[BIGMUMMA]

Just saw the segment on 'Sunday Night' regarding Lap Band Surgery.

Hmmmmmm, I'm not a fan....

I don't understand how these quick fixes can teach someone to change their eating habits.

Same goes for those meal replacements and no carb (or anything that excludes a whole food group) diets.

I really feel that in order for someone to lose weight and keep it off, 3 things have to happen

1. Love Yourself
2. Take responsibility for your weight/health
3. Change your habits, and therefore your lifestyle

I am not on a 'diet', I have changed the way I live, forever x

[Monnie]

I agree to a certain extent

But....some people just cant to it on thier own no matter how hard they try.Sometimes it doesnt teach them the right way to eat but atleast they arent eating themselves to death anymore.

In saying that we have a very good friend who had stomach bypass surgery...he was well over 220kgs and only about 5"6 he is now in the 160kgs.

He now is living life to the full can have a shower without sitting down and doesnt have to wear a Cpap machine to help him breathe every night and can walk around without feeling like he needs to have a sleep.

He now loves himself after he took the steps to change his lifestyle

[I am Slimming]

I caught the end of that segment on 60 minutes.

I have to say that a year ago, I was dead againist it but I feel desperate times call for desperate measures. I sometimes feel desperate enough, to do it. I have even tested the waters a few times with Dean and called my superannuation fund to see how it works to withdraw the money from your superfund. The reality is that if I don't do something soon, I probably won't make it to retirement. I hate feeling this desperate but at this weight, I just can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel and unfortunately rather than motivate me, it can sometimes send me spirialing in the wrong direction.

I think your right when you say it doesn't change peoples eating habbits, you can still eat crap.

I think also that it should be a requirement that you need to attend a certain number of counselling sessions before and after to get your head right too.

[MelbMum]

I think that the cost of surgery would be better spent on Counselling and a dietitian.

As much as I'm not a big fan of any weight loss surgery.... the lapband would prevent larger people from feeling sooo hungry (as their stomach is shrunk)... and if they don't feel hungy, and they don't eat as much... then eventually they form a new habit of not eating as much as they used to.
But.... if they don't deal with their head... there is nothing that stops them from eating pizza & KFC and high fat, high sugar diets. And in the long term... there is just as much chance that they regain the weight.... their stomach can just stretch again.

[I am Slimming]

The following reply was received via Private Message and I was asked to post it as the forum member wishes to remain anonymous.



Quote:
The segment on Sunday Night was very biased and "sensationalised" the whole thing.

A Lap Band is a tool, That's all. It's no different to taking medications, going to weight watchers or jenny craig or having lite n easy delivered to your home.

Getting a lap band is far from a quick fix process - That's one of the first things you are told when you look into it. It involves a very strict Optifast diet, councelling and education prior to surgery. Followed by months of changed eating habits (Liquid and mushy food diet) after surgery for recovery and it forces a complete re-educating on food habits, eating and intake.

It is 100% about what you said

Quote:
1. Love Yourself
2. Take responsibility for your weight/health
3. Change your habits, and therefore your lifestyle
It assists in the weight loss process but also in keeping it off. Those who have lap bands have a much higher chance of maintaining their weight in the long term than anyone who has done it on their own. I have seen statistics somewhere but I can't find them right now.

People who have lap bands are NOT on a diet. They can eat whatever they like. All it does is help them reduce the quantities of the food eaten by providing a feeling of fullness sooner rather than later.

It does NOT Shrink the stomach in any way. The band wraps around the top of the stomach and creates a funnel effect slowing the food from entering the full sized stomach. (The stomach can not "just stretch again") It takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute for the food to move from above to below the band so it's not very long.

The effectiveness comes from the nerves around the stomach at the area of the band that send a message to the brain that you are satiated when eating smaller amounts.

People who have Lap Bands can eat things like chips and chocolate and ice cream to their hearts content. There is no restriction on liquid foods or foods that turn to a liquid consistency. They are told they MUST excercise EVERY day without fail and NO excuses. Not a cold or flu nothing.

They follow up with their doctors fortnightly for months and months extending to monthly then bi monthly then they never go for longer than 6 months between visits and follow ups with their doctor for the rest of their lives. They have a dedicated person that is tracking and following and supporting them at every turn.

