What to expect from people who've been thru it
I had my surgery done three months ago and it was very easy for me . I had no gas pains, no port pains no nothing. The only thing that got my attention my upper stomach felt like I did a million sit ups but it wasn't pain where I had to rush and take pain meds for it either .
I was back to sleeping on my stomach about 8 days after surgery and back to my normal routines about a week after surgery .
i went into surgery at 1 pm back to my room at 3 and went home that night at 7 pm . I was suppose to stay the night but I was doing so well they let me go home that night.
Best advice I can give you is walk when you get tired of walking walk some more. I was up and out of my bed at the hospital 15 min of getting back. I would walk 20 min and then I would sit for 15 min and back up to walking again. I did this from 315 to 7 pm that night . Once I got hom I was very tired but I would get up ever hr then walk for about 10 min .
Just keep walking no matter what. The more you walk gets the gas out faster and exercise helps promotes healing.
I have lost around 40 pounds so far and 25 inches in three months. I do Zumba with Curves three times a week and I do a Zumba class on Monday nights for a hr then I do Richard Simmons for about 30 min to 45 min on Fridays.
I lose around 7- 8.5 pounds every four weeks time I go see my doc and my band is empty.
I keep my calories around 800 to 1200 per day. Days I exercise I up my calories no exercise nothing above 900 for the day .
Carbs 30-50 per day
Fats nothing above 50
Sodium nothing above 2000 or try very hard not to go above that. Sodium is a killer trying to diet.
Just remember the band is just a tool only. It has to be you that makes the right food choices, it has to be you that gets up and exercise . If you dont do them things no matter what WLS you get done you wont lose weight .
I still eat what I did before expect for Pasta I chose not to eat that right now due to carbs , but everything else I eat.
When I first started on here one Vet told me straight out its all about moderation not deprivation and I live by that rule 100%. I dont deny myself of nothing because I believe that leaves to binges later on. I eat things in moderation, how often I eat them and when I eat them. So far I have been very successful living by that rule .
It has been the best piece of advice I got on here when I first started the lap band.
I wish you the best of luck. As long as you keep it in your head that the band is a tool only you will be successful imo !!!
I was back to sleeping on my stomach about 8 days after surgery and back to my normal routines about a week after surgery .
i went into surgery at 1 pm back to my room at 3 and went home that night at 7 pm . I was suppose to stay the night but I was doing so well they let me go home that night.
Best advice I can give you is walk when you get tired of walking walk some more. I was up and out of my bed at the hospital 15 min of getting back. I would walk 20 min and then I would sit for 15 min and back up to walking again. I did this from 315 to 7 pm that night . Once I got hom I was very tired but I would get up ever hr then walk for about 10 min .
Just keep walking no matter what. The more you walk gets the gas out faster and exercise helps promotes healing.
I have lost around 40 pounds so far and 25 inches in three months. I do Zumba with Curves three times a week and I do a Zumba class on Monday nights for a hr then I do Richard Simmons for about 30 min to 45 min on Fridays.
I lose around 7- 8.5 pounds every four weeks time I go see my doc and my band is empty.
I keep my calories around 800 to 1200 per day. Days I exercise I up my calories no exercise nothing above 900 for the day .
Carbs 30-50 per day
Fats nothing above 50
Sodium nothing above 2000 or try very hard not to go above that. Sodium is a killer trying to diet.
Just remember the band is just a tool only. It has to be you that makes the right food choices, it has to be you that gets up and exercise . If you dont do them things no matter what WLS you get done you wont lose weight .
I still eat what I did before expect for Pasta I chose not to eat that right now due to carbs , but everything else I eat.
When I first started on here one Vet told me straight out its all about moderation not deprivation and I live by that rule 100%. I dont deny myself of nothing because I believe that leaves to binges later on. I eat things in moderation, how often I eat them and when I eat them. So far I have been very successful living by that rule .
It has been the best piece of advice I got on here when I first started the lap band.
I wish you the best of luck. As long as you keep it in your head that the band is a tool only you will be successful imo !!!
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
Facts are a bit difficult!
I recovered very quickly, very easily, without pain meds. Others take weeks and need morphine!
I lost steadily and lost 109lbs (all my excess weight) in just over 15 months. Some lose 100lbs in 9 months, some lose 40lbs in a year.
It is really important not to be unrealistic and not to compare yourself with others! That way lies disappointment!
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
(deactivated member)
on 3/7/11 11:53 pm
on 3/7/11 11:53 pm
This Saturday it will be 6 years since I got my band. I have maintained my weight , up or down 10 lbs.( a fill fixed the gain) for 5 years. The surgery for me was completely painless. The liquid diet was boring, anesthesia causes my appetite to go away for a couple of weeks, so that part was easy for me. I remember being tired a few days. As far as weight loss, the best thing I did was not to weigh myself for a month. Then I think when I did I lost about 17 lbs. Remember the first month is about healing, not losing. Also you aren't really going to lose a lot until you start getting fills. I was a slow loser, when I averaged it all out I think it was about 6 or 7 lbs. a month. But guess what, I lost it all and kept it off. So that should be your main goal. You will save yourself a lot of grief if you don't make the weight loss a contest with yourself or others. Also your excess skin will thank you. It is better for your skin if you don't lose the weight too fast. I got the smallest fills I could get after the first 2. I was in no hurry and it was the right decision for me. I exercised 4 days a week for 20 minutes a day, mild exercise. So just to sum it up for me easing into everything gradually worked. I figured I basically couldn't change who I was and doing these things worked beautifully for me. Good luck to you.
