Help to band or not to band

[Fat sue]

I am pre booked for a band on 8th December and am getting a bit nervous as don't know wether it's for me or not .. I thing it really is my last option as tired everything ...
Just afraid I will be sorry I had it done ...
I really do want the results it helps you achieve and I do need a new best friend ..
Just need your advise as is the pain worth the gain and will I feel normal ever again ???

 

[top_kat]

I have encountered very little pain since having my band, a little discomfort post op, but haven't suffered from wind pain at all. The only other pain I've had was from doing a certain exercise at the gym which I shouldn't have been doing, but apart from that I wouldn't say that this experience has been a painful one. Im 8 weeks post op, but researched these options for 7 years, I believe I had to be in the right place, at the right time, and knowing that without doubt it was what I wanted. I've had absolutely NO regrets of having it done at all.

I have spent all of my life trying everything else, and considered surgery for so long, I wish I'd not waited, but realise and believe that in waiting, Im in the best place.

If I had any doubts, I wouldn't go ahead until I was ready and even tho I was dreading the surgery as I have a severa fear of anaesthetic, I still knew it was the right thing.

No-one can tell you if you should or you shouldn't, but I know that if I had any doubts, I wouldn't proceed until I was ready to do so, its not an easy fix, but I cannot say that the pain has been worth it, because there really hasn't been any pain that has been any issue at all. But, I've lost almost 3 and a half stone and am 8 weeks post op, if I did suffer pain, losing that would be worth it, but that is for me, no-one can say if it is for you.

As for feeling normal, having my band doesn't make me feel "unnormal" in any way shape or form, I just consider what Im eating, how Im eating and making positive healthy eating choices.

Good luck with whatever you decide, Kat x

 

[flutterby1966]

I agree with topkat. It took me two years to take the plunge...and I am so pleased I did. Over ten stones down in a year. No pain. Never have felt 'not normal'. I can eat most foods (apart from a medium rare steak ) just in smaller quantities than pre-band. I do eat sweets, chocolates and full fat treats ... However I do not store anything that would tempt me to binge in the house. I save them for my treats when I dine out. To be honest, other people make more of a big deal of my band and weight loss than I do ... After all, I have always been the same person inside only you can decide what's right for you, and when it's right. Gotta balance the pretty low risks associated with the anaesthetic/being operated upon for c 40 minutes to the potential longterm health risks associated with obesity as we get older x

 

[ThinnerJemima]

Make sure you are 100% with your decision before you take the plunge. I was 95% sure, I do love my band as I've lost 25kg, but short-medium term it will be replaced as I've had severe pain, discomfort, loads of things that I can't now eat and am still freaked when my port moves. I am also constantly hungry, have the appetite of a horse, and my surgeon won't put any more in.

You don't know what you've got until you've got it. I researched for five years, for me at the moment and pre-op I made the right decision. Long term it is definetly the wrong decision to have the band.

But without having the band, I would not be able to make the next step of the required journey.

Only you can decide. Good luck and I hope you make the right decision first time.

 

[Fat sue]

Thanks guys
I have being playing with the idea for about 4 years done all the research and what calls it into Doth for me is I'm from Dublin and during my research I have found 3 people from dublin who have died during or shortly after surgery in the last 4 years and one of the girls I knew from the area I live in ... I really feel it's the right thing for me to do .. But I love my life ... Just not me..... I hate my body I'm 5ft 2 in and 16 stone was 17'2 at my heaviest but no Matter how hard I diet I only ever make it to 15 stone ... I no my band will be my new best friend ... Just afraid for those around me. !!! And I always fail at diets because I comfort eat and Theres always some drama around my family lol and they come to me to pick up the pieces all the time and it's as if thats all they see .. Someone who will sort it out ....
Oh nots let forget all the comments ..

If ya lots the weight ya would have a pretty face ...
That's nice but won't suit you try that black top
....
Don't sit on that it won't hold ya ....
...
Ya were nicer slim what happened ya

So band it is xxxx

Thanks guys just worried about the physical pain but weight it up and the mental pain is worse xxx

 

[top_kat]

I understand, and one of my fears was of the anaesthetic and as such, I researched, found a surgeon and a provider who has a zero % mortality rate during surgery and from the band. For me that was important because of my own personal feelings.