There is a lot of hard work involved in making such a decision and it's a BLOODY scary one to make for those who have.

I highly suggest anyone educates themselves properly before they decide to slam weight loss methods other than their own because some opinions voiced here are very very misguided.

Please also remember this is an open weight loss forum. And we welcome Lap Banders and all weight loss surgery patients to be here as much as anyone else and they are. And while I am sure if you don't understand the process they would be happy to answer your questions (Check out the weight loss surgery forum) I am sure some would take this as quite degrading, accusatory and attacking which is not what this place is about.

[MelbMum]

I'm sorry if I have offended this person who prefers to remain secret.

I did not see the 60 minutes show.... and I am definately no expert on any weight loss surgery, as it not something I would ever consider.
When I said the stomach was "shrunk"... I didn't mean the entire stomach shrunk in size. From what I know, a band is put around the stomach... reducing the size of the stomach area. And over time, this band can be increased. I also thought that the stomach can expand. Thus the reason that large people can eat FAR more then small people... because their stomach expands (stretches) to accomodate more food. So, although you put a band around the stomach.... I heard that the stomach can continue to expand as you eat more food.
Forgive me if this is wrong. By all means... elaborate and don't be embarrassed about what choices you have made.

No doubt... my views are misguided. I have known of people (including people on other forums) who have had lapband surgery... but not changed their mental health, or their eating habits. And although the short term had resulted in dramatic weight loss... the long term resulted in dramatic weight gain...

I don't think that ANY surgery would be a light decision for anyone.... and I don't believe it is an "easy way" to lose weight. I don't think ANY weight loss is easy.

Of course, this is an open weight loss forum... and we do welcome ALL people.
That does not mean we have no opinions.
There are many people who don't believe in Shakes/meal replacements.... or low-carb diets, or whatever other methods people use to lose weight.
People should be free to discuss their opinions - and still accept everyones method of weight loss.
At the end of the day... we are on this forum because we have all made unhealthy decisions that have led us to be overweight. The purpose of a forum is to discuss.... and to learn. So... mystery person... feel free to teach us. There is no need to hide. We will not bite.

I'm sorry that you feel degraded.

[kristy]

Not sure why the lapbander felt the need to remain anonymous. People will always have different opinions on weight loss methods.

I feel like Megan sometimes "I hate feeling this desperate but at this weight, I just can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel and unfortunately rather than motivate me, it can sometimes send me spirialing in the wrong direction".

I was seriously considering lapband earlier this year. If I didnt live so remotely, I think I would have gone ahead with it. Im covered under my private health insurance for most of the costs.

It's not a quick fix, and it doesnt guarantee weight loss. Like Megan said, it's a tool and you still need to eat well and exercise to lose weight.

[BIGMUMMA]

Hi secret person

Seriously...degrading, accusatory and attacking?? I think you should have a re-read...

I was talking about a weight loss method, not a person

And as you kindly point out, I am not a Dr, or expert... Just voicing my opinion

BUT how can any surgery, or any weight loss program, that promotes "People eat things like chips and chocolate and ice cream to their hearts content" be good for you long term?

I tried weight loss drugs (not surgery, I know) and the kg's peeled off me. And when the scripts ran out - it piled back on. It was a quick fix, full of empty promises.

You can be skinny, have high blood pressure/cholesterol and still have a heart attack. As did Dr Atkins, the No Carb guru.

Would love to see those stats on "Those who have lap bands have a much higher chance of maintaining their weight in the long term than anyone who has done it on their own." How many of those people have had the band removed? Just curious.

But hey, whatever blows your hair back, or your kg's off is fine by me.

I am here to tell my story, get some inspiration - and hopefully dish some out too.

I am new here, and you will find I will speak my mind on a subject, but I will never attack a person. I It’s a shame you have interpreted my post that way.

But I won’t apologise for having an opinion, and trying to share something that worked for me, in the hope that I can help someone else - I am now happy, healthy and at goal.

[emmaf106]

Am I the only actual lapbanded person here? Not sure. Anyhoo here's my 2 cents. I didn't watch the Sunday Program show because I saw the adverts for it and figured I'd end up doing my nana so just chose not to watch it.

