Lap band weight loss surgery was introduced in the mid 1990s and has since then been practiced by doctors around the world. Today, it is the preferred form of weight loss surgery. However though lap band surgery was introduced in the 1990s, it was only in June 2001 that it was licensed to be performed in the United States.
Lap band surgery is a favored form of surgery with fewer complications than in other forms of weight loss surgery. Its success is also noted in the reduction of associated health problems of obesity like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Today, patients spend less time in a hospital after the operation than before. Patients can now resume their work within a week, which is much faster than the 2-3 weeks that was once required to recover from lap band surgery.
The greatest advantage of lap band surgery is of course, the weight loss that arises with the surgery. On an average, a patient loses about 49% of the excess body weight in the body after the surgery. There are also cases of patients losing over 69% of the excess body weight too. Patients opting for lap band surgery usually focuses on the amount of weight loss they experience with the surgery to grade its success. However the main point to take into consideration when deciding on the success of the surgery is if the patient loses sufficient weight to experience improvement in general health and quality of health.
Compared to other forms of weight loss surgeries, lap band surgery is today the least invasive form of weight loss surgery with the least hospitalization time, with quickest recovery. In addition to this, this is the only form of adjustable type of weight loss surgery where adjustments can be made to control the amount of weight that has to be lost. It is also a form of weight loss surgery which can be reversed when needed. Most importantly, lap band surgery avoids the problems that arise with stomach stapling and the rerouting of the intestinal tract that occurs with other weight loss surgeries.
The complications that arise with lap band surgery can be considered to be the generic complications that occur with any other form of surgery. Soreness in the abdominal area, respiratory problems and blood clot formations are some complications of the surgery. The patient will not be able to eat food for fifteen days after the surgery.
Thin fluids in the form of juices and milkshakes are permitted in addition to some lean protein and fresh fruits. Processed foods like cakes, chips, cookies, pies and pastries have to be avoided. Even food like shrimp, pasta, rice, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter and vegetables should be avoided as it causes blockages after an operation. Whatever food is eaten now has to be chewed thoroughly.
It can be seen that lap band has its pros and cons; however if it is performed by an experienced surgeon, then the incidence and possibility of cons is considerably reduced.
Do I understand that vegetable (raw or cooked) should be avoided forever after the Lip band surgery or just while you are recuperating from the procedure?
For me there was a 2 week liquid diet phase pre-op, two weeks post-op then soft food for two weeks then solid foods. I was never told to avoid vegetables in fact I am encoraged to eat them. Certain foods can not be tolerated and those foods differ from person to person. Bread is a big one because it swells up in the stomach and gets stuck which is very uncomfortable until it passes through the band. Basically if you can chew it to mush then you are able to eat it. I was told to eat protein first then if still hungry veggies then if still hungry carbohydrates (fruits, grains etc.) I choose to avoid breads, pastas, rice, potatoes/corn/other starchy veggies and sugar because it is necessary for me if I want to lose weight sucessfully. But I have eaten small amounts of these foods and tolerated them just fine (except soft bread–flat bread goes down fine). The point of the Lap Band is that it allows you to be satisfied on small amounts of food. I have lost 36 pounds in 2 1/2 months without feeling hungry.
Hi, I am currently in the process of deciding if the lap-band surgery is for me. What was the deciding factor that made you decide to go for this procedure?
Help I can’t make up my mind.
I am scheduled to have my lap band surgery Sept 4th and I’m scared to death.
After surgery can you feel the band in your stomach? Does it hurt? And last , is it true that if you haven’t had any kid’s they wont do the surgery?
Thanks!
I am afraid of lap band surgery or any weight loss surgery because of the idea of hanging skin. I rather be fat than have all that skin hanging is this what happens with this surgery because I know it does with gastric bypass surgery. Please help – I can’t decide.
