For the men with lapbands

I hear people say horror stories about their lapband. Guys please tell me your experiences with the lap band.

First let me say welcome to the locker room . I had lap band over two years ago . There's no horror story here . I have done quite well with mine . Lost 125 lbs . I Have gained control over my life again !  I am riding my bike again , about twenty miles a day ( I commute to work on it )  There are some thing that I can no longer eat, kinda off the wall things though .  My wife had lap band too . She has done quite well also . There are a few other banders here in the locker too . I'm sure you will have a few others answer you also . So as I said there's no horror story here . Btw  you might think about  staying away from the main board . Am I correct in thinking that that's were you read these HORROR stories ? I could make you a list of things that I have trouble with , but every bander is different as far as what they can and can not eat . Any other questions , give me a PM if you would like . Best wishes  Nick 

Hi,  I had my band done in 12/06 and I'm down 100lbs. I have type 2 Diabetes and was on 2 insulin shots per day and now I take no insulin. I have very bad arthritis in both knees (no cartilge left in either knee) qand because of this I haven't been really exercising. If I had I'm sure I'd be down a lot more. I also am not real strict with myself. I feel this way I wont feel deprived. I eat healthy,but if I feel like having say cookie, I have them. I know that if I didn't do this I'd lose more and faster. But guess what, it's been over a year and I'm still losing and it's not difficult. I can eat anything, however I have to chew very , very good and eat real slow, which helps me to lose. I have no regrets and I'm glad I did it. I have had a couple of times when I wasn't paying attention and food did get stuck, but that was my fault. When it happens it's not pleasant and you try to never let it happen again. But we're human and I'd still gladly pay this price of a few times being uncomfortable but being able to lose this weight and keep it off. Dan

I would say the same as Nick, there are no horror stories about my lapband.  I feel that it one of the greatest things that I have done for myself.  I was banded July 2, 2007, ten months ago, and have lost 97 pounds.  The weight loss has given me greater self confidence, greater respect from my peers and subordinates, and my health and physical fitness is back on track.  As I tell others, I feel 20 years younger. There are course adjustments that have to be made along the way but everyone is a little different.  So to tell you each and every course adjustment that I have had to make might not hold true for you.  The one thing that I strongly emphasize to anyone talking to me about getting WLS is to find yourself a program that has all the supports in place to help you along in your journey.  Just to find a surgeon willing to do the surgery and give you fills as needed in my opinion is not enough.  This forum is great for getting answers to your questions.  However, you will find that some of us are told different things by our surgeons and support staff. Will gladly answer any questions you have. Bill

Banded March, 2007.  85% of excess weight lost (over 100 lbs).  Prediabetes cured.  Lower back pain cured.  Now drive a sports car I couldn't have fit in a year ago.  Even took it to racing school. Sex is better than ever.  5lbs from goal, but maybe I'm there already (doc thinks I should change my goal and not get too skinny). This totally changed the way I eat, and I now cook almost everything that goes into my mouth so I have control.  Unlike some others on this board, losing weight hasn't turned me into a jock, but I'm healthy and happy. Complications: 0.

I was 'Banded January 2007 and could not be happier.

Starting weight 389.0#
Weight today 235.0#

Total lost 154.0#

Still losing at a rate of 0.4# - 0.8# per week. If you check that as a percentage of weight remaining to be lost, then I am still losing at the same rate as when I began this journey.

Starting BMI 57.44
Current BMI 34.70

Band is currently at 6.7cc's (I have a 10.0cc band)

I can eat pretty much anything that I want to, just in much smaller portions. If I attempt to eat to quickly (Not chew my food properly) the band will remind me of what proper eating habits are. If I eat too much, the band will remind me of what proper eating amounts are. The only down side to the lapband, if you want to view it as a down side at all is that the emphasis is on YOU! The LapBand is the easiest WLS to cheat on. If I want to have a Milk Shake... not a problem. I can drink them by the gallon as they will slide right on past the band with no hesitation. But if I do this, then I will gain weight. The Band is not magic... it doesn't force you to lose weight. It just reminds you when you have had enough, or fallen into poor eating habits. My Wife is currently in the application process to be Banded. I am a little envious as the Lapband has had some major improvements since mine was installed. The new LapBand-AP looks to have a significant improvement to combat erosion, and more completely surrounds the esophagus to present a more uniform aperture.

I say go for it!

Thank you for your input, I might just do that :)