Lap Band and Food Allergies

Hi.  A friend of mine is interested in having the lap band but has severe food allergies with dairy, eggs, wheat, etc.  Has anyone had the surgery that has food allergies, would love to know what you ate in the weeks before surgery.  I had the RNY done and I know what I ate which I think would be similar for someone doing the band but not sure.

Any insight anyone can provide would be appreciated.

Barb

The best thing you can tell her is not to get the lap band! It is the least effective WLS and is only good for 5-10 yrs and then should be removed according to the manufacturer, then what another surgery. It is also prone to building up scar tissue under the band which causes all kinds of problems later down the road. As for allergies basically alot of people are allergic to the band and can't tolerate it so her best bet is a different surgery  altogether if she wants success.

Hi! Just wanted to say, I have had a lap band for almost three years now. I am severely allergic to dairy, egg whites, soy, wheat, and shell fish. I suffered doing the whey protein shakes pre-op. I had constant ecezma, bowel trouble etc.. Since that time I have discovered brown rice protein powder, hemp powder, and quinoa protein powder. I think it is possible, but very hard. I also suffer from PCOS , gout, 2 types of kidney stones, so my diet is very hard. I probably should have never been banded with these problems, I had  the "billboard" doctors in CA. I should of researched better. I have a wonderful doctor now and he has helped so much. I know my band will have to be removed someday, but for now it is working ok.  I lost 82lbs with my band. I am very grateful, but I have gained 20lbs back this year and it just won't budge. I never did lose what I needed too. I would advise thinking of another surgery and really research . It is hard when you have food allergies and metabolic diseases which must be controlled by eating certain foods, but yet with the lap band you can't always eat those foods and swallow some of the medications prescribed. I wish your friend luck with her decision.

Barb,

You're a good friend to research this for your friend. I don't have any food allergies, but since I've had 2 bariatric surgeries (the band and then the sleeve), I have to say that the foods that post-ops eat are pretty much the same no matter what procedure your friend has, so I'd think that managing her food allergies would be the same post-op as it is for her as a pre-op.

Jean

while not the same as your friend's allergie,i have several food allergies myself and i've been fine with the band, i don't eat a lot of what i used to though (which is a good thing. i don't think anyone ever looked back and said, darn i really wish i could consume enough for a small family at mcdonalds again). the stuff i should have been eating hasn't been really that much of an issue. just remembering to slow down when i eat has been the biggest for me, well that and portion control. almost two years out and i still have a problem with my eyeballs being bigger than a food scale :)