Hello! I have been fighting doing bariatric surgery for a few years now, but my health has gotten to the point where I have started to take medication for pre-diabetic that is going to be diabetes quick and my weight is not starting to effect my ability to be active, which I am VERY active. So I have made the decision to make some serious inquiries and research into it. I know I want something that is reversible, because I want help with the weight loss, but I really want to maintain it on my own. I went to the seminar at our bariatric surgery center to learn about the different types and the two that I am very seriously considering is the Lap-band and the Gasteric Balloon. I would like to step away from the medical professionals and get some real life input on what people's experiences have been with both.

Things I am looking for are... Alcohol consumption (I know its not recommended, but can I really not have a glass of wine here or there?? I take clients out on a regular basis and I enjoy a glass) The Balloon states pretty much no carbs and a lot of veggies are out. So am I going to a liquid and meat diet??? What about physical activity of each??? Are any of you playing sports like softball, basketball, volleyball after you have the surgery? Do you feel any lightheadedness doing these type of activities? Any other issues with contact sports? Anything else that you all are willing to share to help me make a decision I would really appreciate.

I would hate to have a job where drinking decided how well I worked in the company. I want my success by how hard I work. Not how much I drink or eat. After a wls of any kind going to dinners with clients will be rough, but once again it's not about what we put in our mouth but what comes out our mouth. The sole purpose of wls is learning healthier habits. Another thing surgeons are hard on us not drinking our calories. No one said a drink here and there was the end of the world, but keeping up with the guys is unhealthy behavior and a lot of liquid calories.

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I have had the lap band for about 12 years with no fill and no problem. I gained about 30 pounds when I retired, which I am slowly getting back off. I honestly love the band because it is a constant reminder if I eat too much or too fast, I get stuck and that is the reminder I need to keep on track. I originally lost 90 pounds and kept it off for 8 years but I was always a stress eater and am trying to get back to my original eating habits.