I had more pain than most for the first 10 days since I have fibromyalgia which seems to exagerate pain signals. It was easily controlled with the liquid pain meds the surgeon gave me. They were very good about refilling my script when I got low. The gas pain lasted 7 days for me. The bloating about the same so you may want to find some extra loose fitting clothes to wear till that is gone. My normal pants were to snug and I had to borrow some drawstring waist pants from my neighbor who is also a little larger.
I am retired, but after day 3 I could hardly settle down for a nap since I seemed to be hyper energized. I think some of that was from being so geeked about finally having a chance to lose weight instead of feeling hopeless. I spent a lot of time walking multiple times a day and really found my stamina increasing.
As for weight loss, well, I didn't lose a thing for over 3 weeks but found I had dropped at least one size. That was a thrill, though disconcerting to find that clothes that had been too snug suddenly were too loose. I lost steadily until I had lost 65 pounds. 21 of that was pre surgery. I reached my goal at 5 months which is not typical. It was strictly me on a diet at first, then me on a diet with some help with satiety from my band. I had planned that it would take about 15 months to reach goal, since every one loses at their own rate and the band typically allows the slowest loss. By planning that way I was prepared for the long haul. I was shocked that it went so quickly but I knew I was also dedicated to taking what ever time it took.
I was also not typical in that my first fill gave me full restriction. Most take several fills and I had planned that I would have to have at least 4-6 before I felt my band was much help. I am glad I planned that way because it was my goal with the band that I would probably not have help from it for losing weight but that it would be there to help me deep it off for the first time ever. I felt like lowering my expectations would keep me from being discouraged.
The band is not guaranteed to work for every one but I was determined to make it work the best possible for me. Some say it has the highest rate of regain. Studies are now showing some of the other surgeries having the same problem, unfortunately. It would be nice to have a perfect wls that did the work for us all the way around. That just doesn't happen. You will be doing the work. I was under the impression that RNY, DS, and VSG all did it for you forever. Now studies are showing less weight loss for some people and higher regain statistics. I was especially disappointed in some recen stats on VSG that showed more problems with this than first thought. I had initially wanted that wls, and always felt that if anything happened to my band (horrors), that I would revise to a sleeve. So, what to do? Work your band to it's fullest if that is the way you go, work your hardest, get counseling if needed, continue with support groups and OH, keep in frequent touch with your surgical group, and get a mentor. Also, find out what people who are having long term success have done, and what are the things people who have not been so successful have done. You can lose all your weight and keep it off but it will not be easy. Determine right now to be determined for the long haul, as in for life. You will never be cured of the disease of obesity but you can stay in remission. It is your choice.
Decide for you, and good luck! Sue
I am retired, but after day 3 I could hardly settle down for a nap since I seemed to be hyper energized. I think some of that was from being so geeked about finally having a chance to lose weight instead of feeling hopeless. I spent a lot of time walking multiple times a day and really found my stamina increasing.
As for weight loss, well, I didn't lose a thing for over 3 weeks but found I had dropped at least one size. That was a thrill, though disconcerting to find that clothes that had been too snug suddenly were too loose. I lost steadily until I had lost 65 pounds. 21 of that was pre surgery. I reached my goal at 5 months which is not typical. It was strictly me on a diet at first, then me on a diet with some help with satiety from my band. I had planned that it would take about 15 months to reach goal, since every one loses at their own rate and the band typically allows the slowest loss. By planning that way I was prepared for the long haul. I was shocked that it went so quickly but I knew I was also dedicated to taking what ever time it took.
I was also not typical in that my first fill gave me full restriction. Most take several fills and I had planned that I would have to have at least 4-6 before I felt my band was much help. I am glad I planned that way because it was my goal with the band that I would probably not have help from it for losing weight but that it would be there to help me deep it off for the first time ever. I felt like lowering my expectations would keep me from being discouraged.
The band is not guaranteed to work for every one but I was determined to make it work the best possible for me. Some say it has the highest rate of regain. Studies are now showing some of the other surgeries having the same problem, unfortunately. It would be nice to have a perfect wls that did the work for us all the way around. That just doesn't happen. You will be doing the work. I was under the impression that RNY, DS, and VSG all did it for you forever. Now studies are showing less weight loss for some people and higher regain statistics. I was especially disappointed in some recen stats on VSG that showed more problems with this than first thought. I had initially wanted that wls, and always felt that if anything happened to my band (horrors), that I would revise to a sleeve. So, what to do? Work your band to it's fullest if that is the way you go, work your hardest, get counseling if needed, continue with support groups and OH, keep in frequent touch with your surgical group, and get a mentor. Also, find out what people who are having long term success have done, and what are the things people who have not been so successful have done. You can lose all your weight and keep it off but it will not be easy. Determine right now to be determined for the long haul, as in for life. You will never be cured of the disease of obesity but you can stay in remission. It is your choice.
