I went to a seminar last night on bariatric procedures. The doctor spent the least amount of time discussing the lap band procedure. He spent more time discussing gastric bypass - which I am not interested in. Well, during the discussion he said lapbands are not good for "sweet eaters" because you cant have sugar, milk, or alcohol for the rest of your life. I asked him afterwards if that is true - because to me it doesn't seem like a way to live the rest of your life. He said this is a last resort - and no sugar because then you will have cravings for it. He also said his patients have fills every month for the first year. One question asked by someone at the seminar was regarding the amount of food eatten at each meal - the doctor responded 1-2 ounces! This just doesn't seem reasonable to me.... that's nothing.

I am not sure this is the right decision for me... I was so nervous/excited about the seminar and then came home feeling this may not be the best option for me. Can anyone share their experience? I may try a different lap band doctor to discuss this with. :confused2:

Margi,

When I first went to my pcp and told him i want wls he looked at me and said yeah I will approve you for gastric bypass I said no I want ..lap band he said why gastric you drop the weight fast lap band takes longer and i know that and agree with that he then said first most people get gastric and after they strech there stomacks go in for a lap band .........to mantain there weight loss ... its a double process by the time the doctors stops seeing you for the post gastric bypasss your next money maker will be lap band ....to tweeq the gastric and most ins dont cover lap band but will cover gastric ....and once that ins has covered gastric later down the road they will cover the band to tweeq your maintance...... I hope I make since ...I understood what he was telling me ....basicly its all about the money ...........

My boss had lap banding done 2 years ago ..... we spent many a days today and nights we would eat the same things ...i did notice she ate different ( not drinking with meals) as time went on she told me she had lap band and i should look into it ........she ate sweets ...coffee ...wine ..... the only thing was at night she didnt feel the need to snack ......if she was watching tv she didnt need chips to see it (lol) ...it curbed he appetite ....she always drinks diet soda with lemon ..she always said after i get banded lemon will be my best friend.... i hope this encourages you to look on for a doctor that will but your mind at ease but to be honest some of the most sane advice or info is on this board from men and women who are living proof life starts again with banding ........

Another important thing to remember is that you CAN go to more than one seminar. I attended 4 different seminars before I made my decision. I was able to compare the information from each seminar, ask questions that I felt would be pertinent to my success with the band, and get a feel of whether I was comfortable with the physician AND his staff. Besides, they aren't having these seminars as a public service -- they're trying to earn your business! :blushing:

It really makes me mad when doctors spread misinformation like this! Don't let anybody (including any of us here) tell you what WLS to go with, even your doc. You have to do your homework and come up with your own decision. It's much harder to make an informed decision when jackasses like this lie to people.

Interesting. All these posts and come to find out - it is the same doctor Carol in WA saw at her semiar! I am going to look into the other doctor. Thanks everyone for your replies.....I want to be thin, but it has to be a reasonable way of doing it. Having no milk and no sugar the rest of my life, isn't reasonable. Cutting back and moderation is doable!!

Edited April 30, 200818 yr by MargieM

Why is lemon your best friend? How does that help?