I just finished my fifth of seven required weigh-ins for my surgery. It's looking like I will most likely be having my surgery in October or November. I have been dead set on getting banded but recently I found out that one of my friend's sisters had bypass and now she is trying to talk me into having that instead. I like the band because it is slow and gives you a chance to tone up as you lose weight rather than have a rapid weight loss and a bunch of saggy skin. My only dilemma is that I want to lose a lot of weight fast because I am getting married next Summer and I want to look as best as possible, but I also want to go with the safest route because that is more important. Also, has anyone ever had complications with slipping or getting sick with eating certain things? Can you ever eat "real" food again or do you have to always be on a healthy "Food Pyramid" type diet? I also teach 3rd grade so I was wondering the type of difficulty I would have with going back to work? How long did it take you to feel comfortable moving around?

I know this should probably be somewhere else but I wanted to hear from people who have actually had it done.

The Lap Band was the only procedure I considered. I've been able to lose hundreds of pounds over my life but couldn't keep them off. I needed the "help" that comes from a restrictive procedure, but didn't want the side effects of gastric bypass.

I'm lucky, I can eat anything. That being said, I keep my band on the loose side and make exercise a daily part of my routine. I still am only able to eat small quantities, but anything I want. The band has given me a feeling of control over something in which I always felt I had no control, and that was my eating. I had a relatively poor diet since I lived alone for alot of years, but wanted to change.

The hardest part for me was underestimating the changes that needed to be made in my head and how hard that would be, but the band gave me the time I needed to get my head in the game while seeing positive results.

You do have to pick the right surgery for you. Based on how I used to be, gastric bypass would have been the more preferred method of WLS, but I would not consider it. I'm very glad I chose the lap band and am proud of the work I've done to get where I am. More importantly, I don't feel like my eating is "out of control" anymore, nor do I feel like I can't help myself. My mindset has changed as my body changed.

I wish you the best whatever you decide. Just consider all your options and look at the long term, not just for next summer.