Hello,

What can I expect from beginning to end with Lap Band Surgery? Anyone want to share experience good or bad???

-Kim

I haven't been banded yet, but I can say it's has not been a quick process. I think ppl could go on forever telling different stories and sharing experiences. Good Luck to you!

Hello,

What can I expect from beginning to end with Lap Band Surgery? Anyone want to share experience good or bad???

-Kim

Kim, spend some time reading through some of the THOUSANDS of posts here about this process. Everyone has a different journey, and a different experience. There is no one answer that says everything. Check the forum titles, and work your way through it. You'll be better off for exerting a little effort. The more educated about things you are, the better your own experience will be.

Good luck!

Dave

Here is my quick version...

Basically, I scheduled my first appt. in October 2008. I couldn't see the doctor until Dec, and it was July 7, 2009 that I had surgery. You can do the math, but it was a long process. I'm glad it was, though. During that time, I did a lot of research reading threads on here, reading on the Internet, talking to others who had the surgery,etc. I also did a lot of praying and planning.

My doctor and my insurance required a 6 month diet before my surgery. During that time, I didn't lose much weight, but to be completely honest with myself, I didn't try all that hard. I didn't have a certain goal I had to reach (which is required with some ins. companies), and I had kind of the last supper syndrome. Basically, I thought I'd better eat it now...

Well, I wish I had tried more dilligently pre-op, but what's done is done. My first five months are when I lost virtually all my weight. I was at this weight by Christmas last year. I have lost just at 60 pounds. The goal weight in my signature is my personal mini goal, but my surgeon wanls me to get 59 pounds lighter than that. I am now at what my gyn calls my body's "happy weight." I have PCOS and this is the weight that I have found to be easiest to maintain over my adult years as well as the weight at which I have been most healthy. WIth that being said, when I was smaller than this, I was sick most likely because of the route I had taken to lose the weight and the speed at which I lost it. (Another long story for another time.)

I have to admit that I haven't exercised much, so I know I haven't used my tool to its full advantage. I know I am still not at a healthy weight, but if I never lost another pound, I am still glad I had the surgery. I would never have lost 60 pounds on my own, and I have NEVER maintained a weight for a year. Just that makes it worth it for me.

Right now, I have a good amount of restriction, but maybe even too much. I find it hard to eat anything at all until after lunch time and that is not a good thing. I may actually go in for a small unfill in a few weeks. Getting your fill level just right is probably the hardest part and a major key in success.

This is definitely not the easy road some people think it is, but it really isn't that bad either. Just read as much as you can (like a previous poster said) and pray about it. If you think it is right for you...go for it!