Wondering about the Lap Band...

Hello everyone *****ads this and trys to give me some advice... (I added some info about my story)

I'm Emilie I'm 20yrs old been overweight ever since I was a kid(Parents are both normal and sister is normal sized) But Dads side is tall and moms side is tall and fat. Most my moms family has had heart probs, cancers and diabetes which I'm scared its going to happen to me. I've been on diets since I was 7 yrs old and failed at everything even with seeing a pediatrician every week and a Dr for the growth and weight gain I was having. (Age 5 I was 5ft tall at age 11 was 5'9ft tall and weight was 260 and size of pants 24) I was active like a normal kid did more than my friends did and still didn't lose anything even when eating right and small sizes of healthy food. I was checked for thyroid which was normal and working. I was checked for diabitese and was boarder line at age 8 which was cleared at age 9. I get checked every 4 yrs for it and have had depression anxiety probs at 15-17 and same with High blood pressure which was caused by stress from depression. I was cleared for both at 17 and weight was 310 Dr I went to said in two weeks I want to see you down 10lbs or at least down half. I lost 12lbs in 4 days by eating pretty much nothing.(700-1200 cal a day) like I normaly would which he said was good start but wasn't healthy to lose it that fast I gained 5 of that back then lowest for 2011 was 283 and now at 304. I don't eat much like some do I am pretty much stuck and can't get past this hill. I've never been a size 6 or size 12 like many people my age I've never had that normal kid/teen life because I was  always bigger. My mom says just diet exercise and you'll lose it well I have and just gain or give up because I'm board and sick of doing the same I've done for years without that help. She knows its hurting me to be overweight and has seen me go down hill and then climb back up so many times its just the same old story. She knows its the reason I've been slower than my sister(Drivers license I didn't get temps until last May and need to take my test before they expire this May, Getting a Job I just can't find anything I feel good with) I was told by two of my Drs that WLS wasn't a good option I asked why and they both say its for people with a BMI of 35 or more I'm at like 48? I did tell them I will just keep getting bigger until something happens because I can't control myself anymore. I'm engaged and want to be able to buy a wedding dress in normal sizes not 24's 26's 28's I'm 5'6 now and just feel like crap feets killing me and my pouch/belly roll which hurts me when I run or jump get rash in my leg area/bikini(dermititis). I'm still active but sucks because nothing is working to kick start any weight loss. At this moment we don't have health insurance and plan on it this upcoming new year. 




I've been reading so much about the band for over 4yrs and know its got its problems and can be taken out if it has to be. I know that there is a chance of it slipping and port fliping which may need fixed by another surgery. I'm not to worried about that I'm not looking to loss 200lbs in a year I don't want that I've seen many close people that's had it and lost so much weight they almost died (RNY/normal bypass)I've seen them even gain their weight back because they have no control. 

I don't want to be cut and tore apart to be skinny. I want to be able to try something first before I make the big choice of losing a part of my insides. I need that push that if you eat this your gonna feel something that you don't want to feel again. I have a shrink who has the band and she said its helped her learn how to re-eat and do things but hasn't had a fill in years and is overweight but not as much as she used to be.

I'm wondering about how long it took some of you to start to lose weight?
How much was the surgery (Ones who paid for it out of pocket)?
What is your normal exercise program you do day to day?
Can you still eat seafood(Crab/Lobster/Shrimp/Fish)(I love seafood)

Anything else you think I should know.
 Thanks,

 Hello Emilie,  It is good that you are weighing your options.  I was at 228, and could not lose any weight.  I decided to have the lap band surgery on 11/10/11.  So far, the weight loss has not been as quick as I thought it would be.  I am following the doctors recommendations, and exerscising.  It is working though.  I now weigh 193, and my goal is to get down to 130.  My clothing sizes and inches are going down.  I am glad that I had the surgery.  I have only had one fill so far, so I still get hungry.  I will have another fill soon though.  I was told that the lap band was safer than other alternatives, but do your research.  I wish you well in your weight loss journey.  Michelle.

