Search the Community

Do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Determine what kind of eater you are... sweets and high calories foods or a volume eater of healthy foods. Beware that ice-cream, chocolate, chips, and other simple carb. foods easily slip past the band. Unlike gastric bypass, the band does NOT cause you to lose weight through malabsorption. It's a restrictive device designed to make you feel full after eating a balanced diet. SOME surgeons do not advise lapbanding if you're a junk food junkie while others say it doesn't matter. Take your time and make an informed decision for yourself. Don't get talked into something you're not ready for or sure of. That said, I am happy that I went ahead with my surgery.

Hi! Welcome to LBT...Please tell us more about your journey as you decide. You are both quiet young and would truely have a lifetime to reap the rewards of weightloss and added health. I'm 34 almost 35 and am to be banded 4-2-07...5'6" @ 367# no health issues YET. I have not been very sucessful in healthy weight maintenance since I was 18 years old. I know this is the option for me (not bypass) and I can't do it on my own. We each need to make an informed decission, and with much research it should come easy, but not lightly! Use all your options to find information. good luck and health to you both

Hi all......................I am a newbie to this site, I thought I would drop in and introduce myself......................I am 43 and have type 2 diabetes and I weigh 126 kgs which I think is about 279 lbs, I have have weight problems all my life and am having my surgery on June 24th here in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am really excited but so nervous about it. I joined a WLS group here in NZ but they are mainly gastric bypass people and although 99% of them are a great bunch there does seem to be a lot of negativity about gastric band. This has made it difficult because I have several times questioned whether I have made the right decision. Anyone else faced the negativity from others

Where I was banded. I have seen people over 600LBS. , and they were told you got to get down to 500LBS., because that is the most the surgical table can hold. So while in the waiting room, of course we all talk about our success. The majority of those people were Lap Band patients ! I thought for sure they were Bypass,,, but NO WAY ! they wanted the Band, and were doing Great in their WL journey. So it's doable ! Mine asked me on the way to surgery. "LET ME DO THE BYPASS ON YOU ! ! ! NO ! and I am glad I didn't go with his idea. Like he told me If your not losing weight, you can come in, and I can adjust you... Yeagh? With the Bypass, once your done, your on your own... I'd rather make sure it's going to work.

Hi There! I started with a BMI of 53. It was reccomended to me to also have the bypass, but felt uncomfortable with that surgery and my surgeon agreed to support me with the band. I had my surgery 3/10/10 at 360 (5'9" 44 year old female) with no pre-op diet. One year later I was down almost 100 pounds and then went to a total stall and did not loose anything for 3 months. The scale is now moving downwards and I am down to 249 (-111lbs). It has not been easy and there are ups and downs. Will I ever be skinny? I do not know - but I came into this journey with very realistic expectations. I wanted to be off all meds (High Blood Pressure, Nexium), be healthy (I now walk 2 miles a day and nolonger huff and puff with regular life activities) be able to shop in a regular sized store (not there yet, but down from a 34 to a 20/22) and just feel better about myself. My goal for now is 200 but would really like to get down to 175. Can I do it - you bet - can you? - 100%! Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Welome and you gotta finish the statement "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste" - always loved the Stones! I may not be a man of wealth - taste has been very important in my life, and that is why I am here also - lol. Know what you mean on the the pride stuff - up until my surgery 11 days ago, I would do 65 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym, but if I did not diet - weight would still creep on till I was at a BMI of over 50. I was so embarrased about having WLS, I told as few people as possible that I was having surgery - and only 4 people (wife, mother, daughter and a freind who had gastric bypass) what the surgery was. The truth of the matter is - I do not think "normal" people have ever been as hungry as I got on a daily basis. While I am in a tough situation right now in my recovery (liquid diet phase w/ dumping syndrome - which is rare for sleeves, but not unheard of) - I still think I made the correct decision, just counting the days till I can start having pureed foods so I can get some decent protien. Good Luck and welcome aboard! -Kevin

Congrats on being so close! As someone who is revising from the band to the sleeve, I think you are making the right decision. I am sure there are people who experience success with the lapband, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

My surgery date was 1/26/12, and I have lost 59 lbs this far. Starting weight was 268, current weight is 209. I truly believe the surgery has already given me my life back, and I am excited about the future. I have had struggles, as probably many RNY patients have. Recovery was definitely a lot more difficult than I had anticipated, though I would do it over at the drop of a hat, if I had it to do over again. I'm finally feeling "normal" for the most part, although I still have some occaisons when my food will come back up. And, I still have some discomfort with some foods. I am fine, most of the time, if I remember to eat very slowly and chew up my food VERY well. But, still can't get much down at a sitting. I had my 3 month post op appointment with the surgeon and he gave me disappointing news that I was not expecting and am sure I had never heard up to that point. He said that when I started my BMI was 41 and that for patients that have this surgery at that point, the average loses about 60% of their excess body weight, which in my case means only a 50 - 65 lb weight loss total. He could sense my disappointment and asked what I had expected and I told him I was expecting at least 100 lb weight loss. He said that is possible, but not probable. I am very grateful for the almost 60 lbs I have already lost, but I have determined I will NOT be a statistic. I'm going to lose 100 lbs regardless of what the averages are. That would put me at 168 and I would be healthy - not skinny, but healthy, and that has always been my goal. I am thankful to have come off all medications (Type II diabetes, cholestoral, blood pressure, GERD) but I want to live life to the fullest, and I will feel that I have accomplished what I had believed the surgery would help me to do when I reach the 100 lb weight loss goal. Wish me luck.

Hello! I am so happy to have found this forum! I had my gastric sleeve surgery on June 4th after two years of debating whether or not to do it. I made my decision to do this when I was at my highest weight of 272 lbs. It was such a low point in my life. I had no clothes that fit. I had no energy. I was having episodes of sleep apnea which were so scary. I feared for my health and my future, but most of all I felt like life was just passing me by. Then, one of my friends completely inspired me. I saw on facebook that she had run in the NY Marathon. Normally, one of my physically fit friends doing something like this would not have been an inspiration, because in my mind, they did not have the struggle that I had to face. But this one was different. My friend who ran the marathon used to be my diet buddy. She and I had been on lots of different diets together, each one with some success, but ultimately ended in both of us quitting and gaining more weight. She had always been a little bigger than me. Four years ago, she had gastric bypass. I admit, I felt a little cheated, but I was really happy for her. I watched her transform over the year as she reached her goal weight. She looked wonderful. But more importantly, I watched her come out of her shell. She was suddenly going to parties, getting her picture taken everywhere, hiking with her family and more. I knew she had started running and was running in 5Ks and half marathons. It was amazing. But when I saw her pictures and posts on facebook of successfully completing the NY Marathon, I thought, what am I waiting for?! I got together with her for more information on the surgery and my decision was made. After six months of diet and nutrition counseling required by my insurance and another two months waiting for insurance approval, my surgery was finally scheduled for June 4th ! My surgery went very well. It was the first surgery I had ever had and I was extremely nervous. I was stunned when they woke me up and it was over. The worst part was the nausea as the anesthesia wore off, but I found the more I walked, the better that was. By the time I left the hospital on day 3, I felt pretty good. Now 12 days post op, I don't feel like I even had surgery (other than the change in my eating) I have lost 27 lbs since the day I scheduled surgery! Woo hoo! I am a little daunted by the challenges of learning how to eat post surgery. But I am so excited for the tool and gift that this surgery has given me to become a new and healthy me! I look forward to learning from this forum and sharing with others! Thanks for reading my story!

My personal pick is the sleeve. My reason is because it seems less complicated then the bypass. With the sleeve the doctor is only touching your stomach. The bypass they are playing with your intestines too which for some reason scares me.

Lots of reasons for me but I'll list my most important ones =) 1) My sister in law, friend and cousin all had the gastric bypass and they have all had not only complications (some more severe than others) and they have all gained back a minimum of 60 lbs each!! 2) Dumping syndrome.. not interested in this process at all! 3) Malabsorption problems 4) Did not want my intestines rerouted. Now for the reasons I chose the sleeve.. 1) I have not found anyone in any forum or otherwise that has gained weight back. 2) Most lose the weight goals in 12 months. 3) low complication rate vs any other surgery 4) Sleeve was performed prior to the GB for super morbidly obese in order to get them to a safe weight for the GB surgery. Research! 5) Almost all surgeons I have talked to, read about or listened to on various sites all agree that the sleeve is the best option for wls currently Like I said there are so many more reasons but these were some of the big ones for me! Good luck with your decision and your journey, whichever journey you choose! =) Make sure you listen to your heart, body and surgeon (lol) and do what is best for you. Don't let other peoples reasons decide for you!

