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To Band or Not to Band...

I spoke to a friend and coworker this past weekend who had the lap banding performed in august. She has had about a 50 lb loss which is wonderful..However, when I got to discussing it with her further...she is sticking to a really strict diet. This begs the question..Could she not have been just as successful following the strict diet without going through the trauma of surgery? and Will the banding really have long term effects without the strict dieting? I realize that the banding will slow the eating process down tremendously, but wouldn't a person just adapt and easily go back to old ways eating things like ice cream or pudding that wouldn't be hindered at all in the digestion process? On the other hand, there is gastric bypass surgery which seems to have better results, but I have seen people stretch out the pouch and regain the weight over a few years time. I think that I'm better off just doing what anyone would have to do for any longe range success and just watch my intake including limiting carbs and fats. Surgery is no more than a diet tool. I think that people put way too much into it. Ok I'm going to get off of my soapbox now..I've just put a lot of thought into this. Things are going well today even though the scales are not showing it. I've been eating well. I hope that everyone is having a great day!

5 Comments

Comment by Michele Dochat on January 14, 2009 at 11:41am: I'm with you...NO SURGERY! Not to lose anyway...maybe later to remove excess skin and put "the girls" back to where they should have been all along! I have a friend who had the band and has had major problems with it since and not lost much weight.

Comment by Michele on January 14, 2009 at 12:49pm: I think you are right about just eating healthy and exercise. Just becuase someone gets there stomach alternated doesnt mean they have LEARNED how to eat well. Seriously, I think its about learning how to eat and managing your exercise to get fit. No Surgery is my thought, yeah of course it seems like a nice fix but I dont think its worth it.

Comment by Tricia on January 14, 2009 at 5:14pm: I've seen so many people (including people in my family) take the "easy way out" with surgery...and ALL of them have gained some if not most of their weight back. Surgery doesn't TEACH you the tools you need to live a healthy life...so even if you are only eating one oreo instead of 20 oreos...you still are eating junk. I say slow and steady is the way to go if you really want to make it a "lifestyle" change rather than just a diet to lose weight.

Comment by Shanna on January 15, 2009 at 2:08pm: I think everyone here on BTL would agree with you, it is the learning process, the journey that helps you keep it off. What did surgery teach? Nothing. But who knows maybe if we could all have a do over we would do things differently. But I doubt it.

Comment by Tammy on January 16, 2009 at 8:20am: Hey Leah. I've been catching up with your blog. It's so good to see you back and successful. I'm sorry to hear you had such a tough 2008, but, as you said, you survived and proved the old saying of "this too shall pass!" {{Leah}}
We're all pretty much agreed about the surgery thing. I suppose for some people, it is the instant gratification they need to make the changes in their lifestyle necessary to lose weight. I think it is a cop out though. "Magic" fixes don't teach how to maintain a lifestyle change. Like all those Medical Weight Loss commercials and Jenny Craig plans. They are not lifestyle changes and not healthy either. Healthy lifestyles are what we are REALLY looking for. The weight loss is the bonus!

To Band or Not to Band...

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