Help please read this means the world to me

[parisshel 1,892]

Such good advice on this thread. I would just add that if my surgeon said the lapband "wouldn't" work for me and pushed for a WLS that I wasn't comfortable with, I'd change doctors. Because even if he consented to do what I requested, I'd still feel uncomfortable staying under the care of a doctor who didn't support my informed decision.

Of course you can lose a large amount of weight with a lapband! It doesn't just "stop" working when you hit -50 lbs! You are the master of whatever WLS tool you choose. Stats are just compilations and do not speak to each individual's capacities. Remember, you are in the driver's seat. You can do this if you decide to do it, and you commit to following the post op directives each and every day.

Lastly, it is not what we lose today, this week, this month...when we compare our losses to the losses of other WLS patients. What is going to be important is where we are two years from now...all of us. And two years from now it all evens out for sleevers, bypassers, lapbandsters, etc. In two years I'll be quite happy that I didn't chose a WLS that works by malabsorption, and did choose a lapband.

[PJ Geeser 108]

Do which one you want first of all.

I am one who can say I dont know which way I should have gone. I am SO dissappointed to this day with my band. I knew this would be slow but I didnt think THIS SLOW. I am going to be hitting my 9th month soon and have just hit the 40 lb mark. I dont feel any help YET from my band but she says I am not there yet?? And I will say I do not feel at all like what others say they feel. I eat right, watch portions , track and it just doesnt seem to be doing anything. Im not cheating so I dont understand what is going on. I am DAMN frustrated when I see others post how much weight they have lost having had surgery at the same time as i did and let me tell you...they are all on average double and then some on the weight loss. My primary doctor told me not to do the band, said it wont work and I wont be happy with it. At this point Im not happy with the results but then again...I have to wait until I finally get to "the sweet spot" to see if it will work then so Im not going to give up yet.

(I hate to have to go back to her and have her say...I told you so!) However...my sister and I did this together...went to the meetings, met with the WLS clinic doctors (who is different than my primary DR.) and HE recommended bypass for my sister and Lapband for me so I went with his recommendation. Now...I look and my sister who has lost 145 lbs without even trying (granted she had more to lose) and she looks fantastic and here I am trying to work this thing...and it is all just a diet for me YET and a damn hard one at that and have only now hit the 40 lb loss mark. It is a toss up but Im hoping in the end...mine will be the easier one to live with long term? give me a few years and will let you know Im OK with slow but this is almost ridiculous slow for trying so hard...LOL

Someone on here just posted that they have lost 45 lbs since their surgery at the end of april and I am thinking how in the hell is that even possible? I have just hit 40 lbs and am almost 9 frickin months out so yes...I am frustrated, irritated and kind of pissed off at this point. I guess what really gets me is that I am following the rules, doing what I am supposed to do and not getting any of the benefits others are praising their bands for. there are a few of us on here in my shoes who I have chatted with personally who are dealing with the exact same thing. Just be prepared that you "could" be one of them who takes forever to get to this magical "green zone" and the weight losses may not come as fast as it does for others. I was just so hoping I wasnt going to be one of them.

With that said....I can feel a little something different with my last fill- not alot but a little difference finally ... some things dont go down quite as easily so maybe I am starting to finally get closer to the green zone. I am hopeful with my next fill or the one after that it will start working and finally start losing a few more lbs. ( I went 5 months with NO weight loss what so ever-which is sad for having had WLS)

I am hopeful I made the right decision and am thankful for the 40 lbs I did lose to date as Im sure I would still be at the weight I started without it. the benefit is you learn how to eat healthy, portion sizes correctly from the start which should benefit down the road. Gastric patients...the weight falls off and then down the road they have to work their ass off to keep it there so...each one has its advantage.

Dont let the doctors tell you- please make the decision YOU will be happy with and no one else GOOD LUCK!