There is nothing to say that you will experience pain apart from post op or wind pain, you will always read about negative experiences just as we do with anything, more so than the good ones, but it is about finding a balance, researching and being happy with your decision.

I had just hit 24 stone when I made my appointment for my consultation in July, having a few weeks before returned from a holiday in Italy where climbing to the top level of the colloseum almost killed me . . .and although I've a long way to go, and although I do not yet have restriction from my band, I am working with it to find foods that fill me up, that take away the hunger without having to at such an early point, have too many fills.

Being told that if I carried on as I was, I'd soon be like my dad (having had 4 heart attacks, quadruple heart bypass, angina, stomach and bowel cancer, who is now in liver and kidney failure, with insulin dependent diabetes) was the final real wake up call for me . . .

Its not the easiest of things, but then its no harder than some of the extreme things I've put my body through and other diets, like lighter life which left me incredibly ill.

 

[Daisy85]

I did very little research, just spoke to other binders.
I had my consultation on the 16th of April and my operation the 2nd of may.
For me i would take the risk of something going wrong as I couldn't live like that no more.
I would say out of all the banders on here I have probably lost the least weight completely my own fault but I would still say go for it. Because I've lost about two stone to date but had I not got it I would probably have put on 3 stone.
And I've experienced no pain either. Just go for it you won't regret it xxx

 

[Fat sue]

I did very little research, just spoke to other binders.
I had my consultation on the 16th of April and my operation the 2nd of may.
For me i would take the risk of something going wrong as I couldn't live like that no more.
I would say out of all the banders on here I have probably lost the least weight completely my own fault but I would still say go for it. Because I've lost about two stone to date but had I not got it I would probably have put on 3 stone.
And I've experienced no pain either. Just go for it you won't regret it xxx

Thanks Daisy
I have tried every diet on the Market ... Lighter life ... Lipotrim ... All the slimming clubs know to man kind .... & you have meet your mate here lol I love food and will probably be the same but I have set my self a goal ... My friend is getting married and I want to look good lol well better than good ... I want to feel sexy

Best of luck with the weight loss and keep me posted xx

 

[Daisy85]

I used to love slimming world. Must say I do miss the portion sizes but losing weight with out even trying is so much better. You socialise more so you have less time to eat.lol.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do xxx

 

[Fat sue]

I used to love slimming world. Must say I do miss the portion sizes but losing weight with out even trying is so much better. You socialise more so you have less time to eat.lol.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do xxx

Well that's the plan lol always out instead of having a reason for hiding away ;(
Yep done that one to

 

[flutterby1966]

Daisy, I think you made a really important observation...how many banders get despondent with not losing for several weeks? It's sooo important to keep perspective and remember things would likely have been far worse preband, with the odd pound or two creeping on! Two stones off is far better than two on well done!

 

[Daisy85]

Thank you flutterby. Half the time I think I'm giving crap advice because I'm quite new to all this.lol. Sorry I don't know how to reply with a quote xx

 

[flutterby1966]

Daisy, anyone new can have just as valuable input as an oldie! Sometimes experience can create blinkers most of the battle with this wls journey is in our heads

Important words in my wls journey have been:

Honesty - if I eat something less healthy I always record it, putting things into perspective helps keep me on track. It's not always as bad as you think and can prevent you going off piste. Likewise, it can help you understand your triggers/what's working and what's not, and help you develop coping strategies
Moderation - a little of what you fancy does you good ... If it stops you going off track. Depriving yourself totally often creates more of an obsession and can lead to binging. Just plan in your treats!
Balance - always focus on the bigger picture rather than one meal/day/blip - over a week / month / year. if you are good 90% of the time and not so good the other 10% of the time ... It's not the end of the world! No one is perfect!
Enjoyment - this journey to success is for a lifetime, whatever you do/eat relish it and don't do guilt.
Positivity - for every negative there IS a positive if we seek hard enough... Concentrate on the positive learning/feeling/result you achieve from a situation.

