second thoughts: advice/info requested
First, I apologize if this is not the proper forum. I did not want to just post this on the lap-band forum because it seems to me that most of the people there are happy with their lap-band, and I wanted a broader view.
I am scheduled to have lap-band surgery in four weeks. However, yesterday, I learned some things that have caused me to have second thoughts about doing this:
1. A friend pointed out this recent NY Times article (and then I found a relevant reaction to it) which casts doubt on the efficacy and safety of lap-band:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/opinion/12zuckerman.html?_ r=1&scp=1&sq=lap-band&st=cse
follow-up:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/opinion/lweb20obese.html?s cp=3&sq=lap-band&st=cse
2. I had my initial visit with the dietitian and got some surprising info. When I firwst started looking into bariatric surgery, 2 1/2 years ago, I attended some seminars, and all I heard about the lap-band and food restrictions was that eating "thick breads" might cause a problem. However, the dietitian told me that I would never be able to drink carbonated beverages again, even low/no-calorie ones (and diet sodas are a mainstay with me), and that I would probably not be able to eat things like ice cream again, even as an occasional treat (which, over the years, I have managed to make it--just an occasional treat).
#1 and its implications bother me more than #2, but still I would be unhappy if I could *never* have an occasional treat or *never* drink diet soda again. Since this forum is particularly for people who have had WLS a while ago, I would especially like to hear from anyone who has had a lap-band for more than 4 years. Advice and comments from anyone are very welcome, of course.
Thanking you in advance,
Brian L.
I am scheduled to have lap-band surgery in four weeks. However, yesterday, I learned some things that have caused me to have second thoughts about doing this:
1. A friend pointed out this recent NY Times article (and then I found a relevant reaction to it) which casts doubt on the efficacy and safety of lap-band:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/opinion/12zuckerman.html?_ r=1&scp=1&sq=lap-band&st=cse
follow-up:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/opinion/lweb20obese.html?s cp=3&sq=lap-band&st=cse
2. I had my initial visit with the dietitian and got some surprising info. When I firwst started looking into bariatric surgery, 2 1/2 years ago, I attended some seminars, and all I heard about the lap-band and food restrictions was that eating "thick breads" might cause a problem. However, the dietitian told me that I would never be able to drink carbonated beverages again, even low/no-calorie ones (and diet sodas are a mainstay with me), and that I would probably not be able to eat things like ice cream again, even as an occasional treat (which, over the years, I have managed to make it--just an occasional treat).
#1 and its implications bother me more than #2, but still I would be unhappy if I could *never* have an occasional treat or *never* drink diet soda again. Since this forum is particularly for people who have had WLS a while ago, I would especially like to hear from anyone who has had a lap-band for more than 4 years. Advice and comments from anyone are very welcome, of course.
Thanking you in advance,
Brian L.
Brian Leonard
Lake Ridge, VA
Lake Ridge, VA
I am almost six yesrs out,
I don't do diet foods so I prob would be a size 4 if I did ,but I am a size 10 and happy.
I eat bread , just protein first , veggies and then if I have room some bread.
I drink carbonated drinks slowly, sometimes I let the fiz go out and then drink soda but not very often.
You can eat most anything just in moderstion, cause beleive me it won't stay down if you eat too fast or the wrong foods..
Lynne
I don't do diet foods so I prob would be a size 4 if I did ,but I am a size 10 and happy.
I eat bread , just protein first , veggies and then if I have room some bread.
I drink carbonated drinks slowly, sometimes I let the fiz go out and then drink soda but not very often.
You can eat most anything just in moderstion, cause beleive me it won't stay down if you eat too fast or the wrong foods..
Lynne
I'm 3 years out and this has been one of the most diappointing experiences in my life. I could never with a good conscience advise a lap band for anyone but a volume eater. Not only can I not eat any kind of bread even the thin ones but no rice,pasta or potatoes, they all get gummed up and make me slime( thick mucus that tries to dislodge the stuck offender). I also can only eat a very few well cooked vegetables. Raw veggies and most fruits are a no go too. Plus the meat they want you to eat is difficult unless moist and well sauced or gravied. Some will say I'm too tight but my band is only half full so I'm far from too tight, I can eat quite abit if it is the right texture. Now candy, cookies and ice cream go thru just fine, that I don't need. Personally I wish I had never gotten the band because I ate much healthier foods before the band. I truely believe the only people it will help is those who eat huge amounts of food. I think the VSG would be a far better choice, it seems to do what the band is supposed to but doesn't. Whatever you decide on I wish you the best of luck!
Hi Brian. I did not have a lap band. I had RnY 6.5 years ago. I'm not sure that I would use the word "never" to describe anything about weight loss surgery. I've met people who experience exceptions to just about everything that was presented to them as an absolute.
