I really want to do this....but I'm so scared. I have some strange questions like...can they take the lapband out after you've reached your desired weight? Will I have a bunch of saggy, loose skin? I really, really want this and have enjoyed reading everyone's stories. Any advice out there???

You should be much more scared of staying obese! Especially if you have loved ones who dont want to live without you or children that you are showing how to be obese!

Yes they could take it out but ...I know if I had mine out I would gain my weight back.

Saggy skin yes but in a size 6!

The other day my huz picked up my jeans and said they look like from the childrens department! I LOVE my band!

Loose skin depends on lots of things age , amt of wt lost ect. I decided it would be worth it to be health and I am starting to save from ps if needed. They can remove band. I work in healthcare and have seen people remove band. They gained the wt back after. I would only remove mine for medical reason. I tell friends the band is like thight pair of pants that you cannt undo top button to keep eating. You can remove fills if you want and easier but why if it works. I had fears too but now I love love my band!!! I get my first fill in two weeks.

Be ready to change your entire outlook on food. And try to keep a positive mental attitude, even if those around you don't. This is about you!!! I had my band on 12/27 and would do it all over again a million times. My husband has praised me to everyone he talks to about this. How positive I have been. I think that has helped A LOT in keeping me in track with the diet, working out, etc.

Remember, this is about YOU getting healthy. Don't let anyone change that for you. When it comes to the medical questions, ask your doctor. If there are support groups available, attend those. I've been to one and it was a tremendous help to me.

You can do this.

Thanks for the responses!! I am so glad I found this forum so that I have someone to talk to! Thanks everyone and I will keep you posted.

Like Xavier said, I have some loose skin, but who can see it in my size 8 pants?!!!

Hi CJ,

You are reacting very normal, any surgery is very scary. And as someone posted above having declined health, not knowing what can happen to us if we continue to be obese is 'very' scary.

I am right with you, haven't been banded yet I have 3 more months before approval. No looking back, no more thinking about it, it has to be done! We have to get healthy, we have to live!

Keep reading and writing on this site, you will not only learn a lot, but you will make some really great friends

Best of luck,

I have never been happier than I am right now with my band. I look at it as my internal reminder that I am satisfied and I don't need to eat any further. Before the band, I would swallow my food without really tasting it or chewing it up and ate a lot more than I do now. Now that I am banded, I take it very slow, enjoy every bite and chew it all up before swallowing. I find food to be much more enjoyable now and although I don't eat near as much as I did, the time it takes to eat my food makes me feel like I have eaten a lot. I was more scared before the band because I didn't know how heavy I would get. Now that I have Portia (the nickname of my band) I feel I have control and I know I will lose this weight and never have it on me again.

_{Reading all of these posts has made my decision....thank you everyone. Now, to go to my initial consultation this Friday. What should I expect there? If I "qualify", how long will I have to wait before I am banded?}

_CJ