Questions/concerns

Hi everyone! I recently was approved and have a date for LB on July 16th. My questions is this, when I went today to sign all the required paperwork, my doctor told me something that after all my years of research I had yet to hear....he said that LB patients usually only loose 40-60% of their EXCESS weight! I was really taken back by this information since I have NEVER heard that before. Has anyone else had their DR. inform them of this statistic? I really have to say that he seemed to be more in favor of the GB which I AM NOT! Please, info would be helpful! THanks

my doctor is sorta againt the gb and has said that people who get the band typically lose betweern 60-80% of their excess weight.

Just keep in mind, those are averages. Lots of people have reached goal, and then there are those who don't work with the band, and they don't lose much. I believe you can lose as much as you really want to lose with the band! Also, statistics show that bypass patients lose weight faster in the first year, but at the end of 3-5 years bypass and Lap Band patients have lost the same average amount of weight.

Yes I've heard it before, but when you look on here and the amount people loose - it makes you want to make that extra incentive to prove them wrong adn show that you can loose more than that. Plus I think that only applies to people that don't excercise which is stupid

I can see that.... FDA standards of 'excess' weight.

My goal was 150 lbs. But according to the medical community..that's at least 10 or more pounds of the so called excess weight.

I am now 137. If I gain 4 pounds...I'd be in that statistic...w/ excess weight of 1 pound.

Hope this helps put things into perspective.

I believe my surgeon quoted the 40-60 percent....but, you also have to realize that with GB alot of the patients might get to their goal weight, but then gain it back later.

You also need to factor in that some people do EAT around the band...do not change their habits...so they throw off the statistics! Don't be one of them! Good Luck with your surgery!

Yes, if you received any pamphlets that came directlyfrom Allergan (the maker of Lap Band), you should see those statistics in there.

I agree with what Amsderb and Northwest Nance said. Those are overall statistics. In just a month or so that I have been a member of this site I have seen several people (too many!) that somehow go into this process completely clueless thinking that the lap band is some sort of magic wand that requires no work on their part to lose weight. Some come to this site months or even years past surgery totally oblivious to how the lap band works. Plus there are those that learn tricks to eat around the band. These people are factored into those statistics.

But also in the month that I have been here, I have seen a huge portion of long time bandsters who have been far more sucessful at weight loss and maintenance.

And like VegasGrace said, the FDA weight standards are not necessarily the same as our own standards. According to their standards, person who is 5'4" is overweight is she weighs more than 145 lbs.

I think that if you go into this with the right attitude and understand how the lap band works and that you have to do you part then you can prove these statistics wrong.

I have also heard the those stats are from the US FDA trials several years ago. The placement of the band is now better and the Drs. know a lot more than they used to. I bet the numbers would look better today.

By FDA weight chart I should weigh app.95 lbs. I am 4'10. But my goal weight is 135. You have the band for help. It is a tool. Some people never learn how to use the tool the correct way. Some are unwilling to really change. There are a lot of different things that factor into that % of weight loss. I personally look at all the good things about the band...I am loosing weight..I am getting healthier...I am learning a new life style..I am growing with my shrinking...I am a better person for my choise.(sp)...If I loose 50 or 150 I am happy, I have lost. Good luck with your journey.