Tonks

First of all.... CONGRATS Shadowmanhi !!!! Hi Jetti, the procedure is not very common in DR since it is expensive and is not covered by insurance. But there are very good doctors, my two surgeons graduated in France and are excelent!, if you whish I can give you their contact info so you can reach them if you need anything while you're here. When are you going to be banded? To what part of the country are you coming on vacation? maybe we could meet !!!!

Less invasive procedure It is adjustable Better for pregnancy My doctor told me that for me it was better to lose the weight slowly. I went back to work 4 days afte the surgery. I had no pain But it is your decision. I hate puking too, and it has happened to me a couple of times.... it's not that bad. Just get all the information before you take a decision..... and good luck in your journey!

There are risks with every surgery, that's what my doctor told me, but if you have no medical problems, if all your tests are ok, you will be just fine. I'm such a coward in so many ways, and like you I was a little scared. But for me the important thing is to trust your doctor. And also just imagine the changes in your life and the things you will be able to do. I had no pain after, and was feeling Ok, I even had my surgery a Thursday and went back to work the next monday (couldn't stay home much longer, I was soooo bored), and It just took a couple of days for me to recover.

That is true not everybody is the same, for example, i have one year with my band, and I had only 3 fills !! I don't know if this happens to everybody but at first I used to be hungry, and I was eating small portions like every 3 hours as my doctor indicated..... now i can say that I have only 3 very small meals a day, and not getting hungry.

NIkki_S and Beck, Concerning the issue of being able to lose all the weight, I believe is possible, I am only 19 pounds away from my ideal weight. (I believe that is like 9 Kg, but I'm not sure)

I have two: A Star of David on my right foot (that hurts a lot!) A blue rose with black leafs on my back, between my shoulders. I plan to do two more once I reach my goal. A blue butterfly as a symbol of my transformation and my father's initials (which are also my initials).

You look amazing!!! congratulations and good luck !!!

At first, with all the special diets you have to follow, I felt like I was dieting...... right now, I don't. I can enjoy dinner out with friends and parties... but i just eat small portions. In another topic in this forum we were talking about how in restaurants waiters keep looking at you when they seel your plate full, sometimes they ask if you dindn't like it if you would like to change it for something else.

I've lost 74 pounds..... and I am only 19 pounds away from my goal. And I don't regret having the LBS.

That one, meant a lot to me!!!!!!

I got a house keeper too!, she comes twice a week 9tusdays and fridays) I have my hair done every sunday. I have my nails done every two weeks. I had my hair cut, i used to have my hair long and blond, now I have it short and black, and is so funny when people look at me and don't recognize me, because of the weith lose and the different hair.

Clothes!!!!!!! Is not easy to find modern clothes in big sizes, and also was no fun to enter a store to find out nothing in there fits you. I'm only 19 pound away from my goal, and i am soooo happy when I go out shopping with my friends 'cause I can try on the clothes, and don't feel ashamed, and actually find really nice things to buy. And also have my selfsteem up to the roof is a good thing too.

Good luck with everything..... And come back to share

Hi! As nikki_s said, the experiences are different, but overall I can say that my LBS is working, and I'm very happy with the results. i just joined this forum yesterday, and have found lots of information. Welcome and keep us posted.

Hi, I'm new to this page but very happy to find people to talk about it. I was banded on October /2006, and have lost 74 pounds. good luck!

Hi Kimmi... I'm new to this forum too, but I have my band for a year now... you will probably feel a little scare at frist because you don't know what to expect, but believe me you will get better soo soon.

jajajajajaja. I usually have in my bag thing that I know wont cause me any problems on the street, like an urge to go to the bathroom.

Wellcome!!!! I'm just like you, new to the forums but I've been banded for a year now. I don't lose the weight fast, but very proud of what I have accomplished in this year (I was banded on oct. 06)

That happened to me once... I talked to my doctor and he unfilled the band a little and problem solved! You don't need to be ashamed to go to your doctor for advice. Mine, must be tired of me, I ask so many questions!

Hi Agapis .... I have a pain like that for the last couple of days... I would also like to see if anyone knows something about ir. I was banded las october.

My doctor told me bofre the surgery about the shoulder pain. for me it was not that bad, I had it for almost four weeks, but was not that bad.

I also do that, I keep small snacks with me like granola bars or cheese.

That's soooo good to hear, and I can talk only about my experience, but for me this has been one of the best decisions I have made. Not only that but for me was money well spended, since in my country those procedures are not covered by insurance, I had to cover all the expenses. I hope everything's ok, with you and good luck !!!!!!!!!

Actually this month will be a year now.... I have 19 pounds left to lose, I believe this will be over soon. But as I said, right now I have no people to talk about this, who could really understands. I'm very happy of the changes I have experienced during this whole process.

Hi! I was just looking online for pages to find info and somehow share my experiences after my lapband surgery, since I don't know anyone who has one. I'm from the dominican Republic and currently living in Santo Domingo, and in my country this is not a very common procedure yet and there are no support groups or anything. Looking forward to share and learn from others.