New to this

After too many years thinking that all I needed was will-power, I have a referral to see a specialist.  I am at the beginning of this journey.  Gastric by-pass scares me and I am going to discuss the lap band as I think that would be a good choice for me.

After so many short-term successes followed by long-term failure, I am wondering if anyone could give me tips for long term success.  I know I have to prepare for a total lifetime change.

The only thing that bothers me is not being able to drink seltzer water.  Is there harm to drinking plain carbonated water like seltzer or club soda?

Also, this may seem like a stupid question, but how is failure possible if you physically can't eat large amounts of food?  I hear about people regaining and because that is a failure of mine, I am wondering what the pitfalls are, other that I am assuming eating high calorie sauces that go down easier.

What are some of the dangers I should look out for, if I should get this surgery.

Pretty sure I will qualify.  My insurance doesn't look at BMI but I have a LOT of co-morbidities.  The requirement is to be over 100lbs over the Met life Ideal which I am borderline 100 lbs over depending on how they measure my frame.

Put it this way, I am in the weird postition of not being able to lose weight until I qualify!  Seems silly to say ok for 100lbs and one co-morbidity and not allow you to be less than 100lbs with 4-5 co-morbidities, but I have to work with the policy requirements.

I've read up some on this, but nothing beats the info from people who have gone through it.  I'd appreciate any advice on this.

Regards,

Aileen

Welcome.

You should research all of your WLS options (RNY, Banding, VSG and DS) -- there are boards here for all of them.

Doctor's seem to vary widely on their position on 'carbonation consumption' post-op.
Some will tell you 'never again', some will tell you 'all things in moderation' --- find out what your surgeon recommends and plan to follow those orders.

As far as 'failing' ---- the band works best with lean/solid protein.  A small amount usually fills our pouch, and satisfies our hunger for several hours.

If you eat anything that is not 'lean/solid protein', you can take in more calories than you need.
Liquid calories, soft/mushy foods, sweet/slider foods all can be over-consumed.

The band does not diminish our desire for those foods --- and the band lets them go down with little restriction --- so, it takes alot of calories to satisfy our hunger (and it if is emotional hunger, it takes even more).

I can eat 2 - 3 ounces of steak before I have to stop (about 60 - 100 calories).
I can eat probably 8 ounces of Tortillia chips before I have to stop (about 1,200 calories) --- I have not tried it - but I think I probably could.

it is also possible to graze almost constantly with the band --- you eat, fill your pouch, wait 30 minutes and eat again --- all day long.

Those behaviors can lead to physical problems --- dialated esophogus if you consistently overeat your band's capacity, possible slippage and possible erosion.

It is best to address any psychological issues you have with overeating before you commit to a surgery type.

Good luck in your research.

Thank you, that's a lot of good information. 

That was a really helpful and thoughtful post.
Makes me think about how easily I just eat things without thinking through things.
I definately eat when I am not hungry. Its comforting.
Thank you!

Vicki
Dallas
www.drdkim.net/contest
please vote for me so I can win a free weight loss surgery
 

The band is alot more work than the other choices out there. I would talk to your Dr about your personal eating habits and see what they think about what your surgery choices would be.  I was told no carbonation of any kind ever after surgery. I am hard headed and have tried a time or two to test the waters and it is very uncomfortable for me. the bloating and discomfort make it not worth it for me to even try. So no carbonation for me. There may also be foods that you cannnot eat after surgery as they will not go down well for you. For me I cannot do rice,french fries,pizza dough,pasta or breads. I can eat the occasional chip or tortilla chip and crackers . I have to be really careful meat wise that the meat is tender and soft. I mainly eat fish however I do eat some beef and some chicken but it gives me trouble alot. Pork is almost a no for me to dry . I will say for me my band is a fickle friend some days all is well and I get everything down fine others it is a soup and liquid kind of day. This happens frequently around my time of the month or if I am in a high humidity climate or get upset.  It takes awhile to learn to re-eat chewing well and not drinking with your meals and for 30 mins after. I tell you this not to scare you off but to be honest about life after the band. Also as mentioned in the above post you can esaily eat "around" your band by eating easy to get down high calories foods.
Aftercare is very important after being banded because the band does not work if you do not get regular adjustments. As a point of reference I have gone to my surgeon pretty much every 4 to 6 wks since surgery and recieved fills and one unfill at almost every appt. Not all but most.

