Her story about her Plastic Surgery after Lap-Band Surgery:

Plastic surgery is a personal decision. I could not see past the extra skin. I could not see all the progress I made with the Lap-Band because the extra skin hid it from me. I did a lot of research on the areas plastic surgeons as well as what insurance carriers required to cover the procedure. The first meeting with my surgeon was difficult for me. I was not prepared for how naked you had to be (how else are they going to see what needs to be done ? ) or how much my skin was going to be lifted moved etc. trust me when I tell you, you get used to it and, in the end at least for me, it was a confidence builder. I chose to have a Panniculectomy (removal of excess skin- in my case 15 pounds worth) a tummy tuck and a breast lift.

 After the surgery there was not a lot of pain but there was a lot of discomfort. Although I did all the research I could possibly do before the surgery, I was not prepared for how my body looked. I was swollen, sutured and my landscape shall we say,  moved and changed. I felt I looked like Frankenstein’s bride. The incisions and sutures were ugly to say the least. By post op week two, I wished I had never done it. I couldn’t see that the sutures would dissolve and I would get used to the new “landscape”. I hated the drains that removed the excess fluid.

They were annoying, in the way and at times a bit painful. I just was not happy with my choice. Lap-Band surgery was a distant memory now that I had taken this big step.

 Fast forward to week 4, the swelling was down and I was in a size 14 and they were not tight. The sutures had dissolved for the most part and I was starting to see what the surgery had accomplished. Anger and disappointment was replaced by a bit of happiness, confidence, and excitement and it just grew from there.

 Recently I passed my 10 week post op visit, most of the swelling is down and I am in a size 12. I was told that I will be swollen for about 4 more months. I will likely end up a size 10 or a 12. For me,  that is hard to wrap my head around. I plan on losing another 25 pounds and having my flanks done as my final surgery. I hope to attain that in the next 6 months. My insurance did not cover the procedures I had but I am not done fighting. I do not expect them to pay for the tuck or the lift but the skin removal should be covered.

The second I stopped dieting, I gained the weight back plus a whole lot more. I was physically drained with knee pain, Gerd, and joint problems.

My father is the one who talked to me and introduced me to the Lap-Band surgery.  I was ready to take on this new life style and was going to win at weight loss once and for all.

My biggest fear was being a failure once again, but with the support from my dad, nutritionist and surgeon, I was on my way to a new me.

Soon the weight started falling off and before I realized it I was down 110lbs.  I have never looked back at my old life and am enjoying my new life to the utmost.  I would do it again in a heart beat.

Every day I felt the stigma that comes along with being obese in a modern society. It shouldn’t feel that way but it is there and very real. 

My self esteem was not the only thing suffering, my health was as well.

I had become so obese that I was becoming immobile, had sleep apnea, and was developing high blood pressure. 

 The reason I chose Lap-Band surgery was because it was the least invasive of all the weight loss surgeries. I learned it was a tool that would teach me to eat properly and to take care of myself and become a healthier person.

 There was no doubt I need to lose weight slowly so I could adjust to a new life style.  Now 161lbs thinner, I have no health issues and I am in training for a marathon that I never thought I would be able to do.

Because of the Lap-Band I feel empowered as a woman and my social and work life have become everything I knew they should have been only now I can do it without my weight forcing me to one life style.  I would do it again in a heart beat.

Holly had lived with this weight issue all her life, experimented with every single diet, lost the weight only to regain it all back.  Most members of her immediate family had suffered complications for obesity and had died and she was not going to be another statistic.

After that awful day at the scene of the roller coaster she knew this time it would be different.  She knew it had to be drastic and after doing lots of research online, she went to a seminar and found a surgeon who also had the Lap-Band and knew if he had it she could not go wrong.

In October 2004, she made the decision to have the Lap-Band surgery.

 “I was on the phone one day talking to someone from my insurance company, who told me I could possibly be eligible for the Lap-Band surgery after we had a long conversation about weight loss.