I am researching this procedure as I am considering having this procedure done. I’m also very scared that after the surgery I will panic when I realize that my eating habits will necessarily change. I take comfort in eating. Of course this among other things, has caused me to become obese, not morbidly obese, but obese nonetheless. I have read a number of blogs and message boards among those who have undergone the surgery. Many pros and and cons. One con that terrifies me is the thought of a lump in my chest or throat! Is this absolutely avoidable if one is cautious to chew their food to liquid? Or can this happen regardless? If a band is rejected by my body how will I know and how will a physician know? Can a too tight band, or a deteriorating band be life threatening if undiagnosed? In general how are the surgeons post operation? Are they accessable in an emergency? Would any gastro…surgeon be able to handle an emergency situation if need be? I read above that on average people who have had this procedure lose 49% of their excess body weight. Why only half? If I needed to loose let’s say, 100lbs, does this mean I can expect to lose only 49-50 of those lbs? I really appreciate all of the help that is offered here. Thanks in advance.
I was 215 pounds when I got my band in March of 2005 and I did lose all my weight but I must say not eating after 5 was a saving for me. I did get pregnant last year and this caused tons of problems for me and now I am considering taking out the band. Yes you will have hanging skin all over and I just did a tummy tuck and breast reduction but it’s been great having the weight off. But you have to workout to help in all this otherwise you are just going to have empty muscle mass and skin.
help!!……..i can’t eat anything that doesnt hurt except for cottage cheese and wheat thins if chewed well. everything else is a struggle. i had my lapband surgery Aug. 18, 2008 had it filled twice, and have only lost about 35 lbs. i am a single mother of two young children and i commute 70miles a day back and forth to work. does anybody have any advice for me?
help!!……..i can’t eat anything that doesnt hurt except for cottage cheese and wheat thins if chewed well. everything else is a struggle. i had my lapband surgery Aug. 18, 2008 had it filled twice, and have only lost about 35 lbs. i am a single mother of two young children and i commute 70miles a day back and forth to work so exercise is nearly impossible. does anybody have any advice for me?
PLS HELP.. MY DAUGTHER IS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD LABPAND SURGERY ALMOST 4 WEEKS AGO.. I AM PUZZLED THAT SHE IS STILL HUNGRY AND BASICALLY EATS EVERYTHING IN SMALLER PORTIONS, BUT WAS ADVISED TO AVOID BREAD, CHCICKEN, ETC.. SHE DID 2 WEEKS OF LIQUID DIET AND THEN STARTED EATING. NO NAUSEA, NO THROWING UP, I AM PUZZLED PLS HELP.. IS THIS NORMAL???? PLS EMAIL ME ALSO AT ALINCHIK@AOL.COM.. I AM SO UPSET AND SCARED THAT IT WILL NOT WORK FOR HER…
Very fortunate to get this surg…any hints or info on best results on weight lose after surg? Thanks in advance.
I am scheduled to have Realized Band surgery (lap band) on August 31st I weigh 350 and want to get down to 250. I’ve heard that lap band surgery gives you nausea. I hate that feeling. There are many restrictions on eating (veges, fruit, bread and other starches. Could someone email me, good or bad, about their lapband surgery? Thanks, nycpdteacher@yahoo.com
Could someone email me about their lapband surgery. I heard that you often feel nauseas and you can’t eat fruits, veges, breads and other carbs. Please let me know how you are doing with your lapband surgery. Thanks, nycpdteacher@yahoo.com
im really thinking about getting lapband and i would love to hear some pros and cons of the surgery if anyone could please email me and help me out thanks
sweetestredneck1@aol.com
Hello, I JUST had the lapband surgery on September 25, 2009…if anyone would like information on how I am doing I would be happy to help you along. I can only speak though for what works for ME, and you should not consider anything I say ‘medical advice’. :)
I would really appreciate anyone emailing me regarding LAPBAND that has already had it done. My 18 year old is going to have it in January. I am so scared and want to make sure I am doing the right thing by allowing her to have this done. Plus the fact it will cost us about $14,000 to have it done. Would love to have any advise you can give us. Thanks so much. Concerned mom;)
On the above my email address is jromain777@aol.com. Thanks again, concerned mom;)
I love my lapband! i had the procedure october 23rd 2009 ive so far lost 26lbs. i just had my 1st adjustment yesterday. if anybody is thinking about getting the lapband or just reently got it and have questions please feel free 2 email me mjcb426@yahoo.com
i just had lap band surgery on 12-23-09 i am doing great and i am following my liq diet to the t, i just today had a emotional break down due to being hungry can anyone give me any suggestions or encouragement to get through this faze i want to do it correctly so i continue to loose
my mom had the lapband and yes she has lost alot of weight but she has been hospitalized so many times she is in there now with a rash and her legs and i want to know if her body is rejecting it because she is doing so awful and before yes she had problems but now it is never ending verry concerned with this because she can’t eat she is so weak and puny and i think it is the lapband how can you tell if a body is rejecteing it?please let me know!!!
