Drasan

I read a statistic that banded patients on an average, lose 55% of their excess body weight after 2 years. I've also read that gastric bypass patients have a window of opportunity to lose weight during an 18-24 month period. After that, the weight stops coming off. My question is this, can banded patients continue to lose weight after 2 years or does the weight loss stop like gastric bypass patients? I don't think I can go through surgery and accept a loss of 55% of my excess weight. Is there more hope than that? Thanks in advance if you can offer me some personal insight!

I'm so glad to have found this forum. Thanks again for the responses! Catherine, I took a peek at your blog and video and I was surprised to recognize your site! I've visited it before and even pointed out some of the information to my husband as a "look, see!" I'm very encouraged now! I think I can do this. I too can't wrap my mind around the weight staying off once I lose it! But wow, I could certainly learn to live with that! Thanks bunches!

Shame on that surgeon! I think that sort of humiliation borders on abuse. I think they took total advantage of a person at a very vulnerable time. Were you made aware that you were going to be asked to do that before hand? I want to thank you for the headsup! It's always easier in hindsight or with foresight to think of what you wish you would have done or what you will do once armed with the information. If I'm asked to remove my clothing for pictures, I WILL refuse and if that is a deal breaker for my surgery, so be it. Thank you again for posting this information desperateinDE, I hope the rest of your experience has been better. May I ask the name of the facility and the surgeon which did this to you please? I see DE in your name and I'm in a bordering state. Thanks Thanks!

Thank you so much. Your posts are encouraging. My hope was that the band would be a working tool for the rest of my life. I was confused by the stats and felt very defeated. But what I'm hearing from all of you is encouraging. I've lost weight before using diets, but the weight always came back plus. I've identified my main problem and that is portion control. I've often said that I don't have a mechanism that tells me that I'm full before it's too late, then I feel uncomfortable from eating too much. It's like I don't have an off switch. From what I've read, it sounds like the band will help me with the over-eating issue. I was hoping it would work beyond the two year mark and from what your posts tell me, it does. Thank you again! I'm moving closer to making a decision. My BMI is 39, with 2 co-morbidities Insurance is a go Primary Caregiver has given the go ahead I attended an information seminar I think I'm on my way!

I'm going to comment at the risk of butting in, but hey, you asked, didn't you? Does your son know you are having this surgery? If not tell him and then ask him for his help. If he already knows, ask him to help take care of you, he obviously cares about you. Tell him that he can help take care of you by steering the company to his place which is only 2.5 hours away. And hey, his girlfriend can help him cook Thanksgiving dinner for the crowd. Now doesn't that sound fun! Good luck with your surgery and your out-of-town guests. Take good care of you.

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I'm investigating band surgery. I've found a lot of answers to my questions by reading the posts but I still have a question about taking medications. I hope I haven't overlooked a thread which answers this, if so, my apologies for the repeat. I take oral medications, supplements, Vitamins in pill form. Some are pretty large pills, like the Calcium and Vitamin pills. Will I still be able to take these meds after I'm banded? Some of the meds are essential for my health and are not weight related. This is a great forum, I'm learning a lot. Thanks in advance!

Thank you everybody for all the responses! This forum is awesome! I've been discussing this process with my husband for a few months now and he is totally supportive. He has seen me struggle with my weight for many, many years and knows how unhappy I am when I can't get it under control. I was a little more worried about breaking the news to my adult children and their spouses. I told them last night. They are tough critics and had a lot of questions which I was able to answer because I've been reading this forum. Thanks again for the responses. I'm beginning to think I really can do this and I'm getting excited. Gentle hugs to all!

Where does he practice, city, state ?