Life with the Lap-Band

Lap-Band surgery is the process of placing a prosthesis known as the Lap-Band around the upper stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. In turn it limits the amount of food an individual can fit into their stomach. Lap-Band surgery (a bariatric surgery procedure) was approved by the FDA in 2001. It gained a lot of popularity in the weight loss world. The procedure itself is minimally invasive. The surgeons enter the stomach via small incisions and use surgical instruments to insert the Lap-Band. The main reason for having the surgery performed is so that the individual having it done will not only lose weight but keep the weight off as well. This is a new method that is recommended for those individuals who experience morbid obesity and have tried to lose the weight but have failed in their attempts to lose the weight and keep it off.

Certified "Band" Geek

I knew my life was severely different from the moment I woke up in the recovery room. Life as I knew it was over. I had to learn to listen to my "new" body. It would now tell me when I was hungry or when I've had enough liquids. This concept was very new to me. In the past my body never told me when enough was enough. Before long that would all change. Once the anesthesia wore off the discomfort settled in. The first day was anything but easy. It felt as though the gas in my stomach was piling up inside me. The nurses explained that this sensation would soon pass once you expel it. Other than the bloated bubbles scurrying around in my belly I felt okay. The liquid diet was not a favorite of mine. I soon grew tired of the protein shakes and sugarless popsicles. After two weeks of the liquid diet I was able to begin bringing in soft foods to my diet. Anything that was soft, moist, and mashable, I was able to eat and keep down. I tried testing the limits and I soon found out that wasn't a wise decision. The minute I strayed from the diet and, ate what I shouldn't, I got sick immediately. It appeared my eyes were bigger than my stomach. In my head I thought I could still handle eating the same amount of food as before. Nevertheless that was no longer the case. If you try to test your boundaries with the band you'll realize that you will always lose the battle.