Lapband Surgery - Jackson,NJ

I had it done in January of 05 and I lost 100 pounds. It was THE BEST decision I have ever made. Keep in mind it is a lifestyle change but worth every bit of change I made. I have no horror stories. If you stick to what they tell you to do, you will be fine!!

R., I would do whatever possible to avoid this surgery. The Weight Loss Cure by Kevin Trudeau (read the original for free online: Pounds and Inches by Dr. Simeons) is the real deal. It works and you will get rid of unnecessary fat, not the good fat or muscle. If you want to talk about it, feel free to call me. It's one of the safest ways to lose weight that actually works even for those with food addictions and those whom nothing else has worked for. I would estimate that an obese person will lose about 3/4 of a pound/day for up to 40 days before taking a break, then proceeding again 6 weeks later. This resets the hypothalamus. On people that just CAN'T lose weight from diet and exercise, this is the problem. I'm not saying it's the easiest diet on earth to do but it's better than surgery and not being able to eat any decent food for months. Most people don't feel hungry at all on it. There are forums on Yahoo groups where you can ask questions and all people are either doing or have done the diet--several thousand members.

Another way to lose weight is to eat an almost entirely raw food diet. Google Angela Stokes and Philip McKlusky (I might have spelled that wrong!) and you will see examples of people who lost over 100 pounds relatively quickly. I've heard both of them speak about it and you can too. Email or call me if you like. I'm a nutritional consultant and I really feel for what you're going through. I don't charge for phone consults (within reason --- my time is valuable too and I don't know how much longer I can offer this).

Have you had your thyroid and hormones checked?

S. Hoehner
www.sharethecause.com/detoxqueen

I'm not sure I understand? Is lapband surgery the same as having the stomach stapled smaller to about the size of an egg? For 10 years I used to work with a very nice obese woman who had tried every diet possible, without success, so finally had surgery to have her stomach stapled smaller, and while in her hospital room she died the evening of the same day as her surgery. (She was 59.) This happened in a very reputable hospital, by a very reputable doctor. I know there are many other success stories regarding this surgery, but I knew this woman personally, and it just devasted all who knew her. Please research thouroughly before you decide.

Hi R., my husband just had it done in October of 2008 and so far so good.He's lost 40 lbs so far.He didn't have to go through 6 months of tests to get it done but it also depends on your insurance.Some insurances require you to do 6 months of suprvised dieting( by a physician or dietician) before they will ok the surgery (again depending on your insurance, my husband didn't have to do that).Some insurances also require you to have a certain BMI.The bariatric doctors require things as well such as losing 5% of his body weight, he had to get a menatl evaluation to make sure he was mentally stable, he had to go to a cardiologist, pulminoogist, he had to do sleep apnea tests.He had to go through alot of tests but he got it all done in 3 months. Afterwards you eat lots of protein like chicken, fish ,shrimp, eggs fruits and veggies of course.My husband hasn't had any regrets so far and thank God no complications but it's been only 3 months.Best of luck !!

Hi R., I have not had the lap band surgery but I know people who have. You have to be at least 100 pounds overweight. If you smoke, you have to stop 3 months before. You will go through 6 months of pre-testing before you are approved. You cannot eat very much afterward and the band can be stretched out. Many have gained most or all of their weight back. Many have other digestive issues after surgery. If you contact a doctor there is a consultation which should tell you all you need to know. I think it should be a last resort. I learned so much at Weight Watchers about what is good and not good to eat and what a portion size should be. I hope this helped you, My best, Grandma Mary

Hi R.
I am probably not a person you want to hear from if you are considering this surgery. I had a problem 20 years ago with my esophagus. It tightened taut itself. They finally diagnosed me with Achalasia. I had to have surgery to open my esophagus at the sphincter muscle entering my stomach. It is a horrible memory. I still have problems eating, but at least I am not throwing up across our table. I am not malnurished because I can't eat. I was one pound from needing tube feeding. It has been 20 years but when a friend had lapband surgery not long ago she had to gain 10 pounds to qualify for the surgery. I tried to tell her that was crazy, but she had it anyway. Whenever I see her I am reminded of all the horrible times I had trying to eat all those years ago.
Have you ever seen a baby projectile vomit, that was me at 35. No control. That is my friend now as she ran from the room. Now she doesn't eat in public.
Have you ever seen people gasping for breath, that was me at 35. Hands over my head and food stuck. That is my friend now so she doesn't eat in public.
Have you ever had to eat only baby food or pureed food, that was me at 35. That is my friend now as she tells me she enjoys mashed potatoes pretty well.
I am sure others have good experiences but be sure you are a good candidate for this surgery and not just 50 pounds overweight and not willing to diet it off. This is in my opinion a good surgery for people 200 pounds overweight and the MD says you are going to die of heart attack without it. It is not for the slightly overweight.
Oh I lost weight, and nutrition, and my hair became fine, and if my husband wasn't an angel I would have lost my marriage and my family. You see poor nutrition causes you to have serious mood swings or anger spurts. I worked hard to do what was right as my nutrition went down hill. I didn't know I was a bear to live with. Only after my surgery did I realize how sick I actually was. My friend likes her new look but everyone is saying how sick she looks and acts, seeing her I remember and feel sad.
God bless you and help you make a wise decision.
K. SAHM married 38 years, to a saint. 4 children. Entrepreneur who loves to write proposals for fundraising 37, Lawyer who had our first grandbaby this summer 32, and twins who are in college studying art, and journalism. I am so thankful to be alive to see them grow up.

