Seriously considering Lapband surgery.

[Longhorn]

I know there are old threads on this subject but I'd like to hear updates from anyone who has done this or know someone who has.

My vitals: 52, female, 5'8", 235 pounds -- should be about 165. I'm in excellent health as far as cholesterol, no diabetes or thyroid or hormone issues. The last diet on which I was successful was a fasting diet and even then, I lost slowly compared to most -- 70 pounds in about eight months. Returning to a NORMAL (and I do know what normal is) diet, I regained the weight in about four years, even while exercising regularly.

Oops! So the reason I'm considering it is that I am tired of carrying this extra weight around. I have knee issues and back pain related to large breasts. And I feel tired and sluggish much of the time, which is hampering my efforts at exercise.

Thanks for any advice! :hi:

[Wapsie B]

1. I am considering the same thing.

I just wish there were a way to kill my appetite and the nervous eating. But I've gone to the initial informational meeting for the Lapband surgery.

[Longhorn]

8. What do you think so far?

Will you check out any other clinics? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :hi:

[AZBlue]

2. A friend of mine just had it and so far she likes it.

But it hasn't even been a month for her. The only problem she's run into is that it doesn't deal with your issues related to eating - so, for example, we went to lunch one day and she had french fries while I had the salad. I kept thinking, "if people knew one of us just had weight loss surgery, they'd be surprised to find out it was her and not me!" So far for her, it's cut down on what she can eat, but I wouldn't say she's eating any healthier. Perhaps that will come with time though.

On a personal note, I am far far heavier than her but I won't do the lapband - at least not yet. I haven't given diet and exercise a fair chance - and that's because of my issues related to food. I'm trying to find a group or therapist that can help me with that - and after I do that and diet and exercise, if I'm still struggling, I'll revisit the idea of lapband.

Hope this helps - I'll keep you posted on her progress for a little insight.

[Longhorn]

3. Yes, that's helpful! Thanks!

I know this will sound like I'm in denial but I don't really have major issues with food. That is, I'd be the one eating the salad, too. I've spent my entire life on a diet and I don't binge, I don't eat cookies or chips in excess, I don't drink regular soda, I don't eat fast food. I don't eat bad things but I also don't eat enough good things -- mainly, veggies and fruit.

Whenever I read those lists of simple things you can do to lose weight, I just have to laugh because I'm already doing those things! My biggest concern about lapband surgery is that it won't work for me because I have been eating at a calorie level that is below normal for years and I don't lose. I could go all day without eating but it does catch up with me in the evening.

My BMI is 35 which qualifies me if I have accompanying health problems. Since the doctor told me at my last visit that I need to lose, that should qualify me. Now I just have to figure out how to decide where to go. Could you ask your friend how she chose a clinic?

Thanks! :hi:

[AZBlue]

6. I'm going to see her Saturday, so I'll be sure to ask her!

Have you had your thyroid checked? Or maybe it's something else? On paper it does seem like you shouldn't have trouble losing - you're doing all the right things.

[Longhorn]

7. Yes, I had a full battery of tests about a month ago.

My sister has hypothyroidism and is diabetic. She is more overweight than I am and would benefit even moreso from the surgery but she's never mentioned considering it and I haven't talked to her about my interest in it. My tests results were sickeningly perfect. ;) Blood pressure, thyroid, hormones, cholesterol, diabetes -- not a thing wrong with me except my weight.

Your last statement, that I'm doing all the right things, makes it very frustrating. Now, I'll admit that I could be eating healthier foods -- more veggies -- but I have psychological reasons for not liking them: as a child, I was forced to eat them until I gagged, night after night. I didn't even get to serve myself so I was forced to eat what seemed gigantic portions. It's been more than 40 years but I can't seem to get over it. I like salads and tomatoes and, depending on how they're cooked, green beans, carrots, and squash. I can't stand peas or mushrooms. It's pitiful to be such a picky eater at my age but I haven't been able to overcome it. So I drink V-8 Fusion and take vitamins and eat salads when I can.

I will look forward to any advice and updates that your friend can pass on to me. Thanks! :hi:

[AZBlue]

10. That is frustrating!

I feel your pain somewhat - my mom is in a similar situation. Right now she's not under a doctor's care because she doesn't have health insurance and won't for a couple more years until Medicare kicks in. However, she was always skinny as a child and a young adult - actually, when she was a child, she was underweight and had to pile on burgers and shakes in order to gain some! When she was in her early 30's she started putting on weight for no apparent reason - and she always has and still does eat like you. My dad's the junk food eater and if she ever has any, it's a bite or two of what he has. But, for the most part she eats lean protein and veges and fruits. She is very allergic to soy, which is in everything these days, so even if she did like the junk food she couldn't eat it. When she did have healthcare before, she underwent tests for years - and there was no medical reason for her weight. The only thing she didn't do was exercise - but she worked in retail 40+ hours a week and was raising me and being a housewife - it's not like she was sedentary either.

Unfortunately they never figured it out - to this day, there's no explained reason for it. However, as soon as she does get insurance, I want her to go back and have more tests - it's been a while since she's been to the doctor and I think that maybe today they could figure out what they couldn't determine before. Hopefully they can for you too!!