[pink dahlia 2,513]

Sorry for that last reply, computer issues.......... I never considered anything except the band as the others were all waaaaayyyyy too complicated or hard on my body. Reroute my insides ? Ummmmm, no thanks !! I was banded 18 months ago at 225 lbs, wearing a size 18 frumpy, tired and NOT happy with my body or how I looked. I lost 50 lbs the 1st 7 months and while the weight loss has slowed down (normal for me) Im still losing slowly......and down to 162. I now wear a size 12 and hope to get to 140 lbs this year. ( I'm 5"3, and 55 yrs young. I feel great, bounced right back, and have been told I look fantastic !!) I went back to work 7 days after being banded and followed the Drs rules 95 % of the time and have had no major problems. A co worker who had Gastric Bypass not long before I was banded ? She was out a month, still has to follow a ridiculous diet, and constantly talks about her weight/ diet/ complication issues. Yeeeesh !!! Its a no brainer ! Getting banded was the best decision ever ! Hope this helps ! Good luck !!

[kll724 3,055]

Many people on here have lost 100 or more lbs. I lost 100, and so have lots of other folks. Age is not a difference, young and old if they follow the plan and use the tool properly can and have lost the successful weight. best wishes. Karen

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

Many people on here have lost 100 or more lbs. I lost 100, and so have lots of other folks. Age is not a difference, young and old if they follow the plan and use the tool properly can and have lost the successful weight. best wishes. Karen

could not have said it any better then what karen just wrote.

i ditto what she said..

[parisshel 1,892]

@PJ Geeser -- I feel for you and understand your disappointment. But 40 pounds down is fantastic, really! I'm also a slow loser (but I keep my band loose as well, purposefully so I don't have any stuck or uncomfortable episodes) and,while sometimes I stomp my feet when I see the fantastic losses my March bandsters are posting, I am unwilling to risk an overly-tight band and playing with fills just to see bigger losses. I'll get to my goal, I'm certain of that, I'll just get there in my own time.

40 pounds is like 4 sizes down! I'm happy for you! Keep it going...and remember--what's important is what you are going to weigh in a couple of years. At goal and maintening that weight with no difficulty, I hope!

[bellacola12 0]

I was banded over a year ago and as per my last visit about 2 weeks ago I lost a total of 40 pounds. They say that with the band you lose the least amount of weight (about 40% of excess). It is accurate that the other procedures are more effective. The nurse in my surgeons office had the band done about 6 months after I had my band and she shrivled down to nothing already. I went with the band because I was scared to do the sleeve and my boyfirend and mom didn't want me to do that. There are certian days I wish I did, but I'm totally happy with the band as of now. Hope that helps.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I was banded over a year ago and as per my last visit about 2 weeks ago I lost a total of 40 pounds. They say that with the band you lose the least amount of weight (about 40% of excess). It is accurate that the other procedures are more effective. The nurse in my surgeons office had the band done about 6 months after I had my band and she shrivled down to nothing already. I went with the band because I was scared to do the sleeve and my boyfirend and mom didn't want me to do that. There are certian days I wish I did' date=' but I'm totally happy with the band as of now. Hope that helps. [/quote']

I'm going to have to disagree. The band is as effective as you are committed to making it. In fact, long term studies show that 2-3 years after surgery the weight loss with the band is comparable to gastric bypass. The only difference is the band loss is slower.

With that said, so far I've lost 81% of my excess body weight. I've lost 213 pounds in 17 months and am still losing- and I have my band to thank.

[koolkel 80]

I chose band for a number of reasons:

It's less invasive

It's reversible

I remain in control

And most importantly, because the weight loss is slower.

I form hypertrophic scars. I was afraid of losing too fast, having excess skin, and not being able to have corrective surgery.

My surgeon suggested sleeve a few times. I will admit, the idea of rapid weight loss tempted me. I just think its healthier in the long-term for us to lose slowly and to work at it. I had my band placed in Feb 2013 and I've lost 40lbs. I've fought for each pound! This isn't easy and you absolutely have to burn more calories than you eat every single day.

