I had a friend visit me recently that had the gastric bypass surgery. She asked why I was choosing lapband and I told her I felt more comfortable going that route. I think it is truly a matter of personal choice and I support her decision 110%. She has lost over 100 lbs and looks marvelous! It got me thinking and I did a little "googling" and found some fun info on the internet. I found out a few things I didn't know before regarding lapband surgery. For example, it could take 2-3 years to reach goal weight. I think that is fair enough, since I took about 10 years to put it all on. :) I posted the information below in case someone else found this helpful. Whatever choice people make, I think it is important that we are supportive.



Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery
The most common type of weight loss surgery is gastric bypass surgery with over 30 years of use and impressive weight loss results. On the other hand, lap band surgery is a new and promising procedure that is growing in popularity due to it's comparable long term weight loss with less risk.
Many patients are interested in comparing gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. This chart can help give you a general overview of these two popular weight loss procedures, but it should not take the place of a consultation with your doctor to discuss your health and determine which procedure is the best fit for you.


Procedure
Lap-Band Surgery -LB (green)
Gastric Bypass -GB (red)

Approach to Weight Loss
Restrictive
Limits amount of food that can be eaten
Slows digestion
Creates satiety


Restrictive-Malabsorptive
Limits amount of food that can be eaten
Reduces absorption
Dumping Syndrome


Anatomy Changes
Stomach
Small (1-2 oz) stomach pouch created by placing an adjustable silicone band around top part of stomach


Stomach and Intestines
Stomach divided into an upper small (1 oz) pouch and a lower larger remnant pouch
Small intestine cut and rerouted


Dietary Guidelines

800 calories per day for first 2-3 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
eat protein-rich foods
certain fibrous, dry, or doughy foods can get stuck if eaten
high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts
drink 6-8 cups of water a day between meals
avoid carbonated drinks


800 calories per day for first 1-2 years, then 1000-1200 calories per day
eat protein-rich foods
avoid intake of sugar and fats or Dumping Syndrome occurs
high carbohydrate and high calorie intake will defeat weight loss attempts

drink 6-8 cups of water per day between meals
avoid carbonated drinks


Eating Habits
eat 3 small meals a day
avoid snacking
no drinking with meals
eat slowly and chew food thoroughly


eat small amounts
avoid snacking
no drinking with meals
eat and drink slowly
chew food thoroughly


Nutritional Supplements
Multivitamin
Calcium


Multivitamin
Calcium
Vitamin B12
Iron (menstruating women)


Operating Time
1 hour


2 hours


Hospital Stay
less than 24 hrs - overnight


2-3 days


Time off Work
1 week


2-3 weeks


Recovery Time
Approximately 6 weeks


Approximately 3 months


Surgery Disadvantages
General surgical risks including infection
Possibility of band slippage, band erosion, or port problems
Requires more patient effort for weight loss
Stoma obstruction
Band needs fills and adjustments by doctor


Complex operation
Surgical risks including infection, leaks, and blood clots
Ulcers
Bowel obstruction
Reflux
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Dumping Syndrome


Surgery Mortality Rates
1 in 2000


1 in 200


Surgery Advantages
Simple and relatively safe procedure
Reversible
Adjustable
No removing or altering any part of the stomach or intestines
Short hospital stay
Quick recovery period
Low malnutrition risk
Low rate of major complications


Rapid weight loss in first 6 months
Greatly controls amount of food that can be eaten
Dumping Syndrome controls intake of sweets
Limits amount of calories absorbed by the body


Average Weight Loss
Slow and steady weight loss
Settles at final weight 3-4 years after surgery
40-50% weight loss after 1 year
55% weight loss after 5 years


Rapid weight loss first 6 months
Settles at final weight about 18-24 months after surgery
70% weight loss after 1 year
60% weight loss after 5 years

One Month Count Down

I couldn't let this day go by without posting. Just one month to go until my "band-day!" Once we hit May it will seem closer. I just had a lovely visit with a friend from Utah who had gastric bypass surgery last June. She has lost over 100 lbs. and looks phenomenal!!! It is very inspiring to hear her story and have her encouragement.

I just finished a big meeting, so now I will have a little more time to dedicate to blog reading, supporting and sharing. Let the countdown begin!!!

Inspiration

I have been reading many blogs from start to finish. What is inspirational to me is that I relive someone's life (perhaps the last 9 months) in the course of an hour. So when they post that they are frustrated with their slow weight loss, I read 10 minutes later how they passed that plateau. I get to see them reach their goals without having to wait the full 9 months. That is what gives me hope when I get banded. I know if I stick with it and give it time...it can happen.

This week I read the following blogs start to finish...

http://jax0120.blogspot.com/ - Jacquie (banded March 24)
http://embracinganewpath.blogspot.com/ - Jenny (banded March 29)
http://thelittlebandit.blogspot.com/ - Jess (banded Jan. 22)
http://thequeenbeeslapbandlife.blogspot.com/ - Vickie (to be banded in May) :)
http://rollercoasterdieting.blogspot.com/ - SandyLee (banded Feb. 10)

I have been taking notes and writing tips, recipes, etc. as I read blogs. I will share those in a later post. A BIG THANK YOU to each of you ladies!!! I have smiled, chuckled and enjoyed your stories!!!

