Good Morning everyone,

I'm Ruth 26 years old single mother of 1. I have been struggling with weight loss all my life and done every diet out there. I've been teased by my family over and over and i'm tired of not feeling comfortable in my own skin. I have thought about surgery before but this is the first time i have gone through taking the first step. I actually went through 1ststep.com and they got me in contact with a doctor in my area. I had a seminar over the weekend and it eased my mind on getting the lap band. It sounds like a more natural way of losing weight. I had told them i would need a few days to think about it because any type of surgery could be nerve wrecking, but i decided to more forward with the lap band.

Welcome Ruth!

The best advice I can give you is to continue to do your homework. Learn all the facts and risks about the band to make a good decision. Also learn what to expect and what is necessary to be successful with the band. Education is your best friend when dealing with any weight loss surgery.

On a personal note, I love my Lap Band. My only regret is that I didn't do it years sooner.

Best wishes!

Thank you. I hear a lot of people say they wished they did it sooner. I've been reading and watching videos of each procedure. I should be educated in all aspects of each option.

Welcome Ruth!

The best advice I can give you is to continue to do your homework. Learn all the facts and risks about the band to make a good decision. Also learn what to expect and what is necessary to be successful with the band. Education is your best friend when dealing with any weight loss surgery.

On a personal note, I love my Lap Band. My only regret is that I didn't do it years sooner.

Best wishes!

Ditto..Ditto and Ditto again! Scour the internet and anywhere else for information, and go in with all of the facts. I'm with Mis.....I love my band (with plication), and wish I'd done it sooner.

HI! RESEARCH!!!

Talk to people that haev had it ... do your homework!

I researched for over a year before I decided to get banded. Thought I knew all there was to know to find out once I got it (6.21.13) ...there's still tons to learn.

* You will NOT drink 30 before or after a meal - start practiicng now...

* Trail and error of finding your green zone.

* You will chew your food to itty bitty shreds BEFORE you swallow. (Start practiicng now; doesn't sound hard, but trust me it is)

* You will NEVER eat in a rush again... or GRAB a quick bite.

* YOU will NEVER PIG out again...this is a good thing and this is why we are the way we are.

* There are certain foods you may NEVER eat again.

* You may have foods that get stuck and have what is called a SLIMMING EPISODE - hence the definitaion of episode.

* You will be on multivitaimins and stool softners the rest of your life.

* You will be on a liquid diest for 24 hours after each fill/unfill or stick.

* Make sure your mind set is with the band as every and all rules apply.

* It is easier to eat at night (the worst time to eat, as we haev always been taught) the band is tigher in the mornings and mid day than dinner.

NOT to put you in shock...but all of the above I did not read about or find out about to the degree in which each * states.

IT IS A LIFE STYLE CHANGE!

Do I regret it? NO - I do not...but there are BIG adjustments to make and keep. I am still not in the green zone yet and there has been alot of T&E...to get there. Hopefully once I make it...all all settle down. I have lost 35# and determined to reach 125#.

Good Luck - Keep me posted!

IT IS A LIFETIME CHANGE!

Hi Ruth, I started my process in June and am getting banded tomorrow. It seemed like it was taking forever but now all of the sudden the big day is almost here. I am choosing LB because, like you, I have tried every diet in the book and just cannot lose this chunk of weight I have been carrying around for 22 years (I am 52). I can't wait to be banded!

HI! RESEARCH!!!

Talk to people that haev had it ... do your homework!

I researched for over a year before I decided to get banded. Thought I knew all there was to know to find out once I got it (6.21.13) ...there's still tons to learn.

* You will NOT drink 30 before or after a meal - start practiicng now...

* Trail and error of finding your green zone.

* You will chew your food to itty bitty shreds BEFORE you swallow. (Start practiicng now; doesn't sound hard, but trust me it is)

* You will NEVER eat in a rush again... or GRAB a quick bite.

* YOU will NEVER PIG out again...this is a good thing and this is why we are the way we are.

* There are certain foods you may NEVER eat again.

* You may have foods that get stuck and have what is called a SLIMMING EPISODE - hence the definitaion of episode.

* You will be on multivitaimins and stool softners the rest of your life.

* You will be on a liquid diest for 24 hours after each fill/unfill or stick.

* Make sure your mind set is with the band as every and all rules apply.

* It is easier to eat at night (the worst time to eat, as we haev always been taught) the band is tigher in the mornings and mid day than dinner.

NOT to put you in shock...but all of the above I did not read about or find out about to the degree in which each * states.

IT IS A LIFE STYLE CHANGE!

Do I regret it? NO - I do not...but there are BIG adjustments to make and keep. I am still not in the green zone yet and there has been alot of T&E...to get there. Hopefully once I make it...all all settle down. I have lost 35# and determined to reach 125#.

