Yay, down 49lbs from my Heaviest!

Hi Everyone!

This has been a great day for me.  I woke up and weighed myself this morning and was absolutely astounded to see the number on the scale reflect a 49lbs loss total from my heaviest weight (this was last January).  The further I get away from that number the happier I will be!!!

Tonight, after work I went swimming with a co-worker of mine.  It felt great even though we only swam for 30 minutes.  I pushed myself a bit and felt great at the time, a big difference from six months ago.  Then I could only swim a length at a time.  Tonight I was doing two at a time and actually probably could have done more had I not been waiting up on my friend.  I didn't want to get too ahead of her.  It was probably just as well, i am feeling it now as I write this.

My stamina is back, my mind isn't as sharp as it was pre-surgery though.  I get frustrated at work as I tend to not think as cohesively as I did pre-surgery.  Is suspect the lack of food and energy sources may be the culprit.  I know I shouldn't drink caffeine, but perhaps it would help a bit more in my mind area.

The difference in the way I move is amazing.  That extra nearly 50lbs was just dreadful.  I can' t believe I allowed myself to get that big?!  Now that I've gotten it off, I can see I am so much better off.  I have not weighed this latest number since about 2006.  My goal is by the time I go home for Christmas this year, to be down a total of 75lbs!  That would be super awesome.

I have quit playing facebook games and now have spent more of my free time planning my new regimen for the healthier me.  It's a lot of work to plan meals and figure out what exercise one can do to "change it up" and keep it interesting.

This is a quick post, but I will post some more pictures here in the upcoming weeks.  I think it has been becoming even more noticeable in the past ten pounds.

I feel so darn good, it is so nice to have lost more weight at one time than ever before.  I have hit a monumental milestone for myself today and I feel great!

Here's a great quote:
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Will Rogers

6 weeks nearly and down 40lbs!

Well here we are, six weeks from surgery and now I am really starting to see and feel a difference.  I am going to include some pictures in this one as the progression of my change is beginning to become apparent.  This morning I had to toss three pairs of dress pants aside because they were just too big to wear at all now. Before surgery, they were so tight I really didn't want to go the next size up.  What a great feeling! I think the pictures will speak for themselves.

2 weeks after surgery-27lbs down

about 5 weeks after surgery-36lbs down

At my heaviest ever!

As a write this now and see the differences here I am astounded of the difference already.  Look how puffy I was in the picture on the left.  I was eating anything I wanted, and it showed.  I never want to go back to that again!  I could hardly move, to go up and down stairs to tie my shoes, all of it was too hard.  I never thought that would happen to me.  But it did.  Deciding to do the surgery probably saved my life, or even prolonged it for many more years.  I know I still have a lot of the journey to complete, but I have started and now am in the "mode".  I can no longer eat what I want, my body cannot tolerate most foods just yet.  And even when it does, I won't be able to eat more than a half cup to a full cup in one meal.  Fine by me!

I have now progressed to both semi and hard foods.  I am just so thankful not to be eating that crappy pureed stuff.  The re-fried beans, apple sauce, and instant mashed potatoes were getting very old!  Today I ate my first protein chip and it was awesome!  That "crunch" felt great, it had been over a month and a half since I've had that sensation.  I only could eat about 5 of them, but just savoring each bite was enough for me!

I look forward to the upcoming weeks of integrating my exercise program and learning how to work it all together.  I still have a ways to go, but I feel confident that I can get there!

Until next time!  

Daphne

Back to work- great one week, not so much next...

I went back to work a week ago, and the first week felt fine.  I was getting back my stamina and was working up to a big event on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I think I overdid it and did not drink much on Saturday as I got too busy and probably only drank about 8oz. of fluids all day.  By Sunday I was feeling a touch of nausea.  Monday at work, I was struggling, but I had so much to do I felt like I need to push through it all.

Then today, even after a great night's sleep, I woke up proceeded to get dressed and ready for work and as I was walking out the door I felt the nausea come back again.  I decided to try and tough it out again, but by mid-afternoon I no longer could stop thinking about it.  I just came home at that point.  I got onto the forums that I usually frequent on obesityhelp.com and found someone going through the same thing but on a much grander scale to where she had to go to the E.R.. It appears I may have a touch of dehydration.  I am not surprised because lately the plain water is just not going down too well.  I've tried herbal tea and other liquids, but it just isn't getting me back on track.  So, tonight is my goal to just keep drinking fluids until I go to bed.  Perhaps this will be the answer.  