Even though my surgery is about a month away, the liquid diet is just a few weeks away. That makes it feel that much closer.

Pandora's Box

I received my surgery approval before Christmas and my surgery is not until May 25. That has given me lots of time for reflection and "open eating season." :)

One thing that is standing out is that I am an "all or nothing" person. I cannot have just one cookie...the bag haunts me from the pantry. We have tried bagging treats, like cookies into smaller bags for lunches, etc. That did not help me. I don't know if that will change with WLS. Maybe I can eat just one small scoop of ice cream and not feel compelled to have more. I have always been envious of those who can keep snack foods in their house and they can last awhile. They don't even think about the bag of chips and how it is calling their name. I can be very good if I don't take that first bite...but after that Pandora's Box is opened. Maybe I will just have to say "no" all my life or maybe I will learn better control with the band. :)

Diet Pepsi Bites the Dust

I knew Diet Pepsi and I would need to part ways before my WLS. Initially, I thought I could ween myself slowly. Maybe spend a week with three bottles a day, next week two bottles a day and so on. That method was not working at all. :) I just went cold turkey and that has been much easier. I'm now six weeks out and Diet Pepsi free. It really was not as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't get any headaches, which was a relief.

People say you crave sugar more when you have Diet Sodas, but I haven't really noticed a difference since quitting. Also, they say that the sodas can cause you to feel bloated. I can honestly say I don't feel any different one way or the other since stopping. Perhaps, a wee bit more tired in the afternoon, but that is about it. So far I have just been drinking water and occasionally adding a Crystal Light powder mix. It makes me feel good that I have already started and committed to one healthy habit. Now I just have exercise, and eating healthy food to go. That's all! :)

I have not been blogging often, just because my surgery still seems so far out and it doesn't seem I have a lot to share presurgery. My goal is to try and get two posts in a week until May when surgery is on the calendar. Meanwhile, I try to read two to three blogs a night (start to finish) so I get the FULL picture and story. I enjoy reading the blogs presurgery and after. Thanks to everyone for sharing!

Goodbye Clothes - For REAL this time

Every six months I switch my clothes seasonally (fall/winter to spring/summer). It is a BIG deal! I pack the out of season clothes in bins and hang the more formal items in a storage closet. Then the remainder of the clothes are left in my closet. EVERY YEAR I think I will lose weight and be able to wear those items a few sizes too small...it has never happened.

It is so fun to actually believe it could happen this year!!! So hard to even imagine!!! I put the items just a few sizes too small in the storage closet upstairs for easier access. If all goes as planned I should be 30-40 lbs lighter by next fall! Dreams can come true!

Pre Surgery Testing

Congrats to Jacquie http://jax0120.blogspot.com/ who was banded in Mexico yesterday! Those are the stories that keep me motivated and inspired. So thank all of you banders for sharing (new and old)

I had my presurgery testing and it truly was no big deal. It just required fasting after midnight.
Had to be at the hospital by 8 am and got there about a quarter till. They let me go in early.

A) First stop was blood work...they took five vials of blood. The nurse was so sweet and kept apologizing for poking me. Honestly, I never felt a thing. If you have trouble with needles I would suggest you ask for the "butterfly" needle. My veins are hard to find and they roll, so a nurse suggested this and I have rarely had a problem since.

B) Next stop was for the Upper GI. I had never experienced one before, so I was not sure what to expect. I dressed in a lovely (not) hospital gown open in the back and the good news is that they let me layer with another lovely (not) hospital gown in the front like a robe. At least that way I felt half way covered. I met the radiologist and technician who were both very friendly and explained the procedure. First, I had to drink (quickly toss to the back of my throat and swallow) a cup of something similar to rock pops or Alka-Seltzer. They said it could cause me to want to burp, and to try and avoid that. I never felt like I had to. There was an upright mechanical table with a little platform to stand on about six inches from the ground. They took a couple of pix and had me take a BIG sip of thick liquid (barium). Wouldn't want seconds, but it was bearable. As I lean back against the table and hold onto the sidebars, the table reclines back into a horizontal position. They took a few more pix and it was a wrap! The radiologist said everything looked great. Since that part of my anatomy is not frequently viewed, I guess it is good to know that all is well. Start to finish, the total procedure was less than 15 minutes.

C) Met with the pre-surgical nurse who was so nice. Then again, everyone I have met so far has been very friendly. She went over the meds I was currently taking, what to expect during surgery, when to arrive, etc. She also gave me an "Incentive Spirometer Exerciser" to help exercise my lungs prior to surgery. It will strengthen my lungs, so I will be less likely to get pneumonia. (See image above). At least one part of my body is starting to get exercise.

D) Finally, I met with the anesthesiologist. He explained how the anesthesia would be done and what to expect when coming out of surgery. He asked about previous surgeries and experiences.

All in all, I was out of the hospital within an hour and a half. I hope everything else continues to go this smoothly.

I did end up having to reschedule my surgery to my next school break, May 25th. It is not the end of the world, but I was hoping sooner than later. Meanwhile, I will keep enjoying everyone else's blogs and success.