Second thoughts on Lapband
I need some words of encouragment here.... I'm beginning to wonder if the LapBand is for me or now. I'm scared I won't loose weight? Am I crazy to think that? I'm freaking out at the thought of going through months and months of this prequalification, getting the surgery and then nothing happening. I need to hear from my fellow lapbanders. Help!? Paint me a realistic picture on what your life is like, what you eat, etc.
Jamie,
It is natural to ask a lot of questions and also have anxiety during the pre-surgery phase you are in. You need to understand that with WLS it's not all just about the surgery keeping you from overeating or eating the wrong things. The lapband is a tool. It helps you control your food intake and hunger level. There are numerous ways to get around it. That is why you need to be able to make changes in your life that work with the band. Some of those changes are hard to do. For me it was exercise. I never thought I had time to do it. Since 1 month pre-op I have done 30 minutes of treadmill every work day. I should be doing more, but this is my first step. Another hard habit to change is snacking during the evening while watching TV. I still struggle with that but an doing OK.
You know, I don't know if you can call me a success yet. I am only 7 months our of surgery. I've only lost 56 pounds. I always think I am not doing my best and could do better. It's my insecurity in changing my life. For me I know it's all about the diets I have been on before. After a period of time I always reverted and gave up. I fear that will happen with the band.
I have *****ed and moaned several times about my lapband choice and my ability to make it a success. I know I had many posts on here on that subject. Just ask my partner Brett, he will tell you how unhappy I was especially 3-4 months out of surgery when I had no restriction.
Today, I am very happy with my decision. I am making good choices and changes. I think I m looking pretty good actually. I have learned that it is not just about weight loss. I keep plugging away and do better all the time. It's frustrating to do what you think is right only for the scale not to move.
The last thing you need to know is not to compair yourself to others. That is my downfall. Everyone is different and lose weight differently. It's too convenient to look at another person and wonder why they are so successful and you are not. Don't go there. Keep concentrating on what you need to do and what your goals are.
You are doing the right thing in analyzing the situation. Keep on exploring. I subscribed to several lapband discussion boards other than this one. I found people who I thought were like me and read their stories and asked them questions. Keep on plugging away and your presurgery stuff will pass real fast.
It is natural to ask a lot of questions and also have anxiety during the pre-surgery phase you are in. You need to understand that with WLS it's not all just about the surgery keeping you from overeating or eating the wrong things. The lapband is a tool. It helps you control your food intake and hunger level. There are numerous ways to get around it. That is why you need to be able to make changes in your life that work with the band. Some of those changes are hard to do. For me it was exercise. I never thought I had time to do it. Since 1 month pre-op I have done 30 minutes of treadmill every work day. I should be doing more, but this is my first step. Another hard habit to change is snacking during the evening while watching TV. I still struggle with that but an doing OK.
You know, I don't know if you can call me a success yet. I am only 7 months our of surgery. I've only lost 56 pounds. I always think I am not doing my best and could do better. It's my insecurity in changing my life. For me I know it's all about the diets I have been on before. After a period of time I always reverted and gave up. I fear that will happen with the band.
I have *****ed and moaned several times about my lapband choice and my ability to make it a success. I know I had many posts on here on that subject. Just ask my partner Brett, he will tell you how unhappy I was especially 3-4 months out of surgery when I had no restriction.
Today, I am very happy with my decision. I am making good choices and changes. I think I m looking pretty good actually. I have learned that it is not just about weight loss. I keep plugging away and do better all the time. It's frustrating to do what you think is right only for the scale not to move.
The last thing you need to know is not to compair yourself to others. That is my downfall. Everyone is different and lose weight differently. It's too convenient to look at another person and wonder why they are so successful and you are not. Don't go there. Keep concentrating on what you need to do and what your goals are.
You are doing the right thing in analyzing the situation. Keep on exploring. I subscribed to several lapband discussion boards other than this one. I found people who I thought were like me and read their stories and asked them questions. Keep on plugging away and your presurgery stuff will pass real fast.
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
Hi!
I'm new to this forum, but I figure I'd throw you a line lol.
I had surgery on 12/16 and I'm down 42lbs. I'm very happy with my loss-- I haven't even had a fill yet! I know that it is slower than RNY, but I know that come 10 years from now, if I need to loose 10lbs, that I can always go in and get a fill to get restriction.
Hope I helped! Good luck, you are going to do great.
PS: If you ever have questions, don't hesitate posting on the LapBand forum!!!
Vicki
I'm new to this forum, but I figure I'd throw you a line lol.
I had surgery on 12/16 and I'm down 42lbs. I'm very happy with my loss-- I haven't even had a fill yet! I know that it is slower than RNY, but I know that come 10 years from now, if I need to loose 10lbs, that I can always go in and get a fill to get restriction.