In a nutshell I can vouch for what Anonymous said. It is not easy. I have worked harder than ever with this band to get the weight off. It is a tool. You have to work with it. Some foods I can't eat at all (spongy or dry types of food like bread, chicken breast etc) but chocolate, icecream do go down fine. I still have to work like mad to keep my brain hunger under control as do all of us who have weight issues. It's not been an easy process and certainly not something I have undertaken lightly. I did extensive research before, had a long chat with my GP and the surgeon. I lost over 50kgs with WW and put most of it back on within a year. I decided I needed help. The lapband makes me feel satisfied sooner (it's adjustable too) so I don't eat as much - we all know portion size is a major part of losing weight - but when it's on my plate I have a hard time leaving it. The band basically tells me that I'm full and I can't possibly eat anything else. It also helps with hunger in that I don't really feel hungry at all in between meals.

I exercise between 4-5 times a week. Have to. The weight doesn't come off unless I do. I restrict my alcohol. I try to eat healthily (yes I'm a chocolaholic so that still remains). I eat smaller amounts. I'm betting that all of us on a weightloss journey do exactly the same things. The band just means that I physically cannot eat more food than I need. Which is why the weight won't go back on. I will always keep my band at a level where I have that restriction. Sure if I ate crap, didn't exercise, kept my band loose I'd put on weight - all of you without a band will also do that!

And you're right, it doesn't help with the psychological issues somtimes associated with weight gain. Some days if I've had a crappy day all I want is a big mac. But I know that if I eat that burger and fries, I'll spend the day in the toilet seeing it again (sound like fun? No it's not!)! So I chose not to most of the time. Still want to, choose not to. Of course somedays I have a crappy day and have a piece of cake knowing that will go down! My point is that I doubt that everyone on WW and other programs don't always deal with the emotional eating side either so why use this as point against gastric banding?

Hope that also doesn't come across as attacking just thought some of you would like to hear from a "bandit". I want to address some of Bigmumma's points too.

Originally Posted by BIGMUMMA

BUT how can any surgery, or any weight loss program, that promotes "People eat things like chips and chocolate and ice cream to their hearts content" be good for you long term?

Oh my goodness gracious me. Surely you're kidding? Surgery does not "promote" eating chips, chocolate & icecream to your hearts content! It's just that you can still eat them. Just like you can eat them but presumably you chose not to! Same deal here. Throughout the process you are given access to dietitions and advice on what to eat. Basically protein first is the rule. So you have a small piece of chicken and some salad. But no more than 1 cup full per meal.

I tried weight loss drugs (not surgery, I know) and the kg's peeled off me. And when the scripts ran out - it piled back on. It was a quick fix, full of empty promises.

Hope you're not suggesting that gastric banding is a quick fix? I've been banded for 18months and lost 40kgs. About the same rate as I lost at WW. Not quick. Do the right thing and no empty promises.

Would love to see those stats on "Those who have lap bands have a much higher chance of maintaining their weight in the long term than anyone who has done it on their own." How many of those people have had the band removed? Just curious.

I'm not yet at goal so no expert by any means but as I explained above as far as I can tell if you use the band properly, stick to your diet & exercise, you should be able to maintain. Not sure on the stats for removal of band though sorry. I do recall my doc saying something like about 80% of lapbanders lose 60% of their excess weight. Pretty good stats I would think (of course I could be wrong it's just the numbers floating around in my head!)

But I won’t apologise for having an opinion, and trying to share something that worked for me, in the hope that I can help someone else - I am now happy, healthy and at goal.

Hey no probs with your opinion as long as it's based on an educated reasoning. It's definately not for everyone. You do need to be focussed, motivated and willing to deal with the downsize. I'm really pleased that you made goal on your own and I wish you all the success in maintaining. It's what we all want so please don't poo-poo on how other people chose to get there too. If I could have done it without surgery you can bet your butt I would have!

Anyhoo, I hope this response is ok and isn't too much on my soapbox. Everyone on this site has a goal to lose weight and be healthy. There are different options for everyone and some things work for some that don't for others. I think we all just have keep our eyes on the prize!

[I am Slimming]

Emma, Rhiain has also had the procedure as well as the anonymous member. xx