You might want to go to the grocery store and pick up some Crystal Light or its generic equivilant. I buy the generice brand of sugar free koolaide from Walmart. There are many flavors available. It makes for a great substitute for carbonated soda. If you started drinking it now, it might ease some of your hesitations about potentially having to give up soda.
Some WLS graduates like to let soda go flat before drinking it.
My issue with carbonated soda is simply that it makes me feel painfully bloated and gives me big problems with gas. I'm not sure if that would be a problem with a band.
Best of luck to you.
You might want to go to the grocery store and pick up some Crystal Light or its generic equivilant. I buy the generice brand of sugar free koolaide from Walmart. There are many flavors available. It makes for a great substitute for carbonated soda. If you started drinking it now, it might ease some of your hesitations about potentially having to give up soda.
Some WLS graduates like to let soda go flat before drinking it.
My issue with carbonated soda is simply that it makes me feel painfully bloated and gives me big problems with gas. I'm not sure if that would be a problem with a band.
Best of luck to you.
It's my own opinion that if a person is not fully aware of the risks and disadvantages, they need to be aware of them before making any life long decisions at all..
As with any surgery, you have to know there are things that you may never be able to do ever (and I mean EVER) again. If your surgeon says no more carbonated beverages ever again, you need to decide that's worth doing to save your health.
If you are not to the point that you will do whatever it takes, you aren't to the point where a dangerous, life threatening surgery is going to help you..I have heard that 3% of people do die from surgery, for whatever reason..
When I was pre-surgery, I talked to everyone I could find that was further out than me..some couldn't eat ANY chicken, no matter how it was cooked. Some couldn't eat beef, no matter what. some couldn't eat pork. Being from 250 years of cattle producers you know I had to think long and hard about what I may have to give up..cokes were a given..no more, even diet even touched my lips..
It was a happy day when I could test and try a microscopic piece of steak..my forefathers are all glad!
But I had to be ready to potentially give up all of that..because I had tried every way I knew to keep from dying of the things that were killing me: high blood pressure, heart disease in my family, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol..today I am not on any medications at all and at 52 years old, that's unusual, says my PCP.
As with any surgery, you have to know there are things that you may never be able to do ever (and I mean EVER) again. If your surgeon says no more carbonated beverages ever again, you need to decide that's worth doing to save your health.
If you are not to the point that you will do whatever it takes, you aren't to the point where a dangerous, life threatening surgery is going to help you..I have heard that 3% of people do die from surgery, for whatever reason..
When I was pre-surgery, I talked to everyone I could find that was further out than me..some couldn't eat ANY chicken, no matter how it was cooked. Some couldn't eat beef, no matter what. some couldn't eat pork. Being from 250 years of cattle producers you know I had to think long and hard about what I may have to give up..cokes were a given..no more, even diet even touched my lips..
It was a happy day when I could test and try a microscopic piece of steak..my forefathers are all glad!
But I had to be ready to potentially give up all of that..because I had tried every way I knew to keep from dying of the things that were killing me: high blood pressure, heart disease in my family, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol..today I am not on any medications at all and at 52 years old, that's unusual, says my PCP.
Yes, RNY worked for me but it also requires a lot of work from me!
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
I have talked to many people about WLS regardless of type... When you consider the results of the surgery and how it will impact you... In order to be a good candidate for success you have to be willing to give up any type of food or drink that may not agree with you... WLS is not a temporary diet...it is physically altering your body to force you to eat smaller portions of healthy foods. In effect you alter your body to limit and not tolerate the foods. I am 4 years post op RNY and have been successful following the "rules." I dont drink carbonated beverages...I really dont miss them and of course the few occasions I have had a sip or two still leave me very uncomfortable because of the gas. I seem to fit the norm of not being able to tolerate high fats and sugars... which is good because I dont need them. I also dont seem to tolerate lactose (even in skim milk). I have met people who cannot tolerate rice, beef, vegetables, etc... So I consider myself lucky.
I have heard good and bad about the lap band and not personally having one I cannot say which is a better option. I do know that statistically the lap band produces slower results and that a lot of people tend to have tolerance issues to more normal foods. I was told by my surgeon that WLS is a modification of the body in which the mind has to then learn... I was also told that the lapband would probably not work for me because I would learn to eat around it... In my situation I think I was considering it as a less committed adjustment and what my surgeon said would have proven to be true.
I have heard good and bad about the lap band and not personally having one I cannot say which is a better option. I do know that statistically the lap band produces slower results and that a lot of people tend to have tolerance issues to more normal foods. I was told by my surgeon that WLS is a modification of the body in which the mind has to then learn... I was also told that the lapband would probably not work for me because I would learn to eat around it... In my situation I think I was considering it as a less committed adjustment and what my surgeon said would have proven to be true.
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