I have recently attended the seminar, rec'd the med nec ltr from doctor and am working on other requirements. Please tell me I won't feel completely deprived if I do this! I've been a yoyo dieter all my life. I don't exercise because at current weight it's too tough and I end up injured. I keep saying if I can lose 20 lbs I would exercise. I'm at my top weight 235. 100 lbs over "ideal", but who's ideal anyway? I have a family with 2 small children, I"m trying to envision sipping at my meals, etc... Is the 6 weeks of deprivation worth it? After 6 weeks are you able to lead a normal life of attending meals without looking sadly at everyone else's plate?

jnkntrnk, I have been banded for 10 months. I get much easier once you hit the solid stage. I eat normal, just not as much. An example is a protein shake for breakfast and I just had some tuna fish mixed with mayo and relish. I can probably eat 1/2 cup or so. Its not a lot of food. I have had 5 fills. I'm at 3cc in a 4.2cc (10cc) band. I have complete restriction. I don't get as hungry either. My weight loss is slow at 1 lb a week but I am trying to hit the 50 lb mark by my first anniversary. Hopefully I will do that. Good luck.

I found just about the portions I give my son I have. I was watching Rachel Ray a couple days ago and she was serving up some plates of food and my first thought was "holy cow, I couldn't eat 1/4 of that". I'm pretty new to this, only 6 wks out, but my outlook on food is really different. I was a big burger, potato fan but currently the thought of blended burgers doesn't appeal to me...lol I'm still eating mostly soft foods, yogurts and protien puddings, but I've begun to add shredded chicken. Family support helps alot! I even take lunch to my husband everyday, sandwiches, burgers, fast food whatevers, and it doesn't bother me, the urges are gone. hope this helps

Thanks, it helps to know. What about the port? Is it noticeable? Are you aware of it constantly, I'm thinking that might bug me to no end.

It's weird, it's there but unless I'm feeling around my tummy I don't feel it. As the swelling goes down after surgery so did the tenderness and I haven't really thought about it much. I'd love to lay on my stomach and sleep but until I'm a little more comfortable with it I'll stick to laying on my side or back.

Today is my first surgiversary! So I feel like I've been out long enough I can say I made a good decision. Dont' worry about those first few weeks of deprivation....it's like having a baby - while you're in labor you think OMG...NEVER AGAIN!! but a couple of months later it's all a fuzzy memory and you think "how did I live without this in my life?' Same way with the the lapband. Except I was lucky and never had any pain or remorse at all, but I know some people do at first.

If you have to question whether doing without a little food for a few weeks is going to be too painful to make losing a 100 pounds worth it, then maybe you aren't ready. Do like I did.....wait til you are 200 pounds overweight, have diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis - then it won't be such a hard decision. Then you will know it's worth it.

gayle that was awesome advice, congratulations on your success!!! I'm being banded on monday april 2nd thanks for your words of encouragement

As far as is it worth it, that is really only a question you can answer. For me, I didn't look at is as deprivation, I looked at it as purging my system of the old and unhealthy and getting a second chance at life. A chance to not become a diabetic, a chance to not have heart problems, a chance to enjoy my kids while they are still young and a chance to someday enjoy my grandchildren. So for me, was it worth it? Oh YEAH!!!!

whom ever is afraid to do this surgery dont be its great i got mian done march 12th 2007 and i love it already i have lost 2 pound so far but i know i will lose more because i get full fast please email me if you have questions or would like to help me along the way my email is bellamarina21@aol.com please email me

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement; and the reality check. Instead of picturing dinner with the family, I've decided to picture a year or 2 out. With band, running and playing with the kids, getting into a swimsuit without fear of being sighted as a beached whale, etc.... Without, probably sitting in my house watching the kids play, checking my blood sugar, etc....

Thanks again, I'll keep reading but I'm definitely getting the big picture now!

I Am The food Queen. My Entire Life Evolved Around Foooooood! I Am 47 And Weighed 224 Lbs. I Have Three Children And 8 Wonderful Grand Children. My Life Is Just Perfect Except This One Thing -----being Over Weight. Being Over Weight Effected My Entire Life. My Life Has Centered Around Food For So Long I Really Worried That Would Not Be Able To Make The Needed Changes. I Had Glb Surgery 1 Month Ago (feb. 23). I Have Already Lost 22 Lbs. I Go For My First Fill Next Week. I Already Feel So Much Better. My Energy Level Is Higher Than It Has Been In Ages. Gosh If I Can Do This Anybody Can. Go For It!!!!!!!! :bananapartyhat:

Dwilson