Support Group Raised Questions

[pinkcess 12]

One of the requirements from my surgeon is that I attend a WLS support group before surgery. I did... And it was interesting. So many people had great success, and also some complications along the way.

But it raised a lot of questions in my mind. There was only one lap bander in the group, the rest were gastric bypass. The lap bander told her story and started with "it was a very long road, and took a lot of determination..." then started ticking off the things that Lapbanders didn't get to enjoy... No dumping to keep them off sweets. No full feeling, always hungry.

Is this true? Do gastric bypass patients feel less hungry than lap band patients? If I'm going to continue feeling hungry all the time, why even get lap band? Is this lady exaggerating?

[PattyGirl66 1,243]

Pinkcess, I wouldn't know personally only by what I witness through family members. My brother and 2 of my first cousins had the gastric bypass done. Yes, their hunger fell rapidly on all 3. All 3 lost tons of weight in a very short spam of time. My 2 cousins shortly developed tons of medical problems on the way, still do till this day. My brother who lost all of his weight in months, started to 'drink' his calories because he had no desire for food. I mean he drank booze. I noticed in my 1 cousin she started to do the same and was belting huge amounts of booze down every weekend at the bar. Mind you these are people in their 40's so they are not young spring chickens we are talking about.

Okay to date... My brother has gained allll of his weight back and more than what he started out with. My 2 cousins.. 1 has gained back 'some' weight but not all, and the other has to litterally force herself to eat actual food. She actually looks like death to be honest.

I don't want to scare you, this does not happen to everyone who has gastric bypass, unfortunately like any weight loss surgery there is NO miracle or cure. If you don't want to play by the rules you will not win in succeeding.

I beleive the reason people get gastric bypass is because of the rapid weight loss, and they don't want to keep up with the maintenance as you have to do with the lapband. There are pros and cons with every weight loss surgery, it is up to you to weigh them all out....

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Banded and happy! All bypass patients talk down the band! Come and chat with us! We've truly been there and done that!

[line-dancer 810]

I was banded in Aug and lost 37 lbs but it wasn't till my 3rd fill till I didn't feel hungry any more.what makes the band work is the postion of the band and how long it keeps the food there so your brain get the message you have eaten so your fills are so important. Of course you have to follow your doctors eating rules it is a diet make so it takes work like anything else but now that I am not hungry ( in the green zone ) it makes it so much easier to stay on the diet and I don't feel like I am dieting at all just eating health. Ihave never felt that way b4 ( so this is what skinner people feel--cool).. I am thrilled remember the right amount in your band and the right foods make it a success....good luck

[goalseeker 695]

I was banded sept 4 and am down 34 pounds. I feel hungry just like everyone else does but I am satisfied on a MUCH smaller amount if food and I stay satisfied for SO MUCH longer on that small amount than I ever would have before. Yes with the band you have to make the right food choices, get your fills and exercise regularly. I still haven't had a fill yet. Thankfully my surgeon put 5cc in at time of surgery and it seems to have out me in the green zone right away. This doesn't happen for most people.

It is ABSOLUTELY the BEST decision I have ever made for my health. For the first time in my life I feel like I am going to reach my goal and STAY there!

This forum is a great place to get support and answers and encouragement.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I am not hungry all the time. My band is designed to hold food to keep me satisfied for 4-5 hrs at a time. It does it's job and then some.

[pinkcess 12]

Thank you everyone! Today I am feeling very encouraged!

I think it's best to take the nourishment from support groups and throw out the stuff you don't need!

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Pinkcess' date=' I wouldn't know personally only by what I witness through family members. My brother and 2 of my first cousins had the gastric bypass done. Yes, their hunger fell rapidly on all 3. All 3 lost tons of weight in a very short spam of time. My 2 cousins shortly developed tons of medical problems on the way, still do till this day. My brother who lost all of his weight in months, started to 'drink' his calories because he had no desire for food. I mean he drank booze. I noticed in my 1 cousin she started to do the same and was belting huge amounts of booze down every weekend at the bar. Mind you these are people in their 40's so they are not young spring chickens we are talking about.