Ps, to reply with a quote, if you are on a PC you just need to click on the little button at the bottom of a message ... The one that says quote, and has one yellow speech bubble in, and bobs your uncle

 

[Bella'sBand]

Hi, I think you have to do what feels right for you. There is no wright or wrong answer. I too pondered and pondered and had it booked then canceled then went for the surgery 6 months later.
I can only advice you from my personal experience and from what I have learned while having the band if I had known before hand I honestly would not have gone through with it.
Don't get me wrong I have it now and I am going to do my best with it but that is just it. I thought I would be loosing at least 2-3 lbs a week, I kind of thought it would be this miracle cure, its not.
It is a tool and a great tool if you can recognise that is all it is, the band in and of itself does not loose weight for you, you still have to do it ALL on your own.
When you reach restriction yes it does make you feel fuller but only, ONLY if it is certain foods you are eating. All those old foods that got me into the state I am in eg ice cream, chocolate, crisps all still go down very easily even at restriction so all the resisting temptation is still ALL DOWN TO YOU!
Now I know many have had wonderful results and it is the best thing they ever did for themselves and I am not taking away from their experience nor saying their experience is not valid. I am just saying if I knew then what I know now, I would not go through with it.
If you understand before you have it its not going to stop you eating naughty things and that it is only a tool when used CORRECTLY is going to achieve results.
All my major weight loss as you can see was pre op and first week post op. It has been a real struggle to get any weight off. But when I give it my full attention and follow the rules it works but those rules would still work if I did them without the band.
I paid a lot of money and now have 4 of my 5 scars keloid and look horrific and will remain looking horrific because they are keloid there is no fading going to happen there is no improvment going to happen so I am stuck with them the port one is the worst. I knew I was going to have scars and spoke to a member here who showed a picture of hers which looked great, almost invisable but again its the old thing of ''we are all individuals'' and our experience of gastric band is the same.
I cannot turn back the clock and I have it now and will work with it, as you can see with maintaining for 5 weeks have not lost a thing but I really have had not time to focus drink water, excercise, use myfitnesspal to keep in check with cals. But the madness will be over in a few weeks and I will be able to give it my full attention once more and expect to start loosing again.
But I will start loosing again because I start eating right, because I start excercising again, because I will get all my water in. The band is doing none of these for me, so what does it do you may ask? Well it does make me feel full when eating breads, pastas, meat, I am not yet fully restricted but when I am I am hoping like the leflet says I will be fuller for a prolonged period, more satified leading to eating less.
I may get some flack for not agreeing with the majority, but I have to be honest with you and I personally would not have it done if I knew then what I know now.
I have it now and will work with it, I am not crying over it with regret but if I had my time again it would be a no!
It is going to be just as hard to lose weight with a band as without, I would rather be doing it without. But I made my bed and I am lying in it.
You could be one of the ones all works out great for, best thing you ever did, regret not getting it sooner, and if you decide to go forward I truly wish all that for you. Bella x

 

[ThinnerJemima]

Bella's Band, sorry to here that you regret it.

I too am not having the best experience, but I would have it again with no hesitation.

In the weeks that I haven't lost any weight, I'm not concerned as I am in this for the long haul, but I have still lost size. But the sobering fact for me is that when I have gone off the rails, I haven't increased my weight, this is a very welcome first for me!

