Question:
how much loss to expect with lapband
I just attended the info seminar and it was said that the most I can expect to lose with the lapband is approx. 35-40% of excess weight. Is this true for those of you who have had lapband? I am about 200 lbs. overweight and this would mean the most I can look forward to losing is 70-80 lbs. This makes no sense to me and I said so but I was told to have realistic goals and expectations and the 70-80 lb loss is all I should expect. — Kate1 (posted on July 2, 2007)
July 2, 2007
Hey there. Just want to relieve some of your fears. I too was about 200
pounds overweight. I had Lap-Band on March 12th. I have thus far lost 50+
pounds and I am feeling great and have no intention of stopping in 20 or 30
pounds from now. I did have the Lap-Band knowing that it was quite
possible that I would not lose as much weight as those with gastric bypass,
but if I lose and keep off just 100 pounds, that would be better than
staying and struggling 200 pounds overweight. I don't plan on stopping at
100 pounds off either. I am 5'11" and started out around 380. I know
that if I got to between 215 and 200 I would be tickled pink. It is all
about your motivation. I read a study recently on comparison of weight
loss with gastric bypass patients and weight loss with Lap-Band patients.
The result was that after five years the weight loss between the two groups
is comparable. You can google it and see for yourself if you like. Feel
free to contact me if you have any other questions.
— fluphystuph
July 2, 2007
you'd be dissapointed about only losing 70-80 lbs? You'd weigh 120 lbs!
You don't think thats enough???
— wecangetright
July 2, 2007
I think how well the lap band works for you will be up to you. It is a
tool and used right can give you great weight loss.
It is working very well for me. I had over 200lbs to lose and so far I am
down about 120. I had my surgery 9 months ago and I am still losing. I
have no plans to stop losing till I am at a normal BMI. (my personal goal).
If you check out the Lap band board you will find a lot of people who
have lost quite a bit of weight. Good luck to you with what ever way you
choose to lose your excess weight.
— Bee
July 2, 2007
Obviously Katie just did not get it.
I am wondering if you have considered RNY since you have nearly 200 to deal
with. It can be done lapro now and would mean you would have only half of
your intestine after surgery. This helps you take off the lbs. because of
the digestive process. Less intestine, less absorbtion. It is however
permanent unlike the Lapband which can be adjusted and in some cases
removed . I would consider all avenues before making my final decision.
Whatever you choose good luck and God Bless, Norma
— njkbutton
July 2, 2007
Most doctors look at the 18 month time span that an RNY can lose. As a
bander you have much longer, because you have the band for life. So
technically, yes you do lose a smaller amount intitally. BUT you continue
to lose longer. 5 year studies show that banders can lose all the unwanted
weight. We lose at about 1 lb a week so it just takes longer.
— Donna O.
July 2, 2007
I agree with Norma that you need to consider all your options. I am also
about 200 lbs overweight. On June 6 I had the RNY done Laproscopic. I
have been considering and looking into this for the last 5 years. One of
the draw backs for me was the permanence of this surgery. However, when I
talked to my surgeon this was the surgery he suggested for me (he also does
the sleeve and the band). He also told me that the RNY is reversible. He
will not reverse just on a whim, but said if you get out a couple of years
and having real problems that it is an option. I am really pleased with my
surgeon and him team for before, during and after, so I suggest that you
talk to your surgeon more and if you are still not happy with their
suggestions, shop around. After all this is life changing and you have to
have the support there from the medical as well as your family.
— Lori F.
July 2, 2007
I have lost over 50% of my excess weight. I'm a slow loser, and there are
plateaus, but as long as the end result is me with a normal BMI, I'm good
with that.
— Jeanie
July 3, 2007
As previous people have mentioned, you CAN lose all the weight you want
with the lap band, but it is a slower process, ie think only 1 to 2 lbs a
week. Also, it IS work, but so is the RNY once you lose what you want, if
you want to keep it off. Lap-band is the much safer alternative, but it is
NOT a quick and easy fix. You still have to watch what you eat, and
exercise if you want to make it to your goal weight and maintain. Both
surgeries require you make life style and diet changes in order to be
and/or remain successful.
Also, I've NEVER heard of RNY being reversible, unless that is something
brand new. I would DEFINITELY verify this before doing RNY.
Also, there are other websites out there on the lap band you should check
out, that are EXCLUSIVELY about the lap band & not a mix, like this
website (although this is still a good website... it just does not have
lots on the lap band as other sites do). I would suggest you do a google
search for lap band message boards & you should find them OR email me
with a personal message & I will send you the link to 2 other lap band
sites. I didn't list them here, because I wasn't sure it was allowed.
Anyway, when you go to these other websites, they each have lots of
specific information and message boards to almost everything related to the
lap band...the good and the bad. Yes, there is some bad for some people,
but there is for RNY also. On a positive, almost no one dies from lap band
& RNY has a 1 in 200 chance. Something to think about.
— Ewa C.
July 3, 2007
If you have 200lbs to lose a RNY Gastric Bypass would seem a better choice.
