Considering LAP BAND OR VSG maybe gastric bypass
Post Date: 7/1/12 12:38 pm
I am looking into having weight loss surgery. I am 19 and I have been overweight most of my life. My stepmom thinks it is a bad idea and says I have proved that I can lose weight in the past . Well one reason I lost weight back in 09-10 I lost over 50 lbs. My mom and one of my aunts is really the only supportive ones. The main reason was because my parents sent me to a behavioral facility to get help and while I was there I was able to talk to a dietician who put me on a diet. Also I HAD to go to gym 2 times a day and we were suppose to walk the whole time we was in gym. We also went for walks sometimes. We had a certain time we could get and limited selections to what we could eat so needless who wouldn't lose weight when all that is going on. I went from like 272 to 216 in 8 months. Then I got up to 342 last year. I lost back down to around 315 andn now I'm back to 325 or more. I have not weighed in awhile because last time I weighed I broke the scale from getting on and off the scale in about a 5 minute period.
Anyway another reason why I am considerng surgery is because I am ALWAYS hungry and I don't know why. I can eat and I will be hungry 1-2 hours after I eat. I think there is an underlying problem that is more than just being obese.My question is if anyone has had the surgery. How much weight did you lose? Did you have any complications? Do you regret doing it? Would you do it again? Do you have a lot of excess skin? Have you maintained your weight loss? I have about 175 to 200 lbs to lose. It scares me about having excess skin but I am starting to think that is a small price to pay for being able to live a long healthy life. Also there isn't any long term success documented so that is another reason why I am scared because what if I have the surgery then gain all the weight back I am stuck like that forever. Also the surgery being irreversible scares me because I am only 19 what if I want to have children later on down the road but I am worried that if I don't lose weight at a young age then it could affect my ability to have children. I am considering VSG o LAP BAND. My family is pretty against it except my mom and one of my aunts. My aunt said I should go with the LAP BAND but I've read where people dont lose much weight and keep it off I also heard of one woman's friend dying from LAP BAND. I think the lap band might be better for me because I am so young and it is reversible. But the maintance and stuff seems to be really expensive but I think that might be my best bet considering it is reversible. Please let me your successful or not so successful stories. Thanks!
I am looking into having weight loss surgery. I am 19 and I have been overweight most of my life. My stepmom thinks it is a bad idea and says I have proved that I can lose weight in the past . Well one reason I lost weight back in 09-10 I lost over 50 lbs. My mom and one of my aunts is really the only supportive ones. The main reason was because my parents sent me to a behavioral facility to get help and while I was there I was able to talk to a dietician who put me on a diet. Also I HAD to go to gym 2 times a day and we were suppose to walk the whole time we was in gym. We also went for walks sometimes. We had a certain time we could get and limited selections to what we could eat so needless who wouldn't lose weight when all that is going on. I went from like 272 to 216 in 8 months. Then I got up to 342 last year. I lost back down to around 315 andn now I'm back to 325 or more. I have not weighed in awhile because last time I weighed I broke the scale from getting on and off the scale in about a 5 minute period.
Anyway another reason why I am considerng surgery is because I am ALWAYS hungry and I don't know why. I can eat and I will be hungry 1-2 hours after I eat. I think there is an underlying problem that is more than just being obese.My question is if anyone has had the surgery. How much weight did you lose? Did you have any complications? Do you regret doing it? Would you do it again? Do you have a lot of excess skin? Have you maintained your weight loss? I have about 175 to 200 lbs to lose. It scares me about having excess skin but I am starting to think that is a small price to pay for being able to live a long healthy life. Also there isn't any long term success documented so that is another reason why I am scared because what if I have the surgery then gain all the weight back I am stuck like that forever. Also the surgery being irreversible scares me because I am only 19 what if I want to have children later on down the road but I am worried that if I don't lose weight at a young age then it could affect my ability to have children. I am considering VSG o LAP BAND. My family is pretty against it except my mom and one of my aunts. My aunt said I should go with the LAP BAND but I've read where people dont lose much weight and keep it off I also heard of one woman's friend dying from LAP BAND. I think the lap band might be better for me because I am so young and it is reversible. But the maintance and stuff seems to be really expensive but I think that might be my best bet considering it is reversible. Please let me your successful or not so successful stories. Thanks! 
(deactivated member)
on 7/1/12 10:40 am
on 7/1/12 10:40 am
You will hear on this forum the good and the bad things that can happen with the lap band and please note that all WLS can have complications. Do not be swayed by things you read on this forum. You need to research, discuss with your surgeon and do what is the right/best thing for you. You are the one who has to do the pre-ops and then live with the decision.
I chose the lap band for a couple of reasons. One, my insurance does not cover the sleeve. I also did not want my (insides to be cut). My surgeon and I discussed all things in regards to the band. It is merely a tool. Tools come with directions. I will not sit here and say nothing will ever happen to me and my band or anyone else. I cannot also sit here and say if you get the sleeve or bypass that you will not have any complications either. I am not a fortune teller. Things happen. Any surgery is risky.