Hi!! I’ve just started considering having the lapband surgery done but terrified to do it because i’m not sure if it’s the safe thing to do or if I should just stick to diet and exercise. I’m 29, 5’5, 260 lbs, I have a thyroid condition, and haven’t had and children yet. The heaviest I’ve been was 301lbs but can’t seem to get past 250 and have been struggling with this for many years now. I’m not sure what to do…any advice or comments would really help out. Thank you so much!!! haydensmommy30@rocketmail.com
I’m having lapband surgery on March 1 and am getting a bit nervous. Does anyone have any last minute advice?
The lap band is not an organ to be ‘rejected’. Your mom should get herself to a doctor to find out what’s going on. Why can’t she eat? I have a band and restriction and I can still eat…just not as much. If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me at emmyhew@gmail.com
Hi….I am thinking of having the lapband and have a few ??? How uncomfortable are you after the surgery? Do you feel hungrey a lot.? Because that’s what usually stops me. Food I hear you can’t eat is bread ,rice, pasta, sweets., chicken, meats. I need to lose weight, but I would like to have those foods in moderation. How long is recovery after surgery? Can someone answer my ????. Thank you Mary
going in for my nutrition counseling on monday and will have surgery in 2 wks or so. please send me any pros and cons you’d like to tell me about! nervous!
i would like to know more about the lapband system for my wife
I am starting the process for Lap Band surgery and I would like to know a little about it. How long are you in the hospital and how long till you can go back to work? Etc. Also what can’t you eat afterwards?
Hi,
I am now starting my pre-op testing for my Lap-Band procedure. I too have a lot of questions regarding how the band feels. Dose it bother you when you excerise or with a lot of movement?
ANYONE THAT HAS ALREADY HAD THE SURGERY, THAT ALSO HAS OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS DIABETIES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE,GLACUMA. DID THE SURGERY AFFECT ANY OF THOSE CONDITIONS? MY MOM IS CONSIDERING THIS OPERATION AND SHE IS VERY SCARED.PLZ LET ME KNOW IF ANYONE HAD THESE PROBLEMS. THANKS
I got this surgery yesterday at about 1:30 in the afternoon, I was home by 7 (and that was after picking up my kids and going to the pharmacy. I was doing laundry and errands this morning with very little pain. I took the percocet through the night but am just on tylenol (liquid) now. I have a little back pain, incision pain, and some tightness in my chest area when I eat the jello or drink, but I just go back to water (slowly) and am fine. I am so happy because I am NOT HUNGRY! Please, if you are considering this surgery and are scared please dont be–if you are in otherwise good health but morbidly obese–do it…I am nearly 34, active, but weigh just over 300 lbs…I think this will work out great…
I would just like to know from all that have had the surgery how are you feeling now? I am going to get the surgery and I am just nervous about what to expect afterwards.
hi, I am 18 and considering the Lap-Band surgery. Im 5 5 and weigh 285. I was just wanting some info on it. Im going to an informational meeting on Dec 28. But I have a few questions. Is the band uncomfortable? How long does the surgery take? How long is the whole process? From the meeting, to getting the surgery? Please email me with info and answers. Thanks!
You people should just go to a gym
bariatric surgery pros and cons? is there more benefit than lap band?
I had the lap band in June 2010. I have lost 70 pounds and im so happy i had the surgery. What foods i can and cant eat was the hardest thing to do for me after the surgery. Overall, I think the surgery was the best thing i did in my life and would do it again!
Hi,
I am considering the lap-band, been reading a lot about the pros & cons but what I am not really learning about is the actual cost. Does OHIP cover this or Great West life? If not what have everyone been paying? If no coverage, are there payment options and is this procedure done elsewhere other than Toronto…such as Ottawa. Thank you for your feedback. Huguette.Cromie@redcross.ca.
