My name is Linda Lamb and I have been reading and gathering as much info as I can regarding the Lap Band procedure. I finally found a Doctor in my area and went to a seminar where I was educated about the procedure, costs, and locations where I can have it done. My dilemma is that the information and pictures of people who had Lap Band surgery had lost large amounts of weight. The amounts were 135 lbs, 140 lbs, 105 lbs, 150 lbs and greater. One lady who weighed 292 lbs lost 160 lbs. These are the same people that I have seen advertise the Lap Band procedure on TV. In the education seminar the doctors said with a Lap band procedure you normally lose 50% of you excess weight. I weigh 267 my BMI is 47.4 I am severe morbidly obese. Judging by Standard Weight Chart, with a medium frame I am 132 lbs over weight. I should be around 121-135 lbs. If I decide to have the Lap Band procedure I was told I would lose 50% of my weight that and it would take 2-3 years to do so. That means I would lose around 66 lbs.and weigh about 200 lbs after the Lap Band Surgery I would still be morbidly obese because my BMI will be 35.5. Even if I went with the large frame measurement by the Standard Weight Chart I should weigh around 147 lbs. I would weigh around 207 lbs. and be 60 lbs. over with a BMI of 36.7. I ask the Doctor about the small amount of weigh lost and was told the Gastric Bypass gives a better weight reduction. One of the Drs. said if I were his sister he would tell me to have the Gastric Bypass. He said long term people with the band has a lot of little complications nothing serious. He said of course everyone is different but if I wanted to lose weight and not still be obese the Lap Band wasn't for me. My question to you is; there a lot of hype about the Lap Band. The pictures presented tells one story and the facts are another. I really don't want the Gastric Bypass but I do want to lose more weight than 50% of my excess. The receptionist told me on my way out the door that most of the patients who had the lap band were not really satisfied with the weight loss. She said a few came back and had the Gastric Bypass done later. Please help me sort this out. The doctor I saw today said he couldn't help me with these questions - it was my problem and I need to make up my mind about what I want to do. He didn't answer my questions about if this is true about the weight loss only being 50% why is it advertised as though you can lose a large amount of weight. I am not looking for a instant cure. I don't the loss coming off slowly. But I don't want to think I could loss a great amount and I don't even though I am doing all that I am suppose to do. I am willing to do my part and I know that this is just a tool to help me along the way. I was so excited about the Lap Band but now I have reservations and I'm depressed, perplexed and is eating everything that is not tied down. :hungry: Please someone please help me.
