Hello, I'm a 27 year old single mother of two. I am currently 5'1/ 240. The biggest I have EVER been, and not willing to get any bigger than this. When I saw that my weight and my BMI made me fall into the morbidly obese category, I KNEW I had to do something. I've been researching the lapband for half a year now and I think I am ready to schedule my consult. How has this process gone for those of you who have already been banded? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS AND GOD BLESS. :help::rolleyes:rolleyes::clap2:

I love mine. So glad i did this. Donna

I was banded just 10 days ago and feel great so far. The whole process for me took 3 1/2 months. Good luck!

Val

Hello, I am in a similar situation. Although I have only been looking into Lap band for a month or two. I feel a strong pull to do this, but I am still nervous. I am 243 pounds and 5'3", also morbidly obese.

Good luck

I watched the video thats posted on this site about the surgery. That gave me a little more insight and info, I'd watch it if I was you.

I feel like my band gave me my life back. I am considerably older than you are, and was more concerned with living to see my grandbabies grow up---but it has been better than I dared to imagine!

I have control over my appetite, and my hunger. I am back to a much more acceptable weight. I have gone from morbidly obese, to simply overweight, and am on my way to normal weight! I can buy clothes in the Misses section again, and I can chase and run after grandkids. 2 years ago, I could do none of that! It has taken less than a year and a half to lose over 100 pounds, and I have not seriously dieted...just ate sensibly with the band---and the band made it possible to do!

There was a learning time, where I hurt if I over ate, or ate too fast. I now feel like I live a perfectly normal life...I would not trade it for anything.

Others have had a rougher time of adjusting to the band, and yet others made me look slow! One of the girls banded the same month I was (April of 06) has lost over 200 pounds!!! It is possible, and your attitude goes a long way to making it successful. Research thoroughly to make sure you are willing to commit to the change of lifestyle. In my own opinion it was totally and completely worth it, I would do it again in a heart beat!!! I would and do suggest it to anyone!

Good Luck, and welcome to LBT!!

Kat

I had my surgery in Sept of 2006. I haven't regreted my decision yet. I went from a size 20 to 12. I have a higher self esteem. I was on insulin 3 times a day, now I don't have to inject insulin. I went from 9 pills a day to only 2. I feel great.........

I am 42 years old and was banded almost 3 months ago. I have struggled (like most bandsters) with my weight ALL my life. As I grew older, it became harder and harder to lose weight. The last I was successful was with Atkins. Three years ago I lost 60 pounds only to regain that plus 40 after the tragic death of my grandfather. I am an emotional eater and the band is teaching me to deal with my emotions.

I'm not going to say it's easy, because that wouldn't be true. If you're like me, you will have to teach yourself how to eat like a normal person. I am still in the learning phase. I had my first fill 2 weeks ago and I am still eating too fast and too much at times which leads to severe pain. Also if you're like me, you will HAVE to exercise to lose...it just doesn't happen unless you train yourself to make this a priority.

Having said all this, I would definitely make this decision again. I have lost 45 pounds and feel so much better. I can now wear my wedding ring again...I even participated in a challenge course for our teachers' staff training...I climbed a 65 foot tower and then attached myself to a zip line and zipped across 75 feet of treetops dangling in the air. There is NO way I could have done that before lapband...not only because I was 45 pounds heavier, but most importantly, because I am getting my self-esteem back!

Good luck with your decision!!

Wow. You all are an encouragement, and after watching the video, and doing the research, I believe I am ready. I am not an emotional eater, in fact I am the opposite, I don't eat when I am down. That has been more of a problem for me than over eating has been. I chose to do an online seminar for the place where I will hopefully be banded so that is already out of the way, now I just have to go to my initial consultation. What happens at that very first appointment? Anybody? Good luck to all of you.

I have not worked up the courage to watch the video yet, but I have seen a few episodes of Big Medicine where they do lapbands. Not sure if that counts.

Why do you suggest it? Just curious, I was planning to watch it soon.

I suggested it because if you are anything like me, you like to know before hand EXACTLY what to expect from step one to the finale . Watching the video for me helped me to decide that this is infact what I want to do. It was the deal breaker for me.

Rhapsody-

I will be 27 in a few months and I felt the same way you did. I saw my weight, saw my bmi and knew I needed to do something about it. I researched the lapband for about a year. I went to the seminar, the consult and after a month, I had the surgery. It's been a relatively easy recovery. I'd do it again in an instant. I was banded July 31st, so I haven't had my fill yet but I look forward to it. I was nervous about my surgery and had lots of questions but this forum has been a lifesaver. If you have any reservations or any questions, just ask!

thanks so much. Hopefully I can schedule my consult for september... like early september. If possible I'd like to get banded by years end. Anyone get banded in kansas?

thanks so much. Hopefully I can schedule my consult for september... like early september. If possible I'd like to get banded by years end. Anyone get banded in kansas?

Me! Me! Me! I was banded in Kansas! :clap2:

Who was your surgeon? Where were you banded?

Who was your surgeon? Where were you banded?

Dr. Malley at the Heartland Spine & Specialty Center.