1. Community
  2. Health promotion
  3. Weight Loss - Intentional

Gastric band

Posted , 3 users are following.

sushell123
sushell123

I have severe osteoarthritis and I am 19 stone and aged 50 I've tried everything but without exercise can't lose weight I have been offered a band but am scared of mostly being put under for the op any advice does it work is it safe anything will help thanks x

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Bandid
    Bandid sushell123

    Posted

    like all surgeries the op will carry risks but what you need to weigh up (no pun intended) is whether the risks of being 19 stone are greater than not having such an operation - this is something you could discuss with the bariatric consultant and his/her team - the band does work but  like all types of wgt loss surgery is just a tool to aid wgt loss and something you have to work with - it def isn't a magic wand or a ticket to slimness without any commitment or hard work on behalf of the patient - it works by restriction and you get that restriction over a period of time and a series of small gradual fills (liquid which is inserted into the band to inflate it) - so for a while, for all the band is in situ, it will not be functional until you reach what is often termed the 'sweet spot' - the band is not a quick way to lose wgt and you do need to do lots of research in order to find out if this is the answer for you as there are other types of wgt loss surgery too which you could consider - there are l ots of online organisations and support groups where you could do your research - an organisation called WLSinfo is good place to begin with - also ask if the hosp which has offered you the band has any support groups where you could chat to people face to face on this subject - good luck with all of this

     

  • courtnay26
    courtnay26 sushell123

    Posted

    Well you said it yourself

    If you exercide maybe you could lose weight

    You might want to try a gastric balloon before

    You try gastric band

    • Bandid
      Bandid courtnay26

      Posted

      yes and it is because of his/her medical condition that Sushell is unable to exercise hence the consideration for a band -  personally I would not recommend the balloon as it is just temporary fix and what is generally only used for patients who need to lose wgt in order to have a more invasive surgery if they are too heavy to safely under go an anaesthetic - a lot of people cannot stand the nausea it causes and it is rarely used as a stand alone wgt loss method on it's own - the balloon is not a permanent wgt loss method and without further  wgt loss surgery the patient normally regains the wgt they have lost - if the patient does not need to lose wgt to have their surgery  in the first place (as is obviously the case with Sushell above if he/she has been offered a band) then there is nothing to be gained by having a balloon first - Sushell might aswel just opt for the band because the balloon is not going to work long term - it would need to be removed after 6 or so mths and then Sushell will be back to square 1

    • Bandid
      Bandid

      Posted

      that should read that it is NOT the case that Sushell needs to lose wgt before under going band surgery
    • courtnay26
      courtnay26 Bandid

      Posted

      These are just options to try if they would like to lose a little weight

      I didnt realize Sushell could not exercise

      Gastric balloon is temporary but it curbs your apetite

      I wouldnt jump straight into surgery

      If it were me

      Sidenote-Sushell, maybe you could try

      Swimming and sauna, very good for your health

      Take care

    • Bandid
      Bandid courtnay26

      Posted

      Weight loss can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve function plus increase quality of life and as Sushell has stated he/she weighs 19 stones then I think it is likely that they wish to lose m ore than just a little wgt, especially with this health condition - Unfortunately, sitting in a sauna is NOT going to do this for them - if only a sauna was beneficial for wgt loss we could all sit there and melt the lbs away.

      Gastric balloon is only going to curb appetite whilst it is situ and once this temp device is removed the patient is then left to their own devices and in most cases will undoubtedly regain the wgt lost - PLUS we do not only eat because we are hungry - there is a multitude of reasons why somebody eats -

      It is not the losing of the wgt which is the difficult part - it is maintianing and keeping it of long term and with the health condition Sushell has he/she needs a permanent method of wgt loss not something that will have to be removed in 6mths down the line.  

       

    • courtnay26
      courtnay26 Bandid

      Posted

      I said swimming and sauna and

      I said sauna not to lose weight

      But for the health benefits

      Yeesh

    • sushell123
      sushell123 courtnay26

      Posted

      I have put weight on due to being in a lot of pain and unable to exercise I have suffered with arthritis since a young child but working 40 hours with small children the pain is now severe the specialist has said my diet is relatively good but without exercise I can't keep my weight down I have worked since I was 13 and want to continue to do so .

    • Bandid
      Bandid sushell123

      Posted

      HI SUSHELL - with severe osteoarthritis you would be in even  more pain if you attempted exercise as this would impact even  more so on your joints I should imagine  and I expect the extra wgt is having an impact too - it is a very vicious circle that you find yourself in isn't it and I really do sympathise - would it help do you think if you were able to talk to an anaesthetist or somebody in the medial profession about your fears of being put under for an op? Or perhaps you could chat to the consultant who would perform the surgery and ask the question 'how many patient's he has lost performing this type of surgery' to set your mind at ease or at least get things into perspective.  Losing wgt is just not a simple as eating less and exercising more as many people would have you believe and you do sound as if you need an extra bit of help of a permanent nature - if you have been offered wgt loss surgery it must be cos you are considered a good candidate for it and not everyone is to be fair - there are people who think it would be the answer to their wgt probs but get turned down as they either do not meet the criteria or are not deemed suitable for one reason or another - at the end of the day the medical profession just want what is best for you and ultimately what is going to cost the NHS less money  in the long run - you are hoping to cont working which is a great sense of mind to have but as you get older the health issues could increase and impact on your employment - unless you are able to do something about it now so lots to consider and hopefully you will be able to make the decision which is right for you but you do need to be sure as it is a big commitment and I do think you might get a better selection of answers and relevant information on a forum dedicated to wgt loss surgery issues as I suggested above, rather than a general site such as this - good luck with everything and hope it all works out well for you

    • sushell123
      sushell123 Bandid

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply and kind words I will look into this sadly some people presume I dont work and just sit eating and this honestly is not the case once again thank you
    • courtnay26
      courtnay26 sushell123

      Posted

      I hope you dont mean me

      I was mot presuming you dont work out

      I was just trying to help you so you dont have

      To get the by pass

      But if surgery is what you want

      I hope it goes well

    • Bandid
      Bandid courtnay26

      Posted

      1. Sushell has been offered a BAND and NOT a bypass

      2. Sushell never mentioned working OUT - Sushell said he/she WORKS as in employed - Sushell has a job and earns a living and wants to cont to do so

      3. Sushell has already said that he/she cannot do exercise due  to a medical condition so would hardly be working out in any case

      4. Sushell never said he/she HAD to have wgt  loss surgery - Sushell was offered a Band and posted on here to ask for some advice to help him/her make the decision as to whether to take up that offer.   

    • Bandid
      Bandid sushell123

      Posted

      keep up the good work and hopefully you will find the right way forward for you so that you can cont in the job you obviously enjoy - hopefully you will find a way to improve your health status etc too - it all goes hand in hand doesn't it - do lots of research on the subject and good luck

       

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.