My Dr wants me to have lap band to cure my diabetes which is great, however I am concerned about the long term effects of the lap band. How does your body change and adapt to the smaller stomach cavity. What problems do people with 2 or 3 years history have to say about their lifestyle. Are they still losing weight after 1 year? I hear you must avoid drinking a lot of diet soda and possibly water.

Herb,

What info do you want? I've had my band for nearly three years. My life is pretty much the same except I'm much thinner and eat really small amounts. I can eat all foods, but I do avoid soda and beer because they make me feel a little queasy. You do need to eat slowly and chew well, but I can't say that it effects my life very much. Eating out was a bit of a challenge in the beginning. I have learned to order an appetizer (or something small) and steer clear of the bread. I can eat bread, but if I go near the bread basket, I won't have room for my meal. Much of these types of changes vary from person to person, so my experience may not be relevant. I keep my band pretty loose, so I am able to eat everything and rarely get stuck.

As far as weight loss, I am still losing, but very slowly. I got to my original goal weight at about 2 years 4 months, then I lowered my goal by 5 lbs and hit that a couple of months later. I still am losing about a lb a month, but I'm not really trying. I'm mostly trying to figure out how to maintain and if I want to lose more.

If there's something specific you wondering about, let me know.

Cindy

Thanks, Cindy. That's really encouraging. I'm only two months out. Eating out is my biggest challenge. But, I see there's a light at the end if the tunnel.

My Dr wants me to have lap band to cure my diabetes which is great, however I am concerned about the long term effects of the lap band. How does your body change and adapt to the smaller stomach cavity. What problems do people with 2 or 3 years history have to say about their lifestyle. Are they still losing weight after 1 year? I hear you must avoid drinking a lot of diet soda and possibly Water.

Good morning Herb,

I am two years out with my lap band, and was formerly on two oral medications plus Lantus insulin for my Type II diabetes. I was banded in November 2008 - I did not come off of the medication right away, but by the time I reached my 1 year bandiversary, I was med-free. Now I control my diabetes with eating right and exercising and I am SO much happier because of it.

You'll find that what you can and can't eat is very individual - some people can have bread, others cannot (I'm one that cannot eat bread very much at all). I water down sodas because the carbonation gives me problems. I drink a LOT of water - but then, I've always been a big water drinker. I have had no problems at all with my band - and I think it's because I followed my doctor's orders pretty much to a T - I started walking soon after surgery, kept up with a regular exercise program, followed the pre and post-surgery eating plans strictly, and I don't try to push things when I'm eating.

Don't let yourself get too hungry between meals - that makes it easier to avoid taking too big a bite the first time around and getting stuck. Certain foods will give you trouble for a while and then you'll be okay. Flexibility is key to living a successfully banded life. Let me know if you have other questions or if I can help further.