I need everones input

[becca2010 1]

I am considering the lap band and I would appreciate if everyone could tell me what they are experiencing wheather you go the lap band yesterday, last year or 10yrs ago! I want to know the good and bad especially the bad that the doctors won't share thanks so much in advance

[Quahog 134]

This is exactly why I joined this forum. To r.ead the good, bad , and ugly of the band. Get a reputable doctor, even if that requires travel.Be sure there is good follow up care. Live the band life for awhile. Drink shakes, practice eating rules(chewing, waiting, etc.) Then if you and the doc are in top form you will be extremely successful!

Some people lose fast, I lose slow. But I wouldn't change my decision for anything. I have had no complications. I feel great.

Good luck researching and with your decision.

[makemeova36 23]

I am considering the lap band and I would appreciate if everyone could tell me what they are experiencing wheather you go the lap band yesterday' date=' last year or 10yrs ago! I want to know the good and bad especially the bad that the doctors won't share thanks so much in advance[/quote']

Hi Becca...I am a new bandster may 30th. I am almost 2 weeks post op. So far I have experienced good and bad. In the sake of honesty I will give you both. On my second day after surgery I developed a fever over 100. This lasted for a few days. My Dr advised to watch and if it hit a certain # to go in. Thankfully it never did. Last Thursday one week post op I started bleeding from my port incision. As of today it is still bleeding. My Dr again advised it is something that happens sometimes because the port is a foreign object and the body sends blood to that spot. I have questioned what I've done to myself somedays as I know the port incision will now not heal as nice as the other incisions.

On the flip side from pre op to now I have lost over 30 lbs. On my own I have never lost more than 20. I'm on the full liquid diet for 6 weeks. It's hard but not because I'm hungry. I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't feel hungry throughout the day now. Which is still amazing to me.

Everyone's experience will vary like I had very minimal gas issues but I had other complications. I researched 3 years before doing this. I commend you for doing your own research as well. Good luck to you!! :-)

[LeeB1946 261]

Was banded on 2 19 13 and have lost a total of 55 pounds. 16 before surgery and about 39 total post surgery. I have had not serious issues except cold. Everybody who has weight loss surgery gets cold and stays that way for a while. Seems it has something to do with the weight loss and metabolism. Finally warmed up 2 weeks ago when I went to AZ and it was 98.

Recovery time was about 1 week for me. Did not do any heavy lifting for about 2 more weeks. Practice the drinks, chewing slowly, and the one I have most trouble with is don't eat in front of the TV, computer, etc. I still can't totally break that one. The other one I have issues with is eating slowly. I eat like there is no tomorrow and get some pain in the tummy if I eat too fast.

Have to eat at least 3 oz of food every 3 hours or I can get ravenous. Other than that all is well. Go in for second fill tomorrow so hope that will kick start another round of weight loss.

Good luck in your journey. It is a journey and sometimes I felt I was on a roller coaster at first, but got everything under control.

Make sure there are good support groups for post surgery and attend them before your surgery and hear what others have to say. Do your fills on time and follow the doctor's orders.

It has been a good experience for me and hope and wish for you much luck.

[Wanna-Be-Healthy 46]

I had my surgery last Friday June 7th so it has been 4 days for me.

For the sake of honesty I had to have the 3cc primer amount removed a couple of days after surgery because I couldn't even get any liquid down - not even Water - which was odd because the day before that I was fine. Dr said this happens to 5% of patients and attributes it to swelling.

Still healing from the stitches and being operated on (but that's normal with any surgery). I was a little bummed out because of the defill but others have told me this may be a good sign that I may not be one of those people that has to have a lot of fills to reach the "Green Zone." Apparently some people on here have lost over 100+ lbs with NO fill.

Gas pains in the shoulder and back were a little bothersome, but avoidable with Gas X chewables/strips.

I don't ever count pre-op weight loss because it is not "lapband weight loss." Even the post op diet is subjective because you would have lost the same amount if you just did the liquid diet on your own. That said, since Friday I have lost 8.5lbs.

I don't want to speak on others' behalf but I have discovered that more people are happy with their band than those that are not. You should also note that the majority of people that post here are those that have had problems, questions, and are not representative of the entire lapband population. Typically when you are happy and have no concerns, you don't come here.

If you have any questions or need a buddy, you will find lots of support here. Some are more gentle than others, but all mean well

[Frederic 500]

The ugly truth is the band is not magic. It will help you make changes but you still have to commit to making those changes. I was banded in February, I lost 60 lbs before, about 40lbs since and still have over 100lbs to go.

Losing after the band hasn't been easy I still need to exercise, watch what I eat, and deal with getting stuck occasionally but it's been much easier than losing weight ever was before. I feel full sooner, I don't get hungry as often, and even exercise is easier (I assume this is due to satiation triggering a more consistent insulin response).

[becca2010 1]

Thanks so much everyone. You guys are really helpful I would reply to everyone's comments but I still haven't figured out how to do that yet lol I gotta play around with the app a little more! But thanks again

[Wanna-Be-Healthy 46]

but it's been much easier than losing weight ever was before. I feel full sooner, I don't get hungry as often, and even exercise is easier (I assume this is due to satiation triggering a more consistent insulin response).

I couldn't agree more. Even though the band is a "tool," it's a tool you never had before so losing weight will be easier. How can it not be if you are not AS hungry?

[Frederic 500]

I couldn't agree more. Even though the band is a "tool' date='" it's a tool you never had before so losing weight will be easier. How can it not be if you are not AS hungry?[/quote']

Well specifically it won't help if you eat when you aren't hungry (as a way to deal with stress or boredom for instance) or if you eat around the band (milkshakes and gravy galore).