I am 29 y/o and weigh 205. I have had issues with weightloss the past 5 yrs. and I am unsure if I should go through with this. I met with my doctor yesterday and I am a candidate (private pay). I'm just scared about the eating afterwards. Did anyone else go through this?

Thanks,

Kelli:eek:

Kelli,

Don't be afraid of the eating after the band....It is not bad...I was banded on 4/6/07 and I am now eating regular foods...I can only eat 1/2 cup per meal, but that is plenty...I will have my first fill on 5/17/07....you don't want to eat after the band...oh, you get hungry, but I can't eat more than a 1/2 cup...I eat three meals a day and drink liquids(water) in between....No snacks, and no eating between meals....I am sticking to this diet....the lap band is a very good tool, it makes me behave....

Thanks for your input. I guess I'm scared of a new lifestyle.

Kelli,

I don't know if makes you feel any better or not, but I am 28yrs old myself and weigh 210lbs. I stand 5'7" with a BMI of 33. I am having this surgery for many reasons...the main one being my joints. My feet and ankles swell terribly and I have some bad veins in my Rt leg. But one other reason is that I AM 28 and would like to act, feel, and dress like someone that age and not like I'm an old lady. I've struggled with the yo-yoing of dieting for at least 10 yrs and know that I don't have the will-power needed to keep it off without something like this. I hope this helps you with your decision...only you know what's right for you.

Thank you that does help.

I am 41 and 5'1". I weighed right at 200 when I started looking into being banded. I got up to 215 before I had it done (had to wait 6 months with insurance). I LOVE to eat. I live in South Louisiana and we live to eat, not to mention that we lost our home to Katrina and food was my biggest buddy through it all. I was banded on 4/16. I LOVE it! I have lost about 20 lbs, but the biggest thing for me is that I can eat a little and be satisfied. Before being banded, I would get full, but not satisfied so I would continue eating. My doctor is really awesome. I was able to eat some on my pre-op and I am on week 3 and I am up to eating baked fish and some chicken. I eat just about anything I want to, (I do make healthy choices). The only thing I have not had yet is red meat. I too was worried about the change in lifestyle since my lifestyle was centered around food. I have not felt deprived AT ALL. My biggest reasoning for having the surgery was to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure etc. which I am genetically pre-disposed to. I wish I had done it years ago, but I am very happy with my band and Love my new outlook on life. Good Luck! Keep your chin up! Congratulations on taking charge!

Michelle,

Thanks so much for your responce. I need good encouragement like that. I'm getting excited to finally make that last step and tell myself OK let's do it. My husband is 100% behind me. That helps. This web site rocks!! I have learned more on it than anywhere.

Kelli

I'm 27 and sooo fat. When I was in high school my best friend gained a bunch of weight (30lbs) one summer and then lost it all after school started. She weighed over 200 pounds and I remember thinking, OMG I will never weigh more than 200. I weighed 304 this morning. I'm scared about getting the lap band, and my insurance approval should come through this week. I have been over weight for 8 years. severely to morbidly obese for 5-6 years. I hate it. I feel like I lost my youth and I want to experience some of what's left of my pre-thirty years. Plus go back to work.

evilah

Well, if it wasn't implicit, I am most likely getting banded as soon as my insurance comes through, unless I find any more negative info, I'm okay with the information I have now. I think the surgery is about as dangerous as gall bladder removal surgery. I'm worried about management of the band and my diet afterwards, but fully committed to whatever is necessary to do it right.

Evilah,

That's kinda how I am feeling now. Whatever is necessary to lose weight is what I have to do. Thanks to everyone who has posted back to me, it all helps.

Kelli

Kelli - I just turned 34 and i had the band placed on march 30th. When i first started researching getting the band my thought was i don't want to live the rest of my life with that thing in me. I know it can be removed but drs don't recommend it. Then i realized i don't want to spend the rest of my life losing and gaining weight which is what i have been doing the past 14 years of my life. I was willing to do the work to lose the weight but i didn't want the failure of gaining it back again and for that i needed help. And that's what made me decide to get banded. So far i am 6 weeks out and i have lost 27 lbs. which includes my pre op diet. right now i am losing about 2 lbs a week wich is pretty normal with a band. i am exercising 3 times a week and I can eat pretty much anything i want just smaller amounts and i do try to eat healthier. But my philosophy is i am not going to completely deprive myself of anything i may want to eat. we all know that that does not work because eventually you will give in and gorge yourself on chocolate and Dr. Pepper. It's all about moderation. Godd luck!

Well, I've made another step towards getting the band. Going to my PCP May 23. I talked to the lapband Dr.'s office about scheduling it mid-end of July. I'm so excited. Thanks for everyone's responces, they continue to help me.

Kelli

Ladies....you are all so young! You have so much living yet to do...I am 55 and getting my band in 2 weeks. I WISH it had been available 20 years ago. I have lost 2 decades....hiding in my home, hiding from old friends...I haven't bought REAL clothes (except for huge shirts to cover me and stretch leggings) since 1992....I do not remember what it's like to go to a department store. I don't go to parties....I don't have relationships...I don't feel pretty....I avoid mirrors.....The only thing I can say is....don't wait until you are in your 50's and have lost all that time. I woke up one morning and suddenly I thought...if I don't do something now...I will be retired....I will be too old...I will have missed everything...and I will REGRET not having acted. I am acting NOW and I feel empowered. I WILL live and ENJOY the rest of my life....this is my GOAL.

LATE: Very well said. I could not agree with you more!!!! I definitely don't feel as though we should deprive ourselves. In faxt my doc and nutritionist do not recommend it. Its a matter of eating sensibly with the help of this tool. Also, its ok to slip up. If I do, I just try to have a better day the next time and get a little more exercise in.