Considering the lap band.

[JerseyJules 862]

Well here goes...I literally backed out of Gastric sleeve surgery last minute and I feel like a looser having failed myself yet again..I was sitting there waiting for surgery for hours and hours all hooked up to the IV and within 1/2 hour before surgery I backed out. I guess Im not mentally ready for it and couldn't bring myself to justify cutting half my stomach out on an otherwise healthy body. Im 295 right now, but have always been very active and have no real health issues other than a genetic blood thing that would pre dispose me to clotting. Im just afraid to do the gastric sleeve, and was wondering if the lap band was a viable option for me at this time.

I havent explored enough mentally and figured out why I should permanently remove a part of me to lose weight, and see the lap band as a good alternative. What are the long term success rates with the band and how well does it actually work?

[KateP 359]

Please bear in mind that I am a very happy and very successful bandit now 8 years post-op. I do not regret my band, would do it all over again and if I ever have to have it removed, I would hope to have a replacement.

When I was banded in 2006, it was a miracle surgery. And for some people, who accept that they will still have to work hard, it is just that. It was and still is for me. But over the years it has become clear that serious complications necessitating further surgery are much more common than originally thought, some of these are avoidable by careful eating and by not keeping the band tight; unfortunately others are beyond our control.

We used to be warned about band slips, leaks and about ( very rare) erosion into the stomach tissue but it turns out that a build up of scar tissue round the band (causing it to tighten) is quite common. It can be very difficult to get the right level of restriction and some people are tempted to keep it tight enough to physically limit food, in fact it was once thought this was how it should be. But this causes food to back up into the oesophagus and that risks problems such as oesophageal dysmotility which may be irreversible. It can also damage the vagus nerve.

We still need lots of will power. The band makes it easier by dimming hunger, but it does nothing for head hunger and, contrary to popular opinion, it does not and should not physically stop us eating. If it does it is too tight!

Having said all that, I love my band, I know many successful long term bandits in real life. On this board, you will find more people who will put forward the case against the band than in favour of it and I do not for one second question their experiences. But my own experience has been good and so has that of almost all those I actually know and have met.

[kellhale33 11]

I had the lap band surgery, they don't remove any of your own body parts and it can be removed in future if you wanted. The weight loss is an average of 1-2 lbs a week it's slow but steady. Have you considered this type of weight loss. I also had doubts before I made the decission to have the surgery but glad I went through with it. I know I had to see a phsyciatrist and a nutritionist before Insurance would even consider covering the procedure, did you? I had to see psychiatrist 3 different times plus take a mental/personality test and she had to write a letter stating if I was mentally up for this, because it is more mental than phsyical. This is a lifestyle change and only you know if you want this or not, if not just keep what your doing, you said you were active step it up and hit the gym harder. I personally think it's much easier working out with less weight on my body, and it keeps getting easier

[KateP 359]

I cannot see how to edit my post, the iast paragraph was written for a different forum and does NOT apply to this board. If anyone can tell me where the edit button is, I will change it,

[XxKimberlyX 20]

Hello, I had the band done in 2006. I did great with it. Followed the band rules. Lost 100 pounds. Then 2014 I had a little issues w/my esophagus.

Long story short, my band needed to be completely open. (Fluid taken out of the port). Then my tub had a leak.

I gained 50 pounds back because I didn't have my tool. So I needed to have surgery. Grant it they could fix the band. But now I could have a possibility of a slip.

After tons of research I decided to have only one surgery and get the gastric sleeve 1/5/15. If the sleeve helps me as well as the band I will be a happy camper. It's not easy to lose weight. Hell, and keep it off. I am thankful there are tools out there that one can choice from.

No choice is a bad choice...

Be healthy...happy

[kellhale33 11]

I don't know Kate

[Alfie 58]

I had the band in 2007 and after esophagus complications a conversion to the sleeve on December 9, 2014. I couldn't be happier. I did lose 80 lbs with the band but did gain back 40.

My band complications consisted of damage to my esophagus from acid reflux and motility issues. I also got a hiatal hernia.

I never really felt full except high up not in my stomach. For me, I had trouble working this tool though I do know others that do very well with it.

[lisacaron 5,075]

The first thing I will tell you is that with the band (just like with other WLS) patient compliance and vigilance is the key. You will need to be compliant with the rules the doctors give you, and treat your band with respect. It is a part of you and part of your new life style.

You must be vigilant to keep an eye on your behavior. No weight loss surgery or tool will help you with head hunger or emotional eating. YOU have to work on these things, and once you are committed to making a change in your life you will.

If you are not ready for the sleeve and you pulled the plug in the 11th hour then I am going to tell you that you are not ready for the band or any other WLS either.

Take the time you have now to prepare. Visit bariatric Dr.'s take seminars, speak to banded people go to a local support group and hear from WLS patients and their experience.

There are some I know who went into surgery unwillingly their Dr. told them they MUST because of their obesity and other co-morbidities, however as "unwilling" they might have thought they were...they were more willing then most who "choose" to have the surgery because their minds are made up for them by the pain and stress of competing issues.

