FatBoySlim

That's the exception and not the rule. The point of the band is to make you feel full after eating less food. Plain and simple. If you can change your lifestyle and stick to it, you don't need the band in the first place. My first two weeks after surgery I was eating just like I was before surgery, simply because I was completely open and not getting full.

I'm only 25, but my dad is 54. He had the surgery 3 years ago when he was 51. At the time he weighed 256 lbs. He lost it all in about 9 months and has been 168 - 172 ever since. He looks and feels great.

Let me get this straight, you're suggesting that after someone reaches their target weight, they should remove all of their fill and risk it all? (Not trying to be obnoxious, I really am trying to understand your point.)

I'm 25. Got my band 4/23/07 and have lost 28 lbs so far. I had mine done in NYU by Dr. Ren.

It's not entirely the same stuffed you would feel before the band. It's hard to explain, but you really feel FULL and you don't have to hold yourself back from eating more. That's the key right there. You're full, you're satisfied, and you really don't have to restrain yourself. I know it's hard to fathom at this point, but look at people MUCH bigger than I was, who are skinny now. If it worked for them, it'll work for you.

Wow, how have you lost 47 lbs without a fill?? After a week after surgery I was eating almost as much as I did before, and wasn't losing an ounce! I was going crazy! I've had two fills already in two months, and am seriously contemplating another one in the next week or so.

Hey LoveliBabi, I personally had no complications at all. I'll to give you a quick walkthrough of my experience. Before the surgery, everyone came to introduce themselves. The nurses the helpers and even the anesthesiologists (he was great, I asked him some weird question about something I had seen on Nip Tuck (don't ask) and he was very patient and answered everything). I was then taken to the OR laid down on the table and from all sides people started preparing me. Lift this leg, lift that leg, do this do that. It was kinda cool actually. Then the anesthesiologist came in, and said OK, now I'm going to give you the good stuff (those were his words). The next thing I remember, is me sitting in bed, opening my eyes and the nurse asking me how much pain I'm in. I realized I was in recovery at that time. For that day I did feel pain in my stomach but the staff at NYU were awesome. They gave me some great drugs and it worked like a charm. Then Dr. Ren came by later in the afternoon to tell me how the surgery went and answered some questions I had. I went home the next morning, and went to work two days later with just minor discomfort. Don't be nervous, seriosuly. Dr. Ren does approx. 7!! of these a day, and she's extremely good at what she does. Hope that helps! Ask me anything else, I'll try and answer.

Yes, absolutely. I'll give you an example. I used to eat two slice of pizza and fries, no problem. Sometimes even 3 slices. Two weeks ago I had a slice of pizza. I had to toast it and make it really crunchy, otherwise it would never go down. By the time I got to the end of the slice, dude, I was STUFFED! I couldn't even eat the crust. I'm eating less than half at every meal, and I'm not stopping to eat because I have self control, I'm stopping cuz I'm really full. I have zero self control, so trust me, the band is working! If you're on the fence about this, don't think twice! It really works!

Well to tell you the truth, the weight has been coming off slower than I'd like it to, but at the same time, I'm not surprised every time I step on the scale. I've had two fills and still feel like I can eat too much. Sunday night, the Yankees were playing the Mets so I had some friends over. My wife prepared Hot Dogs for us. I was able to eat 3 of them without buns. Before surgery, that would have been half a supper, but that's too much still! 3 dogs?! And hot dogs are very chewy! My point is, the weight is coming off nicely compared to how much I'm actually eating. As for the second question, I personally told everyone (except my in laws). All my friends know about it, and they're very supportive. They're all slim though, so they don't care how I get myself healthy, just as long as I do get healthy that's what matters. The only friend that has given me crap about it, is a guy who has been dieting since I know him. The guy has amazing self control, but as soon as he's off his diet he'll gain weight. He was all like "what?! surgery?! you nuts?! Do it naturally!" Easy for him to say, because he's got willpower like crazy! Other than that though, everyone's been supportive. /end ramble

When I got my first fill, I was bracing myself for the prick of the needle. All of a sudden he's like, OK you have 3 in there now, I'm like what?! The needle is already in me?! You honestly don't feel a THING! They tell you to go on liquids for two days, and mushy for the next two before going back to solids. I personally didn't listen and went straight for solids. You will feel a difference right away. The food will get stuck faster, and you'll feel full quicker. It's really amazing how it works!

I'm 25 so it might be different because I'm much younger, however I had surgery on a Monday, and was back at work on Thursday. I was still feeling a little bit of discomfort, but I'm in sales and sit in an office mostly, so it was no problem. Good luck!

Man, the first two weeks after surgery, well more like the second week after surgery, I gave up on just the fluids, and I was able to eat pretty much like I was before surgery. I was mad as hell, I was like what did I do this surgery for, if I can still eat? And now you're telling me I gotta wait another 5 weeks for a fill? I called my doc and pleaded with them, and convinced them to fill me after only 4 weeks of surgery. After that, I was happier, but felt like I can still eat too much, so I went for another one 2 weeks later. It's been 1 and a half weeks since that fill, and I've lose 30 lbs out of 100 lbs I need to lose, however I'm not satisfied yet. I want another fill. I feel like I can still eat too much. So in short, no I don't agree with you at all, sorry! I feel like if I did the surgery already, fill me to the max, let me shed my fat suit ASAP!

I think to a certain degree it's a "last resort" for everyone. No one wants to have surgery and have something inside you for the rest of your life, unless you have absolutely no other choice. That being said, go for it, it'll change your life.

Cool forum! Just found it tonight! I had surgery about 2 months ago, have lost 30 pounds so far (out of 100, 70 more to go) and by far the hardest thing at this point for me is not drinking while eating. The thing is, it's sort of a double edged sword for me. Many times if I don't chew well enough, the food gets stuck, and instead of waiting it out, or trying to bring it back out, I'll try and force it down with liquid. I know this completely defeats the purpose, as that food won't make me feel full, but I just hate that pain of the food being stuck. Other times though, the liquid doesn't help to force it down, and then I have to RUN to the bathroom and puke my brains out like after an old night binge drinking party I'm trying to get better about it every day, but for me it's for sure the hardest thing. My father got his band a little over 3 years ago, and to this day he says that's the hardest thing for him as well. Not to drink while eating. I can't wait for my next fill though (have had two already) at which point I know that no amount of liquids will help force food down, so I'll have to learn the hard way.