considering lapband. questions.

[cline 0]

Hello. Im thinking about the surgery but cant seem to find any info about a few things.

Firstly can you drink liquads as normal? Or do you have to sip slowly? Dont know if i could handle not being about to drink Water fast on a hot day etc.

I understand you have to eat a little slower etc but how slow? Is it really really slow and does this have any impact on life going out to din with people etc.

Also on the emotional side do people ever get depressed to not be able to eat nice things ever again or can you do this in moderatiin once you get to maintance phase.

I see a lot of posts on this forum saying its been a good decision to have the surgery but i just want to understand a bit more about the changes you have to make and if they are changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. I really want to lose the weight but im still not sure if i can do this myself or surgery is the way to go. Its a big decision and i dont want to do this and then potentially feel depressed if theres anything i cant live with.

Any advice aporeciates.

[Hdollman 70]

It is a very big decision. I don't really ave any answers, but in life, life of obesity there will be things we should live without. My LB consultant said in the 11 years, there nothing food wise that she hasn't had.

Wish u luck on your decision.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

have you went to a lap band seminar? they would def have alot of information that you are asking about (also some excellent websites with those answers). this forum you will get a varied response as we are all different.

i will make my answer short and sweet.

if you think you cant do this, you are right.

this surgery offers you a tool to help you lose weight.

you have to change your thinking to eating better food and begin to exercise and follow the lap band guidelines.

so is the surgery something for you? only you can answer. but if you continue to do what you are doing now, you will only stay the same or get bigger, which was what happened to me. you have to want to lose weight bad enough to do something about it.

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

Hello. Im thinking about the surgery but cant seem to find any info about a few things.

Firstly can you drink liquads as normal? Or do you have to sip slowly? Dont know if i could handle not being about to drink Water fast on a hot day etc.

I understand you have to eat a little slower etc but how slow? Is it really really slow and does this have any impact on life going out to din with people etc.

Also on the emotional side do people ever get depressed to not be able to eat nice things ever again or can you do this in moderatiin once you get to maintance phase.

I see a lot of posts on this forum saying its been a good decision to have the surgery but i just want to understand a bit more about the changes you have to make and if they are changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. I really want to lose the weight but im still not sure if i can do this myself or surgery is the way to go. Its a big decision and i dont want to do this and then potentially feel depressed if theres anything i cant live with.

Any advice aporeciates.

To answer your questions... you have to sip sip sip in the begininning but as you get into the green zone its easier to drink Water fast but nothing like it was pre band in my experience.

Regarding eating slow... it should take you 20 minutes to eat about a cup of food. For my meal i allow my self 3 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies/salad and 1/4 of starch. I usually cannot eat all of it but what I can eat I do in about 20 minutes. Its hasnt caused me any issues with eating with others. The only thing you cannot so is eat on the run... you cannot wolf down a whole meal in 10 minutes like you can do without the band.

This is a drastic decision...one that requires daily dedication and commitment... and not for just the losing part of it. Its a forever lifestyle change. I understand Its scary because its the unknown but as others have said if you are commited to it it will work. If you arent 100% ready then wait until you are.

[Baba Wawa 543]

Hello. Im thinking about the surgery but cant seem to find any info about a few things.

Firstly can you drink liquads as normal? Or do you have to sip slowly? Dont know if i could handle not being about to drink Water fast on a hot day etc.

Once you are past the immediate post-op phase, you should be able to drink normally, but it's good to avoid carbonation for the most part. I found after a year or so, I preferred to drink from my 20oz Starbucks Water cup using a straw. I got less air in that way. In the beginning, the doctors generally say no straw, though. Water should flow right thru your band once you're healed.

I understand you have to eat a little slower etc but how slow? Is it really really slow and does this have any impact on life going out to din with people etc.

I was instructed to measure my meal, 1/2 cup, cut it into pea sized bites and take 20-30 min to eat it. My nutritionist had me start eating this way as part of my 3 month supervised eating program. It really helped that this was a normal way for me to eat when surgery was over and done with.

Also on the emotional side do people ever get depressed to not be able to eat nice things ever again or can you do this in moderatiin once you get to maintance phase.

