Big questions from a Big Guy (dontcha hate bein called that?)

[RJay3 0]

I am a 31 year old male, 5'10 415(ish) Lbs, and I have a bmi around 60. I have spent years thinking about the band, and I've seen it gone from sure-fire tool, to now, I have been reading alot of stories about failures. I will be paying out of pocket to someone like Dr. Kuri for this operation come this summer. I have decided something needs to be done, and this is the only surgery I can afford to pay out on. I am looking for advice, and experiences, from both men and women who have had the surgery, but I am curious about men, who are "belly heavy" or were anyways, since most of my weight is all in my stomach, do you find that our body type loses more slowly, faster, or no difference? I read alot of results on here, that are alot slower then I would ideally hope for. ...I am a big loss kind of guy, I have to lose around 200 lbs for my personal goals, but for "the standard" im looking at closer to 250 lbs, and I see alot of people losing 20 or 30 lbs, etc. and for me, that would be sort of sad, ive done that just skipping a few meals for a week.... I dont feel as big as I am, I have broad shoulders, grew up athletic, played high school sports, always could gain and drop weight w/o issues, but I love food. pizza, burgers, chips, steaks, and soda...ya..I would totally have an affair w/ a mountain Dew if it would rub my shoulders...I just don't know what to expect, result wise, pain-wise, cravings-wise, I gotta say, I am sick and tired of being big. I still try and play basketball with friends, and after a 2 hour session, my body hates me, and for a week I walk gingerly on my feet, and that hurts inside more thany anything else, knowing I can't keep up anymore because of my size. I used to just overcome it and try harder, but once I hit 30, my "motor" slowed down, I feel like, all those people were right, my weight is finally catching up to me. anyways, I am hoping to hear some advice, and experiences...thanks for your time in advance guys...

RJ

[Kristi Twisti 18]

Hey there! Sorry I won't be much help, I'm yet to be banded. However, my hubby is your exact body type, he carries all his weight in his belly. I am hoping you get some responses so I can pass them along to hubby as well. I am hoping once we get my surgery done, he will begin his journey towards getting banded.

From personal experience, I've found that the cost of the self pay option varies greatly from practice to practice. We were looking at having to come up with 16k (ya right) until we found a terrific practice with a 9k special. It seems like the hospitals do all the advertising but if you can find the individual surgeons bariatric practices, you'll save a lot. I know this doesn't answer any questions you posted but I hope it helps.

Good Luck to you on your journey!!

[Dave_NW 92]

Hi RJ,

If you're serious about losing 250 pounds or so, your money may be better spent on gastric bypass. I say that because even though it's possible to lose 250 with a band, it's going to be slower going, and you'll need to work harder at it. Check out ALL your options before committing to a particular surgery. There are ads along the side of this website that show the surgery prices aren't all that far apart, if you have your surgery in Mexico. If you have it in the USA you're likely to pay much more than that. Definitely research options and shop around. You want the most experienced surgeon possible, at a price you can afford.

Having said all that, you may also benefit from some counseling before your surgery so you can come to terms with your food interest/cravings/possible addiction. If you get banded, you can say goodbye to most of those foods you named. (I haven't eaten pizza since November, and before surgery I ate it two or three times a week. I haven't had a carbonated beverage since about the same time, for the same reason.) You're going to miss being able to eat any old thing that appeals to you. The weight loss will be totally worth it, but you'll have to closely manage your eating to be successful.

The third thing to really look at is time. Typical bandsters lose weight more slowly than bypass patients. After several years the numbers fairly well equal out, but bypass patients tend to drop weight more quickly at first. So if you're impatient about the speed of your loss, you may find gastric bypass is a better option, because you'd generally lose weight faster. I'd highly recommend you attend a weight loss seminar at a clinic near your home. Most weight loss clinics offer them for free, as a way to get first-hand information out to potential clients. If you have more than one clinic in your area, attend more than one seminar. (I went to three of them, hosted by three different practices, so I could get a cross-section of what each clinic offered.) The more investigation you do, the better informed you'll be, and the better prepared for your decisions.

