Ladies who have the Lapband?

I am researching surgeries again. I wanted to ask ya'll about your bands. I know that Dawn and Becca have been very successful. Do you feel any different than you did before you got the band? What I mean is, does the inside of you feel any different? Do you feel like you have the band inside or do you feel normal as before WLS? I think I want the band because of the problems that come along with RNY. I am just afraid that my body will never tolerate the band. I probably don't make any sense, lol Just wonder what I am going into.....

Thank you for the nice words, Becky!  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around being successful even though I know I've done well with it so far.  I guess that will come in time.

I can not feel my band at all.  Once the swelling and incision tenderness went away I didn't feel any different than I did pre-band.  Even when I eat the wrong thing (or too much of the right thing) I simply feel uncomfortable or pained in the chest/tummy area but I don't feel the band itself.  I have seen where some people say they can feel the sensation of food going through their banded (stoma) area, I never have.  What I can feel though is the lump under my skin where my port is.  It's kinda cool....feels like a baby's elbow when pregnant!  You can't see my lump though.  Now Richard's port area IS visible if you know what you're looking for.  When he's in a t-shirt that's snug you can see the lump.  Our daughter calls it his "belly bump."

The material used in the band are supposedly safe inside the body.  LOL, I guess that means it won't corode??  There are people who can't tolerate the band though so it definately doesn't work for everyone out there.  There are 4 people in my family with the band (me, Richard, my mom and dad).  The oldest band is 4 years old now and the youngest band is 6 months old now.  ALL of us have lost weight.  My mother was so good at it she just had Dr. Larson REMOVE some of her fill this past week since she's lost TOO MUCH weight.  If my band ever does fail me though I believe I would opt for a VSG revision since there's no mal-absorption with that one.  For me personally, I do not like the idea malabsorption. 

On the flipside, my sister is about 19 months out on her RNY and has lost ALL of her excess weight.  She's happy and I'm happy for her.

I'd like to suggest that you research ALL the WLS types and see which one you feel most comfy with and which one suits your lifestyle.  The band won't help a person with their grazing habits if that's their demon.  The RNY is hard for sugar addicts and I've heard that the DS is hard for carb addicts. (I hope no one bites my head off with this since it's just bits and pieces I have heard and usually don't like to comment on surgeries I know little to nothing about).

Good luck in whatever path you choose!!

Thanks alot Becca! The doctor at the seminar I went to the other night said he thought that the VSG would be the best surgery available soon, but no insurance company covers it. Because it is still in the early stages of WLS procedures....whatever you  call it...lol I am not sure how to put it. But, he was very confident in the VSG. I would totally go that route if my insurance would cover it. I am certainly researching all surgeries though....Thanks again for responding.....

  Hi Becky!!! Thanks for the kind words.. I still have a hard time considering myself a Success..
  I chose the band because Simply I wanted to live life  as naturally as possible.. I didn't want to DUMP, I saw my aunt do it and heck no!! I also didn't want to cut out sugar for life...
  As for my band... I dont really diet.. Just plan my day.. I carry a lunch box or protein bars everywhere..
  Feeling my band, I felt mine when I was really tight.. I dont feel it much now unless my sinuses are draining.. then I swear I can feel it!! I think I maybe nuts too though!!!lol. I dont keep my extremely tight because I have panick attatcks... Best of luck!!!!!
  I have heard good things about the DS procedure from Vicki in a clamshell... but I have no idea about docs and such for it!!!
  Have a great night and thanks for the nice words!!
Dawn
 

Your very welcome! I read all your post, and really respect your opinion. I have read your profile and you have done very well......I'm not stalking ya, just like to lurk....lol Hope and pray for ya that everything works out with your MIL...

    heehee Becky, I dont mind stalking!! I hope I can help someone make a choice that works for them... I have a lot of respect for all the weight loss surgeries. It's different strokes for different folks.. I was so use to living life the weigh****chers way that the band didn't seem to bother me at all.. It really does help Volume wise though!!! I like that...
   I read that you were researching doctors.. my advise to u is meet with the doctor you choose before hand... make sure you can talk to him and feel as if he listens to you, and that you are comfortable with your decision... as Becca says, you will basically be married to that doctor for life!!!
  Good luck!!! Keep us posted, ok?
Dawn
 p.s. thanks for the prayers for my M.I.L. We need all we can get!!!

Becky I agree with everything Becka and Dawn have said.   I dont feel any different on the inside except for the occasional discomfort if I east something I should not have or too much.   I have been able to loose 108 lbs in a little over a year and happy but research all options cause everyone is different and what may be fit for 1 person may not be a fit for another

Good luck in your process

Becky
I do not have any advise as I beleive the ladies here have said it very, very elloquently.  I would like to say....good luck.
teach

I don't feel my band at all.  I only know it's there because it makes me eat less!!!