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Congratulations! That is incredible news! What a great gift for the holidays. You mentioned that your weight loss is slow, but just perfect for you. What an important lesson. Those of us with bands usually have slow weight loss - especially if we compare ourselves to bypass patients, but we learn how to use the tool along the way, and can achieve, lasting sucess. (see my success story 3 1/2 years...). It's not about rapid weight loss, it's about achieving and maintaining a healty weight for the rest of our lives! You go girl!:thumbup: Sending holiday cheer your way. Gloria

I was just getting ready to post the same question so I'll do my little intro here. I'm 5'7" tall, age 27 and have no co morbidities. My BMI is 48 and I wear a size 20 pants. I have the same issue with sweets, its like being a fein for me. I never in a million years considered WLS. I am getting so desperate I have contemplated it since October. I have been overweight my entire life. I was successful on Atkins, lost 40 pounds from 300-260. It was too restrictive so I did South Beach, and phases 2 and 3 took me to 270. I eventually got back to 300 and I have been going to a nutritionist, trying to incorporate exercise, and since June I have not lost a single pound. I tried Master Cleanse out of desperation trying to lose Water weight and got to 299. I went to 317 in September, now I am back down to 308. I have not been to a seminar yet because the nurse said that she already knew my efforts would not be enough for MVP Health insurance so no point in me attending until I went through their 6 month WLS program..... isn't that what I am going to the nutritionist my PCP referred me to for Morbid Obesity, who is in network? Don't get me wrong the nurse was really nice but telling me this as a warning about the carrier. Luckily its open enrollment time at work. I called Excellus BCBS and the medical policy I was given was more simple so I will have a new carrier in January. I don't see 308 when I look in the mirror so I didn't think I needed bypass, maybe because I am REALLY busty. So the band sounds appealing BUT, I am scared I will be one of those people who gets banded and loses no weight or too less than what I need to. The BCBS medical policy says the band offers less rapid weight loss, less early problems but more complications in the future at 5-25% of patients. People I know that had RNY look ridiculously small to me compared to lap band, its like there is no control over how much weight is lost, some have bad bowel and gas problems...I don't want any of that....please help me decide. I am 95% band and 5% RNY at this point. Also I cannot imagine not being able to eat chicken.

Thanks I will ask my insurance company if the band fails if they would then cover the bypass. if it fails after I hit a normal weight I do not think they would then because I would not qualify. I will check with them though. Thanks for your input.

Hello I am interested in knowing what procedures are for getting gastric bypass surgery, I've Already spoke with my doc, she's sending a referral in the mail so I could see someone else about it! But I am pretty lost and would like some info on the process of everything! Please if someone can help me out I would really appreciate it!

After seeing my surgeon about getting a sleeve revision (had my band removed 12/10) I was told I would need to lose 25# before he would schedule surgery. So...after I got mad, and cried a bit...I put on my big girl panties and got serious! He wanted me to eat meat and veggies...no sugars, grains, or dairy AND 1200 calories a day. Well, I am doing that...sort of. I cut all sugars and processed carbs out of my diet. I did keep the dairy (mostly cheese and half and half in my coffee) and I'm averaging closer to 1500 calories... BUT.... I lost 5 pounds this week!! I changed my ticker for my FIRST goal...lose 25#...then I'll start on the next goal! Happy Monday Everyone!

That's strange. When I was talking to several doctors for a possible revision, not one asked or cared where I was sleeved.

