BrownEyes82

As most have said, there are pro's and con's. The most recent statistics actually show that up to 60% of banded patients choose to have their band removed or convert to a gastric sleeve within 10 years of the original procedure. I was well aware of this before I chose the band. Unfortunately people see that 60% and assume there must be something wrong with the band or procedure - but it's actually what's wrong with the patient. WAY too many people think they will get the surgery and they will be skinny and it will be easy. They don't truly prepare themselves for the way their life is going to have to change - just having the surgery won't fix everything, you have to be committed to making changes for the rest of your life. Additionally, there is no "long-term" data on gastric sleeves to compare to this. In order for medical studies to include legit long-term data, they must have ten years worth of documentation and the gastric sleeve is still too "new" to offer this kind of information. This means we don't really know what is going to happen 10 years down the line and if they might need a further procedure. While the sleeve might offer faster and more significant weight loss, it also offers the potential of much more severe complications. I'm a nurse and the hospital I work at is a certified bariatric procedure - the vast majority of our patients on the surgical floor are bariatric patients, and a good chunk of those are patients admitted for complications after sleeve or bypass. The thought of having a gastric leak and the infections and problems that can arise from that (and what I've seen from that!) terrify me. Yes, there is potential for complications from all procedures, but the lap band has the lowest risk. Knowing all of this, doing all of my research, I knew I wanted to do the procedure with the overall LEAST risk for me and something that I could still be in control. I chose to go through with the band and had my surgery last week. I know this will HELP me lose weight - but that's just it, this is a TOOL to HELP me. It's not the solution. My behavior and lifestyle changes are the solution. Until every single person being banded has that mindset, there's no way it can have a 100% success rate. Like everyone has said, do your research and get another opinion - but know yourself and what changes your CAN and are willing to make. Best of luck to you!!

Are you talking about my pain on the day of surgery? For me, the gas/shoulder pain was the worst. I was definitely sore when I woke up and I was very nauseated and started dry heaving right away - but I don't tolerate anesthesia very well. The heaving hurt my stomach but at it's worst I would say my pain was only 6 out of 10. They gave me Lortab post-op and I only took one other dose that day. I was fairly sore but I wasn't necessarily in pain. I also made sure I got up and moved around a lot which helps in the long run. Day 2 I took 2 doses of Lortab and that was it - no pain meds since then. I do have a high pain tolerance though so that may not reflect what the majority need. I would definitely, absolutely, 100% recommend that you get a heating pad for the shoulder/gas pain - this was my biggest lifesaver! I used it around the clock for the first couple days and I feel like it made a big difference. I'd be happy to answer any other questions I can, good luck to you!!

Hello all! Day 4 post-op and I am HUNGRY! My dr prescribed some phentermine but it was through a mail-order pharmacy and it hasn't arrived yet. Per my surgeon's instructions, my diet for days 2-14 should be broth, baby food, SF jello, SF pudding, and FF yogurt. That's mostly sweet stuff and I'm craving something salty/savory OTHER than broth. Any suggestions or recommendations?? Advice would be greatly appreciated!

My surgery was 9/5. The pain has been pretty minimal, I'm moving around without any problems but I do still have some shoulder pain. My problem is that I'm already HUNGRY. Broth, yogurt, pudding, applesauce (which are all on my approved list) are NOT cutting it. I think mainly it's that I want more savory options, I'm tired of all the sweet stuff! Best of luck to all! Here's to hoping we all have amazing success!

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and wishes! Surgery went fine and I'm doing well post-op. 4.5 pounds down in 3 days !! Excited to be in "bandland" and see where it takes me!

My band is this morning in less than 4 hours. Please say a prayer for me. I'm pretty nervous! But excited for some serious results to come my way. Everyone have a great day and happy losing!

I'm scheduled for surgery in about two weeks and the only people that know are my parents - and even then I was embarrassed to talk to them about it. They are both supportive (in fact, my dad got the CareCredit loan in his name so I could get a better rate approved) but understand why I don't want anyone knowing either. Like you, I am ashamed that I can't fix this problem on my own and I can't stop eating the way that I do now. I know that I need something that is going to MAKE me stop eating and something that will get me feeling better so I can start exercising - because right now that is pure torture. I hate that I've let myself get this way and I hate that it has come to this, but I know I deserve a better life than the one I'm living right now and I can't fix the problem on my own. I'm hoping beyond all hope that I'm successful with this procedure and maybe if I am I will start telling other people, but right now I just don't want to do it. Hopefully you have at least one supportive person that can be there for you and if nothing else, there seem to be a ton of supportive people on this site - and I look forward to sharing my journey with them! *fingers crossed*