Question:
weight loss with the band?

I am looking into the lap band. Last night I went to a weight-loss seminar for WLS. They made it sound like if you got the band you had to be on a strict diet and should only expect to lose about 1 pound each week. From what I have seen here, it seems like people lose more then that? Also, aren't you restricted as to how much you can eat like with bypass? Soooo.....your gonna lose right? Kinda confusing. Any info would help! Thanks    — need2dothis (posted on October 2, 2009)

October 2, 2009
Hi Cindy, I got banded 6weeks ago and have been losing 5lbs a week. Im down almost 30lbs! Yes the is a very strict diet but the truth is you're not very hungry. I like the band better because the long term result are better than the other wls. Good luck with choosing which surgery is right for you!! Take care! ~Allison
   — alicutshair

October 3, 2009
The diet is not as strict as by=pass as we can have sugar. (not recommened, but does not give the dumping) The pre & post diet are similiar. 1 lb a week is considered healthy weight loss. Tere are weeks you lose more, but others you don't lose d/t plateaus when the body is catching up, so it does average out about 1 lb a week. Often the weight loss is even less the first 6 weeks or so after surgery since there is no fill.
   — Donna O.

October 3, 2009
I am 5 years post-op. I have the Lap-Band and am at my goal weight. It took me about 3 years to reach my goal, but I felt like I was 20 years younger by the end of the first year. At any point along the way down from there, my health was good, and the continuing weight loss was just "icing on the cake". I lost almost a dress size a month for the first 6 months. But I have found that everyone is different. Some don't loose any at first, until they have their first couple of "fills". Others loose 50 pounds in the first 2-3 months. Most of us fall in between those two extremes. As I lost more weight, my weight loss began to slow down. The closer I got to my goal, the slower the weight came off. Also, like everyone else, I had periods of plateau, and even 2 or 3 times when I regained 5-10 pounds. I was patient with myself, and just returned to the basics (followed my doctor's guidelines and made sure to increase my activity level). Sure enough, the weight came back off. Plateaus are normal for everyone. Your body occasionally needs to adjust to all of the changes it is experiencing due to the weight loss. As far as which surgery is best, I am partial to the Lap-Band. Initially I choose the band because of medication I take that is absorbed in the portion of the stomach that is removed with by-pass surgery. I am very glad I went this route once I began to find out more about what the by-pass patients have to go through. There are 2 advantages up-front with the Lap-Band. It is reversible (which one person in our group needed to have done due to other health reasons). It is also adjustable. One of our group members became pregnant, and they simply took all of the fluid out of her band so she could take-in a normal amount of food. The monthly doctor's visits for the adjustments had many benefits for me along the way, besides the obvious. I developed a good relationship with my surgeon, so when problems came up, they were easier to resolve. Do you want to see a stranger or someone familiar with you when you have a problem? Even though all WLS patients need to take a multivitamin and calcium supplement, By-pass patients have to keep track of so much more. Many regularly have blood drawn to check their protein and nutrient levels. They have more malabosoprtion problems and require more supplements, including sublingual vitamins or vitamin shots. They also have to deal with the "dumping" syndrome when they eat inappropriate foods (esp. sugar). They may get clammy, sweaty, feel faint, get nauseous, etc. After the several months (depending upon how much weight you have to loose), the two diets are very similar. There are a few more restrictions on Lap-Banders, like not eating lettuce or vegetables with too much fiber, no breads, noodles, or rice, etc. during the beginning phase of weight loss. The band itself is the cause of this. You are simply unable to eat these things. Not being able to swallow and feeling like there is a boulder in your chest pretty much keeps you from making that mistake again. Eventually, though, most Lap-Band patients can eat almost any food they could previously (just not as much). Both surgeries are only tools, not magic "fixes". You need to eat a good healthy diet, and avoid junk food. Remember that with the limited quantity of food you'll be able to eat each day, you want to MAXIMIZE your nutrition. After the first 2 years, I was able to return to a diet more similar to my families. I still avoid bread, limit pasta, rarely eat rice, and still cannot swallow some vegetables with too much fiber (like lettuce). On special occasions, I enjoy a dessert or "less nutritious" choice with my family. I just fill up on nutritious food first, leaving only enough room for 1 or 2 bites. You'll be surprised that once you've had the surgery, you actually feel full and satisfied. You won't want to over-eat (esp. since it usually leaves a very uncomfortable feeling when you do). Remember this is a life-long journey toward health, not a diet you're going on for a few months. You'll find a way to prepare and enjoy new meals that taste great and are good for you, and you'll learn what you can have when you are eating out. I encourage you to find and join a weight loss surgery support group in your area (ask the surgery group you are going to be using for information on the group they recommend). Begin attending the meetings now, prior to surgery. You can talk others who have gone through the different types of surgeries and get your questions answered, get advice, and find support. I attended a support group with many people who had the same surgery, by the same surgeon, and within a year or two of mine. There are only a few of us who have reached our goal weight (although most of the others are still working toward theirs). I've reached and maintained mine due in large part to regular visits with my surgeon (including getting regular "fills" when needed), following the surgeon's guidelines, and regular attendance to a support group. In fact, I became the support group leader in my town. The more information you have, and the more you reach out for support, the better your chances of success. Whichever surgery you decide is best for you, I wish you all of the best. God Bless.
   — KimM

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