Finally, let me encourage you to follow what works best for your situation. I'm still in the middle of my weight loss journey, and I'm enjoying the rewards of a reasonable weight loss, but I'm anxious to get the rest of the weight gone. It's a daily effort to stay on track, and folow my program to my best advantage. I wouldn't go back for a second, but if I had a choice to do it all over again, I'd take a longer look at how long it all takes. No regrets, but maybe if I had "do overs" I'd make a different surgery choice.

Wishing you nothing but good luck, no matter what your decision ends up to be.

Dave

[AngryBaby 2]

My dad is a guy who carried all of his weight in his stomache. He's lost 60 pounds in just a few months and so far he looks really great! From what I understand from people who post on this site, those people who have more weight to lose tend to lose ALOT of weight really quickly compared to those people who don't have as much to lose. However you will reach a point where you don't loose as much weight as fast. You can still lose it all, but you have to be determined to do so. Keep up playing basketball. Try your best to eat right and you can get there. I have about 50 more pounds to lose and I've already lost 72 pounds so far. Just remember that everyone loses at a different rate. Like the other person said you should definately shop around to see if lapband is really right for you. There are some places where the other surgeries are not as pricey... just make sure they have good stats and personel working there. Stay positive and active and you can reach your goal!!!

[RJay3 0]

thanks for the messages, I do got to say, dave, when I said big losses fast, your results would make me happy, 66 lbs in 3 months would be a speed I could totally enjoy! I've already picked out Dr. Kuri, for 6500 this summer, so its really just a waiting game until my funds become available. Its really driving me crazy, Its 4 months away, but I can just taste it. (i guess 3 months, since I have a month long LSD diet) anyways, thanks for the nice words.

[Catherine55 43]

Hi, RJay! I'm a big fan of the band -- it's been an incredible tool for me. It does work as long as you work with it, and not being hungry is such a HUGE help to keeping you motivated. Actually, not physically being able to overeat is what's surely helped me the most. And it hasn't been a burden to me. I feel full pretty quickly, so it's not like I go around feeling deprived.

Also, I had my surgery in Mexico, with a phenominal doctor who you might want to consider. His name is Dr. Rumbaut, and he's in Monterrey (if you go to my blog back to the beginning, you can read about the hospital and my experience, if you're interested). He is banded too, and has done thousands of these operations. Plus, he had relationships with doctors in my area, so I was able to set up my post-op care at NYU before I even had my surgery.

I don't know about how guys with your body type tend to lose, but I do know that if you get a band and you follow the rules more often than not, you will lose weight. It's a slow and steady process. I actually liked the slow loss because it gave my skin a chance to shrink back into place. Plus, feeling great about how I'm doing with my weight for more than 2 years in a row has been a wonderful change and a fantastic way to feel!

I hope that helps. I'd recommend checking out lots of other bandster blogs to get an idea for what it's like. There are a few guys out there blogging, so if you dig around, you'll find them. I have a link to one (Chris Oliver) on the right side of my blog.

Best wishes,

Catherine

[mm0142 0]

Im waiting to get the band too . 1st appt is tomorrow. im 403lbs and was told to go with the bypass to lose fast. Im sdtill going lapband its not permanant and if you have complications it can be removed. Also alot of people talk about how much they want to lose with the band . But really if it gets rid of say 100lbs. It would be so much easier to work out harder and stay motivated to do more to lose more faster. Thats how im looking at it . I hope it helps .

[Cocoabean 430]

If money is an issue, do keep in mind that the band is not a set it and forget it procedure. FIlls cost. And it can take many fills before you start losing. It can also take some unfills, for which you will have to pay. Be sure to check how much the aftercare will cost.

[ElizabethNYC 1]

I probably wont be much help since I'm only a week banded but I just wanted to say that from what I've learned about it (research and all that) the band is what you make of it. Yes with bypass you would lose a lot quicker but I'm on with losing little by little (to my I feel like it's more healthy that way). Good luck with your journey!!!

