Does it work for food addicts?

I have talked to a few people who have said they know people who gained weight after their lap-band. I was discouraged to hear that. Can some of you guys tell me how it is working for you. I have never been disciplined with eating and consider myself a food addict. Can someone share with me how the lap-band has helped you with your food addictions?

Hi Barbara, I had RNY and not lap-band but I think I can still give you a nugget or two. When I first began researching the surgery I wanted the lap-band. My insurance requirements included 12 weeks of (food) addiction therapy. At first I thought it was an unreasonable requirement but now I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. The therapy made all the difference. If you have a food addiction, as many (maybe most) obese people do, you need to deal with that addiction in order to be successful and reduce your possibility of trading one addiction for another following surgery. It helped me understand and overcome the reasons I over-ate and became obese in the first place. Another by-product of the therapy was that I changed my mind about the lap-band. I realized that the reason I wanted it was that without maintenance (fills) I could essentially negate the surgery's effect. I could "change my mind" and get fat again if I couldn't handle being thin or doing without my drug of choice (food). Whether or not your insurance has this kind of requirement (most don't) I would highly recommend addiction therapy before surgery. Most insurances cover it fully. If you want the name of my therapist, just contact me here on OH. I wish you the best with your journey. Annette

Please send me the name of the therapist.

Hi Barbara, I had the Lap-Band about 4 weeks ago. I'm certainly not the most experienced on this board, hopefully Jodi and Hope will see your post and respond also. With ANY weight loss surgery, you can sabotage it if you want to. If you haven't figured out what your triggers are and why you eat the way you do then chances are you will go back to old habits or figure out another way to get what you want and crave. I can tell you that without the follow-up for the Lap-Band it is basically worthless. Very few people have any kind of restriction simply from getting the band. You have to have it filled very slowly over the course of several months for it to help you. You have to commit to working very closely with your doctor and making small adjustments here and there as needed to keep you on track. The nice thing about the Lap-Band is that there hardly any surgical complications, they are few and far between. The bad thing is that you really have to be in touch with your body and recognize what doesn't work. For example, although I have not tried bread yet, a lot of people say they cannot eat doughy bread after getting the Lap-Band. But it's not like you will necessarily vomit it up or be in extreme pain (you might, you might not), you just have to recognize that it didn't work well by sometimes suttle signs and stay away from it or you could damage your band and the surgery, especially early on. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have as will Jodi and Hope. Even though I just had it done, I've been on the Lap-Band board and learning and researching for over a year. Tania

There are ways, mannerisms, thoughts, and etc... to sabotage ANY WLS (not just the lapband). Nor is there one WLS that's easier to fail then the other. It's all a matter of your own committement to your surgery of choice and that choice working for you. My food addiction wasn't about food itself, it was about the volume of food I chose to eat. I didn't know how it felt emotionally nor physically to be full, to be content(sp?), to be okay with just eating a little not gorge myself. I'd eat what people consider "healthy" foods. Fruits and veggies. However, say if I wanted watermelon, I couldn't be satisfied with just a slice of watermelon, or even a few slices. I had to eat the whole thing till it was gone. Going to counseling and addressing my food issues is what made my choice of WLS - the Lapband- a success for me. Knowing the limitations of my relationship with food made the Lapband a success for me. Just as those that conquired and addressed their food issues made their WLS of choice a success for them also. Good Luck

Hi Barbara, I had Lap Band 20 months ago and I can tell you it works! If you eat the wrong things or too much of it you WILL GET SICK! If you decide you no longer want the 'fills' after your surgery and do not continue to see your physician (at least 2x yr after 2 years) you do risk stretching out your 'pouch' just like any other WLS. You will have some food restrictions, but that varies with each patient because it's more tolerance and not dietary. Plus taste buds also change with Lap Band, there will be foods you no-longer want or crave. The Lap Bnad will cause you to be more disciplined, especially if you don't like being friendly with your toilet! Hope that helps! Hope

I think it is very individual, but honestly... how many of us that reached the point of morbid obesity (thus qualifying for bariatric surgery) would honestly say that they were NOT food addicts? I had a lap-RNY, not the lap-band, but I certainly was a food addict, and I think it is like all addictions... I am recovering, but I know I will always have that extra special affection for food! If I let it win, then the weight will come back. Best wishes! Belle

Obviously everybody on this board struggles with food addiciton. In my experience, those desires and cravings are always there. Of course, they have diminished. I can still want that piece of birthday cake--but I know that if I do, I will be dumping!! Dumping is a good cure for sugar addiction!!! Dumping for me is watery mouth, nausea, shakiness, and violent diarrhea!!!! I don't want that. I have the RNY, so I cannot attest to the Lap Band. What scared me away from the Lap Band is the reality that you can still eat sugar and simple carbs. You are NOT supposed to, but your body will still tolerate them. I know that I would have been tempted. I wanted to make a break from the foods (sweets, pasta, Olive Garden) that got me up to 311 pounds. It is a very personal choice. Some people with the RNY can still eat sugar. I am soooo glad that I can't. I'm at work right now, and I know there are donuts in the breakroom. I want one soooo bad. As I think about it, my stomach is already churning because I know what the smallest dose of that yummy flour, fat, and sugar will do to me and my gastric health for the rest of the day.