Considering Lap Band

[Illuxi 0]

Hello all - new to the site.

I'm considering lapband, but haven't made a final decision yet. (Hope you guys don't mind me jumping on this forum early!)

Can anyone give me advice on how to get started?

Some questions I have:

1. I'm a "bored eater." I "graze" when I'm bored, but not necessarily because I'm hungry. Will shrinking my stomach and appetite help, do you think?

2. I have very mild IBS. Does anyone else have experience with this?

3. I'm visiting a lap band seminar next week. Any suggestions on questions I can ask?

Thanks, everyone. You're all an inspiration!

~Illuxi

[muelle 64]

I was, and can still be sometimes, a bored eater as well. I have seen many suggestions on here for dealing with that, some recommend seeing a psychiatrist, others recommend just keeping busy. I try to keep busy, but having had the surgery helps as well because I know that overeating can be physically harmful to me. As far as appetite goes, I have had no appetite since surgery and have probably only felt actual hunger a dozen times since surgery as well. Going to the seminar will answer a lot of questions, if it is a good one. Mine answered questions I didn't even know I had I don't know anything about IBS, but I do know that Constipation can be an issue after surgery, but there are ways to deal with that. Good luck to you!!! If it helps you at all, there is not one day since surgery that I have regretted having surgery, I would do it over in an instant!

[kaydin81 8]

Yes, going to the seminar definitely does help! They answer a lot of questions you have just by the talk they give. Good luck to you, if its something you think you're interested in, go for it!!! No one can change you but you!! We'll be here to back you up every step of the way. I am a "bored eater" as well. I also have IBS. I can't even begin to tell you how much that has changed. I use to take immodium before any trip in the car, even 30 minute rides. That has ceased almost completely. and I really think its because my eating habits have changed so much. The extra Protein really does something to your body. I love it, and I think you should go for it!!

[Krystyneh 55]

Welcome I'm in the process of doing all my pre-op testing and seeing my nutritionist so I haven't gotten my lap band yet so I hope you can still use my advice. I used to be a "grazer" BIG TIME lol whenever I was bored and stressed and even watching the cooking shows WOW did I constantly eat while watching those lol. Since seeing my nutritionist I've actually stopped being a "grazer". What I do is if I feel like I need to eat I'll sit there for 15 minutes and think about it. Am I hungry? Do I really need to eat right now? Am I bored? If after 15 minutes I'm still feeling hungry then I'll eat a little snack. I noticed that most of the time it was just because I wanted to chew on something because I used to constantly eat. Now I constantly chew gum which I have major TMJ in my jaw so my jaw constantly pops but I've noticed that chewing gum for 5 minutes gets rid of me feeling like I need to eat. I debated for awhile if I should go and get lap band surgery and I finally came to the conclusion that yes I need it and I'll make sure that it works for me. The seminars definitely help. One question that you can ask them is about your IBS. They are some of the best people to ask questions about that especially if you are afraid that the surgery will affect it even more. Good luck

[Shellyac 22]

If you haven't yet I suggest that you also read the other surgery sites including the complications portion of each site. When you go to your seminar sometimes they will have post-op patients there to talk about their experience, take advantage. Ask about more than their weight loss, like what are their experiences with eating, do they have problems with certain foods, what happens if they eat too much or too fast.

If you are planning on going through your insurance, contact your insurance company to see what they cover. Also realize that the process takes at least 3 months, more likely at least 6, and sometimes longer if other life issues come into play. If your current insurance doesn't cover find out if you could switch to another plan that will cover it next year or you may want to find out how much the surgery will cost out of pocket if you have it locally or if you have to consider going to Mexico to be able to afford it.

Consider if the band maintenance is right for you, are you ok with needles, are you ok with having to go in for fills at least once a month or more often if an unfill is needed. Are you an impatient person? Are you ok with the idea that getting to the green zone could be a long process that will come with periods of not being tight enough or being too tight? Also realize that weight loss with the band is generally slower than with other procedures, but I believe that it is generally the same after two years

Also if you are interested in the band but are afraid of some of the problems that come with it you may also want to consider the band with plication, this is a newer procedure that combines the band with sleeve plication (this procedure folds and sutures you stomach into a sleeve but your stomach is not removed) in addition it seems that most insurance companies will cover the band with plication but the bigger obstacle right now seems to be finding doctors that preform it. But the benefit with this procedure is that early results show that there are fewer band complication like erosion and slippage, there are fewer needs for fills, and the weight loss rate is similar to the gastric sleeve.

Good luck with your search for more info

[Illuxi 0]

Thanks, all, for the replies - especially you, Shellyac....you made me think a lot. I'm actually quite terrified of needles. Do the fills hurt? I hadn't really thought about that aspect yet. However, I recently had a herniated disc in my back (weight related, of course!), and had to get three shots in my spine. I made it through those OK (OK....so I passed out....but I made it!). Do the fills put you "out of commission" or can you go right back to work?

