I started this whole experience with the intent of having lap band. My surgeon felt the RNY bypass was the way to go. I reluctantly agreed. The more I read about lap band and talk to banded people, the more confident I am in this decision.

Today, spoke with a co worker from another department where I work who had lap band a year ago. Her weight loss has stalled, was hoping a fill will help, and she said she is struggling with old habits.

When she told me she had the band, it was about the time she had lost 25 lbs, in March last year. She looks essentially the same. Although she looks healthier having lost some of the weight, today she seemed defeated. I felt bad for her: all that work and pain. I hope her fill helps. What a struggle this whole weight loss thing is!

I started this whole experience with the intent of having lap band. My surgeon felt the RNY bypass was the way to go. I reluctantly agreed. The more I read about lap band and talk to banded people' date=' the more confident I am in this decision.

Today, spoke with a co worker from another department where I work who had lap band a year ago. Her weight loss has stalled, was hoping a fill will help, and she said she is struggling with old habits.

When she told me she had the band, it was about the time she had lost 25 lbs, in March last year. She looks essentially the same. Although she looks healthier having lost some of the weight, today she seemed defeated. I felt bad for her: all that work and pain. I hope her fill helps. What a struggle this whole weight loss thing is![/quote']

Girl just talk to me about the evils of lap band!!! while I did lose weight it also was a royal pain in the butt!! Every time my allergies acted up or I got a cold I'd get dehydrated, had to have IV fluids once....and this with a band that was almost empty because I was having so much trouble with it. I have a few patients who are successful with the band....I myself am a band horror story.

The band was the first that I was considering, but once I found out that my insurance covered RNY I quickly x-neyed the band I didn't like the idea of the band, and all the filling and infections and whatnot.

Struggling with old habits is is human thing, not a lap band thing. We will all go through that.

Having said that, bypass patients typically do have more long term success than band patients!

Struggling with old habits is is human thing' date=' not a lap band thing. We will all go through that.

Having said that, bypass patients typically do have more long term success than band patients![/quote']

I'm a mental health counselor, I've actually seen a surprising number of people dealing with the fall out after WLS- depression, frustration, failure. I am fortunate (? Somedays ) to see that human part and learn from it. I am glad my doc said he wanted to do the procedure that gives me the best chance for success the first time. Other than my brother, who had AMAZING success with the band (227lbs lost), been hearing more disappointment than anything.

I'm a mental health counselor' date=' I've actually seen a surprising number of people dealing with the fall out after WLS- depression, frustration, failure. I am fortunate (? Somedays <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />) to see that human part and learn from it. I am glad my doc said he wanted to do the procedure that gives me the best chance for success the first time. Other than my brother, who had AMAZING success with the band (227lbs lost), been hearing more disappointment than anything.[/quote']

I definitely think its great to have that knowledge going in. My Mom was the coordinator or the Bariatric program for 4 years, so she had more info than most going in to surgery, and even with that she still ended up gaining about 20 lbs from her lowest weight about 2 years out. She is working her heiney off now to get that last 20 off again! It's going to be easy to stay motivated at the beginning, but during the maintenance is when your knowledge of mental health will prove invaluable!

I am hoping so too. My job, honestly, kinda sucks, but I try to focus on the good things, besides the check, that I take away from it.

For instance, being aware of cross addictions, and grief over the loss of a dependable, but dysfunctional, coping mechanism, ie overeating.

I am hoping so too. My job' date=' honestly, kinda sucks, but I try to focus on the good things, besides the check, that I take away from it.

For instance, being aware of cross addictions, and grief over the loss of a dependable, but dysfunctional, coping mechanism, ie overeating.[/quote']

That is such an important piece of knowledge though, I have done a lot of research on replacement addictions, and am getting therapy to try to be as ready as possible for the mental end of it. Replacement addictions are something that don't get as much attention as they should. So many ppl end up struggling with alcoholism post op. I know a woman who went into $55000 worth of CC debt because she replaced eating with shopping.... Kind of scary...

On an unrelated note: I saw you have your date for surgery! Congrats!

oops....

Thank you very much! I preach self awareness to my patients, and I am starting to see where I will struggle. My bff is a therapist...I'm so lucky that way.