The good, the bad, the ugly--any and all things you experienced that you wish someone had told you about (or emphasized more) before you had surgery. Tips and advice for post-op immediately after surgery, or anything you would like to tell someone to help prepare themselves for a lapband procedure.

Thank you for participating!

_{Your body will make strange noises at the most inappropriate times. As much as I read it, chewing well and eating slow really are important! Always know where the nearest restroom is located in a restaurant just in case you get stuck or have a PB. Don't compare your progress to anyone else's. Good luck on your journey!}

Wish I had researched the Sleeve alittle more. Getting stuck is no fun and happens more than you might think. And I miss drinking while I eat, hamburgers, and pot roast. those are the things I cant eat :{ But the up side I have lost 50lbs just not a fast as I thought I would. So don't get discouraged!

Everything on this link: The Lap Band is NOT About Restriction

I wish I could give this to everyone planning on getting the band so they'd have realistic expectations of their bands and know what is expected of them to be successful with their band.

libbyb....I'm sorry you get stuck often, but it DOES NOT and should not happen if your band is adequately adjusted. I have been banded for 17 months, have lost 90 pounds & have only been stuck (to the point of PB) 3 times, ALL my fault!!! I was super hungry, took huge bites & didn't chew! I knew as soon as I swallowed I was going to be in trouble! I have read about a lot of people who get stuck frequently & I just don't get it....I COULD NOT have stuck with this if it happened "more than you might think". I don't know how y'all do it that have this problem frequently!!!

cnotche....I wish someone would have told me I'd have so much extra skin & an overhang of fat/skin that would need to be removed! Then, I would have started saving for the TT the day I was banded!

I wish someone told me it was going to be this easy!

I wish someone told me to start taking Gas-X the evening of surgery to get rid of the gas....that was the MOST painful part of the whole surgery....that dang gas that rose to my shoulders & made me feel like my collarbones were going to break! Once I started taking the Gas-X several days PO, it dissipated fairly quickly.

Like steph04 said, don't compare yourself to anyone else's progress. This is hard, but you need to stay focussed on you & only you.

I wish someone had told me that feeling satisfied with a band is very different to feeling satisfied without, it can be more of an uncomfortable feeling.

I wish someone had told me that the 3 meals a day(or two) with no hunger in between was just marketing - that in reality most people need 3 meals plus snacks.

One thing I think all people contemplating the band, and probably other weight loss surgeries should know: If you're a three meal a day type person this WILL work for you. However, if you are a "grazer" you will be able to eat to your heart's content and you will NOT lose weight. You can even gain!

Everything on this link: The Lap Band is NOT About Restriction

I wish I could give this to everyone planning on getting the band so they'd have realistic expectations of their bands and know what is expected of them to be successful with their band.

I wish that word "restriction" didn't exist. You're right, it's not about restriction, it's about satiety. You should never feel restriction, that not what the band is about. I hope everybody reads that link, it says it all. Thanks for posting it.

Being satisfied with the band should not be uncomfortable. If it is, you have likely over eaten. Get used the concert of noises your body makes. Try new foods... you may find that things you did not like before are appealing to you now. Drink at least 64 oz or more of hydrating fluids daily, and be on the look out for constipation. Find out what your doctor recommends for this! Good luck and God Speed!

i agree with all the above........but i wish i would have not read/or let negative people get to me and make me worry......but i am kinda glad i had the chance to have that happen as it made me ask my dr all the (horror) stories or things that people write (like cheating is ok etc) and get his opinion...and getting his opinion and using common sense has got me where i am today.