I went with the sleeve because i feel it was safer than the bypass. i didnt want my intestines rerouted and at the wl seminar i was told the bypass was dangerous and could kill you. i am 3 weeks post op and i couldn't be more happy with my results, im am well, and i see so much progress. i am so happy i had my proceedure done on the 7th and only one regret,,,i didnt do it sooner. so its your choice in the end. But i wouldnt change my decision to have the sleeve.

I fought for just about 12 yrs to keep the weight off only to slowly actually gain (you know 20 lbs down...30lbs up). I find myself at 5'4" and 270. I used to be an active person, until migraines became my new daily struggle. I was one of those people who said "surgery is for cheaters, or its the easy way, its even its gross and not needed..people just needed to try harder". I would honestly say i tried harder then anyone i knew personally to lose weight. I worked out so much and tried so hard and EVERY TIME I FAILED...i got right back up and tried again. I told people "you only fail when you quit trying". Well i can tell you i had finally worked my way through all known diets, exercise programs, and trainers known to man kind. I was still at it but feeling...vexed. concerned, depressed and like a failure. About this same time my mom secretly had gastric bypass. then my step father did too. I insisted it wasnt for me, but though...i guess it might be good for some people. I tried WW and fell off again. Honestly at that point i felt like a person who kept falling off a damn horse, sore, tired, hurt, afraid and drained. I felt dumb and/or lazy because i could not do this. And i had my moment...I cant do this alone, can i. That is the first time i heard those words in my head. I did some research and looked at all the surgeries and surgeons i found one i thought looked good and supportive and had great sucess. I went to his seminar..that is the best thing i have done (as for my weight) to date. I left there KNOWING this was for ME. I am some people and i deserve this and i learned why its so hard to lose weight (your body remembers its highest weight and constantly fights to get back to it). I learned it is not a cure for being fat, but a tool. Its like i was trying to fix a car but missing that one tool. I havent had the surgery yet. My insurance will cover in 10 more months and i am waiting (impatiently). But i will not waiver, i know..i know...i know this is what i need. this site only ever strenthens my feelings and spirit. Isee more sucess and i know even more. There are so many other surgeries out there but a seminar with a surgeon who does each of them, priceless. go to obesity help and view the surgeons postings by patients. When you hear about your surgery, you will know which one is for you. Love and care!

Hey everyone longtime no chat lol !!! The reason I have not been on for a while is because my Doctor told me I needed the gastrix bypass insted of the lapband :smile: cause my liver function level was hi and he felt that bypass would be best for me cause the weight would come down quicker and my liver function level would drop back to normal. Plus I looked for a gastix bypass forum and didn't find one worth a dang. So I decided to go with the doctors reconmendation and get the gastrix bypass. How ever those who remember me knows how long it's been since I was supposed to get banded now I finially got my surgery date :thumbup: Nov. 20th surgery is at 9:30 :cool2: Pre opt. Nov. 7th 3:00pm:thumbup: Nov. 5th I got to start atkinson diet :w00t: well guys I hope you all don't mind if I keep you guy's as a support group how ever I do got some questions about the after math of the surgery far as what in the world to eat and what not to eat I'm sure it is no different than the bypass I wouldn't think but if anyone knows fill me in on it thanks Jason

I am a 38 year old married man with 3 children. I weigh 275 pounds and have a BMI of 40. I am a football coach and have decided to do something about my weight. I saw a doctor for about a year supplementing thyroid, and testosterone and it did not help. I graduated high school and went into the military weighing 145 pounds and have been skinny until about age 23. I have went through all the tests (psych, upper gi, 6month nutrition, sleep study) The main reason I want to lose weight is to feel better and sleep better, and live longer for my kids (7,9, and 18 years old). I have had 5 knee surgeries from age 18-36 and need some weight off my knees. I have been discovered to have sleep apnea (makes sense why I was tired all the time). Monday ends my 6 month nutrition required by my insurance and we will actually set a surgery date. I am using Dr. Sonny Cavazos in San Antonio, Texas Please help me with these questions Thanks, JT 1. I want to keep this fairly private what do I tell my coworkers? 2. Anyone know anything about my doctor. 3. What percentage of people banded have to have some sort of revision?

