Peeps who had lap band; i need info please.

Hi folks! I have'nt been round in a long long time but am back today to ask for infor re: Lap Band. You peeps who have the band: Is it working well for you? Are you having any problems with weight regain or long plateaus or any problems that make you wish you'd had a different procedure? What were your reasons for going with the band? I'm trying to get info to help my sister decide what procedure would work best for her. Cheers! p566

Hi There -- Initially, I was only open to the lap band and wouldn't even consider RNY. However, after doing some research and talking to people who have had both, I'm beginning to think that RNY may very well be the better option. For me. Based upon MY patterns over the years with food plans. I know myself well enough to know that, after a period of high motivation and some success, I will eventually and very gradually go back to my old ways. From what I understand, it is easier to do this with the lap band then it is with RNY. Also, because of my specific comorbidities, I would rather not wait 2+ years before loosing the weight that is killing me, and a smaller percentage of it at that... People have found great success with the lap band as well as with RNY, and there are no gaurantees to either -- and risks to both. I am still in the learning process and would be very interested in what other people have to say. One thing I HAVE learned however, is that this debate is only rivaled by the MAC vs. PC one!

I love having my band. It is though a tool to be used. I make the choices of what i eat, etc. I am losing about 5 or 6 lbs a month and I am ok with this. LOL I am a social person thus food choices I make could be better. I always tell people to read all the boards and ask away. THEN make the choice that is best for you!~Ann~

I love the band. I know many bandsters who have lost amazing amounts of weight. One of my concerns about the RNY was the "golden window" of 18 months of loss and then regain. With the band you can always start again. I have lost 80 lbs in 8 months and enjoyed traveling and a cruise and still lost weight. I have every reason to believe that I will continue to lose. Check out the various boards, look at the pros and cons and choose what is best for you. Connie

Everybody's different, but I love my band. I am near goal (may be there -- I'm thinking about changing my goal) and have lost more than 100 lbs in a little over a year. My weight is now within normal range, though I'm overweight according to BMI. If I were normal weight according to the BMI charts, I would look emaciated at my age (52). The band is a demanding tool. It takes quite a while before it alleviates hunger (took almost a year for mine to reach optimal function), but when it does, it's like magic. Before you reach optimal restriction, you have to adopt eating habits that feel like a diet if you want to lose at a reasonable weight. That takes willpower. I don't worry about regain because the band is adjustable. If my ravenous hunger returns, I will have it tightened. I would suggest that your sister join OH and start asking all of us questions. She should hear from happy and unhappy bandsters, RNYers, DSers, and Sleevesters. It's great to hear first-hand how people feel about each of the procedures.

My doc only does RNY and band so I had to make a choice. I decided on the RNY because I knew I would eat my way through a band. Plus I am not to keen on having fills. I have heard about the port slipping and I knew band slippage was a possible problem. I was worried that I wouldn't loose fast enough on the band and get discouraged and give up. I can't give up with the RNY. I may get discouraged but I can't give up. If I would I would get sick (dumping or throwing up) and that's not fun so not gonna do it. I am down over 100 pounds since my surgery in Jan and I know a woman who has lost maybe 40 on the band and she had it before I did. BUT she eats her way through it. She still eats 2-3 pieces of pizza and chocolate cake. The other day my hubby said she bought ice cream for everyone and ate some. I, personally, can eat about 3 bites of pizza before I am full, one or two bites of cake and ice cream and I am satisfied and it is under my dumping threashold. Hope that helps a little.

Kathy, those are exactly the same reasons why I've decided on the RNY. It's not a matter of which is the "better" surgical option, but has more to do with which is the better match for one's personal issues with food/eating. The same issues which kept me from maintaining a healthy food plan over time (and gaining back anything I may have lost, PLUS), will undoubtedly kick in for me at some point, regardless of whether I had the lap band or not. I know myself well enough to know that I would eventually eat through the band, and also, the nearest place for me to have a fill is 2.5 hours away. I don't see myself doing that over the long term. But this is me. Maybe Precious566's sister would do well on the band. Only she would know and she should be doing the reasearch and soul searching!