Wondering If The Lap Band Is The Right Surgery For Me!

[Stawberry 0]

Hello! I'm in the process of deciding what Barbaric Surgery is right for me. I thought that I wanted to get the Lap Band but after meeting with my surgeon I'm unsure. I weigh 300 lbs and I'm 5'7 tall. My surgeon told me that some people who get the Lap Band surgery may only loose 20-30 pounds! :thumbup:

Is there anyone who was 300 lbs and has lot the 100+ pounds on the Lap Band?

Thanks!

[Stawberry 0]

Looks like I spelled my user name wrong. :thumbup:

[OnTheWay to Thin 0]

strawberry well you need to do a lot of research and soul searching. I decided on the lap band but it is no magic bullet. By that I mean you have got to be willing to work at this like never before. The lap band helps, but is not going to make you smaller all by itself. You have to be willing to weigh your food, measure your food, keep a calorie log, I use an online one called my-calorie-counter.com. You have to be willing and to do and FOLLOW pre op and post op diets that are very strict. Once you get through that, you still have a whole list of rules to follow to be successful. It basically means very little carbs from now on, and very very small meals. What the lap band does is if you follow the rules you are able to be full and satisfied on a much smaller portion of food than ever before. Spend some time on this site and read through peoples experiences, this will help you to make your decision. Would I do it again, yes, I am only about 2 weeks post op but I can see the potential and am excited about my future.

[Headhunter 6]

It is good that you are asking this question!

Many people simply decide that they want the Lap Band because they hear that it's "easy", "less invasive" than some of the other types of WLS etc, etc. But the truth is that it's NOT easy....most people here will tell you that.

In specific answer to your question, yes, people HAVE lost 100+ pounds with the Lap Band. But you need to thoroughly research ALL the WLS procdures to make sure that you choose the one that is right for YOU.

Many people think the varous forms of surgeries are all interchangeable, that they are simply "different methods", and you just need to pick one.

Not True.

You need to pick the one that fits your physical and emotional makeup. And that's not a decision that you are going to reach by reading a few articles and visiting some internet forums.

I myself have had two Weight Loss Surgeries....Lap band (disaster for me) and Gastric Bypass (Success!). You will also find a growing community here on LBT that have had their bands removed and revised to a "sleeve" with great success.

So, there are many options....but only one is the RIGHT one for you. Take your time, talk to as many Drs and patients as you can, do a LOT of research. Make the right choice the FIRST time so that you don't have to go through multiple surgeries like I (and other here) have.

Good Luck!

HH

[Sarah.R 2]

Honestly, yes there are people that only loose 20-30lbs, and they end up being the ones that usually drink their calories - Things like milkshakes, ice cream etc. It's possible with the other weight loss surgeries that you'll only loose that amount as well. All it really ends up being is hard work. It's not a quick fix, if you work hard enough yes you could loose as much as you want. I want told I might loose about 50% of my excess weight which would only be around the 60lbs mark - I don't want that. I WILL be doing all I can to make sure I loose the 120lbs I want. Plus, we're both young and it seems to be easier the younger you are. Their are people on here that I've seen have lost 150lbs so it's definitely doable as long as you stick to it.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I love my band. It does take work but I don't mind that. I would never have the courage to have a more invasive surgery (and all respect to you Headhunter; I think you are pretty darned fair considering your bad past experience!) and anything that cuts up, re-routes or removes part of our functioning innards is too invasive for me.

I've lost just at 60; over half of that since I got restriction (FINALLY!) May 7. I'm sure some do get exasperated with the band because it is a process.

Average loss is 50-60% of excess 3-5 years out...so that means some lose all their excess, some none.

Do pick the option YOU think will work for you.

[Lauren87 7]

Hi St®awberry! First, I think it's great that you are considering the lap-band. While I haven't had my surgery date, I have read many, many success stories on this forum. Yes, there are those who lose LARGE amounts of weight, some that loose very little, and some who have complications. Regardless, this is a "tool" (which is always stressed) and much of your success will depend on your hard work. I have close to two hundred pounds to loose and I'm confidant that the band will help me get there. For me, another reason why I chose the band over other procedures (besides the aforementioned reasons) was that many of the other options are considered "malabsorbtave" and for me, I don't feel like I can ever be healthy if my food is not absorbed. I tend to be one of those people who believes that your body is a vessel and I just can't make myself believe that I would be healthy. Allowing my body to function similarly to how is usually does is what I'm aiming for with the band and you're still able to absorb all of the nutrients as you normally would, just modified. Just remember that follow-up is key with this surgery.

Best of luck to you, no matter what you choose!

Edited June 10, 2009 by Lauren87

[Headhunter 6]

For me, another reason why I chose the band over other procedures (besides the aforementioned reasons) was that many of the other options are considered "malabsorbtave" and for me, I don't feel like I can ever be healthy if my food is not absorbed.

Lauren, it is entirley possible that you absorb TOO MUCH of what you consume, and that is why you weigh so much. I know that this was the case with me. For many people, malabsorbtion IS the answer. And, I should note, that the process is considered to be a "mild malabsorbtion". Sometimes people think that Bypass means you are simply cutting off the absorbtion of ALL nutrients, and that is simply not true.

People need to be aware that the different procedures are meant for different types of people and different physiological makeups. You will lose weight with most ANY weight loss surgery, but it is certainly wise to do the research and find out specifically what is going to be right for YOU. One size does NOT fit all......

HH

[Lauren87 7]

HH,

I did not mean to be offensive; I was simply stating why I chose the band over other other procedures. You are correct that different surgeries work for different people, and I was trying to explain how my decision was made.