I have always had a tough time drinking enough and eating enough at work.  This has been a bad habit of mind for years and it'll be more important now to make sure it doesn't continue.  Typically, before I got the surgery, I may eat lunch some days, or I would not.  Most often I would come home so hungry and just start eating even before my dinner was ready.  I would eat at night and then go to bed.  That was one of my worst problems.  Now, I am still forgetting as the day goes by to continually drink whatever is on my desk.  I try to eat, but with this nauseous feeling I'm not hungry.  At least at the moment, as I write this, I am drinking a 16oz. Crystal Light.  I am hoping this will help, and when I did get home I had a sugar-free popsicle.  As much as I don't feel like having anything I know this is important.

Funny, five weeks after surgery and this is when I start to not feel good.  I was looking forward to my doctor's appointment next week so I could move up to soft foods.  I sure hope I can stave off the hospital visit, if necessary I may have to stay home tomorrow and just rest up and drink more fluids around the clock.  This is not fun!

For what's its worth, I did call the doctor's office and the nurse did tell me this was normal around where I"m at in recovery.  I guess its my body trying to adjust and figure out what the heck is going on.  As I sit here now, I realize that it won't be all smooth sailing.  There will be times where I won't be perfect and I'll have to be okay with that.  I am grateful that I have a great job and they are completely understanding.

Until next time....hopefully I'll be much better:)

This really works!!! Smiles all day today:)

Well, today after so many days of waiting for the scale to drop like it did when I got home from the surgery it finally dropped nicely.  Now I am down a total of 32.6lbs since I started this process.  Tomorrow will mark my three week anniversary of the surgery.  I am totally content and have adjusted to this pureed diet well.  Not every day can I eat everything and not everyday do I feel I've eaten enough, but all in all I have done remarkably well without bad cravings and feeling sorry for myself.

One thing I did to get myself through this is make meals for my husband for when he gets home from work.  It forces me to face food that I cannot eat on a daily basis and the more I don't eat it the easier it gets.  I've gone to a movie and survived people eating that wonderful popcorn all around me.  By the end of the movie that smell, I was sick of it and wanted to nothing to do with it.  Sense of smell is a powerful tool and can be all a person needs to get the craving somewhat cured.  The pinto re-fried beans at Taco Bell are quite good too.  I longed for the Nachos my hubby had, but it wasn't long before the fullness returned to my stomach and I wasn't interested in thinking about eating anymore.

My next hurdle is to get the stamina level back up and be able to walk without any pain.  It's amazing how out of shape one can become recovering from surgery.  Last week I had little to no pain, now this week I can barely finish a walk with the excruciating pain in my upper back.  Either this is really good, or it's a setback.  I am too afraid to call the doctor, I'm just gonna suck it up.

I am hoping to go back to work next week, but I"m afraid it may be half-time for at least the first part of the week.  If this pain doesn't go away and if I don't up my stamina I won't be able to hack a full day at work yet.  I'll take it one day at a time, and if I'm not ready that's what it is.

I will keep posting as often as I can.  I really want people to get a good feel for what to expect when you get this surgery.  For me, there was a lot of things other people told me about it, but it's not like going through it yourself.  You really realize how drastic the decision you made was and embrace the loss once it begins.  I wished I didn't have to do this but it was really time to do something before things really started to happen that I could not back away from.  My line I used a lot was, "Oh, I'm still young I have plenty of time".  Truth is if you want to live a long healthy life you need to take care of yourself, the sooner the better.  I also want to grow old without a ton of health conditions that can prevent me from really enjoying life.  I want to be able to swim in the ocean with the dolphins again, zip-line across the rain forests, hike the Swiss Alps, or even wear a bikini for the first time in my life, publicly!  I know it won't be the answers to everything, but being healthy and fit will be far more easier to tackle life than the extra weight, high blood pressure, possibly diabetes and heart issues that can develop after a lifetime of abuse to your body.

Do yourself a favor, write a list of things you'd like to do...don't think about what you can do now but things you really want to do.  Look at the list and see how many of those things you can do now.  Take that list and map out your health and fitness to get you there.   What a sense of accomplishment once you get there!  Life is really short and it should be lived doing everything possible to get the most out of it.

I have a new lease on life and couldn't be more happier.  This is really just the beginning.  The joys of what will come down the road are waiting for me.  I can't wait!

