Question:
Do you think that lap band is a waste of time?

I'm noticing that people are getting the band out and getting RNY. I have lost 107lbs but picked back up 20 of that in a year is that normal? I haven't gotten a fill in a little over a year so should I be able to control this better? It will be 2 years in August since my surgery and I only have 3.9cc in a 10cc pouch. Please help. What should I do?    — tcsmith43 (posted on June 10, 2009)

June 10, 2009
MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAP BAND IS THAT AS YOU LOSE WEIGHT, YOUR STOMACH ALSO GETS SMALLER THEREFORE YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR BAND ADJUSTED AS YOU LOSE WEIGHT. I WOULD SCHEDULE A FILL WITH YOUR DOCTOR. THAT SHOULD HELP.
   — karrenn

June 10, 2009
tomorrow will be 2 years since my band the first 3 months I lost 32 pounds I have since put on 34 pounds and had'nt had or seen the doc in over a year, till 2 weeks ago I finally got another fill and started walking again and cut out all bad sugars ,sodas & carbs I already lost 7 pounds, just keep your head up and make that app. with your doc.
   — DEBBIE C.

June 10, 2009
I don't have a band but you sound like a success to me; 107 lbs. is a lot of weight. Good job. Bands are just like RNY in that they are tools. We still have to watch our diet and exercise to maintain the weight loss. You clearly know what to do so see your surgeon to discuss your situation and he will advise you if a fill is appropriate. Congrats on what you've achieved!
   — Arkin10

June 11, 2009
The band is useless without the fills!!! You need to have 5 - 6 cc's to even really start feeling a difference in the amounts you can eat. Having said that, it will not stop you from putting food in you mouth if you really want to. You need to keep in touch with the clinic and use the resources available to you there. You can do it! Don't be afraid to ask the clinic for guidance.
   — Renee B.

June 11, 2009
the band work good for you, you just needed to keep up with your fills. I have 7 fills in a 9cc band its been a year and I only lost 30 lbs the first 6wks and i am 11 months out and have not lost anything. as yes i exercise and eat right. I just didnt work for me. I hope next week the dr will tell me that i can get it out and have RNY. Go get a fill and keep up the good work.
   — JANIECEMOM

June 25, 2009
It did turn out to be a painful waste of time for me. Had lapband surgery in Aug., 2004. It was always painful to eat, no matter how much I chewed, or how soft the food. Had severe night coughing that I didn't know was due to the lapband. Developed a hernia in the port area. Had surgery to repair hernia in June, 2005. Had lots of acid reflux from the beginning. Lost 75 lbs. but had much pain and vomiting that finally resulted in emergency surgery to remove lapband in Oct., 2006. Gained the 75 lbs. back plus more while trying to get approved for gastric bypass surgery. Had gastric bypass surgery in May 2008. Have lost 107 lbs. with no problems whatsoever! So happy and feeling great...Wish I'd done this to start with!!
   — ksp1155