Is it worth it?

Brittany1220 · August 25, 2007

:help: Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and so glad to have found this site! I have wanted a lap-band for about a year now and have finally decided to go for it. I have picked out a surgeon and am going to their info session 9/5 to find out more and then plan on going through the insurance approval process after that. Having seen this complication forum however has me a little scared to say the least. My question is this...was getting your lap band worth the complications? Do any of you wish you had done rny instead? To all of the band "haters" why didn't it work for you? To the band lovers what did you have to deal with along the way, problems, complaints? Any information would be helpful! Thanks in advance!

Boo Boo Kitty · August 25, 2007

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Is it worth shopping in the "normal" section?

Is it worth getting checked out?

Is it worth feeling sexy?

Is it worth being healthy?

Is it worth my kids no longer being embarassed?

Is it worth fitting into a movie seat?

I go could on and on, but is it worth it??? HELL YEAH!

It has not always been easy, but I would never trade a minute for it to be fay again!

Good luck!

speina · August 25, 2007

I wouldn't go back for anything! I had a flipped port that required a second surgery but even with the complication I would still do it all over again. I wish you the best of luck-follow the rules and you'll do great!!

Make sure to take your Protein.

Banded 5/15/07

Tara

DonHoll1 · August 25, 2007

I have not had any complications. Everything went great and i love my band. Donna

TheFox · August 25, 2007

I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Is it worth shopping in the "normal" section?

Is it worth getting checked out?

Is it worth feeling sexy?

Is it worth being healthy?

Good luck!

Damn you Boo Boo, you're reading my mind. Those are probably the top four questions that keep going through my head.

Brittany1220 · August 26, 2007

I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you so much!

WASaBubbleButt · August 27, 2007

:help: Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and so glad to have found this site! I have wanted a lap-band for about a year now and have finally decided to go for it. I have picked out a surgeon and am going to their info session 9/5 to find out more and then plan on going through the insurance approval process after that. Having seen this complication forum however has me a little scared to say the least. My question is this...was getting your lap band worth the complications? Do any of you wish you had done rny instead? To all of the band "haters" why didn't it work for you? To the band lovers what did you have to deal with along the way, problems, complaints? Any information would be helpful! Thanks in advance!

I had lots of complications the first six months due to an unknown problem that existed long before I had surgery and the band made it worse. My doc diagnosed and fixed it.

I'm 12lbs from goal. I would do it again without a 2nd thought because I'd never be 162 without the band. It just wouldn't happen.

TheFox · August 27, 2007

I had lots of complications the first six months due to an unknown problem that existed long before I had surgery and the band made it worse. My doc diagnosed and fixed it.
quote]

If you dont mind my asking, what were the complications/problem?

losingjusme · August 27, 2007

would i do it again? in a freaking heartbeat..

problems

- "head hunger" sometimes is an issue - still

- sometimes i eat too quickly and PB (i have had 3 not so great PBs in almost 11 months)

successes

- down 127 pounds in almost 11 months

- sat in an airplane seat this weekend and fit comfortably - NO extender needed

- i love to exercise now

- i feel good

- playing with my DD, on and off the floor

- just had family pictures taken - no way i would have done that last year

- etc ...

WASaBubbleButt · August 27, 2007

If you dont mind my asking, what were the complications/problem?

I had stomach spasms, had them all my life and never knew it. After getting banded they suddenly became an issue. My stoma would spasm and close off to where I couldn't even keep spit down. It was horrible. Now I'm on meds to resolve it and for the most part, it works.

It's not common at all, my doc has done 1400 bands and I'm his first. Dr. Jose Rodriguez has done something like 4000 bands and he has two people like me. But meds fix it so it's no big deal.

I only know one person that is exactly like me, Julisita. I think that is her LBT ID. We compare notes often.

Even with the above I still would do it all over again without any doubts. If you discover an issue with the band, you deal with it. You treat it, correct it, fix it, work around it, you do what you have to. Some people can't treat/correct the problem and they have their band removed. But the thing is, complications can happen with ANY procedure. The band is your best chance of safe and effective weight loss.

Being banded is hard, but unlike diet and exercise alone (which we can't do and keep weight off) the band is the kind of hard *we* can do. I think that is the overall key about the band, it's the kind of hard we can do.

snudlp · September 3, 2007

The lapband has changed my life. I was banded on 9/1/05. I went from 265 to 165 lbs . I dyed my hair red and I get constant attention from guys. I have even had two guys fight for me at a party I went to. Before I lost the weight, I was home reading on Friday and Saturday nights and I was the babysitter for the neighbors while they went out. I have had some conplications and had to go for a revision, but I have never regretted my decision at all.

lyndseygal · September 3, 2007

With every person ofcourse the experience will be different! I need to update my ticker as I've dropped weight but anyway, for me, this was definitely worth it.

Before my first fill, I actually had a bit harder time digesting, oddly enough. Now as long as I chew chew chew I am able to eat anything I want. For some people this would be too tempting but for me, I feel so free now with the band. I can eat the small portions of what I want and feel completely content on them whereas before I'd keep going back until I cleaned my plate. Just the other day I left half an entire sandwich on my plate, I usually now leave half of everything but don't feel deprived!! :eek: It's amazing and I love the band sooo much. I never wanted to go on a diet---they have never worked for me. I do try to eat healthy but by no means am I giving up the food I love to eat. I enjoy my food now MORE than I did before. Now I know I might be a little biased because I've only had my band for 2 months and only lost about 15 lbs but for me baby steps are what count!! I never would have thought that way before the band, now I'm just grateful I can continue to lose weight at a slow and steady pace and continue to enjoy my food.

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

checkerspink · September 6, 2007

Lyndseygal,

How did you like having surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana? I'm considering him myself, but haven't quite decided for sure. How was the hospital? How was the hotel? How long before you felt better from surgery enough to go back to work?

If you could let me know. That would be great.