Just beginning in Ohio

[Coleynms00 0]

Hi everyone. I'm Coley in Ohio. I've just began researching weight loss surgery options and I'm leaning towards the Lap Band. The Lap Band seems like a less serious surgery than the Gastris Bypass. I know all surgeries are serious, but the thought of cutting and rerouting my intestines scares the crap out of me. I have a few questions that can only be answered by someone who's already been banded.

1. With the Gastric Bypass some people lose a lot of hair. Does that happen with the Lap Band?

2. Is the amount of weight you lose after being banded equal to the the amount you lose with the Gastric Bypass? Or does that vary person to person?

3. I've been looking at different before and after photo's and stats. Is the Lap Band designed for people who only have a little weight to lose?

4. Will I have to take Vitamins and supplements for the rest my life?

And finally....

5. I know the amount of weight lost varies from persons to person. How much is the average amount lost in a year?

Thanks so much in advance for all of your answers.

[dperson 0]

Some people do lose hair but i read here that Biotin and zinc help. Trust me it does work, my hair is growing like crazy. Also, you must eat 60-80 grams of Protein a day and that helps with reducing Hair loss. You lose 1-2 lbs a week and after 3 years the amount of weight loss is equal between the 2 surgeries. Ypu are suppose to have 2 chewable vitamins a day. I take flintstones. Yuk! Lapband surgery was the best decision i have ever made. Surgery was sept 4,08 and i am down 44lbs. Good luck hope this helped

[SpecialK 22]

Hi everyone. I'm Coley in Ohio. I've just began researching weight loss surgery options and I'm leaning towards the Lap Band. The Lap Band seems like a less serious surgery than the Gastris Bypass. I know all surgeries are serious, but the thought of cutting and rerouting my intestines scares the crap out of me. I have a few questions that can only be answered by someone who's already been banded.

1. With the Gastric Bypass some people lose a lot of hair. Does that happen with the Lap Band?

2. Is the amount of weight you lose after being banded equal to the the amount you lose with the Gastric Bypass? Or does that vary person to person?

3. I've been looking at different before and after photo's and stats. Is the Lap Band designed for people who only have a little weight to lose?

4. Will I have to take Vitamins and supplements for the rest my life?

And finally....

5. I know the amount of weight lost varies from persons to person. How much is the average amount lost in a year?

Thanks so much in advance for all of your answers.

1. I am taking Biotin to help with my Hair loss - suggestion from this site as well as my hair dresser. She said anytime you have a period of rapid weight loss, the body will react and hair can be lost but it will come back if you had big thick hair before, you will again. Keeping Protein up like the other post said is the key.

2. I think I will be able to lose as much with my lapband as I could have with gastric bypass. I've lost 98 in the first year with a starting weight at 355 so I have at least a hundred more to go and I think I can get there with this tool. From what I know of gastric bypass patients in my hospital's support group, they would have lost maybe 100-125 when I've lost 100 but then weight loss does start slowing down for them too, and it becomes more and more like lapband that they have to be careful choosing their food portions or they can gain back. In the total of 2-3 years, the lapband patients are definitely losing as much as gastric bypass.

3. No lapband is not just for those with a lower BMI or less to lose. There are many of us on this forum who are banded and were well over 300 and even 400 or more pounds and do well.

4. I take a Multi-Vitamin daily and I also take a Vitamin D and Calcium based on what my doctor said for me and my age (over 50) but see what your doctor says. In no way would I be dramatically malnourished if I wasn't taking my daily Vitamin but gastric bypass patients absolutely must take the Vitamins because they aren't absorbing enough from what I know because it is both a restrictive and malabsorptive surgery versus lapband is only restrictive as a weight loss tool.

5. Average weight loss varies -- many of us who were banded at the same time I was and had alot to lose have lost 80-100 lbs in one year but the loss rate is slowing some. We have a couple ladies who have lost an amazing 120 and 150 pounds but that is exceptional. We have several others who had less to lose but are very happy to be down 50 to 80 lbs in their first year. Bottom line, it depends on how much you want to work with your band, go and get your fills to keep your restriction, get exercise in, etc.

Hope this helps!

[sweetbean70 2]

Hi Coley! I'm also just beginning my weightloss journey and live in Ohio. My mother and I are getting lap bands together. Her dr. recommended Dr. Price at Mt Carmel West in Columbus. We are going to an orientation meeting there on April 8th. Is your insurance covering the cost of your procedure or are you a self-pay like I am? I have found that this forum has been VERY helpful:) Good luck and lets stay in contact.

[SpecialK 22]

I had Dr. Price at Mt. Carmel for my lapband surgery and highly recommend him.!