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Original poster

Successful gastric band?

45 replies

TinselTottyTart · 31/12/2021 10:06

Due to a extended period of steroid medication I have reached an all time high weight wise. Has anyone had a successful gastric band experience? I am about 7 stone overweight and eat like a horse.

OP posts:
SarahJessicaParker1 · 01/01/2022 14:52

Bump Grin

Booklover3 · 01/01/2022 14:58

All I will say is that unless you deal with the root cause for eating it’s entirely possible you could end up overweight again.

I know a few people who had either a gastric bypass or a band and they didn’t deal with the issue. They are now (5-10 years later) back to the same weight they were pre op but with more health conditions (mostly from the actual bypass).

So if you do have one make sure you see someone about the emotional reasons for overeating also Flowers

I’m sure there are people who never put the weight on again also… this is just from my acquaintances.

WeeFae · 01/01/2022 14:59

Yes, had it in April 2021 and have lost 6.5 stone so far.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Weight management
Booklover3 · 01/01/2022 14:59

No judgement here either OP as I’m also well overweight and eat far too much myself!

Original poster
TinselTottyTart · 01/01/2022 14:59

@SarahJessicaParker1

Thank you

OP posts:
WeeFae · 01/01/2022 15:00

I had a bypass, the band does not have a good success rate!

Mooey89 · 01/01/2022 15:07

Had my band in oct 2020, lost about 4 stone, still have 3 to go.

For me, budget wise I could only afford the band. I liked that it was reversible and adaptable.

HOWEVER, for me, my meal sizes are very limited, but I can binge eat on no end of sugar. It’s still a constant battle.
My friends who had sleeves or bypass have done much better because you can’t overeat cake/biscuits/sweets.
If I had my time again I would 100% save longer and go with sleeve, but I’m not unhappy with my band, I just need to work with it better 😂

Original poster
TinselTottyTart · 01/01/2022 15:11

@Booklover3

I did write about the emotional reasons for overeating and got such a bashing I deregistered my account. Usually I find MN helpful (accept Friday nights). The fights are legendary. I got called a liar and a drunk last week! However next day someone put up the 'dump your Christmas anger here' . A great post, no trolling allowed.

OP posts:
Booklover3 · 01/01/2022 15:14

[quote TinselTottyTart]@Booklover3

I did write about the emotional reasons for overeating and got such a bashing I deregistered my account. Usually I find MN helpful (accept Friday nights). The fights are legendary. I got called a liar and a drunk last week! However next day someone put up the 'dump your Christmas anger here' . A great post, no trolling allowed.[/quote]
Did you? Christ I am so sorry to hear that. It can be awful on here sometimes! That won’t help at all.

I don’t know if you can afford it but it might be worth seeing a counsellor who helps with eating disorders first. Find out what your triggers are (sounds like you already know some), and what you can do to help stop them.

Then go for the band, bypass or sleeve if you still feel you need to.

Gilead · 01/01/2022 15:17

Fucking hate steroids, gone from a 12 to a 22, but I’m unable to walk without them!

Original poster
TinselTottyTart · 01/01/2022 15:19

@Mooey89
This is useful. I want it to be reversible. I am very competitive so if I lose say four stone, I get very encouraged. I love clothes. I have lost 4 stone plus in the past but got pregnant each time. Now I am too old for that. 😂. I don't eat sugar but drink too much wine. I am having counselling for that as it is bereavement triggered.

OP posts:
user290814356289 · 01/01/2022 15:28

Has anyone been left with loose skin or did it manage to tighten up?

Bypassqueen · 01/01/2022 16:06

I'm over a year out and am 8.5 stone down following bypass. Absolutely zero regrets. It is very much a tool which you can abuse so you have to make good choices but it really helps you do it. Bands don't have a good reputation and lots of surgeons refuse to do them now - they can damage the stomach very badly and once the band is removed regain is incredibly likely.

Bypassqueen · 01/01/2022 16:07

User - in terms of loose skin, I have some but nothing like as bad as I thought

Mooey89 · 01/01/2022 16:14

Then go for it! On the pre op diet alone I lost 1.5 stone in 10 days and it was so motivating.