There are going to be huge adjustments in your life you are going to have to make. Throwing up is going to be part of your life if you eat just a little too quickly or even a bit too much and some of the stuff you used to eat won’t be able to be digested. Taking a year of your life out to change your eating habits and getting daily exercise of 35 minutes will make a huge difference. You won’t see the final results of the wurgery until a year from the day of your surgery anyway so you may as well make the sacrifice of doing it the natural way. My sister got it done and, well, she struggles with stuff on a daily basis, like where to get her vitamins, not being able do drink juies with fake sugar in it because it causes her heartburn, not being able to chug a glass of water when she is really thirsty because she will puke it up. Is it really that hard to try to change your eating habits? It’s a lot of work to lose weight but in the end don’t you want to be proud of yourself for making that ultimate change in your life without taking an expensive shortcut? You will have to get other cosmetic surgeries too becasue most people who take the shortcut are not willing to do the exercise required to build up your muscle to fill in the flesh pockets left by the loss of fat. So there will be more expensive surgeries to get. Think really hard before you do this. I made drastic changes to my eating habits and am now exercising daily and have lost 35 pounds in the last three months and am still losing. I only needed to lose 80lbs and am almost halfway there. And I feel GREAT!!!!
Don’t do it! Don’t give up on your ability to overcome these Issues without surgery. I believe in you all.
Hi im considering getting lap band done… alot of good and bad comments on here , i am 6’8 520 ish i am a HUGE dude i would like to get down to about 310 to 350 ish? but i am very active can u be physical with the lap band in? i play in semi pro football league is the reason i ask.. please email me at eatit77@hotmail.com if u got any info … thanks alot
-dusty
Hi, I’m interested in the Lap band surgery but my main concern is the saggy skin. Is it possible for my skin to go back in place on it’s own or is it always necessary to do the tummy tuck surgery after.
Hello, I am interested in the lap band surgery. I would appreciate any info from someone who has had this procedure done. My doctor recommended this procedure and if all goes well. I should have it done by the end of the year.
Lap band is for those too lazy to lose weight the old fashioned way. Now you cant eat any of the goodies you used to. What a shame. no red meat, no burgers, pizza, fries, cakes, candies, pies, cookies. you cant even enjoy a thanksgiving dinner.
Hey okie dokie i feel sorry for losers like your self so F U. Guys i have lost over 80 lbs in the past year without the surgery. I was walking 3 to 4 miles a day and still eating what i wanted to eat jus smaller protions. Well now i went from being 310 to 230. Ive tried in the past couple of months to get lower than 230 an i just havent been able to so thats why im deciding on having the lap band surgery!
To all of you people who are telling us “fat” ones to exercise and stuff… you should back off!! Some of us aren’t doing it because its “the easy way out.” Some of us are doing it because we feel we dont have a choice. I have been about 120 pounds over weight for about 10 years now. I have tried everything! At one point, I lost 40 pounds, but then gained 60 back. I exercise EVERYDAY! I watch what I eat all the time. And yet, STILL I am FAT! If this surgery will help me lose weight… and add 10-15 years to my life so I can spend with my daughters, then I will be happy to do it. God will take care of me. Just because you skinny folks or you people who can easily lose weight, think that we shouldn’t do this for whatever your reasons are… you should back off. This is a hard decision for people to make and you don’t make it easier by being negative or putting down “the fat folk.”
So to all of you who think you need the surgery. Do your research, find a good doctor, pray, and do what you need to do, in order to live a healthier, better life for yourselves!!
I’m scheduled to have the surgery in February. I’ve been struggling with my weigth my entire life. I’m in my mid-fifties and have lost hundreds of pounds over the years and have gained even more.In 2004, I lost 120lbs. I exercised lightly everyday and felt amazing.(BTW, I believe exercise was the reason why i didn’t have saggy skin after that quick loss). But,like every program i’ve ever followed, the maintenance period is the most challenging and I have found, impossible to sustain. My ex couldn’t understand how i kept yo-yoing. “Just do it” he’d say. “you’ve done it before.” His metabolism allowed him to be slender without thinking about every bite. I’m going through with this surgery, which I see as an expensive act of desperation, for one reason – it will help me where i am the weakest and the most likely to fail – the maintenance.