I have always been overweight and at 63 years old I knew I had to do something. I've had 2 knee replacements and knew that those "new" knees wouldn't last under this 248 pounds. I started inquiring about the lap band procedure in September 2013. It took 5 months to get through the paperwork and appointments and on Valentine's Day 2014 I had surgery. It's been a little over 3 months and I'm 45 pounds down. I'm working really had to do what I'm supposed to do. I had an adjustment the 1st and 2nd month. This month I didn't need the adjustment. I haven't had to throw up any food but I have had an incident of really bad pain because I ate too big a bites and didn't chew enough (egg). I've had some hiccups over the past few months but my doc told me it's because I'm eating too fast. I just need to learn to slow down a bit.

I belong to Spark People and that helps me track my carbs. I'm on 30 carbs a day - most days I stay within the limit but on occasion I go over. Eating out is a challenge - I can always find something on the menu but there are a lot of foods I really wish I could eat. I don't order them or take a chance because I want to succeed.

I would like to hear from others who have had the surgery or are anticipating the surgery and have questions,

Congrats! You're doing much better than most.

What food do you want to eat and don't say cake or ice cream, that's a given

Most of us just try to eat healthy and occasionally we all fall off the wagon for a day. Before band many of us would spiral into weeks or months of staying off the wagon. But now, the band helps to curb those cravings so it's so much easier to climb back on that wagon and pick right up where we left off.

Don't beat yourself up if you fall once. It'll happen someday, just pick yourself up and start again.

So proud of you! I was going to do this a year ago but my surgeon (then) moved his surgery location to a distance I wasn't comfortable with. I'm currently signed up with Dr. Baptista but haven't met him yet.

As for "What do you do now", from what I read on the site...follow doc's orders. Stay relaxed I guess too. That's what I will concentrate on. Once its done, its done...don't look back. No regrets and think positive. Best wishes and God Bless you.