I do not know your history nor do I know of your insurance or financial side. But I do know that you will hear many say on this forum to not get the band or reconsider. But you will also read posts from people who have had it and are successful.
Just keep an open mind. All the best in whatever you choose and decide to do.
Well said Doberman-Mom...
aliciaxcore.. you will hear good and bad about any surgery you choose. You need to first talk with your doctor, talk with your family, and talk with your friends. No matter what surgery you have, you will need support.
Make sure you understand the "facts" about ALL the surgeries. You do keep leaning towards the lap band because it is reversible. Please study further what "reversible" means. I will say if you change your mind in say a year and not want the lap band, you can not just walk in and have it taken out. Especially if you want insurance to pay for it. That I think was my biggest misconception on the band.
Good luck in your journey.
Listen to what everyone says -- good and bad...
know the good and bad of each surgery and decide which risks you are willing to take..
aliciaxcore.. you will hear good and bad about any surgery you choose. You need to first talk with your doctor, talk with your family, and talk with your friends. No matter what surgery you have, you will need support.
Make sure you understand the "facts" about ALL the surgeries. You do keep leaning towards the lap band because it is reversible. Please study further what "reversible" means. I will say if you change your mind in say a year and not want the lap band, you can not just walk in and have it taken out. Especially if you want insurance to pay for it. That I think was my biggest misconception on the band.
Good luck in your journey.
Listen to what everyone says -- good and bad...
know the good and bad of each surgery and decide which risks you are willing to take..
(deactivated member)
on 7/1/12 9:21 pm
on 7/1/12 9:21 pm
Thanks serious. I was sure they would hear (both sides). Some very bad and some (hopefully) will post that did well with their losses.
Research/research and decide what is best for YOU.
Not because of what someone said (could happen).
All the best regardless who it is.
Research/research and decide what is best for YOU.
Not because of what someone said (could happen).
All the best regardless who it is.
I had my band placed about 3 years ago and lost 100% of my excess weight in 18 months. I have since had3 plastic surgeries .... Arms and breast lift done together and then a tummy tuck about 4 months ago.
The band was a great choice for me.
However given your age and your constant hunger, I would really think twice or three times about it.
No one knows how long the band lasts inside us .... And your life expectancy is hopefully another 50 or60 years. It is crazy to think that you would not need some additional surgery in at time.
Also, the band is not for everyone. Many people develop intolerances to it ... And have some initial success but then have serious complications.
I would really suggest you give the VSG a hard look ...... It has very promising stats.
The band was a great choice for me.
However given your age and your constant hunger, I would really think twice or three times about it.
No one knows how long the band lasts inside us .... And your life expectancy is hopefully another 50 or60 years. It is crazy to think that you would not need some additional surgery in at time.
Also, the band is not for everyone. Many people develop intolerances to it ... And have some initial success but then have serious complications.
I would really suggest you give the VSG a hard look ...... It has very promising stats.
Hi Alicia,
One of the most common complications from lapbanding is referred left shoulder pain. It's becoming widely known as a very, very common side effect.
The band sits on the top portion of the stomach
The diaphragm is here
And the Vagus nerves run from the base of the skull down into the diaphragm and into the stomach.
If any part of the band or tubing touches the diaphragm, it causes pain in the left shoulder.
If you have gas in your stomach, or you eat "one bite" too many, it will cause pain.
I can't fully explain what the referred left shoulder pain feels like... but the closest I can get is this: it feels like a sharp butcher knife being rammed through the shoulder. No pain medication helped.
So, whatever you decide, just be aware of this common side effect, please. It's important to know EVERYTHING before making a life altering decision, especially being so young.
The band is removable, but if something occurs that makes it necessary to have it removed, there is a very good chance that there will be damage done. It also is not considered to be a "life time device." Subsequent surgeries will most likely be part of the deal. I don't know a single bandster who hasn't had a second surgery. I had my lapbanding done in 2003. And it was removed in 2005 when it nearly caused me to lose my life. I've watched the same things happen over and over... and I would very strongly recommend a different surgery.
I know it's a lot to take in... but take your time in researching. Do not rush into this. It's a big deal.
I wish you the very best and I hope you know that I'm not trying to scare you... only to let you know of the things that can and do happen.
Take care. Good luck.
Nic
One of the most common complications from lapbanding is referred left shoulder pain. It's becoming widely known as a very, very common side effect.
The band sits on the top portion of the stomach
The diaphragm is here
And the Vagus nerves run from the base of the skull down into the diaphragm and into the stomach.
If any part of the band or tubing touches the diaphragm, it causes pain in the left shoulder.
If you have gas in your stomach, or you eat "one bite" too many, it will cause pain.
I can't fully explain what the referred left shoulder pain feels like... but the closest I can get is this: it feels like a sharp butcher knife being rammed through the shoulder. No pain medication helped.