The life changing day at the amusement part was something Holly needed to get the ball really rolling on her weight loss.  She never wanted to live that moment again of being embarrassed when she was turned away from a ride or any other activity she wanted to do with her children.

So how does Holly feel now living with the Lap-Band?  After 100lbs weight loss she can now ride any roller coaster, play on the floor with her kids without needing help to get up and now has no self esteem issues to deal with.  She loves her new life with her kids and enjoying all the activities she missed out on her entire life.

The Lap-Band is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can lead to similar weight loss results as other, more complex, surgeries like gastric bypass and gastric sleeves.  Although the rate of Lap-Band complications and death in  surgery patients is extremely low, the Lap-Band does have a higher instance of smaller, more annoying problems that patients should be aware of and take into consideration when considering Lap-Band surgery.

The Lap-Band, unlike other weight loss surgeries, is not a one-time procedure that does not require follow up.  In fact, the follow up visits to your Lap-Band surgeon, including having the band adjusted multiple times, will be key to a your success with the band.  Because of the range of Lap-Band complications that can occur, it is important to tell your surgeon immediately if you experience any symptoms that could indicate any complications large or small.

 Often times the larger, more serious Lap-Band complications occur when a patient ignores some of the smaller complications that start off as simply a nuisance.

Mortality:

The rate of mortality among Lap-Band patients is estimated around 0.1% and some surgeons even report zero mortalities out of thousands of Lap-Band procedures performed.  In general, when there are Lap-Band complications, the worst case scenario is another surgery to remove the band entirely. Based on the mortality rate, the Lap-Band has been considered the safest bariatric surgery but it is still a  surgical procedure and you should make sure the surgeon you choose is highly qualified.

Surgical Lap-Band Complications:

Like any surgery, the Lap-Band procedure has risks associated with being under anesthesia including blood clots, bleeding, pneumonia, pain, and nausea among others.  Your surgeon will give you a complete informed consent package that will outline all of the common and rare complications and risks of undergoing surgery.  There is also a risk of bowel perforation during surgery but this can normally be caught when it happens and repaired immediately. If it is not caught, another surgery will be required once the perforation is discovered.

Lap-Band Complications:

The following complications are ones attributed to the Lap-Band, whether by a malfunction in the device (the band itself) or a problem with the way it is used by the patient.

Lap-Band Erosion – When the band erodes through the stomach. This is a very serious side effect and the band must be removed.

Band Intolerance – The Lap-Band is an implant which is tolerated well by most patients but there is a risk that your body just won’t accept its presence. Symptoms include frequent vomiting and constant discomfort. Removal of the band is then required.

Band or Port Leaks – The Lap-Band is filled with saline, which inflates it and gives the feeling of restriction patients feel. If a patient suddenly or gradually loses the feeling of restriction it can be a sign that the fluid from the band is leaking. The leak can occur in the band itself or the tubing of the port. Surgery is required to replace the malfunctioning part whether it is the band or the port (note: port repair surgery is much less complicated than Lap-Band surgery.)

Band Slip – Sometimes the stomach can move around the band in a way it’s not supposed to. This is known as a slippage of the band. It can be caused by being overly tight, excessive overeating with the band, or frequent vomiting.  If all saline is removed from the band and the symptoms don’t resolve, surgery can be required to reposition or remove the band.

Constipation – After surgery your diet will have to change. Lack of fiber and generally eating less can cause constipation in Lap-Band patients. Drinking plenty of water and taking a fiber supplement can help avoid this.

Trouble Swallowing – After Lap-Band surgery, some patients may experience difficulty getting food down but it is normally due to lack of good chewing practices and can be solved by eating smaller bites and chewing more thoroughly.

Dilation of the Esophagus or Pouch – If the band is too tightly filled or placed incorrectly during surgery, or if a patient overeats after surgery, the esophagus and/or the newly created pouch (stoma) can become dilated (stretched) and this can lead to acid reflux and vomiting as well as inadequate weight loss due to more food being able to be consumed.  If caught early, fluid can be removed from the band and the stoma or esophagus will return to normal in time. In serious cases, surgery may be required to remove the band.

