lap band
I am thinking of having lapband . I am wondering if anyone out there can tell me if you can feel the band inside of you or the port. In otherwords does it feel funny or uncomfortalbe. Does the adjustment needle feel like a shot,is it painful each time etc etc? Also how many times a year do you have to have the thing adjusted? What is restriction? Thanks:)
Most of the people here are RNY.. But, I am currently in the beginning of seeking surgery approval and will most likely have the lap band done.. I have done a lot of research into bothe surgeries and have talked to a LOT of doctors A LOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT of people who have had either sugery. I can tell you that people who have had the band done tell me that you can't feel the band. But, you can feel the port. The implant it just below the skin but, unless you really felt around you really wouldnt know that it was there. The fills are little more then an insect bight. I went along with a guy for one of his fills and he felt nothing. In fact the doctor did it so quick that he turned to look at me and it was done before he knew it.. You have to find a doctor that is adimit about the fills though. If you get one that lets you go to long with out one it really doesnt work as well.
Ron,
I had lap band a year ago July 2nd. I have lost 111 pounds. I cannot feel the band. However, I can feel my port and the tube from the port to the band. As a matter of fact the port appears as a bump about two finger widths below my sternum. It does not feel funny or uncomfortable. The feels are not to uncomfortable either. It feels like a shot, a needle stick. After surgery I had three fills, each a month apart. Then I had my fourth fill at six months out. I have not had to have any other adjustments. Restriction comes after you have surgery and the band is put in place and you cannot eat as much as before surgery. Then following each fill as the band is tightened you get greater restriction, meaning you eat even less before you start to fill full. There are tricks to the trade that if you do not use them to your advantage then you will not fill the restriction like someone who does. Such as not drinking 1/2 hour prior to eating your meal and then waiting 1 hour after a meal to start drinking fluids again. Eating your protein first and then if there is room eating vegetables and fruits. The softer the food the more likely it is to slip pass the band and into the bottom of your stomach. Therefore, your pouch does not fill up. I think one of the other keys is ensuring you get plenty of fluids (70 to 100 ounces) a day. This should be consumed throughout the day and not at two or three times.
Hope this is helpful. Great success on your journey.
Bill
I had lap band a year ago July 2nd. I have lost 111 pounds. I cannot feel the band. However, I can feel my port and the tube from the port to the band. As a matter of fact the port appears as a bump about two finger widths below my sternum. It does not feel funny or uncomfortable. The feels are not to uncomfortable either. It feels like a shot, a needle stick. After surgery I had three fills, each a month apart. Then I had my fourth fill at six months out. I have not had to have any other adjustments. Restriction comes after you have surgery and the band is put in place and you cannot eat as much as before surgery. Then following each fill as the band is tightened you get greater restriction, meaning you eat even less before you start to fill full. There are tricks to the trade that if you do not use them to your advantage then you will not fill the restriction like someone who does. Such as not drinking 1/2 hour prior to eating your meal and then waiting 1 hour after a meal to start drinking fluids again. Eating your protein first and then if there is room eating vegetables and fruits. The softer the food the more likely it is to slip pass the band and into the bottom of your stomach. Therefore, your pouch does not fill up. I think one of the other keys is ensuring you get plenty of fluids (70 to 100 ounces) a day. This should be consumed throughout the day and not at two or three times.
Hope this is helpful. Great success on your journey.
Bill
Thank you for sharing your experience this was actually a very good question. Glad it was asked. Nice to know there are those in here you have had the band and who are happy with it. THANKS AGAIN FOR COMMENTING.. Share any and all info you can.. Much appre.. for those of us going that direction soon.
Hi,
I had the lapband done and I'm down 108 lbs so far. I can't feel the band and I can't feel the port either. But the Dr. who gives me the fills he seems to find it ok. Each fill only feels like a pinch and is over with in a matter of seconds.
I have had about 6 fills but each person is different. I had an upper GI done (so they could check on the band) and they found mine was adjusted too tight. They said it was only a pinhole opening. You could have fooled me, yes I had some slight problems eating occasionally (but I thought I was eating too fast or too much) so they just opened it up quit a bit and will wait about 8 weeks then adjust it more accurately.
I have to admit I'm very happy with the loss so far. It may not seem like much compared to some people's story, however, I have severe osteoarthrtis in both knees and really haven't been exercising. So most of my weight loss has been through eating less, eating slower and chewing better, all of which the band makes you learn to do. If I could exercise more I know I would loss even more weight.
