Male Banders

[RogerL9323 5]

Hi, my name is Roger and I'm thinking about getting a lap band. I'm very nervous about it. Are there any Male lap banders out there who can share there experience? Thank you.

[Jack 855]

Hi Roger,

I got my Band almost 10 years ago.Without it, I'm sure I would have been blind or dead from one of my comorbidities.

'Nervous' is good. You'll find a lot of stories here about the various experiences.

Good luck in doing your research, as you have a LOT of reading available.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Got mine 11/28/11. I've lost about 50 lbs and I'm 25 from my goal. Best thing I could have done for me. My knees were/are shot and I need 2 total knee replacements from carrying so much weight for so long. I can eat most anything I want but I choose to eat healthy and the band helps me keep my meals small.

[wadeg7 149]

This was definitely the right choice for me. I have lost 159 pounds and I am only 1 pound from my goal. Remember the band is only a tool and you still have to work hard to achieve your goal, but you can do it. Good luck.

[B-52 7,113]

I was in my late fifties when I had the surgery...Obese, had one heart attack resulting in surgery, Diabetes with daily injections, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, you name it all out of control.

I lost my Brother and sister who had the same bad lifestyle I was living.

Dr. said I was critical and unless I lost weight, it would not be long for me...I was seeing as many as 5 specialists on a routine schedule. NOTHING was working, because I did not have the discipline. Even when my life depended on it.

Tried every diet under the sun for the last 30 years...could not succeed at anything..would start out good, then failed miserably because I did not have the will power and discipline to follow any diet.

PCP refereed me for bariatric Surgery, as a Last Resort...never considered it before nor thought I would be a candidate.

That was almost 4 years ago...lost ALL my excess weight, have a very low body fat %.....I run 3-5 miles a day. Play softball in a league with guys 20 years younger. can outrun, out perform almost all men I meet my age.

I go to the gym as much as possible because I now enjoy and proud of the things I can do there. I am now a vegetarian, and try to eat only the best foods I can find.

I feel like a million bucks, a new man, a new life, physically, mentally and socially. Even my employment and financial situation has improved beyond my expectations.

Young people tell me they hope they will be like me physically and health wise when they get to my age.

What I could not do by myself, surgery as done for me...I will never Diet, or worry about gaining weight for the rest of my life.

I still enjoy the foods I want, and eat/drink ,many things people on diets would never dream of doing.

Lap band surgery as changed the way I eat, taken away my hunger and cravings, not because I want it to be so, but because physically, from surgery, things have been altered prohibiting me from doing those things.

Never had a single problem or complication, as long as I don't force the issue. And I have learned not to.

Agreed, in the beginning it was not all roses. Thing about the bad is that it is adjustable, and there is a learning curve where people need to learn new habits and adapt a new lifestyle if they want the band to work.

Alas, some refuse to change....some don't want to give up some things that were killing them the first place.

I don't even want to think where I would be if I did not have this surgery. I doubt I would be alive, that's for sure.

When people say they are not sure, I ask them what is your alternative? You really think there is something else that will work? Then go do it. Show me....Did I want to have to have this surgery? Absolutely NOT! Wish I never had to do it. Don't like the idea of having something foreign in my body wrapped around my stomach. Wish I could do it like other people who are not overweight do it. But truth is I could not. Diets do not work for me.

All things considered, I don't regret it one bit. I wake up everyday looking forward to what a great day it's going to be, and what new adventure - experience it will bring.

I get a little mad and annoyed , and yes saddened....when people sell this surgery short and don't let it do everything it can do, then complain it does not work or it's a never ending uphill, frustrating struggle. (it's just a tool...phooey!)

To each their own I guess....I'm here to say it does work. 100% and then some.

Edited August 6, 2014 by B-52

[catfish87 3,471]

Almost 5 years for me. After finding the correct adjustment for me, it has been fantastic. I've never had any band caused problems. I've lost about 130 pounds...and enjoy my new life. NORMAL....that's all I ever wanted, and the band has given me this.

I'd do it again tomorrow, knowing what I know now. Best of luck on you decision.

[PureGamble 46]

Just shy of 15 months since I had surgery. I'm about 20 pounds from my goal I've lost 110 so far. It was the best decision I have ever made. As mentioned before it should be viewed as a tool or aid to help assist in weight loss. If your looking for a quick fix or have no interest in working hard to achieve your goals then this isn't for you. I owe my life to the band and thanks to what it's done for me my quality of life has improved drastically. Nervousness is all part of the experience. Good luck with your decision.

[RogerL9323 5]

Thank you all for your responses, advice and encouragement. I truly appreciate it. I set my lap band date today for September 18th. Best Regards Roger