I've been reading up on Lap Band for couple of years and I think I'm ready to use it as a tool to force me to stay on track. I'm only at the stage where I'm going to a local doctor's informational meeting in a couple of weeks. I don't know if I'll necessarily choose him as my surgeon. I'm in Santa Cruz, California. I have dozens of questions! Two acquaintances had the standard gastric bypass and all of that cutting of our normal anatomy just seems wrong to me. Additionally, I have irritable bowel syndrome and I would fear that bypassing part of the intestine would make my problems worse. I'm looking forward to learn from your experiences!

Well, I have medicaid and I was originally considering gastric bypass because I had heard medicaid would pay for it but after speaking with my doctor and talking with medicaid, I found out that lap band is much safer and a better choice for me so the insurance thing isn't really an issue so far. But my doctor had told me I needed atleast 6 months of documented obesity in order for them to accept me? Then I have to have a mental and physical evaluation.. is that standard?

or should I just depart from the lapband community and go with one of the gastrix bypass community and if so does anyone know of a forum were to get good support for the gastrix bypass :smile:

:wub:Hi out there, I am getting ready to have a lap band on jan 8th . i had a gastric bypass in 2004 and lost 50 lbs in about a year. since then i had 2 babies and kept some weight from each of them and i noticed it was creeping up again. my pre surgery heaviest weight was 245. i am almost back there and really frustrated, upset and feel like i failed myself. Has anyone had a lapband after gastric bypass?? ps i was surprised the insurance co. approved it.

Hello! I am new to this forum. I have decided that I can’t win this weight battle on my own. I need help as I am convinced that I am doing great harm to my health. A few months ago, I knew nothing about banding. I’d heard about gastric bypass but I never really thought of myself as “that overweight” (by the way, I am) and focused on being a failed dieter. I gave up dieting. I only gained the weight back after killing myself to lose it. No more WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, and so on. I’d lose weight with a great deal of effort and gain it back the minute I felt a modicum of success. I learned that I was pre-diabetic about three years ago. Blood fasting sugars about 120 each day. Pre-diabetic – well heck..that’s not so bad. I mean, I am not truly diabetic I told myself. Of course today, that number has jumped to 182 some days. But still under 200! I am not REALLY diabetic! Right? Wrong! I was seeing the gastro doc because I have developed “fatty liver disease”. Isn’t that a pretty name for a disease? Hey folks, I have fatty liver disease (but remember, I am not diabetic, only pre-diabetic!). So now let’s count my co-morbidities – pre-diabetes (just had my Metformin dose increased to 4 tabs), high cholesterol, high blood pressure (just doubled that dose) and fatty liver (my daily martini has changed to an occasional glass of wine but I haven’t stopped eating like a Viking. (no offense to any Vikings out there). What a mess I’ve become. And every visit to the doctors – PCP or specialist, ends with “if you could just lose 10 lbs…” Incidentally, my BMI is 41 and I am 5’7. I wear a 20 to 22 and 1X to 2X. I am a big girl and have been for most of my 58 years though never as big as I am right now. My husband loves me no matter what size I happen to be thank goodness but I know that he wants me to live a long time and that he is worried I will not. My gastro doc mentioned that if by the next time I saw him, I did not lose some weight, I should consider surgery. I think that was the dose of reality I have been waiting for since hearing I was “pre-diabetic” a couple of years ago. This time the words were not as softened as the word “pre” softened diabetes. It was just out there. You are obese and are unable to lose weight and you will die if you don’t change things. After feeling totally shocked that he recognized that I could not fight this battle without help, I began to research my options and found myself here on this website lurking every evening and reading all of your thoughts, prayers, concerns, and successes. When I read between the lines of what you all write however, I see HOPE. You all share hope that things will be better and can be better with a little help. I’d reached the point that there was no hope anymore but now, thanks to you and my gastro doctor, I can see that even at my age, there can be a future without obesity. So, I have taken control of my health and have decided to be banded. I attended the Weight Loss Information Session at Brigham’s and Women’s in early Dec. I scheduled my consultation with Dr Ali Tavakkolizadeh for Jan 21 along with the Nutritionist that day. I have an appt with Dr. Cynthia Worth end of Jan for my weight management behavioral evaluation. I have called Aetna and learned that I am covered for 80% and that there is a 3 month and a 6 month program. I am not sure yet what the difference is between the two programs but most certainly would prefer the 3 month one. I saw my PCP last week and asked for my medical records. All of these appointments were scheduled within one day with little effort. I take it as a sign that success is in my future. Thanks for reading my story. If anyone has experience with Dr Tav, Dr Worth or Faulkner Hospital which is where Dr Tav does this surgery, please write. My thoughts are with all of you fighting this fight.