I physically cannot overeat now as my 'new best friend/dr evil' inside me is there to constantly remind me

 

[BlueDiamond]

When I was offered wls I made the right choice going for a band. My surgeon wanted to do a bypass and I declined and opted for the band. Best decision I ever made my surgeon now calls me his "model patient" lol - When I get asked "why did you decline the bypass" and do you have any regrets etc the answer is simply no - I was completely honest from the start and new it was my portion sizes that was the problem ( Surgeon wanted to do bypass because I was borderline diabetic and have insulin issues with pcos) - Maybe if I had a real sweet tooth then I would have opted for bypass. I had restriction from Nov 2010 ( was banded in July 2010) and I went from 242lbs to 133lbs in 10 months and have managed to keep it off and maintaining ever since, Some ppl might say if I hadnt of got to goal would I have had the bypass - the answer would still be No after all any wls is a tool - I have known ppl with bypass /sleeve to regain weight so unless you use any wls tool properly there is always that chance you can regain. Like any wls you have to do whats right for you and make the right choices for you, No one said it would be easy - just worth it - BD xxx

 

[Daisy85]

Hello bella

Daisy, I think you made a really important observation...how many banders get despondent with not losing for several weeks? It's sooo important to keep perspective and remember things would likely have been far worse preband, with the odd pound or two creeping on! Two stones off is far better than two on well done!

Hi, I think you have to do what feels right for you. There is no wright or wrong answer. I too pondered and pondered and had it booked then canceled then went for the surgery 6 months later.
I can only advice you from my personal experience and from what I have learned while having the band if I had known before hand I honestly would not have gone through with it.
Don't get me wrong I have it now and I am going to do my best with it but that is just it. I thought I would be loosing at least 2-3 lbs a week, I kind of thought it would be this miracle cure, its not.
It is a tool and a great tool if you can recognise that is all it is, the band in and of itself does not loose weight for you, you still have to do it ALL on your own.
When you reach restriction yes it does make you feel fuller but only, ONLY if it is certain foods you are eating. All those old foods that got me into the state I am in eg ice cream, chocolate, crisps all still go down very easily even at restriction so all the resisting temptation is still ALL DOWN TO YOU!
Now I know many have had wonderful results and it is the best thing they ever did for themselves and I am not taking away from their experience nor saying their experience is not valid. I am just saying if I knew then what I know now, I would not go through with it.
If you understand before you have it its not going to stop you eating naughty things and that it is only a tool when used CORRECTLY is going to achieve results.
All my major weight loss as you can see was pre op and first week post op. It has been a real struggle to get any weight off. But when I give it my full attention and follow the rules it works but those rules would still work if I did them without the band.
I paid a lot of money and now have 4 of my 5 scars keloid and look horrific and will remain looking horrific because they are keloid there is no fading going to happen there is no improvment going to happen so I am stuck with them the port one is the worst. I knew I was going to have scars and spoke to a member here who showed a picture of hers which looked great, almost invisable but again its the old thing of ''we are all individuals'' and our experience of gastric band is the same.
I cannot turn back the clock and I have it now and will work with it, as you can see with maintaining for 5 weeks have not lost a thing but I really have had not time to focus drink water, excercise, use myfitnesspal to keep in check with cals. But the madness will be over in a few weeks and I will be able to give it my full attention once more and expect to start loosing again.
But I will start loosing again because I start eating right, because I start excercising again, because I will get all my water in. The band is doing none of these for me, so what does it do you may ask? Well it does make me feel full when eating breads, pastas, meat, I am not yet fully restricted but when I am I am hoping like the leflet says I will be fuller for a prolonged period, more satified leading to eating less.
I may get some flack for not agreeing with the majority, but I have to be honest with you and I personally would not have it done if I knew then what I know now.
I have it now and will work with it, I am not crying over it with regret but if I had my time again it would be a no!
It is going to be just as hard to lose weight with a band as without, I would rather be doing it without. But I made my bed and I am lying in it.
You could be one of the ones all works out great for, best thing you ever did, regret not getting it sooner, and if you decide to go forward I truly wish all that for you. Bella x

Do you think going by you past if you wasn't banded you would have gained these last few weeks?
I haven't lost much in the past few months but I defo would have gained if I hadnt of had it. Don't beat yourself up and just give yourself a we bit more time xxx

 

[SUNSHINE]

I love my band. I would do it all over again. Its shame Bella 'sband is not enjoying hers. I must say my surgeon told me it is an aid to help me lose weight not a magic band. I am losing weight every wk, might not be as much as I would like but the weight is shifting. I would recommend it definitely.