Getting “Stuck” – If a patient is not careful to take small bites and chew thoroughly, food particles can become lodged in the opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. Normally these episodes pass in time or a patient will regurgitate the food (or often times, pill.)  In extreme circumstances, the band may have to be unfilled to allow the food or drug to pass through.

Gallstones – Gallstones can form in the gallbladder, particularly after rapid weight loss. Some surgeons will remove the gallbladder during Lap-Band surgery and many more patients have to undergo gallbladder removal in the years following their Lap-Band.

Acid Reflux, Indigestion, Heartburn (or GERD) – By far one of the most popular Lap-Band Complications – While many people’s GERD is vastly improved following weight loss surgery, the Lap-Band can also cause acid reflux and heartburn in some patients. This is not normal and usually indicates the band is too tight or food is being eaten too close to bed time, at which point it sits in the stoma, or pouch, instead of moving down into the full stomach. Changing what you eat, when you eat it, and developing good Lap-Band eating practices can usually eliminate these side effects.

Food Intolerances – After Lap-Band surgery, some people just cannot eat some foods. Many people find once they are correctly adjusted that breads and pastas are not edible anymore. Some people have trouble with fibrous foods like celery and other stringy vegetables.  You will have to try new foods slowly and carefully to determine how they will work for you post Lap-Band.

Port Flip or Relocation – Sometimes the port moves from the position your surgeon placed it in during Lap-Band surgery. If it manages to flip upside down it will not be accessible for fills and a small, outpatient procedure will be needed to get it back into place and right side up. Most port repairs can be done under local anesthesia and are relatively common and routine for your surgeon to perform.

Infection of the Port or Band – Though uncommon, bacteria from the stomach can travel down the tubing and infect the area of the port or the band itself. While this can normally be treated with antibiotics, in some cases removal of the band may be necessary.

Lap-Band Failure – Sometimes the Lap-Band simply does not work for a person and they opt to have the band removed. Sometimes this failure is due to complications or intolerances and other times it is due to the patient not being compliant with the post Lap-Band eating and lifestyle requirements.  Insufficient weight loss with the Lap-Band, warranting removal of the band, is normally defined as losing less than 30% of your excess weight.  Patients should keep in mind that successful results with the Lap-Band would be losing 30% of excess weight or more – meaning a person who is 100 lbs overweight would only need to lose 30lbs in order to have the surgery considered a success. This is a much lower percentage of excess weight than is expected from other bariatric procedures, however, the Lap-Band has been proven to provide similar long term results as Gastric Bypass over the course of several years post-op.

 The Lap-Band fill is what allows the surgeon to adjust the device to each individual patient…

When the Lap-Band is placed during surgery, it will normally not contain any fluid. Some surgeons do a small Lap-Band fill with a very small amount of fluid so that the patient will have a little restriction from the band at the start. This is a decision unique to your surgeon and there is no absolute right or wrong way.  However, most people come out of surgery with an empty band and do not receive a Lap-Band fill until 6 weeks after their operation when they should be fully healed and all swelling from the initial surgery should have subsided.

 The reason you need a fill is because the Lap-Band does not work completely on its own. Just being around your stomach does not “make” you lose weight or even have any affect on your sense of hunger and fullness, necessarily. It is only once the band is adjusted properly (which can take one fill or several to achieve) that you will see and feel maximum results from the Lap-Band.  It is very important however, not to become overfilled or “too tight” because this will also not lead to successful weight loss and can in fact encourage maladaptive eating patterns and even weight gain.

