Pros and Cons of WLS

The BBW & Admirers Social Network

Posted by Sassy Pants on September 23, 2007 at 1:59pm in Health & Fitness

I have read alot about WLS and know alot of people that have had it done. What are your views on this. I am considering it and would love to hear from others that have had the surgery and from people that have considered it and ruled against it.

Tags: and, cons, lose, pros, weight, wls

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lizzy Danger on October 20, 2007 at 6:33pm: I had the lap band in June 2006, it has been nothing but PROBLEMS for me, I lost 40 lbs then gain/lose 10 back and forth like a yo yo. there is something wrong though, some mass in my abdomine that may or may not be related to the band, I wont know til next week at the earliest.

Ok so theres my nightmare lap band story, but my sister on the other hand, had the lap band and lost over 175 lbs. so for some ppl it works, for others it doesnt or there are complications.

let me say this, I want to lose weight, and wanted this surgery, but it has been a nightmare. it has taken alot of enjoyment out of my life. I miss my friend food, and when I overeat even just a little, I throw it up, not fun.

So if you enjoy eating, and aren't having co-morbiditites, DON'T DO IT. if you are healthy, don't have high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, don't mess with your body. I had to do something cause I had so many co-morbidities, so I felt I had no choice but to get weight loss surgery or die.

had I to do it all over again I would NOT have gotten the lap band, I would have done one of the gastric bypass operations. which might have also been a nightmare, but at least for all the pain and suffering I've been though I'd have lost some weight. as it stands right now ppl see my sisters success w/ the band and look at me and go "didnt u have same surgery?? what happened??"

so I want to say to those ppl and those that are pressuring you to get a surgery that you dont necessarily want or need, to fuck off!!

hope this helps you, i enjoyed venting and sharing.
--Liz; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fireyredhead on December 23, 2007 at 4:36pm: I have been thinking about this for sometime too. I want to feel like a normal girl again.
Don't get me wrong....there is nothing wrong with being who you are! If you are happy being the weight you are at...then by all means, that is how you should stay!!

I gained a great deal of my weight after I found out my ex husband was cheating on me....with his ex wife no less.lol
Needless to say.....it wasn't a great boost to my self-esteem.

And, instead of leaving, I was scared of being alone ( I had just had my daughter like 1 month before I found out), so I stayed.....and food was what got me through the nights and wondering.

I also had complications with all three of my pregnancies which required me to be on complete bedrest for at the very least 12 weeks.
Eating for 2, and getting no exercise whatsoever.....yeah, it wrecks the body!

I looked into gastric bypass, but I don't weigh enough to get that procedure done. Which I think is crap!
I can get lapband......but, I'm a little worried about getting it.
I have a friend who had it done 2 years ago this past month. She went from a size 22 down to a 16.....and has stayed there.
She has always been athletic.....and she spends atleast an hour a day the the Y...since she works there....but never lost weight.
She now is in the same rut. I think she might not be going to get the band tightened however.....she says she is...but, I have my doubts. lol
She also has resorted back to eating crap...not much crap...but, crap none the less.

Pam.....could you give me a little more insight into your surgery?
I'm not wanting to be a model sized 2 or anything......I'm not crazy! But, I worry with my family history......I'm going to end up diabetic if I don't gt my butt in gear and do something soon!
I also do not want to give my kids a bad role model to be looking up to.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pam on December 23, 2007 at 5:33pm: Lap band surgery is pretty simple. It is done laproscopicly (sp?) and only extremely rare cases does anyone need to be opened up. My surgery was done out patient though some doctors might want you to stay over night. Recovery time is pretty short. I would say I was pretty much back to normal with in 2 weeks. Some people (with desk jobs) even go back to work within 3 or 4 days. I would recommend checking out www.lapbandtalk.com it is a forum for anyone who is considering, getting or has gotten the lap band. Just remember that the band is only a tool and will only work for you if you make the right choices. I never considered by pass because there are many more complications with it and the thought of doing something so major that couldnt be reversed really scared me. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fireyredhead on December 23, 2007 at 9:20pm: Did you try and have your insurance cover it? I'm pretty sure that I would be able to get mine to cover it due to medical history.. (both of my parents are diabetic and my mom has high blood pressure).
Well, I say that....lol Hopefully history is a hefty deciding factor in that......I've never had any major health related issues other than gall bladder and food allergys.
Laproscopy is definitely the way to go! lol I had my gall bladder removed that way.....and have one tiny scare on my tummy......but, it kinda destroyed all evidence of my belly button ever exsisting. lol
THank you for the link...I'm gonna check it out!

I know of someone I used to work with that had bypass.........month and months later she was still only able to hold down the protein shakes...everything else came right back up......that kinda scares me.
I can handle my kids getting sick...but, it's the one thing I myself can not handle doing. lol It's so painful!!

How long were you on a liquid diet? Do you get help from a dietician as far as food intake and exercise? I'd imagine they wouldn't leave you out in the cold to fend for yourself on that!

I too am also worried about the skin elasticity issues......I mean I know that sometimes just loosing weight is more important......but, if I can help it.....I don't want to have saggy skin...I know for sure insurance does not cover plastic sugery related to weight loss surgery.

