Hi everyone,

I am almost half way through the 14 day pre-op phase with banding scheduled in 9 days. The diet hasn't been too bad. Two Protein shakes as two Meal Replacements and one meal of 4 oz protein and a 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables for third meal. Have lost about 15 pounds since I first had my consultation with the surgeon a month ago. Just wanted to say "Hi", and am reading all the interesting comments on this forum.

I have to be honest. From reading about Banding on other sites I was ready to cancel the surgery. The information was so negative about Adjustable Gastric Banding. Until I found this forum where there were so many success stories I was really down.

I can't have sleeve or bypass because of my age (72) - or I should say my surgeon wouldn't consider them because of recovery from complication concerns.

Anyway, I see my surgeon in 3 days to sign consent forms and weigh in before surgery next week. Excited but nervous - especially about the risks of band slippage.

Caio,

JB

Congratulations on your decision to have a healthier life! I'm so proud of you... I think it is harder to jump into new ideas as we age. Best of luck... Lots if info and good people here????

Welcome JB I was having doubts too reading all the stuff online about banding.. I have surgery April 24 and it was a bit worrying about the bad reviews.. I know a guy who has had it done about 2 years ago and he said it was the best thing he has done.. I really think people that are dissatisfied tend to write more online about stuff.. Just like reviews for hotels etc. Lots of people get mad and just write stuff down but the happy ones usually don't comment about things..

Hope your surgery goes well and I will be happy to chat with you..

Hi there and congratulations on your surgery date. I loved it that unlike every diet I had ever been on, the pounds I lost during pre-op were ones I would never see again. I chose Lapband because I did not want to have something more drastic. I was 52 and had never been an overnight patient in the hospital before. I like the idea that unlike other surgeries it is reversible (not that I'd ever want to have it taken out -- I love my band!). The band requires a lot of followup in the first year. I liked that because of the accountability. I think this is one of the reasons that other surgeries are more prevalent now -- most surgeons do not want to see their patient 11 times in that first year. That's a lot of face-to-face time and I'm sure it's not encouraged by the bean-counters, either. The last 16 months have been so great for me. I wish you every success! The links below in my signature are ones that helped me early on; maybe they will help you, too. Best wishes and keep us posted!

Jb1176-

I have surgery the 16 th too! I had similar thoughts until I found this site as well. I know I can do this, I just a a little support to tell me when to stop eating! I think this will be great for me.

I work in healthcare and see soooo many sleeve and bypass patients that have terrible complications and/or gain the wt right back. I rarely see band patients and if I do, they admit they never followed the plan or used the band as a tool. Several had revisions to sleeves/bypass but the same regaining of the wt. This makes ME and only me accountable if it works or not.

We have some April band buddies on the pre-op thread....come join us