Good Luck - Keep me posted!

IT IS A LIFETIME CHANGE!

Thank you! i will definitely do more homework. I had no idea there are certain foods i can't have anymore. do you know where i could find this information?

Hi Ruth, I started my process in June and am getting banded tomorrow. It seemed like it was taking forever but now all of the sudden the big day is almost here. I am choosing LB because, like you, I have tried every diet in the book and just cannot lose this chunk of weight I have been carrying around for 22 years (I am 52). I can't wait to be banded!

Good luck! please let me know how it goes.

I think it truly depends on the individual...

Some say blueberry's, strawberry's - most breads - (That is not a bad thing) There isn't a special list persay - I think it is what you can not tolerate after the surgery. I am careful about stringy foods...BBQ -OUT! Steak...I will probably never eat again and I have a very hard time even with ground beef.

For me the lap band is was noninvasive and simple recovery time and it's not liek they are slicing your guts right and left ad rearranging your stomach. So it was an easy yes for me. Go thru the evaluation if it is offered.

I think it truly depends on the individual...

Some say blueberry's, strawberry's - most breads - (That is not a bad thing) There isn't a special list persay - I think it is what you can not tolerate after the surgery. I am careful about stringy foods...BBQ -OUT! Steak...I will probably never eat again and I have a very hard time even with ground beef.

For me the lap band is was noninvasive and simple recovery time and it's not liek they are slicing your guts right and left ad rearranging your stomach. So it was an easy yes for me. Go thru the evaluation if it is offered.

Oh i see i thought there was an actual list lol. Yea seeing the videos of the sleeve and bypass it left me nauseous. Plus i like the fact that you lose the weight at a slower rate. In the seminar the doctor said with the other two you lose a lot within 2 months and all i could picture is saggy skin.

CONGRATS on your decision to become a BANDit (my special word for people with the LB)

I'm 3 months post op and I've lost 40+ pounds. I was sad I wasn't gonna be able to eat my favorite (red meat), but I'm happy to say I'm able to eat everything and anything (for now) with the exception of tuna fish (go figure!)sooooo, don't worry about what you will or won't be able to eat for now, as we all tolerate different things at different times during our journey. It's your time, BABY!!!

Does anyone have issues with lose skin??

Good Morning everyone' date='

I'm Ruth 26 years old single mother of 1. I have been struggling with weight loss all my life and done every diet out there. I've been teased by my family over and over and i'm tired of not feeling comfortable in my own skin. I have thought about surgery before but this is the first time i have gone through taking the first step. I actually went through 1ststep.com and they got me in contact with a doctor in my area. I had a seminar over the weekend and it eased my mind on getting the lap band. It sounds like a more natural way of losing weight. I had told them i would need a few days to think about it because any type of surgery could be nerve wrecking, but i decided to more forward with the lap band.[/quote']

Welcome we are all here to help each other. Hope you do will. Keep me posted ok.

Hi Ruth! Glad you are taking careful consideration of the Lap-Band! I am aiming to get banded in Jan.

I totally feel you on the rude comments from family members. My Dad is constantly asking about my weight. I hate going home to extended family proud of my latest achievements and all someone can say is that how fat I am. Make sure while you are weighing in on your Lap-Band options that you get in touch with the emotional side of things.

Hi Ruth! Glad you are taking careful consideration of the Lap-Band! I am aiming to get banded in Jan.

I totally feel you on the rude comments from family members. My Dad is constantly asking about my weight. I hate going home to extended family proud of my latest achievements and all someone can say is that how fat I am. Make sure while you are weighing in on your Lap-Band options that you get in touch with the emotional side of things.

Thank you and good luck on your surgery. Please keep me posted!

Welcome Ruth.. First of all one thing to remember, everyone is different.. I have found very few things I cannot eat.. The rules are there for a purpose.. eating slowly, chewing well and no drinking with meals are standard.. I take Multivitamin, D3 and B12 daily. nothing else.. occassionally I have to take some milk of mag .. losing slowly is healthier and the band is reversible should you have a medical issue .. I did not want 85% of my stomach removed or re-routed..I chose the band as the least invasive and easiest to recover from. The band will allow you to control the portions.. You will get signals if you try to overeat and once you are at the right restriction it will be easier. There are always challenges but the rewards are so great. I have lost 55 lbs since my surgery and I am no longer a diabetic, have normal blood pressure and my cholesterol is under control.. Don't let anyone especially family get you down.. do your thing.. You will be able to show them how you can lose weight and keep it off soon. Best of Luck to you. Keep us posted... ask any questions you have, most importantly is follow your Dr.'s instructions...