Lap band for carb addict?

Hi everyone!  I have now seen 2 different surgeons in trying to decide between the rny or the lap band.  The lap  band surgeon told me he thought i would do great with the band.  Even after i told him i am addicted to carbs/sugar/ sweets.  I also have terrible acid reflux/heartburn.  Any opinions on this anyone?  I'm calling tomorrow to see the new dietician and psychiatrist associated w/ the lap band surgeon's practice as it's at another hospital so they need me to see their people i guess. Thank you so much!  Laura

the lap band is really easy to eat "around" meaning if you eat alot of carby soft foods or drink alot of empty calories you either wont lose all the weight that you need to or you will gain it back quite easily. i have heard that the rny is pretty good at relieving heartburn but remember, you have more than 2 choices for surgery options. be sure you check out all of your options before making a solid choice. check out all the other forums and make an informed decision. too many people get a particular surgery and, when that surgery fails, they have to have some sort of revision. revisions are difficult to do and can be dangerous so please weigh all your options before you decide on a surgery you will have to live with for the rest of your life. best of luck!

I am a carb addict so to speak and a binge eater and I've done well with the band.  I usually binged on sweets and the band puts a quick halt to that behavior so it really does help.  However, if you have severe reflux, I think that would be a big concern especially if your band gets a little too tight.  Definitely check out all your options.  Weigh out all the pros and cons of each surgery type for you.  Don't rush in to this decision.  It's a decision you'll live with forever.

Hi, Thanks for the information.  How did the band "put a quick halt" to binge eating sweets?  Sincerely, Laura

Laura,

Part of my binging behavior was to eat a large amount of food in a very short time period...binges were fast and furious.  If I get a little out of control and start to eat like that, I will definitely see that food again.  This is not a pleasant thing and stops the binge...doesn't happen often, but i'd be lying if I said it never happened.

Laura,
I'm a five yr bandster & prior to surgery not only was I a volume eater but on sweets too. I can still eat sugared sweets if I wanted to, unfortunately for me (which is very rare for bandsters) I've developed a "dumping" type syndrome when I eat sweets. That includes over natural sweetened juices too.
Almost every surgery you can find a way to "eat around" because eventually you'll fall into a food eating routine. That's why no matter what surgery choice, your surgeon will stress the importance of changing your lifestyle (including foods). It really depends on how devoted you are to the type of surgery you have and it also working for you. Unfortunately, there's no test to take to say yes this particular surgery will most diffently work for you. So plz make sure to take time to investigate all your options for surgery types. It took me three yrs prior to surgery to figure out that the band would work for me.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much for all your help everyone!  I forgot to mention I take nsaids for my arthritis in my spine, and bulging discs.  I've read you cannot take these if you have the lap band surgery.  I tried a couple yrs ago to get off them, and in 2 weeks I was in so much pain I could hardly walk!  So if it's true that I would not be able to take them, I'd be in big trouble.  Sincerely, Laura

i dont know about NSAIDS and the lap band. i do know you cant take them if you have the RNY and you can take them with the DS.