What about sleep apnea? I'm being tested for that and in can affect your weight (just as weight can affect your sleep apnea - it's very cyclical).

My friend and I are going to the movies tomorrow and then getting a bite to eat - and I was just talking to her before I logged on and told her I wanted to find out her process so I could share it with you. She said she'd be glad to help, so I will get details tomorrow. It's good that you're being careful in finding a physician - you can never be too careful these days with any doctor!

:hi:

[AZBlue]

11. I asked my friend about it.

She said she called different hospitals and also looked online to find different offices. She then asked a couple of them to send her their information packets, which included information on the procedure, costs, etc. She then also attended a seminar and highly recommede that - she said you can tell a lot abou them from that and that you might need to go to more than one to find the right office for you. She lucked out - the office she chose had a doctor that is one of the best in the state. It also was one that a friend of hers had used - she liked getting a personal recommendation. She also suggested looking at anyone you consider online - google them to see if there's anything you find that you don't like - and also checking with the medical board to make sure there are no complaints against them.

Hope that helps a little.

[Longhorn]

12. Thanks! That's very helpful!

I'm going to a seminar Tuesday morning and another one on October 13. I've joined a couple of message boards and I'm learning all I can.

Did she say how it's going so far and what she thinks about it all? Thanks! :hi:

[AZBlue]

13. She seems really happy.

Although we went to lunch yesterday and she had cheesecake while I had a salad, lol. But, she's losing weight and feels very good about the future, so that's a positive thing. She'd just had her first fill and was adjusting to that, but it was just taking a day or two to adjust.

She also said that if you want insurance to pay for it, it can take about 6 months to go throgh the process, so you might want to start it as soon as you know you want to do it.

It's good that you're on some boards - I think the best thing to do in any situation is talk to people who have been through it - they'll tell you the real scoop! :D

[Longhorn]

14. From what I've learned,

one reason she may have had the cheesecake is because it is soft and won't get stuck. You have to chew your food until it is pulverized and eat very slowly. You also aren't supposed to drink while you eat because it washes the food down and you get hungry sooner. Since a consequence of eating too fast or too big a bite is that it comes back up, she may have wanted to avoid that in public. I've heard that lettuce can get stuck pretty easily.

Anyway, I've also learned that some people figure out how to "defeat" the band and get in more calories by eating ice cream and other rich, soft foods. I hope this isn't what's happening with your friend, at least on a regular basis.

Has she mentioned how much she has lost? When did she get the surgery? (Maybe you should see if she minds if you PM me her address! :))

[AZBlue]

15. She had the surgery at the end of August.

So it's only been about a month. I know she lost 8 pounds in the last 4 weeks. Yes, I'm sure the cheesecake was easier on her than something crunchy, especially just after a fill.

She's at a conference this week and not on DU, but I will ask her when she gets back if she minds if I give you her e-mail address!

[MissMillie]

16. I good surgeon would have never operated on her w/o

getting her to deal with her food issues.

I had gastric bypass in '04 and I had to go through a considerable amount of counselling, both group and solo sessions, before my surgeon was convinced that I would use this "tool" (and that's what bariatric surgery is--a tool, not a quick-fix) to change my life.

Not that I don't ever eat junk... I do. But I know I will be very sick if I don't get enough nutrients into my body. (Of course, Lap-band surgery doesn't affect your nutritional absorption like gastric bypass does...)

I hope your friend gets some help. Not just because of her weight, but because it sucks to have the food control you instead of the other way around.

It's a battle I'll fight all my life, no matter what I my weight is.

[auntAgonist]

4. Some helpful (maybe) information ...

http://www.obesityhelp.com/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand

Obesity help dot com has so much information on it. You can research every weight loss surgery available and find surgeons.

Good luck in your quest.

I had the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch or commonly known as DS. I've lost 163 lbs. It's been 2 years since surgery.


aA

[Longhorn]

5. Thanks, auntAgonist!

That site is very helpful! I've also joined a few Yahoo groups to learn more about it. I have "only" 70 pounds to lose so I think the lapband is a good choice for me. I was beginning to get discouraged because it seemed like all I was reading about were complaints and side-effects but I realized that this is typical on message boards -- people don't always take the time to post about everyday success! :)

I have an appointment next Tuesday and we'll see where it goes from there. How did you decide on your surgeon? :hi:

[auntAgonist]

9. At the time ..

There were only two surgeons in Michigan that performed the BPD/DS. I knew that was the surgery I wanted so I joined a DS website that had Dr reviews. There was also a live chat on sunday nights. A woman I worked with had seen one of the surgeons and had nothing but good to say. A gal I met in the online chat had the other surgeon and had nothing but good to say. Scheduling was the deciding factor after having 'interviewed' both surgeons. I would have been more than happy with either one of them.
I received the best of care I believe and have never regretted having had the operation. I did have a few problems in the first year post surgery but this past year has been uneventful!

Best of luck with whatever you choose to do. It took me 3 years of researching to make a final decision :)

:hug:

aA