LAP QUESTION

Ok, just curious.....but they "say" that you loose weight slower and not as much of your extra weight with the lap. But why is this? Can't you just keep going in and getting it tightened until you reach goal, or close to it? So many people have chosen the RNY because of this. I just need a bit of clarification.....so is it true? Do you really not loose as much weight overall with lap? Anybody know? Thankx! Brandi

I had to re-read this....you are then referring to the lap band instead of the lap rny, is that correct? Because to my knowledge the lap rny is the same as open rny. The lap band tends to not let you lose as fast because you are not getting any malabsorption going on. However, that doesn't mean that you wouldn't lose very quickly on the lap band. I've found the range of speedy weight loss is as varied as the people. Some lap banders I know of lose weight faster than I do - even though I have an open rny and might be considerably heavier to start. It depends on your metabolism as well as the surgery. Dina

DUh, LOL! guess I should have been more clear...yeah, I am referring to the lap band..LOL. Yeah, I knew the lap vs open had the same results....I just keep hearing about the band not allowing you to loose as much weight vs other surgeries and I thought it didn't make much sense because I thought you could have the band adjusted....... Brandi

Yeah - it depends on the person, how motivated they are and how their metabolism is I think. I do think some people are less successful with the band, but it could be many things as to why. I know in the one seminar I attended the curve for loss is slower over time, but maybe not right out of the gate. In other words, the stalls may be longer for the lap banders after the initial first few months of loss. But again, I know some who have the lap band who are kicking my butt in the weight loss arena. Depends on the person! Oh - and if you have a hiatal hernia they likely won't do one on you as it could make it worse. That was the case for me... Dina

I had orientation w/Dr. O'Rourke at OHSU. He was very professional and informative. Regarding the Band surgery, he said over at least the first 6 months to a year you lose much slower than any other surgery because they have to "tweak" your band to get it right for you. I don't personally have the time for all the visits to get tweaked either. Everyone has to make their own personal decisions regarding this. At 43 (as of yesterday! ) , I'm ready to make a change for good and get this weight off! I don't want to delay it getting "tweaked". I am anxious to get on with a life without pain, embarrassment, self-consciousness and fear of what may happen if I DON'T do this for me. Don't know if this gives you any info....maybe I'm just doing this for me as well? BTW....guilt me into updating my profile? HAH! I have enough guilt over other things! But I updated recently anyway. lol Michele in Portland

hey michele, it is a very personal decsion to make as to what type of WLS to have.. and I am so not trying to say whats better or worse............ but I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo with you.. I aint got time or the money to be tweaked!! LOL infact I would have been royaly screwed had I ended up with the lab band. I lost my isn. 2 months post op that paid for my surg. wouldn't want the headache of fighting a new ins. co so I could get tweaked.. LOL.. and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!! Brandi, you really have fought a long fight getting this far havn't you? I am so proud of you that you havn't given up to get what you want.. and how is your mom doing?? I was looking at pictures the day that we took at monica's house.. and wondering how everyone is doing!! theresa

Hi Brandi, I have a band and am 13 days post-op. I would like to suggest that you post this question on the lapband message board. There are a ton of knowledgable bandsters there who can answer your questions. Here's a link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/posts.html Marcie 282/270/165

Wow, thankx everybody. I will post this question to the band message board too though. I should have thought of that earlier....been having a lot of brain farts lately....... Brandi

Hello, I have had the lapband 20 days now and have lost 24 lbs. I have heard from dozens and dozens of people who have lost 100 lbs in 7-10 months. I love my band and the tweaking is very occassional. I won't get my first tweak for another month and that can cost as little as $150 in Portland or more depending on if you have it done with flouroscopy or not. After that I may only need to be tweaked a couple of times a year or every couple of months. Either way its worth it to me. Teresa

Thats awesome. I have about 150lbs (give or take a small child) to loose and I think that after talking with so many other bandsters, that I have decided this really is the way to go. The clencher for me was the fact that 10 years down the road, if I start to gain, I just go back in for another fill, rather than having to get major surgery again. Brandi