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My 24 year old sister is over 300 lbs. She's so beautiful, but her weight has been an issue all her life. My parents have tried everything including, personal trainers, weigh loss camps, LA Weight Loss, etc... If it's out there, they've done it.
We've all been researching the Lap Band for a while and it seems like a miracle. Its not a drastic surgery like gastric bypass or stomach stapling and it seems almost too good to be true.
She's extremely scared of the word "Surgery" and needs more information from people that have actually had it done. The nearest place where she can attend an information session is too far.
Can someone who's had this done or knows someone whose had this done tell me what the worst parts of the procedure are and also how hard is it to stick to the food restrictions after you have it done?
I know a guy that had the gastric by pass and he did loose a lot of weight but the one thing I noticed is that he is still obsessed with food and makes the worst choices, eating the most highest fat foods and the food that are loaded with the most calories. That to me is what needs to be addressed, their obession with food.
I will tell you this and it may motivate your sister some. My first husband was obese, he was always overweight as a child and as a adult, he went to over 300 pounds and it DID kill him. His weight just squeezed the life right out of him one Christmas eve when he was only 32 years old, our son was only 7 years old.
Lap band is not without its (fatal) risks. The band could slip and release fluids into the system where it should not be. Just because it is not as invasive as gastric bypass or Roux-N-Y, it does not necessarily mean that it is safer. Please have your sister consult with her physician on the best possible solution to her weight problem. She may also want to research support groups online to see people's experiences with each.
I have a friend who had the lap band done as well as some who have had the bypass. The one with the lap band did lose about 100 pounds but she did have some problems with it. It eventually had to be removed because of complications with it. ( Burrowed a hole in her stomach causing internal bleeding.)
Now there is also something called "the sleeve" which is not as radical as the bypass, but is supposed to be highly effective. She should also check that out but it is pretty new and thus, some insurance is not covering it yet.
My take on all of it is that none of the procedures are without some risks/drawbacks, but if someone is seriously obese, then they may be at much less risk to go ahead and do something surgical than to not do it. I wish your sister the best and my condolences Laura707 on the loss of your husband~
You need to talk to a specialist. it's a long process. My nephew weighed over 500 lbs and got a lap band, but it isn't as easy as it sounds, it takes time and dedication on the patients part.
He had to go through months of physiological consultation, and he had to lose X number of pounds before they would work on him. Some weight loss was to get him down to a doable size, some of it was to see if he was dedicated enough. After you get the band, you continue consultation and follow up for a long time. They have to teach you how to live and think as a thin person, change your whole outlook on food. If you don't dedicate yourself to the program, you lose, or rather, you gain...!!
it isn't as simple as dropping by the hospital and having them slap one in and send you home.
With the band, you can regain your appetite and get fat again, so you must have discipline. With gastric bypass, you won't get fat gain, but it is a much more difficult procedure.
There is a local radio talk show host here in LA that went through the gastric bypass procedure several years ago and has detailed it on his radio show. Not a lot of fun, but better than dyeing young... » Popular L.A. Radio Host Loses Big With Gastric Bypass Announced Articles & Press Releases
Remember from school if a question has "All, Always, Never" the answer is false as there are always exceptions.
I freaked out the first time my doc said I had to have surgery on my foot...was an ingrown toenail...surgery included anesthetic and some scizzors to remove the nail. Hmmm surgery?
I have 'dental surgery' quite often as I've had root canal, crowns, etc. Surgery?
Lapband is the same....but it is surgery and it requires tinkering with the innards.
I've had it done, I've maintained my weight for a year now. And I sometimes miss overeating.
The worst parts of the procedure is paying for it.
How hard is it to stick to the food restriction? Well, docs will tell you the band is so you won't have to ever diet again. There will be no restrictions on what your friend can eat AFTER they meet their goal. It's all about choices and chewing well and of course smaller portions.
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