Considering the Lap Band

One of my SIL had it done. It worked great for her. It is definately a major lifestyle change. Part of her process was to go thru some sort of counseling. The counselor told her & her husband that the divorce rate is very high (I believe 85%). After my SIL lost the weight and started dressing ways she never could before, she was getting lots of attention. She was divorced within a year.

Do lots of research as this is major surgery and a major lifestyle change. Best of luck.

S.:

CONGRATULATIONS on being a breast cancer survivor!! THAT ROCKS!!!

My girlfriend from HS had this procedure done. She has lost over 150 lbs.

It was NOT easy. The first week you will be eating baby food and broth. And SLOWLY working your way to solid foods over the first month.

When your stomach tells you "I'm full" you MUST listen to it - do NOT take one more bite....she said the pain of not listening to the stomach is horrible!

my best friend is having it done on the 24th of January. She's NOT morbidly obese - but is considered obese (she has 70 lbs to lose) she has tried weight watchers, nutri-system, curves, all of it. her health insurance will pay for 90% of the procedure.

you will NOT be able to drink carbonated drinks anymore. If you drink alcohol, it is STRONGLY suggested that you stop as it won't take much to get you drunk.

You will be on vitamin supplements for the rest of your life.

In order to keep the "flappy" skin away - you MUST exercise...even walking 15 minutes a day will help...don't jump into exercise full board...start with walking, then maybe lifting the laundry detergent bottle to get the arms firmed up...you don't need to go buy expensive equipment.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Best of luck to you!!

Two of my best friends had this done almost two years ago, and it's been great for them! It was a huge adjustment, but they did fine. My best friend is planning to have it done in the spring. If you've exhausted other efforts, I see nothing wrong with it. The band can be removed if there are complications, and it's not like the surgeries where they remove a bunch of intestine or stomach or something. It does require MAJOR lifestyle changes, and you have to understand that at first it's because you HAVE to -but then you must keep those changes going, or you'll gain it all back. Usually you've had long enough to adjust so that it's not a problem, but it helped them to read the blogs and comments from others who had the procedure -some successful and some not.

Good luck! Obesity kills and it's not okay (not for looks but for health -more people need to realize that). You have realized it, so here's to a healthier you!

Research research research and make sure your doctor is good. Find other patients that have used this doctor and see what they think about that doctor. Also make sure that you are well enough to handle the surgery.
I have know 2 people that have had this type of surgery and I dont mean to scare you. One has died from this due to infection that happened while in the hospital. The other is in a wheelchair and has no use of her left side due to a massive stroke she had while coming out of the anesthesia.
I know there are risks to every surgery and as you said you have tried everything else then go for it. So this is the last resort. You have survived the worst killer this world knows. Good Luck!

It depends on how committed your are to losing weight. You have to have a whole lifestyle/eating change. With the lap band, after the initial weight loss, you can easily stretch out your stomach again and put the weight back on if you watch your food intake. My cousin had a gastric sleeve done and has had a lot of success with it. You're less likely to gain the weight back with that.

I have researched this with doctors. It is the safest choice because it can be adjusted and you don't have the problems with lack of nutrients that gastic bypass has.

Are you done having kids? That was something they said I had to know. I chickened out because several doctors scared me, but now one of them says "Your weight loss has stopped so maybe you should consider it."

Also, my insurance would only pay after I worked with a doctor so long and attempted so many things. I would find out about that so it could be paid.

I agree completely with V. C diet must be followed to work. I work very pt for WW & have met members that went through various procedures only to gain it back & come to Weight Watchers.
Surgery of any kind is not without it's risks & you sound very committed to making changes. That said I would recommend you give one last try to a livable sustainable diet before going more drastic keeping in mind that your diet will have to change to have continued success after surgery regardless.
Best of luck!

http://cheeseandsunkist.blogspot.com/

This is a very funny blog I found and read when I was considering the same thing. She gives a very honest and VERY personal look into her journey. Worth the read. Some great information.

I chose to lose weight through diet and exercise but I also know that doesn't always work and it is a challenge every day. Kudos to you for knowing you need a change. Good luck finding the right fit for you!

Hi there,
I'm a dietitian for bariatric surgery. I'm not going to tell you NOT to do it but I will suggest the gastric sleeve as somehow else has mentioned already. There are success and failures with all surgeries. The most important thing you need to remember is that weight loss surgeries are not the miracle worker. They simply aid with faster weight loss in short amounts of time. From professional experiences as well as friends I know who has had different types of surgeries, following the diet prescribed, taking the required vitamins and EXERCISE is really the key. Lifelong, healthy changes must be made and KEPT. That will be the only way it'll work. It's hard to see those who "fail" years later having to have had the procedure done and regain all their weight back plus more.
Just make sure you are ready to go through with it. It certainly is a life change. Good luck! =)

I looked into this too, but decided not to do it b/c I found out that the band has a 20 year life expectancy & that the stomach typically grows around the band (think of a chain left wrapped around a tree for 20 yrs) and it has to be surgically cut out and not easily removed.

As others have said REALLY check out the Dr. and your health insurance. My best friend is a nurse and several ladies on her floor have had the lap band done.... one had her stomach flip over the band... so talk to your Dr. about the % of that occurring (usually deadly) AND make sure you exercise everyday (even a little) b/c you'll need to work on trying to get your skin not to get all flappy b/c insurance does not pay for removal of extra skin. The aforementioned nurse says her friend laughs out loud every time she sits down b/c her skin 'farts'!!! too funny.

Best of luck on this journey.