 When you get your first fill, how much fluid your surgeon places, and how often you need more fills will be completely individualized. It will depend on how hungry you are between meals, how much food it takes to satisfy you, and how quickly or slowly you are losing weight.  If you are losing weight at a rate of ½ – 2lbs per week and are not hungry between meals, you do not need a fill! If your weight loss is too little and you are constantly hungry, you will probably need one. On the other hand, if your weight loss is too fast or you find yourself not eating enough or eating non-nutritious foods just because they are easier to eat, you probably need an “unfill” – or saline removal.  It can take one or many adjustments to find the right level of restriction for you and once you think you’ve found the right place, even the weather or time of month, stress, or any number of factors can change the feeling of how tight your band is.

 If you have insurance that covered your Lap-Band surgery then chances are that it will also cover your follow up visits including your Lap-Band fill. If you paid out of pocket for your surgery, then your surgeon should include a set period of time (normally the first 6 months or 1 year) worth of follow up visits with the amount you’ve already paid. If you are concerned about the cost of your fill, have the doctor’s office contact your insurance company. It is possible to be hit with an expensive bill for a band adjustment if you are not aware of how your insurance coverage treats the visits or do not have insurance at all.  If you have to pay the cost of a fill yourself, you should expect it to be anywhere from $100 on the low end to $300 on the high end. Sometimes the Lap-Band fill is done under fluoroscopy (a type of x-ray) and thus will be more expensive if not covered by insurance.

 Your surgeon will give you instructions about your eating behavior directly after a fill and for the next few days and it’s important to follow them. Some general guidelines that will help ensure your fill is done properly are as follows:

 Don’t eat a large dinner the night before your fill and only eat liquids (protein shakes or soup) the morning of your fill.  This is because it is vital not to have any food remaining in your stomach pouch when the fill is performed.

 Do not drink cold liquids in the hour before your fill because cold can contract the pouch and affect the accuracy of the fill.

 Stay around your doctor’s office at least long enough to drink an entire glass of water comfortably and make sure liquid is going down. It is not uncommon to realize you need a little bit of fluid taken out from the Lap-Band fill soon after it is performed.

 If you are female, try not to get a fill directly before or during your menstrual cycle (many women report that it will make you feel artificially more restricted than the fill normally will.)

 If you have to travel to see your surgeon, stay at least one night in the area in case of any problems requiring the surgeon’s attention.

 For the rest of the day after getting your Lap-Band fill, remain on liquid food only. Move to soft food the next day and finally solid food on the third day, just like after surgery, to be gentle on your stomach as it adjusts to the new tightness.

This means that after Lap-Band surgery, you will need to eat a diet that is high in nutrients like protein and fiber but much lower in calories.  You will be given specific instructions by your own surgeon but most Lap-Band patients are encouraged to consume at least 60 grams of protein per day and to choose lean meats, low fat dairy products, whole grains, and vegetables as tolerated.  While you may “be able” to eat any food you like, you will have the best results with your band if you avoid starchy white foods like white bread, pasta, and potatoes. Of course other junk food like chips, pizza, ice cream, cookies, and cakes should be avoided since they are high in calories and fat with no nutritional benefit.  Not to mention, some foods that you shouldn’t be eating anyway can be hard to tolerate with your band.

Once your Lap-Band is correctly adjusted (which can take some time after your surgery, so be patient!) you will be able to eat a few ounces of lean meat and a small portion of whole grains and vegetables at each meal but you will have to eat slowly enough to not overfill your pouch and cause discomfort or side effects.  If you eat in this way, you should not be hungry between meals—however, some surgeons recommend patients to eat 6 smaller “mini-meals” per day instead of 3 meals to make sure they stay satisfied and are not overly hungry.  If you are constantly hungry and searching for food between meals, speak to your Lap-Band surgeon about adjusting your band and make sure that your Lap Band diet after surgery includes good satisfying foods and not ones that will pass right through your band.

Once you have the Lap-Band, it is also important to make the most out of the food you do eat. Your Lap Band diet after surgery should dictate that you avoid liquid calories such as fruit juices, ice cream, and milkshakes because they won’t satisfy your hunger. It is always best to start with protein and continue eating other things only if you’re truly still hungry.  Be aware that overly fibrous foods (often time vegetables) may be hard to tolerate and you may have to avoid things like celery and asparagus.  Alcoholic drinks should be avoided while you’re losing weight except for special occasions but can be added back in with moderation once you maintain your weight. You should never consume carbonated beverages like soda or beer since these can cause harm to your new stomach.

