Just starting the process I will have my band around in of this month

Tvallas
on 7/2/13 8:44 am - IL

Can anyone give me feed back about the lap band surgery? I have finished all of my requirements and am getting ready to have the surgery..does anyone have suggestions for me?

Hislady
on 7/3/13 5:57 am - Vancouver, WA

Lap Band on 10/19/07

You probably won't like my suggestion but here it is anyway. Please research all 4 main weight loss surgeries the DS, VSG, RNY and band. The band is the least effective surgery and has a 50% failure to lose rate. There are a few folks who have lost well and kept their bands long term (over 5 yrs) but there are far more who have had issues from mild to life threatening. Many more have had to have their bands removed at about 2-4yrs out because of damage to the stomach and had to revise to a different surgery. So just make sure you know all the risks before you make a final decision.

grannymedic1
on 7/3/13 12:35 pm - Lake Odessa, MI

Revision on 08/21/12

I loved my band and it worked very well for me. However, you do need to ask yourself some questions. There is much to learn and consider with the band. Here are a few:

If you have truly research the band, are you willing to accept the risks?

Does your insurance cover fills? How likely is it that your insurance or job could change. Fills are very expensive and unfills cost the same. I was very sensitive to fills and actually had fluid taken out more that put in. There is a lot of maintenance to the band so be prepared.

Are you aware that you will not get any help from your band until you reach your optimal fill level. It can come with in a couple of fills or many. I was one of the lucky ones but believe me there are others who suffer severe hunger for quite a while. After you reach optimal fill the band will do about 20% of the work, you will do the other 80%. It will not stop hunger or stop you from eating. It will, if it is working properly, allow you to have a sensation not of fullness, but of lack of hunger. You can eat around the band (as you can with all wls) and gain weight.

It is designed to work with dense protein, with veggies, fruit, and perhaps later on some whole grain bread. Other types of things, like white carbs, slide right through. Some people never find their optimal fill level. I was one of the very lucky ones that did.

The weight loss with the band is the slowest, usually 1-2 pounds a week after optimal fill level is reached. That was ok with me but you have to be prepared and willing to accept that. The band, like other wls, is only a tool. Success is dependant upon how you use it. Be prepared to work hard and to continue for life. If you have learned all you can about the risks, what it takes to succeed, and are sure you can live with these things then you will be ready. Go into it with your eyes wide open though, including knowing some of the negative stories they are important, too.

Highest weight: 212.8 Current weight 135 Lost 77.8 pounds

pineview01
on 7/5/13 12:55 pm - Davison, MI

Lap Band on 02/25/09

grannymedic1 has some good advise. Keep in mind it is from someone who loved her band and it worked until it didn't. I had a lot of issues along the way with mine and I was happy with it at times for a short while.

I advised you check out all the WLS. Does your surgery center do all four or at least, RNY, VSG & Band if not the DS. Think about the reasons you want WLS, if you want to change your life for life, don't use the reason "it is reversible" as a reason to chose. (ps the band isn't reversible, just removable. Also it in NOT less invasive either)