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I know its been a while since anyone has posted on this particular subject but I figure I might as well provide some information. I had the lapband in May 2007, I started out at 261lbs and now I am down to 172 (89lbs!). I would recommend this surgery to almost anyone but put a Strong emphasis on ALMOST. This surgery is only for people who are serious about losing weight and have tried many other things. I say this because it is not exactly easy. It is in fact VERY difficult. It is a complete life syle change. In America our entire social interaction revolves around food, hence so many of us are over weight, but that is what makes this surgery so difficult. You will have good days and bad days. Sometimes your stomach will swell just for the heck of it and you wont be able to eat much that day but then later on that night you will be able to eat a whole hamburger. LOL. It is extremely high maintanence, but completely worth it if you are serious about it. You will throw up a lot but the toilet bowl becomes your best friend! lol. All joking aside, you do throw up a lot until you learn how to eat again. Why I say learn to eat AGAIN, is because you have to literally learn how to eat all over. The time you spend chewing, cutting, mashing, etc is a LOT longer. But yet again, it's worth it. Bottom line is, get the surgery if you are prepared!!! Research the crap out of it. That's what I did. If you can conform to all the things that you research then do it, but realize that the things people say ARE TRUE!!!! In fact, I have found that people will candy coat things. The last thing I will leave with you is not something to scare you with but more or less to give you a glimpse into what it's like. Quite often you will get the sensation that you need to throw up, that sensation feels like someone is slightly choking you and at the same time they are pushing on the center of your chest. Now, it's not completely terrible because it usually wont last too long but it does happen. Take all this into consideration and make your decision for yourselves.
P.s. We all want to be thin, yet sometimes we don't need to be. I was once told that sometimes God will give you a weakness like this only to see how you will deal with what you have been given. God bless and good luck to all!!!!!
Any weight loss surgery is a tool, not a magic pill. You have to change your entire life in order for it to work, but it is by far the best tool available.
As far as being able to do it yourself on your own, to each their own and it's best to not tell people how they should live their lives. Although I do highly recommend against the band.. if you're going to go all in, go with the gold standard.
Location: Back in Melbourne.....home of road rage and aggression
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I had the lap band put in in May 2008. It was from all aspects a fantastic waste of money, time in recovery, and effort. 2 years later I was only about 10kg lighter than when I had the thing put in. And yes, I did everything I was told to do.
I have since lost the weight, but had to go a different route to do it. I still have the stupid thing in, and instill have issues with so many foods it isn't even funny, but it will cost menthe same amount of money to get it out. Out of pocket as well. No way! I've got better use for $15,000. Removal of excess skin for one.
I recommend researching all options and talking to an eating disorder specialist while researching. Honestly, I think most fat people suffer from disordered eating--I raise my own hand, as I still do!
Whatever you decide to do, lap band or not I wish you best and success. It didn't work for me, but I know a lot of people for whom it did.
Definitely agree that your own brain is your worst enemy. I just wish I could compare the internal feeling of the two. The Band just seems to allow much worse behavior than the RnY. I honestly could not get away with only losing about 22 pounds. I had no choice but to lose literally half my weight.
I am on weight watchers points plus program and have lost 41 lbs with about another 30-35 to go. I have a guy in my meeing who had gastric bypass 2 years ago and then after that decided to join weight watchers. He has lost over 200 lbs, exercises, eats right ect... maybe after your lap band/bypass you should give weight watchers a try. It's not a diet but a new way of life and as long as you stay on prgram you can have anything you want in moderation. I love it because i can still have my favortie foods like pizza and french fries just not alot of it.
Location: Back in Melbourne.....home of road rage and aggression
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rd2007
Definitely agree that your own brain is your worst enemy. I just wish I could compare the internal feeling of the two. The Band just seems to allow much worse behavior than the RnY. I honestly could not get away with only losing about 22 pounds. I had no choice but to lose literally half my weight.
I initially wanted the RNY, but I then learned that you had to wait 2 years to get pregnant, where as with the band, 6-12 months. If I knew then what I know now (that almost 4 years later I still would not be a mother, expectant or otherwise), I'd have just done the RNY, because I'd have probably lost the weight sooner, and with much more support, and perhaps gotten on with my life sooner. Motherhood is out of reach for me now, and that is my biggest regret.
A proper weight loss surgery involves many steps and multiple people, including a psychiatrist and nutritionist. I try to make this point as clear as possible when I say it's not a magic pill; it's just a means to get you somewhere. You absolutely have to change your life in order for it to work.
I considered it but after reading about dumping syndrome, excess skin, hair loss, vomiting, farting, vitamin loss, and malnutrition from the gastric surgeon I decided to do it the old fashioned way. I'm down almost 100 lbs over the past year.
I have a friend who got the lap band about 5 years ago, lost about 80 lbs, looked and felt great. He still has it but has been finding ways in the last couple of years to cheat around it. He has even had it loosend so he can fit more food. he's put some weight back on but he's one of those body types that's got a big belly , very big shoulders, 38 waist and very skinny legs and toned calfs. If your going to cheat around it or have it taken out my question is why did you get it in the first place? he did very well on Atkins and from time to time goes back on it. another thing is he only eats red meat, chicken, rice pasta and bread. Not good, considering he's diabetic. Sometimes if he eats too fast or does not chew his food well the food gets stuck and he has to excuse himself and throw up to get the food unstuck. That does not sound fun. I wish you all the luck and success for what ever weight loss journey you decide to take, (gastric, lap band, or just a simple diet change) May I suggest you look into weight watchers? I have lost 42 lbs so far. It can't hurt to check it out.
I have a friend who got the lap band about 5 years ago, lost about 80 lbs, looked and felt great. He still has it but has been finding ways in the last couple of years to cheat around it. He has even had it loosend so he can fit more food. he's put some weight back on but he's one of those body types that's got a big belly , very big shoulders, 38 waist and very skinny legs and toned calfs. If your going to cheat around it or have it taken out my question is why did you get it in the first place? he did very well on Atkins and from time to time goes back on it. another thing is he only eats red meat, chicken, rice pasta and bread. Not good, considering he's diabetic. Sometimes if he eats too fast or does not chew his food well the food gets stuck and he has to excuse himself and throw up to get the food unstuck. That does not sound fun. I wish you all the luck and success for what ever weight loss journey you decide to take, (gastric, lap band, or just a simple diet change) May I suggest you look into weight watchers? I have lost 42 lbs so far. It can't hurt to check it out.
He sounds like an idiot. I love people who only eat meat and think they're doing Atkins. If you don't eat mostly vegetables you deserve to be fat and/or unhealthy.
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