Question for LAP Band patients who are significantly postop

Now that you have gone through the surgery and have lived with it for some time, would you recommend this route to others?  Would you "do it again"?  or would you go a different route. I am really afraid to go the Roux-En-Y, afraid to do too much body alteration, organ wise.  I just am.  My cousin is on here, and she had the RY and did really well, but I still do not want to go that route. When I read about LAP band, I read how you should eat small meals and nothing in between those meals, and I think to myself "if I did that NOW, I would lose a ton of weight, so why go through a Lap Band ...."  and then I give up on my Lap band ideas and i do nothing, weight loss wise and end up looking at Weigh****chers again, and Slim Fast, and also... here because, at my size, I am not looking to drink slim fast for a week or 2 to fit into some snug jeans.  I'm far beyond that. Thank you in advance. Lisa

How depressing, no one  is responding.    Can anyone then just fill me in on how long it takes approx. from starting the paperwork for Lap Band until surgery day?  I know RNY takes many months, I was thinking Lap Band shouldnt be as long.

I don't think the wait would differ between surgeries.  It depends on the insurance companies speed to approve and the doctors availability to do the surgery.

Hi Lisa!  Welcome to our group. I have not yet had surgery but I wanted to reply and tell you that it is completely normal to have all those indecisive feelings. I think most will tell you that they also had them. I know I did and sometimes still do. I started out wanting the band but changed my mind to have RNY then changed my mind to band and now I am back to RNY. It is now my final decision. I have done a lot of research on lap and RNY. I do not think the band would help me enough. I need more restriction. Don't get me wrong...down the road I would probably not be so restricted and could also gain back weight. Although it is much more risky, I think RNY is for me. I am also working with a therapist about food and eating issues so that maybe when the time comes...that I could eat again...I may have these things worked out. I hope so! I am sure you will get many posts from others with the band and RNY about the advantages and disadvantages they feel about both weight loss surgeries. I just wanted to share that you are having some real issues about your decision and so did everyone else. I hope you can find the right thing for you. Love...Gail

Hi!  I can see you have a lot of valid questions and concerns and I'd like to invite you to post on the lap band forum, where many long-term and experienced bandsters hang out and may be able to assist you with your questions better.  There are some lap banders here on the main, but most hang out there.  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/boa rd_id,5359/ While you're investigating, I'd like to also point you towards the RNY, DS and VSG boards.  You can find them here:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ under surgery type. Best of luck!

Thank you ladies.  You are right Gail, each procedure will have its negatives and positives.  Thank you for the links, I will learn my way around this site yet.  :)

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the MD board.. When I first started researching I was leaning towards the lap band.  But after all the resaerching and after having my consult with the surgeon that all changed.  I knew that the gastric bypass would work better for me.  Both procedures have pros and cons.   I tried alot of different weight loss programs.  I lost weight but when I stopped I gained the weight I lost and even more.   I had my surgery on March 6th and I am glad that I had this done.  I have lost 41 pounds so far and I am now feeling great.   I went to the information session at the surgeon's office on November 8th then I had the consult on the 15th of November and I had 3 months of supervised weight loss until I was approved on January.  I was suppose to have surgery on February 6th but I got sick with strep throat and my surgery was postponed for March 6th. Best wishes on your journey.  

Hi Lisa,  I am 8 months post op and down 65 pound with a VG band.  I would have responded sooner, but I was not able to post during office hours today.  To answer your questions I would ABSOLUTELY recommend lap band surgery.  I would do it again in a heart beat!  I am off all insulin and all diabetes meds, my bp meds are cut in half, I am full of energy and can keep up with my 2 year old.  The weight loss is slower, but studies show that at three years the total weight loss is the same as RNY.  I have gone from 26/28 to 18/20 tops and my jeans have gone from 26 down to 18.  It doesn't matter how you do it, do it how you are comfortable with.  Don't worry about eating 3 small meals a day.  You won't feel hungry.  I PROMISE!  In between meals you will need to drink your fluids.  Here is a typical day of food for me: B = can of tunafish and crackers, L=turkey and cheese on LC tortilla, D= small piece of meat and beans.  Some days I'll have yogurt as a snack in the daytime or some cheese and if I need a snack at night I'll have some popcorn or something.  I still eat pretty normally just a LOT LESS.  Feel free to contact me privately if you wish.

Heather,  I hope you do not mind a private message.  My husband is getting ready to have the lap band and of course I have questions since I had the RNY. Are you going to be at the Crofton support group meeting.. I am going to attend for the first time on Tuesday the 29th if I feel up to it, Cira said she would pick me up. ( I just had 65% of the total body lift done on May 3.) Take care and hope to chat with you soon.  xoxoxoxoxo  Denise  410-551-6579

Denise, I have no problem with private messages :)  Feel free to email me at [email protected] or to my profile addy at OH.  Unfortunately I cannot make the Crofton meetings but I generally attend all the monthly get togethers.  I live in Rosedale so Crofton in the middle of the week for me is just not possible.  Congrats on your lift! :)  My husband and I BOTH had the band done so ask away!