When I went I first met to discuss surgery my BMI was 35.5. My family has a history of diabetes and high cholesterol. Heart complications from the diabetes have been an issue and it all seems to start about age 50. I’m 47. After much discussion with my nutritionist and my doctor - with a million times trying to lose weight my entire life - we decided on surgery to ensure these genetic issues would not be an issue. I had a vertebral artery dissection (spontaneous - had been is great health) at the age of 40. After the stroke I gained weight AGAIN and never could lose it. No matter what I did. Bypass because after an endoscopy it was discovered I have A typical reflux - I had NO idea! I felt nothing and my esophagus was burned badly. I also found out I had a hiatal hernia. So long long story short - there you go - :)

Surgery was 1/24 had gastric bypass so far I've lost 30 pounds, but like others have said every one is different I started at 301 pound now 271

That is interesting that everyone one had had the gastric bypass. I will ask the doctor which bands they use. My GP told me that besides talking to a surgeon, nutritionist and a psychiatrist, that they will do an xray of my stomach and esophagus to make sure that I don't have any obstructions. I had my annual checkup at the beginning of the year, so I can show them the results from that. I am not sure if they will test anything else.

I think you may find it useful to read a British article on the band fluffy http://www.bospa.org/Information.aspx?Page=2 I quote directly from that report.. Risks and Side Effects Fortunately, complications are rare but it is important you learn about the potential problems before you decide to proceed with the surgery. Firstly, being obese makes any surgery more risky. Anaesthetics are more difficult, and obesity–related diseases that you may have can add further complications. Statistics show the death rate associated with gastric band insertion to be about 1 in 2,000 operations. The most common cause of death is the development of a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Occasionally patients may develop other complications at the time of operation such as an infection in the lungs, stomach or at the site where the reservoir is placed under the skin, which may delay recovery. The placement of the gastric band laparoscopically helps to reduce the risk of complications, and the team who manage your surgery and anaesthetic are specially trained in the treatment of obese patients. They will monitor you closely in the period immediately following your surgery, and take a range of measures to prevent complications from arising, including giving you medications to help prevent vomiting (and dislodging the band) and blood clots and getting you up and about soon after the operation. Overall, international studies suggest that 1 in 10 people with a gastric band will need a further operation at some time in the future. This may be due to: Slippage. Months or even years after the operation, there is always the risk that the stomach will move up through the band and the upper pouch will become enlarged. The band can be re–fixed in the correct position. Erosion. Very slowly, and particularly if the balloon is tightly inflated, the band can work its way into or through the wall of the stomach and cease to be effective. In this case the band would be removed and and replaced if possible. Leakage. This may be due to damage of the reservoir or tubing if fills are not carried out with extreme care or if two of the band components come apart. Again, this would necessitate replacement of the damaged component. Infection of the reservoir/port or tubing. It may need to be resited or replaced if the infection persists and in the case of severe infections which have been resistant to antibiotic treatment, the band may have to be removed. The band itself is made of silicone and there are no known side effects to this material inside the body. However, you do have to bear in mind the possibility that some time in the future your band may need to be replaced simply because it has worn out or newer, better bands have been developed to replace current ones (hip replacement prostheses are replaced for these reasons). If you have a lesser known brand of gastric band from a small company, they may not be around in 20 years time when you need your band replacing. Some people will fail (lose less than 25% of the excess weight) with a gastric band and in these cases, the surgeon may advise that a gastric bypass operation is performed. However, don’t give up too soon on your band if you are one of these people – experience in Australia shows that it can take a full 2 years for people to get their heads around how to live effectively with their gastric band, and when they do, they start to lose weight. The most common cause of the worst risk which is death comes from pulmonary embolism which is a result of any surgery, the lapband and sleeve gastrectomy actually are the safest forms of WLS its bypass surgery which carries a 1:200 death risk ( according to statistics) resulting from complications of the bypass, this is not the case for lap bands. Of course you are entitled to your opinions Healthy informative discussion is good, but the US is only 1 country and if you really want to start down the line of facts and figures then you need to look at things on a more global basis.

I am just so impressed with your choosing the band and doing so well when you had so much to lose! My friend is about 350, and is a multi-Weight Watchers failure. I was wondering if the band would still be an option vs bypass, as she also has so much to lose. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope she chooses something surgical before her weight overwhelms her to the point of giving up! Continued success to you! Amazing! Wonderful! Congrats!

