Question:
Is there anyone who had the lap band surgery? If so how effective was it?

I start the process tomorrow, by attending a free info session. I've been thinking about the surgery in general for over a year now. And after trying every diet out there, some several times, I've decided that this is probably my only option left. I just keep gaining, and can not lose any weight. I no longer get my period, and my GYN said it's because of weight gain. But I told her that I had restricted my calorie intake to 1500 calories a day and was exercising 5 times a week. She had my get my hormone levels tested, my testostone was a little bit high, but the rest came back normal, I've also had my thyroid tested last year, and that was normal also. I've been on a diet that my doctor gave me, didn't help. Anyways, I was going to try to go with the lap band, because it's reversible should anything happen. Is it just as effective? And is it easier to get insurance approval for it?    — bhappy1415 (posted on February 5, 2006)

February 5, 2006
Hi there. Congratulations on your decision to be banded. I am 4 mos. out and have lost 70 lbs. so far with relatively little effort. I feel prettier, have more energy, and fit into places I could not go a few months ago. :>) I am looking forward to summer and being able to go kayakking for the first time in a couple of years.
   — fleethigh1

February 5, 2006
i had lapband on jan 17th so far ive only lost 6 pounds i'm a little disappointed. insurance wise it was easy i have united health i dont even have to pay for office visits. anyway goodluck with your decion.
   — KENT

February 5, 2006
Hi Beth, I am 14 months out and have lost about 97 lbs. I am in a size 10/12 from a size 26/28. I have had no major complications, however, my stoma can swell pretty easily. Like certain foods, like BBQ sauce irritates it and stress has an effect on me. Like if I am overly stressed, I eat less, even for a bandster. So when I have this problem, I go to liquids for a couple of days and then I am fine. Not as difficult as it sounds. Most would say, OMG LIQUIDS! Really, not that big of a deal. I am very happy with my band. So happy, my husband had an RNY in 1999 and after 6 years, he started to gain a little and had a band over his bypass in July '05. WLS is not for everyone, it all has it's ups & downs, but if you research, research, research, and feel it is right for you than go for it. I feel much better, I love buying new clothes. I feel prettier, I am healthier, my period came back to normal, etc. Good Luck with your journey. Terri
   — Terri DesVignes-Henderson

February 5, 2006
the band is a great tool! i have lost 100% of my excess weight within one year, with very little effort. if you are willing to follow the basic rules (no drinking while eating, protein first, and chew, chew, chew) you will do great. with any wls, it will work as well as you want it to. good luck!
   — jessicamegan

February 6, 2006
NIce to find somone with the same metabolism I have! I was on a 1200 calorie diet for years, and exercised an hour and a half six days a week, but gainged weight. My doctor used to regularly accuse me of not exercising and not sticking to my diet, which just made me cry in frustration. Why is it that everyone knows people who eat and eat and don't exercise, and never gain an ounce, but can't believe that the opposite can be true? I had the RNY, but lots of people have the band. Everybody is different.
   — Novashannon

February 6, 2006
I have the lap band and cant wait to remove it. I am still struggling with my weight and it made my reflux worse. It also made me vomit alot. I dont like that in fact it reminds me of trading one disorder to another like bulimia. I wish I wouldve done anything else but the band. I am dealing with a slippage which is why this is not working.
   — spykitty

February 14, 2006
It is definitely NOT as affective AT ALL! Especially if you have a lot to lose. Sure, you will lose some....but more often than not, gain it back. Not to mention you will have to SEVERELY diet forever and a day...But you'd have to do that with RNY as well. I chose DS because I wanted a permanent solution. As a nurse, and after 8 months of research it was the ONLY option for me. Everyone has to decide what is best for them, so I wish you the best of luck. I just know I've seen numerous people throughout my career that have had lap band and rny and most all of them had gained weight back. As far as insurance approval goes, my insurance doesn't like the lap band because of its history of unpredictability. They readily approved either the RNY or DS and I chose DS. Remember all insurance companies are different. Wishing you the best,
   — T S.

February 15, 2006
How'd I miss this? :) Hey Beth. The thing to keep in mind about the Band is it requires more of the patient than do the malabsorptive procedures. For me, that was a plus. It sounds like you are used to putting in the work, so that's an indication that the Band and you will be perfect for each other. The Band is as effective as you want it to be. The loss is slower, yes, but studies have consistently shown that at 3 years out, Band and Bypass patients are very similar in weight lost and kept off. If slow and steady sounds good to you, and you are ready to work from day one, then full steam ahead! :) Best of luck to you.
   — Jeanie