Gastric Band

What do you think of these and would anyone elect to have one fitted?

From a personal point of view I have been saying I want one for ages, I'm really struggling with my weight and although the docs says its my hormones and thyroid and I just have to wait it out, I'm getting to the point that I'm concerned about my health because I am extremely overweight and seem to be gaining more every day. I've always been big frame, I knew I would never be a ballerina , but I've always been supple and toned, never like I am at the moment

I don't necessarily over eat and I do get plenty of exercise taking Leon out, but when my hormones are as they are I need to eat sweet things, then I get depressed about it so eat something else, so then I don't eat proper meals because I've been picking. These hormonal days are getting more frequent rather than less..a vicious circle and its all my own fault

The doctors say I have to wait for my body to adjust to the things that have been happening, but my sleep apnoea and torn ligament in my knee are badly agravated with this extra weight.

I suppose I'm at the end of my tether really and, if I had the money I would book myself in today, despite my parents and Clive being dead against it.

I just wondered whether anyone else would consider it and why, or why you would be dead against it.

i too have thyroid problems, and am overweight, but i wouldn't consider one, and the reason, the thought of eating tiny amounts of food for the rest of my life puts me off i enjoy food too much.

It has taken me the best part of 5 years to get my medication at a level where its working properly we have been constantly up and down, but now we finally have i have joined Slimming world and lost 9lbs in 3 weeks.

I tend to agree with your doctors let your body sort itself out and then address your weight, i know its difficult when your miserable, but it will get better

Are you taking thyroid hormone? That should be helping a little bit.
Regarding gastric band, I wouldn't know what to suggest as any quick and extreme weight loss would give loose skin, so you'd have to decide if you could accept that to happen to you.

Thanks Lizzy...well done on your weight loss, you must be thrilled.

I don't really enjoy food, I'm vegetarian and am always worrying about whats in my food to the point that I have quite a limited diet..I only really eat because I'm hungry or because my body is craving something sugary, (I go all trembly until I have a sugar rush -but I'm not diabetic or anything), so I feel that being able to feel full after a small amount of food would really suit me.

However, I seem to be putting on this weight, mostly fluid really, regardless of whether I eat or am on a constant diet

Crikey...5 years, I don't think I could go through this for that long

Best of luck with the slimming

Not on any medication at the mo, they are monitoring my thyroid every 6 months, (I had a partial thyroidectomy 16 months ago), but blood tests show that it is catching up so they don't want to start the thyroxin unless I really need it. I think it is probably more hormonal than anything, I'm 47 now and experiencing all sorts of problems so think the change is just around the corner, well I hope it's just around the corner

My skin has always been quite supple and I haven't any stretch marks with this extra weight...if I could be given the quick fix I would do anything required exercise wise to get into shape

Well done Lizzy!

I've have thyroid problem for years and have been very slim - I go a few pounds up and down and also crave sugar. But I'm also of nervous disposition and fidget a lot.

Chromium is apparently good for regulating blood sugar levels and kelp is a natural iodine supplement, vit B complex is good for nervous system, so maybe you could give those a go first and let your body settle.
And fluid retention is always something to do with too much sodium in the diet.
If you use any form of artificial sweetener stop. I know you're a veggie Scorpio, but can you increase protein in your diet as that should reduce the cravings?

Hey Sheree it is a hard struggle with weight, much easier to put on than get off. Hormonal and thyroid problems are so hard as they both affect weight gain and loss.
To me gastric banding can help when it is at that point health is at a huge risk due to weight.
Some of the underlying concerns I have with gastric banding is that it doesn't stop the problems causing the weight gain (hormonal, thyroid) it is not going to stop you craving sweet things. They can create extra health problems also.
A friend of mine when to get it done as he is very overweight but due to him being a diabetic and having heart disease issues and I was kind of relieved. As there are the potential for so many problems to arise with having it done.
Are you on medication for thyroid disease at all? If so are your thyroid function tests (TFT) in normal range?
Have you looked into other weight loss options? Food based ones?
Is there any other exercise that could help? Water Aerobics? Hydrotherapy?
Would it help at all to see a weight loss specialist one that cover nutritional issues and exercise?
Do you have a CPAP machine to help with sleep apnoea?
I just don't think it is going to make you feel better getting it done and might be disappointed as it will not help with your feelings, hormones, thyroid, sweet cravings, or sleep deprivation. I think all those things could have you feeling like crap over weight or not.
Not a fan of these either but you can get those shake diets that have sweet shakes or sugarless lollies are good, or a sensible weight loss program, your thyroid and hormonal issues could slow the weight loss down but it should still result in a loss that will end up being significant.
I am not saying don't get it done but it is not a silver bullet IMO.

Thanks for the pointers, I shall pop down to the chemist and see what they've got in...I did mention to Clive about supplements maybe helping...I've nver heard of Chromium though

I don't use artificial sweetener or add salt to my meals, I'll have to find out how I can add protein to my diet..I've been a veggie for many, many years and just couldn't eat any meat or fish, even if it helped me

I am overweight but I am sure mine is down to eating and not being able to exercise enough.
I wouldn't consider a gastric band though as I think the risks are far too high and if I value my health its up to me to put in the effort to cut back my eating and do something myself, which I am now trying.
If your weight is caused by thyroid and not overeating then I can't see a gastric band would help as that is just to reduce food intake and so calories.
I know being overweight gets you down, it does me, but in your case let your body settle first and get the right treatment for your thyroid, hopefully along with a good diet that will help you.

Hi Emma

Clive is of the same opinion as you, that my body will just fight it and I will still carry the weight. I am on a constant diet, we have the odd treat but I am always watching what I eat. Since I had to come off my hormone treatment 2 years ago when my tumour was diagnosed, that seems to be when the weight started going up and down. I can have a flat stomach one moment and seconds later I look like a water bed I can be a totally different shape one day to the next!

I'm not on any medication for the thyroid at the moment as they feel it is working on just half power so it's a case of wait and see...but I really am getting impatient about it...apart from the normal symptoms that us ladies have to put up with, I'm having all sorts of other problems with my hormones, so I suppose thats adding to my feelings of sadness, bordering on depression about my weight.

I've tried shakes etc., but they don't stop the craving for chocolate or sweet stuff, I don't eat that because I'm hungry but because my body is crying out for it and I can't seem to pacify it