Lap Band - Odessa,TX

The biggest advice I can give is that you have to be willing to 100% change your lifestyle forever or it will be a very expensive temporary fix!!! I have had many family members get some form of stomach shrinking done and they initially lose the weight but it comes back when they resume the lifestyle that got them there in the first place. I had looked into having it done and when I found out the cost I changed my mind just because I knew my family's history with having it done. I lost the weight the good old fashioned way. All that being said, I am sure that this type of surgery is very successful for many people or it would not still be around. Good luck in whatever you decide!!

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Search out gastric sleeve it is better. The band is known to slip off. I work in the hospital and our weight loss surgeons have stopped doing the band because of that.

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My mother had lap-band a year ago and has lost 30 pounds. She currently weighs around 300 pounds so she still has a LONG way to go. The weight does not come off as fast with lap-band (as opposed to gastric bypass) and you have to be 100% committed to doing whatever it takes to get healthier. I think my mom thought the weight was going to magically disappear and what she has learned over the course of this year is that just simply is not the case. She is now going through behaviour modification therapy, attending regular OA meetings, exercising, and seeing a nutritionist. If you aren't willing to do those things, then it's probably not worth having the surgery. Best wishes to you!

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I had the surgery almost a year ago and have ogne from 260 lbs to 163 That is 97 lbs gone and it is fantastic.
I went through Journey Lite with Dr St Laurent. He and his staff are fantastic with the aftercare program..
I am so glad I made this decision and that I chose Journey Lite. It really isn't that hard once you pay attention to what the nutritionist tells you and follow the guidlines for eating and such. You can email me at ____@____.com if you want any further info.

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Hi D.,

I am a mother of 4 and a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I work with women one on one to help them with nutritional guidance and simple lifestyle changes that will last a lifetime.

Lap band surgery is a drastic measure! I would love to teach you step by step how to make changes in your food and life that will give you more energy, weight loss, and a complete control to live the life you meant to live. If you give your body what it needs, them it can heal itself naturally and in a safe healthy way.
Please check out my business in mamasource. You can also email me at kathleentisdale.com

Good luck to you!
K.

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Do it!! Best thing I've ever done. Remember, it is NOT a miracle cure. It is only a TOOL to help you loose weight. It is a lifelong commitment and if you return back to your old eating habits, you will gain weight. It is also NOT the easy way out. You have to plan your meals accordingly to stay successful on your weight loss journey.

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Dauraice,
I had mine done nearly 6 years ago. What kind of information are you looking for? I have lost a total of 80lbs it took me nearly a year once I was dedicated to my fills and band maintenance. Since my surgery I have had three children. The band seems like an easy out and in a way it is but you have to be dedicated to the band and how it works You have to realize that there will be food that just won't work for you and you might even go through a morning period for those eating habits. IT took me years to figure out what I could eat and how I could eat it and I struggle to this day. The band only works if you have it adjusted, just because it's on there does not mean your going to drop your weigh. I had mine done in 2003 got pregnant 6 months later had another baby 3 years latter and then started getting my fills. Since that point I finally started to loose the weight and I think I am finally at a happy point in my weight.

S.

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I know a lady that just had it done, she was in really bad shape for a couple weeks, now is feeling better, she says she has a good day, a bad day, a good day , a bad day. She does have a lot of other medical issues though such as diabetes and she was in a wheel chair from weight and health issues too. but she is begining to feel good sometimes anyway! It's not an easy procedure, you have to be very strong willed. she has to take one hour to eat 2 oz of food, and she cant drink at all for a period of time before during and after that 2 oz. but she has to drink 64 oz of liquids in a day. she drinks 2 protein shakes 12-16 oz each. To hear her describe her routine, it sounds exhausting! She doesn't work, but I would imagine it would be impossible to work on this plan at least till things settle down a lot! it seems all consuming! That's what I have gotten from what she has said. Be sure you are ready and well informed before you do this, it is a drastic measure and certainly not an easy fix! Blessings S.

