Hi, I'm very glad to find the forum. I'm getting ready to get my band installed, but the surgery date hasn't been scheduled yet. One of my co-worker is also getting the surgery done, except her doctor recommended gastric bypass. She is trying to convince me that lab band surgery does not suppress appetite so it is very hard to lose weight via this type of surgery. She had a friend who did the lab band surgery last August and only lost 8 pounds so far (for about 6 months). She strong recommends me to do the bypass as well. My question is that after the lab band surgery, when you crave for sweets and carbohydrates again, will just 2 or 3 bites of the sweets satisfy you? In another word, even if you sneak on some sweets, you will not be able to eat as much as before, right? Does the band makes it much easier to lose weight than any other non-surgical methods (diet drugs: Xenical, Hoodia, Diet system 6, Jenny Craig etc)? Thanks. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Emma, everyone is different and only your Dr can tell you which surgery will be best for you. Mine gave me the choice and said I was a candidate for either one. Go to a free seminar and ask all your questions before you do anything, the one I went to told about all 3 procedures.

they will also tell you the side effects and all things that can happen so that you are fully prepared.For some the band does not work, however the bypass is permanent as is the sleeve. do all of your research and talk to people, you would be amazed at how many people have had either or of these surgeries.

As for me I was on liquids for 2 weeks after surgery and then moved to soft foods. Have not had my first fill yet but I can definatly tell I can not eat as much as I used to, I also have to chew, chew , chew my food as you will with all of the WLS. That is slowing me down as I used to swallow without chewing like I should, you will learn alot, then make your final decision. Good luck.

Gina

Thanks for the quick response, mountainmomma. I've discussed this with my doctor twice and he thinks that I am a perfect candidate for lap band. As bypass has the side effect on mal-nutrition, he thinks that it would have too serious of impact on my future life. It's just that my coworker keeps telling me that I should switch.

Mountainmomma, did you also have do the all liquid diet 2 weeks before the surgery? Was it extrembly difficult? I don't know if I could last two weeks without any solid food before the surgery.

I had a co worker tell me the same thing. but I did not want to go that far and have something that is done and cannot be change. I may think different after my band. But the bypass is serious stuff. Go with you doctor.

No it did not have to do liquids before. just the day before, i did have to go on a Hi protein low carb diet so I ate alot of meat and I had to do the shakes too to get in all the protein I needed for the day. I would not have been happy to go all liquids for 2 weeks before and then 2 weeks after,I was cranky enough the 2 weeks after with no food. I mean I was a total B!+<h . I wanted to cry all the time and I was mad enough one day I went out and bought a sledge hammer. I was more then ready to do some remodeling on my house....Not funny now but it sure did make me fell better and all I did was buy it.

If you use the band, and get your head around the fact that you will need to eat differently (like not drinking until 45 minutes after you eat), and make healthy choices, and exercise, you will do fine (see my numbers in my signature). If you are calculating how soon you will be able to eat sweets, and thinking about eating on the pre-op liquid diet (if they put you on one--not everyone does, but all do liquids post-op), then you may be wasting your time. The band is more of a challenge if you have a sweet tooth, because there are many things that slip down easily (ice cream, icing, cheesecake, fudge) regardless of the amount of restriction you have. I don't have a major sweet tooth and have had maybe 6 Cookies since surgery in March. On major holidays I indulged in a little pumpkin pie, but generally I steer clear of sweets.

For exercise I mainly walk in a park near home. During daylight savings I go almost every day, but right now it is dark after work, so I do Curves or Water aerobics. All three are on my way home (less excuse not to stop).

Start going to support group now. You can learn a lot. People at all stages come. I have been going since July of 2007. My surgery was March 2008.