Here is a good quote:

"No Matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of anyone who isn't trying"  

- Tony Robbins

Ten Days Since Surgery - all is going well

Hello!

Well, it appears it has been a few days since my last post.  I am still doing the pureed foods of course and will be for another 3-4 weeks.  I am finding that I struggle to get all the meals and snacks with my fluids in each day.  It's tough.  Spacing out a 1/2 hour at least between eating and drinking makes everything so timed and sometimes we don't want to feel like we're on a schedule, but really I am.  My daily meals have become: Breakfast - Oatmeal with sugar-free syrup and sugar-free/seedless blackberry jam
Mid-morning snack - if i get around to it usually is a popsicle, sometimes a protein shake
Lunch - Re-fried Beans 4 oz, or 2 oz of re-fried beans and 2 oz. of apple sauce
Mid-afternoon snack - once again either a popsicle or a protein shake. I seem to do this one as I get hungrier between lunch and dinner.
Dinner - Egg, a whole one if I can eat it.  Sometimes I do the egg for breakfast and mix all these dishes around.  Most times its egg for lunch and re-fried beans for dinner.
Late evening snack - if I get around to it, again a popsicle or a protein shake

I have been holding steady at 25lbs loss for a few days now (up and down a pound, kind of annoying).  I am a bit frustrated as I barely eat anything and my body is fighting me at the moment.  I know once I start any physical exercise that will make a difference.  I have been scared to lately though, I have had to contend with a pulled muscle on my left side rib-cage and I don't want to re-jar it again.  I find when I start doing chores around the house, about 5-10mins into it my stomach tightens like I've done a 1000 sit ups.  That's usually when I stop.  I am still not lifting anything and can't really for another 4 weeks.

I do have a doctor's appt in two days and will find it interesting to see how I've progressed in his eyes.  It'll be nearly two weeks since I had seen him last.

I am trying to keep myself busy as I am not one to just sit around and do nothing.  Between tending my small business at home, facebook, blogging, reading, watching the Olympics, and writing in my journal my days seem to go quite fast.  Reading has been hard on me, holding a book for long periods of time seems to be a challenge.  Even if I lay down to read, finding a comfortable position can be a struggle as my side begins to hurt and I am paranoid of straining my incisions on my stomach.

However, all things considered I am 25lbs less than I was when I started the two pre-op diet and since the surgery and that should make me happy.  It's nice to know that I am on my way!

Until next time...Thanks for visiting!

Here's an inspirational quote I like: 

"The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize." by Richard Monckton Milnes.

Pureed Foods...interesting

Well I'm on my Day One of Pureed foods.  I won't lie, it hasn't been an easy day either  My hubby brought me some oatmeal with sugar-free, seedless Blackberry Jam.  I could not get past two bites of the oatmeal.  I gave up as I began to experience that gassy feeling that pushes back up, not something I care to feel again.  So, I pleaded with him to just bring me a popsicle.

Lunchtime was another attempt, however, I think his less than stellar non-gourmet approach is not cutting it.  The baby food he brought me (yes, baby food!) of mashed potatoes and turkey was disgusting!  Two or three bites of that and I was like, No Thanks!  However, he did redeem himself with the unsweetened, no sugar added apple sauce.  I ate the bowl up! It totally agreed with me.  This is a tough time trying to figure out what I can eat and what I can't.

Right now I am craving a really good homemade chicken broth.  The store bought stuff just isn't the same.

It now has been four days since surgery and I am down a total of 17lbs, since the 30g/day carb diet started two weeks prior.  I tried to pull on a pair of my pants today, but my tummy is still a bit swollen.

Sleeping is a challenge for me, as I usually sleep on my stomach.  The first couple of days in the hospital I had to lay on my back, which was fine since I was so sleepy anyway.  When I got home the first night the fluids in me prompted me to visit the bathroom all night long on the hour every hour so that was kind of a bust.  I did nap well the next day and go to bed again early the next night and I fared well.  However, last night was not kind to me and I seemed to have pulled a muscle on my upper rib-cage area.  I suspect I was sleeping on my side and twisted it a bit.  Kind of painful.  Again, I kind of over did it yesterday with a bit too much up and around and can feel it today.  

So no matter how antsy we get, rest up this first week.  My body is definitely still adjusting.  It's weird when I try a new food, my stomach rumbles non-stop for the first couple of bites.  Then if it agrees with me it'll stop and I'll just have to contend with the little hiccups that shake your body enough to make you wince.  Otherwise, when something doesn't agree with you, you get that push up/down effect of gas from your tummy area...I don't like it.

