Anyone have a Lap-Band?

Hi All, I'm still making up my mind about whether to have the surgery or not but I've decided if I do I'll have the Lap-Band done with Dr. Singh in Albany. I'd love to hear from anyone else who had the Lap-Band.

Hi, I had the lap band on june 1st. It's really been easy so far. I had very little pain and was out doing earrands 2 days later. I am just starting to get hungry. I will have to wait a month to get a fill. I would recommend the band to anyone. I hope I helped .

Thanks, Jan. It helps to hear from someone who just had it done. I've had surgeries before (babies) and I know that over time I tend to ignore the "bad" things and remember only the good. I had a hysterectomy last October and so I really can't afford to take a lot of time off. Hearing that you were moving around 2 days later sounds promising. Have you returned to work yet (if you work)? Carol

Lap bander here and I LOVE it!!! Read my profile and check out my picture trail Jane aka The LI Princess 288/174/145 in 2005 -114 lbs

Jane, you look and sound wonderful!! Congratulations on such a great weight loss One of my concerns that I was having was some of the information I've read about the lap-band said generally only 50-65% of excess weight is lost. You've already lost 80% of your excess weight It also helped to read about how saline was added when your weight loss was slowing down. I wondered how often they would do that. Thanks for all of the info and I'm looking forward to seeing you reach your goal! Carol

Hi Carol...Just wanted to say that I decided on the lap band. My surgery (I pray!) will be on July 11. I chose it for a few reasons: 1. The least invasive of the available surgeries 2. Quicker recovery time 3. Fully reversible if necessary 4. No "dumping" 5. It is a tool and therefore I am more responsible to change my behaviours and eating habits 6. I only (can you believe it's ONLY???) have around 100 lbs to lose and my surgeon said it is the appropriate choice 7. I am a single mom and my daughter will be away at sleepaway camp so this is my only opportunity for this year. I don't want her to see me "sick". I am really excited and just a little emotional and high strung right now....but I feel comfortable with my decision. Hope all goes well for you---please keep your fingers crossed for me!!!! Take care, Suzanne

My friend who encouraged me to have the surgery, had the lap band. After hearing of her experience, I decided to have the RNY. Why? She had quite a lot of pain with her surgery and the recovery was longer. Also she said it is only reversible once. Right now she is really struggling with keeping her weight down. She says she now has a tendency to graze and is putting weight back on. I'm just speaking for once case, and maybe the others don't have the problems she had. Her husband and son both had lap band and are doing great with it. Lap RNY - 244/183/139

Thanks for replying, Lorraine. I'm glad your surgery has worked out well for you. It's unfortunate that the Lap-Band didn't work for your friend. I've had four surgeries in the past (3 cesareans and most recently a hysterectomy in October 2004) so I'm familiar with and have experienced the complications associated with surgery. My first birth was breech so I have a vertical incision and that takes a lot longer to heal. I think having a lap will be much better. I've heard that the "honeymoon" period for Lap RNY is longer than for the Lap-Band but once that perioid is over for either kind of surgery it takes a real commitment to keep to the program. I think that's one of the reasons I continue to hesitate--I want to be absolutely sure that I can commit to this once I decide to have the surgery. Best of luck to you! Carol

Suzanne, I wish you the very best for your surgery. I am looking forward to hearing from you after you have it done. I'm sure everything will go well. I can understand why you wouldn't want your daughter to see you "sick." In my case, my kids are all older--15, 17, and 20 and had 3 cesareans births so the boys were used to seeing me in the hospital and out of comission. I'm sitting on the fence with my decision, so thanks for sharing your reasons with me. Carol