new to this

rockbaby · March 7, 2005

hi guys im Debbie im kind of new to this i weigh 267 pounds and i want to get the band but im waiting to get approved, i had a few questions first one is how long till the band doesnt work anymore?2nd is i had a friend who has it who noticed a change of smell when she you know (poops)

sorry:p is that normal and does it cause any weird smell from the change in digestion? thank u in advance:)

Penni60 · March 7, 2005

Debbie are you talking about the band or bypass? The question you asked about the er,..."poop" would relate to the bypass patients. Some of them, depending on the particular bypass operation, do have a distinct smell about them due to the digestive process. Bandsters do not have this problem, well at least I don't.

The band can work for people as long as they work the band. I have heard of someone having the band for at least 5 years and it is still working. It is a tool so you have to do the work and use it as a weight loss tool. Exercise, eat right, and follow band guidelines. Hope this helps.

Alexandra · March 7, 2005

Hi Debbie,

I think your friend might have had the gastric bypass, not the band. Banding changes nothing about our digestive process, and it doesn't ever "stop working." The band is nothing more or less than a little silicone band that goes around the top of our stomachs, letting us feel full faster, eating less, and less often. It's adjustable, and if you don't feel its effect after a time (which can happen for a variety of reasons) it can just be adjusted so it's working again.

Welcome to the site, rockbaby, and good luck with your research!