Following E-R looks at the pros and cons of Lap Band surgery
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You've dieted, you've exercised and are still morbidly obese. That was the case for one area woman who finally chose surgery as an option. But is it safe, and is it for you?
Contestants on NBC's 'Biggest Loser' have achieved amazing weight loss feats. But they have celebrity trainers and diet specialists to help them kick off their massive weight loss. But what about the average person?
Julie Desantis use to weight over 300 pounds, and choose Lap Band surgery as weight loss method.
"I had gotten up to 309 after my fourth child, but still wanted to get weight off safely," she siad.
But after lap band surgery three years ago, she lost more than 130 pounds.
"At my first weigh-in I was down 27 pounds, just after a couple of weeks," she recalled.
Lap Band surgery is the least invasive of the bariatric procedures. And the band, which is put around the top part of the stomach to restrict food can be tightened or removed. Julie recently visited her doctor to tighten the band because her weight loss leveled off, but her doctor, Dr. Tim Duckett, of the Northwest Surgical Specialists says the band is just a tool.
"She's still doing all the work - milk shakes go right through," said Dr. Duckett
So, who is a candidate for lap band surgery?
"For someone 100 pounds over, morbidly obese, for someone who's made serious attempts on their own, but can't get weight off," said Dr. Duckett.
Julie says this was just what she needed.
"It got me going. It was the jump start I needed," she said.
There are some downsides to Lap Band surgery like no carbonated beverages, no drinking while eating and more.
