Question:
Unsuccessful Lapband Surgery
I had lapband 10mos ago. I only lost 30lbs within the first 3 mos. I've gained 10 of that back. Now considering getting gastric bypass. Has anyone out there failed with the lapband or is it just me! Please HELP! — Shantae J. (posted on August 23, 2007)
August 23, 2007
How full is your band? Have you talked to your surgeon. The reason I am
asking these ?'s is I felt like I was failing too, I was banded in Nov, and
I was not lossing much at all. I started working out a curves and
continued with the fills, I now have 9cc in a 10 cc band. I am at almost
50lbs from my highest weight from my surgery date I am down around 35
-40lbs. One thing to remember it this is only a tool. I have to deal with
my parents, whom both had rny and have lost 100's compaired to my 50.
Watch your eating patterns, and make some simple changes. One thing I have
been doing recently and have seen results, is I use egg beaters, instead of
eggs. I try to stay away from carbs. I work hard to drink my water. I do
not use protien shakes at all. I use the diet my nut gave me, which is
Protien Protien, Protien. Usually I am full, if not, I eat some veggies.
I notice that some days I can eat more and others I can't. It is a
continually changeing process, if you are at all like me, it took you years
to get this heavy and will take time to take it off. be patient and talk
to your Dr. Good Luck, I hope you see some weight loss soon!
Marie
— Marie B.
August 23, 2007
10 mos hun thats not long at all. remember its a tool you need to put
110% into this. its not gonna just take all the fat away. DO NOT GET
GASTRIC MY UNCLE DIED FROM IT... maybe you just need a fill?- kim
— Kimberly F.
August 23, 2007
I had the lap band for 5 years, had to travel from NY, to Mexico, to NYC,
to Ithaca, to Buffalo for fills, but I did it. I had that band in for 5
years and in April of this year had it removed and the RNY performed. It
just doesn't work for everyone. I really hate when people say "IT'S A
TOOL" - well no kidding, but we are all overweight for a reason. If
we were all able to use tools effectively, diets would work wonders.
— bjkgriffith
August 23, 2007
I had RNY. I chose RNY because everyone I knew that did the lapband
failed! And they ended up bigger than they were before surgery. I decided
if I was going to do it, I was going to do it all the way. Someone posted
that their uncle died after gastric bypass and said not to do it. Well I
am sorry her uncle died, and yes some people do have complications, but to
me the chance was one I was willing to take because what kind of life was I
living at almost 400 pounds? If I were you I would check every possible
way to fix your situation with the lap band first, before I had another
surgery (I have known people to fail at RNY also--they just didn't want to
follow the rules), and make sure you don't need another fill or some
adjustments. And then talk to your surgeon or another surgeon after you
exhaust all other options first. Having 2 surgeries will be very hard on
your body.
— GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS
August 24, 2007
You didn't elaborate on the details of why you were unsuccessful or gained
back weight. I too chose RNY over lapband when my doctor told me that RNY
was more restrictive. I had to rid myself of my sugar addiction and RNY
was the only way. Once the sugar was out of my system, I knew I could be
successful. I lost 90 lbs in 9 months and am now at a normal BMI and
weight! Don't give up so quickly. Maybe it's time to switch doctors, try
a comprehensive program and use a nutritionist that works with bariatric
patients.
— Sheri A.
August 24, 2007
I also had the lap band 10 months ago. I have the 4 cc band with about 2.3
cc's in it. Are you having any restriction eating? I wasn't until my last
fill. I told my doctor that I was able to eat anything and any amount that
I wanted. I am a rule breaker which is a no no. I talked to my doctor and
I asked him how much I had in my band. At the time he said 1.7 cc's. I
asked him to fill it to 2.5 because I wasn't feeling the restriction. Boy
let me tell you that sure did the trick. I didn't have a feel at my last
visit because the previous one was perfect. I am going to see him on the
18th of Sept. which puts me at 11 months with the band. I have not decided
whether I will get a fill or not. I still eat what I want but a whole lot
less, and I'm still satisfied emotionally. Oh by the way I have lost 38lbs
in 10 months. Take your time, we didn't put the weight on over night.
Take care and good luck.
— orthene00
August 24, 2007
Someone said to get the revision to RnY. Check out the duodenalswitch.com.
Read my profile why the DS may be the best route to go. I am trying to get
a revision to a DS after my RnY failed me. Found out that many, many people
do end up gaining after RnY. With DS, very less chance of gaining and you
can eat normally and no dumping and you can eat a lot of fat so food has
good flavor, just have to limit carbs in some people, but in the end you
can eat whatever you want.
— KRWaters
August 24, 2007
I also had the lapband surgery 2 years ago and just recently ( on Tuesday)
had it removed and had the bypass done. No kidding "it's a tool"
but you do not have to be a genius to figure out that milkshakes, ice
cream, and chocolate not only go down with no problem, they feel good! As
do frozen drinks. I did not have the "willpower" to make the
band work and with the bypass, you have NO CHOICE. You will get sick. With
the band, you have the same choices that you had prior to surgery, "Do
I want to eat that or not?" Good luck to you if you choose to convert.
I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one in this
predicament.
— Aggie13
August 24, 2007
All weight loss surgeries carry the risk of death and complications.
Having a lap band does not mean you are complication free. In fact I
decided against it because of the problems I found people were having with
band slippage, erosion, GERD, port dislocation and sometimes your body just
doesn't like having the foreign material. Do your research. Weigh all the
risks and make the decision that you feel comfortable with.
— Divine Lady
August 26, 2007
Please go talk to your surgeon. It is likely that your band is not
properly adjusted. Also, as one person pointed out, if you are drinking
high calorie drinks, eating ice cream, etc., you are defeating the purpose
of the band. I do not know if that is an issue with you, but it is an
issue for the only band patient I personally know who failed. I have the
band. I am 4 1/2 years out and have lost all of my excess weight and
maintained the loss. It is possible, but you do have to realize you have
to work with the band not against it.
— VickiStevens
November 28, 2007
I had a gastric bypass done laproscopically over 12months ago and have had
NO complications, thank God, and have lost over 125lbs.. But, I have to
comment since another person responding wrote that you have NO choice with
this surgery in relationship to food afterwards...NOT true! You STILL have
to fight the battle daily and make the right choices! I can eat anything
now without any consequence other than gaining weight back...so again, it
IS a tool and one that YOU have to control! Good Luck...
— zoeysgrami
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