Even if you are not infertile, becoming pregnant while obese or morbidly obese is a much more risky endeavor for both the mother and fetus.  Conditions associated with obesity like Diabetes and high blood pressure can make for a high-risk pregnancy and the chance of developing gestational diabetes even in non-diabetic obese women is higher than in women of normal weight.  All in all, whether it is the inability to become pregnant or the increased danger of becoming pregnant, doing so while carrying large amounts of excess weight is a burden on your body.

So you have decided to undergo Lap-Band surgery with the hope of achieving pregnancy —or having an easier and less complicated pregnancy in the future. Is this safe? Will weight loss really make you more fertile? And will you be able to carry a healthy baby on the type of diet that is required after Lap Band surgery? These are all important questions to consider before obtaining a Lap-Band and before becoming pregnant after your Lap Band. The good news is that yes, most likely, losing weight will increase your body’s fertility. And yes, it has been shown over and over that pregnancy is possible and healthy after undergoing Lap Band surgery. However, it is vital that you follow some specific rules and most importantly, work with your Lap-Band surgeon along with your OB-GYN if you are intending to become pregnant after Lap Band.

First and most importantly, be aware that as you lose weight your body will become more fertile and you will be at an increased risk of becoming pregnant unintentionally. Unless pregnancy after Lap Band is something you want, It is very important to use contraception during this time (ideally the first year after your weight loss surgery) because you do not want pregnancy after Lap Band surgery while you are recovering from the placement of your band or while you are losing weight rapidly as tends to happen during the first year.  If possible, use more than one method of contraception to make certain you do no become pregnant unintentionally.  Even though it is not ideal, don’t panic if you do accidentally get pregnant while still less than a year post Lap-Band surgery.  The beauty of the Lap-Band is you can always start your weight loss again later, so it’s imperative to go to your Lap-Band surgeon immediately upon learning you are pregnant so he or she can remove fluid from your band, allowing you to take in more calories and nutrients needed for the pregnancy.

Barring an unforeseen pregnancy, you should plan on becoming pregnant once your weight has stabilized or your goal weight has been achieved. When this happens, you should still meet with your Lap-Band surgeon immediately to make sure your band is loose enough that you can eat an adequate diet while pregnant.

In addition, if your plan is pregnancy after lap band it is recommended that you take a daily multivitamin with emphasis on Vitamins A, B-1, B-12, Folic Acid, and Iron; visit your Lap-Band surgeon and OB-GYN regularly; drink plenty of water; eat a high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat diet; and take in extra protein daily through supplements and shakes.

Your surgeon can certain tell you about any Lap Band problems that you could expect but overall most patients are back to work and don’t have any problems.

The simple answer is “it depends”. If you follow closely your doctors instructions and are the “perfect Lap-Band patient” than you can expect to reach 70-80% of your goal weight within 18 months.

How much weight you lose usually is in direct proportion to how much you are willing to do. Remember the Lap-Band is just a tool. It’s not magic and it’s necessary for you to do your part.

Here is how it works:

The Lap-Band gastric band, when placed around the top of your stomach,  forms a small pouch. This pouch holds a small amount of food and allows the patient to have a feeling of being full. The stomach has a nerve at the top of the stomach that signals the brain when the stomach becomes full. By having a pouch created at the top of the stomach that nerve is triggered sooner and the patient feels satisfied.

The port attached to the Lap-Band allows your surgeon to add saline solution to tighten the adjustable band which slows the passing of food into the lower portion of the stomach. Unlike the gastric bypass the Lap-Band requires no cutting of the stomach or the intestines. The lap-Band can be removed as easily as it is inserted and your digestive system simply returns to normal after it is removed.