I am 22 , 5ft 2 , 230 pnds and bmi higher than 41 !

The thing to remember about what you read on OH, Lapbandtalk and other WLS forums is that those who are doing well don't have that much reason to post.  :)

There are lots of us (dare I use the word Most?) who have done well, lost weight and are out living our lives.  

Good luck with whatever you decide.

You can find my response on the thread that Pumpkin linked. 

Donna, I just noticed you are in Starke.  Small world.  I have family in that area.

If you're working out hard, you may need to actually add a few calories.  sounds weird I know, but your body may be conserving all it can because you're not feeding it enough.

If you're not already, start journaling your food intake.  myfitnesspal.com is good, so it livestrong.com/dailyplate or fitday.com   or just use pen & paper.  An online site that has calories already calculated will help you see what you really are consuming.

And make sure to get lots of water.  64oz minimum.  I do best when I get 80+ (and that's not counting coffee, crystal light, and other stuff I drink).

Good luck!!

Hi Donna!

The truth of the matter is that the band does have the poorest stats on EWL and a high rate of post-op complications often requiring further surgeries.

When others tell you that there aren't many happy bandsters around bc they must be out enjoying life...I would ask then why are there are so many successful vets from other surgeries with busy lives who nonetheless find time to visit their forums...

And yes, there can be complications with any surgery, but why aren't there groups of people desperately trying to help pre-ops avoid disasters like they experienced on the VSG or DS boards? I would guess bc a far greater number of ppl are successful with those procedures. I am not very knowledgeable on the RNY, so I can't speak to that.

Anyway, just please be sure to take off any rose-colored glasses you may have on (I know I wore them going into my lap band) when doing your research. Seriously consider how many people are losing their bands at 5 years out...then look at 10 years! Look at average EWL with the lap band at 3...5...10 years.

If you really need to get the weight off, why not pick a procedure with the best odds of making it happen? Set yourself up for success, chickadee!

Best of luck,
Lindsey

Also because the VSG is fairly new to the WLS group of surgeries.

Yes, I know it has been done for ages for cancer and other gastric problems.

Just adding one more bit of persepctive to the mix.  :)

Lisa is right, The VSG has only been around about 7-10 yrs as a WLS, I believe, (and it has evolved in that time) but people have been living long full lives with partial, and even full, gastrectomies for ages.

We do have several active members that are 2.5-5 years out and there is a VSG maintenance group with 500+ members here: http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/

Best of luck!
Lindsey

I have had my band for two years and I know that was the best decision for me I have no REGRETS. The only time I really have a problem is when I have caused it my self or I have being under extreme stress In the last year the stress in my life has being unreal before the band I would have probably GAINED 50 lbs plus but that has not happen I continue to lose or even maintain I am 12 lbs from goal and I know I will lose that. I have also exercise now which I sisn't do before and now I enjoy it, I am very proud of myself this is the first time in my life that losing weight I have being a successful Good luck in your decision
Cathie

Let me ask u this. How many long term bandsters have u seen on this froum??? Not many! There is a reason for that. Now although some on the band forum will throw up that u don;t see them on there b/c they were so successful with the band that they are out leading their happy, skinny lives.  Which would have some validity.............were it not for the fact that u can go to any on the other forums RNY,VSG,DS, and see long term successful WLS'ers that post there! So that just kind of throws the happy, skinny bandster theory out the window. After all...........it's not like we're gonna beleive that only bandsters get happy and skinny and are then too busy to post, lol.

Please go on the other forums and ask how happy they are with the WLS they have choosen. That will tell u a lot right there. Obviously the ones further out that have been successful and are happy with their WLS should be the ones to consider. U can ask on the other surgery type forums about the band as well because many of them are FORMER bandsters and revised to a more effective WLS.

Now as far as me...............I have the band. I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy!

Please choose your WLS wisely!

I, like you, am a very young wls patient. I am 23 years old.

Please do extensive research on all of your options. You are so young, and you are going to want to live a normal life after surgery. Post op complications are sky high with the band, food getting stuck, solid intolerance, etc. If you are looking at a surgery that just gives restriction, the vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the best option. It's more like a gastric reduction, so you will have a normal functioning stomach that is much smaller. With that surgery you will be able to eat normally and be able to go out and not have to worry about being intolerant to half the menu at a resteraunt.