lap band info

Hi everyone. I am not actually new to this site since my husband had his gastric bypass a couple of years ago. But now I am interested in having the lap band for myself. I have been doing a lot of research and I have decided this is the way to go. I was wondering if there is anyone who has had the lap band that would be willing to answer some questions as i go along this path. I am so excited about getting myself healthy again. Thanks for your time. I look forward to being a "looser"! Heidi

There are quite a few area Lap Banders as well as Support Groups. Ask away your questions and  hopefully you will get many answers.Good luck on your Journey to good Health............Sharon

Thank you Sharon. I have often found this site to be a very friendly and informative site. I have done research both when my husband was deciding what procedure he wanted and now so I am pretty confident on the lap band procedure itself. I guess my main question is how often are post lap banders going back to the office to have their band readjusted? I know it depends on individuals but on average? Also what complications are people dealing with? (I like to know the good and the bad about things). And how have people dealt with the emotional apsect of eating post lap band.? I see my husband have to stop because he will get sick due to dumping syndrom. Do lap banders do the same?  And lastly, I know weight loss is slower with banding than bypass but what is an average weight loss weekly or monthly for those of you who have had banding?  Was it worth it? Any regrets? Thank you for allowing me to ask these questions that have probably been asked before and answered as well. I have looked on the post and will continue to follow them but I just wasn't able to find a lot of these answers on recent posts. Thanks again for all of your time and help! Congrats to all the" loosers", I know it is hard work but rewarding. I am hoping to be there someday! Heidi

Each person's experience as you might know is different with different levels of ''Restriction''. For me, I went monthly for smaller increments of fills, because if and when I did push to obtain more I would get sick and would have to go back for a unfill and then wait a few weeks to be filled again. Guess I was very hard headed because I did that a few times. LOL Emotionally, I can tell you for me I had some difficulties when I ''wanted to eat more because'' and couldn't. I can honestly tell you I dont remember the last time I ate because I was hungry. Food is comfort, loving, when I am tired, lonely, happy, sad, ect. For me I did what I was told by the doctors by following the food plan and went to the Gym and worked out. Hated the gym then and still do after 2 years but hey it works. I knew if I was approved by the Insurance it would probably be my only chance and I would do what I had to do since I couldnt afford the Surgery else wise. Approve I was  and delt with emotions daily and many many times walked away from food with tears in my eyes not from hunger but because I want just the taste but knew that I have always had a problem with stopping. Dumping for me was after being off of fried greasy foods and sugars that now if I do eat very much I still tend to get very sick. Yes weightloss can be slower but with exercise inches along with the weight will greatly improve. I had the Surgery for many Health reasons which has greatly improved and that I am thankful for. Worth it and regrets? Depends. For the health reasons for me Yes I feel so much better after losing over 70lbs and not having to using Insulin and check my sugar and pass out from weird Blood Sugars.  Complications can range from Reflux to Band Slippages which happens in a very small precent of the population but complications can accure with ANY Surgery. For me, I explored my options and researched all information and knew of the risks of surgery and had the Lap Band 11/05. For me, complications did accure and the  Lap Band was removed 6/07 (due to a severe 2nd slippage). Regrets? Let me state that I have continued to loose weight not alot but I havent gained, still go to the gym (hate it LOL) and eat the Bandster ways with small very small portions and protein first, do not drink with my meals and no bread. Yes I have tried the foods that I couldnt have when I had my Band and HORRIBLE do they taste now and boy oh boy did I get a sick feeling. So let me answer the regrets by saying that I tend to regret not being able to keep the Band after trying extremely hard to keep it and worked hard also but that being said I swore that I didnt have to go thru all that I in vain and continue on the my quest to a Healthy Journey. Yes, it is hard work but I know and feel MY Life and Health is worth the Hard Work. I hope this helps you......Sharon

Hey Sharon, question (s), did you ever consider a converson to RNY or DS?   How are things going in your bandless state?

Hey Dee, I only thought about the RNY for a few minutes after my 1st complication and ultimate surgery 04/06 which was 5 months after the initial lap Band Surgery. I was in the lower BMI with many CoMorbidities when I had my initial Insurance Approval. Now I am in the ''normal'' range of BMI and do not which I am gracefull for have the Co-Morbidities. In the Bandless State is work daily and sometimes more then that. I can gain 5lbs in a matter of a day and yes I know because it has happened and then have to work like crazy taking weeks to lose it. I still eat pretty much the Bandster ways with Protein first, very low carbs, no bread, and sugar-free. It is difficult when for almost 1 1/2 yrs I had restriction and now I could eat eat and more eat until the cows come home if I wanted but I still keep in my head the Band and what all I went thru to have it and try to keep it and as good as food tastes it is not worth sticking another Insulin needle in me. To be honest I live the Life of a WLS patient daily. Been there, and done that and yes STILL do. Whats difficult at times when the other nurses and Surgeons that I work with order pizza and stromboli's, and hey its free. DUH I took a bite of a stromboli yesterday and got sick from it. Later I ate my own lunch that Ii now pack daily no matter who is buying lunch or what the lunch meal consists of. Choices in life, Yes and have choose to be Healthy.. BTW 7lbs to goal weight (no BC/BS wouldnt approve me for WLS) and this is the hardest part of the Journey as I keep myself from getting to the goal somehow someway but It Will Happen.................

Sharon Thanks for responding to my questions. I m sorry your banding didn't continue to work for you but it sounds like you did great while you had it and are continuing to do well without it. Keep up the great work! You are so close to your goal and have evidently worked hard to get there so don't give up now. Congrats on your success thus far!!!!!

I do want so bad to be healthier and now that my husband has lost all his weight, I am more determined to do so. I used to be worried about his health and him not living into his old age, but now that I don't have him to worry about, I see myself not making it to old age. I am tired of being short of breath, not being able to get up and down without a lot of work, and not having much energy. I used to enjoy riding a bike and walking and sometimes working out but don't anymore since it requires so much more energy and work.  I am hoping that these will be incentive for me to do well post band surgery. I do worry about the emotional eating that you spoke of, because I do that a lot. I am going to need to find a different way of dealing with my emotions:; that is going to be the hardest part for me. My husband has had no complications at all and I fear that I will have them all. I will just have to set my mind on my decision and then accept the path that I am given and pray that it will be similar to the path my husband went down. I know that he will be here to support me so that is my strength. Again I thank you for your response and I wish you so much luck in reaching your goal! I think you have learned a lot if you are able to continue in your roal as a bander even though deep down you know that you can eat whatever and however much you want. Keep it up. Sounds like you are doing great!!!  Again Congrats!!!!