I know people who have experienced complications from each of the bariatric procedures. I will say, the band complications are easier to fix!

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

the people at my doctprs office want me to get the bypass and i dont feel confertable going with that procedure they also said i will loose the weight slower which i dont mind as long as i see improvement. i feel that they want me to get that procedure not because it's the best choice for me but because they want to drain the insurance companies... but don't quote me on that i might be wrong. i want to be 100% site of the procedure im getting done right now I'm 80% i want the band but i want to be 100% sure. i hope i get real positive feedback. Thank you in advance for the replies.

When I was trying to decide, I checked a Dr. who advertised a good price on the band in another state, when I couldn't find a local Dr. who would do a fill, I called the out of state Dr. back and they tried to switch me to the sleeve to keep my business. That was when I figured out that some surgeons didn't really care about me or what was best for me, all they cared about was my money. I found a local Dr., had my band and couldn't be happier.

[PRIMADONA60 10]

Do which one you want first of all.

I am one who can say I dont know which way I should have gone. I am SO dissappointed to this day with my band. I knew this would be slow but I didnt think THIS SLOW. I am going to be hitting my 9th month soon and have just hit the 40 lb mark. I dont feel any help YET from my band but she says I am not there yet?? And I will say I do not feel at all like what others say they feel. I eat right' date=' watch portions , track and it just doesnt seem to be doing anything. Im not cheating so I dont understand what is going on. I am DAMN frustrated when I see others post how much weight they have lost having had surgery at the same time as i did and let me tell you...they are all on average double and then some on the weight loss. My primary doctor told me not to do the band, said it wont work and I wont be happy with it. At this point Im not happy with the results but then again...I have to wait until I finally get to "the sweet spot" to see if it will work then so Im not going to give up yet.

(I hate to have to go back to her and have her say...I told you so!) However...my sister and I did this together...went to the meetings, met with the WLS clinic doctors (who is different than my primary DR.) and HE recommended bypass for my sister and Lapband for me so I went with his recommendation. Now...I look and my sister who has lost 145 lbs without even trying (granted she had more to lose) and she looks fantastic and here I am trying to work this thing...and it is all just a diet for me YET and a damn hard one at that and have only now hit the 40 lb loss mark. It is a toss up but Im hoping in the end...mine will be the easier one to live with long term? give me a few years and will let you know <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Im OK with slow but this is almost ridiculous slow for trying so hard...LOL

Someone on here just posted that they have lost 45 lbs since their surgery at the end of april and I am thinking how in the hell is that even possible? I have just hit 40 lbs and am almost 9 frickin months out so yes...I am frustrated, irritated and kind of pissed off at this point. I guess what really gets me is that I am following the rules, doing what I am supposed to do and not getting any of the benefits others are praising their bands for. there are a few of us on here in my shoes who I have chatted with personally who are dealing with the exact same thing. Just be prepared that you "could" be one of them who takes forever to get to this magical "green zone" and the weight losses may not come as fast as it does for others. I was just so hoping I wasnt going to be one of them.

With that said....I can feel a little something different with my last fill- not alot but a little difference finally ... some things dont go down quite as easily so maybe I am starting to finally get closer to the green zone. I am hopeful with my next fill or the one after that it will start working and finally start losing a few more lbs. ( I went 5 months with NO weight loss what so ever-which is sad for having had WLS)

I am hopeful I made the right decision and am thankful for the 40 lbs I did lose to date as Im sure I would still be at the weight I started without it. the benefit is you learn how to eat healthy, portion sizes correctly from the start which should benefit down the road. Gastric patients...the weight falls off and then down the road they have to work their ass off to keep it there so...each one has its advantage.

