Should I band or NO? Is it worth it?

[Poodles 0]

Hello all. I am a 32 year old female, close to the 285 mark, have been big for 10+ years. Ended up in the hospital with chest pains two years ago and was put on a diet, which I have followed, and lost 35 lbs. Highest weight was 320. I have been on a low carb diet to help PCOS symptoms, am on glucophage, and High Blood Pressure meds, as well as Wellbutrin. If I stay low carb I have a regular cycle, but have not dropped any more weight. Know that my portions are too large, but I get HUNGRY. Have read that the band helps with appetite control if you "work it" correctly, but have also read that it does not help PCOS patients as much as "normal" people.

So my question is: do you think it would work for me? I know I have the will power to stay low carb, but feel I need some help with portions. My insurance has been good about paying for it for others, but have not tried myself, yet. I am going to a seminar on Saturday, but really wondering if it will be worth it in the long run.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks!

[the best me 6]

If Portion Control is your big issue, the band will certainly help that...IF you are properly filled AND you eat correctly. Eating correctly means eating hard protiens first, then veggies/fruits, then good carbs if you have room. It means not drinking with your meals or for a good bit of time after. I have heard 30 min to 2 hours. I try to do an hour but generally get an after-meal coffee to sip at about 30 min and I seem fine. The idea is to get full faster on less food and stay that way until it's time for the next healthy meal. Very simple, yet if it were that easy, I wouldn't have been banded at 220+ pounds with a BMI of 38. My band certainly makes it possible, but my weight loss is slow to me. When I back up and look at an almost 30 pound loss in 5 months, well, not so bad. But I wish I weighed less this far into the game. I can be patient, as long as it's going down, not up!

As far as PCOS, I'm not sure. Smaller portions of good food eaten correctly will cause you to lose (and don't forget your exercise...and, no, you don't have to run or kill yourself...just move!) but your hormone issues may cause you to be off the curve of average? I just don't know about that. So, how much weight is worth it? If you could get 80 pounds off and keep it off comfortably, would you be satisfied? 80 pounds is alot of weight, but you would still weigh over 200. Could you live with that? I'm not saying it isn't possible to meet a healthy goal weight, but if you don't, is that okay with you?

Being banded takes lots of effort at first. There is alot to learn about your little band friend and how it makes your feel and eat, etc. Lots of variables. I don't regret mine at all. And I had a very rough start post-surgery.

You will learn alot at your seminar. Also, look up PCOS in the Search button. Many banded women here have that, too. I'm sure they will show up here, though. Good luck!! Great question, good researching!!

[cissy 0]

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001, and my GYN put me on glucophage. That medication made me so ill (diarrhea, trembling, weakness), so I stopped taking it. I have gained 40 pounds since my diagnosis, and she kept stressing to me that I needed to get some of this weight off of me or I was at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. My odds of becoming diabetic were extremely high, since both of my parents are diabetic. My insulin level was like 40, where the normal maximum was 17, and my glucose level was around 120, where the normal maximum was 99. My hormones were WAY out of whack.

I knew I couldn't lose weight on my own. I didn't have anything preventing me from overeating. I finally made it up in my mind that I needed to get this weight off for my own health. I need to see my daughter grow up.

Did I know that women with PCOS had less chance of losing all of their excess weight with the band? No. Would it have changed my mind about getting banded? Probably not, because losing ~PERIOD~ is my main focus for now, so I got banded.

Think about that... you don't have to lose ALL of your excess weight to be healthy and to get rid of the PCOS symptoms.

[Jessiebear 2]

Hey Poodles! Welcome! Gald you found us! I too have PCOS. I was put on glucophage too, but we just never could reach a therapeutic level with it, so I just stopped taking it. I decided to get banded for many reasons. PCOS being one of them. I would say that it has been harder for me. I am 8 months out & have only lost 35 lbs.. But that is 35 I would never have lost if not banded. I say go for it! It has been the best thing that has ever happened to me! Just know going in to it that you will have to work a little harder than the bandsters without PCOS. We're here for you! Oh & BTW, before I was banded my cycles were nonexistant, Since I was banded, I have had 2 cycles on my own! Ta Da!.....Jess

[HotLikeHer 0]

I too have PCOS, and was never told that it would be harder with the band, I was told it would be harder and next to impossible on my own with out rigorous excercise and the meds etc...

I was banded on 8/30, I havent updated my ticker yet, but on 8/16 I was at 226.5 and on surgery date of 8/30 at 218.5 and this morning on the scale I was 201. So that is 25.5 lbs in a month or 17.5 in 3 weeks.

I try to stay active. havent exercised yet due to back injuries, Only have walked around a park 2 times. Thats it....

I would ask more about it personally.. The best of luck....

[La_madam 20]

Poodles if you have no problem sticking with a low carb diet, and you need help with Portion Control, then I think the band would definatley help you

[Julie* 0]

Hi-

I am new to this board and just had my consult 3 weeks ago. I am 34 years old, weight approx 270 and have PCOS as well.

My surgeon told me that some of his best successes have been with PCOS patients so your post surprised me. My next appt is November 9th though and I am going to be sure and ask him some more specifics.

Thanks!

[MerryHearted 20]

I have PCOS too and I was cautioned that it *might* help with the PCOS symptoms but might not. However, I'm going to work this band for all its worth as regular dieting just has not worked for me -- I always gain the weight back and then some.

If I were in your shoes I'd strongly consider the band. (of course, since I went ahead and got mine. ) I have not lost a lot of weight since surgery -- most of that 30 lbs was lost pre-op. But then I'm only 3 weeks out and just getting going with exercise.

You might also try joining "SmartBandsters" Yahoo group and asking on there if anyone with PCOS has lost a lot of weight with the band.

[Poodles 0]

Thank you for all of the information. I think I am going to do it, will know for sure after this seminar on Saturday. I know I need to do something. Trying on my own for 15+ years has not helped!

Would appreciate any more advice you have. Thanks again!

[La_madam 20]

This band was SO worth it!

I woulddo it again in a second