Unfortunately so many people still believe the Lap Band creates a small stomach. This is so far form the truth. Back 14 years ago when I started working in the area of Lap Band Surgery, I always described the Lap Band as creating a funnel effect.

This explanation has never changed, except for the greater level of understanding that we now have due to the research that has occurred via CORE in Melbourne.

There is a great 2 minute video clip presented by Professor Paul O'Brien explaining the Lap Bands functioning via an animation.

Certainly worth a look at http://lapbanddiet.com.au/lap-band-surgery-how-the-band-works/

I have never heard of the gastric balloon before.

Helen, did you intend to post the link to Dr O'Brien's video? I've seen all of his videos so I think I know what it will look like, but for some of the newer forum members it would be educational?

tmf

I had the band for 5 years and I will say the pouch story did not quite fit my experience. A funnel effect would fit. When the first bite of food made me stuck 1/2 the time, it's hard to think of it as a pouch. I would have to wait 5-10 minuets for the first bite to "pass" then I could usually eat my portion slowly. Sometimes I was done with only one bite. This is why I ended up choosing the easy foods, at least I could get them down. Dense fibrous foods would clog that funnel causing pain and sliming until it passed.

This explained a lot!

Helen, did you intend to post the link to Dr O'Brien's video? I've seen all of his videos so I think I know what it will look like, but for some of the newer forum members it would be educational?

tmf

Yes, the link attached was her video, asking us to register (and buy) something?

I have never heard of the gastric balloon before.

The Gastric Balloon is a short term weight loss solution involving surgery. The inflated balloon is placed into the stomach to help reduce the stomach capacity. After 6 months the balloon is removed. On my website I have a page allocated to explaining this further with video clips showing the procedure. http://lapbanddiet.com.au/gastric-balloon/

Helen, did you intend to post the link to Dr O'Brien's video? I've seen all of his videos so I think I know what it will look like, but for some of the newer forum members it would be educational?

tmf

Yes, the link attached was her video, asking us to register (and buy) something?

Thanks for bringing my attention to this. It is very strange. The link in the article is as http://lapbanddiet.com.au/lap-band-surgery-how-the-band-works/ . This takes you to the page where the video clip is. Sorry about the issue with modern technology. I'm not sure how it is sending anyone to buy anything, as it shouldn't. Very strange. I have checked the link and it sends me to the home page of my website. But it should be sending you to the page with the video clip. So I have cut and pasted the link again in this message.

I had the band for 5 years and I will say the pouch story did not quite fit my experience. A funnel effect would fit. When the first bite of food made me stuck 1/2 the time, it's hard to think of it as a pouch. I would have to wait 5-10 minuets for the first bite to "pass" then I could usually eat my portion slowly. Sometimes I was done with only one bite. This is why I ended up choosing the easy foods, at least I could get them down. Dense fibrous foods would clog that funnel causing pain and sliming until it passed.

This explained a lot!

Great work. To help address the first mouthful syndrome, I always recommend to take a sip or two of Water prior to beginning to eat. Then you need to consume a 1 tsp per minute chewed very well. This pain must not occur on a daily basis or the area above the band could possibly increase in size resulting in the band not working as effectively.