 And I was one of those freaks that lost weight REALLY fast: 100 pounds in 6 months, 150 in a year. There are a LOT of factors coming into play on how fast (or slowly) someone will lose weight. I got lucky (for once in my life.) I was also fortunate enough to have health insurance at that point that covered WLS. Now, not very many companies do.

I don't exercise as much as I did early on, and certainly not as much as I should. As is the case with everyone else, life seems to get in the way of things we really should do. I went to the gym twice this week and am astonished (and saddened) by how physically out of shape I am again. But just as an FYI, I usually do 30-45 minutes of cardio (usually the bike because I am having problems with my arthritic knees) and about another 30-40 of weights.

I, too, adore seafood. I haven't found a type yet that I haven't liked. That being said, not all seafood agrees with my band. Calamari (squid) is a big "if". The tough clams in clam chowder are usually iffy with me, too. Other than that. I can still eat seafood. I've also really learned to like more different kinds of fish than I did prior to my surgery, and I've really fallen in love with that imitation crabmeat stuff they sell (surimi, I think it's called.)

Good luck to you on your journey. I wish I had been able to have my surgery earlier in my life, but I doubt that I would have been ready then. Investigate all your WLS options, since you really want to make sure you opt for the one that is most right for you. 

Bette

 I would go to the open houses that most surgeons have. They do a presentation, and have a question and answer period. Go to more than one.

Emilie,

WLS is not just for patients with a BMI of 35. It can and has been done on patients with high BMI's. You really need to talk to a bariatric surgeon about WLS options for you. Most non-bariatric physicians are clueless about it.

It does seem like you've experienced abnormal growth (in height and weight), so a visit to an endocrinologist might be a good idea. The Lap-Band will not make you lose weight. All it will do is reduce your appetite and the amount of food you eat. Since your previous attempts to lose weight by eating less haven't succeeded, it seems to me that a WLS procedure with a malabsorption feature (like gastric bypass or duodenal switch) would be better for you. I know you don't want your innards cut up and rearranged, but it might turn out to be the lesser of evils considering all your other health problems.

To answer your questions:

I'm wondering about how long it took some of you to start to lose weight? I started losing weight immediately; I lost weight quickly at first (when I was heavier) and slowly towards the end (when I was lighter and burning fewer calories).
How much was the surgery (Ones who paid for it out of pocket)? I was not self-pay but I believe $15,000 is the average cost in the USA (less in Mexido)
What is your normal exercise program you do day to day? I exercise for 45 minutes each morning 5 days a week, doing cardio blast, low-impact aerobics, step aerobics, Pilates, yoga, and weight training classes at a nearby fitness studio. I also have a physically active job.
Can you still eat seafood(Crab/Lobster/Shrimp/Fish)(I love seafood) Yes, I can still eat seafood (thank God!) but have to eat it very carefully.

Jean

Sounds like my story mom an dad are both overweight. I been the chubby one all my life at age 22 I hit 363 pounds and decide to change how I ate and exercise and I lost 50 pounds in a yr. Then started going back to old habits and gained 10 pounds I was at 329 when I decide to get wls and it's been the best thing I did for myself! I had surgery  a week before my 25 birthday I didn't go out to diner or drinks I was home sipping on liquids!! I was fortunate that my insurance covered wls And the process wasn't too bad :) I lost 25 pounds in a months While I was on the liquid diet :) it's amazing the amounts of food I eat they are tiny, I haven't had a fill yet because I'm losing 1-2 pounds a week and my surgeon refuses to do any fill if u losing weigh! Also lap band will not lose the weight for you, along with choosing the right food u have to go to the gym 2.  Keep researching and be sure of your wls. I also know Lot of people who had rny / sleeve but like u I didn't want my stomach cut out of me! Anyways. Good luck :) 

~I've been reading so much about the band for over 4yrs and know its got its problems and can be taken out if it has to be. I know that there is a chance of it slipping and port fliping which may need fixed by another surgery. I'm not to worried about that~

"It's got problems". Now that is quite an understatement! Lol. Have you noticed you very rarely see a bandsters 5 years out? Have you ever noticed that when you do see one 5 years out they have generally had to have at least one more band surgery?

