Hi,

I am going in for my first appt. to see about getting the Lap Band procedure next week. I'm not sure if I should do it! I have 105 ponds to lose and I really want to do it for my health, my son and my self esteem. Is it really hard to keep up with after the procedure? Would you do it again if you had the choice???? Please give me a heads up abou the procedure!

Thanks,

Aimee

The procedure was pretty easy relatively speaking. I took 6 days off and had surgery on a Tuesday and was back to work on the following Monday. The only thing that was sore was the port site. I am considered a slow/average loser at 1 lb a week. I am down 52 lbs since last June. Julie

Welcome to LBT Aimee! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!!! The band has given me my life back. I now know that I can achieve all my dreams. The band is just a tool but if you are committed to making it work, it will. I researched this for a year before dh and I were ready to take the step. The final affirmation in my mind came when I made a list of the pros and cons to having surgery versus staying like I was. After that, it was a no-brainer. Do your research and if we can help any, let us know. There are a lot of people hear at all different stages so there is sure to be someone that can answer your questions. Best of luck to you and let us know how everything is going!

You bet I would do it all over again. I had the lapband surgery in Feb. 2007 and I have lost almost 30 LBS. To me thats a huge accomplishment that I know I would not have done without the band. If your able to get the surgery done, Please don't hesitate because it will be the best thing that you will ever do fro yourself and your boy and most importantly for you Health! Just remember that this is a tool, and you have to work at it, by eating healthy , exercising, and choosing to get healthy. I hope this helps your desision, good luck

Minnesotalady:D

Aimee

I would do it again in a minute. Had the surgery Thurs , was back to work Monday. I finally feel like I am in control of my weight loss. Best thing I ever did.

mema

What is it like for the following days and weeks after the surgery?

It seems that food is an addiction for me and I am afraid of not being able to enjoy it after the surgery. I know I need to go to counseling for it and find out how to cope without depending on it. Please let me know what it's like on the road of being banded!

Aimee

Aimee, following the days after surgery you are generally sore at the port site. You have to stay on liquids, then mushies then solids for about 4-5 weeks leading up to your first fill. You can get a fill typically at week 6. In the beginning, you do not have any hunger (typically). Sometimes the hunger will return with avengence after a few weeks. At that point you get anxious for a fill. The fills really help with hunger. Julie

hi aimee,

i am recently banded and would definitely do it again.

i worried alot after reading alot about the surgery on the various websites and i must tell you...everyone's experience is different. i did get alot of good info (like the preop list of things to prepare) but i didnt experience everything everyone else did. i experienced some things....but it wasnt bad at all.

immediately after the operation....i definitely needed help with my dogs for 2 days. after that....i was back on my feet altho' i was tired. walking helped to overcome that.

regarding the emotional....for now...i'm just not hungry. but i do know i will have to deal with the emotional eating.

i belong to a 12 step program for another issue i had...so that will help with the emotional...

food was my first addiction and it is the last one going down

anyway good luck in your search

What does a "fill" mean?

Cinnibar, when you get banded there is a tube with a port which is placed right under the muscle at the waist line. The fill is how they adjust the band tightness. Typically you can start getting fills 6 weeks after surgery. They numb the area up and insert the needle into the port and add saline. It is painless accept or a little sting with the numbing agent. Typically they don't fill you very fast. I have had 5 fills in 10 months. Let me know if you have any other questions. Julie

I have been on the fence for this surgery for about a year....I have just started my testing for the surgery. I am taking baby steps but you have to think about not only loosing weight but keeping it off. I have lost and gained the same 50 lbs over and over again for the past 10 years. I am going for my stress test on Monday. I feel that I need something to police my eating habits because I can't, not for long. I have tried the Jenny Craig, fen fen, atkins, LAWL and a whole lot more...but the weight all comes back after a while and now even more. I have decided that this surgery has to work and I have to follow this plan to the letter or I will be fat another decade. Anyway, I hope this helps you with your journey, take baby steps.

Hi, I thought I'd add my experience so far.... had op on Wednesday I had NO post op pain, just a little wind! Went back to work on Monday, with no problems whatsoever. I have no fill at the moment but have some restriction. I've lost 17lbs in 3 weeks and I'm very pleased!