NBR: Lap Band?

GatorNurse

Any experiences? Considering looking into this.

karleegirl

I had gastric bypass and am very happy. Just keep in mind all of the weight loss surgeries aren't easy and they're just a tool. You have to keep up your part. From what I understand lap band is easier to "cheat" with, but a much easier surgery than bypass.

dmsny

My mom and my sister both had it done about 3.5 years ago. My mom has lost 85 lbs but my sister did not make any progress. You can pretty much eat whatever you want but in much smaller quantities. Sometimes things do not get past the smaller stomach opening to be digested and you may wind up spitting up what you just ate. The surgery is definitely not as invasive as gastric bypass.  

kyethra

I have the band.  I really love it-- I have had it for a few years and lost over 80 pounds and wanted to lose more.  I was at an adult low when I got pregnant.  But then halfway through my pregnancy I had trouble keeping food down and got it completely unfilled-- something I wouldn't do again.  I was starving all the time and gained 80 pounds   Now I am working on losing the weight again. A large part of the band is knowing what to eat and making good choices.  I feel like the band at the right restriction really makes me able to do that.  Before it was like my stomach always said feed me now and feed me more.  Now I get hungry and I have to negotiate eating well and all that.  If I am too hungry then I need a fill. If I am so tight I can't eat half an apple, then I need to get some fluid taken out.  I love the way it is adjustable and the surgery wasn't bad, however the weight loss caused gall stones and my gall bladder came out six weeks later.  I like the on going support too-- I am about to call my bariatric center and consult with a nutritionist since I feel a little lost on what I should be eating while I nurse and so forth.  I just realized how many calories were in the nuts I had been snacking on and now I need better ideas.

Floridamom224

i have seen both positive and negatives of both the lap ban and the gastric bypass.  My sister in law had the gastric bypass and was very sick after.  but, I think a lot of it had to do with her own food choices.  But she ended up in the hospital and had to have her gallbladder removed after several galstone issues.  I also have another friend who had gastric bypass and now can only eat liquids because she was diagnosed with gastroparesis.  But I have two other friends ( a husband and wife) who had it done and have had enormous success.  ENORMOUS! 

One of my bridesmaids had the lap band and tho she looks fantastic, she had a really hard battle wtih it.  She could not keep food down and then had trouble with the adustments of the band. 

It just depends on your sitch.  I have seen the gastric covered by insurance tho and the lap band not.