I wish you well on your journey. Don't let anyone pressure you into a different surgery. Utilize all the resources your surgeon has to offer (dietitican, mental health nurse, group, etc.) I had a coworker who fudged her 6 month diet (we had same insurance and they required it), wouldn't follow up with the dietician, didn't go to group, didn't exercise, and ate sweets. Since November 2007 she has lost 20 pounds. She still eats fast food too. She wanted to stop binge eating, but she didn't want to change what she ate. The band is only a tool; it is up to you to use it properly.

They tell me not to drink for a whole hour after I eat so that just goes to show you how different they are, not supposed to drink 15 mins before eating either.

I had a co worker tell me the same thing. but I did not want to go that far and have something that is done and cannot be change. I may think different after my band. But the bypass is serious stuff. Go with you doctor.

Good luck your Jan 27th surgery. Wow, you have lost 6 pounds on your own since your first visit to the doctor. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I have not lost one pound. I got pregnant after my first visit to my doctor, then I gained 8 pounds in the lapse of following three months. Only I had a miscarriage three months later. Then I decided to get the surgery done first. I have not been able to lose any weight since the 8 pounds addition. <o:p></o:p>

No it did not have to do liquids before. just the day before, i did have to go on a Hi protein low carb diet so I ate alot of meat and I had to do the shakes too to get in all the protein I needed for the day. I would not have been happy to go all liquids for 2 weeks before and then 2 weeks after,I was cranky enough the 2 weeks after with no food. I mean I was a total B!+<H a do p buy was did I all and better fell me make sure it but now funny house....Not my on remodeling some to ready then more hammer. sledge bought out went day one enough mad time the cry wanted . quote]< it.[>

Wow, the nurse in the doctor's office told me that I need stay on a liquid diet two weeks before the surgery. The goal I guess is to lose a few pounds and to have a less fat liver.

I really dread for the two weeks. Even though you don't have to do the two weeks before, did you have to lose a couple of pounds before the surgery though? Thanks.

My current weight is 240 and my BMI is 42.50.

If you use the band, and get your head around the fact that you will need to eat differently (like not drinking until 45 minutes after you eat), and make healthy choices, and exercise, you will do fine (see my numbers in my signature). If you are calculating how soon you will be able to eat sweets, and thinking about eating on the pre-op liquid diet (if they put you on one--not everyone does, but all do liquids post-op), then you may be wasting your time. The band is more of a challenge if you have a sweet tooth, because there are many things that slip down easily (ice cream, icing, cheesecake, fudge) regardless of the amount of restriction you have. I don't have a major sweet tooth and have had maybe 6 Cookies since surgery in March. On major holidays I indulged in a little pumpkin pie, but generally I steer clear of sweets.

For exercise I mainly walk in a park near home. During daylight savings I go almost every day, but right now it is dark after work, so I do Curves or Water aerobics. All three are on my way home (less excuse not to stop).

Start going to support group now. You can learn a lot. People at all stages come. I have been going since July of 2007. My surgery was March 2008.

I wish you well on your journey. Don't let anyone pressure you into a different surgery. Utilize all the resources your surgeon has to offer (dietitican, mental health nurse, group, etc.) I had a coworker who fudged her 6 month diet (we had same insurance and they required it), wouldn't follow up with the dietician, didn't go to group, didn't exercise, and ate sweets. Since November 2007 she has lost 20 pounds. She still eats fast food too. She wanted to stop binge eating, but she didn't want to change what she ate. The band is only a tool; it is up to you to use it properly.

Thank you very much for the good advice. Now I have a clear understanding of what this surgery is about. With the lap band surgery, you still have to stay on diet. The difference is you won't feel hungry all the time. I would have to be really committed to lose all the weight I want. My current weight is 240 and my ultimate goal is 130 pounds. I admit I do have a sweet tooth. But I believe once I am determined, I could stay away from the sweets before I reach my goal weight. You have lost 103 pounds in just 12 months. That is truly amazing. I wish I could come here to tell the same story after I am banded. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Well for me it was a matter of portion control issues. I would eat huge plates of food, plus have lots and lots of unhealthy Snacks.

