Stomach Bands!

[mart9012]

Given that a lot of CPAP users are large people with large necks etc.. I have been wondering about having a stomach band fitted. They are promoting this as cost effective for those with a BMI of over 40. The loss of weight can be as much as 70KG a year and that would mean an end to type 2 diabetes, OSA and other weight related conditions.

Most of this surgery is done as key-hole surgery requiring only a local anasthetic so surgery risk is much reduced as a general anasthetic isn't required.

Any ideas or thoughts?

[Fredxx]

Are you asking because this is something you are considering having done? or are you saying to people on the board that they should consider it?

Gastric bands are a pretty drastic solution, and it is irreversible surgery the same as stomach stapling or gastric bypass. There are complications that can occur during surgery, afterwards with rejection etc and the long term effects are not really understood...not a problem it you are in your 50s, but if you are in your 20s...

Also, the gastric band itself isn't a solution, it is there to help you with the solution. All it does is make the stomach smaller, you still have to consider carefully how to best use that smaller stomach. Fill it with butter cookies, mars bars, burgers and chips and you will not use the weight anyway, follow the calorie controlled balanced diet they set after the surgery and you will certainly lose something.

If it is something you are considering you need to talk to doctors and experts and have all the risks and benefits properly explained. As for me, I know 2 people who have had it done, and no, it isn't something I would consider having done myself.

As for your Daily Mail headline assertion that it "would mean an end to type 2 diabetes, OSA and other weight related conditions". Whilst it may reduce the number of people who have OSA or who develop Type 2 Diabetes, there are a lot of people who have those conditions without having excessive BMI so it would not mean an end to them, and there are a lot of people with high BMI who would not develop those conditions but could well get complications from the surgery.

[Berneta]

Stomach Bands

Hi, I have to agree that the stomach bands are not the answer to OSA, Some people have good luck losing weight and do get rid of OSA, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure. Others may or may not lose weight according to what they eat--and may not lose the other health problems. I know 3 women who had the stomach bypass and/or stomach bands. None are in good health because of side effects. One has had her stomach staples come lose, and she had to have major surgery to make repairs. If you are considering having this procedure by all means talk to your Dr to learn all the risks, and it wouldn't hurt to do some investigation on the internet involving the procedure. Good luck if you decide to have it done to you. But beware that there are also thin people who have Osa, Diabetes, Heart and Blood Pressure problems too. The Stomach Bands and Bi-Pass are not a gaurentee of good health. x Berneta

[Tigers Fan]

If only bariatric surgery was the solution! Seems weird that even if I had surgery, I'd still need to go on a calorie controlled, lettuce and green stuff diet - whereas, if I did not have surgery, I'd lose weight by going on a colorie controlled, lettuce and green stuff diet - and be 10 Grand better off.

TF

[Tigers Fan]

Ermmmm .....

Hi Fredxx

You say that ,"Gastric bands are a pretty drastic solution, and it is irreversible surgery the same as stomach stapling or gastric bypass. There are complications that can occur during surgery, afterwards with rejection etc and the long term effects are not really understood...not a problem it you are in your 50s, but if you are in your 20s..."

Why do you suppose those things are not a problem to the over-50s? Have you written us off as of no consequence, they'll die soon, anyway?

Another 20 or 30 years does not seem an unreasonable hope to me. Surely that is long tern enough to count?

TF

[Fredxx]

the over 50s thing was purely that "long term" in this case is really the 25-30 year plus stuff, and with everything else that is going wrong when you are over 80... Of course, the Government don't want us to retire until that age, but that is another matter.

I wasn't implying that 50 was old...I will be there pretty soon myself, and my partner is mid 50s already, and we plan on more than just a couple more decades together!

[dravidio]

This is an obesity issue, not necessarily a sleep disorder one. I am only slightly overweight BMI 25.8 yet have moderate sleep apnea - 23 AHI ph. Gastric bands can help many I know - even though the puritanical side of me thinks that dieting and exercise may be the first way to go....

[mart9012]

Hi...

The reason I brought it up is because I am considering having it done. In the UK there is a lot of discussion that it is very cost effective mainly because most mobidly obese people suffer with other weight related issues such as type 2 diabetes, OSA, joint issues and heart health problems. I am 46 and have a BMI of about 44 so I have big weight issues. Unfortunately mine is Metabolic syndrome related so I have had all the issues mentioned.

I have tried to diet and was still working with my weight while a Territorial soldier. Exercise wasn't an issue actually as I was running 5 miles most days. I couldn't even begin that now. I do feel an idiot that I simply cannot control my eating habits. It's ridiculous but my girlfriend doesn't think I'm a big eater nor to I skip exercise.

Anyway the surgery they seem to be working on now is a band inserted through keyhole surgery under a local anasthetic that forms a small pouch at the top of the stomach and leaves a small gap through to the rest of the stomach. This causes a much reduced food intake that leaves you feeling full but is absorbed in the stomach in the usual way. It gets adjusted via a liquid level that tightens and loosens the band as needed.

My diabetes costs the taxpayer several thousands a year, the OSA machine and accessories aren't cheap either and to be honest it would be great to be able to sleep without a machine or keep injecting myself with insulin. I'm gonna see my doctor and post what she says on the matter.

Thanks for the replies, it's good to know other opinions.

[shuckie]

Hi Martin!

As you have illustrated everyone's medical background and needs are different, therefore what works for some people may not work for others.

Given what you've said I agree that the best course of action for you would be to speak with your doctor/consultant/surgeon as appropriate to discuss the benefits and possible downsides to having a gastric band fitted and then decide if it's the best option for you.

If you do decide to go ahead with the surgery I sincerely hope that you benefit from it and that your OSA, diabetes etc symptoms improve as a result.

Please keep us posted with any developments.


Kind regards

shuckie