lap band? Gastric bypass?

**Missy** · 07-05-2007, 07:47 PM

anyone her have either done? I have spent years and years fighting my weight. The harder I work, the more i gain it seems. I know it's not true, but I am fighting an uphill battle that is getting me nowhere. I have limited my caloric intake, fat intake, increased my daily activities, and so on. I am at my absolute heaviest with no other options. I have been to a nutritionist, who has studied my diaries and she said she can't see what im doing wrong. I eat healthy. I get plenty of water. My vice, DR pepper, is in moderation and according to her, not really an issue. my BMI is 42. Not so hot.

Anyone tried thes options? What were your experiences? MAybe a family member tried it??

**Cricket1** · 07-05-2007, 08:27 PM

My mom had gastric bypass at the end of January. She has lost 100 lbs. She tried everything for years and did really well on Weight Watchers, but it always came back on. My mom leads a pretty sedentary lifestyle (still) due to hip/leg problems. I think it's all very risky, though.

**auntie2many** · 07-05-2007, 08:37 PM

I know of four people who have had gastric bypass. One went to Mexicali where she got the surgery done for less than $7,000. Pretty scary, I would think but she did fine and lost quite a bit of weight. That was about three years ago.

Another had it done a little over two years ago and has lost over 200 lbs. The other person had it done around Thanksgiving of last year and has lost 70 lbs. I also have a friend that had the surgery done before I met her and she struggles with being about my size an 18 and I have not had the surgery.

There are lots of side effects and things that you will never be able to eat again after the surgery. One friend can no longer have sodas or coffee. Another friend can no longer have meat. There bodies will not tolerate it after surgery.

Please listen carefully to the doctors and their patients and fully understand it before committing to anything.

**DixieJ** · 07-05-2007, 09:06 PM

I have the lap-band. I researched both and decided the lapband was for me.
Neither of the surgeries is a "magic pill" cure. There's a wealth of information on both surgeries at www.obesityhelp.com. I don't regret my decision one bit. by the way, sodas (both regular and diet are a no no with both surgeries) Please feel free to p.m. me with any questions.

Dixie Jean

**i.m.cheap** · 07-06-2007, 09:38 AM

Missy, I feel your pain. I have been overweight/obese most of my life. Since May 1, I have lost 24 pounds. I bought a book, Super Foods RX, and started reading. I have cut out the crap I was eating, no more sodas (water with lemon, or green tea taste great to me), no more white flour (whole grains only, and in moderation), I eat all the fruits and vegetables I want, and most of my animal protein is in the form of skim milk, turkey or chicken breast, tuna or salmon. I also like Boca burgers. The weight is melting off, and I am never hungry. My total cholesterol has dropped from 197 to 122 in two months, and my triglycerides fell from 315 to 107.

I do allow myself 150 calories a day of a treat like dark chocolate, or fat free frozen yogurt or ice cream. I don't eat it every day, but it is nice to know if I want some chocolate or ice cream, I can have it. The thing is controlling the portion. Fat-free fudgesicles are good, and only have 80 calories. I keep my total calories around 1300-1400 a day, and when most of your foods are low-fat and high fiber, that is a lot of food! I aim for 6-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Those fruits and veggies really fill you up!

**i.m.cheap** · 07-06-2007, 09:44 AM

One more thing, these dietary changes have to be for LIFE. There is no going back to eating the way that made you fat, or you will gain the weight back. I just made a commitment to my HEALTH, and decided I wanted to avoid all the problems that come with being overweight/obese, like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Good luck, and you CAN do this without surgery. Wishing you all the best!

**PrairieRose** · 07-06-2007, 09:51 AM

Missy I've struggled for 25 years with my weight and felt like I was a lost cause as well. I can tell you that you're not a lost cause. You just have to give up the dr. pepper completely, strictly limit the foods that Deb mentioned limiting above and get 30-45 minutes of heart pumping exercise a day....drink gobs of water (like 2-3 liters a day) and there's no way you won't lose weight. You don't have to risk these surgeries......I was about to do the same thing myself and am sooooooooo thankful I didn't.

Not only is it healthier but so much cheaper to lose weight the old fashioned way too

**annymoll** · 07-06-2007, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by i.m.cheap

Missy, I feel your pain. I have been overweight/obese most of my life. Since May 1, I have lost 24 pounds. I bought a book, Super Foods RX, and started reading. I have cut out the crap I was eating, no more sodas (water with lemon, or green tea taste great to me), no more white flour (whole grains only, and in moderation), I eat all the fruits and vegetables I want, and most of my animal protein is in the form of skim milk, turkey or chicken breast, tuna or salmon. I also like Boca burgers. The weight is melting off, and I am never hungry. My total cholesterol has dropped from 197 to 122 in two months, and my triglycerides fell from 315 to 107.

I do allow myself 150 calories a day of a treat like dark chocolate, or fat free frozen yogurt or ice cream. I don't eat it every day, but it is nice to know if I want some chocolate or ice cream, I can have it. The thing is controlling the portion. Fat-free fudgesicles are good, and only have 80 calories. I keep my total calories around 1300-1400 a day, and when most of your foods are low-fat and high fiber, that is a lot of food! I aim for 6-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Those fruits and veggies really fill you up!

Co
ngrats to you Deb!!What you are doing for your health WILL pay off.Your diet is very similar to mine. I follow the Pritikin Lifestyle eating plan- it is just a way of life after you do it long enough.Plus daily exercise(not just housework)walking, biking, swimming etc.You will begin to crave the healthier food choices and enjoy the physical activity.I chose this lifestyle when I was 20 years old. I am 5'5 and weigh 115.It never varies. I feel as youthful as I did when I was 20, have no age related physical complaints.It works.

**miss_thrifty** · 07-06-2007, 03:56 PM

missy I had friend who had gastric bypass done 6 years ago. She was over 350 lbs and was always heavy even as kid. So when I met her through her sister she was just going through the procedure. And its not easy for anyone I ever talked too about. Your stomach is cut down to the size of a egg. You have the need still to overeat but no stomach there to fill. You get sick very easy. She has to take kid vitamins for the rest of her life and she has to watch every part of what she eats and how much intake. To make sure she gets enough in her system. The first month she nearly lived on jello and liquid diet. Her hair was falling out slowly because lack of nutrients and all the throwing ups he did. She tries to keep food down, its hard.
We both new 2 people who got it done years before her. One succeeded and kept it off, looks great. The other gained it back, feels terrible physically because of overstretching the stomach muscles gain.
It up to you dear but make sure you get all the facts before you decide you want it done.
My friend who never tell anyone its easy or go get it done. It wasnt a pleasant experinece for her. I watched her suffer emotionally too.
Shes doing fine now but still gets sick time to time from the brain not telling you to stop and slowly eat.