I was banded on 4-1-13. A few days before surgery I was getting a scratchy throat and cough. I contacted my surgeon and his partner was on call and told me it was ok, it was probably just a bug. They did surgery on me and I got very sick, coughing with a stomach full of incisions is not fun normally but with the cough, fever and chills.....bad, bad idea. Remember this if it happens to you. I also want those of you out there thinking this is going to change your eating habits because you cant eat is wrong. I was pretty sick the first 5 days, day 6 (today) is better. I am having trouble swallowing pills, I have no cravings, yet don't know how much to eat since my surgeon told me that I just wouldn't be hungry. It is hard to get up each day and know that although my stomach changed, my mind hasn't. My husband is having a hard time with me not being able to eat, we loved to go out and eat and shop and eat some more, 3 course meals! He isn't fat, but I can see that this week we didn't eat out once, I know we will save money, but I do know that when I went into subway to get a catering menu the smell was haunting. I never ate because I was hungry, I ate because it smelled good or sounded good. This surgery will not fix that. I heard of people talking about eating pizza day 3, man, lucky turds....I can barely get a protein shake down. I know BOOHOOBOOHOOOOOOO!!!! I want you to know that I am not a quitter, I want you to know this surgery takes work, it is hard, it hurts and as God is my HOLY witness I will do this, the facts are hard, the rewards will be amazing, support and loving family members are the key to success!! Lean on them!! Onwards and upwards (or should I say down wards!)

Hang on in there i am praying with you. Be blessed

It is a long tough haul. My surgeon told me that although he can put a band on my stomach, he can't lap band my mind. It has been 4 years since and I believe I am only now recognising the signs of when I have had enough. You can't eat as much so you have to pick the foods that really taste good (in my case seafood), so get your husband to take you out to places that are going to satisfy your 'taste', not your hunger. Good luck and keep persisting

Your journey is just beginning....there will be many things yet to learn....and yet many people do and have been 110% successful.....so yes, this thing does work...and IMO, the

biggest obstacle is ourselves getting in the way......

Hang in there, and good luck....if you want it bad enough, then you will not let anything get in your way and you will achieve it......

T Thanks to all of you!!!!