Hi, I'm new to all of this so please bare with me. I have started the process for the Lap Band and I will probably be having my surgery on July. The problem I'm having right now is that I'm so scared. I'm worried about everything and it is making me very very anxious. I would like to know about your experiences initially and if you have any good advice for me, I would greatly apreaciate it. :help:

syl step: Welcome, I am 7 weeks post op and have lost 69lbs. It is a very scary thing to think about that you will have a device in you that who knows what will really happen. How I accepted this and used it to my benifit was I knew that this was just a tool, and if not used properly could still gain weight. However like most tools I dug in and researched the issue joined a great support group of other bandsters and through this have come out the other side on fire and losing weight.

I have committed to myself to follow my Docs instructions to the letter, listen to others with issues so that I can avoid the pit falls that they have gone through. Hang in there it does work and it is a great life.

Hi and welcome to LBT! It is perfectly understandable that you are nervous and scared. Whenever one faces any type of surgery, you are naturally going to have some apprehension about it. However, the more informed you are, the less nervous you will be. Prior to my surgery, I poured through all the threads and posts here on LBT. I learned everything I could and also found a couple of posters who used the same surgeon I did. I posted a lot, and sent pm's to those who had my surgeon. I am sure you will find that everyone here is very helpful and willing to help alleviate any of your concerns and answer all your questions.

Best of luck to you.

Here is what I have learned during my 18 month love/hate relationship with the band...

1. Don't fight with the band...you will not win. By this I mean don't continue to eat things that get stuck and/or cause you discomfort.

2. Too tight is not a good thing. Get an unfill if you cannot eat solid food, or if you develop reflux.

3. Be patient. The weight loss is slow with the band - between one and two pounds per week.

4. Make good food choices. No one has ever lost weight on a milkshake diet and you won't either.

5. Maintain the band. Fills are everything. If you aren't losing weight, you either need a fill or you are eating the wrong foods.

grt advise Carlene