I'm thinking about getting LapBand. Is it really worth it?

[bethrn 0]

Hi gang,

I want to get it because of my health... but some of the posts on here really have me thinking if I should do it.

*starving

*vomiting

and so on.... I'm really concerned and want to make the right choice.

Yes almost definitely it's worth it. I suppose if you are one of the rare ones that had major complications afterward, you may not feel like I do though. I have never vomited/PB'ed. I've done my share of being hungry, but I felt it was a trade off because my band has been so loose, and implementing some self-discipline helped to to avoid all of the bad side effects and potential complications from a too-tight band. So I'm stuck at 25 months post op on my weight loss. It's been slow, but I'm so much healthier than I was 2 years ago. I opted to "filler up!" today while I was at my doc's office. First fill in 13 months, and only fill #3 for me in over 2 years. I'm still down 75 lbs with a fairly loose band, and other than those first few days of post op pain, my band has never given me any problems whatsoever. I do follow the basic lap band rules. I don't drink my calories. Absolutely nothing carbonated. I know I probably COULD drink it easily, but I know me. If I ever had a soda, I'd be hooked again, so I don't go there. I don't drink for a little while after eating. I watch what I eat closely with an occasional splurge about once a week. I cannot eat nearly the quantity of food I ate prior to surgery, which is the biggest benefit for me. I was a 16-20 oz steak kinda girl prior to the band, plus a buttery baked potato, plus a salad. Today I'm a 6-8 oz steak kinda girl, with no salad and no potato. I'm a meat eater, and I know if I eat any other food with a meal like that, I will not have room to eat my steak. It doesn't get stuck (hardly ever) and I don't vomit. I just get full. I can eat pretty much whatever I want texture-wise including meats, breads, pastas. It's really been a blessing to me. It has helped tremendously with Portion Control. I don't feel the NEED to eat that huge amount now because I'm full. :rolleyes2: I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with it.

[ekgoldberg 0]

Hi:

Please do not read the stuff about throwing up and straving. I did lap band one month ago. I am not starving and I have not thrown up. If you read all the bad stuff you will make yourself crazy. You are either commited to the process or not. Once you are committed you will only read positive postings. Postings that will help you with the best results possible. This is the best thing I ever did for myself. The hardest part is making the commitment