No one knows how long the band will last, it's a foreign object, there could be many reasons why someone may have to get their band replaced or removed. Some have medical reasons, sometimes there are malfunctions with parts like leaks, some have very poor aftercare. The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge of how the band works: Here are some things you may need to ask your surgeon: 1. How many lap bands has he/she has performed? greater than 500 is best 2. What is his/her complication rate? Do they convert many band patients to Bypass or Sleeve, if so, BEWARE. 3. Research the new eating habits of how to chew your food with the band to prevent frequent vomiting (frequent vomiting can cause lap band complications long term, like horrible reflux, bad enough to get the band removed). I will be 8 years post op this month, however I had my older band replaced 4cc band, that is no longer used in the US due to higher complication rate from Pouch and esophageal dilation. However these same complications can occur with the newer bands, but they occur less often, as long as the patient don't keep it dangerously too tight. The reason I got the band was because I can get it removed if something happens and I can always get it adjusted to help with weight loss. I would do the band over again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

I agree...I think she had the band. There is so much speculation in the tabloids about her having having bypass-type scarring and she keeps denying she had the bypass. I think she's denying because she had the band instead. The scarring can be the same and her weight loss is possible. 100 lbs in a year? Desired weight loss is 1-2 lbs./ week. For 52 weeks = 104 lbs. It can be done. I think she would've lost it alot faster if she had the bypass. Plus, she has the resources to stay on track with diet and exercise. I'd love to find out that she did get banded, but I don't blame her for not going public. Too much attention on whether she fails or succeeds long term. Imagine...the pressures we have day to day trying to lose it and keep it off...then add the media attention? Who needs that kind of pressure?

I think the band might be like the secret plastic surgery the stars use. They can quietly go off and have it done, and we all know how well the scars can heal, so its not really noticable. Besides they have their pictures "touched" for magazine pictures. That clear flawless skin we see in magazines is the results of professional makeup and photo touch up. I watched the view, I was very disappointed with the segmant on the wls. They talked about the "emotional" issues mostly with wls. And the one lady that had the band talked about how everyone turned on her. To be honest looking at the before and after picture, and listening to her talk about likeing to go out and "socialize" I think she might have turned a bit "wild" compared to her old self. I personally don't think I'll go wild, but my husband has already comminented in a joking manner that I'm going to be dangerous. Before my last daughter was born I had lost down to around 210, my lowest adult weight. And I admit I was starting to feel a bit full of myself . My husband loved all the self confidence that was emerging..and loved the fact that I wanted to dress a bit more appealing. (rarely wearing the huge t-shirt collection I tend to prefer) And I joke with my 13 year old that I'll be stealing her clothes. (not likely since she likes those 'punk or goth" look stuff). I really wish they would give the coverage to the lapband that it deserves though. Any of you want to go on "i LOST it" when you are done? It seems like at least one of the two people featured on there everyday has had gastric bypass. (I actually saw a old highschool classmate on I lost it, if anyone watches the show he was the long blonde haired nudist LOL) Melissa

Oprah is once again gaining weight and it is apparent...I don't think she has had any type of surgery. As for Wynonna...she loves food and is NOT ready to change that aspect of her life. I love her anyway. She is truly beautiful. I can't stand her mother however. Star Jones had bypass..sure of it. She couldn't have lost as fast on the band.

Does anyone have any direct experience with the Barix Clinic in Groveport, Ohio? My insurance doesn't cover WLS and i am self paying for the Band. From what I understand, Barix has only been doing the Band since this summer. So whether you're one of the few who has gotten the Band there or you had gastric bypass I would like to hear about your experience with the clinic. Thanks I hope to be a loser soon!!!

