Hey fellow banders! My name is Lindsay and I am approaching my surg-iversary on April 19th. Starting this journey at 290lbs, I have successfully lost 75lbs and my goal is to be in onederland by July. My long term goal is to be a curvy 145-150lb bombshell. I like to keep that 5lb buffer just in case.

It's been a slow, but steady weight loss since my surgery. Frustrating, exciting, and challenging all in one. Some days it's the best decision I've ever made and somedays I second guess myself. Did I choose the right surgery for me? My friend just got the gastric sleeve and boy did we go head to head when she announced her choice for wls. She's committed to the argument that my surgery will ultimately fail me, and I think that she was looking for fast results without considering the future. I chose the Lapband because I've never had trouble loosing weight. Rather, I had trouble with maintenance and loosing motivation at every brick wall. Considering my ripe age of 24, I thought the band would offer me more control over my body. With a sleeve stomach or gastic bypass theres more room to stretch out over time, the band offered adjustments. Having kids wouldn't terrify me as much because my band will be there to back me up at postbaby.

Its hard to stay optimistic sometimes when I see her creeping up on my weightloss markers faster than I did post-op, but I try to remind myself why I choose the band. But it's hard not to wonder if I chose the right path. Do any of you ever think what if?

I never thought twice about my decision to have the lap-band instead of any other WLS. I knew what to expect and my stomach is not modified beyond natural shape. I like that along with the adjustability factor.

It's all good. Slower weight loss is healthier anyways.

I understand and I feel you made the right decision. I hv friends that have had both surgeries. I selected the lap band because you are in control and can like you sttd still have children.

The slower the weightloss the better. Sleeve you cant control it at all and I agree stomach can strech out. You do you. Be healthy and stop second guessing yourself. U are beautiful!!!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using LapBandTalk

while your friend may lose faster she may not be healthier. I have people in my support group who have had bypass and sleeves.. they have problems and to me look sickly... I am convinced that losing slowly is the best way.. but complications can happen with anything.. I know for me the band was my answer. so far I am happy... I can eat most anything I want to, but don't want to eat like I did before banding... I have lost the urge to pig out and my energy level is better than it has been for years.. you will be happy especially at your age that you chose the band... keep up the good work .

Hello Lindsay. Welcome,congrats on your upcoming bandiversary. You are doing great. Don' let the other people get into your head. I think, personal choice here,that you made a great choice and have realistic goals. Keep on going. Remember, the race isn't won in the 1st lap.Best wishes. Karen

Damn I thought friends were suppose to support each other! I am choosing the band cause I want to lose the weight slow. My wife on the other hand is getting the sleeve. I think removing the stomach is crazy but she did the research and she feels its the best one for her. 75 lbs in a year is good! Besides you don't wanna lose it too fast. Sounds like you are doing good. Don't let know one get you down!

75 lbs is great. The one thing I have learned on my journey is to never compare my success to anybody else's. It's not about losing the weight fast, it's about losing safely and being healthy. My friend had Gastric Bypass and lost a ton of weight. But, she gained ALL of that weight back and stretched out her pouch. She tired to get it revised to the Lap band but her surgeon wasn't able to place the band. Lap band was the best decision for me. Congrats on your upcoming Banniversary!!!!!!

Thanks everyone! I'll keep trucking along. Every day is a clean slate. It's been a long strange trip trying to figure out how to live with the band and after 11 months I think I finally understand how to work with it and use the tool to my best advantage.