[mack 0]

Hello there. I was banded on Feb 21st and I just had my first fill today. To date I have lost over 30 lbs and that was before anything was even in the band. I am 6' and my top weight was 335, but like you my belly was (and still is) huge. I happy to say, however, that a majority of the weight lost so far has been in my belly and face. I am going to be 38 next month and, like you, when I turned 30 I really started packing on the pounds. I was always a big boy but after hitting 30 it just got way out of control. I am also a self-pay patient so this band has got to work for me!! I think being self-pay has been extra motivation to make this thing work. It is work though - like you I absolutely love food, but was tired of being the XL guy and always worrying if I was going to fit on the airplane or in a restaurant booth or on a roller coaster. The pre-op diet was absolute killer but I lost 17 lbs so I guess it was worth it. I guess the good thing about my love of food is that I also love a lot of good stuff like veggies, fruits, fish -pretty much anything so I think I can make this work. I still have another 100 lbs to go but I already feel much better and more confident with myself. No regrets so far. Not that I ever plan to have the band removed, but it is a comforting thought in the back of my mind that if, for some reason, it had to be removed it could be. I guess I'm just taking it 1 day at a time but so far, like I said, no regrets. I think it has been a good decision for me and look forward to more results in the future. Not sure if I helped you at all but I say you should go for it - good luck in whatever you decide.

I am a 31 year old male, 5'10 415(ish) Lbs, and I have a bmi around 60. I have spent years thinking about the band, and I've seen it gone from sure-fire tool, to now, I have been reading alot of stories about failures. I will be paying out of pocket to someone like Dr. Kuri for this operation come this summer. I have decided something needs to be done, and this is the only surgery I can afford to pay out on. I am looking for advice, and experiences, from both men and women who have had the surgery, but I am curious about men, who are "belly heavy" or were anyways, since most of my weight is all in my stomach, do you find that our body type loses more slowly, faster, or no difference? I read alot of results on here, that are alot slower then I would ideally hope for. ...I am a big loss kind of guy, I have to lose around 200 lbs for my personal goals, but for "the standard" im looking at closer to 250 lbs, and I see alot of people losing 20 or 30 lbs, etc. and for me, that would be sort of sad, ive done that just skipping a few meals for a week.... I dont feel as big as I am, I have broad shoulders, grew up athletic, played high school sports, always could gain and drop weight w/o issues, but I love food. pizza, burgers, chips, steaks, and soda...ya..I would totally have an affair w/ a mountain Dew if it would rub my shoulders...I just don't know what to expect, result wise, pain-wise, cravings-wise, I gotta say, I am sick and tired of being big. I still try and play basketball with friends, and after a 2 hour session, my body hates me, and for a week I walk gingerly on my feet, and that hurts inside more thany anything else, knowing I can't keep up anymore because of my size. I used to just overcome it and try harder, but once I hit 30, my "motor" slowed down, I feel like, all those people were right, my weight is finally catching up to me. anyways, I am hoping to hear some advice, and experiences...thanks for your time in advance guys...

RJ

[mattie7632 24]

You know what, my husband can change his eating habits and lose 15 pounds in a month. I have changed my eating habits and lose 1-2 a month if I'm lucky!! One thing I'd find out about yourself is this: Does simply changing how you eat allow you to lose a lot of weight and quickly? Or do you have to work a lot harder to lose even moderately? If you are like many men who can lose so much quicker than a lot of us women, maybe you will find the band works wonderfully. The band has caused me at just 3 months out to change my eating habits tremendously. If you can lose from a lower caloric intake alone, well my bet is you will be fine with the band

thanks for the messages, I do got to say, dave, when I said big losses fast, your results would make me happy, 66 lbs in 3 months would be a speed I could totally enjoy! I've already picked out Dr. Kuri, for 6500 this summer, so its really just a waiting game until my funds become available. Its really driving me crazy, Its 4 months away, but I can just taste it. (i guess 3 months, since I have a month long LSD diet) anyways, thanks for the nice words.

[Mariasha 3]

Hey RJ,

I'm a little younger than you. I started right around where you are at 405 pounds. I had surgery 9 months ago and have lost 100 pounds so far.