Original poster
TinselTottyTart · 02/01/2022 12:51

@Bypassqueen

I am hoping limited loose skin as I have slim arms and legs. I am in my mid fifties so will be a bit wrinkly. I heard no fizzy drinks? I don't drink coke but love champers. A life without champagne might break my heart. I am terrible to buy gifts for so friends buy wine. I might start wearing earrings again!

OP posts:
Bypassqueen · 02/01/2022 12:54

Tinsel so fizzy is supposed to be banned but I can drink it - I tend to swirl so it is more sparkling than fizzy if that makes sense? It depends a lot on you as an individual. I eat (and drink) everything that I did before just in smaller portions but some people struggle more with e.g. bread. I didn't love fizzy things before so I'm not the best person to ask to be fair!

Sarahlou63 · 02/01/2022 12:56

Have a chat with this lady;

www.sheilagranger.com/virtual-gastric-band/what-is-the-virtual-gastric-band

Thoosa · 02/01/2022 12:58

I also have a friend who defizzes her champagne with a swizzle stick. Smile I think she had a bypass, though, not a band.

Thoosa · 02/01/2022 12:58

Actually maybe you are her @Bypassqueen !

WeeFae · 02/01/2022 12:59

[quote TinselTottyTart]@Bypassqueen

I am hoping limited loose skin as I have slim arms and legs. I am in my mid fifties so will be a bit wrinkly. I heard no fizzy drinks? I don't drink coke but love champers. A life without champagne might break my heart. I am terrible to buy gifts for so friends buy wine. I might start wearing earrings again![/quote]
I can't really do fizzy anymore, that is true. I can manage a gin and lemonade if it has ice in it and stirred a little to get rid of the worst of it.

Watto1 · 02/01/2022 13:06

I had one 5 years ago. I got down to my target weight within 18 months. My meals are smaller than the DC’s! For example, I may have two-thirds of one sausage with a spoonful of mash and about a third of a carrot. I have to eat very slowly and chew thoroughly or I’ll be sick. I can have fizzy drinks but again, I have to drink them slowly. It’s important to remember that it is a tool, not the miracle cure. Wine and ice cream sadly slip down just as easily as they always did!

DrPhilYourGuts · 02/01/2022 13:07

I've had a Bypass and agree with most of whats already been said.

However, the thing I'd point out is your appetite adapts really quickly in both directions. Have you stopped the medication? I don't know about steroids but if you will still be on it when you're planning to loosen/reverse the band, you will most likely resume eating large portions rapidly.

Everyone has different responses, I cannot tolerate fizz at all, but I'm OK with sugar up to a point. A friend can't have sugar in her tea, but I can eat an entire chocolate bar. Other friends have had a lot of nausea and diarrhoea, which I haven't.

It is of course different for the band, and I'm certain you will loose weight but its become a less popular choice with surgeons for a reason. I would have a consultation with a few surgeons and see what their opinion is.

DrPhilYourGuts · 02/01/2022 13:11

Also, be aware if you're an emotional eater/drinker you will still feel that. It's known as Head Hunger, so you will still experience the drive to binge.

To be clear, I have no regrets, only that I didn't have it earlier!

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 02/01/2022 13:51

There's not much long term evidence out there. I had mine done in 2007 and lost five stone over 2 years. I looked great. Then I discovered ice cream can pretty much slip through, and my personal life was a.Jess as well. The weight started to creep back on.
What I've found is that it is sold as making you feel full on very little but in actual fact in my experience, a gastric band doesn't do that. It simply makes you feel like you have a lump of food that won't shift and so you feel uncomfortable, and still,hungry at the same time because the rest of your stomach is empty! So if the food doesn't slip through the easiest thing to do is to puke it up otherwise it just sits there and might make you sick in the end anyway. I don't know if this is others experiences. Anyway when I had DR I had the whole thing loosened to the max and I couldn't go back now. I still have problems with it but not as much. I would have it removed but I don't think you can on the NHS, I can't afford private, and am terrified of general anaesthetic.