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?

Thank you sooo much fran I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. I think I've made up my mind and want to go through with the surgery. Did you have to do a liquid diet before the surgery?

Thank you sooo much fran I appreciate your kind words of encouragement. I think I've made up my mind and want to go through with the surgery. Did you have to do a liquid diet before the surgery?

Yes, but mine was very short ... about 10 days. It depends on your doctor.

Keep us posted. I can say that this forum is one place where EVERYONE is rooting everyone's success. I like that.

~Fran

Its so worth it in the long run i just got banded friday (aug 19th) pain was very minimal and as far as the gas I walked around good luck we r all here for you

Thank you again fran

Congrats to you booboofachi and thank you!

I will definitely keep everyone updated

I do water aerobic twice a week and if and when my weight loss slows down , I can increase the exercise. I don't like walking so you are one up on me there. Good luck.

Thank you

I'm glad you decided for sure to go through with it! I'm 21 and had mine done in June. For awhile after I was wondering if I made the right decision because the weight wasn't coming off, but once I started getting fills it's slowly starting to, so just make sure that you're patient. Don't give up on it It's a very easy procedure. And reversible which was important to me because I am so young.

As far as my exercise goes I've been doing the couch to 5k. It gets you from walking to running. I bought an iphone app that tells me when to walk and when to run. It's mostly intervals which keeps it interesting and done at your own pace. I do that 3 times a week and maybe do something one other day. It's important for your overall health more than actual weight loss. They say that losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. So definitely make sure that you're up and getting some exercise, but it's what you eat that's going to be the most important... that's what I've been really trying to work on. I have a snacking problem... but I had a fill up to 6 cc's yesterday and I'm thinking that might do it... hopefully

It is VERY worth it:)

Since getting my band I've been able to stop my high blood pressure meds. I don't need my CPap machine anymore. My knees don't hurt as badly. I have more energy and keep up with my kids.

I really haven't had too much pain and right now I can still eat small amounts of Pasta and bread and not have any weight issues. I wish I would have done it sooner.

Thank you both! MLR what is the app called? And what determines a fill?

The one I have is called get running. I think it was $2. Totally worth it. And the fills mostly depend on you. My first fill she pulled out what little was in there to measure and then put that back in plus a little. She adds a little more each time based on how much I'm eating and how much weight I'm losing. I think the idea is to be able to only need to eat 3 meals that can fit on a six inch plate and feel satisfied with it. She's always telling me to report back to her on whether or not I need snacks and if so how many. So I guess you would stop needing fills when you are steadily losing about 2 pounds per week

Okay thank you. So it means if I'm not full I need a fill?

Usually,, when you get a fill that keeps you full (GOT TO GET THERE FIRST WITH FILL AFTER FILL PROCESS,) You usually stay full for 4-5 hours, sometimes 6.hours.

But if you are hungry every 1 1/2 - 2 hours, then it's time for you to call your Doc's Office, and schedule a fill'

Go to youtube and look it up, you will see the surgery, and you can look up the Adjustments or Fills.

Okay thank you

on the Fills...some people don't get fills. I had my surgery on May 26th and have had two appts since then and didn't get a fill at either and may not at my next one. I eat lunch at 11:30 and usually don't get hungry until like 4:30 -5:00 but sometimes still don't eat until 8.

How has your weight loss been?