Okay to date... My brother has gained allll of his weight back and more than what he started out with. My 2 cousins.. 1 has gained back 'some' weight but not all, and the other has to litterally force herself to eat actual food. She actually looks like death to be honest.

I don't want to scare you, this does not happen to everyone who has gastric bypass, unfortunately like any weight loss surgery there is NO miracle or cure. If you don't want to play by the rules you will not win in succeeding.

I beleive the reason people get gastric bypass is because of the rapid weight loss, and they don't want to keep up with the maintenance as you have to do with the lapband. There are pros and cons with every weight loss surgery, it is up to you to weigh them all out....[/quote']

My sister is the exact same way! I think I'd rather her be obese than drink like she does. Also gained the weight back.

She is a fall down drunk and it won't be long before it kills her. She is 62.

So sad!

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

I was banded on 7/25. I do not struggle with hunger. There are a couple key points why I don't - 1. I have had a few fills now and do believe I am in my "green zone". Unlike the band, you don't come right out of surgery and are "in the zone". You will lose but until you reach your green zone, it is mostly you doing the work. 2. People that don't eat per the guidelines for the lap band will be hungrier than those that follow them. I eat my 3-4 ounces of SOLID Protein first, then veggies, then maybe a small serving of starch/carbs.

As for the sweets, honestly, I like that I can still enjoy one here or there. I don't crave sweets or eat them like I used to and a small serving for me is good for many days. I couldn't imagine not being able to enjoy those from time to time.

Now, my other reason for choosing the band. My mother had the bypass and like Patty mentioned about her family members, she has many health issues now and I have also noticed her gaining back weight. She may not have to get adjustments (fills) like I do on ocassion; however, she does have to go frequently to the dr because she struggles w/ many malabsorption issues. She is not a healthy person these days at all as a result. I know another person that has done well w/ the bypass but seeing my mother struggle and be very sickly now, it wasn't for me.

Continue to do your homework but please don't judge based on one person at the support group. Feel free to ask us questions if you are uncertain.

Best of luck to you.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

That lady is severely exaggerating. I'm rarely hungry, in fact, I miss meals entirely because I forget to eat due to lack of hunger some days. As far as dumping to keep us off sweets- I'm thrilled I don't have dumping. In fact, that's one of the reasons I opted for the band. I don't want to be puking, eewww! I love the fact I can eat whatever I want in moderation.

The thing that you need to remember is, and apparently the people at the group need a clue about, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose the work is yours to do. If you don't change your eating habits to healthy ones, you won't be successful. Band, bypass, or sleeve- they're all just tools. The work is yours to do. I mean, why do you think band over bypass is so popular right now? That is because so many gastric bypass got the surgery thinking it was a magical cure, didn't change their food habits, and either didn't lose the weight or gained it all back again.

Just a little personal experience to share with you: I was banded in January 2012, almost 11 months ago. I have two friends who had gastric bypass within a month or so of me. Both told me how nuts I was for choosing the band and pretty much told me I was a fool for not getting bypass like them. They told me how I wouldn't lose nearly enough with the band and how I'd lose tons more with bypass. Still, I got the band.

Fast forward to now: One friend has lost about 60 pounds, all of that in the first couple months. She hasn't lost anything in about 5 months and even has gained a little back. The other friend has lost maybe 30 pounds. Neither did anything to change their eating habits and one is constantly puking.

I have lost almost 170 pounds. Needless to say, they don't think I'm so "foolish" anymore for choosing the band instead of gastric bypass.

My point is, how successful you are is 100% dependent on you, not the type of surgery you choose.

Best wishes to you

[babykins529 189]

My surgeon's office has two separate support groups. One the the gastric, sleeve ect. and the other for bandsters. They said they do this because the surgeries are so different and it can become a problem with they all start comparing notes lol. I choose the band (not banded yet) over the other surgeries because I want to learn how to change my eating habbits. I ned that extra push the band will provide me. I'm already on my way to doing so and the band will be my tool. I don't want to lose weight quickly. I dont want food I just ate coming out either end. And I don't want to eat whatever I want. Therefore I chose the band. I'm will to work for my weightloss.