Has any men had sucess with LAP-BAND
Because of the weight and the diabetes, you really should consider the RNY or the DS. You need to lose weight quickly because of your age. Most doctors would agree that the DS or RNY has a better success rate to "cure" diabetes than the band. This is what I have heard and seen over the 3 years I have been on these boards. Your weight and diabetes could get you before you lose enought weight. I'd move as quick as you can to get one or the other done. A lot of pressure on the heart and kidneys. Brian PS From someone who has had 2 heart attacks and a double heart bypass.
John -
My reasons for choosing RNY was the higher percentage of weight loss possible with both restriction and malabsorption - 75% of excess weight compared to 50% with the band. With the labs they will be doing over time, I'm not overly concerned about the malabsorption - I believe there is enough history with these procedures that the quality docs, nuts, and programs steer you in the right direction.
One of the reasons I opted against the band was the large number of one-hour drives (one-way) I would have had to take to get the band adjusted. If the facility was ten minutes away, that would be one thing, but an hour plus is more time than I can offer. So there was a practical consideration.
As far as the diabetes, my fasting glucose pre-op was in the 120-125 range, and I was being treated with metformin for metabolic syndrome - never really being told I was a full-blown diabetic. Before the surgery, I was on a two-week 800-calorie liquid diet, and about half-way through that period I had my pre-op labs. The glucose, about an hour after drinking one of the Slim-Fast shakes, was 83, and they took me off the metformin that day ... before surgery!
I had been up to 319 and am 57 years old, so I'm close to your statistics. At 325 there should be no issues with laparoscopic procedures.
But everyone else is correct - it is a personal decision, but we're all happy to share our experiences and thoughts to help you on your journey.
My reasons for choosing RNY was the higher percentage of weight loss possible with both restriction and malabsorption - 75% of excess weight compared to 50% with the band. With the labs they will be doing over time, I'm not overly concerned about the malabsorption - I believe there is enough history with these procedures that the quality docs, nuts, and programs steer you in the right direction.
One of the reasons I opted against the band was the large number of one-hour drives (one-way) I would have had to take to get the band adjusted. If the facility was ten minutes away, that would be one thing, but an hour plus is more time than I can offer. So there was a practical consideration.
As far as the diabetes, my fasting glucose pre-op was in the 120-125 range, and I was being treated with metformin for metabolic syndrome - never really being told I was a full-blown diabetic. Before the surgery, I was on a two-week 800-calorie liquid diet, and about half-way through that period I had my pre-op labs. The glucose, about an hour after drinking one of the Slim-Fast shakes, was 83, and they took me off the metformin that day ... before surgery!
I had been up to 319 and am 57 years old, so I'm close to your statistics. At 325 there should be no issues with laparoscopic procedures.
But everyone else is correct - it is a personal decision, but we're all happy to share our experiences and thoughts to help you on your journey.
Onward and DOWNward,
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
Brian Burke - Wellington OH
have you thought about the duodenal switch? It is the best weight loss surgery to resolve diabetes. At 325 lbs, the band would be totally inappropriate, at the most you stand to lose 50 percent of your excess weight (statistically), you won't keep the weight off (statistically), and it won't resolve your diabetes.
Scott
Scott
On August 6, 2009 at 8:59 AM Pacific Time, Beam me up Scottie wrote:
have you thought about the duodenal switch? It is the best weight loss surgery to resolve diabetes. At 325 lbs, the band would be totally inappropriate, at the most you stand to lose 50 percent of your excess weight (statistically), you won't keep the weight off (statistically), and it won't resolve your diabetes.
Scott Have you checked out the war going on between DS and banders in the band forum? Who ****s their pants, who is still fat, who wears too much make up, who is a **** Its hysterical... and its all over which surgery is beter.
Scott Have you checked out the war going on between DS and banders in the band forum? Who ****s their pants, who is still fat, who wears too much make up, who is a **** Its hysterical... and its all over which surgery is beter.
That was brutal. Here's the link. www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/3994714/Would-you-do-it-a gain-Everyone-please-answer/action,replies/topic_id,3994714/ page,2/
yeah, i've seen them...kind of funny, but at the same time not. It's a shame that lap band surgeons are so money hungry, they push a surgery that is a complete failure for MO and SMO people. If you have 30 or 50 lbs to lose, perhaps the lap band would be ok; but if you are over 100 lbs overweight, then it's certainly not for you.
Scott
Scott
John -
I was all ready to have RNY on a Monday morning and on the Saturday night before I freaked out about RNY and called my surgeon and asked if I could switch to the band. I also had a talk with my wife I should have had a long time before that. She was very concerned about me having the RNY. Anyway, I was banded at 7:30 in the morning and was home by 1:00 PM. I've lost 52 lbs. since June 1st and am feeling great so far. But I have done this with no restriction at all. I've had one fill and will get another this coming Tuesday. I believe I will have to work much harder to lose weight with the band. It's easy to cheat the band and sugar is no problem with the band. I still wonder whether if I wasn't such a wimp and had RNY I would'nt be better off, but I made my bed and am now lying in it so to speak. But I am determined to make this work. I see the band as a tool that will only do about 10% of the work with me needing to do the other 90%. I still feel RNY would have been a better tool, but my personal decision was not to take the risks which I believe are minimal, but real. Good luck with your decision!
Regards,
Matt
I was all ready to have RNY on a Monday morning and on the Saturday night before I freaked out about RNY and called my surgeon and asked if I could switch to the band. I also had a talk with my wife I should have had a long time before that. She was very concerned about me having the RNY. Anyway, I was banded at 7:30 in the morning and was home by 1:00 PM. I've lost 52 lbs. since June 1st and am feeling great so far. But I have done this with no restriction at all. I've had one fill and will get another this coming Tuesday. I believe I will have to work much harder to lose weight with the band. It's easy to cheat the band and sugar is no problem with the band. I still wonder whether if I wasn't such a wimp and had RNY I would'nt be better off, but I made my bed and am now lying in it so to speak. But I am determined to make this work. I see the band as a tool that will only do about 10% of the work with me needing to do the other 90%. I still feel RNY would have been a better tool, but my personal decision was not to take the risks which I believe are minimal, but real. Good luck with your decision!
Regards,
Matt
I am a 24 years old guy and got the lap band on June 10th. In total since June 1st (my doctor required a 10 diet before surgery) I have lost 70lbs. My results a bit better then typical but seeing these results helps me to stay in the zone. Lap band is defiantly not just for women. However, I have heard that the average person (demographic) who does the surgery is a woman in her mid 50's. So that could be why my weight loss is greater then expected.
I stared out at 350 lbs I am now (10 weeks later) 280.
I have no regrets at all !!!!
Wish you the best.
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