Not sure about band....questions about energy levels etc

[Exmouth Lass 0]

Dear all

I’m so glad I’ve found this site! This post may be a bit long, I’m very sorry in advance!

My background in brief is this. I am 36 years old and live in the UK. I weigh 17st 12lb, and have a BMI of 39.16. I have had mild chronic fatigue syndrome since I was 15 years old. In the past 6 years I’ve also been diagnosed with an unstable underactive thyroid, and two other autoimmune diseases called ocular myasthenia gravis and premature ovarian failure. My eating history is one of comfort eating when stressed but not complete bingeing. I have had counselling for this and other stuff for a year and have made good progress but no long-term weight loss. I also NEVER get full!! Apparently, a combination of 3 autoimmune conditions and being obese also means that the risk of my getting diabetes is higher than usual. I was referred to a professor in Oxford who while treating me pointed out that losing weight will quite probably help me to alleviate some of my symptoms, but that the conditions I have mean that losing weight successfully would be much more difficult and so he recommended that I be referred for a gastric band. I met with the gastric specialist in Oxford last Monday, they’re really nice, and seemed to feel that I am an ideal candidate, and today I found out that I have been approved for surgery, potentially in January or February 2009.

I want to apologise for the next bit. I’ve read a lot of posts today and I know that many people are trying to get a band but not necessarily able to get funding for the op. I really don’t want to appear ungrateful for the opportunity but I just don’t know whether to get it done, my doctors are infinitely more enthusiastic than me.

To try and help me decide I’ve drawn up a list of pros and cons that I can think of so far for me of having a gastric band, which are, for me:

Pros: Faster weight loss than I could achieve without it, greater chance of maintaining weight loss, decrease medical symptoms, reduce risk of diabetes, solves the problem of never getting full.

Cons: Risk of procedure, loss of ability to eat normally with friends in restaurants etc, am already pretty prone to vomiting, can I still get enough nutrition/calories to do a substantial amount of exercise, will I get a loss of energy?

The last 'con' is my main question. I was reading a crappy celeb magazine the other day and it had an article about (not an interview with) Fern Britton. It said that she has suffered from greatly reduced energy levels since the op. Now this could be total rubbish and not actually true for her but it really worried me. Having had chronic fatigue for so long the energy I do have is very precious to me. If it came down to a straight choice between the band vs. higher energy and ability to exercise I’d have to choose the latter.

Even if you don’t have anything else to comment, please could anyone who’s had the band tell me their experience with energy levels and whether they've been reduced or not? I realise that I will feel puny to start with but it’s the longer term prospect that I am more concerned with. It would be sooooo much help, I’m just not sure what to decide at the moment.

Thanks for being patient and reading to the end (hopefully!)

x

Edited October 8, 2008 by Exmouth Lass

[weightsmasher 0]

I can say for myself that my energy level has gone up. The more I loose the better I feel and have more energy to do things. I use to get off work, stop by the nearest fast food place, go home and crash on the couch and the next morning I still felt tired after sleeping around 9 - 10 hours per night. Now, I find myself going home and still have energy to clean around, cook dinner, wash laundry and can stay up later and in the morning wake up well rested.

This is my experience and I know that everyone is different. I just know that I have way more energy. Good luck with making your decision!!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

My surgeon won't perform the band on anyone who has any type of autoimmune disorder because of potential for band rejection. You might want to confirm with your surgeon before you proceed that he/she doesn't feel that's an issue.

Having said that, I only have MORE MORE MORE energy when I lose. There was a brief time post op during which I only could have Clear Liquids (no protein) and frankly I felt bad. That only lasted 1 week and once I added Protein in I felt better. However I have ALWAYS done better, energy wise, when eating foods that are high in protein and low in processed carbohydrates. I think your "energy" will depend partly on attitude and partly on what you choose to eat once you have the band. If you have protein, then healthy veggies, then fruit, and finally grains, you should be fine. However again with your CFS and other autoimmune issues, you may react to the band in a totally different way. That would worry me a bit, were I you.

[canadagirl33 0]

Hi Ex Lass

I also made a pro vs. con list when I was debating this surgery. To me it's a smart thing to do...if a person isn't satisfied that the pro's outweigh the con's then there is really no point in doing it. You have to want it !!!...and then after you have the band you have to work it !!!

As for your question....I've had my band almost 2 years, I've lost and maintained a 100+lb weight loss and have more energy now than I EVER have. I was an obese child, teenager and adult...and now, for the first time in my life, I'm the one that doesn't want to quit when the day is over !!! So my vote would be that the energy level definitely increases.

That said, I would also like to comment on some of your other 'cons'...

Risk of procedure...there is a risk, this is surgery. Choose your surgeon well, don't be afraid to ask how many of these procedures he's done, ask how many complications he's had, how many times he had to go from a lapro surgery to an open surgery. Ask all the questions you can until you feel that you've done the best you can to make yourself safe. And then just close your eyes and let him do his job

There is absolutely no reason you won't be able to eat our with friends and family. I go out fairly regularly.... Sure, at first while you're on a limited diet (during healing) it might be difficult, but I have yet to go into a restaurant and not be able to find something that agrees with my band. I can even sit at a table with people who don't know I've had surgery and eat my meal without them even noticing I'm eating less :eek:

As far as vomiting...you are not going to vomit any more frequently just because you have a band. I'm sure you've read all about people 'vomiting' or 'pbing'... Well, at the risk of offending someone, and I'm sure I probably will, pb'ing is about 95% self induced. As long as you don't keep your band too tight and you pay attention to how and what you eat, you don't need to vomit. I personally went more than a full year after banding without sliming or pbing.....you can too.

Getting enough calories and nutrition is a non-issue....read the boards, you'll see that most exercise to some degree and you won't see many saying they don't have the strength for it.

In the end, the choice is yours and only you can know if banding is right for you... Good luck in your decision making !!!!

Patricia

[odizzydori 0]

My energy level has gone way up. I can at walk my husband now. Before I could barely walk the grocery store. Had lots of body pain, couldnt climb stairs, had headaches alot. Was depressed alot. Now I have so much energy it is unreal. And I go out to eat with friends. I just eat slowly and I order foods like braised ribs and eat what I want and take the rest home. They all know I have the band so no one makes comments on how much i eat. I have 2.5 pounds to go and I hit the half way mark. I wouldn't change anything for the world. Infact I am going to have a pin made up when I lose 100lbs to say..I've lost 100lbs ask me how. Well good luck.

[PDG777 0]

Hi, just to let you know that since being banded in August, my energy levels have increased tremendously, I have followed the 'rules' which are not really rules and have had no experience of bping or vomiting, I have lost 17 Kgs in 12 weeks and am ecstatic over that.. already I am off blood pressure tablets and I cannot tell you how great I feel, every week I seem to be getting happier and happier and everyone is commenting on how vibrant I am looking... for me there were few downs initially, but all to do with the op and all that has gone - if you go with your doctor/surgeon and listen to his instructions you will honestly really change your life, you have a chance to grab on to it and go for it... I would not change one single thing, I am loving it. Good Luck on whatever decision you make... Trish