Hello,

I've been posting some questions here about concerns I've had over the lap band. As I'm currently in medical school, I've had the opportunity to ask many physicians about their take on the surgery, etc. I've spent the last 6 months researching all the literature, and I have read every published study on the band since its existence.

I have decided to go ahead and GET IT!

Now, the issue is what to do between now and the date of my surgery. I've been able to lose 50-60 lbs so many times before, only to regain it. My question is, before the surgery (which will probably be in July) should I go on a crazy hard diet (you know what I'm talking about, Atkins, low carb, low fat, low calorie) UNTIL then? Or should I relax, and go on just a Weight Watcher diet where I probably will lose very little...

So you all know the drill, anyone can lose a lot of weight, and I'm not doing the surgery to LOSE THE WEIGHT. I AM DOING THE SURGERY TO KEEP IT OFF.

Any input is appreciated.

Thank you

Congratulations on your decision! It's reassuring to see someone with a medical background choosing the band. If you feel mentally ready to take on a hardcore diet, I say go for it! Every pound you lose will be one less to deal with down the road.

Congrats on your decision! I started trying to eat like a banster before surgery and ended up losing about 6 pounds, they month prior. Some surgeons even suggest or ask patients to lose weight before surgery.

You are right, for some it's easier to lose weight than keep it off. I was never good at either...

I would go on the Weight Watchers type of diet (slow and easy). This will be similiar to how weight loss will be once you have the band and restriction.

Just an opinion. Shawn

relax. If hard and fast diets worked in the first place you wouldn't need a band. Why stress your body before surgery - not to mention your mind and spirit?

I am with you on the getting the band to Keep it Off. That was my reasoning, too.

I can only offer you this advise - if you haven't got your insurance pre-approval and your BMI is near the 40 limit - DON'T go on the hardcore diet until you have the pre-auth. in your hand and a surgery scheduled. It would be Awful to be 5 lbs below the cut-off to qualify because you worked your guts out to lose...

But, if you are like me and have PLENTY of BMI to spare - then go for it.

Good Luck!

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off"></TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">

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<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I totally agree with Renebean. Get to a Dr. and get the ball rolling before you do any weight loss. My Dr. wouldn't do the surgery if I didn't loose 10-15lbs before hand. And that was after I had lost 6ish lbs. He explained that losing weight before-hand helps the liver slim down and be more flexible to be moved to put the band in. Good luck and best wishes.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">

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Yep, have your initial eval, get your pre-auth from insurance & then go for it! I wish I had the motivation for that! :uwelcome: Lose some from me, would you? Heh.

Congrats on your decision!

The best thing I ever did was to go to counseling prior to surgery. That is my suggestion!

Congratulations on your choice. I lost weight before surgery, mostly by practicing to be a bandster (eating slowly, chewing and chewing, separating eating from drinking). It is weight I kept off with the surgery and I continue to lose, slowly but surely.