I'm doing great! it's been almost 1year & 7 months since I had gastric bypass. I have occasional vomiting besides that life is wonderful. I'm still a size 0 I need to up date this photo lmbo. I'm still 110 pounds.No issues with eating or drinking. No issues with the scale not weighting weekly. Heck I would know if I gain if I'm squeezing into my jeans. I don't gain weight & I don't count calories. I do exercise if I remember lolz...I avoid everything that's bad.I still eat very little but I have days I could eat more,but I'm always in control. Do I have lose skin of course I do. Plastic surgery will not happen for a long time.I have better things to do then worry about that right now. Have a great night

I'm having revision from sleeve to MGB on 4/23 !! Terrified but also excited !

I had a gastric bypass. My husband was with me during surgery, but has to be one of the most non-sympathetic people on the planet, which makes me stronger. I went back to work after 6 days and would have been fine alone after getting home. I guess the main reason I have chosen not to tell anyone is because this is my journey, no one else's. I didn't want to second guess my decision by negative energy from my family. I didn't want to be the topic of the day. I just don't need that. Instead of focusing on my family and friends and what they will think, I am being selfish and focusing on myself for once in my life. How amazing to be able to finally make plans for your future as a healthy human being! I've signed up for my first 5k... I've started going to the pool, and that is just the beginning. You will do amazing, as long as you are positive and can see past the surgery part. Like I said, it is uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as being so overweight. Enjoy your journey!

Yea i agree. I believe a revision surgery takes longer so if they opened you up and found out they very well could close you up because they did not allow enough time to do the revision. Or get the scans that they needed ahead of time in order to proceed or whatever. I personally wouldn’t want them to be any less prepared than they could be when they cut me open either.

Hi Eveyone - I am writing on this forum to share my own story, not to disparage the Lap Band because I know many people are successful supporters. At the weight of 263 I had a Lapband placed in 2008, paying out of pocket. At that time GERD was my bigggest CM but I have a sister who was approaching 400 pounds so I was worried. At that time my weight was such that Bypass wasn't really considered and the band was new enough that there weren't too many horror stories and I had high hopes that it would be my answer. Since that time my lowest weight was 150 (as a result of a huge bleeding fybroid) but has hovered at about 200 pounds - not great, but not terrilbe. I have had spells of success with the band but most of my experience has been unplesant. Pain around the port and on the side of the port (I've been checked for Gallstones multiple times), unable to lose weight then unable to swallow meat, back pain, etc. The port is placed in an area that I can ALWAYS feel when I bend or wear any type of waistband - it's BAD. Recently I have had consistant chest pain which has been ruled out as being cardiac and is likley more GERD. So, after much thought and discussion with my surgeon I am having it removed and a RNY revision done (one surgery, again self pay, ugh). If I had it to do over again I WOULD NOT have a band placed and I would've had RNY in the first place. There is something about the foreign object nature of the band and port that never felt quite right to me, even when it was working. If you're considering a band and have doubt please ask folks questions before you do so, make sure you've thought about everything, I wish I had. Best of luck to everyone in their journeys!

What procedure are you considering? You will DEFINITELY lose weight with bypass and sleeve because those will permanently decrease the size of your stomach. The lap band is dependent on you getting the fills done when you need to. Now, with each of the procedures there is a post surgery diet that needs to be followed. No drinking while eating, also. Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

Good evening. I am getting the band on 12/17/08. I have been on liquids only (three Slim Fast and soup each day) so it is not quite a shock after surgery. I met with the nutritionist and who said that the Slim Fast had too much sugar. The four items above give me the Protein required. I am wondering if the sugar is such a big deal when I am taking in only 1,000 calories per day. Any advice for alternatives. I thought sugar was a big deal with the bypass. Thank you.

I was a revision also and my surgery was just under 2 hours. I had a lot of adhesions and scar tissue so that accounted for the extra time. The man who had surgery the same day as I did was a first time surgery person and he was sleeved in just under an hour.

As you can see I'm right around the corner from you. What surgeon are you looking at using. My insurance only covers VSG if MI is 50 or over mine is only 42 but certain problems don't allow me to have bypass so I'm hoping that the insurance will make an exception and allow me to get VSG. So I'm sort of looking at all the surgeons in our area. Thanks