I'm scheduled to have my surgery on september 13th. I am 18 years old and I am very excited to get the lap band. But I am having doubts. I do not want to feel a lot of pain and I'm not looking forward to the gas or shoulder pains people have been talking about. I'm really nervous about hair loss as well. And I don't know how ill be able to adapt to new eatting habits. So my question to people who have been banded, will it be worth it in the end?

So so worth it. And for what its worth, I never had gas pains or shoulder pains and I never lost any hair either.

The operation is a piece of cake, its a very small, safe procedure, without a lot of pain afterwards. I got home from the hospital the next morning and went for a walk.

Most of the pain I experience was right after waking up from the procedure. The gas pain was minimal too. Easiest surgery I have had! And so worth it!!

Eating is a challenge at times but not so bad either.

Nine months out and never lost any hair. Also the gas pains were very minimal and were gone within a day or two. Everyone is different so maybe yours won't be a bad experience at all, even if it is a bit painful it is WORTH IT in the end.

I'm scheduled to have my surgery on september 13th. I am 18 years old and I am very excited to get the lap band. But I am having doubts. I do not want to feel a lot of pain and I'm not looking forward to the gas or shoulder pains people have been talking about. I'm really nervous about hair loss as well. And I don't know how ill be able to adapt to new eatting habits. So my question to people who have been banded, will it be worth it in the end?

It is absolutely worth it. The pain is minimal and the hair loss, if you experience it, is temporary and grows back. The band helps adapting to the new habits pretty easy. I wish this had been available when I was 18. My life would have been so much different without carrying all the weight around as long as I did. Good luck to you. You are making the right decision!

I agree with everything everyone has said and like Cindy...I wish this had been available when I was 18 and I had been smarter enough to do it.

Exactly right ! If this would have been around when I was 18. I would still have my original Knees, not TITANIUM, I would have loved to been called by my regular name, not here comes Fat Shirley... That stuff gets to you after a while, and I am sure you have your own tale to tell.

But, it, is,,, O So Worth It ! Would do this again ! The pain is not all that bad, and they give you Medicine for the Pain. (I really didn't even feel that sore !!! ) Gas, again you do walking, and if you have it, it goes away, and some people use these Gas Strips that you can buy.

hair Loss: That really doesn't happen, unless you let your Protein get low, and you will be drinking shakes that are loaded with protein, plus you add up the protein, and calories in your Daily Logging. As long as you stay between 60-80Grams of protein a day, your fine.

This is a piece of Cake ! Once you learn that a little bit of food fills you up compared to a lot of Food before.... You will go far!

Shirley.

Also check out myfitnesspal.com that is one of a lot of sites where you can do your logging at, and view other peoples Diary like what they ate today ! That will give you some ideas. It's free to join and a lot of us are there.

I am Losingintime on that site.

Ah man! If I would have done this at 18 my life would be different now! I may have not avoided dating so much and going out to have fun. I may even be married by now and have kids....oh their are so many what ifs I would have not been so big for the last 15 years of my life! So I guess what I am trying to say is for me yes it's worth it! I was 280 somthing at 18 and by the time I was 28 I was 394 so the band would have stopped be from going into the 300's.

Thank you all very very much! I am more confident about the surgery than I was yesterday. I will be sure to check out myfitnesspal! Another question I have is how many times did any of you work out (weekly),if at all..what are some excercise ideas? Thank you again!

I'm scheduled to have my surgery on september 13th. I am 18 years old and I am very excited to get the lap band. But I am having doubts. I do not want to feel a lot of pain and I'm not looking forward to the gas or shoulder pains people have been talking about. I'm really nervous about hair loss as well. And I don't know how ill be able to adapt to new eatting habits. So my question to people who have been banded, will it be worth it in the end?

I had my surgery on NOv 2010, and it has been worth it! about the shoulder pain, it only last about 2 days or so, and the pain can be calmed with heating pads, by walking or even with Gas X Strips. Its totally normal since they inflate our bodies with natural gas to move the rest of the organs out of the way during surgery. U can check out my facebook if you have any questions. www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband

Thank you so much

I do Gardening when necessary like planting, weeding, scratching up the ground, harvesting, ripping everything out, or cutting it down, then clean up my beds for the spring.

Then I help with lawn work, shovel snow, snowmobile.

I walk 3-4 times a week.

Hope that gives a idea.

Shirley.

I love walking thank you again for your help

I'm almost 2 weeks out and had no shoulder pain, no gas pain and no regrets! I asked about the hair falling out and my dr said that is usually with the sleeve. So far it's been great! Good luck!

Thank you so much hope you're feeling better!

While everything that has been said previously is true and, I too have had a fairly smooth journey. I think it is important that you look at this from all sides. Plain and simple, the band requires a certain level of maturity.

You say that you do not want to feel a lot of pain. Many of us suffer very little pain - myself included. But pain is subjective, my pain threshold may be higher than yours. This is surgery and there will be incisions that will require time to heal. Hence, there will be some pain. The good news is, the doc will give you meds for the pain. More good news, many people do not suffer shoulder pain, although almost everyone has gas to one degree or another. My shoulder pain was quite painful ... I didn't know it was gas, I just thought they had laid me on my side during surgery for too long. LOL I used moist heat for a few days and started walking and voila! the pain subsided. Taking Biotin should help with the hair loss, but mostly, if you get the proper Vitamins and minerals, Protein, etc., you should be okay. And yes, there are exceptions, you can read about it on this forum. The most important thing to remember about the pain/gas is that it is TEMPORARY. Can you go through a little physical pain after surgery to stop the neverending emotional/psychological pain of living "fat" in a society that discriminates against the "overweight"? But more importantly, can't you get through a little pain to ensure that you have a healthy future? A future without diabetes meds, high blood pressure med, cholesterol meds, sleep apena machines, etc.?

The band is not a miracle cure. It is not a cure at all. It will require hard work and committment to reach your goal. Some, but not many, go through this jouney with relative ease.

At 18 you are the BEST candidate PHYSICALLY. Your skin still has a lot of elasticity. What I wouldn't give for your youthful skin elasticity. (sigh) But, some, at 18, 19, 20 are not ready mentally. Some cannot/will not give up bad eating habits long enough to reach goal. You sound like a very smart person because you are honest about your fears; and you question whether or not you will be able to make the changes necessary to be successful with the band. Keep reading this forum and do your research. You are 18, and if you are not ready, you are not ready. This is for you to decide. There are other 18, 19, 20 year olds here, you should chat with them about their band experience.

As to the answer to your initial question: "Is it worth it?" YOU BET! I have never worked harder to lose weight -- but I love every minute of it. I love the exercise (this was NEVER me), I love not overeating anymore (you KNOW this was not me or else I would not have become obese), I love ME and the way I look in my "new" size clothes. I love the confidence I have in myself. I understand that thin or fat life is not a bowl of cherries, but at least being obese is not one of my problems anymore.

I wish you the best, and if you decide to take this journey, remember we are here for you with support, suggestions, and even a reality check when you need it.

Make the choice that is right for YOU.

~Fran