I have a gastric band - AMA

[skinkymalinki]

Had a gastric band fitted almost 3 years ago .
I have lost 8 stones and am still losing.

AMA

Is it reversible?

What happens if you eat too much?

Are there health risks now the surgery is over?

Can you eat solid food?
Can you eat enough to give you energy, say if you wanted to do a lot of exercise?

What's the most you can eat in one go? What did it used to be?

How overweight were you? Did you have it on the NHS? If not, was there a big sell?

Are you glad you had it done? Did you have any side effects?

Has your weight loss left you with much loose skin?

How much did you originally weigh and how tall are you?
Did you have to get below a certain weight before getting the op?

I've always wondered... Can you go out on the piss like before?

I had my stomach removed for medical reasons and suffered terrible complications. I'd have died without the surgery so had no choice. Do you feel it was worth the risk you took? I've seen many WLS patients on gastrectomy pages who develop complications even years after their op.

How easy is it to remember 20:20:20?

Yes it is reversible.

The band has fluid filled baloon on the inside so can be made tighter or slackened by adding or taking out fluid.

It could be emptied completly and I would be able to eat almost normally

I went for the consulaltation at almost 20 stone and was told that the risks of remaining morbidly obese are much higher than the risk of surgery . That swung it for me .
I knew that I would gain more weight without the surgery.
I had tried many diets / weight loss coaching / hypnosis/ personal trainer .
I am a health professional and was addicted to food . I couldn’t break the addiction myself so decided to try something else.

Have you ever experienced dumping syndrome?

I can eat normal food .

The change is that I have to eat really very slowly and chew and chew each mouthful thoroughly. I have to pause between mouthfuls .

I have to sit upright at the table to eat so no more snacking on the sofa.

Overall it just slows down my eating hugely and it has taken away my appetite. I still feel hungry but about 90% less than I used to .
I feel full on a small amount of food.

I could easily eat a whole tub of Ben and Jerry’s but I just dont feel hungry like I used to.

Yes I can go out on the piss and I do .

I get drunk more easily as I can’t eat the volume of food I used to to soak it up .

Hangovers are worse though when you can’t graze on a lot of beige food.

I am trying to drink less as it does stall my weight loss.

I have never experienced dumping syndrome. I guess as no part of my digestive system was removed it doesn’t happen.

I can’t get uncomfortable and shoulder pain if I eat too much though . I avoid that as is not nice.

How tall are you?

Did you try therapy for addictions and eating disorders before you had surgery?
My friend has a gastric band and it quite often sick because she still crams food down. So she isn't fat anymore but she still has the same issues as before.

I could add to this I have a gastric band and it doesn't work for everyone and it doesn't work for me. There is no magic wand to weight loss sadly. I have had my band for 7 years and now weigh exactly the same as prior to it being fitted. I have had the adjustments and everything and no it hasn't slipped and yes it's correctly positioned.
I have come to terms with the fact that I have a very slow metabolism and despite eating healthily and exercising regularly I find it exceptionally hard to lose weight. I have had all sorts of test including treadmills and bloods so often I must be empty.
My Dr is very understanding ( as are the people in the Bariatrics Dept at the hospital)
Just remember when considering surgery like this it's major surgery and has associated risks....it's supposedly reversible however this would involve major surgery for removal and the NHS view is to leave it in place and self monitor
I'm very glad it's working for you OP and I hope that when your down the road a few years it's still working. Congratulations on the weight loss as no matter what it's not easy

Did you go private? How much did it cost?

It cost £6k and I paid privately .

I didnt have any obesity related health conditions so the NHS wouldn’t consider me as a candidate .

I got 3 years aftercare for that . You can get them cheaper but without the aftercare .

I am 5’3

My BMI was 49.5

What is your current bmi? Is loose skin an issue? Can I ask what age you are (skin related interest)

I'm contemplating band v sleeve. How long did it take you to feel ok?