370 obs. doc says too obese for Lap-Band?

 
Please read this thread;

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4349975/Concidering-Lap-Band-Surgery/

 Colleague of Doctor is going to do the Lap-band.

 
Why not a safer surgery type that is vastly superior in weight loss to the band?

The band is not typically effective LONG TERM for higher BMI folks.  It provides the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the highest regain, and the most mechanical complications.  25% need it removed in the first five years and another 25% need a 2nd surgery to correct a mechanical problem with the band.

Sleeves are far safer long term.

 Good to get everyone's opinions here but it can be information overload.

No matter which surgery you get you need to be mentally prepared to change your eating habits and put in some time exercising.  Weight loss surgery is a tool - not a magic bullet.  None of the surgeries help with "head hunger" and "emotional eating".  Generally you will need to go thru a Phych eval and perhaps additional sessions.  

My BMI was 38 and I lost 100 lbs in < year and have maintained for over a year with the Lapband. I like the band because its flexible - meaning you can add and remove saline to change how restricted you are.  It is the easies surgery with the least side effects (altho someone above disagrees).  Studies show that you will lost approx 55% of excess weight - so if you are 100 lbs over weight, you can expect to lose 50.  I lost 100% of my excess weight - but I cannot predict the future for me.  I do know of a friend with the band who got an infection from having a foreign object in her body and had to have it removed. so if you're prone to infection, stay away from the band.

Bypass - I know of many many people with the bypass - they lost fast very very quickly and all medical conditions disappeared almost immediately. However the weight loss stopped as quickly as it started and began to regain. Bypass is malabsorption and you may end up having a lot of vitamin deficiencies and feel tired/rundown etc.  Risky as well if you do take meds - due to malabsorption.  Also the rapid weight loss will result in a significant excess skin as you skin won't have the time to regain its elasticity.

The sleeve is a good alternative for someone who is infection prone and takes daily meds.  While a large percent of the stomach is removed you will feel full with less food - over time - IF you continue to overeat, you stomach can indeed stretch back to normal size. 

So long story short - there isn't a single weight loss surgery that will prevent you from eating cake and icecream - while you may not feel good eating them - it won't stop you.  Nor will weight loss surgery help you learn to cook healthy and read food labels and then make the right choices.  Weigh loss surgery will not drive you to the gym either.

So stick to the surgical facts -and depend on your doctor who is the expert and based on your profile select the right surgery for you.  Key is to find the right doctor!  Ensure they only perform WLS and that they are a Center of Excellence and they offer monthly support groups and will be there for you for post surgical follow ups. 

Hope that helps.

Someone wrote:

~~The sleeve is a good alternative for someone who is infection prone and takes daily meds.  While a large percent of the stomach is removed you will feel full with less food - over time - IF you continue to overeat, you stomach can indeed stretch back to normal size.~~

This is sheer nonsense.  The author of this post clearly doesn't know what she's talking about. This is impossible.

Not entirely true per this from the revision board info on Sleeve revisions.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy-vsg-revision-surgery.html

 
To be honest I didn't realize it was you that posted that, I thought it was someone else.

You have to realize that 85% of your stomach is removed during a sleeve.  It is physically impossible for your stomach to stretch out that much.  It would rupture first.

If you read the link you offered it doesn't say anything at all about it stretching to it's original size.  It just says stretching and that is to be expected.  Even if my sleeve doubled in size... so what?  I can eat six oz of dense protein instead of 3 oz.  Coming out of surgery your stomach is the size of your ring finger.  Over time it stretches to a small banana.  I'm almost three years post op and I can eat almost a full slice of bread (good bread, not the nasty white kind.)  I have amazing restriction.

So I am sorry but you are incorrect, it most certainly cannot stretch to it's original size.

No, I didn't post that, and missed the part about returning to ORIGINAL  size...lol.  Sorry...are you feeling any better??

 
Okay, what you wrote was NORMAL size.  What is normal?  It's the original size.  It cannot stretch to normal size.  Not unless it was done incorrectly and then it didn't stretch to 'normal' size, it just plain wasn't done correctly.

NO, I didn't post that, Leslee did...read who is responding to you please.

Edited to add:

When I asked if you were feeling better, I was referring to your post about low protein levels:

Post Date: 3/3/11 10:05 pm
 
I have a sleeve.

I went to my doc recently because my legs and feet were so swollen my legs look like Dumbo the Flying Elephant.  Honestly, I gained 19# in 4 days.  I had to put my shoes on first thing in the morning or it was a no-go for the rest of the day.  One day I put high top tennis shoes on to squish my feet back into place.  BIG mistake!  I couldn't get them off.  I actually had to call a friend and he pulled them off.  Needless to say, my feet are very bruised!  HA

I thought it was due to hepatic issues I have from meds I have to take.  Turns out my liver enzymes are totally normal but my protein has tanked.  My doc feels that is the cause.  I don't know the exact numbers, I won't see the labs until tomorrow, we just talked on the phone.

I don't have malabsorption and I eat protein all day long.  I don't eat a lot of dead chicken or dead cow (blech...) but I eat lots of beans, chz, and a few eggs.  Most of my diet is produce but still, I do usually get close to 60gms of protein a day.  I realize beans are not a full protein chain but with chz it is.

This is all new, 6 months ago my protein levels were fine.  All my other labs are great, just very low protein.

Suggestions on what is causing this?

TIA

Previously Midwesterngirl