lynh564

I would say do your own research. I looked into all 3 types of surgery. In the end, I saw that there were a lot of successful lap banders. My thoughts were to give it a try - it's less invasive and resversible. If it didn't work, then I could revise to the others as appropriate. I had my surgery in April 2010. I have lost over 100lbs in 10 months. I am 5 lbs away from goal. I will say that I have really incorporated a lot of exercise and journaling what I eat. I think that you have to realize the band is a tool to help you but it won't prevent you from eating around it or making bad decisions.

I am down 103.

Hi Kim,

I was banded on 4/5/10. I have had my share of ups and downs but the band was the best decision I have made for myself. I lost my father at the end of August and he was very young, only 66. It was unexpected and there was a lot of drama with my family. It was a very rough time but I did not let myself slide into bad habits. I kept my eating and exersice a priority. You can do this. Log what you eat and get moving with some exercise. I exercise 5-6 times per week. I started out slowly so as not to burn out, as I have done that in the past. I am not perfect but I strive to eat like a bandster 90% of the time.

I also recommend some sort of support group. I do an online support group that emails digests every day. I read them everyday. I don't always post but I do read becasue it keeps me thinking about how to use my tool. The group that I am part of is a yahoo group called SmartBandsters. It's a great group. They recommend the Shrink Yourself program http://www.shrinkyourself.com/?404;http://www.shrinkyourself.com:80/obsession?gclid=CMON3YLZ9KYCFRJY2godVX9ADQ&bhcp=1. This will help you with emotional eating. You can do this - you just have to take the steps to make it work.

You'll do great. I got my lapband 10 months ago - I down 103lbs. It feels great. I am older than you and wish that I had done it sooner.

Sounds like you are still too tight - probably need more Fluid taken out.

I was banded on 04/05/2010 and have lost 95lbs including the pre-op.

I have been doing alot of reading on the forums. that being said, it is believed that some people have a higher physiological drive to eat. The band dims that drive and that allows you to make better choices. That is what I have personally experienced. I am down 84lbs in 7 months. I find it much easier to watch what I eat. That has made all the difference in the world.

If you can't keep anything down, you are probably too tight. My last fill was like that. I went the next day and they took out half. Then after a week and half, I was still have acid reflux when I ate. The nurse took out the rest of the fill. It was my 4th fill. It is not in your best interest to be too tight. It actually caused me to plateau for a couple of weeks. I am just now starting to lose again. I am thinking that I am going to keep this one through the holidays. I have 5.2ccs in 10cc band.

Congratulations! Hope you are still feeling pretty good. Let me know if you have any questions.

I too was leaning toward the sleeve. I couldn't find a surgeon that I felt comfortable with to perform the sleeve. I decided to research the band some more by reading blogs of banded people. I came to the conclusion that I liked the fact that the band is reversible. I also saw that if the band failed for me I could always revise to the sleeve. I was banded on 04/05/10. I am down 75lbs. It is working great for me.

I am part of group on Yahoo - SmartBandsters. One of the moderators, Jessie Ahroni has been banded since 1998. She has written a book about banding. She has not had any complications.

I used Dr. Duncan and he doesn't have any program fees. I pay my copays for fills. I had my lapband placed on 04/05, I have lost 75lbs and over 55 inches. I am dong great - I checked into some of the other surgeons with those exorbitant fees and I decided to steer clear. I don't regret my decision at all.

Hi All! It is good to see that everyone is doing well. I was banded on 4/5. I have had 3 fills and I am close to my sweet spot. I have lost 67lbs. I have something sweet almost everyday - it has not slowed my weight loss. I work out between 5 and 6 times a week. I have added strength training. I really exercise with intesity and I think that is key. I would have never imagined being down nearly 70lbs in this time frame.

All I have to sya is that my appetite is dimmed. I am 46 and so glad I did this. I was banded 4/5 and I am down almost 50 lbs. I am exercising hard, watching what I eat but it is easier. I have had two fills but I am not at my sweet spot yet.

Hi! I was banded in Atlanta on 4/5/10. I have been doing very well but not perfect. I have lost 49lbs. I have had two fills. I do feel some restriction - I had my first PB today. I would be willing to communicate with you.

Hi! Good luck in your process. I started my process in Sept. 2009 and was banded on 04/05/2010. I have almost lost 50lbs (34 since banding). I am so glad that I did this. I live in Georgia, just north of Atlanta.

Hey, I am right there with you. I weighed in 208 this morning. My half-way point is 198, which is also in onederland. I can't wait to get there!

I was banded on 4/5. I am down 44lbs today including pre-op weight loss. I have had one fill and due for the 2nd one next week.

From what I have read, everyone loses at a different rate. I am 6 weeks out from surgery and I have lost 20lbs since surgery. I lost 16 prior to surgery for a total loss of 36lbs. I just had my first fill yesterday. So I think you are doing great!

Good luck! The time will pass quickly. I was banded on 4/5 and I am down 33.5lbs including my pre-op. I go for my first fill next Monday.

I did a lot of research. I looked into all the procedures. Finally, the lap band won because it was the least invasive and totally reversilbe. I was just barely over 40 BMI - the required magical number for my insurance with no co-morbidities. I didn't want any of the complications of the other surgeries. I saw that if you are compliant and follow the rules, you will lose weight. I am now 3 weeks post-op. I have lost 26 lbs including my pre-surgury weight loss. I am so excited and I have my first fill scheduled for 3 weeks from today.

I have been sore - just as others described it - like I've done about a 1000 crunches. On Tuesday, we did a trip to Auburn, AL (about 2 hrs away) to watch my son play baseball. I didn't think it would be too taxing but it turned into a long day. I felt nausea about 11:00pm, as we started home. I took all my meds with me and my Protein Shake. I took the nausea meds and made it home with no problems. I really took it easy on Wednesday and today. I did manage to walk on the treadmill today for 20 mins. I got to take a quick shower today and that was great after walking. I got more Protein in today and I could tell it made me feel better. I am finishing the last one now. Today, I got in more calories but I am still on thin liquids and will be for another 11 days before I can move to full liquids. I have noticed that seeing all the food commercials look really good but not too bad.

Up and out of the house by 6:20am - got there at 7am but wasn't scheduled to be there until 7:30am.

8:00 - taken back at to OR

10:00 - waking up in recovery - not much pain

10:40 - on the way on home

11:30 - home

12:00 - pain medication and off to nap.

I haven't had much pain, just some pressure in the shoulder for gas. Feeling pretty good - I have just a little tired. Not hungry at all. Just extremely thirsty.

Today was my day - I became a bandster today. I was home by noon. Very little pain but gas in my left shoulder. I didn't even need pain meds in recovery room. I am on my way.

Congrats to all the April Bandsters that have had their surgeries. I am scheduled for Monday morning and I have to be there at 7:30am. I have been doing my pre-op the last 3 weeks and have done ok. I am down 12lbs. The next two days is Clear Liquids only - that will be a challenge but I can survive two days. I am ready to get the show on the road.