I appreciate you sharing with me! It's nice to talk to someone who's been through it to get a real perspective on what to expect!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pam on December 23, 2007 at 9:39pm: I dont have health insurance right now so I had to do self pay. (Another motivating factor to make it work lol). From what I have heard all insurances are different. About all you can do is check it out and see. IF they should deny you at first keep trying, they can change their minds.

I have 5 scars from the lap band. Im not really concerned with how well they fade since I never plan on wearing a bikini lol/ Some people with the lap band do have problems eating certain foods but with me as long as i chew it well I can eat pretty much anything. Though I stay away from rice, pasta and bread for the most part. Being able to adjust the band is one of the other things I liked about it. If you are so tight that you cant eat regular food then you just need to get an unfill.

My doctor didnt put me on any kind of diet before surgery like some do. He just wanted me to try to lose if I could. (I lost 2 lbs lol) After surgery I was on liquids for a week then mushies for 3 weeks. This varies greatly from doctor to doctor also. I never talked to a dietitian, the support group at the doctors office has one in now and then but Ive not been there. Most of what I know diet wise has been from reading the forums on the site I gave you. It is pretty informative. Ive never asked my doctor directly but Im sure if I had he would have givin me some information.

Im worried about saggy skin also. You do tend to lose slower with the lapband then the bypass which is a good thing when it comes to the skin. But whether your skin bounces back or not is hard to say. Depends on heredity, age, and other factors. Since you have had.. what.. 3 kids? I wouldnt bet on your stomach being tight lol. Im pretty much betting that I will need a tummy tuck and a boob job. Other than that only time will tell... and money lol.

Im glad I could be of help :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fireyredhead on December 24, 2007 at 3:37am: It's funny you should mention the stomach! lol
After my first son...I asked my doctor about that...he said it would NEVER be flat again on it's own...I'd have to have a tummy tuck.
When I was preggers the first time...I started out at 130.....by month 2 I was at 118ish from being so flippin sick.......and before it was all said and done...I was 203. Bedrest is a killer I tell you the truth!!!
I was pumped full of so much medication...I'm suprised that was all I gained to be honest!

My middle pregnancy was the worst by far! I was on bedrest for 20 weeks....with more than half of those days being in the hospital...

Oh well....maybe I'll win the lottery someday, and I'll be able to get a tummy tuck! lol That's the only way it will ever happen!

It's funny you mentioned a boob job. lol I thought the same thing!
Now, I wear those super human Lane Bryant massive push up for way too big boobs bras.........and it reminds me of the Missy Elliot song everytime I take one off........You know when she makes that...whoooomp sound when she talks about her butt......I hear that same sound in my head regarding my boobs....gravity is an evil little witch!! lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pam on December 24, 2007 at 8:43am: LMAO I know how you feel. I have to wear those bras too; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shana on January 2, 2008 at 12:46am: hey all: i wished now that i hadnt had my WLS done... yes i had the gastric bypass done 7 yrs ago going on 8 yrs and its been a pain in the butt..... i have problems with my iron when i dont eat protein ( meats or eggs ) at all.....i had 2 docs to tell me that i have to have it done and i had family members beating it in me to have it done when all i really needed was to be stress free from this place i live at....see im a caregiver and that makes it harder on a person the size i was when i was told to have it done... i was bout 450 to 500lbs at the time... i think that it is up to u the person not ur doctors or ur family to make up ur mind on this because it is u that has to live with what has/will happen to ur body not them.... i just wish this family and the doctors that told me to have it done thought bout that before they started on me bout it.....if u do do this make sure that u know everything bout it... i mean talk to ppl that has had it done....talk to the doctors that will do the WLS and most of all make sure that u are mentally prepared for what will happen to u and to ur body....i say think long and hard bout it and talk to ppl that have had it done....thats what i say...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RavishingRuby on February 5, 2008 at 7:48pm: I was at a spa recently and I learned of a treatment that minimizes saggy skin called
Endermologie. It's a service offered by Heights Massage and Day Spa. It's primarily used to help with cellulite but she explained that it's very helpful in assisting improving skin elasticity. These treatments aren't cheap, to the tune of $50 per treatment, but if you can avoid plastic surgery to remove excess skin then it's worth it, right? It's an option I am looking into, should I commit to WLS.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cynlo on January 30, 2008 at 11:42pm: I had the O band surgery nov.01 07 {over 2 months} and have lost 29pds!! I feel fantastic!!..I didnt know I could have so much engery!!!--its so worth it!! Your so worth it!!!..I feel I have a new lease on life!!..I feel Like I can do anything, without feeling my weight would get in the way!! GO FOR IT!! any questions u have feel free to drop a line--Iwill answer any questions..cynlo=D; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cynlo on February 4, 2008 at 12:32am: I was totally wanting the gbs..but my employer doesnt have the surgery on the health plan..I had to keep searching,..for a doctor or center to help me get the sugery..Ican tell you my way to getting the surgery was tough. I had alot of "road blocks"--but I did it!..I had to do it--because if, I didnt fight for myself..who would???..reallly,..I was having soo many health problems, I didnt want to die..thats the bottom line..yes, its surgery, but, you'll be alive..-I had to hesitation,--to life!..I think you'll get to that point, where you'll say, "okay I am ready"..or you may not..but,..its your life..good luck 2 you -whatever you plan on doing..; ▶ Reply to This