These were the kind of things I wished I had known about, learning on your own can be a bit scary.  As I heal and progress I will be sometimes frankly a bit graphic and descriptive on some of the things I am feeling.  I think it is important for others to understand that this is not the easy way out and this can be just as hard as all the other weight loss methods.  However, I don't regret this decision still, as it is making me listen to my body and understand that food cannot be overindulged and should be eaten for a matter of survival, not pleasure seeking.  

Until tomorrow...

What is the Gastric Route Y Bypass? Here's the answer...

I have had several people ask me what is the difference between all the surgeries? And why did I chose the Route Y one for myself?  Here is a breakdown of each of the surgeries that are available to obese patients.

 Route Y Bypass (most common):

Route Y Bypass

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is generally considered to be the best surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the functional portion of the stomach to a pouch one ounce or less in size, and by creating a stoma, a small opening between the stomach and the intestine.

The small size of the stomach pouch causes the patient to have a sensation of fullness after eating only a small portion of food. The small stoma delays stomach emptying, making the sensation of fullness last longer. These are called the Restrictive components of the procedure.

The limb of intestine coming down from the small pouch is called the Roux limb. The limb of intestine coming down from the bypassed portion of the stomach can be called the Biliary or Bypassed limb. The remaining portion of the intestine is called the Common Channel. Food does not pass down the Bypassed limb, only the Roux limb and the Common Channel. The longer the Bypassed limb, the less the length of intestine actively working to absorb nutrients from the food that is eaten. Digestive juices that normally help absorb nutrients from the food enter the Bypassed limb from the larger portion of the stomach, the liver, and the pancreas, and pass down the Bypassed limb to the Common Channel. These juices do not mix with the food while it is passing down the Roux limb. The longer the Roux limb, the longer the portion of intestine trying to absorb nutrients without the benefit of these digestive juices. Both of these changes result in less absorption of nutrients and contribute to weight loss, and are called the Malabsorptive components of the procedure.

Exactly how the operation is done for an individual patient depends on their individual anatomy, their general health status, whatever changes they may have from prior surgeries, and what they hope to achieve from the operation. The stomach compartments can be completely divided from each other or simply partitioned, the small stomach pouch and the intestinal limbs may be connected to each other with either staples or sutures, a small band may be placed around the stomach pouch, and the two intestinal limbs may be made longer or shorter. The drawing below depicts the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass operation. Note that the two portions of the stomach are completely divided from each other. This is my preferred way of making the pouch, as simply partitioning the stomach instead of completely dividing it may entail a higher risk of the two parts connecting themselves back together, which would defeat the operation. Some very fine surgeons prefer to just partition the stomach and not to divide it completely, and I may choose to do the operation that way from time to time. 

My preferred length for each of the intestinal limbs is approximately 100 cm, or 3 feet. These are reasonable lengths of intestine to bypass from the food stream and to isolate from the flow of digestive juices, but still leaves enough (approximately 14 feet) intestine in the Common Channel to allow for adequate nutritional intake. Making the limbs longer will increase the amount of malabsorption, and increase the potential weight loss. But increasing the length of the limbs also increases the requirement for dietary supplementation of vitamins, minerals and protein, increases the incidence of side effects such as diarrhea, and increases the potential for excessive weight loss.

***This information is from my Doctor's website and should always be consulted with your own Bariatric doctor.

Gastric Sleeve Bypass:

Gastric "Sleeve" Bypass

Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is one of the newer forms of bariatric surgery but has quickly been gaining popularity over the recent years. Also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, vertical gastroplasty or sleeve gastroplasty, this procedure is another option for those looking to help with their morbid obesity through gastric bypass surgery. The gastric sleeve is a restrictive procedure meaning that it achieves weight loss results by restricting the amount of food that your body is physically able to take in. There is no malabsorption involved with this procedure but can be followed up with a malabsorptive procedure afterwards if the patient wishes.

Gastric sleeve surgery involves permanently removing a large portion of the stomach, anywhere from 60% to 85% of the total stomach. The portion left behind is a slim tube or "sleeve" that will serve as your new stomach. This stomach is already connected naturally to the stomach inlet and outlet which means that no rerouting of the intestines is needed.

