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NIFR: Anyone know about lap band surgery?

madelyn07madelyn07 member
in Infertility

I know nothing about this procedure but my SIL just told me she is going to have it soon. And I'm really scared for her because, well, she never sticks with anything and I'd imagine that could be a very bad combination with a surgery like that...

I've know my SIL for almost 5 years now and she's been on a diet the entire time and lost maybe 20 pounds and gained probably 50. She always has some new fad or obession or goal..and it usually ends up bitting her in the butt.

She just told me she hopes to have the surgery within the next few months and wants to be down 100+ pounds in the next 6 months.

Anyone have any knowledge or experiences to share with me?

 

TTC #1 since June 2008 *SAIFW*

TI, IUIs, IVF = c/ps and BFNs

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Re: NIFR: Anyone know about lap band surgery?

  • sheila1108sheila1108
    The only knowledge I have is that a new surgeon at my hospital does this & other bariatric surgeries. I do know they require pretty extensive psychological testing prior to surgery to make sure the patient knows what they are in for & the changes they need to make. I'm not sure how people do after wards because I only see them in the immediate post op period.
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  • etoyamaetoyama member
    Eeek I'd be worried about her plans too. As Sheila said already, I do know most physicians require psychological testing before considering a patient a good candidate for the surgery. As you and I know all too well, surgery isn't anything to take lightly :(
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  • vanessagorcvanessagorc member

    I have some knowledge bc I work for a diabetes care company...and obesity is a huge part of that.

    There are a lot of success stories and as many failures.  I assume the success is obvious.

    The drawbacks-People tend to have pych reasons for gaining a lot of weight, and the surgery doesn't address any of them.  So people still have those same issues, but their "drug of choice" food is now gone. 

    Hence a lot of depression, and other issues.  Also the longterm success data is not strong.

    There is a lot of counseling...but it's still a very major thing with a lot of risks.

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  • JamieJeanSJamieJeanS

    100 lbs in 6 months is very unrealistic, and if she has mentioned this as her goal to her surgeon, I would imagine they would need to either educate her better or send her to their counselors for more testing of readiness.

     

    Many bariatric patients have done every diet under the sun, so just the fact that she's 'tried everything" without success doesn't exclude her from qualifying for banding.

     

    I can tell you first hand that bariatric surgery is not easy by any means, and not at all the easy way out.  If anything, it's the hardest way to go about weight loss.  These surgeries do not solve the problems.  You still have to eat healthy, watch caloric intake, and exercise.  You don't just get some band slapped on and weight just falls off and stays off.    I know this because I had the surgery almost 2 years ago.  I lost 70 lbs in the first year, and in the second year gained 50 back!  I gained it back because I allowed myself to stop watching my food intake and stopped exercising.  So, getting the surgery does not mean she will never struggle with the weight.  It means she has a lifetime of work ahead of her.

     

    I hope that was helpful.

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