Hi gang :thumbup:

I guess introductions are in order; I'm Fred, 36, from Staten Island and I'm 5'8 and 338 (BMI of about 50 or so). I've been considering the surgery (actually going back and forth between LAP-BAND® and by-pass) for a while now and finally decided to start moving in the right direction.

I've tried Weight Watchers (still going, as a matter of fact) and after losing 30 lbs, I've been stuck, gainig and losing the same few pounds, week after week. Nothing seems to affect it, so I've decided to take a more aggressive approach - which has led me here.

My insurance, at work, is about to change from Oxford to Empire BC/BS on July 1st. HR suggested I wait until the changeover before going forward with anything.

So, what am I in for? I read about all these seminars and psyche evals, but can't find any real information. What about pre and post-op diets? My GF are both foodies and we love taking road trips to try different restaurants. She's thin and I'd hate to think this surgery would put an end to something we both enjoy doing. She's very supportive of the idea of the surgery, but I want to make sure we both go into this, armed with as much practical, real-life information, as possible.

I look forward to getting to know the people here and learning and sharing this new journey, on which, I am about to embark.

-Fred

Welcome aboard!

What you will not get with the lapband is a quick fix or magic bullet. It takes a lot of work on your part. The lapband will help you become satisfied with less food but it does not make your food choices for you.

It's all about changing your lifestyle; eating healthy and being satisfied with smaller portions.

The pre and post diets play a relatively small part in the big picture. They vary from surgeon to surgeon.

Pre-op diet is a low carb diet to shrink your liver prior to surgery. It can be from 1 day to a month or more depending on your surgeon. All or a portion of this may be comprised of nothing but liquids

Post-op diet varies just as much as the pre-op. Your stomach and body go through trauma during surgery and the post-op diet is meant to allow your body and stomach to heal. This usually consists of a week or more of liquid only and then a week or more of purreed foods prior to returning to "normal" food.