Hi all. . . I am brand new to the board. I am in the pre-op stage here in Charlotte, NC. My doctor is Dr. Vollenger at Southeast Bariatrics. He is really great about letting you know what to expect. The pre-op work with him is very extensive. He has a psyc, exercise and nutrition specialist. You meet with them and email them weekly with your goals and how you accomplished them. It is great because he doesn't look at the WLS as an easy fix. He makes you work hard to make lifestyle changes before, so you can be more successful after. I don't know when my sugery will be, probably late spring, early summer. Any words of wisdom?

Hi stac1982, welcome to the forum. I was banded about a week ago so I'm pretty new also. I don't know much about your situation so I don't have a lot of specific words of wisdom. I guess the only thing I can really say is, spend as much time as you can reading the posts on this forum, past and present. You'll learn a tremendous amount and, after a while, you'll be able to focus in on your own specific questions. You'll probably find that many other people have had the same questions, and you'll get a lot of good information from people who have been there.

Best wishes on your journey.

With all of that, you will be totally mentally ready and use the band, which is a tool, in the right way and have success!

You still have to make good choices, exercise, etc but it is just a lot easier being banded, since you can not physically eat past a certain point. Congrats on your journey!!!

Hi all!

I was banded in Knoxville,Tennessee on 12-18-2006. I weighed 255 and now weight 231. I will get my first fill on 2-2-06. I was astonished by all the burpies and flatulence after surgery. I also didn't expect to come out of surgery so BLOATED. Seems this is a side affect of laproscopic surgery. I was a terrible pre-surgery patient. My physician wanted me to lose 10% prior to surgery and I couldn't! I also wouldn't! I'm an emotional eater and I knew that if I did not get insurance approval that it was probably going to be a no go since I have 2 girls starting college.

My biggest wisdom is...even being banded takes WILLPOWER. You don't get to eat alot of the things you could but the reality is...one can still eat. I have still had hunger pains but not as severe as pre band. If you think that all of a sudden you don't want food...that is simply untrue.

If you ever want to ask a question...feel free to e-mail me! Take care!

Hi, welcome to the forum. I love my band. Just know that it is a tool. I am a slow loser as I have lost 43 lbs in 7.5 months. I would live without my band though. I can honestly say it has been the easiest 43 lbs I have ever lost. Good luck with your surgery.