Realistic lap band expectations??

Hi all I'm wondering about some realistic lap band expectations? What can I truly expect to lose 3 mos. out- 6mos. and 12 mos. out? I understand the loss is less than RNY. but I am really looking forward to feeling and looking better.....soon Also, what can I or can't I eat? I've gotten mixed messages from my Nut vs. OH boards. My surgical center at Mt. Carmel has only done 2 other bands- I'll be the 3rd. My surgeon, I've heard, is wonderful (RNY), so I don't doubt he'll do well with mine. I just wonder how much info my Nut has. She made it sound like I could eat anything. I questioned that with info I had learned here and she had some backpedalling to do. I'm interested in what some of you-from Ohio- know about the band. Thanks everyone! Stacey

Stacy, You're right, weight loss is slower with the band than with bypass. We aim for 1-2 lbs/week. We have plenty of bandsters who have lost 100 lbs in a year, it really depends on how hard you work at it. Good luck! Dr. C

Thanks for the response Dr. Curry. I will be working VERY hard when and if I have the surgery. I'm very prepared for a major life changing experience and am looking forward to it. Thanks again. Stacey

Hello from California, Just visiting this board. Ohio is a nice state, nice people. Anyway I had my band placed 15 months ago I have lost 100 lbs. I am now size 4, 135 lbs. It doesn't get any better then this. I follow the rules about 90% of the time. I can eat anything, just had to learn to slow down, chew well and take smaller bites. Of course I can't eat as much and am just not that hungry anymore. Even head hunger disappeared. The surgery was so easy and painless I drove myself home from the hospital. I just love my band. It was the best decision and best present I ever gave myself. Good luck to you.

Hi Stacy! My best friend had the band and she's losing slow and steady. I wish I'd saved the link, but a while ago when I was researching all procedures, I found a comparison study of band patients and RNY. After the first year, the RNY patients had lost a larger percentage of their excess weight, but after the second year, both groups were equal. So, with that, it may take longer to lose the weight, but it WILL work just fine. Even with other procedures, take mine for example.....I lost nearly 50lbs the first two months, but since then it's been around 1-3 lbs a week, and after almost a year, I'm down 130+ lbs. It all adds up!