What differentiates a gastric sleeve procedure from other weight loss surgeries is the nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) of the stomach remain intact to preserve the functions of the stomach while at the same time, reducing the volume it is able to hold. There is no bypass of the intestines with the gastric sleeve, only stomach capacity reduction. A sleeve gastrectomy also works because it removes the part of the stomach that produces Ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates appetite. This helps to noticeably reduce without completely eliminating a person appetite.

Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve

The primary features of gastric sleeve surgery are reducing the size of the stomach up to 85%, to restrict food intake while also reducing the hormones that create the craving for food due to the removal of the excess stomach portion. This reduces the production of the Ghrelin hormone which in turn reduces the hunger sensation.

The advantage of gastric sleeve surgery include:

• 30 to 60% extra weight loss within the first 12 months of the procedure
• Less invasive than gastric bypass
• No cutting or, disconnection or alteration of the intestines
• No risk of “dumping syndrome” typically associated with gastric bypass
• No need for implementation of foreign devices in to the body such as a gastric band
• Less restrictive post-surgery diet
• Procedure may be followed by gastric bypass or duodenal switch for even better results for super obese patients  (those with a BMI > 70)
• Can be performed laparoscopically on extremely obese patients

Disadvantages of the Gastric Sleeve

As with any medical procedure of this nature, there is always the potential for adverse affects. The biggest potential drawback for some people with this procedure is that is irreversible and thus you must really understand all of the implications before proceeding with gastric sleeve surgery.

In addition the following potential drawbacks should be taken in to consideration:

• Since the gastric sleeve is a restrictive weight loss procedure and not malabsorptive, inadequate weight loss or weight regain is more likely to occur than would in a procedure involving intestinal bypass
• The newly created pouch has the potential to stretch over time
• Weight Loss only really noticeable with total change in diet combined with exercise
• Additional surgery may be required for follow-up procedures to combine methods
• Leakage may occur at the site of stapling
• Still no knowledge of long term results due to short history of procedure
• Insurance may not cover due to the short history of the procedure making the cost potentially prohibitive for many people
• Advantages of the Gastric Sleeve
• The primary features of gastric sleeve surgery are reducing the size of the stomach up to 85%, to restrict food intake while also reducing the hormones that create the craving for food due to the removal of the excess stomach portion. This reduces the production of the Ghrelin hormone which in turn reduces the hunger sensation.
• The advantage of gastric sleeve surgery include:
• 30 to 60% extra weight loss within the first 12 months of the procedure
• Less invasive than gastric bypass
• No cutting or, disconnection or alteration of the intestines
• No risk of “dumping syndrome” typically associated with gastric bypass
• No need for implementation of foreign devices in to the body such as a gastric band
• Less restrictive post-surgery diet
• Procedure may be followed by gastric bypass or duodenal switch for even better results for super obese patients  (those with a BMI > 70)
• Can be performed laparoscopically on extremely obese patients
• Disadvantages of the Gastric Sleeve
• As with any medical procedure of this nature, there is always the potential for adverse affects. The biggest potential drawback for some people with this procedure is that is irreversible and thus you must really understand all of the implications before proceeding with gastric sleeve surgery.
• In addition the following potential drawbacks should be taken in to consideration:
• Since the gastric sleeve is a restrictive weight loss procedure and not malabsorptive, inadequate weight loss or weight regain is more likely to occur than would in a procedure involving intestinal bypass
• The newly created pouch has the potential to stretch over time
• Weight Loss only really noticeable with total change in diet combined with exercise
• Additional surgery may be required for follow-up procedures to combine methods
• Leakage may occur at the site of stapling
• Still no knowledge of long term results due to short history of procedure
• Insurance may not cover due to the short history of the procedure making the cost potentially prohibitive for many people.
• 
  

  Duodenal Switch

  
  Duodenal switch is a bariatric surgical procedure employed to combat obesity. This form of bariatric surgery helps obese patients control their weight and begin the path to a healthier, more active lifestyle. Not all obese individuals qualify for this form of surgery. Good candidates have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Candidates with a BMI of 35 qualify if they show signs of unhealthy, weight-related symptoms such as heart disease or diabetes.
  
  
  The surgery consists of a restrictive and malabsorptive surgical procedure. The restrictive element is a partial gastrectomy that reshapes and removes a portion of the stomach. The remaining portion, where the food exits, resembles a banana and has a capacity of around six ounces. 
  The malabsorptive element separates the flow of bile and pancreatic juices by rearranging the small intestines. Further down, the physician reconnects the two intestinal paths. The food and digestive juices combine in the last 18 to 24 inches of the small intestine. Limited fat absorption takes place as the food heads towards the large intestine.

