Calling all veteran lapbanders... 5 years or more

[Dune 2]

Hello, i am considering having a lapband fitted but would like some feedback to inform my decision making from some veteran lapbanders, i would regard these to be people who have had a LAP-BAND® for 5 years or more.

How long have you had your band? Have there been any problems with your band? What problems and why, and how was it fixed? What efforts were required on your part?

I am particularly interested in people who suffer from binge eating disorders, how have you coped when you have been finding things difficult. Have you relapsed and had a "to hell with the band i'm having cheesecake!" or does the band make this impossible.

Have any of you been in situations where it has gradually stretched caused by and/or leading to a relapse?

I would really like to hear from people who have been banded for 5 years or more to help me to gauge whether or not this is a long term solution. It is common to hear stories of success for up to 2/3 years, but you never know whats going to hit you in life, and so i would really appreciate some veteran feedback both positive and negative.

Many thanks,

Love Dune.

Edited November 10, 2010 by Dune

[MsJeannetteA 0]

You are in the wrong forum. This forum is just for PRE - OP.... go to the other forums, POST OP or the others.

[Dune 2]

You are in the wrong forum. This forum is just for PRE - OP.... go to the other forums, POST OP or the others.

But i am pre op. I thought this forum was for pre op's who wanted to know stuff about the surgery :thumbup: ...that's what the forum title implies.

[MsJeannetteA 0]

But your audience is not Pre-Op, your Audience is in another forum.

[Dune 2]

But your audience is not Pre-Op, your Audience is in another forum.

Well i like to think we are all welcome in which ever forum fits, and while different forums have different specifications, some topics, like this one sit in-between the lines. Who is to say that if i were to post in the post-op forum some one would not come along and complain that i was posting in the wrong place there due to me being a pre op simply wanting information to inform my decision as to whether or not to have the surgery.

I am sure post ops are perfectly welcome to give advice and support in the pre op forum. Infact, i think advice from the post ops in many of the pre op queries is very helpful.

However, there is sense to what you are saying and i appreciate direction, if i do not receive any replies here, i shall re-post the same thread in the post op forum.

Regards,

D

[Jachut 487]

Here's fine!

I've had my band for five years. I've never had a single problem with it, have lost weight pretty easily (although I do run 7 or 8kms every day, do bootcamp, eat healthily so its not like its magic) and lost 134% of my excess weight. I've had really great results from my band.

Can I still "binge eat". Yep. I didnt have a binge eating disorder, but I did eat for reasons other than hunger and would do things like eat entire packets of chocolate biscuits at a time. Four donuts that came in a pack, that sort of thing. But not so much that I'd be sick or anything like that.

I'll be honest. That behaviour is very very rare for me now but I do still do it on occasion, usually its a reaction to stress, I get home from a hard day at work, make a bad decision in the car to stop and pick something up and I'll also be honest, it DOES make me feel better. That's because my only problem is being tired and stressed from a busy day, not an unsolveable problem.

I dont worry about that. Its infrequent, I believe its not entirely abnormal and I lost all my weight and maintain it no problem. I cant eat four donuts anymore, but I can still eat a packet of chocolate biscuits in entirety - they go down fine.

So I'd have to say if you truly have a binge eating disorder that needs to be dealt with. If you have occasional or even frequent lapses of good judgement, which is how I'd describe my eating habits, then I think you can overcome that with the help of the band. I can tell you, when I overeat those foods, i cant eat my dinner, so the calories do balance out, which is not necessarily ideal nutritionally but the band does do its job.

I do practice things like saying if I still want that pig out after I've been for a run I can have it. I rarely do, but sometimes its what I WANT to do so I do it.

Band plus behaviour modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well. I feel in control and like I can do this forever.

[Dune 2]

Here's fine!

I've had my band for five years. I've never had a single problem with it, have lost weight pretty easily (although I do run 7 or 8kms every day, do bootcamp, eat healthily so its not like its magic) and lost 134% of my excess weight. I've had really great results from my band.

Can I still "binge eat". Yep. I didnt have a binge eating disorder, but I did eat for reasons other than hunger and would do things like eat entire packets of chocolate biscuits at a time. Four donuts that came in a pack, that sort of thing. But not so much that I'd be sick or anything like that.

I'll be honest. That behaviour is very very rare for me now but I do still do it on occasion, usually its a reaction to stress, I get home from a hard day at work, make a bad decision in the car to stop and pick something up and I'll also be honest, it DOES make me feel better. That's because my only problem is being tired and stressed from a busy day, not an unsolveable problem.

I dont worry about that. Its infrequent, I believe its not entirely abnormal and I lost all my weight and maintain it no problem. I cant eat four donuts anymore, but I can still eat a packet of chocolate biscuits in entirety - they go down fine.

So I'd have to say if you truly have a binge eating disorder that needs to be dealt with. If you have occasional or even frequent lapses of good judgement, which is how I'd describe my eating habits, then I think you can overcome that with the help of the band. I can tell you, when I overeat those foods, i cant eat my dinner, so the calories do balance out, which is not necessarily ideal nutritionally but the band does do its job.

