Need advice

I just got the ok from my primary care doctor to proceed with the lap band surgery. I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance, PCOS, Sleep Apnea not to mention I had my thyroid removed so I am on Synthroid. I have gained 60 lbs and have been trying to fight the battle without success. Excercising and diet only frustrates me and does not move the scale. I am going to a seminar on the Lap Band to see if it's for me. Is there anyone out there that has the same or similar health issues that has already had the lap band surgery? What can I expect?

I cant offer advice, Im still in the referral stages, but I did want to say that Iam sorry that you have all of those issues and yes it is frusterating to control your eating and exercise and not see that scale budge.  Im sure that everyone else will be able to offer advice right now all I can do is offer you a (((hug)) and say that no matter what your decision will be Iam sure that it will be the best decision for you. 

I do know my seminar covered  gastric by -pass and the band.....your surgeon should be able to offer you your options and best choices for you....i chose the band because of the absorbtion of food was better and it was a slow and steady wls..im at a terrible stall however which comes with any program.....i do love my band and i do not regret it ...the seminar does not cover alot of the true every day life of a bandster i found,,this forum taught me alot other then experiencing it myself.i wish you the best of luck and if you feel the band is for you go for it !

I was 44 when I was banded 3/24/2009
At the time I had
High BP - 2 meds and still not controlled
High Cholesteral - on Lipitor to control

Sleep Apnea - used a Cpap machine -

Anxiety and a rapid heart beat (120 bpm)

I was at goal by January 2010.

You say "diet and exercise only frustrates me".  I will tell you the Lapband will not negate the fact that you will need to make permanent dietary changes AND still need to incorporate exercise into your life.  Without diet change and exercise, I'm afraid you will be very disappointed in your weight loss.  The band is only a tool.  The band won't stop you from eating junk food - it won't drive you to the gym.  It will also not help with emotional eating or head hunger.  You need to be mentally prepared to make those changes.

From the first visit to your doctor and the time your paperwork goes for Insurance approval is roughly 6 months - you will have given this plenty of thought to ensure you are ready.  Be sure to voice your concerns with your doc.

Best of luck to you!

I had everything you listed except the thyroid.  I am self pay on getting a lap band which I had done on December 17th.  I am 50+ pounds down and found that by following the food plan they gave me---3oz dense protien with 1oz veggies or fruit and eating 5-6 times per day has really worked wonderfully so far.  Before, I wasn't able to keep portions under control and felt hungry so much of the time.  I have only had 1 fill and have found that I feel satisfied with the amounts I am eating and that the release of excess weight (I don't loose it because I don't want to ever find it again) is steady.  I do exercise several times a week.  The first little while on liquids/mushies etc is tough and so is the time period until the first fill when the swelling heals and there is no restriction.  I learned that I can listen to my stomach growl and that it won't kill me!  The key is 100% commitment.  The people you hear about that are struggling are always getting back into the food---especially sugar stuff.  Once you get off the sugar, caffein and white flour etc your body stops craving those refined carbs---the head hunger issues really subside.  I made a huge financial investment in myself and made the decision that I would do exactly what they said to do---"the rules of the tool"  It is just a tool but one that has led to the first significant weight loss without feelings of deprivation that I have had in decades.  Whatever surgery you select just remember that you are investing in you and that only you can take good care of you!  Top weight 285---presurgery weight 272--last week 219 and releasing---
Harmony

I had my thyroid removed in April '09 (cancer), I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea in '05, and i've been on hypertension meds since '01 (a mix of three meds to control it).  The docs always expect me to come up with high blood sugar, but so far i've managed to miss that one.

I was banded in December 2010, and just had my second fill.  So far, i've lost 27 pounds, but i can't really attribute any of that to the band itself, since i just started feeling restriction this week.  Major eating changes, combined with hiring a personal trainer and hitting the weights for a minimum of 3 hours a week, with an additional 3-5 hours of cardio every week is what is making the difference for me.

Learn all you can - i spent 5 years researching before making the leap.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

I really agree with the last two posts the last two ladies have wrote to you.  It's just not the lap band its with any WLS you consider you will have to eat right, you will have to exercise if you dont do them two things then you will be struggling just like you are now.

I have not given up all my foods since I got the lapbnad I refused to do that. It just wasn't ice cream, pizza, cookies that made me fat  I was eating way to much of them and way to often that is what made me fat .

I still eat my pizza, I will eat my ice cream once in awhile but that is the key once in awhile and not all the time, not every week .

I do a low carb diet around 50 or less a day and it works , I do treat myself I eat my pizza once a month, I still eat my chips and salsa but not every night maybe every other weekend I eat that stuff and its a serving size only.

Like another poster said you have to be very mentally ready for this surgery and I was the day I went in . The day I went in I was a weak person the time I came out of surgery I was very strong. or that is what my hubby and my mom said lol.  I was very determinted to do this right and when you pay 20 grand out of your own pocket you best be ready for this surgery . 

I'm starting to gain more self control over food, I am making better decisions on food, and I have will power that I never had before in my life and it feels so good.  That is alot of the reasons why I have skipped my fills . 

I'm controlling the lap band I'm not allowing the lap band to control me and I love it.

I dont regret at all getting it , I was self pay and i would do it all over again.  The band around my stomach is all I need to remind so far on what I need to do, what I need to eat, and to get off my ass and exercise :o)

Good luck !!!

I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy.It is the least effective WLS. So it might work for u.............but probably NOT! :-(

U might want to read this post:

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4353861/Considering-the-band-Think-twice/

OMG!!  This person comes on here looking for advice and all you can offer is negativity?!?  You need to have your band removed and stop dissing it every chance you get.

I've had my band for over 2 years.  I haven't had any problems with it and I've lost 75 pounds.  Could have been more, but I didn't work with my "tool" for the last year.  Back on track and have lost 10 pounds in the last 3 weeks.

Maybe you haven't been working with it.  Most people come on here for support and advice, NO ONE wants to hear your negativity.  Just remember..."it is the least effective WLS" is your opinion, not fact.  I think there are plenty of people who will heartly disagree with you.

 
The OP asked what she can expect, Maria offered her opinion.  If you don't like that, go away.