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Lap Band Procedure

Has anyone here heard of or had a Lap Band procedure?  I think I have seen it advertised as a reversible alternative to gastric bypass surgery.  I was previously scheduled to have a breast reduction to help reduce back pain, but insurance denied it, they have also denied the back surgery itself, and said to lose weight.  Its hard to lose weight if you cant move because of your back and arthritis/ bursitis in the lowere extremities.  Just looking at alternatives.

I am not thinking about soon, since I just had the gallbladder out, but being home here has made me start looking at possibilities since weight lose from increased physical activity can only be a minimum.

Thank You,
Michelle
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much.  I have read some sites but it is nice to here about personal stories.  

I am caught in the horrible circle of being told to lose weight, but not being told to keep physical exercise to a minimum with a bad back, arthritic knees, bursitis in my hips, high BP, you get the picture.  About all that I can do is 1-2 miles per day fast walking on the treadmill and various strengthening ex. with weights.  Unfortunetley aerobic ex. is out of the question.

My family has food allergies, so our diet is very good, and with the exception of once in a while, my diet is very low fat and acceptable to the doctors.  

We will see, maybe the gallbladder removal will help a bit.  My BMI is borderline, I have seen 35 with other conditions or 40 without.  I hit around 38, but do have other conditions, so who knows.  

Thanks again for the info.
Michelle
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Avatar universal
Two of my closest friends have had the lapband procedure.  It was done on an outpatient basis and pain was minimal and controlled with vicodin and only last a day or two.

One friend has lost over 120 lbs, which is outstanding and the other only 30 bls in a year and a half, not typical.  Usually it occurs much quicker than that, but she's found ways to overeat anyway. It won't solve everything.

You can consult with a specialist and will have to go through testing to make sure you are a good candidate and that you qualify for it via your health insurance and amount of extra weight you carry.  I do recall that you have to have an EGD done to make sure you don't have any hiatal hernias or other esophogeal problems as well since they will be dealing with that area.

Once the procedure is done, you go in periodically for "adjustments".  The put saline in the band via needle under the skin.  The liquid fills the band which tightens the hold which in turns makes you fuller faster and therefore eat less.  

I'm sure you can look up some good websites that explain the procedure itself in detail, but my friends have no regrets and it's reversible if need be.  

Best of luck to you.


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