WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY - LAPBAND OR GASTRIC SLEEVE???

[maddys79]

31 year old female at 151kgs, now at the end of my whitz trying to lose weight, I've tried almost everything, and nothing seems to work, I go gym 4 times a week try to eat properly but nothing seems to work. I've signed up to have health insurance at the beginning of the year to help cover the medical costs involved with getting a lapband done, so next year March will be a year and I'll be able to go ahead to book surgery. I've been doing more research on the Lapband, and find that it seems like so much work, concentrating on how many times you have to chew, it just sounds like eating is more of a chore than anything, the gastric sleeve sounds a little drastic but seems like the better way to go. If any of yous have had either the lapband or gastric sleeve done, please let me know how you went and what your results are?? Much appreciated Maddy.

Current Weight: 151kgs
Goal weight: 85kgs
size clothes: 24/26
BMI: 56

[col5353]

Hi Maddy, Good on you for making the decision to help reduce your weight. I'm a big fan of the lap band, I had mine for 6 months and loved it. Alas it didnt love me, or I didnt chew something long enough and ended up having to have it removed. Three months later went down the gastric sleeve route. At the beginning of my surgery I was 147.5kg, I'm now 92kg, getting down as low as 86kgs. But the last year has seen me reducing my exercise and eating more crap! Something neither the band or the sleeve will control. But the positives are huge (no pun intended) my blood pressure is normal, my heart rate is normal, cholesterol is low, no sign of diabetes. I pick up a huge bag of chicken grain and wonder how I ever lived carrying two of those 20kgs bags around all the time. I'm guessing you have been to one or more of the free info sessions the surgeons and lap band manufacturers put on. If not go along to one and ask as many questions as you want. They should have patients there that have had either procedure - talk to them afterwards. I'd hate to think how my life would be, if I hadnt had the surgery. So good luck.

Colin

[dragonfly]

I'm in a simialr position as you, I'm 32 lol
but last year I got gp refferal, went to see the specialist, got the hospital stuff, and HBF benefits schedule orgnaised, and then chickened out.
I just dont think the lap band is right for me.
it is a tool, and not a be all end all for weightloss. you still need to work at it, and I dont think i can handle the strictness of it.
the gastric sleeve i would lean towards that more, as I have a few friends with both, and prefer the storys they give me, over the lapband ones.
but it is drastic, and never reversible.

I also have a friend who has lost alot of weight, as she can only eat a tiny amount of food. but the food she eats is timtams for breakfast, pizza (1 slice) for lunch, and chicken nuggets and KFC for dinner. only a tiny amount compared to before, but she hasnt changed her eating habbits, just reduced what she eats.

so many people I see who have lost weight with lapband and gastric sleeves look like they lack vitamins and altho skinny, dont look healthy.

if you chose either one, its still a diet you must go on, and still eat healthily.

as much as I want to loose weight, I want to do it on my own. because its something I have to do for the rest of my life.

but all of my friends love having it, and wouldnt change a thing. but me personally, I am not ready for that.

[CronicBadger]

Actually diet is an important aspect after any surgery and when it comes to laparoscopic adjustable gastric band then it becomes vey important to follow a post operative gastric lap band surgery diet so that to avoid the sever complications like band slippage or erosion. The complete period is divided in different phases or time frames for the easy understanding of the diet plan for the lap band patients.

[CronicBadger]

I do not have any clue about Lap Band Surgery. If you have any doubt in your mind with this surgical process then you can go for alternative option of Duodenal Switch surgery or Bariatric weight loss surgery. In my case I have opt for duodenal switch surgery and have got successful results. I recommend you the same. But before making a choice consult your doctor and take his advise.

[priteshppt]

I have no idea about LAP BAND or GASTRIC but one of my friend have taken cool sculpting from a surgeon in Sydney and happy with his new shape. Cool sculpting is a non-invasive treatment that reduces unwanted stubborn fat cells by simply freezing them away! On average you'll see a 20 per cent reduction in fat in the area treated after just one visit. only because of this reason i don't think it has any-side effect after treatment.

[weigh tloss]

Weight loss surgery? Hmmm I never jump in that conclusion yet seems scared about the side effects... but I will consider that in case nothing happens to my daily routine in losing weight.

[gail]

Hello, I had my lap band done 11 yrs ago in Melb, by Dr Paul Dumbrell. I was around 87 kg. I did loose about 60% of the eight I wanted, So it wasn't that bad. When I first had it done, it slipped after awhile. They then replaced it. Over the last couple of yrs.I have put all of that weight back on. I went back to surgeon and my fluid had dropped down to 1 1/2 mls. So he increased it slowly until I got up to 3 1/2mls, then I couldn't eat or drink hardly anything. And I became dehydrated & had to have it empted. Then started again back up to 3 1/2 mls. Then I got very bad reflux & had to have it removed again. He then did test to see if it had slipped, leaking or corroded. Then the last test was a light put down my throat to see if there was anything. All test showed nothing. So he said he has no idea why it isn't working. So now he says I need to decide if I want to leave it in , remove it all together & have a sleeve? Has anybody had both surgeries? And would like to talk about it? My current weight is 84.7 I'm 160 tall And age 61. I want to get down to 65kg.

[admin]

HI Gail,

Interesting.....thanks for sharing. There are a lot of people who want to know about others who have had this done.

Cheers

Sharrelle

[Blitz]

That number 87kg always gets my interest. That's the amount that I lost!

I've read a number of books of people who have gone through it. They swear by it but they all have the type of tales you tell. It certainly doesn't seem an easy path and success isn't guaranteed at all.

When I was losing weight a friend of a friend was also losing a great deal of weight. I would pester her for tips on her success. Finally she leveled with me that she had the procedure. She wasn't proud of the fact. She also told of two work colleagues who had it done - it failed for both of them. I believe she succeeded because she changed her lifestyle not because of the lap banding. She had changed her lifestyle into a healthy one. Lap banding is a cure all. Those who undergo it will only succeed if lifestyle change occurs.

To me it makes more sense to forget about drastic surgery with it's dangers and expense - and just embrace the healthy lifestyle which you need to do anyway.

Kim

[gail]

Hello, I had my lap band done 11 yrs ago in Melb, by Dr Paul Dumbrell. I was around 87 kg. I did loose about 60% of the eight I wanted, So it wasn't that bad. When I first had it done, it slipped after awhile. They then replaced it. Over the last couple of yrs.I have put all of that weight back on. I went back to surgeon and my fluid had dropped down to 1 1/2 mls. So he increased it slowly until I got up to 3 1/2mls, then I couldn't eat or drink hardly anything. And I became dehydrated & had to have it empted. Then started again back up to 3 1/2 mls. Then I got very bad reflux & had to have it removed again. He then did test to see if it had slipped, leaking or corroded. Then the last test was a light put down my throat to see if there was anything. All test showed nothing. So he said he has no idea why it isn't working. So now he says I need to decide if I want to leave it in , remove it all together & have a sleeve? Has anybody had both surgeries? And would like to talk about it? My current weight is 84.7 I'm 160 tall And age 61. I want to get down to 65kg.

[Blitz]

oops...my last post should read: Lap banding is NOT a cure all.

Kim

[gail]

[quote][/quote]Today I went for a second surgeon's opinion, they say I can have a By Pass, but a sleeve isn't recommended as I have had 2 bands, & would be at higher risk than By Pass. Anybody been to either Paul Dumbrell for this Or Dr. Arly, ? both near Heidelberg Melb

[Blitz]

I have a no risk solution you might want to try instead!...forget the surgery and just concentrate on eating healthy and exercising instead!

Simpler, safer...and cheaper!

Kim