Good day all,

As above you will note that I am new to this, waiting for my first consult. Still at odds as to whether I really want to go through with this but pretty sure my mind has been made up.

I have been doing my research and I feel like my head wants to explode from all the info although I feel that I still don't have enough info! It helps having people around who are actually going through this process as we speak.

Pretty much scared and excited about the process, looking forward to busting out the bikini in December

I have no regrets at all about getting the lapband it changed my life.

The best part besides losing weight is that my acid reflux went away 3 days after I got my lapband. I suffered from AR since I was 14.

I only wish I had done in sooner !!

Please feel free to me email me if you have any questions. I also have free long distance and would be happy to chat with you on the phone.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Welcome! I'm a newbie too, I just got approved for surgery yesterday. If all goes well I will be having the surgery on 5/24. My concerns are: being put to sleep, my body not accepting the band, not drinking while eating (that will be tough). There are more pros than cons for me though. So I'm going through with it!!!!

I think I can honestly say, that we have all been there, done that.lol

Its a big decision and not to go into lightly. The best thing I could tell you is to try to think of the positives and not the what if's.

Being knocked out is really no big deal. I've been knocked out 7 times and I rather enjoyed it.lol. You're out and next second you're back. Plus the surgeons and nurses are trained to keep you alive. There are complications in a few surgeries, but they are far and few between. Better chance of being in a car accident.

After banding, you'll freak that you might have done something wrong with your band, also normal. That will pass too.

The whole LBS is a long learning experience, full of mistakes, eating too fast, too big a bite. We all do it and have survived.

The best part is cleaning out your closet and replacing your clothes with smaller sizes. My closet has been cleaned about 5 times all ready.

It is awesome!

So happy to hear that it will all be worth it in the end! Must feel amazing to be rid of of one third or one half of yourself!

I have so may q's regarding the journey, if you guys could give some answers it will be awesome:

1. On a scale from 1-10, what is the pain and discomfort level for the first few weeks?

2. How do you survive on 2 or 3 tablespoons of food at first? Obviously I am a food lover and dont know how I will manage this?

3. Does your social life disappear? Restaurant vistits etc?

4. Do you really have such a terrible few weeks, constantly vomiting?

5. What happens if you over eat? Is that even possible?

6. Did you see a dietician to get a meal plan? How do you decide what to eat?

7. What will it take for the band to slip?

8. Will the band get "old" inside you and have to bee replaced over 20 or 30 years?

9. Is there something I am not thinking about???

Sure closer to the time I will have loads to ask.

Thank you

So happy to hear that it will all be worth it in the end! Must feel amazing to be rid of of one third or one half of yourself!

I have so may q's regarding the journey, if you guys could give some answers it will be awesome:

1. On a scale from 1-10, what is the pain and discomfort level for the first few weeks?

its major surgery so its gonna hurt..some people have serious pain and some hardly at all. depends on the person and all sorts of variances.

2. How do you survive on 2 or 3 tablespoons of food at first? Obviously I am a food lover and dont know how I will manage this?

you are swollen at first and you cant drink alot..as the swelling subsides, it gets easier.

3. Does your social life disappear? Restaurant vistits etc?

why would one's social life disappear? the band helps you eat less, it wont lock you in a closet to not come out..

4. Do you really have such a terrible few weeks, constantly vomiting?

if you vomit, you let the dr know ASAP as that is dangerous. i have been banded 9 months and not vomitted yet. again major surgery, its not a manicure appt. you will be sore, tired etc.

5. What happens if you over eat? Is that even possible?

they advise you want amount to eat, and you need to adhere to the bands instructions to work. if i over eat, i become very uncomfortable and my shoulder can hurt.....how to solve that, get into right mind frame and make the decision NOT to overeat.

6. Did you see a dietician to get a meal plan? How do you decide what to eat?

Yes, important to learn what foods are and understand what is good vs cheap foods

7. What will it take for the band to slip?

to not follow your dr's instructions in the majority. but things happen. why worry about something that may NOT happen.

8. Will the band get "old" inside you and have to bee replaced over 20 or 30 years?

hope not.

9. Is there something I am not thinking about???

yes, its a life change. its not a miracle. if you want this to lose weight and expect to lose 100 pounds a month or 25 pounds a week, dont have this surgery. its a gradual process. you must change how you think, how you eat and what you eat. you can eat what you want but in smaller amounts.......but if you dont believe in yourself, it wont happen. i find most people who fail expect the band to make them not hungry etc, kill cravings......its a pretty white necklace to make you feel full longer (as i was told and hence my opinion) and its up to me to eat good foods in my allotted amounts.

Sure closer to the time I will have loads to ask.

that is the best thing. keep asking but expect truthful answers...its not easy but its not hard...what makes it hard is the person who got banded....need patience and a positive attitude and common sense.

Thank you