How much weight can I expect to lose? A Nurse's perspective

If you're considering lap band surgery or just beginning to think about lap band surgery as a solution to your weight problems and wondering how much weigh you can lose, I will try to answer this in this short article. This is one of the questions I'm most often asked along with the cost.

If you're just considering the lap band system because you're just a little overweight then the lap band procedure is not for you. Candidates for lap band surgery have serious obesity issues and this is called being "morbidly obese." There is a way to determine that through the body mass index scale - the BMI as it is called and you're probably familiar with it.

But the bigger question is:

How much weight can I lose or expect to lose? All lap band procedures or adjustable gastric banding procedures will vary from patient to patient. This is because the amount of weight you eventually lose depends on certain factors. First of all the lap band has to be placed properly and in the right position.

It will require a certain commitment on your part to change your eating habits to fit the guidelines for gastric banding. The lap band surgery is not a magical surgery that will ensure you that your weight will come off through some miracle. You must abide closely to the after-surgery diet and probably change your lifestyle along with it.

With the lap band system or any adjustable gastric banding surgery you'll need to limit your food intake. If you find that you feel sick or nauseated you may not be chewing your food well enough. You'll be given a strict lap band diet that you must adhere to in order to lose weight or lose pounds.

You must set weight loss goals that are actually within your reach. You can expect to lose one pound a week the first year following surgery but it's possible that you can lose two to three pounds a week or more with the right diet. The average loss of weight for gastric banding patients, for most patients, in the year following surgery is about 100 pounds or so. This is with following the dietary guidelines you're given and sticking to them closely.

For the healthiest way to lose weight after the gastric band placement and surgery is to lose weight gradually. You don't want to lose weight too fast because it can cause new health problems. Your goal is to get rid of the health issues you have right now that are a direct result of your weight issues or obesity issues. These can be heart problems, diabetes, arthritis in the knees and many others. Some can be life-threatening.

It's important to note that the adjustable band can be removed down the line if needed, whereas gastric bypass is permanent.

There is much to learn about lap band surgery if you decide to go forward with this procedure. You want to learn as much as you can before you commit. This will be a lifelong commitment to strict dieting patterns if you want it to work. Be sure to get fully informed about all the complications and risks that are associated with this bariatric or weight loss surgery also.

For more nurse's tips and info on lap band weight loss surgery and lap band surgery risks go to http://www.Lap-Band-Surgery-Info.com for tips on lap band surgery, adjustable gastric band surgery, medical travel for low cost lap band surgery and cost of lap band surgery

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Hecker

Just to clairify (again). RNY gastric bypass is totally reversible should need be. Nothing is removed in RNY bypass. The stomach is just cut and bypassed. It is still there and should need arise, it could be re-connected. There are some bypass methods that are irreversible because the stomach is actually removed. Those cannot be reversed because the stomach is actually  gone. I think that is the case in VSGB and another one that the name eludes me now. Before having RNY, I researched it extensively and that was the second question I asked. I did not want something absolutely irreversible, just in case.

For all those out there considering RNY bypass, yes it can be reversed. Don't let that scare you off from it if you are really considering it.  Like the band, it would not be reversed  (or removed)without good reason but can be done. Lap bands can become encapsulated in scar tissue and become almost as hard to remove too.

Let us not become too biased about our proceedures here. We all choose our surgeries based on what we think is best for each of us and we each research the pro's and con's of each. This pro lap band may do better on the lap band sub forum where everyone there either has the band or is researching the band. The band is not what is best for everyone, including me.

I am posting the interesting articles I find. Ergo I have a built in bias. You are all welcome (encouraged) to do the same. I have a tendency to do this when the board is quiet or when I have time on my hands.......I think we may have a problem over the next couple of weeks!!
I have been trying to always include the source of the information. Most of these sites have info on other procedures too.

I do see your point. You seem to be trying to inform and pass on what you've read.

Having said that, WLS is almost like religion. Each of us have our own preferences and feel like our choice is being dissed or slammed when you read 5 posts regaling the wonders of lap band and even to the point of one post not being honest about reversal. I understand you did not write this review but I still hate to see outright lies being told. 

 Lap band sites like all other sites that offer starlit advice have something to gain by being biased towards their particular surgery type The majority of these sites are offered by clinics that make a great deal of money off one particular surgery over the other..
 
I will not disrespect anybody's choice of WLS, nor will I blow the horn for RNY. I know the kinds of gut wretching decisions go into choosing what you think will work best for you. The decision is never easy and you are often second guessing if you made the right one.   The agony, sickness, discomfort, nausea and unpleasantness of every surgery as our bodies fight to regain the ability to eat and thrive.  But in the end, right or wrong, to each his own.