I had looked into this, but my BMI wasn't high enough. When I spoke w/my primary care dr he was telling me that I need to take a realistic look at what my weight is & where it should be vs where I want it to be. If you haven't already done so, send away for the information they offer. I know 2 people who have had this done & they think it's wondeful. It's not as evassive as undergoing the bypass surgery - which one of my other friends had and has gained just about all of her weight back. Good luck!

HI...
My mom is a registered nurse and she is not a big fan of this type of surgery. you have to atleast be 100 pounds overweight. I have seen people lose without that type of surgery over 100 pounds on their own. I have always had a weight problem but never gave in to the surgery. Believe me...It is freakin hard to lose weight...I should know, but the only reason that I think people should get this surgery is if the doctor says....You will die if don't get this weight off.. That's my 2 cents. If you need any support or want a diet pal...just let me know....It's much easier to do it with a friend
Good Luck!

Iam not too familiar with the procedure, but my sister in law had it done a few years ago. She has lost a lot of weight, but it was not easy. She is not able to eat too much starchy foods, because they actually get stuck and she has to go to the bathroom and gag it up. She lost her weight very quick and honestly she doesn't look healthy now. She was up to almost 300 lbs and now she weighs 110 lbs. She is having a lot of problems mentally. She is very depressed because because before the procedure she thought it would be so great to lose all the weight and now that she has lost it but she doesn't feel as happy as she thought she would.
I think as long as you are mentally ready for the change you should gather as much info and talk to as many people as possible before the deciding to have the procedure. My sister in law jumped into it and didn't really research much. i sould not only research the procedure, but als the doctor who will be performing it. Good Luck!

Hi! I was considering it too. I went for the preliminary to learn of the risks and benifits. It was very informative and if your considering it you should too. I found out you must:
1. loose 10% of your current body weight
2. you may only loose about 2 lbs a week
3. it is perminent!
4. You can only eat small portions and should eat about 5 small meals everyday
5. you will have to see a pulminologist, be tested for sleep apnea, have a physical, see a nutritionist, some times a cardiologist and a counselor. Some of these more than one time.
5. Check your insurance to see if they pay for it at all and if so how much.
6. You will have pre surgery checks, surgery and then pot surgery checks also.
7. There may be foods that you can't eat at all. Example: breadsof any kind. You must chew your food really well and you must eat slowly.
8. For me it was going to be very expensive. The copays for all the doctors would be $15 per visit. Then the seminar was $100 and I had to get my insurance to cover the one doctor or that was going to be all out of pocket. The Hospital said I must see their Dr., my insurance said that Dr. wasn't covered. Also I live 1 1/2 hours from the hospital that would do it. (The rest of my choices were further) I would have minimum 15 trips up and back. Gas prices are going down but it would still be expensive. Also I have to consider child care. When I go to all the Drs I couldn't take the 2yo and my husband wanted to be in the office to hear everything. That too is a good option haveing a close friend, spouse, someone to hear everything. I would have had to pay some childcare costs. (Grandparents can do some for me but not all).

It for some is definatly worth it and I have not ruled it out but I figure if I can loose 10% maybe I can loose enough to feel good and be happy without surgery. I have offically put it on hold!

As with any surgery there is risks and if you overeat you can gain all the weight+++ back.

I joined Weight Watchers. I figures even if I do have surgery (i'm leaning towards NOT) I still have 10% to loose and needed help doing it. In the 1st month I lost 11.6 lbs. I have about 150 lbs to loose total but WW is teaching me portion size, control, and how to make better choices. If your having surgery you MUST make a life change in how you eat, how much, what and how often so I figured I would start now. Don't be afraid to go get the facts but make sure you do all the research before you make a decision. Most of the time from when you have your 1st meeting to surgery it is minimum 6 months. Also talk to family, friends, coworkers, etc. and see if they know anyone that has had it. Talk to actual patients (not just the ones the Dr. gives you, they only pick the best cases!). In the mean time try Weight Watchers. You will have to loose 10% first anyway so get a head start on it. WW and surgery are both a change in choices and life style. Might as well get started now! A.

Hi R. ... I didn't have the Banding done, but I did have the Roux en Y (typical stomach stapling; not sure I spelled it right!). I chose not to do the banding because you typically don't lose as much weight, and I had well over 100 pounds to lose. I did have to diet a bit before the surgery. The doctor gave me guidelines to follow. After the surgery, you eat just jello and plain broths for about 3 months! It's horrible, but you'll lose about 60 pounds in those 1st 3 months! I had this done about 7 years ago now. I would be willing to discuss it further with you. My doctor was awesome! You can call me anytime: ###-###-####

-T.

My sister in law just went to find out about this. First you have to be 100 lbs over weight or a certain BMI for the last 5 or 7 yrs (can't remember which). Second, you have to be on a very strict diet before hand. You can only have all liquids for 3 mons before the surgery. If you make it that far, after surgery you can only have liquids for awhile. And you have to build back up to solids very slowly over a series of months. Because if you eat to much your throwing it all up. This isn't something you just go and have done, it's very series and honestly any doctor that would consider doing it anyway, really isn't a doctor you should be seeing anyway.