Hope I helped! Good luck, you are going to do great.
PS: If you ever have questions, don't hesitate posting on the LapBand forum!!!
Vicki
Hi Stocky.....
I had Lap RNY on the 12th, However, when I originally went down the path of WLS surgery, it was my intention to get the Lap Band. After much research and consultation with my surgeon I chose to have the RNY. (1) due to the high re-operation rate for complications such as slippage and port flippage (2) unknown about how long the band would "be good" inside of me (3) Insurance did not cover more than the "inital" fill (4) I could continue my addiction to ice cream and milkshakes and have no adverse effect other than impeding weight loss.
It is an individual choice that should be made in consultation with your surgeon based on your medical history. Whatever you do, just commit to the change in your life.
I had Lap RNY on the 12th, However, when I originally went down the path of WLS surgery, it was my intention to get the Lap Band. After much research and consultation with my surgeon I chose to have the RNY. (1) due to the high re-operation rate for complications such as slippage and port flippage (2) unknown about how long the band would "be good" inside of me (3) Insurance did not cover more than the "inital" fill (4) I could continue my addiction to ice cream and milkshakes and have no adverse effect other than impeding weight loss.
It is an individual choice that should be made in consultation with your surgeon based on your medical history. Whatever you do, just commit to the change in your life.
Hey Stocky,
I know we have chatted about this before.. I know you will make the right choice for yourself.. I was in the same boat as you when i was looking at my choices. After several meetings with the Dr and the Phsyo. I made the choice that the RNY was the right way for me. If you need anything bud just hit me up here or on 411..
I know for me though I started out wanting the lapband I ultimately chose to have the sleeve.
It too is restrictive only like the band but it is a "set it and forget it" procedure so to speak.
The good new is that it does not require the "upkeep" that the band does and does not involve rearranging your innards like the RNY and DS do.
The bad news is that many insurance companies are not yet covering it as easily as they do the band and RNY.
Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
I am not trying to "sell" you on the band just thought I would give my views.
Whatever you do is it truthful, necessary and kind?
Hi Stocky.
I am post lap band from Oct. 07. It did not work for me. I felt guilty as hell. Fill after fill and no or occasional restriction usually when I began to eat. I would have to " get rid of the food."
There are a certain percentage of us it does not work for. Anyway I have not lost weight... very disappointing.
My brother had a RNY here in Boston and I went to see his surgeon. I am going to proceed with the bypass surgery. She told me she does many revisions..lap band to RNY because the band does not work for some people.
The band is like being on a diet, really. It does not change anything hormonally in the body. It's up to you to restrict what you put in your mouth plain and simple.
A theory my surgeon and the team has is that the vagus nerve runs along the area where we are banded. The vagus nerve can be on the surface or deeper into the tissue. The vagus nerve does different things but one of them is letting your brain know you are hungry or not. Depending on your body where the nerve is and the placement of the band the resultant filling does or does not press on that nerve causing less feelings of hunger.
Hunger is about hormones. The RNY interrupts the hunger producing hormones. You lose weight fast, you learn to eat what your body can tolerate, you must manage your food thoughtfully getting all the nutrients necessary for good health.
Lap band surgery is quick and the recovery is easy, or was for me.
Bypass is more complicated, better for lots of weight loss (which I need) and I feel like is should have gone with it in the first place.
I will still be "morbidly obese" (don't you love that) after the bypass but much more mobil, and potentially healthier
than now.
best,
jude
I am post lap band from Oct. 07. It did not work for me. I felt guilty as hell. Fill after fill and no or occasional restriction usually when I began to eat. I would have to " get rid of the food."
There are a certain percentage of us it does not work for. Anyway I have not lost weight... very disappointing.
My brother had a RNY here in Boston and I went to see his surgeon. I am going to proceed with the bypass surgery. She told me she does many revisions..lap band to RNY because the band does not work for some people.
The band is like being on a diet, really. It does not change anything hormonally in the body. It's up to you to restrict what you put in your mouth plain and simple.
A theory my surgeon and the team has is that the vagus nerve runs along the area where we are banded. The vagus nerve can be on the surface or deeper into the tissue. The vagus nerve does different things but one of them is letting your brain know you are hungry or not. Depending on your body where the nerve is and the placement of the band the resultant filling does or does not press on that nerve causing less feelings of hunger.
Hunger is about hormones. The RNY interrupts the hunger producing hormones. You lose weight fast, you learn to eat what your body can tolerate, you must manage your food thoughtfully getting all the nutrients necessary for good health.
Lap band surgery is quick and the recovery is easy, or was for me.
Bypass is more complicated, better for lots of weight loss (which I need) and I feel like is should have gone with it in the first place.
I will still be "morbidly obese" (don't you love that) after the bypass but much more mobil, and potentially healthier
than now.
best,
jude
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