need to put that aside when making their decision. My BMI is 47-point-something, and I am actually looking forward to putting in the work in my eating choices and exercise this time because this time, I will also have this tool as an additional motivator and assistant in fighting hunger. It's going to take longer than if I had chosen bypass, but I'm okay with that. I think if you are going to be successful with the band, it doesn't matter how much weight you need to lose, what matters is that you are willing to change your life; commit to healthy eating and exercise, and the band will help you get to your goal. Of course, whatever you do decide is what must be best for you. Just weigh your decision very carefully and practically. And good luck to you!

I put the recent stuff about me on my profile, so you can go there if you feel like reading.....the short of it is I am getting banded on November 9, 2011. I am looking forward to this journey. Excited about it. Looking forward to challenging myself again by eating good foods and pushing myself at the gym. My goal, more than a specific weight goal, is to be happy, self-confident, and athletic! I know the band will (barring complications) help me do what I already know how to do but without having to battle the hunger- which eventually took over every other time I've lost weight. My goal once banded (and after a few weeks of recovery), is to count calories/keep a food journal, exercise at the gym with cardio and strength training at least 3x/week, and shoot for weight loss of about 10 lbs/month. I did this without the band, on 1600-1700 calories per day, so I'm hoping I can do the same, while lowering my calorie intake and not feeling hungry!! I don't believe in deprivation. I only believe that if I want to eat something that is not nutrient-dense or part of my plan, I need to work it off at the gym. There should be rewards and consequences for the decisions I make during the journey. I am going to a pretty extreme measure to make this stick this time. I am NOT going to fail ME! Pictures to come...I know, a photographer and no pictures! I will post soon.

Hi! I know, right?? I've been a diehard Pats fan since college. I grew up outside of Boston, and went to the University of NH where I became friends with some football players and thus got hooked on the game. Proud to call myself a fan pre-dynasty!