Lap Band surgeons? (activities, exercise, weight)

[debtex]

I've had some success using a very inexpensive online tool that retrains your food and exercise habits in a way that is realistic and sustainable (but not easy, nobody would ever say this is easy.) Email me if you want to know, but you can probably guess.

[galore]

Please also consider the risk of surgery.

My dad had non-elective surgery on his digestive tract and he didn't survive complications. It was a horrible way to die when his body was poisoned due to unmanageable internal leaks over a timeframe of 4 weeks.

[Canine*Castle]

Surgery that is needed is risky but to choose to have surgery is something I never understood.

[blueiis]

Debtex and Geek----what were your weight loss programs? Maybe programs isn't the right word but I wanna know how you did it!

Please tell me it was a miracle pill just kidding!

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

I investigated pretty thoroughly earlier this year as I was interested in bariatric surgery. I went to 2 different hospitals' info sessions. Lap band surgery will take about 3 yrs to achieve full results. Gastric bypass will take about 1 yr or less.

I also learned that people from all over the country come to Salt Lake City for the surgery if they are self-pay. One hospital charges about $17K and the other about 19K. Thjis is considerably less than most other cities. My DD had a friend who went to Belgium to get gastric bypass for $6K.

You CAN outeat any bariatric surgery. The surgery is not a cure-all but an aid to life-style changes. I have known several people over the years who not only gained back all the weight they lost but more. You have to committ to a life-long change in eating: no carbonated sodas, no caffeine, 6 oz meal, no liquids within 30 min before or after eating your 6 oz meal, 70% protein, 30% veggies. Most people get into trouble when they can't keep that up indefinitely.

Have you also considered what is called "the sleeve?" Technically, the name is Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. My husband was originally interested in the RNY, but his surgeon recommended the "sleeve" surgery for him.

Also, I can also recommend his surgeon, Dr. James Davidson. 214-265-7546. He has an exellent reputation at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and does banding, the RNY bypass and the vertical sleeve.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The way both seminars described it, it was not something I wanted. Many more staples and higher probability of leakage. As I am diabetic, I want the bypass where the 3' of intestine is taken out. Both groups said they didn't know why it made a difference to diabetics, but it does.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

The way both seminars described it, it was not something I wanted. Many more staples and higher probability of leakage. As I am diabetic, I want the bypass where the 3' of intestine is taken out. Both groups said they didn't know why it made a difference to diabetics, but it does.

Yes, you should make the decision that seems right for you.

[carlinagirlntx]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

That was not Bugaboo's question. If you weighed 200 pounds you wouldn't qualify anyhow....200 pounds is considered 'lightweight' in the wls world. If you haven't lived in that world, don't judge.

Actually 200lbs isnt lightweight if you are short in stature. I have known several women in that weight range who got the surgery in the DFW area. Some also had complications from losing too much weight too fast.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by carlinagirlntx

Actually 200lbs isnt lightweight if you are short in stature. I have known several women in that weight range who got the surgery in the DFW area. Some also had complications from losing too much weight too fast.

Usually, it's calculated by BMI. (body mass index) Most reputable bariatric surgeons don't like to (or flat won't )do surgery on people whose BMI is under 40. Sometimes they will at BMI of 35 especially if there are what they call "co-morbidities" present such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. BMI standards may be a little less strict for the banding, I think, because it's reversible etc.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by blueiis

Debtex and Geek----what were your weight loss programs? Maybe programs isn't the right word but I wanna know how you did it!

Please tell me it was a miracle pill just kidding!

Happy to explain! It was not a program or anything, just diet and exercise. I used various online forums for support and used a website called fitday.com (free) to calculate my calories, nutrition, and exercise and also to track my weight. Basically I calculated what I needed calorie-wise to maintain my starting weight and shaved a good percentage of that off. If you consume fewer calories than you burn then weight loss will result unless you have some sort of metabolic problem. What you eat is more important than how often you work out but exercise is very important. When I was actively trying to lose weight I worked out for an hour 6-7 times a week. For maintenance I am working out 3-4-5 times a week and still watching what I eat, though I no longer count calories as strictly as I did before. I still weigh myself every day.