I couldn't be happier with my band.

Its true that you may lose faster initially with bypass, but many many bypass patients put it all back on. The band is a tremendous tool. If you have the willpower to use it properly there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to lose all that weight and keep it off forever.

Slow and steady is the name of this game.

If you have any specific questions fell free to send me a PM.

One thing I would mention to you if you are using Dr Kuri, make sure you have a doctor lined up back home to take care of your follow up care when you get home. The band is not a one time surgery, you need to get regular fills (once a month for the first year) for it to be effective.

Best of luck!

I am a 31 year old male, 5'10 415(ish) Lbs, and I have a bmi around 60. I have spent years thinking about the band, and I've seen it gone from sure-fire tool, to now, I have been reading alot of stories about failures. I will be paying out of pocket to someone like Dr. Kuri for this operation come this summer. I have decided something needs to be done, and this is the only surgery I can afford to pay out on. I am looking for advice, and experiences, from both men and women who have had the surgery, but I am curious about men, who are "belly heavy" or were anyways, since most of my weight is all in my stomach, do you find that our body type loses more slowly, faster, or no difference? I read alot of results on here, that are alot slower then I would ideally hope for. ...I am a big loss kind of guy, I have to lose around 200 lbs for my personal goals, but for "the standard" im looking at closer to 250 lbs, and I see alot of people losing 20 or 30 lbs, etc. and for me, that would be sort of sad, ive done that just skipping a few meals for a week.... I dont feel as big as I am, I have broad shoulders, grew up athletic, played high school sports, always could gain and drop weight w/o issues, but I love food. pizza, burgers, chips, steaks, and soda...ya..I would totally have an affair w/ a mountain Dew if it would rub my shoulders...I just don't know what to expect, result wise, pain-wise, cravings-wise, I gotta say, I am sick and tired of being big. I still try and play basketball with friends, and after a 2 hour session, my body hates me, and for a week I walk gingerly on my feet, and that hurts inside more thany anything else, knowing I can't keep up anymore because of my size. I used to just overcome it and try harder, but once I hit 30, my "motor" slowed down, I feel like, all those people were right, my weight is finally catching up to me. anyways, I am hoping to hear some advice, and experiences...thanks for your time in advance guys...

RJ

[onikenbai 33]

If you are looking to lose that much weight, you might want to consider a sleeve or bypass over the band. Yes, many are doing awesomely with their bands and losing lots, but just as many, if not more, are getting ok-ish to not great results. From all the people I've met in my support group, the band people are consistently the least successful.

People are arguing that bypass and sleevers are putting weight back on years later, but that means they haven't actually dealt with their food issues properly. Band patients are just as likely to fall of the wagon and gain it back. You can go get your band tightened more, but there's a point where you can't eat at all, and if you have to go there, you're probably doing more harm than good.

I've had my band for two years now and I'm in the process of getting it out. I've had constant restriction problems in that I either have zero restriction or I cannot eat at all, and it's preventing me from eating quality foods like chicken, fish and a good number of veggies. Ironic eh? I paid 18K for my band, so I really wanted to make it work, but after two solid years of Soup and oatmeal, it's got to come out.

The pattern I've been seeing is that the band seems to be really good for people who want to lose 50-80lbs. Of course there are people who've lost more than that, but there are always outliers in any statistics. I'm not anti-band at all; I just think it's being marketed out of its effective zone.

Keep in mind that a sleeve could always be revised to a DS later on if you find your weight creeps up uncontrollably after surgery, and a band can be put on over a bypass, and I sleeve too I'd imagine. Trust me, I understand you can afford only one surgery... I'm right there with you. I've basically bankrupted myself paying for by band. The only reason I've been able to consider a revision is that I'm Canadian, and sleeves and RNYs are covered here. Band is not.

Most of all, talk it over with a doctor who has absolutely zero financial gain in whatever surgery you choose. Clinics for individual weight loss surgeries are selling you a product... of course they're going to tell you whatever surgery they're selling will be appropriate for you!