So, whatever you decide, just be aware of this common side effect, please. It's important to know EVERYTHING before making a life altering decision, especially being so young.
The band is removable, but if something occurs that makes it necessary to have it removed, there is a very good chance that there will be damage done. It also is not considered to be a "life time device." Subsequent surgeries will most likely be part of the deal. I don't know a single bandster who hasn't had a second surgery. I had my lapbanding done in 2003. And it was removed in 2005 when it nearly caused me to lose my life. I've watched the same things happen over and over... and I would very strongly recommend a different surgery.
I know it's a lot to take in... but take your time in researching. Do not rush into this. It's a big deal.
I wish you the very best and I hope you know that I'm not trying to scare you... only to let you know of the things that can and do happen.
Take care. Good luck.
Nic
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
Some people will come on here and tell you that complications can occur with every surgery type. While thats true, statistics offer us an idea of the likelihood of those complications. So, I'd be more concerned about a complication that occurs in 5 out of 10 patients than one that occurs in 1 out of 500 patients.
I agree it is important for you to do research on the published peer-reviewed studies out there on the different procedures. The lap band offers the lowest statistics on excess weight loss and a very high post-op complication rate. If you're asking my opinion, I'd say that you should stack the deck in your favor and pick something that offers a better chance of helping you get to goal weight and stay there.
I've had both the band and the VSG. For me, the VSG is the hands down winner. The band was fickle and tightness could changed based on the time of day, time of month, time of year, plane travel, location, etc. etc. etc. Some days I could eat anything under the sun and other days I could barely ge****er down. It was pretty annoying and often difficult to eat out with others. I had the band just under 3 years. The first year I lost about 65 lbs and by the time of my revision I had gained almost all of that back.
The VSG feels more like normal eating, I just get full very quickly. I have not vomited since getting my sleeve...this was a frequent occurrence during my band problems. Come check out the VSG board on here too. You'll see a difference between the posts on the Lap Band board and those on the VSG board.
All of the weight loss reflected in my ticker below is after my revision to VSG.
Best of luck in your search,
Lindsey
I agree it is important for you to do research on the published peer-reviewed studies out there on the different procedures. The lap band offers the lowest statistics on excess weight loss and a very high post-op complication rate. If you're asking my opinion, I'd say that you should stack the deck in your favor and pick something that offers a better chance of helping you get to goal weight and stay there.
I've had both the band and the VSG. For me, the VSG is the hands down winner. The band was fickle and tightness could changed based on the time of day, time of month, time of year, plane travel, location, etc. etc. etc. Some days I could eat anything under the sun and other days I could barely ge****er down. It was pretty annoying and often difficult to eat out with others. I had the band just under 3 years. The first year I lost about 65 lbs and by the time of my revision I had gained almost all of that back.
The VSG feels more like normal eating, I just get full very quickly. I have not vomited since getting my sleeve...this was a frequent occurrence during my band problems. Come check out the VSG board on here too. You'll see a difference between the posts on the Lap Band board and those on the VSG board.
All of the weight loss reflected in my ticker below is after my revision to VSG.
Best of luck in your search,
Lindsey
rabid24
on 7/1/12 11:51 pm
on 7/1/12 11:51 pm
I had my band removed after almost 5 years (it worked for the first 9 months...) just three weeks ago. I'm doing great so far with the sleeve, BUT the best part of the surgery was getting rid of the band. Like Nic said, I had HORRIBLE left shoulder pain, terrible acid reflux, pain when I ate, restriction that would come and go for no reason at all. And on and on...
I wouldn't recommend the band to my worst enemy. And I'm someone who lost 100% of my excess weight with it (132 pounds at the times). So yes, do your research. You don't want to find yourself having a second surgery and worrying about the damage and scar tissue the band left behind.
I wouldn't recommend the band to my worst enemy. And I'm someone who lost 100% of my excess weight with it (132 pounds at the times). So yes, do your research. You don't want to find yourself having a second surgery and worrying about the damage and scar tissue the band left behind.
Revised from band to sleeve on June 6th, 2012. Lost 48 pounds on my own in the 4 months prior to revision. 
Rabid,
Did the left shoulder pain go away after you had your band removed? Or do you still get pain on occasion?
It's been over 7 years since I had the band removed and I still get pain occasionally from the damage done to my nerves. I was just curious if you experienced the same.
I also have tremendous amounts of scar tissue and adhesions from the multiple surgeries. Those are painful in and of themselves!
Thanks,
Nic
Did the left shoulder pain go away after you had your band removed? Or do you still get pain on occasion?
It's been over 7 years since I had the band removed and I still get pain occasionally from the damage done to my nerves. I was just curious if you experienced the same.
I also have tremendous amounts of scar tissue and adhesions from the multiple surgeries. Those are painful in and of themselves!
Thanks,
Nic
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
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