I will be banded on 3/28/2008. I am starting to get really excited/anxious about my new way of life. But I was wondering... If you had to do all over again what would you do different?

I wouldn't change a thing about my band, other than the obvious. I need to exercise more and stay away from the NAUGHTY foods.

I don't know if you did this, but I started to re-evaluate my life once I made the decision to have the surgery. I promised myself that I'd never be afraid to do something again. I guess I started thinking about some regrets and missed opportunities I had because I was too uncomfortable with my size.

I would have done it three years ago when I first heard about it, rather than waiting til last October.

The only thing I should have done was to do it earlier.

I'm not banded yet. My date is March 14th.

The thing I would do differently: I would have started the process 5 years ago when my primary care suggested it.

Patiently waiting to begin my journey.

Honestly? Absolutely nothing. Every stage of the journey and every mistake I made was valuable.

I would have started saving for reconstructive plastic surgery the day I was banded.

Other than that, nothing.

id of done it 3 yrs ago..

Thanks... I'm really trying to get the most out of this whole experience. Everyday I see things with a new perspective, but it is always helpful to get some advice from somone who has been there already.

I wish I'd heard of and had Lap-Band surgery instead of my last diet, a medically supervised program that cost ~$4K for 12 weeks of intensive work and a few followups (I had to quit because we moved), and which resulted in a 25 lb loss followed by a 50 lb gain.

I wish I hadn't spent so much time immediately post-op trying different Protein powder and obsessing over amounts of liquid and protein, I could have just drunk 3 tolerable tasting shakes a day and gotten my tastes fulfilled with chicken broth or carrot-ginger Soup or some other clear soup. That's what I do now during my two days of post-fill liquid, and it's much less stressful!

I wish I had been more active after surgery. It took me a while to get back on a regular schedule and I think I would have felt better sooner if I had gotten off the couch more often!

I wish I had weaned off the narcotic pain meds on day three instead of day seven - my pain probably would have been managed with Tylenol and I wouldn't have had so much nausea (I thought it was band-related, but in retrospect it was the codeine!).

I wish I hadn't tried spicy soup on day 3 post-op - ouch!

I wish I hadn't chewed gum and accidentally swallowed it a couple days after starting mushies, cause I had to go back on liquids!

Good luck with your surgery!

My expectations were too high. I expected to lose 30 lbs right away :smile2: Then another 30 the next week :tongue2: and the last 5 could be lost slowly. :laugh: Ha Ha! In reality, I can eat anything, just not much of it. Wt loss is slow but sure, and it feels good to be full. I don't constantly think about and want food like before. Excercise helps alot. I have had 3 fills, and get a little more restriction each time. I haven't ever barfed! :huh2:

I guess I expected to be instantly thin, even though I knew better in my mind. That caused some down times for me at first, but I finally woke up to reality. It is a very "freeing" experience, even if the weight comes off slowly, 'cuz I don't have my "diet" on my mind constantly.

I'd have done it 3 years ago!

like others - sooner...

i would have started exercising immediately, and i would have dieted until i found restriction.

instead i had a few months of, i'm not restricted so i'll eat whatever.