Looking for information on whether or not the lap band is the right choice for me. I don't want gastric bypass. I am currently 192-195 and 4 feet 11 inches tall. I am in excellent health. What can I expect to lose and what is life like after the band procedure? Lots of questions I know, but I am truly a real newbie where this is concerned. Thank you so much.

It is hard work. The lap band does about 50% of the work for you (in my opinion). With Gastric if you eat the wrong thing you get sick, with lap band you don't get sick. So you have to have the will power not to eat it on your own. I lost 70 lbs after I got the lap band. But then I started pushing it. I got brave and started trying new things. I learned tricks around the band so I could eat more. Well of course this only hurt me because I gained every bit of that weight back. I don't want to discourage you. The lap band is GREAT if you follow all the rules. I am starting my journey over now and I am doing it different this time. Good luck.

check out my lap band blog http://biscuitsandexcuses.blogspot.com/

I have been maintaining for about 6 months now... and you are right...you need to watch every bite you put in your mouth.... in so much as mentally tracking calories.

I resigned myself to the belief that if I dont I will regain the weight. However with a properly filled band I am finding it much easier then any other time I got off a diet!

Knowing the body weight fluctuates a few pounds here and there, My rule of thumb is now... if I stay more than 3 pounds up from my comfortable weight ... I eat like a perfect bandster until I lose it... which usually takes a few days.

Looking for information on whether or not the lap band is the right choice for me. I don't want gastric bypass. I am currently 192-195 and 4 feet 11 inches tall. I am in excellent health. What can I expect to lose and what is life like after the band procedure? Lots of questions I know, but I am truly a real newbie where this is concerned. Thank you so much.

Do not go into this thinking that the band will help or make you lose weight. You're the general in charge of your band. It won't do anything unless you use it as it's intended. Many people here have lost hundreds of lbs. Floridays above lost 224. There are before and after pics on the forum where people look like they were never fat.

There are many uncomforable days for many of us on this journey. Stuck episodes, Bandster Hell, short term liquid and mushie diets, inadequate fills, overfills and the list goes on. But, for most of us, it's worth it to be healthy.

tmf

it will help you (whichever WLS) if you help it by following the instructions to use it properly (eating good food/exercising).....just my opinion.

Will it help you - help, yes, but it won't do it for you. You must still put forth an effort to eat less and eat better. I found it was easier to adjust due to starting to adjust months in advance. What, where, and how I eat have all changed.

The average bandster loses 15pts off their BMI. That is an average though so for each bandster who loses more than that another loses less.

I believe it's important to be in the right headspace before you decide on WLS. Try to follow the different post op diets and see if you can tolerate them for at least 2 months without cheating.

They band does not Make you lose weight it helps you lose weight. It will not stop you from eating in most cases. You still have to work hard on your self control and making healthy choices. The band when properly filled will help you feel satisfied for longer periods of time. The calories you intake along with the food you choose and exercise are what makes you lose.

Thank you all for the information. I think I'm going to do what someone suggested, and follow the pre op diet or post op diet for a couple of weeks just to see if I can handle the change in my diet without having a mental breakdown. :-)