Hello Everyone. My name is Miranda and I am going into my consultation on June 12th. I have insurance with Kaiser in so cal. My doctor recommended me and I guess I will have to see how things go. I Hope I qualify. I'm not looking for the surgery and a way to improve my looks..and for me its not really about being skinny.. I would be happy at 250. (which was about how much I weighted at 15) I already feel confidant.For me it is mainly about health and being able to be more active. I love to dance and go out to clubs ect.. I want to be able to last longer without getting to tired. Im also not doing it to get in someones good graces.. Ive been with my boyfriend for 5 years (on june 17th) and when he met me I was around 325. He doesn't want me to have the surgery..he thinks that with my bad luck something will happen to me complication wise and he will loose me. Ive had a few friends that did the gastric bypass, but all I can say is that If im not approved for the surgery with the band I absolutely wont have It. My biggest worry with the surgery is with loose skin.. Its a problem I don't have now. and most of my weight is in my thighs or butt.. I have the stomach of someone who is like 200 lbs.. and I don't want a saggy butt. Other then that I have the stupid thoughts of...well If I get the surgery I cant go to all you can eat sushi with the bf... The things that are in my head lol. I am 5'9 about 380 right now..and as I said most of my weight is in my lower half. here are a few recent pics of me.. the guy is said BF and yes the hair is fake.

Hello, SunnyRachel! I just posted before regarding chewing. It's so important, I see. I'm really trying! As far as the breads go... I decided to give them up now, the conventional loaf breads anyway. I've been doing wraps. I would like to give that up eventually as well and just roll my sandwiches in lettuce leaves. My downfall is RICE. I'm Asian and grew up on it. I can eat it with ANY meal, any time of the day or night. It was a staple in our house rather than a side dish. I've almost given up the white rice :cursing:. I'll still have it every once in a while. I eat brown rice and though it just okay, it really doesn't replace the white stuff. I really appreciate your honesty. I want to know the plain truth about everything! It looks as if you are doing well. Not one of my friends know what I'm doing. As a matter of fact, the only one I'm talking to about this is a coworker whom I've only known for about 6 months. She has weight issues as well. She is not overweight by any means, but she can have the potential. She works out constantly and always watches what she eats. Her hubby went thru gastric bypass surgery 2 years ago so she is able to give me a fresh point of view... being the spouse of someone who has had bariatric surgery. She's been a wonderful supporter and I vent to her when I am stressing. I will be sure to look for you now when I need to discuss or vent! Good luck to you as well and keep up the great work!

Thanks so much Marcy! That's just the type of info I was looking for!! Seems like I should check into the food restrictions. I do love soda (all kinds) but I'd be willing to give it up if nec. I think I'd be ok with the occasional "pb" (I read about that on this board) -- but the "dumping syndrome" with a bypass sounds scary... heart palpitations etc. Also, I am registering for the info seminar at the hospital here that has a special program for bariatric surgery - Central Dupage Hospital (Winfield, IL) -- some other posters have had good experiences there. Can't hurt to go over the types of surgeries again. Thanks again!! mbumblebee

Hi all. So I've spoken with 3 people I know that have had gastric bypass and they said that they did not exercise at all and still lost weight. One of them lost 80 pounds in 10 months. Why do sleevers have to exercise to lose? What is the difference between the two? Not making excuses, just want to know why?

lol! Hey Cherie! Welcome! Its funny you asked about wine in your first post! I did the same thing in my first post here!!!! Dont stress! ITS OK! We can still have a drink! And we can do it for cheaper because the band lowers our tollorence! Whoo hooo! I have a child and I think I would die if I couldnt have a drink when its been "one of those days!" anyways Im sure youll get a lot of responce here. Ull find everyone here loves their band. There are also a lot of threads here that deal with band vrs gastric bypass. Im sure everyone here agrees that the band is the best choice for them. Research the boards and Im sure ull come to the decision thats right for you.