  Advantages of Duodenal Switch

  People who choose duodenal switch surgery experience greater weight loss with a low risk of weight gain. The pyloric valve, the portion of the stomach connected to the duodenum, remains intact. As a result, patients do not experience the “dumping” syndrome commonly associated with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. The malabsorptive component is partially reversible for patients with malabsorption difficulties. Duodenal switch patients experience weight loss at a more rapid pace compared to those who choose the laparoscopic banding procedure. In addition the following are all potential advantages of the Duodenal Switch procedure:
  • Typically greater weight loss over a longer period of time
  • Weight loss of up to 60% to 80%
  • Patients can eat a more "normal" and less restrictive diet compared to gastric bypass or gastric banding
  • No "dumping syndrome"
  • Intestinal rerouting is reversible
  • People with very high BMI and extreme obesity who are not eligible for other weight loss surgeries may still qualify for the Duodenal Switch

  Disadvantages of Duodenal Switch

  Duodenal switch surgery carries more risks compared all other traditional weight loss surgeries. Complications occur more often in this form of surgery due to a higher BMI. Patients may lose too much weight. Duodenal switch patients may experience long-term nutritional deficiencies and be subject to a lifetime of medication and special foods. Other complications include anemia, infection, gallstones and hernias. Other potential disadvantages include:
  • Most complex of all the weight loss surgery options
  • Certain foods may become intolerable
  • Increased risk for intestinal problems or gallstones
  • Potential for malnutrition or vitamin deficiency
  • Potential for frequent gas, bloating or change in body odor

  Risks & Complications

  Because there is a higher complexity level to this surgery, there are an increased and higher rate of risks associated. Learn more about the potential risks and complications associated with a duodenal switch procedure.
  
  

  Gastric Banding/Lap Band 

  (usually recommended only up to 75lbs of loss)

  
  Gastric banding, or laparoscopic adjustable banding is a bariatric surgery procedure that uses an adjustable belt placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This band is made out of silicone and is designed to constrict the size of the stomach and the amount of food that can be held in the stomach. At the same time, it slows down the passage of food to the intestines which helps signal to the brain that the stomach is full. The band is filled with saline which can be increased or decreased based upon your needs and your doctors recommendations. A small port is accessed near the surface of the skin that your doctor can then add or remove saline through. Adding saline tightens the band and shrinks the size of the stomach pouch that can accept food. This should make you feel fuller, quicker and decrease the appetite and as a result help you lose weight.
  
  
  While gastric banding is meant to be a long term weight loss remedy, some people will require a follow up procedure to re-position, replace or remove the gastric band. This could be due to complications or ineffectiveness of the band.
  There are two primary options you can choose from when deciding if a gastric band is the right option for you. The LAP-Band and REALIZE Band are very similar in many ways but there are slight differences between the two. Learn more about how to choose which band is right for you.

  Advantages of Gastric Banding
  

  • With gastric banding you typically have a shorter operation, lasting around 1 hour
  • You're in the hospital recovering for no more than 24 hours total. This is compared to a 2-3 hour surgery with gastric bypass and a multiple day stay in the hospital for recovery.
  • Total recovery time is reduced to 6 weeks, down from 3 months, when opting for gastric banding.
  • Gastric banding is one of the safer weight loss surgeries
  • Procedure is reversible

  Disadvantages of Gastric Banding

  • Patients must work harder to lose weight after this procedure is complete since it relies on food restriction only, and is not a malabsorptive procedure in the way that other bariatric surgery procedures achieve their results.
  • This means that your diet will be restricted for a longer period of time after gastric banding.

  Complications Related to Gastric Banding
  

  Gastric banding is relatively new when compared with gastric bypass surgery and there are some key differences when you compare the two procedures. The advantages of gastric banding over gastric bypass or other bariatric surgeries are:

  There are however, some drawbacks for choosing this procedure.

  There are common complications related to gastric banding that affect all types of weight loss surgeries including nausea, vomiting or risk of infection. There are however, also unique complications related to gastric banding that you should be aware of before deciding on the bariatric surgery that is right for you.

  Writer's Note:  All these procedures should be talked in-depth with your surgeon/doctor.  Your choice is ultimately yours as you will have to live with the results of the surgery.  Always use caution and research using multiple outlets for your decision.