Foods, pastry, chocolate (insert your issue here) vs. Walking freely or breathing on your own...hmmm not too hard of a choice right?

So wait until you are ready and then decide what is the right surgery for you that you think you will find the best success with.

I chose the band even though my obesity level and co-morbtiy levels might have had a Dr. recommend the sleeve or bypass I still chose the band. I know I can "control" the band and I have some flexibility with the band to allow it to fit into my ever changing life style. I can loosen it when I need to as I did to heal after a car accident or illness and I can go right back to my sweet spot again when my body is ready.

If I ever had a complication I could and would revise to another surgery and you lose some of that option if you start out with the other surgeries first. However as medical science keeps growing there are so many options to mix and match modalities.

Don't get lost in it all, take some time do your due diligence ask loads of questions and then make your decision.

Best of luck to you!

[Alfie 58]

Very well said lisacaron????????

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

First of all backing out when you did is better than regretting a decision you were not comfortable with. So good on you for that.

I'm a new bander and it is work to stay compliant. All I can worry about is being compliant today. I won't second guess my band decision because I feel it was right FOR ME. I may have complications later, but I don't today and for that I am grateful. So grateful that I'm vigilant about following the rules.

One day at a time, I've lost 104 pounds in 10 months and got my life back. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl with fifty two pounds to go. But I know what to do to kick it up a notch. I need to get off my butt and exercise, and eat less.

For today I'm working this tool as best I can, and reaping its benefits.

Good luck and don't rush into anything. Be sure, because no matter which road you take, it's work.

But it's the most rewarding work I've done in ages.

[JerseyJules 862]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I concluded that I need to beat the mental thing first and comply with a healthy lifestyle first. I went into the gastric sleeve option living it up to the last moment and was in no way ready mentally to comply with the program. However, the feeling of helplessness laying there waiting to have someone cut me open, was a real eye opener. I said to myself, "has my life really come to this?" I felt helpless and weak and defeated at that moment. I felt I need to take control of my life and take it back and by NOT doing the surgery, I felt in control for once in my life!! I made the choice to pull the plug, no one else..I did. And it felt good to back out and give myself another chance and not give up on myself.

It was sort of like a scared straight program for overeating actually, where I really didnt want to be in that situation and realized I had the power to control it and I need to give it just one more shot before I give up. Cause if i cant comply now, I certainly will do worse to myself not complying after the surgery.

[MarieMarie 346]

I understand being scared. There are good meds which will help the hour waiting for surgery. (Ativan). When they started to put me to sleep I had a little panic and wanted to change my mind. I am stubborn and knew this was a life saving surgery I needed

[JerseyJules 862]

I understand being scared. There are good meds which will help the hour waiting for surgery. (Ativan). When they started to put me to sleep I had a little panic and wanted to change my mind. I am stubborn and knew this was a life saving surgery I needed

Well they left me sitting there for 4 hours in the pre-op...Thats enough time for anyone to second guess themselves and run out even if you were "all in"...

[JerseyJules 862]

Just figured I would throw it out there but im down from 307 to 286 on my own with no surgery by simply eliminating Caffeine, sugar and starches ,bread and Pasta. Im not completely taking surgery off the table in the future, but as of right now Im gonna see how far I can get on my own. I have been filling up on Proteins and veggies and taking in less that 1500 calories a day. And let me tell you, Im not really hungry and have no cravings lately. Once I eliminated the sugars and hidden sugar, I feel so much better. The inflammation in my legs is gone and my energy level is more stable.

I walk the dog twice a day totaling 4 miles, since I cant go to the gym yet due to my shoulder. I also started doing Vitamin B-12 MIC injections which is supposed to help your body metabolize fats within the liver..Wish me luck this time. I think being minutes from someone cutting half my stomach out was like a "scared straight" program for a fat dude..LOL...

I never want to feel so helpless again in my life.

[KateP 359]

Just figured I would throw it out there but im down from 307 to 286 on my own with no surgery by simply eliminating Caffeine, sugar and starches ,bread and Pasta. Im not completely taking surgery off the table in the future, but as of right now Im gonna see how far I can get on my own. I have been filling up on Proteins and veggies and taking in less that 1500 calories a day. And let me tell you, Im not really hungry and have no cravings lately. Once I eliminated the sugars and hidden sugar, I feel so much better. The inflammation in my legs is gone and my energy level is more stable

I walk the dog twice a day totaling 4 miles, since I cant go to the gym yet due to my shoulder. I also started doing Vitamin B-12 MIC injections which is supposed to help your body metabolize fats within the liver..Wish me luck this time. I think being minutes from someone cutting half my stomach out was like a "scared straight" program for a fat dude..LOL...

I never want to feel so helpless again in my life.

Go for it! Surgery really has to be IMO the very last resort. Learn good habits and maybe you can avoid it! I couldn't because I could always lose (as much as 90lbs, then 60lbs, then 80lbs, many lots of 20lbs) but I could never keep it off.

Best wishes.