Yes the band can be taken out. Why would you go into this with plans on it being taken out? When one gets WLS, they are looking for PERMANENT help with their weight problem. Why get one that may only last 4 or 5 years and have to be removed???

And you're not worried about having another surgery? Why would you want a WLS that almost guaranteed you a 2nd surgery?!?!?!

~I'm not looking to loss 200lbs in a year I don't want that I've seen many close people that's had it and lost so much weight they almost died (RNY/normal bypass)I've seen them even gain their weight back because they have no control.  ~

Weather you are looking to lose 200 pounds or just 70 pounds is really irrelevent. Some ppl get the band and just lose minimal amounts (20 pounds in 3 years!). Some ppl get the band and GAIN weight! I went to the Drs. this week and got a fill (which was a complete waste of time and money!) and was told that some ppl get the band and "never lose an ounce"! Is that what u want for yourself???

Yes RNY or "normal" bypass as you call it can have some serious complications. But so can the band! It's just that with the band there are generally no early complications. They usually start just a few years out.

And of course there are those that have had RNY and gained all their weight back. But you know what? THEY AT LEAST LOST WEIGHT TO BEGIN WITH! That is something that may...........or may NOT happen with the band! The way I look at it. If a WLS can get you to where u need to be, it has done it's job. If you don't stay there............well that's on you.

But if you would rather have a WLS where you might never even reach restriction...........go right ahead.

I'm wondering about how long it took some of you to start to lose weight?
     You will lose weight immediatly b/c you are on a liquid diet the first 2 wks. after surgery.

How much was the surgery (Ones who paid for it out of pocket)?
     With the pre-op tests mine was about $15,000. That's a hell of a lot of money for a POS band that never even worked!!!

What is your normal exercise program you do day to day?
     I'm lazy. Walking is generally the extent of my exercising.

Can you still eat seafood(Crab/Lobster/Shrimp/Fish)(I love seafood)
     Can and do. OFTEN!

Anything else you think I should know.
     I think you should know that you may NEVER reach restriction with the band. I think you should know that even though the band can be taken out............that it WILL do some permanent damage during the time that it is in there. I think you should know that many Drs. are now refusing to do the band. I think you should know that of the ones that are doing them still.............that they are usually removing more bands than they are installing!

     What else do I think you should know? I think you should know the comparison from those that have experienced the band and an effective WLS. Go post the very same thing you posted here on the RNY, DS and VSG forum. You will find plenty of FORMER bandsters there! They can tell you how the band compares to the WLS they had to revise to, and which WLS they were even able to lose weight with, and which WLS gave them health problems.

Long story short...........I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy.

Pick a different surgery!  Just my opinion.



                                    Good luck to you, Lori

The band can definitely be taken out but that doesn't mean your stomach will go back to normal. The band does lots of damage to your insides, it can damage not only your stomach but your liver and everything else. Weight loss with the band sucks.

I'd strongly advise looking into the sleeve. At your age I'd steer clear of malabsorptive procedures.  I totally understand not wanting your stomach to be cut, I did the band for the same reason but at the time (4 years ago ) VSG wasn't an option for me and I didn't want RNY. Now there is so much data out there about the high failure rate of the band (sure it works for some but you have 50/50 odds, which suck).

As my surgeon put it, our stomachs are like 4000 years out of date. We used to need big stomachs when food was scarce, we would need to stock up and then depend on those reserves for weeks... now food is so readily available but we haven't evolved to have smaller stomachs yet.  Makes sense to me.

Good luck whatever you decide, and I hope your family can support you!  Your mom should know why it's not as easy as "just diet an exercise". But I understand... because my mom is obese and tells me the same crap like "you don't need surgery you can do it yourself!!"  Yeah. If that were true I would have done it by now (I'm  37 and been fat since I was 7).  (hugs to you)

Kudos to you for having the courage to find yourself a solution at a young age.

I had the Realize Band May 2010 . I have had so many problems with it. I am going to call  my Dr to have it removed for good. I lost 40 lbs total did everything i was suppose to do now i have gained back to what i weighed at the time i first had the band put in.
This question is the ones that had their bands removed. Did you have any problems after?
I just want to feel normal again instead of choking and having a upset stomach all the time.