Perhaps you should attend a RNY seminar so you can compare both procedures
and make an informed choice.
— tazthewiz23
July 3, 2007
I have to answer your question and respond to Ewa-YES, gastric bypass is a
reversible surgery. It is not something to be contemplated lightly, the
risks of surgery when reversing it can be greater than the initial surgery.
Ewa's quote,"almost no one ever dies of lap band" where did you
get this information. Lap band surgery carries the same risks that gastric
bypass surgery does-general anesthesia, bleeding, cardiac events, etc.
Please get your information correct before answering and I urge everyone to
take everything they read with a "grain of salt"
— anyce
July 3, 2007
It is true that the lap band procedure carries LESS risk for complications
(long term) and fatality. But with any surgery there is risk for death and
complications. Each body is unique and if you have concerns/questions, your
best bet would be to talk to your surgeon. She/he can answer your
questions.
— Aimee J.
July 3, 2007
Hi, I have been attending support groups and weightloss seminars and the
last 2 surgeons who spoke said exactly what you just said. Between 35 and
50% I personally have decided to go with the Roux En Y. My question to you
is, If you are going for surgery, why not go for the one you know will
work? Also, if you have reflux PLEASE don't go for Lap Band. You have a 40%
grater chance of getting esopigial cancer with reflu and the Lap Band.
Reconside, talk to people...........Good luck
— bderuiter
July 3, 2007
Hi Katie! Maybe you could go to a seminar with a few surgeons, just so you
can get lots of info. I was considered a "lightweight" with a
BMI of 39. I chose the RNY because I am not a quantity eater; I am a poor
quality eater- namely SUGAR. With the Lap Band I know I could still drink
Coke and have sugar with no ill effects. I figured if I was going to make
such a drastic effort as ANY surgery, then I wanted a surgery that would
work for ME. I started out wanting the LapBand, but by the time my
research was complete I was sold on the RNY instead. They BOTH have
issues. With the LapBand you can have esophogeal dilitation, stomach
erosion from the band and other problems with the band. With the RNY you
can have strictures, possibly malabsorption (if you have a distal). It is
really a decision that YOU have to feel is the best for YOU. That is
really the key. I chose the RNY because I hope that when the day comes
that I am tempted by a soda or whatever sugary demon is around that day and
I give in , that I will end up feeling like complete crap and not touch
that poison again. Also the more I thought about it, I just didn't want
that band in me all the time. (mental block!)
As far as the RNY having an 18 month window, I believe that refers to the
bypass part itself. Meaning that is about how long it takes before your
intestines adapt and start absorbing like they were before. You still have
the small stomach from the RNY just like you have with the band. You just
get a kind of 'head start' with the RNY.
I am a little over a month out and have had no problems. It has been
strange to eat or drink and actually feel full; like a 'normal' person!
How awesome!
I wish you the best with either one you pick!
— MAG
July 3, 2007
Kate,
my best advice for you is to do your homework. Both proceedures have their
pros and cons. Each of us have personal mental blocks about each
proceedure. I personally was scheduled 3 times for gastric by-pass. All 3
times my insurance fell through at the last minute. I was totally sold on
the by-pass. No one could change my mind. Then, I had an aunt who had the
lap band. She went from an 18-20 to a 6 in 8 months. Once I was more aware
of the band I did my homework. I chose to go out of the states because the
Dr I chose had been doing the band for over 10 yrs now and that is all that
he does, besides, he was over 50% cheaper than the Dr's here in the states.
I had my surgery 2-2-07. I had my first fill on 3-15-07. I didn't loose
anything the first 6 weeks and was totally devistated thinking that I had
wasted my money. Since my fill on 3-15-07 I have lost a total of 95 lbs. My
starting weight was 325. I am losing as fast as if I had had the by-pass. I
know that my story is not typical, but I have never been able to loose
weight very easy. The main thing about the band is that you use it as a
tool. It is not a magic pill. I eat as what I want but only in the portions
that I have been given. As for being able to drink pop...that is a definate
NO. I tried a sip and it came back as fast as it went down. POP IS OUT
FOREVER for most. Some can cheat but why sabatoge your weight loss when
you are trying so hard. Good luck, and make sure that your Dr has more than
a few bands or by-passes under their belt. I was looking more for
experience than cost, I just felt that I got the best of both worlds by
getting a top notch DR. at and excellent value...Good luck
— mccabesmom
July 4, 2007
I've already replied, but I wanted to reiterate something Bonnie said..
absolutely go with an experienced surgeon, especially if you choose
LapBand. Band placement is a tricky science, and extremely important to
your eventual success. You need someone who's done and seen it all. Good
luck!
— Jeanie
July 6, 2007
I have a lapband. My band was put in place in January 2003. I weighed 240
pounds at that point, I now weigh 127. The statistics you have seen give
reflect the average weight loss for band patients. Depending on the skill
of your surgeon, your follow up care and your personal work you can achieve
much better results up to and including 100% excess weight loss.
— VickiStevens
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