All in all I'm very happy with the results. There is one point you have to be carefull with. Unlike the rny'ers with the band you can eat anything. It's nice to know I can have a piece of cake or some cookies if I want to and not have to deprive myself forever of them. However this could also be your downfall. There is no doubt the band has taught me to eat slower and better and less but it can also give you the leeway to sabotage your own progress. It's up to you.
Good luck.
Dan
I had the lapband done and I'm down 108 lbs so far. I can't feel the band and I can't feel the port either. But the Dr. who gives me the fills he seems to find it ok. Each fill only feels like a pinch and is over with in a matter of seconds.
I have had about 6 fills but each person is different. I had an upper GI done (so they could check on the band) and they found mine was adjusted too tight. They said it was only a pinhole opening. You could have fooled me, yes I had some slight problems eating occasionally (but I thought I was eating too fast or too much) so they just opened it up quit a bit and will wait about 8 weeks then adjust it more accurately.
I have to admit I'm very happy with the loss so far. It may not seem like much compared to some people's story, however, I have severe osteoarthrtis in both knees and really haven't been exercising. So most of my weight loss has been through eating less, eating slower and chewing better, all of which the band makes you learn to do. If I could exercise more I know I would loss even more weight.
All in all I'm very happy with the results. There is one point you have to be carefull with. Unlike the rny'ers with the band you can eat anything. It's nice to know I can have a piece of cake or some cookies if I want to and not have to deprive myself forever of them. However this could also be your downfall. There is no doubt the band has taught me to eat slower and better and less but it can also give you the leeway to sabotage your own progress. It's up to you.
Good luck.
Dan
I am about 3 months out from lap band surgery. I can't feel the band itself at all inside, and most people probably won't, I think, because it is pretty deep inside you. Think about it this way: it is wrapped around the top part of your stomach underneath your 'belly fat' and abdominal muscles.
As for the port, I can feel it underneath my skin, but unless I am trying to touch it, I never know its there. And, I have to mash a little bit to get it to pop up so it can be felt. Its not uncomfortable at all.
Like Bill and Dan said, adjustments are no more than a few seconds and no more painful than a pinch or pin ***** I've had 2 adjustments since my surgery and may need one or two more. It has helped me lose 40 lbs. so far. And, without being too repetitive, add a big DITTO from me about eating properly and chewing thoroughly. If you follow the guidelines recommended by your doctor, you will lose weight. It has been amazing to me so far just how well this tool works.
Bill and Dan, you guys are my new heroes! My goal is 100 lbs gone, glad to see you guys did it!
As for the port, I can feel it underneath my skin, but unless I am trying to touch it, I never know its there. And, I have to mash a little bit to get it to pop up so it can be felt. Its not uncomfortable at all.
Like Bill and Dan said, adjustments are no more than a few seconds and no more painful than a pinch or pin ***** I've had 2 adjustments since my surgery and may need one or two more. It has helped me lose 40 lbs. so far. And, without being too repetitive, add a big DITTO from me about eating properly and chewing thoroughly. If you follow the guidelines recommended by your doctor, you will lose weight. It has been amazing to me so far just how well this tool works.
Bill and Dan, you guys are my new heroes! My goal is 100 lbs gone, glad to see you guys did it!
"It was a long way, but he knew where he was going." Corey Ford, The Road to Tinkhamtown.
Guys, I thank you for the response. It helps a lot. My wife had an RNY about 8 months ago and has lost close to 100 lbs with absolutely no complications at all. She is adamant about following the rules on eating though and is a poster child for her doctor lol:) I must go through a couple of psych sessions, attend so many support meetings and of course be approved by insurance. I had a visit today after he did an upper and lower scan to check things and he said I would be a good candidate,so its wait for the insurance now. If all goes well I will probably be ready about Nov or Dec.
I am still undecided which way to go RNY or the band, so I am still looking.
MY wife found OH a long time ago and told me what good people were here so I decided to see and damn if she wan't right. I hate having to tell her that lol :):)
Thanks again I can see these are all good people. :):)
I am still undecided which way to go RNY or the band, so I am still looking.
MY wife found OH a long time ago and told me what good people were here so I decided to see and damn if she wan't right. I hate having to tell her that lol :):)
Thanks again I can see these are all good people. :):)
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