Hi everyone. I'm 8 months out from my banding and doing great. I've lost 78# and am finally at my sweet spot. In fact, I'm doing so well that the PA at my Dr.'s office asked if I would be willing to speak at one of the upcoming info sessions they have for new patients.

I love to talk about my band, but I've been thinking about what I will say to a big group of perspective bandsters. For those of you who have had the surgery already, what would you tell those who are considering it--good and bad? For those of you who are considering it, what would you want to hear?

I hope that I can help lead someone to a decision that will be as great for them as mine has been for me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Lauren

Hi everyone. I'm 8 months out from my banding and doing great. I've lost 78# and am finally at my sweet spot. In fact, I'm doing so well that the PA at my Dr.'s office asked if I would be willing to speak at one of the upcoming info sessions they have for new patients.

I love to talk about my band, but I've been thinking about what I will say to a big group of perspective bandsters. For those of you who have had the surgery already, what would you tell those who are considering it--good and bad? For those of you who are considering it, what would you want to hear?

I hope that I can help lead someone to a decision that will be as great for them as mine has been for me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Lauren

Myself personally. I would start off by saying that the Lapband surgery has given me a new beginning on life. Not only has it saved my life it has also given me back my self esteem, and taught me how to eat better. It's taught me that food doesn't have to control my life. That I can truly control the food. I would recommend this to EVERYONE and I would definately stress that many people feel that this is the easy way out. Trust me, this is NOT the easy way out. Dieting is the easy way out. The lapband is hardwork but it's also a tool to help you lose the weight and to keep it off at the same time. I would stress that they ask alot of questions because that is truly how you learn about the experience. The Lapband is a lifestyle change. You don't have to give up living your life, examining every little thing you eat, when you have the Lapband. I would also recommend that they attend a local support group meeting if at all possible and definately give them the address to this website.

I've done this a couple of times. I took a before picture with me which I showed when I was introduced. At that point, everybody had gotten the presentation with all the positive and negative stuff and I was "offered up" to give firsthand experience answers to questions. I got quite a variety of questions....from "how hard is the pre-op diet ReALLY?" to "do you have any regrets?", "do fills hurt?" and "I've heard there are a lot of foods you can't eat after surgery. Is that true? What can you not eat?"

My doc's physician's assistant told me that all I had to do was be open and answer questions...and all those newbies had all the same questions I had in the beginning!!!

I'd just tell them the facts and not try to convince them one way or another. I'd tell them how things went from your perspective but emphasize that each person is different and the possible complications are serious. But then I'd tell them how much it has improved life. Only they can choose if it is worth the risk to them or not.

I'd also tell them that it is NOT "giving up" or "admitting defeat". It's making a decision to be proactive about your weight in the most effective way you are able to. Simply dieting/exercising alone is too difficult for most. Statistics have shown only 5% of people who try diet/exercise alone are successful, and they may or may not be in that 5%.

I mean there are tons of things I'd like to tell people but those are the main two I'd tell anyone considering WLS.

Oh and I'd also tell them to visit lapbandtalk.com hahaha :smile2: