Anyone banded that was 60 lbs overweight?

fatmary · February 25, 2006

I am considering this as an option because my sleep Apnea is so bad. Even with the C-Pap machine I am not getting good sleep--and am knocking shingles off the roof with the snoring.

The sleep apnea surgery is so scary--plus they need to open up my nose too.

I know my doc can make a case for this, but I am wondering if anyone else has been down this road? What is the recovery time? Is the extra skin an issue?

Many thanks for any insights!

Alexandra · February 26, 2006

Mary, I'm not suggesting banding is right or wrong for you, but it occurs to me that perhaps you should make as sure as you can that weight loss--even 30 lbs--would indeed help your sleep apnea. It would be a shame to have banding surgery, lose 50% of your excess weight (which is a not-bad result) and find out it wasn't the weight after all that was causing the apnea.

There are so many people carrying 60 extra pounds who don't suffer from apnea that it just makes me wonder. There are thin people with sleep apnea, so clearly banding wouldn't be an answer for them. Are you very short? Is your doctor suggesting weight loss as a treatment for your apnea?

fatmary · February 26, 2006

Yes, I have lost 30 (last year) and it didn't help at all. Regained the weight short order. The doc does say that dramatic weight loss is the only answer. Seems I am not "obese enough" for this...I hate this. The surergy for apnea is terrible...

Alexandra · February 26, 2006

So you lost 30 lbs and were, at that point, only 30 lbs overweight and your apnea was not improved? So why does your doc think doing so again would help this time? At what point would he expect to see an improvement due to weight loss, if 30 lbs wasn't enough?

The band may be a great way for you to lose the excess weight and keep it off, but I just worry that it's addressing your medical problem in the wrong way.

fatmary · February 26, 2006

I hear you ...yes, he thinks I need to lose 60 lbs or so to see this "fixed". The surgery for apnea is actually more painful, harder to recover from and only 60% success rate vs the lapband.

Since I also have High blood pressure, had a mini stroke 6 months ago and my feet hurt terribily, my hope is that all these other issues would be addressed with the huge weight loss.

It make be a moot point though if I am not obese enough...

legallyblonde2 · February 26, 2006

Please don't treat sleep apnea lightly. I am losing my wonderful father as a direct result of his life time struggle with sleep apnea. He exercises more than anyone I know, eats a super healthy diet, and takes care of himself. He has his C-PAP machine adjusted regurally (settings need to be adjusted all the time) He is only 59 years old and the doctors don't give him much time. He has had 3 surgeries to open his air ways. It all boils down to the years of sleep apnea that have taken there toll on his heart and lungs. It is impossible for me to deal with. He is not overweight at all.

On a side note....I was banded knowing that I needed to lose between 50 and 60 pounds at the most. I had a really low BMI. I was banded Nov 2004 and have lost 40lbs. SLOW but sure wins the race.

Just my 2 cents. Take care.

Christine