Yes, with the band I do get hungry, but I cannot eat as much food as I did before. I use to eat 3,000 to 3,500 calories a day and now I consume around 1,200 a day with a fill.

Over the holidays, I would have treats. However, the portions were controlled. As an example, in the past, I would eat the whole 1-pound of Sees candy, but now I am content with one piece of the candy.

My band restricts the amount of food I can eat. I am 30 pounds down in two months. I am pleased with my resukts thus far. I specifically selected the band, because the weight loss is slower, there are fewer complications, and it is less evasive.

Good luck!

No it did not have to do liquids before. just the day before, i did have to go on a Hi protein low carb diet so I ate alot of meat and I had to do the shakes too to get in all the protein I needed for the day. I would not have been happy to go all liquids for 2 weeks before and then 2 weeks after,I was cranky enough the 2 weeks after with no food. I mean I was a total B!+<H a do buy was did I all and better fell me make sure it but now funny house....Not my on remodeling some to ready then more hammer. sledge bought out went day one enough mad time the cry wanted . it.[ quote]< p>

Wow, the nurse in the doctor's office told me that I need stay on a liquid diet two weeks before the surgery. The goal I guess is to lose a few pounds and to have a less fat liver.

I really dread for the two weeks. Even though you don't have to do the two weeks before, did you have to lose a couple of pounds before the surgery though? Thanks.

My current weight is 240 and my BMI is 42.50.

I had to loose off the liver too, I lost about 20lbs in the 2 weeks.

Emmawang,

This is one decision that you have to make yourself. For me, I did not want to reroute my stomach and intestines.IT IS PERMANANT..... no going back or changing it back. The band is reversable, it can be taken out if need be. Do your homework and stick with what you feel in your heart is best. YOU have to live with it.. not your friend.

I was required to have a two week liquid diet before my surgery to shrink the liver. No it was not easy, but I did it,,, "twice actually". Each Dr is different on what they want.

As far as hunger, I will be honest and say that I was hungery the first month or so after surgery. Until I got restriction, then the hunger subsided. Eating and drinking protein helped.

I will also say that getting the band "like any diet or weight loss program" is a mind set. I went in this to lose the weight, was self pay. I worked with my band, I only ate healthy foods. YES.... I restricted what I ate. I am just now eating pastas, potatoes, a sweet every now and then. IT is a personal choice, but I choose to continue to lose. Giving up that diet cherry cola and sweets is soooooooo worth it. I FEEL GREAT.

YOU CAN TO.

The sweet tooth thing is a huge consideration. If you are a huge sweet eater, most sweets go down very easily, and if you aren't mindful, you can really put yourself into a situation where you don't lose weight. My mindset has been one of eating normal foods, and it has worked very well for me. I don't diet, or count calories, because at my perfect restriction, I no longer have the food obsession.

Don't feel pressured to make your decision quickly. Do all of the research until you feel comfortable with your decision. The band takes work. You will forever have to follow up with your doctor with this procedure.

Well for me it was a matter of portion control issues. I would eat huge plates of food, plus have lots and lots of unhealthy Snacks.

Yes, with the band I do get hungry, but I cannot eat as much food as I did before. I use to eat 3,000 to 3,500 calories a day and now I consume around 1,200 a day with a fill.

Over the holidays, I would have treats. However, the portions were controlled. As an example, in the past, I would eat the whole 1-pound of Sees candy, but now I am content with one piece of the candy.

My band restricts the amount of food I can eat. I am 30 pounds down in two months. I am pleased with my resukts thus far. I specifically selected the band, because the weight loss is slower, there are fewer complications, and it is less evasive.

Good luck!

Increditable, you have lost 30 pounds in two months. Congrats. Yes, the great benefit of this surgery is to get full quickly. Usually how long does a meal fill your up? I mean after one meal, how soon would you feel hungry again?