A gastric band can be helpful in reducing the amount of food someone eats, thereby contributing significantly to weight loss. The procedure is normally carried out using keyhole surgery, with a band (or belt) being placed around the top portion of your stomach. This means you feel “full” after eating only a small portion of food.

There are three major advantages to using a gastric band:

• It’s adjustable – so you and your doctor can control your weight loss without unpleasant symptoms caused by too much restriction
• The key hole surgery means that you don’t need a long recovery period
• It’s reversible – although a gastric band is meant to be in place for life it can be removed if circumstances warrant it, with no permanent changes to your stomach

Gastric bands have now been used worldwide since the 1980s and by and large they work successfully – on average, people lose between 50% and 65% of their excess weight in the first two years after the band has been fitted.

While patients will start to feel the benefits long before the two year mark, it’s important to remember that a gastric band can only do so much – it’s vital to eat healthily and take plenty of exercise as well.

Like any form of surgery, having a gastric band fitted carries risks, and these are always higher if you are excessively overweight. Statistics suggest that 1 person in 10 with a gastric band needs further surgery at some stage in the future.

After the band has been fitted it will probably be adjusted two or three times in the early months to optimise the setting for your weight loss programme. Once that’s been done, the band is maintained at that level until you’ve achieved your weight loss target.

For more information please visit  http://www.thehospitalgroup.org/gastric-band.php

Wendy has been on a cycling and camping holiday and is feeling much more energised and positive that she can do more.

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Wendy is now under 90 kilos (just ) and has discovered a great way to boost her protein intake… soya beans, roasted and salted. More protein and less fat than nuts.

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This week Wendy managed to eat protein with every meal… even if it was only milk.  Wendy’s has now lost a total of 4 stone 6 pound since her pre-op diet and her BMI is 34.2 and is very happy.

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Wendy now weighs 92.7 kilos which is 14 stone 8 pounds. Since her pre-op diet Wendy has lost a total of 56.4 pounds which is 4 stone (25.6 kilo) so that is 50% of what she would like to lose. Wendy’s BMI is now 35.1.

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Wendy has now had her 3 months ‘MOT’ checkup at Vita Clinics and the only thing she needs to do is to try and eat more protein (cheese, milk, eggs, yoghurt and meat whenever possible).

Wendy’s thyroid levels were also low (confirmed by her doctor) so she is on medication to ‘fix’ that.

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Wendy is almost due her 3 month assessment checkup at Vita clinics which will include a body composition test and is really looking forward to it as she’s been feeling a little weak and tired this week.

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Wendy’s weight now is 95.1 kilos and she’s just met up with other gastric bypass patients to exchange stories, progress etc so is feeling very positive at the moment.

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Wendy needs to eat more protein as part of her daily diet and has just cleared out her wardrobe… throwing away bags of clothes that are now too big for her!

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Wendy’s weight is fluctuating at the moment but she now weighs 95.9 kilos.

Read more of Wendy’s diary here.