You should never keep your band so tight that you have difficulty eating appropriate portions and you're chewing your little bites 15-25 times. On maintenance, many people have their band loosened and can eat a larger variety of foods. This will be up to you and your medical team to decide when you get to that point. Bear in mind that long term studies show that with banding, you can expect to lose 50-65% of your excess weight...many never reach "ideal weight". Become familiar with the stats and possible contraindications of banding.

I see a lot of posts on this forum saying its been a good decision to have the surgery but i just want to understand a bit more about the changes you have to make and if they are changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. I really want to lose the weight but im still not sure if i can do this myself or surgery is the way to go. Its a big decision and i dont want to do this and then potentially feel depressed if theres anything i cant live with.

If you are a grazer, eating throughout the day, banding may not be the best choice. If you eat things like chips, Cookies, etc you'll be able to eat those things post band too...they go right thru. You will diet. It won't stop you from eating, just keep your physical hunger at bay between meals. It takes a lot of discipline. If your issue is big meals of healthy (ish) foods, Portion Control, then the band may be a good choice. Bear in mind that the manufacturer is now saying that like other medical devices, it may need to be removed/replaced at some point.

Here's the website. http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_information/

Any advice aporeciates.

You're welcome! Good luck to you!

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

You should never keep your band so tight that you have difficulty eating appropriate portions and you're chewing your little bites 15-25 times. On maintenance, many people have their band loosened and can eat a larger variety of foods. This will be up to you and your medical team to decide when you get to that point. Bear in mind that long term studies show that with banding, you can expect to lose 50-65% of your excess weight...many never reach "ideal weight". Become familiar with the stats and possible contraindications of banding.

Good response MsMaui, may I add a couple of points?

1. There are studies out now that show that long term, the band is effective for keeping the majority of weight that is lost off.

2. Don't rely on the industry stats, as you research surgeons, ask for their personal stats. One of the things that impressed me is that during the seminar, my Dr. followed up the industry stats with a slide of his stats from over 900 procedures.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Hello. Im thinking about the surgery but cant seem to find any info about a few things.

Firstly can you drink liquads as normal? Or do you have to sip slowly? Dont know if i could handle not being about to drink Water fast on a hot day etc.

-It really depends on how tight your band is. I have no problem chugging down Water, however I prefer not to have a super tight band because I don't want to risk a slip.

I understand you have to eat a little slower etc but how slow? Is it really really slow and does this have any impact on life going out to din with people etc.

-As others stated, it should take about 20 minutes to eat a cup of food. I still go out to eat all the time and it doesn't bother anyone that I eat slow. I focus on the conversation and the company not eating.

Also on the emotional side do people ever get depressed to not be able to eat nice things ever again or can you do this in moderatiin once you get to maintance phase.

-I never get depressed about eating because I still eat whatever I want, just in moderation. I'm not in the maintenance phase either, I'm still losing. The band isn't meant to deprive you it's meant to help you be satiated on less food for longer periods of time. I (personally) refuse to deprive myself.

I see a lot of posts on this forum saying its been a good decision to have the surgery but i just want to understand a bit more about the changes you have to make and if they are changes that you can live with for the rest of your life. I really want to lose the weight but im still not sure if i can do this myself or surgery is the way to go. Its a big decision and i dont want to do this and then potentially feel depressed if theres anything i cant live with.

-For me, it was the best decision I've ever made for myself. But you're wise to question it before going through with the surgery. I would strongly suggest talking to a counselor before making this decision so they can help you make the choice that's best for you.

Best wishes.

[cline 0]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. That web link is great. I have not been to a seminar but have a dr app in two weeks and gp app to get a referal next week.

I already excersise five days a week doing classes at the gym. Just cant get food under control . Ive loat weight over the years only to gain it back. Also had two kids over last three years and just gained lot of weight using the pregnancy as an excuse... So now im just in process of deciding to do this or try myself again. Im doing ww. Such a hard decision... Dr may not agree anyway as i think my bmi might be 38 or 39... Anyway thanks all.

[dee257 1,516]

I guess everyone is differant for sure.....

I can drink Water fast like before I was banded....

and Im in the green zone now and I still drink Water and coffee as I did before

I never have yet felt depressed because I wanted to eat a huge piece of anything....sure I see fudge or some think I use to love and i think for a min wow Id love that...but I also love being thin....and I love how I feel in my own skin now...and just like that it passes...some times I have a small bite of what ever it is...Im in control...NOT food and that feels the best !!!