Thanks again, everyone!

[motivatedlap 8]

My personal experience with the fills (I've had 2 so far) is that they have been the least painful stick with a needle I have ever had. I thought I would need a numbing shot because I am terrified of needles and don't like pain- I had read about some bad experiences others had had and I was pretty nervous. However, the stick is really quick if they hit your port on the first try. I had a somewhat tight feeling where my band was for a couple of hours after the fill, but it went away. My fill yesterday was too tight and I turned around and went back to the doctor about 20 minutes after I had left because I was in pain and didn't want to 'wait and see' if it would loosen up and he took a little out and I felt better instantly. You might be advised to drink liquids the rest of the day and eat soft foods the day or two after, but you should be able to resume normal activities.

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

Hello all - new to the site.

I'm considering lapband, but haven't made a final decision yet. (Hope you guys don't mind me jumping on this forum early!)

Can anyone give me advice on how to get started?

Some questions I have:

1. I'm a "bored eater." I "graze" when I'm bored, but not necessarily because I'm hungry. Will shrinking my stomach and appetite help, do you think?

2. I have very mild IBS. Does anyone else have experience with this?

3. I'm visiting a lap band seminar next week. Any suggestions on questions I can ask?

Thanks, everyone. You're all an inspiration!

~Illuxi

The best advice I can give u it to RESEARCH! Don't rely on what you hear at the Drs. office/band mill!!! The Lap-Band seems to have fallen out of favor with the ASMBS

Lap-Band Low Marks

Also one thing most Drs. will NOT tell patients BEFORE getting the band is that some ppl (20%) NEVER reach restriction!!! Kind of an important little detail to leave out don't you think?!

[Formerly Fluffy 5]

Thanks, all, for the replies - especially you, Shellyac....you made me think a lot. I'm actually quite terrified of needles. Do the fills hurt? I hadn't really thought about that aspect yet. However, I recently had a herniated disc in my back (weight related, of course!), and had to get three shots in my spine. I made it through those OK (OK....so I passed out....but I made it!). Do the fills put you "out of commission" or can you go right back to work?

Thanks again, everyone!

There is nothing to the fills. Just a llittle stick. No big deal. Keep in mind that you may have to take off a lot more than you expected for fills though. I had 16 fills in 15 months. Gave up after I never got restriction, then tried a few weeks ago with another fill. Just another waste of time and money though! :-(

CHOOSE YOUR WLS WISELY!!!

[Shellyac 22]

I haven't been banded yet (I'm scheduled for Friday) but from what I've read from others it can range from being painless to causing a great deal of pain. I think it depends on the person giving the fill and your pain tolerance. You should also check out the threads on fills to get a better idea of what to expect

[mzzjonz 7]

Hi All, I am a Newbie also at the beginning phases, but have one of my best friends had this procedure. We are so close, I pretty much heard her experience with most of the topics discussed.here. She also said the fills did not hurt much, and her dr's recommendation is a tightening every 10 lbs. I'm not sure if that is standard for all. I have to go a different surgeon than she did due to my insurance, She has lost over 100 lbs, but it has taken her about 3 years. She looks amazing! I will say, she tried to cheat ALOT! She initially tried to eat things that were not recommended and would head straight to the bathroom to vomit. Seeing her body respond in that way was enough for me to really follow the dr's orders!

[Shellyac 22]

The best advice I can give u it to RESEARCH! Don't rely on what you hear at the Drs. office/band mill!!! The Lap-Band seems to have fallen out of favor with the ASMBS

Lap-Band Low Marks

Also one thing most Drs. will NOT tell patients BEFORE getting the band is that some ppl (20%) NEVER reach restriction!!! Kind of an important little detail to leave out don't you think?!

That article is misleading, the statement (about the band receiving low marks) was not made by the ASMBS but by a researcher presenting at the ASMBS conference. While I don't disagree that the band has it's problems, you need to make sure that your that you aren't giving out misleading information

Edited to clarify the statement that I was referring to

Edited January 4, 2012 by Shellyac

[motivatedlap 8]

There is nothing to the fills. Just a llittle stick. No big deal. Keep in mind that you may have to take off a lot more than you expected for fills though. I had 16 fills in 15 months. Gave up after I never got restriction, then tried a few weeks ago with another fill. Just another waste of time and money though! :-(

CHOOSE YOUR WLS WISELY!!!

Is your band full to maximum capacity?

[Illuxi 0]

Thanks all. I've read a lot about WLS being a lifestyle change. Problem is, I've tried lifestyle changes in the past and been unsuccessful. What makes this different?

[mzzjonz 7]

Hi Illuxi, I think what makes the band different is that you are somewhat forced to eat less. The ones I know that had it, get very ill when they eat too much.