Dont let the doctors tell you- please make the decision YOU will be happy with and no one else <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> GOOD LUCK![/quote']

Hi Pj Gesser, I just read what u posted, I feel. The same way . I was banded in January and haven't really lost anything, still getting my fills regularly , but not hitting any kind of any ZONES yet. Love to chat. I thought I was the only one going threw this

[srussell8 111]

I have been banded for 7 years. I lost a total of 140 pounds, but gained back 60 when I quit following the rules and did not get regular band check-ups, etc. I've lost 20 of the 60 I gained back after a recent fill. I have never had any complications and I've never regretted my decision. I lost the 140 pounds within the first 2 years and have successfully maintained the 100 pound weight loss. I have no reason to believe that I will not get back to where I want to be if I follow the rules, and exercise. I have no idea whether the band is right for you, but it was the best thing I ever did for myself and it changed my life. I chose the band over bypass because I was not interested in permanently changing my anatomy. I love the fact that it's completely reversible if something were to happen. I'm sure they must be out there, but I've never talked to anyone with bypass who did not have problems with dumping syndrome, malnutrition, or certain foods they can never eat again because they can't tolerate it anymore. My reason for having WLS in the first place was to be healthy. The life bypass patients have described to me just doesn't sound healthy (or fun). I don't want to live on Protein shakes. I want to live on reasonable portions of healthy food I can enjoy. It's work, but it's worth it for me.

Just my two cents.

Shelly

[lellow 1,713]

It's true. On average there is less weight loss with the lapband. I suspect this is for various reasons, one big of which is you CAN reverse the effects of the lapband by getting unfilled, or NOT getting the right level of fill in the first place. Also getting the right level of fill can be tricky sometimes, especially with a clinic that is not committed to aftercare.

But to say that you cannot lose more than X percentage on the lapband is a complete and utter falsehood. Or I wouldn't be standing here with 100% of my excess weight lost. I don't have plication, I don't have anything but a lapband and my resolve.

And my resolve is what kept me from gaining all the weight back when my band was leaking for 15 months. So go into it knowing it's probably going to be 30% the band helping you, and 70% you changing your mentality about food and fullness, and you go in with a good chance that you can lose all your excess weight.

I chose to replace my leaking band with another band instead of the sleeve so I completely understand why the band would feel like the only choice for you right now. Don't let anyone dissuade you from a choice you're making for yourself.

[BellaNana 6]

You should definitely seek a second opinion. I'd be very leery of following through with a physician who is trying to convince you to get something done your not comfortable with. Be careful with the bypass surgery, there is just something about eliminating the stomach all together that doesn't seem safe to me. The lap band was the healthier choice for me and I agree that when you loose the weight at a slower pace your body adjusts better. Have you ever really studied someone who has had bypass surgery, they just look sickly and malnourished not to mention that their skin seems so loose. I think if you loose the weight slower it gives your skin time to bounce back reducing the chance you may have to go through any surgery for Excess skin removal. Read as much literature as you can in order to clearly and without reserve make an informed decision. Don't allow yourself to be pressured. Good luck and as always...eat well, stay active and be blessed.

BellaNana, Sent from my HTCONE using LapBandTalk

[rgkelley87 3]

First dr I went to would only do bypass on me so i left. Second dr highly recommended bypass for all the reasons you mentioned. He did perform the band on me as I told him I knew I could do it and wasn't taking the risks associated with bypass. I will let you know that I remind him monthly how well I am doing . Just Monday I had my 6 month visit where I am down 68lbs and still no fills!!! You got this. Find the dr you believe in and more importantly find a dr that believes in you!! And believe in yourself!!

:-D thank you so much i dont consider myself super heave where i would need bypass and even if i was i would still do lapband. i just need 1 support meeting and 5 more Dr visits so my surgeon can submit my letter to the insurance. even at the Doctprs Talk appointment my surgeon told everyone that lapband is 50% successful but the deathrate is the loswest i rather take a risk of not loosing weight than taking a risk of dying. thank u for your reply.