Anyone out there in the Chicago area? I have been reading about the Lap Band for a couple of years now, and finally am ready to take the plunge. I am considering the ILOST center in Mexico since I am Spanish-speaking, but I have not given up on Chicago doctors yet. Anyone have experience at Northwestern U. Hospital? There was an interesting post from someone in May, but no way to contact her off-list.

Thanks.

Hi! I ahd my surgery 2 years ago at Loyola by Dr Shyani, he is great, I have lost 180 pounds:) I feel very comfortable with him and his staff and have sent many people there. Check him out, if you need any more info just let me know:)

Daniel

Thanks for the info, Daniel. Actually, because I'm paying for the surgery, I've decided to go to Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. But I will need a post-op doc, and Dr Shyani sounds like a great choice.

Zoe

(surgery scheduled for 8/26)

Zoe, best of luck to you! Just research, research, research. And have a U.S. follow-up surgeon lined up before your surgery (regardless of where you have your band placed.)

Daniel, 180 lbs.!!! Wow That is a whole other adult! Amazing! If you don't mind me asking, what was your begin. weight and height? What are some of your successful hints?

Hi and thank you! yes it has been a long long road, and please don't let any one tell you it is all easy and the weight just falls off! heheheh I was 430# 5ft 10 now I am 245-250 depending on my day heheheh! Some days are still a fight not to try and eat every thing that does not move, then there are days I don't even want to smell food. Everyone has foods they crave, and it is normal, I found If I try and have a little and get sick then I have tried and it is done. THen the crave goes away. It may sound funny but I have found there are just certain people I can not have dinner with,or places I can not eat at , I must have a quiet place and relaxing. My stomache does not like to be rushed or a lot of noise. Don't ask me why, it is something I have learned the hard way. ANd you have to learn not to let "others" like family members rush you, take your time and do it as you wish, sometimes I get up walk around and come back a hour later and finish.

Zoe if you need any help or any thing just let me know. Trust me when you first have the surgery it is scarey, you will think what the hell have I done. Please don't give up, it gets alot easier! I promise. They have a group that meets at Loyola , Dr Shyani's office can give you the schedule time and info.

I am sure once you have this done you will be happy, the weight comes off fast at first, then you seem to stop, you will start to loose again just don't give up. But remeber also your body needs Protein to keep going, I have found sea food is easy to eat rather than meat . ANd I try to keep something around like pretzels incase I start to get the shakes from low blood sugar.

I have gone from a size 60 bigmens pants to a real pair of Wal - Mart jeans size 46 and I could go to a 44 but I am just not ready for this yet. I even had to go buy all new shoes and socks hahah they where to big for me. Just remeber you are doing this for YOU! not for anyone else!