All that said I LOVE MY BAND !!!! I have happily given up all those things I cannot eat now in exchange for the 60 lbs and countless inches I have shed in the past year. :) The quality of my life is drastically different .  I have gone from a snug 24 to a 16 in jeans. I often get XL or L shirts my feet have gone down almost a size and a half ! I buy my undies by the pair not in a bag of 6.:D and I no longer sweat profusely or keep anyone awake snoring and I can walk around the mall without hurting or sweating to death. I am no longer a slave to food I eat to live not live to eat and I am not worried if the largest serving in a restaurant is going to leave me satisfied or not. I can order off the kids menu:) I would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Good luck in making your decision and take advantage of all the good info here and on other websites and thru your surgeon!

Hi Aileen,

First, welcome. 

Second, seltzer is something some people can handle and others can't.  When I had my band for over 3 years, I could handle soda of any sort, but only if I sipped slowly. 

Third, regain occurs for a lot of reasons.  The band is the easiest weight loss surgery to "eat around".  There is absolutely nothing that will stop you from downing a gallon of ice cream, a full bag of chips or the toppings off a pizza. 

Weight loss with the band occurs only when you're tight enough to limit your consumption.  Reaching that "sweet spot" takes time, so be prepared to struggle for a few months in the beginning.  You will be "dieting" for a while until the band's capacity kicks in.

I have a question for you: Why haven't you looked into the VSG?  The VSG is purely a restrictive surgery (your intestines are not touched at all) and there is no way to "eat around" the VSG - what you hold is all you hold. Period.

Might be worth looking into.  Just check out all your options before you go forward.  That was my mistake - when I went in for my first weight loss surgery, I was only aware of two options available; lap band and gastric bypass.  I had no idea the VSG or DS existed.

Best of luck to you.

I'm new on here too. I just completed my visit with the surgeon, nutritionist, coordinator. I have to lose 19 pounds, but once I get within 5 pounds of my goal weight then I call in and leave a message (Kaiser Bariatrics) and they will put me on a wait list for a psychological evaluation, then once I get to my goal weight, they will review my chart for approval and schedule a surgery (2 months out) if approved. The doctor I met with or shall I say most Kaiser doctors are not very supportive of the lapband which left me feeling very discouraged. I feel it's the right choice for me in terms of the recovery period, slower weight loss which I feel is best in order for my body to adjust and not have so much sagging skin, least invasive procedure which I need in order to keep up with a toddler and being a single mom.

From what I understand it seems as if the failure is related to not having the band filled enough, or not changing your eating habits. Overeating can cause you to get sick and the band to slip as well.  Not sure what causes the erosion. That's my only fear. My dr explained it as having a belt tied tightly around your waist and as it gets tighter and tighter...what happens to the skin? It gets red, itchy and raw.  This aside, I'm still going for it. I'm very positive the lapt band is the right "tool" for me.. Everyone's body is differnent but I'm positive it can work. Lots of great advice and support on here. Just think positive and do your research so that you make the right decision for you. Good luck!

The band is only a tool to help you lose weight.

You have to go on a regular diet, just like you would if you joined WW or any other weight loss group. You will lose weight inititally from the surgery itself, but it's up to you to follow your diet, do your exercise and attend some kind of support group or find a nutritionist. You also must write down your calories and record your exercise to make sure you are on track every day.

The benefit of the band is that you can go on your diet, and not feel overly hungry in between. You will also fill up faster than you would without it. If you have a period when you can't exercise, you most likely will not gain weight back if you stick to a diet.

But, you won't lose weight with the band, even with a few adjustments, if you don't go on a regular diet and excerise about 45 mins to an hour a day.

The amount of discipline involved is probably what drives doctors away from receommending a lapband. If patients want quick results, the band won't be a good option for them. However, eventually, all bariatric patients must diet and exercise and must record  daily calories and exercise religiously.
 
If you check out the success stories on other boards, you will see the amount of work people must do to lose weight and keep it off.

The reality is, not everyone is cut out for a band. You need a lot of motivation, and inherent discipline. You must diet and exercise regularly. And you will need a support group.

Without these  things, failure is very likely.