Decide for you, and good luck! Sue
Highest weight: 212.8 Current weight 135 Lost 77.8 pounds
On March 8, 2011 at 6:32 AM Pacific Time, heathercities11 wrote:
I am about 4 weeks from FINALLY having the lap band surgery and I would like to hear facts from people who have been through this. What to expect on actual weight loss, how long out of work.
The band provides the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the highest regain, and the most mechanical problems. It has the highest failure rate of all 4 main surgery types.
It is damned hard to live with and you need to be prepared to have embarrassing social issues such as going to lunch with friends and running for the bathroom to hurl.
According to the band makers 25% need their band removed in the first 5 years and honestly, I think that figure is low. Another 25% need a 2nd surgery to fix a mechanical problem.
The band has as many complications as bypass, just different complications.
Usually people lose well in the beginning, then the band problems kick in. This is why regain is so drastically high.
Bands are ineffective long term, sleeves are the safest surgery type long term, bypass is great for people who have uncontrolled reflux not due to a hiatal hernia or obesity. DS is most effective long term.
I've had both a band and now a sleeve. Sleeves are 1000x easier to live with and far superior in weight loss.
Think long and hard about a band, if you are like a majority of us you will be revising in a few years. Probably 25% of the entire sleeve board is a revision from band to sleeve. Why do they not lose well with a band (restrictive only) and they do fabulous with a sleeve which is also restrictive only?
Bands do not work long term.
The band provides the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the highest regain, and the most mechanical problems. It has the highest failure rate of all 4 main surgery types.
It is damned hard to live with and you need to be prepared to have embarrassing social issues such as going to lunch with friends and running for the bathroom to hurl.
According to the band makers 25% need their band removed in the first 5 years and honestly, I think that figure is low. Another 25% need a 2nd surgery to fix a mechanical problem.
The band has as many complications as bypass, just different complications.
Usually people lose well in the beginning, then the band problems kick in. This is why regain is so drastically high.
Bands are ineffective long term, sleeves are the safest surgery type long term, bypass is great for people who have uncontrolled reflux not due to a hiatal hernia or obesity. DS is most effective long term.
I've had both a band and now a sleeve. Sleeves are 1000x easier to live with and far superior in weight loss.
Think long and hard about a band, if you are like a majority of us you will be revising in a few years. Probably 25% of the entire sleeve board is a revision from band to sleeve. Why do they not lose well with a band (restrictive only) and they do fabulous with a sleeve which is also restrictive only?
Bands do not work long term.
Previously Midwesterngirl
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
My recovery from the band was quick, uneventful. I was out of work for a wk. It all went down hill after that.
Kept following band rules...........getting fills...........waiting for the band to "work". Well little did I know............that that is how it "works" for a lot of ppl!
Some ppl never reach restriction, and that is something that the Drs. usually DON'T tell patients BEFORE surgery! Kind of a not so pleasant surprise you find out AFTER surgery and AFTER spending $15,000!!!
Don't take my word on how bad the band is though. Go to the revision forum and start reading all about it. Or read about how the ASMBS thinks it's such a non-effective WLS:
www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASMBS/20919
The liquid diet was worse than the pain of the surgery .LOL Recovery was about what I expected pain that required meds the first few days .Pain getting up and down out of bed mostly and gas. You may be groggy tthe first day or so and tire easily for a bit but I was up (by choice) at 6:45am the next morning helping get the kids ready for school. I of course laid back down after they left but you get the idea.It was not unbearable pain or soreness. I was on liquid tylenol after like day 2 or 3. I dunno what kind of work you do but if it is slow paced and no lifting etc you maybe good after a few days if it is more active you may need to ease back into things.
The weight loss has been slower for me but still totally worth it. I am SO happy with my wt loss so far! I just went today and bought new jeans and they were a size ....16 !!!! I started at a tight 22/24. :)
Also a word of caution....I did not read certain types of posts right before my surgery.They triggered the whole second guessing /fear thing. I figured that I had done my homework , made my decision and was rolling with it. No need in worrying myself to death about stuff. This is just My opinion though.
Good luck to you !!!!
The weight loss has been slower for me but still totally worth it. I am SO happy with my wt loss so far! I just went today and bought new jeans and they were a size ....16 !!!! I started at a tight 22/24. :)
Also a word of caution....I did not read certain types of posts right before my surgery.They triggered the whole second guessing /fear thing. I figured that I had done my homework , made my decision and was rolling with it. No need in worrying myself to death about stuff. This is just My opinion though.
Good luck to you !!!!
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