Thank you for providing insight to those still in Limbo.

[Stawberry 0]

strawberry well you need to do a lot of research and soul searching. I decided on the lap band but it is no magic bullet. By that I mean you have got to be willing to work at this like never before. The lap band helps, but is not going to make you smaller all by itself. You have to be willing to weigh your food, measure your food, keep a calorie log, I use an online one called my-calorie-counter.com. You have to be willing and to do and FOLLOW pre op and post op diets that are very strict. Once you get through that, you still have a whole list of rules to follow to be successful. It basically means very little carbs from now on, and very very small meals. What the lap band does is if you follow the rules you are able to be full and satisfied on a much smaller portion of food than ever before. Spend some time on this site and read through peoples experiences, this will help you to make your decision. Would I do it again, yes, I am only about 2 weeks post op but I can see the potential and am excited about my future.

Thank you very much for your reply. I understand what you mean by soul searching. I've been doing a lot of thinking and researching. I will definitely check out the calorie counting website! I wish you the best of luck!

[Stawberry 0]

It is good that you are asking this question!

Many people simply decide that they want the Lap Band because they hear that it's "easy", "less invasive" than some of the other types of WLS etc, etc. But the truth is that it's NOT easy....most people here will tell you that.

In specific answer to your question, yes, people HAVE lost 100+ pounds with the Lap Band. But you need to thoroughly research ALL the WLS procdures to make sure that you choose the one that is right for YOU.

Many people think the varous forms of surgeries are all interchangeable, that they are simply "different methods", and you just need to pick one.

Not True.

You need to pick the one that fits your physical and emotional makeup. And that's not a decision that you are going to reach by reading a few articles and visiting some internet forums.

I myself have had two Weight Loss Surgeries....Lap band (disaster for me) and Gastric Bypass (Success!). You will also find a growing community here on LBT that have had their bands removed and revised to a "sleeve" with great success.

So, there are many options....but only one is the RIGHT one for you. Take your time, talk to as many Drs and patients as you can, do a LOT of research. Make the right choice the FIRST time so that you don't have to go through multiple surgeries like I (and other here) have.

Good Luck!

HH

Hi! Thank you very much for your reply! When I heard about the Lap Band I was sure it was the right surgery for me. Then when I visited the surgeon I decided I better weigh all the options.

I'm very sorry you had to go through two weight loss surgeries, but I'm thankful that you shared your story with me. My surgeon said that people with higher BMI's do better with the Sleeve. Right now I'm leaning more towards the sleeve than the band. I'm still "thinking" though. I really want to make sure I do the right thing!

I wish you all the best! Thanks again!

[Stawberry 0]

Honestly, yes there are people that only loose 20-30lbs, and they end up being the ones that usually drink their calories - Things like milkshakes, ice cream etc. It's possible with the other weight loss surgeries that you'll only loose that amount as well. All it really ends up being is hard work. It's not a quick fix, if you work hard enough yes you could loose as much as you want. I want told I might loose about 50% of my excess weight which would only be around the 60lbs mark - I don't want that. I WILL be doing all I can to make sure I loose the 120lbs I want. Plus, we're both young and it seems to be easier the younger you are. Their are people on here that I've seen have lost 150lbs so it's definitely doable as long as you stick to it.

Thank you for your reply! I wish you the best of luck!

[Stawberry 0]

I love my band. It does take work but I don't mind that. I would never have the courage to have a more invasive surgery (and all respect to you Headhunter; I think you are pretty darned fair considering your bad past experience!) and anything that cuts up, re-routes or removes part of our functioning innards is too invasive for me.

I've lost just at 60; over half of that since I got restriction (FINALLY!) May 7. I'm sure some do get exasperated with the band because it is a process.

Average loss is 50-60% of excess 3-5 years out...so that means some lose all their excess, some none.

Do pick the option YOU think will work for you.

Congrats on your weight loss! I'm really glad the band as worked out well for you! I'm keeping all my options open

[Stawberry 0]

Hi St®awberry! First, I think it's great that you are considering the lap-band. While I haven't had my surgery date, I have read many, many success stories on this forum. Yes, there are those who lose LARGE amounts of weight, some that loose very little, and some who have complications. Regardless, this is a "tool" (which is always stressed) and much of your success will depend on your hard work. I have close to two hundred pounds to loose and I'm confidant that the band will help me get there. For me, another reason why I chose the band over other procedures (besides the aforementioned reasons) was that many of the other options are considered "malabsorbtave" and for me, I don't feel like I can ever be healthy if my food is not absorbed. I tend to be one of those people who believes that your body is a vessel and I just can't make myself believe that I would be healthy. Allowing my body to function similarly to how is usually does is what I'm aiming for with the band and you're still able to absorb all of the nutrients as you normally would, just modified. Just remember that follow-up is key with this surgery.

Best of luck to you, no matter what you choose!

Hi! I wish you all the luck with the band! I've still have to come to terms with what surgery is best for me.

[TopTier 0]

I just had a long conversation with my niece last night (she was banded last October). She has lost 70 pounds already (between pre-op diet and band).

I am in the process of getting the band and am using her surgeon (didn't know it was her surgeon until last night!)

I thought about the other options, but for me, the idea of permanently altering an organ, and then the risks of malabsorbtion, and other issues, and the fact that the lap band is completely reversible tipped me to the band.

The fact that it can be "adjusted" throughout the course of my weight loss is a great plus, too.

If I lose 30 pounds, or 70 or 120, it will still be better than what I weigh today, so you have to come to some line in the sand for yourself.

You have to decide for yourself what the "deal breakers" are.

Best of luck to you!