I'm very blessed to have a family that loves me dearly. My big brother told me this weekend that he wants to pay for wls for me. I could never get approved through my insurance company years ago and my current job doesn't offer insurance. I asked him if he realized how much money was involved and he said yes. He wants to give me the "gift of life". Needless to say, I cried like a baby. What a gift indeed. He thinks gastric bypass is what I should get but that surgery scares me and I'm leaning more towards the lap band but I'm really undecided. When I first tried to get wls only gastric bypass was around, so I'm researching the lap band. Can anyone tell me how they have done long term on the band? Have you kept the weight off? What are some of the things you hate about the band and what you like about the band.

Thanks in advance for you help!

Hi! I'm Pamela. I have only had the band for 10 days so i can't help you on the long term part but i have had a great experience with the band so far. You are truly blessed to have a brother that is willing to pay for your surgery. I would not have been able to get the band if it wasn't for my insurance. Mine would cover the gastric bypass or the lap band. I researched them both and decided to go with the lap band. I wasn't comfortable with the mortality rate and the band is fully reversible if needed. Every person is different but i am so glad i chose the band. Good luck on making the right decision for you.

Pamela

lost 31 lbs to date

Hi,>I am scheduled to be banded Oct 18th but one of the most helpful informative things (besides this forum) that I've done was to go to a seminar about the band and then also go to a local support group. There you can ask people who have had the band varying lengths of time questions that you might have. Good Luck.

I have had the band for two months now and really love it. I was afraid of the other surgery. Donna

Hi, I have had my band for almost a year. This is one of the best things I could have spent my money on. I am also self pay. I have losted 70 lbs and feel great. I'm 3 lbs from my goal. You will learn in time what you can eat and can't that comes with experence. Good Luck to you!

~Betty

Annabellpk - I got my band 8 months ago and cannot recommend it enough. I have lost 52 lbs. only 25 to go. Another family member also got it done and has lost over 80 lbs. It has positively impacted so many areas of our lives and we are so grateful to have been able to afford it. Let your brother help you with the cost - your life will be longer fi you have it done and you can repay him by being around longer. What a great brother you have! Don't let fear hold you back-it is a simple procedure with so many positives for you.

annabellapeekin- What a wonderful brother you have! I lose my borther 6 years ago to a heart attack brought on by his being extremely overweight. I would give anything I have to bring him back and give him a second chance at a normal life. Your brother is just a step ahead, he knows how important you are to him. My brother was only 48 yrs old when he died. I am now 49 and I am trying to live life to its fullest for both of us.

Don't put that on your brother, accept his wonderful gift to you and share your new life with him and his family.

You must also be a great person for someone to care so deeply.

Hi Annabella!

I LOVE my lap band and my only regeret is that I waited so long. I have several friends that chose the gastric bypass and although they are losing weight faster than me, they seem to have more health problems. The lap band is minimally invasive and we don't have to worry about malabsorption like our RNY brothers and sisters do.

I had my surgery on 13 June and am now able to eat most everything, albeit in much smaller portions. I do not eat soft bread, Pasta, deep fried foods, or rice. I have found that my taste for sweets has really diminished. The band is a wonderful tool, letting you know when you are really full. Since you are required to take small bites and chew well, it's almost impossible to rush through a meal. That gives you time to think about what you are eating and to concenterate on the people you are with rather than making food the focus.

In addition, I am saving so much money. I no longer go to fast food restaurants, and I cook fresh, healthy food. Where I once always cleaned my plate and wanted more, now I can only eat a small portion of a meal and save leftovers for additional meals. The money saved goes towards new clothes in smaller sizes!

Hello....I am only 43 pounds lighter now--it's been 6 months.(March 28th-2007--banded) I am at the average of 7.2 pounds per month. I am not exercising as much as I'd like to, due the heat. I was riding my bike 3 to 5 days a week, but it's time to move away from that walmart bike- then-into a bike shop maybe--($200 to $400 price range). It will not be the best bike--but better than what I have now....If I can at least get myself back in motion of 3 to 5 days every week--I am sure--I can be closer to my goal by March--(107 pounds) Since now we're headed to the cooler months--well, lets hope so....This weekend of October 6 and 7th(2007)---it's forecasted for the low 90's...So is Global Warming real or what??:whoo: