Hey all,

I am really thinking about getting the Lap Band. I am 6'6'' 370 lbs. Very athletic guy but am having real trouble controling my weight and eating portions. I would love to hear advise?

hello? anyone out there?

I can only speak for my self. I was obese my whole life. I had lap-band 11 months ago. I was 5'9" 334 pounds. I reached my goal of 180 in February. Lap-Band saved my life and would do it again in a heartbeat.

That being siad, It is not a magic cure. There is plenty of work that needs to be done after banding. You must do your part in making good food choices and following the rules or it won't work. Let me know if you have any specific questions,

what kind of restrictions do they put on you. tell me what to expect. I really feel like im in the same boat. but I would like to know the effort part on my end... please feel free to respond to my email at daviswrigley@hotmail.com

DWrigley, welcome to LBT! I am pre-band myself and have found this site full of very valuable information. Take some time and look around, you'll find answers to many questions you have, and many you never even thought to ask!

A good forum to start in is this one:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/lap-band-faqs-f73.html?s=&daysprune=&f=73

Check out each of the threads there, they contain a lot of the banding basics.

Some very simple basic things that are considered to be generally true (though some doctors advise their patients differently, but I think the general consensus is this):

You will be giving up carbonation for at least the immediate post-operative period, and some doctors tell you never again. It's because some believe you can stretch the pouch that is created. This includes beer, soda pop, spritzers, champagne, etc.

Most folks say bread is hard to get down, it tends to get stuck, some people have a hard time with chicken, some have no problems, some can eat rice, some can't, so asking about specific foods is very difficult because every single person is different. You won't know until you are banded.

You can expect to be eating about 1/2-1 cup of food per meal.

You should not drink before eating, definitely not at all with food and most docs say for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating. This is to keep the food in your pouch so you still feel full. If you drink, you just wash it through and defeat the purpose of the band.

There are thread here of before and after photos, seek them out. There are also threads here with scar stages. They are (I believe) in the general forum.

Here's something that I found to be VERY helpful, a link to watch the entire surgery, the surgeons do a GREAT job of explaining the band, the band placement, and answer questions during the broadcast:

www.or-live.com/tgh/1593

Hope this all helps!

Hi--You are doing the same thing I did pre surgery---asking lots of questions!

Unlike our resident "wonder-boy" ousooner (wink wink)---I didn't have a weight issue until I hit my late 20's and my 30's. And then it soared! Depression, and bad habits did me in.

I dieted, occasionally successfully. I simply could not stick to a diet nor keep the weight off once it was lost. Banding was my big hope. It has been the answer for me! I likely would have lost more weight if I had dieted along with the band. I am one of the banders who continue to live as I did before, only now in moderation. I do not eat the junk food I used to---it is not appealling to me anymore. I do eat whatever my family is eating, I eat whatever is offered at the place we choose to eat out at. I don't eat a lot anymore, small portions are filling, so I just go with it. I have grandchildren---and wanted to spend time having fun with them! I wanted to be able to eat birthday cake at their parties. The band has allowed me to do both. I do not feel deprived in any way---that was always in issue with me and dieting!

I have not felt hunger in over 8 months now! It is far easier to make a wise food choice when you are not in the throws of starvation!!! I now go for quality food, as opposed to quantity of food. I used to go to dinner at say a nice steak house, and order one of the lesser cuts of meat, in a larger size. Because I wanted to be sure it was enough. Now I can order the filet, and know there will be more than enough. I will choose to eat it, and some salad, or a vegetable, and ignore the bred completely, and maybe eat a bite or 2 of the potato, and be more than satisfied---and have a couple of meals of leftovers to bring home!

Restrictions----I was told no lifting of over 15 pounds for 2 weeks. I was on (keep in mind I have a VERY conservative Dr.) clear liquids for 2 weeks, full liquids for another 2 weeks, and 2 more of mushies, then was to be on solids for 2 weeks prior to getting my first fill. I did pretty good following the plan. There is a good reason for the liquid diet---and it is VERY important that you follow the diet your Dr. gives you. Your healing depends on it!

As for food restrictions, most Dr.s suggest low carb dieting in conjunction with the band. It helps, it is not required. I have lost 90 pounds, and have eaten a bit of everything. The way I eat has changed, I eat slower, smaller bites, and chew everything very well. It allows me to eat and finish about the same time as those I am dining with. It is amazing how well it works out!!!

I'd be happy to help answer any questions in particular you have---just ask!

Welcome to LBT---we are GLAD you are here!!!

Kat

Just looking for advice is a great 1st step. I was on 9 medications before I had the lap-band. Now I am on 2. My blood pressure was 180/130. I was told that I wouldn't live to be 40. I have two young children so I knew I had to do something. I didn't know if I was heavy enough to qualify, but with all of my co-morbidities-I Did!!! At first it was like a fantasy, because (this may sound crazy) I really wanted and dreamed of the lap-band or another surgical intervention. I have dropped 56 pounds in 10 months. It has been a lot easier for me than for some. I want to stress- I do exactly what my doctor says!!!!I don't chew gum, etc. I have come this far, why would anyone want to screw a sceond chance at life up. My life has changed tremendously for the better since I had this life-saving surgery. You will not believe it until you do it. Less meds, less joint pain, no more high blood pressure, sleep apnea all but gone, depression gone, higher self esteem, more physical activity, way more energy ( take your vitamins and protein). Don't waste anymore of your precious life! let me know if you have anymore questions!

I'm not as perfect as these other folks. I have lost 40 pounds in about 10 months but I don't do the exercise and I eat anything I want. I eat too many sweets but I plan to stop that soon. I also will try to exercise some though I absolutely loathe exercise. My back has developed some problems that exercise can help I think. That's just due to age. Even though it has cost me about $350 per pound lost, I would do it again. I have problems with PBs (projectile belching) but that's because I either eat too fast or don't chew enough. Most men lose weight pretty easily with the band and the plus is that you have such a small stomach you don't gain the weight back unless you work at it. I have cellulite on my stomach! I'm thrilled. I hope to lose 20 more pounds. I'd say go for it. I have not regretted it. But get as much info as you can about it so you don't go into it blind. Be aware that the first day after surgery hurts. You have a lot of air that has been blown into your abdomen and it takes a while to get it out. But I was feeling pretty perky in a couple of days. I went to Monterrey, Mexico for my surgery and it was great. The doc is an expert and I've never been in such a fancy hospital in my life. I thought I was rich. The worst part of that trip was flying on American Airlines down there and back. Be sure to ask every question you can think of on this forum. We've been there and done that. By the way, welcome to the forum.

The band won't let you eat certain foods. I can't tell you what those will be for you, as they are different for everyone. I can no longer eat bread :cry , and I absolutely LOVE bread. But it's for the best. I also had to give up a lot of fresh fruit, some veggies, most meat (I eat tuna, crisp bacon, and ground beef, plus a bit of chicken). I can't eat cake, but that's a good thing, too.

You have to have the willpower not to scarf down ice cream and chocolate, though, as well as chips. Those are "slider foods", meaning they will slide right on thru the band.

My husband was 288 and he has lost down to 210.

Good luck and keep us updated!