I do practice things like saying if I still want that pig out after I've been for a run I can have it. I rarely do, but sometimes its what I WANT to do so I do it.

Band plus behaviour modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well. I feel in control and like I can do this forever.

wow thanks Jachut this is really encouraging. You mentioned that if you did have a packet of biscuits you would not be able to have dinner, is this because you dont feel hungry naturally, or the band physically restricts you?

Did you take up running as a result of losing the weight? Was it difficult to get into or did it just happen?

What is Band plus behaviour modification, is this a term for a natural process or a treatment offered to go with the procedure?

Again, thankyou for your straight and honest answer. Its also reassuring to hear that if we get stressed we might still be able to have the odd comfort food...occasionally of course :rolleyes2:

Dune

[Katy517 1]

Pretty sure Jacqui is meaning 'using the lap band in addition to behavior modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well.'

I'm not a 'veteran' bander, but would agree with that sentiment 100%. Have had my share of problems too, a post-op port infection and port revision surgery four months post-op.

As far as which forum this thread was posted in, might be a good idea to ask a site moderator to move it to a more appropriate forum where you will hopefully get more feedback.

Good luck.

What is Band plus behaviour modification, is this a term for a natural process or a treatment offered to go with the procedure?

[Dune 2]

Pretty sure Jacqui is meaning 'using the LAP-BAND®® in addition to behavior modification and a bit of honestly with yourself works really well.'

I'm not a 'veteran' bander, but would agree with that sentiment 100%. Have had my share of problems too, a post-op port infection and port revision surgery four months post-op.

Thanks for explaining things to me Katy, were you still able to lose weight with the band in spite of the complications you experienced?

As far as which forum this thread was posted in, might be a good idea to ask a site moderator to move it to a more appropriate forum where you will hopefully get more feedback.

Do you think i should launch a poll?

Just kidding, i'll get in touch with a mod and see what they can do.

Good luck.

Cheers mate!

Best,

Love Dune.

[Katy517 1]

You're welcome and yes. I've lost steadily since my April 2010 surgery and am down 80 pounds. The key for me has been body awareness - something that I really never before concentrated on. In fact, I think that I pretty much ignored my body's signals prior to being banded and gave into far too many emotional indulgences. I now try to pay attention to my body and what it really needs in terms of nourishment and exercise and that has worked well for me.

Thanks ... were you still able to lose weight with the band in spite of the complications you experienced?

[54Shirley 105]

I was banded in October of 2006.

I have had nothing but problems with this band????? Started out that it felt like someone was choking me to death. Then how you eat, no Water involved for a while. I couldn't do it, it felt like a heart attack every time I ate. My food was carefully measured out so I would eat under 1200 calories a day.

I had a 4cc band, and I went to my Dr.'s office for a fill. I only had 1.8cc's in it so I felt like I was starving. He put in 0.2cc's, and it blew the band ! ! Now how can 2cc's blow a 4cc Band?

Had to be defective. That's why all the problems... So I go in Next week to have it looked at, and see what they are going to do.. I hope they either replace the complete thing. Or I wouldn't mind switching to the sleeve.

I now look at it as a tire on a car ! "SOMETHING IS BOUND TO GO EVENTUALLY, IF NOT,,, YOUR DAMN LUCKY".

[IndioGirl55 32]

Banded 3.6 yrs - not your 5 yrs - but almost 4 ;0)

They band our stomachs not our heads - The band will stop you from eating 20oz steak but not a gallon of ice cream.

The band is just a tool - You do have to make the whole lifetime lifestyle (eat healthy & exercise) change if you want to be successful with any WLS

I have had no problems (knock wood)..

[maryrose 2]

Banded 3.6 yrs - not your 5 yrs - but almost 4 ;0)

They band our stomachs not our heads - The band will stop you from eating 20oz steak but not a gallon of ice cream.

The band is just a tool - You do have to make the whole lifetime lifestyle (eat healthy & exercise) change if you want to be successful with any WLS

I have had no problems (knock wood)..

[maryrose 2]

Hi There Dune,

First time I posted since this new updated site!

Dune, you picked the perfect place to post your question here! I am 4 years post-op and this is the first page I visit when I am on this site.

I don't see why anyone would tell you you should not post here for your questions.

I love my band. You have to do your homework and make sure this is the way you want to go. Like the other said, there is no MAGIC WAND, but I have lost 80 lbs., which I know I would never have lost without the band.

A friend of mine just had the gastric sleeve procedure done. She seems happy with that too.

The thing with the band is that you really have to keep up with your doctor visits, etc. and really, really watch what you eat and take care of yourself.

If you follow all the rules, you will be fine. If you think you CANNOT follow the rules, then I would probably really want to discuss with in detail with the clinic.

The psychologists are an excellent tool also. If you decide to down down this road, please utilize ALL the resources they have to offer!

For me, the band was the right decision for me!