gastric band

[wonderwoman1]

has anyone had this done? my dad is thinking of having it done privately( he is 6 stone overweight) and i was wondering if anyone had any experiences of it

thank you xx

[wonder years]

i dont know anyone personly whos had it done but watched programmes on tv though, basicly as with any surgery there are risks all the ones i seen on tv all had more than 6 stone to lose os that is a positive all so most of what i watched the people were succsesful , so good luck to your dad and hope it works out well for him

[wonderwoman1]

thank you wonder years...i'm just stressing a bit about it!! in my mind he should just eat sensibly and exercise...easier said than done i know but i find this quite drastic! anyway i will let you know how he gets on

[Amara]

ww1 - this is a drastic and risky operation - has he tried other safer methods to try and lose the weight? x

[wonder years]

i understand amara concerns but for him it maybe the last resort and this is the only way he can go i guess it affects his confidence and his ability to enjoy life with his family, it gets like a vicsious circle the more he thinks about his problem the more he eats, i think wonder woman has prop tried to get him to diet and stuff but all she can do now is support him in his deccision which iam sure she will

[Cobra.]

Is this where they tie your stomache up so its very small.

Heard lot of bad stories in news about the ops going wrong and causing fatalities.

He needs lot of professional advice before making the decision

[wonderwoman1]

amara, he has yes. he has been on xenical, sensible eating, he has recently quit smoking which hasnt helped matters

[wonderwoman1]

thanks all for your replies....my dad has battled with his weight for about 20 years...he is 50 and it has really got to him.my mum, my brother and i will support him all the way. i am just one of these wimps cos you hear all these stories about people not waking up from anasthetics etc...silly i know, but he is my pops!!

[Amara]

ww1 - Has he consulted a nutritional Therapist I am sure they could help. There is a brilliant book called Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford which teaches a whole different way of nutritional health and well being. No faddy diets just a good way to optimum health and nutrition for life. I wish you and your dad well - Amara xx

[whiskeysheri]

Lots of love to your pops, babe! Mwah! x

[Ethel]

After the surgery he will be on tiny liquid only meals for at least a week.

He will feel exhausted and ill for many weeks, simply because he cannot eat as much as his body is used to.

Then he will be on tiny portions of bland food for months. He will feel nauseous and actually vomit. Food has to be very well chewed so it is actually unpleasant in the mouth.

In the long term, he will never be able to enjoy a 'normal' meal. Eating out will not be the enjoyable family occasion that it is now, nor will special meals at home.

No fish and chips with the grandkids at the seaside. No anniversay celebratory meal. It is all very grim.

This is assuming of course that all goes well. Any operation is risky - and the risk is greater for obese people. The operation could go well but later complications could set in.

Over time your dad could cheat. People do. Melt chocolate to make it more easily digestible. Eat small poritions - but of the wrong things, and lots of them! Some people still end up larger than they were before the operation after a few years.

If your father really thinks he can handle all of this, not just for weeks or months, but for the rest of his life, - why can't he just diet and exercise?

I wish him well.

[wonderwoman1]

thanks amara...his gp is who suggested it...and has recommended a surgeon. honestly he has tried everything. xenical isnt a faddy diet either..you just eat normally and it "flushes" everything out of you!!! anyway i will keep you all posted and thank you again

[wonderwoman1]

ethel i cant answer for him...he has discussed it with his gp at length...i was just wondering if anyone here had gone through it

[Amara]

I cannot believe that Gp's are suggesting this - I feel sad for your dad and I understand his frustration - but there is another way - Just take a look at Patrick Holfords website if nothing else and read what he has to say. I send you and your dad lots and lots of love and I hope he can lose the weight without resorting to what is a very unpleasant operation. Amara xx