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D.,
I had the gastric bypass. i considered lapband, but considering the fact you have to keep regular appointments & go in the office & have the band filled with saline which is done with a needle to keep it tight, I myself decided against it. that seemed like too much sugar for a dime so to speak & I dont like needles :) But I also just did not want the hassle of repeated visits to keep the band refilled & pumped up tight. If you are the type that can deal with that, go for it, Im not!
I'm very pleased with the gastric bypass. It too is something that requires learning what you can & cannot eat, (some things make you throw up) but not many.
You might want to weigh the pro's & cons on both.
the band is removable, thats a good thing, but it can also slip, etc.
Best Wishes in your decision :)

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I had the surgery the end of May and have lost 35 pounds. You do have to commit to a new lifestyle as if you were doing it the old fashion way. Diet and exercise are still a big part of the process, the band helps me not feel deprived or starving. It is a tool, not the whole solution for me. Good luck and do your research on your doctor. Look for one that has a follow up program and good staff as you will deal with them more than the doctor on questions and follow ups.

email me anytime if you need a weight-loss buddy!

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Hi D.,

My advice to you is to lose weight the "old fashion way" since improvement modifications like losing weight HAS to be ingrained in your everyday life or else it will only be a temporary thing.

I speak from experience since I was 25-30 lbs heavier (than I am now) when I was in middle and high school. I lost weight a little bit at a time. I refer to it as "food management" and "exercise management" since you have to manage these areas just like money management, etc.

Now, 24 years later, I have kept the weight off, even after having three kids, the youngest being 10 months old.

Please keep in mind that you didn't gain your weight overnight so it would be unrealistic to think that it will come off overnight.

Surgery is a MAJOR event and I always wondered why folks would want to go under the knife (and put your body at risk) to take a "short cut" (no pun intended) to lose weight? There may be very few instances where surgery is the only answer. However, you will reap many more rewards in the end if you do it right the old fashion way by managing your food and incorporating exercise into your lifestyle.

Put your mind to it and you will do great! Start off small and slowly build up.

You go girl!

Hope this helps!
K.

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Yes. Someone in my family has with no complications. But, she is still very overweight. I was under the impression that after a few years you need to go back in and retighten it and she has never done that due to insurance issues. She did lose weight though and looks healthier than before. But, it has not solved the issue nor did she lose as much as she had expected.

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I am a dietitian and i work with weight loss surgery patients. At our hospital, our surgeon performs the lap band and gastric bypass. (he also does the sleeve but not too often) With the lap band, i find some patients get a little inpatient or frustrated with the gradual weight loss. It is just a restrictive procedure, so if you eat the wrong kind of foods, this tool may not be very effective for you. But, it's just a tool and you have to make every effort in making it work. You have to be comfortable and prepared that it may take from 2-4 yrs. to lose your excess weight. You also have to remember that you didn't gain it overnight, so it won't come off as rapid as you would like it to be. However, we have some very successful patients that are doing very well. It all depends on what type of person you are and you really have to assess your relationship with food. The gastric bypass is considered the gold standard, so that may be another option you could look into. The majority of our patients that have this surgery have no regrets. Maybe the regret that they should have done it sooner. Remember, the decision is up to you. You're the only one living in your shoes and don't let anyone else convince you of what they think is best for you. All in all, just be prepared emotionally, physcially and of course mentally. Good luck with everything!

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My cousins wife had it done and has had lots of problems. She would not do it again. Hope that helps.

There's a really great lap band forum that I frequent. It has great advice from those who've had the procedure. I lost all my weight (65 lbs) on my own & didn't take long either plus kept it off for about 12 yrs but after having a child 6 yrs ago I developed hypothyroidism & now I weigh more than I ever did. VERY depressing & distressing to me. I now have to consider some type of procedure to help me now since it's virtually impossible to lose weight w/this disorder so that's why I started visiting this website forum. It really helped me learn more about the procedure & the possible outcomes & consequences of it (i.e. foods that you may have to give up, etc.). Here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/
Which ever way you choose to lose weight, I wish you the best of luck!!

I can give you my experience. I had the band placed in Apr of 2007. I lost a total of 25 pounds. I was in every 6 weeks for an adjustment but we could never find the 'sweet spot'. It was either not enough restriction or so tight I could not swallow water. It has been a long 2+ years. I gained back the 25 plus a few more. Long story short...I have friends and co-workers who have been successful and some who have not. As for me, I am scheduled in October to have my band removed and converted to a gastric bypass. Good luck with your decision. Do your research and ask alot of questions!!